Page 13 of Blood We Steal

Damian smiled, looking like he had when our mother caught him sneaking cookies. “The plan was perfect. The only thing I didn’t plan for was the dead starting to walk, which, to be fair, would have fucked up your plan, too.”

“What are you talking about, Damian?” I questioned even as I cataloged all I’d seen in the last hour, which felt like an entire fucking lifetime.

“Just what I said. You’ve seen the reports about the sickness the same as I have. Guess this sickness has some unusual side effects.”

He leaned against the door, and I noticed he had dressed down today. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one with the same practiced move he’d used since he was twelve. I’d never taken to the habit, but I wouldn’t have minded him sharing. Two hundred pounds of metal made that impossible, but at least I couldn’t smell the smoke.

“Guess I should probably try to ration these, but…” He shrugged.

“What’s going on in the rest of the prison?” I said.

“Oh, the inmates and COs are either eating each other alive or stabbing each other. You know. The usual.”

I lifted the radio I’d tucked in my pants. “I haven’t heard any chatter.”

“The COs are rather busy, and who’s that asshole head guard?”

“Merrick.” Simone and I spoke in unison, and I only spared a second to watch her blush before turning back to Damian, ignoring the ease trying to sneak up on me.

It was as familiar as my hatred of her. From the first, when she’d been nothing more than a bright girl who might have been of use, there’d been an easy connection with her. I’d actually welcomed it. I was the boss. People either wanted me dead, wanted me not to kill them, or wanted money. I was always on guard. But sweet, shy Simone, as scared of me as she might have been, was my one reprieve from that. She treated me like I was…human.

I didn’t realize my mistake until it was too late.

“Yeah, that’s him,” Damian said. “He told the COs radio silence. Last I heard, he was trying to get all the guards together and head for the armory.”

Of course he’d gone for the guns. So fucking predictable.

“They aren’t trying to retake control of the jail?” Simone said.

That was my next question, too, but Damian didn’t spare Simone another glance and kept focused on me. “No one’s trying to establish any order. I saw at least two dozen inmates fleeing with COs right beside them. The cat’s officially away, so there’s a lot of playing right now. Tons of killing too. So anyway, how am I gonna get to you?”

He laughed, and I frowned at him. He was never serious. But I guess I could give him points for being consistent.

“You won’t, but I’ll get to you. The warden’s office has an override that allows one door at a time to open.”

“That’s a horrible design flaw,” Simone muttered.

I agreed but kept focused on Damian.

“And her?” Damian tipped his chin toward Simone without looking at her.

“None of your concern,” I said flatly. “In the meantime, get Arben and Lorik and any others you find and stay out of sight until I find you. Those things seem to get agitated when they see us.”

“Kujdesu për veten, krye,” Besnik said.

“Take care of yourself, too, Besnik, and keep Damian out of trouble.”

“With my life, krye.”

I nodded and then grabbed Simone and started walking again.

“You don’t have to pull me, Mr. Marku,” she said.

I stopped walking and let her go. She stumbled but regained her balance quickly. I knew what she was doing, but I didn’t take the bait. I needed to stay focused. We were in the common area that was the center of all blocks and she leaned against one of the metal tables that was bolted to the floor and then exhaled deeply, her eyes cast sideways.

“What are you thinking?” I said.

Her eyes widened, and she looked up at me. “I’m trying to think of a way to make what Damian said not true.”