Page 3 of Rat

Rory clutched his bag of belongings to his chest, shot Ollie a glance, then followed the officer up two sets of stairs to get to the second floor. Sebastian didn’t turn to him; he continued to look down on the wing, but as Rory passed behind him, he saw his back tense and his biceps bulge as he flexed them.

“Cell 82…”

The officer gestured for Rory to go inside. He stepped in and looked at the bunk bed, the small basin and toilet, and the shabby-looking closet. He glanced at the beds, both made, both free of creases. Rory’s heart thumped harder. He didn’t know which bed was meant for him.

He turned to the officer for help, but he’d gone.

“Shit.”

Rory turned back to the beds, hoping to find some evidence of which one his cellmate slept in. There were no pictures tacked to the walls or hairs on the pillow; Rory was clueless.

“You’re on the top one.”

Rory jumped forward at the voice and hugged his bag against his chest. He knew Sebastian was behind him and had filled the doorway with his bulk.

“Bit jumpy aren’t you, newbie.”

Rory turned around and faked a soft laugh. “I didn’t know you were there.”

Sebastian’s arms were folded over his chest. His tight T-shirt stretched over his pronounced pectorals, and his biceps rounded. “You should always know where I am…”

“What?”

He took a step closer, and Rory backed away fast until his back met the wall.

“I’m everywhere… Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t.”

“Good, what’s your name?”

“Rory Price.”

Sebastian pursed his lips. “How long are you in for?”

“Eight years.”

Sebastian snorted, then nodded. “I’m in for sixteen, but I’m coming to the end of my sentence. Only nine months to go.”

Rory already knew; that was why he was there. He had to uncover Sebastian’s future plans, stop them before they could even take physical form.

“That must be a nice feeling.”

“Isn’t it just…”

Sebastian stared until Rory looked away. Rory put his bag on the top bunk and started sorting through his clothes.

“You find it hard to look me in the eye, don’t you?”

Rory paused. “No, I don’t—”

“Really? Look at me now then.”

Rory curled his toes in his trainers and faced Sebastian’s intense eyes. They didn’t blink. The blue was like ice, and Rory withheld a shudder. Looking Sebastian Claw in the eye wasn’t comfortable in the slightest. He glanced away, then cursed under his breath at his easy surrender.

“I’ll find out why…” Sebastian murmured.

“Why what?” Rory whispered.

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