His gaze was intense, and after a few attempts, Rory could finally look at him. The look froze him, striking blue irises, and dark as night pupils were growing bigger as they looked at each other. Just as Rory began to press his cheek into Sebastian’s hand, he stepped back, and Rory found himself swaying to stay upright.

“But Pauly can’t have you, and I don’t want you. I need a good night sleep, that’s all it is.”

Sebastian walked away, whistling, and didn’t glance back. Rory leaned heavily on the wall and closed his eyes. He didn’t know what had just happened, but knew it couldn’t happen again.

Chapter Six

“You’re under Sebastian’s protection?” Captain said.

Rory nodded. “That’s right.”

“And you don’t have to bring him drugs.”

“No.”

Captain narrowed his eyes. “He hasn’t tried anything inappropriate?”

“No, I swear. He wants a good night’s sleep, that’s all.”

“And he thinks one appointment with the therapist will magically change that?”

“I don’t think it could make it much worse.”

“Fine.” Captain huffed. He got to his feet, shot a menacing look at Pauly across the room, then spoke over his shoulder to Rory. “I’ll sort it.”

The pull of Sebastian’s stare made Rory look his way. He raised his eyebrow questioningly, and Rory nodded. Sebastian smiled, and gave him the thumbs up.

Ollie walked across the room hugging himself. His face was pale, and his eyes were darting.

“What’s happened?”

Ollie sunk down in the chair next to Rory but didn’t speak.

“Talk to me, are you okay?”

“I’m okay … at the moment I’m okay.”

“Has someone threatened you, has Teddy—”

“No, he’s not hurt me.”

Ollie’s gaze snapped to his cell, and he mumbled something Rory didn’t quite catch.

“What?”

“Maggots,” Ollie repeated.

“Maggots? In the food?”

Ollie shook his head. “In my cell.”

Rory shuddered. “Get rid of them.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Ollie leaned closer. “I think they’re Teddy’s pets.”

“Pet maggots.” Rory murmured, then he snorted.

“It’s not funny, I’m serious. He showed me them last night, by the window, a load of them. There was a big smile on Teddy’s face when he picked one up and put it in his palm, he tried to make me hold one, and I screamed.”

Rory raised his eyebrows. “That high-pitched scream was you?”

“Asshole. What am I supposed to do?”

“Don’t go putting them in your asshole for a start.”

“I hate you.”

“Look, they’re only maggots, and they’re by the window, right?”

“Even so, I couldn’t sleep last night, convinced I was gonna get eaten by them. I swear I could hear them moving around in their tub. I can’t—I can’t stay in there.

“It’s simple, really—you give Teddy an ultimatum.”

“Yeah?”