Page 3 of The Rat

“Bit jumpy aren’tyou.”

Rory turnedaround and faked a light laugh.“I didn’t know you were there.”

Sebastian’s arms were crossed. His tightT-shirt stretched over his pronounced pectorals, and his bicepsrounded. “You should always know where I am…”

“What?”

He took a step closer, and Rorybackedawayfast until his back met the wall.

“I’m everywhere… don’t forgetthat.”

“I won’t.”

“Good, what’s yourname?”

“Rory Price.”

“How long are you infor?”

“Eight years.”

Sebastian snorted, then bobbed his head.“I’m in for sixteen, but I’m coming to the end of mysentence.”

Rory already knew, that was whyhe was there.He had to uncover Sebastian’s future plans, stop thembefore they could even take form.

“That must be a nicefeeling.”

“Isn’t it just…”

Sebastian stared until Rorylooked away. He put his bag on the topbunk and started sorting through hisclothes.

“You find it hard to look meintheeye.”

Rory paused.“No, Idon’t—

“Really? Look at me nowthen.”

Rory looked atSebastian’sintense eyes. They didn’t blink, the blue was like ice, and Rorywithheld a shudder. Looking Sebastian Claw in the eyes filled himwith unease, and he glanced away, then cursed under hisbreath.

“I’ll find outwhy…”

“Why what?” Rorywhispered.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Why you find ithard to look at me.”

He left the cell, and Roryslumped forward, and pressed his forehead into the mattress.He had to befriendSebastian, not get on his bad side, the mission relied on himstriking a bond with the criminal, but their first exchange hadbeen anything but friendly.

Rorylooked up at the sound of aknock.

Ollie stepped in the cell,then checkedover his shoulder. “Glad I’m not the only one.”

“What?”

“Your cellmate, the silver fox,looks like a psycho, too.”

“Who you sharingwith?”

Ollie scrunched his face. “TeddySaul.”

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