Page 47 of The Rat

Sebastian flashed a look at Captain and Zekegoing down the stairs. “Probably not, but I could get in the way,take the beating for you.”

“And why would you dothat?”

“You got a cute face, and Iwant it to stay cute.”

“You hated me a few weeks ago,why thechange?”

“I prefer your smileto your wide eyes,and wobbling bottom lip.”

“Whatever.”

Sebastian chuckled, andturned when Rorycame closer, and looked down at the wing.

“You ready for it?”

“For what?” Roryasked.

Sebastian pointed, then smirked,“Thereunion.”

The gate opened, andTeddy steppedinside with his bag of clothes clutched to his chest. He froze, andhis eyes fixed to Ollie awkwardly standing in the middle of thewing. As soon as Teddy smiled, Ollie rushed forward and gave him ahug.

“Aww,”Sebastian said. He pouted his lips,and said in a forced voice, “Isn’t that sweet.”

“Hope you’re not expectingme to do that.” Rory muttered.

“No. I want you to drop to your knees andscream your thanks at god.”

Rory laughed, shaking his head,and Sebastian’s deeper tone added to the rumbling.

“You know what Ihate…”

“What?” Roryasked.

“I hate that I like thesound of your laugh.”

“That doesn’t make anysense.”

“I’ve only heard it a few times,but I like the sound. I wish you had a cackle, or you snorted likea pig, just something to makeme hate it.”

“Why—why do you want tohate it?”

Sebastian shrugged. “Idunno.”

Rory didn’t think he’d say more,and smiled when Ollie glanced their way, and gave them the thumbsup.

“I guess, it’s because I don’twanna miss it when I get out of here.” Sebastian pushed off from the railing.“Speak to you later.”

“Yeah, later.”

****

Rory lay in bed, rubbing theheels of hishands into his eyes. He couldn’t sleep, no matter how hard heforced it, it wasn’t happening. The reason for his insomnia liedunderneath him, deadly still, not even a slight whistle or snort ashe slept.

He liked Sebastian. He likedbeing around him. He likedthe way he looked, and the way he smiled, and theway he made Rory feel safe. But Sebastian Claw was a monster. Hewas in prison for murder, but he’d done worse. He’d made deals withterrorists and gangs, sold them despicable weapons to torture andkill. Not to mention he seemed hellbent on getting revenge onHamish. Hamish, who rightly locked Sebastian up formurder.

Rory couldn’twrap his head aroundit. Even though he knew Sebastian’s dark side, he couldn’t hatehim. Somehow, in five weeks, he’d started to like him.

ChapterNine

---