Page 29 of Rat

Sebastian hummed. “Have you sucked his cock?”

The unexpected question set off another volley of coughs. Rory clutched his side as the pain flared.

“No. I haven’t sucked his cock.”

Sebastian shrugged. “I was only asking.”

“I don’t know why he cares what happens to me. He’s…a good guy.”

Sebastian pursed his lips. “I see it. When he’s training Ollie, when he’s watching over you. I see he’s a good guy. He could be a good fit here too, someone for the younger ones to look up to, but not while he’s suffering like that.”

“He talked about seeing a therapist, but he cancelled the appointment.”

“Get him to make another one. Doctor Jarvis has helped loads of guys in here. Stopped some from offing themselves.”

Rory’s heart missed a beat. “You don’t think he’ll—”

“No,” Sebastian cut in. His eyes bore into Rory’s. “I just meant I think it’ll help. The night when you were on the medical wing… I’ve never heard anything like it. He screamed out your name, and as soon as the sun was up, he was banging on his cell door, demanding to know how you were.”

Rory dragged his legs towards him and rested his forehead on his knees. Captain cared about him, but he didn’t deserve it. He was nothing but a fraud. Sebastian’s gaze pressed heavily on him.

“You’ve got to convince him to see the therapist,” Sebastian said.

Rory sighed. “He thinks he’s got to watch me all the time, make sure nothing happens to me. I think he blames himself for me getting stabbed.”

Sebastian’s gaze drifted off Rory, and he frowned. “It wasn’t his fault—”

“I know that,” Rory hissed. “I’ve told him that, but he doesn’t listen.”

He struggled to his feet, gritted his teeth, and growled through the pain. Sebastian looked as if he was about to help him, then thought better of it and lay back down. Rory pulled himself onto the top bunk.

He knew he wouldn’t be getting any more sleep, too guilty over Captain’s predicament.

Rory glanced up from his table and frowned at the officer advancing on Sebastian. He spoke into his ear, then Sebastian stood up and excused himself. Rory narrowed his eyes and studied the officer and Sebastian’s exchange.

He recoiled when he saw the officer handing over something, which Sebastian quickly stashed in his pocket.

In the three weeks he’d been there, Rory had realised Sebastian didn’t just have the inmates under his control, but some of the officers too. He looked over, and Rory averted his gaze. He knew he hadn’t been quick enough when he saw Sebastian approaching from the corner of his eye.

Sebastian moved around the table and sat down opposite Rory. He lifted his eyebrow, but Rory didn’t say anything. Sebastian sighed, then reached into his jacket pocket.

“You look bored.”

“I am,” Rory mumbled.

Sebastian placed a pack of cards on the table. “I’m here to solve your boredom.”

“Cards?”

“Very observant.”

Rory narrowed his eyes. “You want to play cards?”

“Uh-huh.”

“With me?”

Sebastian nodded, then emptied the cards into his palm. He shuffled them hypnotically fast, then dealt Rory a hand.

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