Tammy slips onto her stomach, her chin resting on the tops of her clenched hands, like a teenager gossiping with her best girlfriend about boys. “Our sexy friend in the cells.”
Priest is alive. Oh, thank God.
I try to hide my relief, but Tammy must take notice, because her smile widens.
“You’ve been holding out on me, Boo. All this time, I thought you having to feed him was punishment for something. But you liked it, didn’t you?” She bats her cheap false eyelashes at me. “Don’t worry, girl, I get it. I see the appeal. He’s good with his fingers too.”
My gut sinks. She’s lying. She must be.
“They let you feed him?” I say, keeping my voice from trembling at this new information. “I didn’t think chores were your thing. Your talents lie elsewhere.”
She narrows her eyes as I take in her outfit. Her tiny skirt is far too small, and barely covers her wide ass. “Why do you always dress like a horny teenager?”
“Fuck off,” she hisses. “You wish you had these guys eating out of the palm of your hand like I do. I’m going to be Big Dick’s woman soon, just watch. And once I’m his ol’ lady, the first thing I’m going to do is get rid of you.”
I bark out a laugh. “Oh, God. You’re serious, aren’t you? You really think he’s going to put a patch on your worn-out ass? You’re delusional.”
Snarling, she pushes up from her position on her stomach and pounces on me like a tiger. Her weight hits me like a ton of bricks, pushing me back onto the bed. The chains from my collar tangle with her hair as I shove her back. With a hard yank, I rip them free, tearing some of her tresses from her scalp.
“You bitch! You did that on purpose!” She tries to scratch at my face with her nails, but I pull my arms up to protect my face the best I can, her voice piercing as she screams insult after insult at me. Then suddenly, a large arm wraps around her waist, pulling her away from me.
“The fuck you doin’?” Alan growls, tugging her off the bed and away from me. The fight leaves her in an instant. “Explain yourself.”
Tammy looks over at me, then back to Alan, a sinister smile forming on her lips. I don't like that smile. Not one fucking bit.
“Boo’s made herself a new friend, Alan. Did she tell you that?”
Alan’s brow furrows. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
Tammy’s smile grows wider. “The preacher’s been asking about her. Seems they have a real connection.”
Alan’s face goes blank, and every drop of blood in my body drains to my feet. “Out,” he orders her. “Get the fuck out!”
Tammy wastes no time, her heels digging into the hardwood as she pulls herself upright and hurries toward the door. “Big Dick knows,” she warns. “He sent me in here. He’s not happy.”
And with that parting blow, she slams the door behind her. Alan stays where he’s at, glaring at me.
“Is it true?” he asks, his voice low and emotionless. “Have you been talking to him?”
“No,” I lie. “How could I do that from here?”
“After everything I’ve done for you, you’re gonna sit there on my bed, breathing my fucking air, and lie to me? After what I did to save your ass?”
“I’m not lying to you,” I insist, praying I sound convincing. “But why did you lie for me? Why didn’t you tell Big Dick about the phone?”
Alan crosses the room in three long strides, his hands coming to the collar at my neck. He grips the chain attached to it and yanks me forward until our noses are nearly touching.
“Because Iownyou,” he snarls.
“Why?” I push. “Why do you have to keep me alive? Why am I so special?”
“Special,” he scoffs. “I’ll show you how fucking special you are.”
With rough, hurried motions, he pulls a key from his pocket and unlocks the chain at my throat, then the one at my ankle.
“Get up.”
Fear holds me in place, and when I don’t comply, he grabs me by the hair and yanks me off the bed. With another tug, I’m on my feet. Pain rips through my scalp, causing tears to stream down my cheeks, but I don’t make a sound.