“On the ground, inmate!” I didn’t listen.
The guard grabbed my arms, and I struggled with him as my face burned. “Don’t you ever say it!” My eyes burned into his.
“I said on the ground!” I spun and headbutted the guard with a loud grunt. He groaned and stumbled back as blood began to drip from his nose. “Jesus fuck!” He ran to the wall and hita button. An alarm immediately began to blare all throughout the jail. The inmates all panicked and hit the floor. They lay on their stomachs and placed their hands on the back of their heads while numerous other armed guards joined. A cluster of them rushed me, and I fought against them, focused on the one inmate.
“Don’t you ever say his name! If you do, I’ll fucking kill you! You hear me? I’ll kill you!”
The guard, whose nose I broke, yanked me back. “Enough!” I turned to face him when another guard appeared. He raised his gun and slammed the butt of it into my face, and everything went black.
My head achedand throbbed as pain ran through my skull. “Oh fuck,” I groaned. My body rolled around in agony.
“Took a real beating there, didn’t you?”
My body rose to find my roommate. He was sitting in his bunk sharpening a toothbrush with a dull razor blade he had probably swiped from someone. “Hey, Juke.” He tilted his chin at me. I groaned and hung my legs over my bunk opposite him. “How long have I been out?”
Juke shrugged his shoulders. “If I had to guess, I’d say a couple hours. They got you good this time.” I rolled my eyes.
I had become known for my temper in this place. Earned a reputation for it. I couldn't help it. Without Motley here to keep me in check, it was like my anger had become uncontrollable. It turned into a fucking monster.
“What was it this time, hothead?” Juke eyed me. “Another one of your pointless fights?”
I sighed. “Nah. Just some little bitch talking shit, that’s all.” I watched him continue with the toothbrush. “The fuck are you doing with that?” I pointed.
Juke looked around to make sure no guards were near before he shuffled over to my bunk. He then held the sharpened toothbrush out for me to see and spoke in a whisper. “I’m making a weapon.”
“A weapon?” He’s going to get himself killed.
He nodded. “I’m not like you, Kash. I can’t protect myself in here.” He wasn’t wrong. Juke was a tall and scrawny man. He resembled a skeleton and was serving time for drug possession. He had no connections in here and no reputation to save his ass from the abuse he’d endured. “Soon, I’ll be able to show them I’m not weak.”
“Show who?” I asked.
Juke looked straight at me. “Xavier and his whole fucking gang.” My body stiffened at the name.
Xavier? The very man who had Motley terrified and running his whole life? The man who hired Guy to follow us? It couldn’t be the same Xavier. Could it?
“Did you say Xavier?” He nodded. “Xavier ishere? In this jail?”
Juke tucked the toothbrush into his shirt as a guard walked by on patrol. He waited until the man left before turning back to me. “Who do you think sent those men to your table earlier today? Xavier always sends his three little goons to rough up the newbies.” He scuttled back to his bunk and continued sharpening his toothbrush. “He’s the king of this jail. Nothing happens without him knowing.”
It wasn’t possible. There was no way the same man was here with me.
“Juke?” He lifted his head. “How do I find Xavier?”
He stopped what he was doing. “You don’t want to find him, hothead.”
“Oh, but I do.” He watched me closely. “If this Xavier is who I think he is, then I do. I need to see him.”
Juke made a face. “Why?” I huffed. “Uh-uh. If I’m going to stick my neck out for you, I deserve to know why.” He crossed his arms. “It’s only fair.”
Fucking stubborn ass.
“If youmustknow, Xavier and I have a…friendin common. And some unfinished business.” Juke raised an eyebrow. “Please, Juke.”
He blew a raspberry. “Fine! But it’s going to cost you.” He held his hand out.
“Seriously?” He didn’t budge. “Fine.” I rolled my eyes and searched the pockets of my orange jumpsuit before I pulled out my only pack of cigarettes.
Fuck, I’m going to miss these.
