“My point is, he has the power. Not you.” Ronan shook his head slowly. “You’re in orange. He’s in a uniform. He’s got a badge, a radio, and a dozen other guards who’ll back him up without asking questions.”
I said nothing.
“And if you hurt a CO?” Ronan let out a humorless laugh. “You know what the other COs will do to you? You know how much time they’ll add to your sentence? You’ll never see the outside of these walls again.”
My jaw tightened.
“I’m not telling you the guy doesn’t deserve it,” Ronan said quietly. “I’m telling you that you can’t win this fight. Not like this.”
Ronan was quiet for a moment. Studying me the way he did when he was calculating odds.
“I need to find out his first name,” I said. “Someone around here will know it.”
“And if his first name is Silas?” Ronan held my gaze. “Then what are you going to do?”
33
KNOX
SINNERS AND SAINTS GROUP CHAT
Me: Need a favor.
Ryker: DESTROY THIS PHONE.
Blake: What do you need?
Me: The last name of Harper’s ex-boyfriend.
Axel: Well, that’s not ominous at all. *Skull emoji*
Ryker: Knox, no.
Me: No what?
Ryker: Whatever you’re planning, no.
Axel: Wait, do you, like … order hits from prison? Is that a thing you can do? Asking for a friend.
Ryker: DO NOT ANSWER THAT.
Axel: The friend is me. I’m the friend.
Blake: We figured.
Me: Remember Harper?
Axel: The nurse who allegedly looks at you like you hung the moon even though you’re serving 25? Yeah. Vaguely recall. *Eye roll emoji*
Me: Did her ex get a job at the prison?
Ryker: What the hell are you talking about?
Me: There’s a new CO. Whitmore. Is that her ex’s last name?
Ryker: Knox, I honestly don’t know Harper’s ex’s last name. But even if it’s him, you CAN’T do anything stupid.
Axel: Define stupid.
