The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

Coban’s POV

“I just don’t want to give you my all if you’re planning to ditch me…”

Her words landed like a slap.

Not because they were cruel but because they were honest.

For a second, all I could do was stare at her…

I mean, really look at her…

The way her shoulders trembled now that the anger was slowly burning itself out. The way her eyes shone, glassy with tears she was trying so damn hard not to let fall – but failing miserably. The way her voice cracked when she tried to stay strong behind her own

words…

Fuck.

I dragged a hand down my face, pacing a single step away before stopping myself.

Running had always been my instinct – to retreat, regroup, regain control – but there was nowhere to run from this. Not from her.

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“I’m not planning to ditch you,” I said again, slower this time. Quieter. Like if I softened it enough, she might actually hear me and believe

me…

But she didn’t look convinced as the tears rolled down her puffy cheeks…

“Do you just think I wake up every day in this place wondering how fast I can get away from you when I get out?” I asked next, frustration threading through my voice despite my efforts to keep it steady. “You think I go through all this shit, play nice with the suits, bite my tongue, control every fucked–up instinct I’ve got just to pass some time with you?”

Her breath hitched at that, but no words came.

Silence.

I stepped closer before I could stop myself. Not touching her. Not yet. Just close enough that she had to look at me fully.

“My life on the outside?” I continued, jaw tight. “It’s violent. It’s messy. It’s tied to people who don’t let go, and mistakes that don’t stay buried. People die. I don’t get to just… walk away from this place and live a perfect little life with you, Bella, and that world… it’s all that

I know…”

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9:14 TOU, Jen #

Chapter 171

Her te*** contihard to spill then, sier and devastating to sex, bend had to keep the

And you think all of that scares mar tow had a stilt life thn, you vent can d

of her shitty peet with her father, but I nodded stiffly at the

just because there had it hard with a deadtweet Dad, dowsert mean she can handle th…

“Yeah, I know you have but, 1 admitted hoarsely, before she cut in

“I’m not scared, Cubant” She demanded for me to believe her, as 1 sighed werfy mod tare more than post her jeg at sa

to be convinced.

“Maybe not now… but I know it would scare you once you’re in it, Margot, you’re just being naive, gas how so Hex what my the outside…” I start, as she shakes her head, irritated all over again.

“Naive?!” She repeats, as 1 fold my arms firmly across my chest, giving a final nod.

I knew she didn’t like it, but it had to be said… she was being extremely naive,

She has no fucking idea what she’s even asking to be involved in…

1

I’d dragged plenty of people into my orbit before. People who thought they could handle it too. People who thought Wiking me was worke

the risk.

And they always paid for it in the end…

“I know what happens to most people who stand too close to my world,” I said, my voice roughening despite trying to hold my temper at bay… “They get hurt. Used. Targeted. Or worse. And I won’t do that to you, you’re different…

She shook her head, lips trembling. “But you don’t just get to decide all of that for me…”

The words stopped me cold.

I exhaled slowly, feeling something dangerous shift in my chest – not anger this time, but fear. The kind that comes when you realise you’re losing control of something you desperately want to protect…

“Yes I can decide, and I will, and it’s for your own good!” I bite back, pointing a finger at her now, as she sniffles and struggles to catch a breath between her sobs.

“So I was right, you are just planning to ditch me then…” she shook her head, disappointed flooding her features, as I groaned loudly- tugging at my hair.

“No!” I hiss back, feeling as though we are dancing round in circles with this now. “That’s not what I fucking said!”

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Chapter 171

My patience was wearing thin…

“You’ve decided that I can’t handle your life on the outside? So how can this continue, Coban? Where exactly does that leave me? You just

keep on contradicting yourself – you can’t have both!” She rants frustratedly through her tears, as I try my upmost hardest to listen….

“You say this is more than just a prison fling, but you also say I won’t survive with you on the outside, so where exactly does that leave me?!” She throws out her hands as though she too is searching for a visible answer amongst the female bathroom stalls.

But dare I admit it, she was right…

Everything I was saying didn’t make sense and I hadn’t had any time to think it through properly either…

I wanted her, I knew that much, but I also knew that I didn’t want to offer her a life full of regret either.

Innocent souls like her deserve better… not to be trapped in a criminal empire with a faux Prince Charming!

“Look, I’m sorry, alright? I get what you’re saying, but I just haven’t figured it out yet…” I eventually admit, as she wipes frantically at her wet face – pushing back the loose hairs that had stuck to her cheeks.

“But before I can commit to promising you anything, I need to know for certain that there’s a way for me to keep you safe because if not… then I won’t risk it.” I state, my eyes searching hers desperately for an understanding.

I needed her to know that this wasn’t a simple decision for me, nor was it easy…

How could I commit to building anything serious with her on the outside if I wasn’t even confident she would survive it?!

“But I don’t want you to pretend with me either, Coban…” she exhales slowly in an attempt to calm herself down.

“Pretend?” I question her word choice, feeling my muscles tense in agitation.

My feelings are real… I wasn’t fucking pretending!

“Pretend that there’s a chance for us to be something more… don’t string me along.” She concludes, as I shake my head in utter disbelief.

She doesn’t believe a word I’m saying.

“I’m done here, there’s nothing more I can say to make you understand this!” I shoot out, before turning on my heels to exit the female bathroom – not giving a single shit that I had even gone in there in the first place.

My temper finally snapped, along with my patience.

Until she wants to listen and believe what I’m saying, then I won’t fucking try!