was some seriously shady stuff and transactions in there. I logged out real quick, but I guess not quick enough. I ended up here three days later.”
“That sucks.”
“Yeah.” She eyed the drones that floated high up near the ceiling, their camera eyes flashing red. “I’d love to get my hands on one of those fuckers just to pull it apart to see how it functions.”
I grinned. “I’ll bet you would, but getting one down would be damned near impossible, let alone doing it without being seen.”
“True.” She sighed and pushed to her feet. “Maybe one day. Right now, I’m off to break hearts and have some fun. Watch your back, newbie.” She winked down at me and picked her way through the crowd.
I smiled. In the last week I’d seen Charlie work her vibes on both men and women. Yeah, she physically liked women, but it seemed she’d come to an agreement with Resta. I didn’t judge my new friend for using her body to get herself back into Resta’s pack of females. She had a bunk again, and a relative amount of safety. Being dragged off into a corner as an unclaimed female was not fun. It had happened to me twice more so far, and I was under no illusions, it would happen again soon. I just thanked my lucky stars that I could fight my way out and that the female sleep halls were locked at night.
I’d gone back to the gym to see if I could speak to Connor, but had been blocked by the door guards each time. If I could make him see I really was me, then maybe he’d let me in that gym. I could train and keep out of the way of the gangs in gen pop. I’d tried getting Owen’s attention, too, and though he’d looked a bit uncomfortable, he’d told me to let it go. Even when Connor walked down the corridors, his six bodyguards prevented anyone from getting close, and that included me.
I watched a thin dude in baggy jeans and a blood stained vest saunter over to a group of heavy set males. The group had swaggered in and were appraising the people nearby. I grimaced and shuffled back into the shadows. I was still sore and aching from the fight I’d had yesterday. Two males had decided that as I didn’t have a pack mark, I was fair game for a bit of after dinner entertainment. I’d soon disillusioned them. I blew out a small breath as the group strutted through the far doorway into the hallways that led to the training hall.
Gen pop itself was a hotbed of trading if you knew where to look. There wasn’t much scope for variety, but Charlie had been right, there was an abundance of flesh. It could just be taken, but it seemed even the new and callous version of Connor had some rules. If you chose to force a person who belonged to a pack, you’d pay dearly. I’d seen two of his guards enter a busy hall in gen pop and corner a beady eyed man and accuse him of just that. They’d easily overpowered him then snapped his neck with no hesitation.
I glanced up. The guards hadn’t done a damn thing. Connor really was in charge down here, though it seemed he thought rape of those not in a pack was acceptable. I rubbed my hand over my mouth, wondering what had happened to his moral code. I’d not seen a woman killed—yet. But I guessed it was only a matter of time. My brow dipped. Like Charlie had said, females weren’t protected, but they were needed for something. I watched as a few disgusting prison biscuits exchanged hands for a blanket. Extra food and commodities like blankets, a sleeping space, or a bed were all bargaining chips.
Charlie gave me a wink from across the hall. I grinned back and shook my head. She’d hunt me down when she wanted some company outside Resta’s group. I didn’t mind. She was a good source of information and decent company, herself. Flicking up the collar on my old leather jacket, she disappeared along the corridor into the mess hall with five other women.
I was about to follow and see if I could grab some food when I spied Shannon flounce in from the corridor that led to the west wing and head towards the food hall. If I wanted to avoid her, I needed to stay where