I dropped my head on Gus’s boney shoulder. “That’s nota bad idea. You should go tell your dad.”
He blew a heavy breath out, making his lips flaptogether. “Yeah, right. I’ll just punch myself in the face while I’m at it.”
We all looked at where Oz stood in a huddle with thethreepakhanand one of their secondin command, Rocco. My lip curled and my hands clenched into fists at my side. Idecided to add Gus to my list of refugees. One day, I would get them both out.
One day we’d be free of this place.
Gus laughed and it startled me. I looked at him and henudged his chin in the direction of the new kid. “What’s he doing?”
The three of us watched as he wandered aimlesslyaround the room, watching the men unpacking boxes until they told him to scram.Then he’d walk over to another group and hover until they moved him along.
It was obvious what he was doing—learning. Thequestion was why.
“Is it true he’s living with you?” I asked Gus.
“Yeah, he didn’t have a home I guess, and Roman didn’twant him living on the streets anymore. Especially after tonight.”
Fat Jack turned and raised a backhand to him and Sayerscurried off to a darkened corner of the warehouse. It was obvious Sayer waspushing his luck with these guys, but didn’t realize it. They’d been happy topat him on the head earlier, but now he was in their way and they were tryingto work.
“He’s going to get the shit beat out of him,” Imumbled.
“Nah,” Gus argued. “He’s one of them now. Roman madeit official after the shipment was secured.”
My heart jumped to my throat. “What do you mean?”
“Caro, he’s a Six. They made him earlier today.”
I couldn’t hear my question over the rushing of myblood. “Why?”
Gus jutted his chin toward the crates of guns and gunsand more guns. “Why do you think? Either he’sshestyorkaor he’s dead. They didhim a kindness.”
I scrambled to my feet before I could talk myself outof it and hurried along the walls of the warehouse, careful to stay out of theway. I found him hovering in darkness, watching the operation like he was goingto be given a test on it tomorrow. His arms were crossed over his chest, hishead tilted forward, his eyes hungry for every terrible and illegal thingbefore him.
He didn’t even acknowledge me when I prowled over tohim. I slapped his shoulder finally getting his attention. “I want to see it.”
When he still didn’t reply, I slapped his arm again.“I want to see it, Sayer. Show it to me.”
“Show you what?” he growled, finally granting me aquick, annoyed glance.
“Gus said they made you. I want to see proof.”
He rubbed his hand over his mouth and continued tostare at the men. His brothers. His thieves in law.
“Show it to me,” I demanded. And then I broke. I feltawful and guilty and to blame. I hadn’t meant this. I hadn’t meant for him tobecome this. I had just wanted… I just hadn’t wanted him to die. “Please,Sayer.”
He finally turned to me. His eyes hard and tough andready for the life ahead of him—as if he had any idea what he’d just gottenhimself into.
“You have to earn it.”
“Excuse me?”
He held my gaze. He was serious. “I’ll show it to you,but you have to earn it first.”
I rolled my eyes and stepped back. “You’re gross.”
He followed after me, grabbing my wrist before I couldflee. “Wait, no. God… no. That’s not what I meant. I didn’t mean… I mean, comeon how old are you? Eight?”
“You’re truly an asshole.”
