“You dirty fuckin’ dog,” Tire says, whistling. “I love me a strong woman,” he says and I wonder what kind of women Tire hangs around. But he’s not wrong. Cami is so fucking strong. Even when I met her and she wasn’t sticking up for herself. She was still strong. Thinking about her needing to be strong for me right now makes my chest ache.
“Do you have someone waiting for you, for when you get out?”
“Nah, I ain’t getting out,” he says as he picks the dirt from his nails.
“Why not?” Hopefully I don’t regret knowing why exactly he’s landed himself here.
“I know we made a deal, and I won, but I like ya, so I’ll tell ya how I got the name Tire.”
I adjust in my seat, waiting for his story. “Did you know burning tires is illegal because of how long they burn and the pollutants that come from burning them?”
“Yeah, sure,” I reply, wondering where this story is going.
“Well, I worked at a scrap yard for cars and tires. My sister Clem took care of everything up front, and I took care of all the smashin’ and selling the good bits.”
“Okay,” I reply. Tire sure knows how to not tell a story.
“Clem was everything to me, ya know. She took care of me when my parents died, so in return, I always took care of her.” Hell if this story doesn’t sound a lot like my own. “She was the only packless Omega in town and this one pack wouldn’t take no for an answer when she declined bonding with them. She had a lot of prospects and wanted to make sure she chose the right pack. One night, she was working by herself, which I blame myself for.” Tire rubs his neck and exhales.
“They hurt her real bad, in ways I can’t even talk about. The law wouldn’t do nothin’. Said they were acting on their baser Alpha instincts, so I took matters into my own hands. Told them I would agree to let them bond with my sister. I just wanted to make sure she was safe. I lured them into a massive pile of tires and set them on fire. The fire raged on for weeks until they could get it under control. They haven’t found any remains yet. So they really only have circumstantial evidence at this point. But either way, I’m not getting out of here.”
I look at the skinny man with shock written all over my face. “How’s your sister?” I ask him and he smiles.
“She found a pack that treats her like a princess. I have two nephews now. She always brings them by at least twice a year.”
I hate to admit it, but Tire seems kinda justified in his actions. I probably wouldn’t kill men by tire fire, but I understand the protectiveness of his sister.
“Well, Tire, I really don’t know what else to talk to you about at this point.” What other things do you talk about once someone tells you they burned people alive?
“Yeah, it’s a pretty morbid nickname. Hey, you need a jail name.”
“I’m good. I don’t plan on staying long or ever coming back.”
“You still owe me a fuckin’ honeybun, though.”
“I sure do, Tire. I promise once I get out I’ll fill your commissary up and you can have all the honeybuns your heart desires.”
He smiles, and it’s not a pretty smile. He clamps a hand on my back as he heads upstairs to our room.
Note to self, do not piss Tire off.
I keep my distance from everyone, wondering when I’ll be able to take a shower and when is the next time I’ll be able to speak to Cami.
I’m really looking forward to the day that I can shower by myself, or with Cami. Instead of having a bunch of other Alphas not so secretly comparing knot sizes.
I’ve kept my head down and stuck to myself. Well, besides my roommates. I don’t know how I feel about a man like Tire taking a shine to me. I know for sure I will be sending him a fuck ton of commissary as soon as I get out of here.
It’s been four days and my bail still has not been set. Thankfully, I have phone privileges, and I can call Cami tonight. I miss her so much. I would say it’s pathetic, but she’s my Omega. My need for her surpasses everything.
This time apart has to be even more difficult on her. We’re freshly bonded, and she’s away from her Alpha. I’m sure she is nesting like crazy around the house. I should be there with her, taking care of her, scent marking her, showing her how loved and precious she is.
I stop my negative train of thought, knowing that Cami would chastise me for it. Everything is going to be fine. She knows I love her and we’re going to be okay.
The metal phone is cool against my cheek as I make the outbound call to Cami’s phone.
“Hello?” her sweet voice answers on the other line, and I almost lose it.
“Hey, baby.”
