The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 136

Coban’s POV

The blood was pouring a hell of a lot faster than I expected.

By the time 1 hit the middle corridor, it had already streaked down my jaw, dripping off my chin

onto the concrete floor behind me.

A fucking breadcrumb trail for anyone who cared to follow me.

But I didn’t stop.

Didn’t slow.

Didn’t even wipe it away again.

The more dramatic this shit looked, the better for me.

Guards stared as I passed – some confused. some amused, some whispering into radios like they were waiting to intervene.

Good.

Let them talk.

Let them panic.

Let them assume I was acting out.

If I can draw enough attention then I’ll be able to reach the suits…

Anything to get me dragged straight over to the infirmary faster…

Violence was the only language this place really listened to. The only way to get anything around

here.

Another corridor.

Another set of guards.

Before;”Jesus Christ. Santorelli.” one called out. “What the hell happened to your face?” guarding the door to where I needed to be.

demanded.

I shrugged, voice rough and casual. “Training accident.”

The guard snorted. “That looks like you got run over by a truck, not an accident.”

“Then maybe you should let me through so I don’t bleed out on your shift,” I shot back, pushing right between them without slowing. visit job-nib_._com to read the full story. One started to raise a hand as if to stop me. but the other. hissed. “Let him go – you really want paperwork if he passes out here? Or his damn father paying you a visit?!” He whispered the end. but I caught it.

Exactly.

The door buzzed for me without another question, and in I went.

By the time Ireached the infirmary desk, my head was pounding like a bass drum. It hurt like hell. but I didn’t give a shit.

Pain was useful.

Pain made the lie believable.

Pain would open the doors I needed.

So I slammed my palm down on the buzzer.

“Yeah?” the doctor’s muffled voice called through as he unlocked a nearby room and exited –

snapping on a fresh glove.

He looked up. startled slightly by the sight of me…

“Christ. Mr Santorelli! What’ve you gotten yourself in to now?! No girl with you either?! Is she… is she well?” He blundered, eyes wide as my brows dropped at the sudden accusation.

“Nothing to do with her, she’s fine!” I shot back instantly, “Will you just send me through to the infirmary?” I snapped impatiently, as he opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water…

“Well uh… it does look broken… did you get into a fight?” he asked, moving across to the phone onthe wall.

“Something like that.” I muttered. “Just fix it.”

He huffed, grabbing a wad of tissues from the counter to pass me, before lifting the phone off to his car. “I swear, you’re in here more than half my staff.” He chuckles, as I shrug.

I watched him wait for the other end to pick up. as I pressed the tissues up to my nose and hissed at the sharp sensation.

“Hello, yes. I need guards to escort a Mr Coban Santorelli to the infirmary please. I believe he has a broken nose…” He suddenly trails off down the line, as 1 begin to pace impatiently.

What if my plan doesn’t work..

It’s been a while since I’ve had to do this to get what I wanted…

Hanging up and gaining my attention again, he speaks, “Any minute now and we will get you upstairs… how’s that girl of yours, she seems like a good one… good intentions, you know?” The doctor presses, making small talk.

I toss the mass of red tissue in to a nearby bin before he moves to pull more for me as I grumble a thanks…

But I needed her now.

Even if Margot would feel something over it, it would be doing her a favour in the long run…

The guards marched me down the hall. past multiple open bays as scanned each one – quick. sharp glances – searching for that familiar blonde ponytail.

No sign of her.

My jaw clenched.

No sign of anyone I could use.

“In here,” he instructed.

I stared at the small private room – the clean bed, curtain, disinfectant stench.

“I don’t need to take up a whole room for a busted nose.” I complained, staying firmly planted in

the doorway. “Just patch me up out here.”

“No.” the guard snapped. “Sit. Wait. Doctor will be with you shortly.

They wanted me contained. Out of sight. Out of the hallway where I could cause trouble.

I pushed my tongue against my teeth, fighting the urge to shove past them and stroll right into the

main ward.

But starting a fight now would get me sedated, locked down, or worse – escorted back to my cell with no chance of finding the suits before nightfall.

So I dragged myself into the damn room.

The guards closed the door behind me with a heavy thud, sealing me inside like a specimen in a jar.

I perched on the bed, blood pooling in a crackled mess under my nose, eyes scanning every inch of

the space.

Nothing useful.

What if I just broke my damn nose for nothing?!