Page 21 of Shattered Pieces

“Hey, Bryant,” I murmured, stepping back when one of the guards gave us a dirty look for taking too long. “You look good.”

“Probably all the sex I’m having,” she said slyly, moving to sit in the seat across the small table from us. “Hey, Ortega.”

“Having fun, I hear?” he asked dryly, and she shrugged.

“Depends on the day. I got laid twice yesterday and slept like a baby, so can’t complain.”

“I was hoping you’d be able to tell me what went down yesterday,” I stated, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Ugh, you’re a perv. It started with my tongue in her⁠—”

“Not your sex life. The issues with Aurora,” I said impatiently, her face suddenly becoming serious, knowing I wasn’t in the mood.

“Not a lot to tell. She’s holding her own in fights, doesn’t rat when the girls start on her, and she got burned last night, but she’s okay today. She’s buddies with one of the nice girls in here, and my girl Jamie still looks out for her sometimes when she’s alone. She likes her.”

“Can you hurry up and like her too?” I grunted, and she raised an eyebrow.

“You don’t want me liking her, babe. I’d be knuckle-deep in her by dinner time.”

“If it keeps her safe, I’ll risk it,” I huffed, tapping my fingers on the table. “Besides, she’s not into girls, so I’m not really worried about you stealing her.”

“She’s not yours to steal anyway. Skeet was in here talking to Trixie and didn’t do anything for Donovan, so shouldn’t you be kissing his ass to fix things?” she asked as she rested her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands. “Donovan’s adamant that Skeet’s on her side helping her in the background. You going to break the news to her on Wednesday?”

I blew out a breath, not really knowing how to handle it. It was dangerous bringing bad news to any inmate, and Rory was likely to flip the fuck out over it and get herself dragged away to the hole.

“How the fuck do I break her heart like that? She’s probably only getting through the days here by putting all of her trust into him. What happens when she doesn’t have that hope?”

“I hate to say it, but it’s not your problem.”

“I’m making it my problem. She’s in here when I promised to keep her out,” I said under my breath.

“Well, you know better than to make promises like that. Heard anything from Arch lately? He’s been quiet,” she said offhandedly, but I could hear the hurt in her voice.

“He hasn’t visited you?”

“No. He’s busy running the crew.”

“Me too, but I’m making it out here multiple times a week at this point,” I answered bluntly, wishing she’d see he was an asshole.

“Do you think they’d let us have a conjugal? Kind of sick of doing the railing in here. You’d let me be a pillow princess,” she sighed, and I couldn’t help but smirk.

“There’s no way you’re getting that. I prefer you doing all the work anyway.”

“You’re so full of shit. You’re a pussy pleaser,” she chuckled, letting me see some of the tiredness in her eyes. “I’m just looking forward to getting out of here. I miss my comfy bed, and I’d kill for a good cocktail right now.”

“You’ll be out in no time. I know I can’t make you buddy up with Rory, but⁠—”

“I’m keeping an eye on her, don’t worry,” she huffed, tilting her head a little. “She’s really under your skin, isn’t she?”

“You have no idea,” Marco muttered, glancing around the room and making a beeline for the vending machine.

“Why did you make him tag along?” she asked as she eyed him.

“Things really aren’t good out there, Lex,” I murmured, her eyes sliding to mine. “You’re all a lot safer in here, trust me. Right now, it’s just the Devils, Psychos, and Soldiers beefing, but who knows when the Kings will join in. They’ll find a way to drag the Reapers in too, you know how Rage likes taunting Hendricks.”

“How bad is it?”

“Not too sure where we stand with the Psychos right now. As you know, they’re not happy about us and Rory. Who knows when Skeet will make a move,” I said honestly. “The shit with the Soldiers is quiet, but quiet just means something’s coming. I haven’t been able to watch them much since I’m trying to get Rory out of this mess.”