Chapter 20
Chapter 20
The warden is just as corrupt as Anis.
They were planning to rape me to get rid of me, but I was already planning to leave the prison soon since my mission is coming to an end in a few days.
Before I go, I have things to settle.
Sure, I’m a criminal-but I still have a sense of honor. I won’t let these monsters continue with their schemes and abuse of
power.
I now have what I came for. I slip out of the office quietly. I start walking through the corridors when my phone rings. I sigh as I see my father’s number and answer.
“What do you want?”
“Watch your tone when you speak to me. Don’t forget you owe me respect. I’m your boss and your father.”
“My father? Are you sure about that?”
“Stop acting like a child, Inara. Misunderstandings can be resolved without hostility.”
“You wanted me to spread my legs for Hakim-that’s not a misunderstanding. You need me so badly you’re willing to overlook that crap?”
“You managed to avoid him last night, but you won’t be able to do that forever. Tonight, I want you to take care of our Russian friend.”
“I work in the prison. It’s hard to balance both jobs.”
“He likes you a lot.”
“Send another woman from the gang.”
“They’re whores. He wants a woman who can hold a conversation and has class.”
I hate it when he calls the other women “whores,” especially when most of them had no choice but to sell their bodies to survive in the gang. He has no idea what they go through. They deserve far more respect.
“You’re putting my cover at risk.”
“It’ll be over soon, since you’ll have the information I asked for, right?”
“Of course.”
“Be ready tonight. You’ll leave with Hakim.”
“If he tries anything, I’ll cut off his anatomy.”
I hang up and slip the phone back into my pocket.
“I thought I’d have to make you follow through with those threats.”
I recognize Alexander’s voice. I turn with a sigh. He’s looking me up and down.
“You’ve got a lot of freedom for a prisoner.”
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Chapter 20
“Walls don’t stop
me.”
“Then why are you locked up if you’re so unstoppable?”
“Do you take me for an idiot? You think I’d tell you, so you can go running to your daddy like a good little girl?”
“You’re annoying. I don’t know how people put up with you.”
“Don’t forget, your life depends on me. One word, and you’re dead.”
“What are you going to do? Blackmail me? I’d rather die than serve you.”
“That hurts my feelings. Don’t worry-women aren’t in my service.”
“Your sexism is off the charts.”
“The women who work for me do… other things. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to join.”
“Dream on! I have no time to waste with you.”
He smiles, and just as I’m about to leave, he grabs my arm firmly. I shoot him a dark look.
Physical proximity exceeded ninety percent.
“Don’t look at me like that-you’re going to fall in love.”
“Fall in love with someone like you?”
I let out a mocking laugh.
“I’d never fall in love with a criminal like you who sells weapons and drugs for a living. Arrogant, full of yourself. A selfish man and a sexist who thinks women aren’t as capable as men when it comes to defending themselves.”
He smirks—not exactly the reaction I expected.
“Just as I thought. You find me incredibly sexy.”
My jaw drops at his audacity, and I try to push him away, but he still has a firm grip on my arm.
“You feel desire for me. You’d love it if I took you in a janitor’s closet or the bathroom, wouldn’t you?”
If only he knew…
“The farther I am from you, the better I feel.”
“Oh yeah? You seem pretty close to me right now.”
“That’s because you’re holding me!”
“With the training you’ve had, you could easily have hit me to make me let go.”
“We both know you would’ve dodged it and turned it against me.”
“Maybe. But you didn’t even try.”
He’s right. I should’ve gone straight for a hit to the balls. I didn’t even think about it. Normally, my defense mechanisms kick in automatically when I feel threatened.
“Now let me go before someone sees us.”
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Chapter 20
His smile disappears. I notice he’s staring at something behind me. I turn around and come face-to-face with Anis.
My body stiffens immediately, and Alexander finally releases his grip on my arm.
“I’m starting to think you two are in love. You’re always together.”
“Mind your own business.”
Alexander glares at him while Anis gives him an arrogant smile.
“I’d love to know what kind of business a guard and a prisoner have together.”
“Are you spying on me or what? Every time I’m with Alexander, you pop up like you’re trying to catch us in the act.”
“I just find it strange that you give him so much freedom and never cuff him.”
“He’s not under my supervision. Go complain to your buddy Franck for doing his job poorly.”
“Don’t talk about me like I’m not here. Anis, stay out of this!”
“Or what? You’ll hit me again and I’ll have to send you back to solitary?”
Alexander steps toward Anis menacingly. I step between them to prevent things from escalating.
“Cut the crap! This isn’t a pissing contest!”
I’d bet on Alexander.
“Now I understand how you earned the inmates’ respect! You spread your legs for their boss so you wouldn’t get in trouble, didn’t you?”
I shoot Anis a deadly glare. I’m about to punch him in the face when Alexander catches my fist in mid-air.
“How sweet! Neither of you wants the other to get into trouble.”
Alexander releases my fist. I look at him strangely, then refocus on Anis.
“Once I have proof that you two are screwing, you’re going to pay for it!”
With that, Anis walks off without looking back, while I hold myself back with all my might from jumping at his throat.
“Can I ask why you stopped me?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
I raise an eyebrow.
I start to walk away but then remember something. I turn back to him.
“Last night, I was followed. Tell the rookie you sent to spy on me to get lost unless he wants to feel a cold blade on his face.”
“My men have better things to do than spy on you now that I know who you are.”
I leave the corridor without another word or glance in his direction.
If it’s not him, then who’s spying on me?
I need to figure that out-before I end up with even more problems I really don’t want added to my endless list.
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