Hi, I know its been forever and I'm sorry - outside world has got crazy but I am planning to finish this story in the next two uploads so if you're with me from the beginning thank you and I am very sorry for the long wait <3
This chapter is a bit jumpy but plot wise it gets through a lot so I hope you enjoy it :) Theres some steaminess in the next chapter but it just doesn't fit here (sorry!) if you want some of that read chapters 1 and/or 2! :)
RECAP - The guard Neil has turned on James, moving Sam to Tony Lorenzo's block and turning in James men. Sam is scared and alone. James in a fit of desperation has turned to Craig to beg for his assistance in getting rid of Neil to get Sam back safe and get revenge.
*
'Anything?' Craig repeated, his eyes narrowed.
'Please,' James begged. Craig looked around the cafeteria, making sure they were not being overheard.
'It's done. I will speak to them tonight,' he whispered. James felt relief, but he couldn't enjoy it, he knew there had to be a catch.
'In exchange for?' he asked.
'You work for me now. We don't fight over trade, 20% of whatever you get in here comes to me. Any intel, comes to me. Any issues I have-'
'I come to you,' James said through gritted teeth. He ran his hand through his hair, taking a moment to consider. He had worked hard to earn the respect he held in here. Everyone knew if you had a problem, it was James or Craig you turned to. They had a non aggressive rivalry, it made sense Craig wanted to take out his opposition, to seize full control. He couldn't even claim to have a choice.
'Okay' he whispered.
Craig smiled, 'good. I look forward to working with you,' he said holding out his hand and James shook it and immediately walked away, shoulders heavy with the weight of the deal, and worry for Sam.
**
Sam shivered. He was on sweeping duty outside the blocks with a couple of other inmates and some guards to observe. He hurt all over. His bruising covered almost every inch of his body, but the guards didn't even seem to bat an eyelid. Every sweep of the broom made his side hurt.
He remembered the kicks he had received there from Tony's guys, three of them all around him, Tony in his face leering, shouting something Sam was in too much pain to hear. But he did hear the crunching sound as they stamped on his fingers. He flexed his fingers instinctively from the memory and winced at the sharp pain in response. He was sure he had a broken arm too as he cradled it to his chest. When he had eventually stumbled bloodied and broken to a guard, they told him to return to his cell. He was truly alone then he realised. It made him miss James all the more. Whether his protection had been manipulative or genuine, he had felt safe there. He wanted to know what he had done, wanted to know who wanted him to hurt. It could be worse, or that's what Tony said. He hadn't been raped... yet.
He saw people out in the courtyard not far from him, he recognised some of the faces as being his old block. His heart leapt. Maybe James would be there. He tried to move closer, to get a better look. Slowly he swept, the guards talking to each other didn't notice his approach, or just didn't care.
He craned his neck, looking for James hopefully, but he couldn't see him anywhere. Craig was there though, he saw him catch his eye and watched it widen. He approached the fence, a mixture of curiosity and, was that concern?
'Sam? Fuck, I hardly recognised you kid. What happened?' he asked.
'Tony,' he said quietly and Craig pulled a face as if he didn't need to hear more.
'Are the guards not helping?'
'No,' Sam's eyes pricked with tears and he locked his jaw. He didn't want to appear so weak, 'I don't know whats wrong but it's as if they don't see me anymore. They let them do it-' he broke off, his lip trembling.
Craig didn't say anything for a moment and then sighed.
'James is killing himself trying to help you, you know. He's begged me for help and in all the years we've both been here that's a first.'
At the sound of James name Sam looked up hopefully, he glanced past Craig again trying to see him.
'He's not here, he's working an extra shift... I'll tell him I saw you. We're working on getting you back kid, I swear.'
He wondered when this shift in Craig had happened. Last he had seen him he hated Sam and James. Were they friends now? He didn't care, a face of concern was more than he had had in days, and it was a relief in itself.
'Tell him I'm okay. Don't worry him,' Sam insisted, rubbing his tears off angrily. He heard a guard call his name. 'I- I've got to get back to work,' he mumbled, leaving Craig at the fence.
**
'You saw him?' James said spinning around to face Craig as he approached him in the queue at dinner.
'Yeah I did, this afternoon he was sweeping outside. He said to tell you he was okay but... fuck man he was a sight' Craig said.