“I’m not listening to this.”

“And when we’re done with him, there will be no one between me and you. We’ve got eight years together and we’re gonna have such fun.”

He patted Rory on the head, then walked off in the direction of his cell.

****

Rory hung his arms over the railings, watching the wing from the second floor. Metal grids stopped anyone hurling objects or people from the walkways, and Rory watched the inmates through a double cage filter. He counted twelve bandana wearing inmates, and sighed in relief when he saw Captain, still not wearing one.

The gate opened, and Ollie walked inside with his drawing pressed to his chest. Teddy followed him, tilting his head, trying to catch a glance of the picture, but Ollie laughed, and denied him.

Sebastian stepped onto the wing, and connected gazes with Rory. He didn’t smile, but marched straight to the stairs. Rory went back to watching Ollie and Teddy.

Ollie ducked his head as he presented Teddy with the picture of the butterfly. He’d spent four weeks on it, and Rory hated to admit it was good, more than good. Ollie’s arrogant grinning was justified. Teddy gawped, took the picture, gawped some more.

Then he reached for Ollie, crushing the picture between their chests as he hugged him. His lips found Ollie’s ear, and Rory swore he saw them move.

Hands tugged Rory back, and he didn’t fight against Sebastian’s hold on him. He let go of the railing and ended up leaning against Sebastian’s wide chest.

“Pauly didn’t do anything to you, right?”

“No, he didn’t touch me.”

Sebastian slipped his arms around Rory’s middle. “What did he say?”

“Said he’s gonna hurt you.”

Sebastian chuckled, and Rory tried to turn around, but his arms clamped around him, holding him in place.

“You’ve got to take him seriously.”

“Why?”

Rory’s arms were trapped, and he couldn’t point, instead he stuck his chin out. “Because those guys down there are taking him seriously.”

“Pauly’s all posturing, and no action. He won’t do anything, and when I leave, he’ll claim he was ready to take me on, but it was too late. It’s all talk.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“Aww, you really are worried about me, aren’t you?”

“Yeah … I am. More and more inmates are wearing those red bandanas. Choosing his side.”

Sebastian hummed by his ear. “What’s to say they’re choosing his side, what’s to say some aren’t loyal to me, and are keeping me informed?”

“What?”

“I’ve got everything under control, trust me. Love your picture by the way, very … simple.”

Rory pressed back into Sebastian. “Asshole.”

“That picture took you three lessons?”

“I’m not good at art.”

“No shit, bet your dad didn’t put your drawings on the fridge…”

“He did actually.”

“Out of pity.”