I give some of the tobacco to Dot, because she was the one who had to deal with the fight and still meet quota. “How’d you break it up?”
“Hose. Same as I’d treat my mutts,” she grunts, as she stuffs wads of laundry lint into her pockets.
Before Quo, Dot was a supplier for a dog-fighting ring. I try not to judge anyone’s crimes, and I know she was only trying to keep food on the table, but I hate that fucking world.
Dogs equal good.
Most humans equal bad.
“Good. Sorry you’ve got Aurora out of rotation. But you can have the new kid to train up.”
Dot snorts. “Fat lot of help that waif will be, but I guess she can empty the traps. Need small hands for that.”
“Whatever you think’s best, this is your domain, Dot.”
With peace mostly restored on the block, I feel a little more relaxed. Especially as, when I return to the cellblock, the Diggers nod their heads respectfully in my direction.
Apart from Rice and Danny.
I’m going to have to do something about those two soon. I can’t let their insolence pass.
My hands are still vibrating with the urge to hit something, and they’d be the ideal punching bags.
Fuck, I’m a godsdamn mess.
I’m pissed at the new kid for being the catalyst that got Aurora shredded, and I’m beyond livid with Aurora for being stupid enough to jump into the pit. But mostly, the anger is a heavy weight in my own gut because I didn’t stop her.
I could have grabbed her. But if I’d gone to that girl’s defense like Aurora demanded, it would have been the end of my leadership. The Diggers would never follow a man they thought was taking orders from an Elite Princess. Any rumors of being “pussy whipped” could be a death sentence for both her and I.
Before reaching my cell, I stop by Layla’s. Leaning against the door frame, I watch as she finishes a set of squats.
“Hey.”
Layla whirls around, weapon in hand.
“Just me. I want to talk about the kid. Can you squeeze her in with you? I don’t want her at mine.”
“Yeah, I was going to suggest that anyway, Tally,” Layla replies. “She looks two seconds away from a nervous breakdown, being around your cheery-ass personality won’t help that.”
Layla gets away with shit because she’s basically my cousin.
“Come on then, kid’s gonna take some persuading to get out of the cage. She looks at Aurora like she’s a miracle angel or something—and I’m very much the devil.”
Layla raises an eyebrow. “Not surprising, Barbie did go to bat for her while you sat on the bleachers.”
“Yeah, whatever. I need to find out where she’s from, if she’s affiliated. Pronto.”
It’s important to know everyone’s back story so I can circumvent trouble before it happens. The Diggers might be a “family,” but the gangs they belonged to outside these walls are still at war.
Layla gives me a look. We’ve been friends since diapers, so she doesn’t bother calling me out on my heartless act.
When we reach my cell, I immediately unlock the bars and my shadow falls over the kid, who then tries to burrow under Aurora’s cot. Give me strength.
“Where’s home, kid?” I keep my voice low but firm. “Is anyone coming after you? You owe debts?”
The girl doesn’t emerge from her cramped hiding place. I shrug and turn to Layla. “Want to try?”
Layla rolls her eyes. “You weresogentle and comforting,” she snarks. “How could I improve on that?” She crouches down next to the cot. “Listen, kid. Rory could have died getting you a Digger place, so you’ve got to be brave and answer some questions. Tally is an asshole, but he’sourasshole.”
