Chapter 2

• Dominic lay there, listening to the men waking up. He looked at the ceiling and wished more than anything he could connect with Jennah again, but he didn’t take a chance and close his eyes again. Soon everyone would be awake, the lights would be on, and they’d be free to roam before breakfast. It was definitely not the time to try to hook up with the mysterious woman again. She obviously didn’t even know she had to ability to do what they had done, and he knew trying to convince her that it had not been a dream was going to be an interesting task.
• “Palmer?” The voice croaked from the bunk below him.
• “Yeah.”
• “Shit’s going to hit the fan at the chow hall this morning.”
• He sighed quietly. “I know.”
• “You staying clear?”
• Dom sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bunk. “Going to try to.”
• The bed frame rocked as the man below him moved to get up. “I’ve got your back if you watch mine.”
• “I will, Slick.” He still, even after all these months, had no idea why the scruffy man he shared this small space with was called Slick, and most of the time he really didn’t want to know. It was best that way, to not ask questions and not know things. Problem with that was he was here to get answers. He rubbed his hands over his bristled face and pushed his fingers into his eyes. “It’s going to be a long day on the inside.”
• He heard his bunk mate chuckle. “All of them are.”
• Dom hopped down and stretched his shoulders back. He wasn’t a huge man, but having nothing much to do to relieve energy and stress but workout, he was definitely larger than before. He’d have to buy a whole new wardrobe when he got out. Dammit! He’d loved his clothes just the way they were.
• He lowered his arms as Slick stood up. The other man wasn’t as tall as his six-foot-one, but he definitely made up for it in bulk. Even with his larger size, he would not want to take on the stocky man. Having Slick watch his back was one of the things that kept him sane in this place.
• This place, Wyestate prison, was not a fun place to be, and if Dom had anything to do with it, he wouldn’t be here much longer. Then again, he’d been thinking that for the last six months he’d been here. Two people within these walls knew he was a plant and not an actual criminal, and both stood there now, dreading going to eat breakfast. Even the Warden didn’t know, which meant that Dom was on his own.
• Slick was the informant on the inside that had led the attorney general’s office to placing Dom on the inside. He’d shown him around, told him who was who, and promised to watch his back, and that was the end of it right there. Any leads or solid fact would have to be found by Dom himself.
• He didn’t blame him. When Dom was finished, he at least got to leave. Slick would be here for the rest of his breathing days because of one stupid, drunken, drugged up night that spun out of control. The man had Dom’s admiration and respect. He’d owned up to what he’d been part of and was taking his punishment with grace. Dom wasn’t even sure if he’d deal with it as well as the man that stood in front of him, looking out through the bars now.
• “Stay nearby, Slick. I think we’re going to need eyes in the back of our heads today.”
• Slick nodded and then looked over his shoulder at him. “Last time it was this quiet at wake up, two men went down and didn’t get back up.”
• Dom studied him for a moment. “As long as it’s not us, I didn’t see a thing.”
• Slick gave him a big grin. “You’re really starting the think the part, man.”
• Dom cocked and eyebrow at him. “Do I have a choice?”
• Slick shook his head. “Nope.” The loud clank of locks releasing chorused through the silence just before the bars slid aside. “Show time.”
• “Hang back for two and let’s assess who is instigating.”
• Slick leaned against the doorway. “Not going to be too hard to assess. Rod’s group is pissed that Cherry’s gang came out on top of the work draw. A few less of Cherry’s people and there’s more space to fill on the team.”
• “Any idea what the work team was scheduled for?”
• “None. Too many closed mouths on this one.” He lifted both eyebrows at him. “And someone’s pockets are heavier because of it, too.”
• “I don’t like the taste of it.” Dom glanced through the bars to see some of Rod’s followers hanging back when they normally rushed to get a place in the line near their dominant leader. “This is going to be a massacre.” He leaned down closer to Slick so none of the inmates going by would hear. “You see if you can talk with your guard buddy later and see if he knows why this work job is so special.”
• Slick stuffed his hands in his pockets and nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”
• Dom took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I really miss quiet breakfasts.” He put his hands in his pockets and jerked his head so Slick would go out first.
• “I miss a hell of a lot more than quiet breakfasts, man”
• Dom grinned and followed him out. Come to think of it, he missed more than breakfasts, too, but at least he’d gotten a glimpse of a sexy brunette last night. The hair on the back of his neck stood out, warning him that this was not the time to be thinking of anything but living through the day.