“Me?But he hates me!”
“He hates everyone here, but you are the best example of what good behavior can achieve. Make him see sense—it’s for his own good.”
I wanted to argue because I knew it was pointless, but the decision had been made. “Fine, I’ll speak with him.”
“Thank you. Before you go…” He held the remaining strawberry almond rusk in front of my face, either to embarrass me for acting out or because he knew I wanted a taste. He shook his head when I tried to take it from his hand. I opened my mouth instead and ripped a piece with my teeth, dropping crumbs on the floor. It annoyed me how good it tasted.
“Thank Eliot.”
I finished chewing and mumbled, “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
I left them before Eliot’s presence could taint me more.
*
The following day, Bo took me to see Nathan.
“What do you think I should tell him?” I asked as we walked toward my old cell.
“Tell him to stop being a drama queen.”
“He has a family.”
“Had.” We took a left turn and continued walking. “I got a new wig for you to try out—redhead this time. Super hot.”
I remembered what Mr. White had advised about making Bo feel bigger. “Can’t wait to try it out.”
He glanced at me. “You’re making fun of me, Prey?”
My stomach tightened. “No. It… it could be fun.”
He glanced at me again. “Fun enough for you to make those noises I like?”
I swallowed and forced out, “Depends on how hard you’ll fuck me.”
He snickered and patted my ass. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you won’t hear me complain.”
We stopped in front of a metal door I remembered too well.
“Shout if he starts to bite.”
“Maybe you should go in with me.”
“Nope. The Director wants this to be a date.”
He unlocked the door, and I hesitantly entered, immediately hit by stuffy air and the foul odor of unwashed skin.Did I ever smell so bad?
Nathan lay on my old, thin mattress, naked and bruised. Some of the marks on his skin seemed fresh and angry, while others were fading. He lay with his back to me, his dark copper hair almost black from being unwashed. Freckles dotted his shoulders and upper back.
Bo shut the door behind me, but it didn’t sound as if he locked it. “Um, hello?”
Nathan slowly turned onto his back, watching me through one eye while the other remained shut tight. “What the fuck do you want?”
Maybe I should have brought water and food to calm him down.
“I came to talk.”
