Chapter 24
Scarlen couldn’t lose the sensation of Bear’s body all over hers as she showered the next morning, not wanting to wash away his scent but having little choice about the routine. She’d see him soon at breakfast, and that alone kept her smile firmly in place.
‘What’s up with you?’ asked Dionne, wrapping herself in a towel.
‘I’m just happy.’
Dionne scoffed. ‘No one’s happy in here.’
‘I’m focused on the brighter side of life now.’
‘Is that right?’ Dionne chuckled as she went to get dressed.
Scarlen was still in the family room with Bear deep inside her, each thrust she could feel bringing longing and lust. If only he were in the shower with her. She would tell him of her vision later, certain it would make him smile.
Wynter and Raven sometimes stole kisses and touches in the canteen. Perhaps that was something she could do, because the need to feel his skin on hers was driving her crazy already.
‘Hurry up, everyone,’ yelled Miss Goolan. ‘Else miss breakfast.’
Scarlen was dressed in no time, eager to see Bear, hoping he would join her in the queue. Accidently on purpose brush hands with hers. Perhaps sneak a kiss to her neck.
Dionne entered the canteen first, heading straight for the trays, but Scarlen lingered by the door until Binnow shoved her forward.
Scarlen wanted to shove her back, punch her in the face, ram the lightning rod into her back and keep it there forever, but Scarlen moved to the breakfast queue instead, her thoughts of Bear keeping her sane.
One minute, Amber wasn’t in the canteen, and the next, Judd was behind Scarlen in the line, his tray bashing her in the back as though done by accident.
She turned, her breathing rattling on coming face to face with him for the first time since she had stabbed his arm. There was nothing in his stare but hate, and she had some to match as stale heat from his breath wafted her way as he leaned close, clearly having something to say.
Bear was at her side as though he had flown there. ‘Touch her and die.’ The darkness in his tone aimed at Judd.
There was a stand-off as the two men eyeballed each other, then Mr Lackly came over, but before he could speak, Judd took a wide berth around Bear and got his breakfast, and the rest of the inmates looked away as if they hadn’t been watching to see how it would play out.
Mr Lackly walked away, and Scarlen stared at Bear, seeing the anger in his glare hadn’t softened when turned on her, which was confusing.
Bear jerked his chin towards the food. ‘Eat something.’ Then he left.
Scarlen had no idea why he was being so cold towards her, and it wasn’t as though she could go over to Amber side and have a conversation with him, not with Binnow on duty. Steadying her heart flutters, she got some porridge and joined Dionne.
Dionne leaned towards her. ‘Just heard there’s going to be trouble tonight,’ she whispered, hiding her mouth behind her spoon.
‘What kind?’
‘Riot.’ Dionne barely moved her lips, then continued to eat her breakfast.
Scarlen was on jobs next, and Bear was in the silent system. She decided she would try to get his attention at lunch if not in the yard, but something told her he wouldn’t make himself available.
Yard time couldn’t come around quick enough, and Scarlen could sense at once there was something going down, as it was quieter than normal, and lots more huddles were taking place. As soon as she spotted Dionne talking to Temple on a bench, she darted that way.
‘This doesn’t get pulled off often,’ Temple was saying. He acknowledged Scarlen with a short nod as she sat. ‘You either join in or you try to find cover, which isn’t easy in here.’
Dionne nudged Scarlen’s arm. ‘I don’t want any extra time added to my sentence. I need to be on the straight and narrow for my brother, so when it starts, I’m going to try to get to my cell.’
‘Where will it start?’ whispered Scarlen, eyes wide, stomach already churning.
‘Canteen,’ replied Temple. ‘But the ones fighting will move to the corridors as quickly as possible before the screws restrict their movement.’ He glanced around the yard before returning to Scarlen.
‘This won’t be small. They plan to steal keys, break into the supply rooms to use things like mops and brooms as weapons.
Some have already made shanks. I don’t rate Binnow or Jontson’s chances much. ’
‘Won’t Jesserlie do something?’ asked Scarlen, thinking the prison witch held the most magick in the building. Surely if the guards were unable to control the situation, she would step in with her power.
Temple shrugged. ‘Probably, but a lot of damage will be done by that time.’
‘Everyone is so pissed off with Horstal.’ Dionne huffed. ‘You can only treat people badly for so long before they take action against you.’
Temple huddled closer. ‘Keep your wits about you at all times. Just because it’s us against them tonight doesn’t mean inmates won’t fight each other.’ His attention was on Scarlen. ‘If someone has it in for you, they could use the opportunity to get to you.’
‘I don’t like the way you aimed that at me.’ Scarlen was more nervous than before now.
‘Just watch your back, Smithson.’
She looked over at Amber yard and noticed Bear with Raven. Perhaps he wouldn’t speak to her, but she had to try. ‘Be right back,’ she told her friends as she got up.
Bear was watching her approach the dividing fence, and he whispered something to Raven that had Raven walk away.
‘What’s wrong, Bear?’ Scarlen asked quietly.
‘I can’t talk to you right now.’
Miss Harnish patrolled the pathway between them, offering Scarlen a small smile as she passed, both Scarlen and Bear remaining quiet until she was out of earshot.
‘Were you lying to me in the family room?’ Scarlen asked, fingers gripping the fence.
Bear scoffed, eyebrows raised as high as possible. ‘Was I lying?’
‘It seems you got what you wanted from me and now you’re no longer interested.’
He pressed closer to his fence, a snarl coming and going all in a flash. ‘It wasn’t a lie.’ He lowered his voice. ‘What’s between us is real.’
‘Then why are you acting weird?’
He looked to have many replies, but nothing was said.
‘Bear, I miss you already,’ she whispered, mentally kicking herself for sounding so pathetic, but so much of her wanted to be honest with him, and seeing how she couldn’t tell him all her truth, she could give him that.
His jaw tensed as his knuckles whitened on the fence, then he locked eyes with her. ‘I’ll come for you later,’ he mouthed.
‘During the …’ She didn’t think it wise to add any more, as she couldn’t huddle with him or whisper in his ear.
‘Take you somewhere safe.’
She figured he meant his cell so nodded her approval.
‘You have to trust me, okay, Scars?’
It felt like she was missing something, but nodded once more anyway, believing that whatever he had planned, he would protect her. No doubt he was worried about Judd finding her. She was too.
‘Have to take care of my girl, right?’ He added a small smile, then walked away, and even though that line usually had her rolling her eyes or warmed her a little, all it achieved was anxiety that something important had been left unsaid.