Page 32 of Her Wicked Men

“Yeah, I’m not sure why they let me make the call,” I murmured as I set my own bowl on the floor and huddled under the blanket once more, leaning against the wall.

“Maybe your views and opinions matter to them,” he mused. “A trust thing, perhaps.”

“Maybe,” I mumbled as I tracked my gaze to the bucket again.

God, I really did have to pee.

“Don’t suppose I could ask for some toilet paper if I’m to use the bucket?” The men had told me the bucket was for that sole purpose, and I’d been disgusted by it. At least it looked like a new bucket and not some old grimy one that had been used by other prisoners before me.

“They didn’t give you any?” Thomas glanced past me with a shocked look, eyeing my tiny cell and the bucket.

He hissed as he pushed off from his seat.

“I’ll get some. Pass me your bowl?” He reached through the bars, and I moved to hand it to him.

“Unless you have a toilet?” I suggested wistfully, but he gave me a thin-lipped, pained smile.

“I can’t let you out, Veronica. I’m sorry, they’ve just got me on watch duty, but I can get you toilet paper.” He dragged his gaze away from me as I nodded, knowing it had been a futile attempt.

You didn’t know until you tried, though.

I watched as Thomas disappeared back upstairs, my mind reeling. Was he playing me for a fool? Or was he actually being somewhat nice to me? I’d told them everything I could, there was nothing else they could get out of me. Hell, I was to be used as bait to lure them in.

The likelihood of me surviving whatever that entailed wasn’t high.

I closed my eyes, drawing in deep breaths, not wanting the panic and fear to claim me.

Thomas took his time returning, to the point that I was shifting uneasily, the need to pee becoming almost too much.

“Thought you could use some more bedding,” he said sheepishly as he returned, offering me the toilet paper first and then a pillow and blanket.

“Thank you,” I mumbled as I took them through the bars.

“I’m going to head up and get you some water while you take care of stuff,” he said as he turned back.

“Thanks.”

He stomped back up the stairs, and I dumped the pillow and comfy blanket on the cot before seizing my chance to use the bucket.

I grimaced at the entire concept, hating how disgusting this was but knowing I was beyond the point of being allowed to care. I had to pee, and I didn’t exactly want to wet myself. I’d just have to swallow my pride.

Would the bucket be staying in here with me?

I yanked down my pants and relieved myself, finishing up just as the door creaked again overhead.

Thomas reached the bottom step but didn’t step out from behind the wall.

“All done?”

“Yeah.”

“Good,” he said as he appeared, giving me a tight smile.

“Do you know what they plan on doing with me?” I asked as he walked over and offered me a bottle of water. I couldn’t even wash my hands, but that was the least of my worries.

“Bait, but I’m not sure how, sorry,” he said as he shifted uneasily. I wondered if he was merely keeping me in the dark for my own good, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. “I got you this, thought it could help.”

I frowned as he offered me the chocolate bar through the bars.

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