Rory hung his head as he was escorted back to the wing. He released a slow sigh and waited for the gate to clunk. He’d been there three months, and each week that passed, he felt more and more like a fraud. A fraud to Ollie who waited eagerly for him to come back, a fraud to Captain who worked hard to train him up, a fraud to Sebastian who made him smile and offered his protection with no catch, and a fraud to the inspector who helped him in his moment of crisis. His heart, and mind, and cock were tripping over each other, and he was betraying them all.

“Hey, we’ve got twenty minutes until art starts.”

Rory couldn’t raise his head to look at Ollie. “I’m not feeling it.”

“Oh, come on, Mrs. Mason says we’re gonna start something else today.”

“I’m feeling pretty rough.”

“We can stay down here instead, see if we can grab a pool table.”

Rory shook his head. “No, you go to art.”

“But—”

“You get on with those guys, Green and Jack.”

Ollie scrunched his face. “Yeah, they’re okay, but—”

“No buts, I’m not gonna stay down here anyway, I’m gonna lay down for a bit.”

“You sure?”

Rory didn’t reply, he squeezed Ollie’s shoulder, then carried on walking. He hurried up to the second floor and into his cell. He kept his head down and didn’t even glare at Pauly when he commented on how good his ass looked.

Rory lay back on the bed, linked his fingers over his stomach, and closed his eyes. He listened to the muffled noise coming from the wing and could tell when lunch was served. The excited chatter suddenly quietened, and then he heard the slam of cups and trays when it was all over.

“Ollie’s worried about you.”

Rory cracked an eye open and looked at Sebastian. “Feeling rough, that’s all. Did he get to art class?”

“Yeah, came out with a big smile, then immediately rushed over to ask about you.” Sebastian pursed his lips and stepped further inside the cell. “And if Ollie’s worried about you, then so am I.”

Rory bit his tongue when another surge of guilt turned to acid in his stomach. “I’m fine.”

“First, you’re feeling rough, now you’re feeling fine. You had your visit with your uncle today—is everything all right?”

Rory pressed his hands to his face and didn’t reply. He felt fingers close around his wrist.

“Hey…”

Sebastian eased his hand away. “Talk to me. Is your uncle all right?”

“Yeah, he’s okay.”

“Then what is it?”

“Nothing.”

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “You always seem anxious before he visits, and you’re miserable afterwards.”

Rory didn’t confirm or deny it, He tried to roll over, but Sebastian grabbed his shoulder and stopped him. “You don’t get on with your uncle?”