The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 176

Coban’s POV

This was going to be a long fucking day.

The brief silence between us stretched across the cell like a pulled wire ready to snap.

Margot remained near the desk, arms folded loosely over her stomach, as she didn’t back away.

That alone was new.

Usually when my tone sharpened, she’d shrink a little. Not much, but enough for me to notice.

Now?

She held her ground.

Her eyes were still red from crying earlier. I could see it clearly in the harsh overhead light – the faint puffiness around them, the dull shine in her gaze that hadn’t quite faded yet.

But behind that softness was something else.

Something new?

Fire.

It flickered there quietly as she looked back at me.

For a moment I didn’t know if I hated it or respected it.

My gaze drifted back to her throat again.

Those fucking awful bruises…

My fingers twitched at my sides.

“You think this is a good game to play with me?” I asked finally, my voice low.

Margot’s brows furrowed slightly. “What game is that?”

“This fucking little stunt you’re trying to pull.” I gestured vaguely toward her neck. “Walking around like that, and for what? Attention? Pity? Or was it just to piss me off?!”

Her eyes flickered downward briefly, but only for a second. Then she looked back at me.

“I’m not walking around like anything, Coban.” she stated.

Her voice was calm.

Too calm, before she continued…

“I just took the bandage off because I didn’t need it anymore!” She huffed, as I scoffed at that.

“That bandage was there for a reason, Bella, I decide when it fucking comes off!” I warned, as she shook her head at me.

“The bruises are still there whether you cover them up or not, people already know that something’s happened, so what difference does it make?!” Her tone came back irritated, taking me aback for a second too long.

My jaw tightened, as I took another step toward her, my finger pointing directly at her chest now.

“That’s not the fucking point!” My volume lifts.

“Then what is the point in any of it, Coban?” she shot back immediately, as I felt my blood boil. I closed the gap between us instantly, her eyes widening before she masked it just as quick.

“You want every guy in this place staring at your throat? Talking about you? You want the guards rushing to your aid? Is that it?!” I seethed.

“They already stare at me for being paired with you in the first place, so what difference is there?! You’ve already proved yourself to be the fucking devil around here, so let them see exactly what you’re capable of!” Margot retorted just as quick, her tone cracking back with a fiery temper as my jaw fell slack in shock…

There was truth in that statement, and that annoyed me more than anything else had today…

The devil…

All this time, she’d preached that wasn’t a monster, but yet here she was now, calling me for what I was…

Il Diavolo.

My hand lifted in an instant right in front of her face, itching to strike her just for speaking to me like that – because nobody ever fucking spoke to me like that and got away with it…

“You little bitch!” I seethed out through my teeth, as she gasped loudly at the threat, eventually shrinking back from me…

I managed to catch myself just on time, forcing my hand back down by my side before I could follow through with the assault… but the movement itself had done enough to still rattle her…

To break the wall she had tried so desperately to build today…

Under the surface, there was still fear.

There was still regret.

I could see and sense it all… and I needed it, just to keep me from beating this damn attitude out of her…

“That night,” I continued, my voice dropping again, “Was a mistake! I could’ve killed you. I don’t need reminded of that every two fucking seconds!”

The words hung in the air between us as Margot didn’t look away from me. Didn’t even blink. As her eyes filled…

“You’re standing in a cell with a man who nearly strangled you in his sleep and yet I can’t quite understand why you still want to rush in to playing happy families with me on the outside? What makes you think that I’ll act any better out there?” I hum expectantly, my tone testing as her lips part – lost for words as she continued to tremble.

“Trust me when I tell you this Bella, outside of this place… I’m much, much worse!” I fume, leaning forward as my gaze pierced through hers.

I stood there for a second, daring her to question my statement. Daring her to give me attitude one last time.

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