‘What, Smithson?’
‘It seems to be a bit stuck, sir.’
‘I know, that’s the point.’
‘You tightened the screw on purpose?’
He looked at her as though she bored him. ‘Keep pushing.’
She met Dionne’s gaze as Dionne glanced over and mouthed, ‘Screws.’
So that’s how the guards got their nickname.
Yard time came next,and what a relief it was to use the toilet chamber, have some water, and flop onto the bleachers in the recreation grounds, even though it was another concrete yard. This one large with a corner for basketball, occupied by Flames, on first and only glance. High mesh fences separated Green and Amber, with a narrow walkway in between, patrolled by a guard on occasion.
Some people were playing cards on the few tables dotted around, while others huddled in groups, no doubt catching up on their shitty day.
‘I think my shoulders have died.’ Dionne groaned as she rested her back on the bench above Scarlen.
‘We’ve got to do that again later.’
‘We’ll be on cannonballs then.’
‘Sounds better.’
‘Isn’t.’
A whistle shot through the air, followed by a warning from a guard, gathering attention for a moment, and that’s all it took to notice it was Bear who had placed his fingers in his mouth to make the noise at Scarlen.
Dionne put her head back against the bench. ‘That means he wants you.’
‘I know what it means, but he can fuck off.’
Dionne’s eyes were wide with concern as she straightened. ‘Look, I have no idea what you did to piss him off, but let me tell you, he’s not the type you piss off. So, go make some peace. Just be careful.’
‘I’m not doing what he tells me. I don’t even know him.’ She could hardly explain any more than that. ‘Anyway, look. Wynter is talking to him now. Perhaps he can claim her instead.’
‘She’s his little sister.’
Seriously!‘I made friends with her.’
Dionne didn’t see the problem with that, but she wouldn’t, because she didn’t know the story. ‘Wynter’s nice. Not to mention cute.’
Wynter’s brother is a kidnapper of princesses.
She stole a glance at the siblings deep in conversation before turning away.
‘Bear, what are you doing?’snapped Wynter through clenched teeth.
He gripped the fence, eyes across the yard at Scarlen. ‘Both Judd and V had their sights set on her.’
It was clear Wynter wasn’t buying that. ‘Since when do you involve yourself with anyone in here? You know we have to stay focused now I’m in Two.’
‘We’ve still got a few months to go, sis.’
‘Oxley is due to hang in five months. We don’t have time for games.’
The fence almost bounced as a solid brown arm leaned against it. ‘Someone mention my name?’ Oxley raked a handthrough his fine, bright purple hair, obsidian eyes sparkling with mischief.
