his face.
If I’m locked away in isolation for the rest of my juvie stay, I swear one day I will find Damir. One day he will get what’s coming to him.
And I’ll be there to witness his world crumble into ashes.
“Wraith? Wraith, where did you go?” Zero asks.
Snapping out of my reverie, I take in a deep breath. “Does this Damir have a scar running down his neck?”
Zero narrows his eyes on me, hesitating. “You know him?”
“Zero, is it him?” I clench my eyes tight, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Yeah, brother,” Zero doesn’t hesitate this time, obviously sensing my frustration.
My eyes open, taking in Zero’s concerned features. “We need to leave,” I mumble.
Finley jerks her head back. “We haven’t even talked to Zero, yet.”
I glare at her. “If Damir sees me in here talking to Zero, then he’s gonna be in even bigger danger than he is now.”
“Who is he to you, Wraith?” Zero asks.
“Bad fucking blood from a long time ago. We have unfinished business. If he’s aware I have a weakness, he’ll exploit it. He’s already picked you as his target, Zero. Watch your back, and keep one eye open when you sleep.”
Zero’s gaze shifts to Finley, a sudden tension filling the air. “I’m not getting out of here, am I?”
I view the concerned eyes of my best friend. “We’re trying, brother.”
Finley nods. “Trust me. I’m looking into every possible angle for you, Zero. We will come up with something, but it might not be for a little while. You need to hang tight. Keep your head down and your guard up.”
Zero’s eyes meet mine. “Cherry Bomb?”
“She’s strong. She’s taking charge of the clubhouse. She’s fine. Misses you, but she’s okay.”
“Prinie?” he asks, but there’s a different tone to his voice.
Cracking my neck to the side, I let out a long breath. “She’s not as fine…” I exhale. “It’s bringing up some memories she’d rather forget. Prinie has anxiety about your family being separated. I wanna help her, but…” I trail off.
Zero rubs the back of his neck. “You take care of her. If she’s struggling and needs someone, Wraith, then for the moment, I need you to watch over her while I’m not there.”
I’m not sure how to take his words so I clarify, “For the moment?”
He grunts. “Just take care of her, Wraith. We’ll discuss it further when the time comes.”
“With all due respect, Zero, I don’t want to pull her in different directions when you get out. If things have to change when you’re around, then I don’t want to have to step back and hurt her. Am I good for her? Probably not. Do I care about her?” I let out a small laugh. “More than I fucking should. I don’t want to hurt her mentally any more than I have. If you’re gonna change your mind the second you come back, then no… I’ll remain keeping my distance from her.”
His top lip curls. “I can’t give you my blessing, Wraith. I don’t like you being with her for obvious reasons.”
My muscles tense, my stomach churning.
Why does it feel like the floor is spinning beneath me and about to swallow me whole?
“Then, that’s your answer—”
“I need Prinie taken care of. I need her to feel safe. I don’t want her upset over me,” Zero adds.
It makes me physically sick saying it, but it’s the only option I have. “She’s friends with Phantom. I’ll have him guard her.”
I can’t help but feel the heated stares of Finley and Kevlar on me, but I ignore them as I begin to pace, more because I can’t stand this damn conversation. The thought of sending Prinie straight into Phantom’s arms is killing me.
“Thank you, Wraith. I understand this is hard, but we both know for Prinie’s safety, it’s for the best.”
The problem is, he’s right.
I know it.
Zero knows it.
Fucking Kevlar knows it.
So that’s why I can’t question Zero on it, because if I want to do what’s right by Prinie, I’ll leave her the hell alone.
The buzzer for an incoming inmate blasts making all our eyes snap to the doors. I tense, and the second I see him, the anger, the hate, the venom that runs through my veins for the kid who made my life in juvie a living hell reignites. I want to rush over and rip his heart out with my bare fucking hands.
But I can’t.
Because I know more than anything Damir seeing me right now means we’re officially screwed.
Damir strides out. He’s older,