“You smell like shit,” a voice says from behind me and I turn to see old Theo standing there.
“Since when do you partake in the madness, old man?”
Theo smirks and nods at the bowl in his hands.
“I’m just here for the food.”
I snort a laugh and turn my attention back to the yard. I can’t see down into the Pit from here, but I’ve seen enough fights to know the current cries around me are for someone about to win or lose. My eyes wander the yard until they land on Ana again. She hasn’t seen me yet, and I enjoy taking her in from afar.
Her hair’s grown just a bit over the last few weeks and is a shaggy mop around her face. She’s wearing her fitted outfit today and my cock strains at the thought of taking her clothes off her. Even though we were up half the night fucking, I can’t get enough of her. I have to adjust myself in my pants as I walk.
I’m so distracted I don’t notice when the fight ends, even the cacophony of shouts of an entire prison not enough to tear my attention away from her. I watch her closely as she stands, waiting for the crowd’s attention to shift back to her. I frown when I notice how tense she looks and wonder what’s going on. Beside her, John whispers something to her and she nods, and I feel that stab of jealousy once more. What the fuck is she doing associating with him?
When the inmates don’t settle, John lets out a sharp whistle and suddenly all eyes are on her. I see her swallow deeply before beginning to speak.
“I…” She stops, flushing deeply. I’ve never seen her so nervous talking to the inmates. She’s usually confident, or at least appears to be. I hop down, ready to walk up there, when she starts again.
“I’m sure you’re all wondering what I am planning to do,” she says. I’ve seldom heard The Tomb so quiet as it is now with that ominous declaration. I frown. She’s supposed to be riling them up. What is this?
“You all owe me nothing,” she continues, “and really, I don’t have good reasons for you to not turn my ass in to those dicks.” A few chuckles and nods in the crowd. “I can’t share with you my plan, but I do have one. I can’t tell you that you shouldn’t turn me in, because let’s be honest, you probably should.”
I want to strangle her right now. Is this that fuckwad John’s doing?
“I can’t force you to do anything,” she admits, “but I can ask. So, I’m here today to ask you all for one thing, and that is two days. Two days for me to fix this shit, and if I can’t by then, I’ll turn myself in.” She steps down and the prisoners are almost silent, taking in what she is asking.
Fury fills me with the thought, and I start making my way toward her. The familiar fire in my veins fills at the thought of Dick getting his hands on her, and I know I can’t stay away.
“Inmates!” John shouts from beside her, “Werun this place, right?”
A few hesitant agreements come from the crowd.
“I can’t fucking hear you?” he shouts and this time, a more resounding cry of approval carries through the air. John smiles and nods at Ana before taking a step back.
“Fill every container we have with water,” she calls out, and immediately people begin getting to work. She pauses as I finally get through the crowd and up to the platform. Her smile falters when she sees the expression on my face
“Let’s go,” I say gruffly. Her brows crease together, but she nods, turning back to John.
“Can you take care of this?” she asks him and he nods. White hot jealousy and rage courses through me and just as I’m about to step forward, a big arm blocks my path. I growl, turning to see Ethan standing there. He shakes his head at me but doesn’t need to say anything.
Knowing if I stay, I’m going to gut that skinhead fucker, I turn on my heel and leave.
Sixteen
Ana
Iwatch Ax stalk off with a frown on my face. My eyes catch Ethan’s and I see something like understanding there before he turns to follow his friend. Sighing, I turn back to see John’s already directing the inmates and arranging containers to be filled.
“Hey ma’am—Ana?” a voice says behind me and I turn to see Ciaran standing there, practically bouncing on his toes. Sighing, I squeeze the bridge of my nose.
“Listen, come find me later or tomorrow, okay? Now isn’t a good time.” I say, immediately turning my back again.
“But…” he begins to respond.
“You heard her,” John butts in randomly and Ciaran’s eyes widen, and he runs off. I give John a quick nod of thanks before turning to Brutus, who’s patiently waited this whole time. Not picking his nose this time, thank fuck.
“Brutus, I’m heading back to my room. Take a break.” He nods and lumbers off.
Now to go figure out about our escape and find out what the hell crawled up Ax’s ass.