Chapter 11
He spoke in a tone that was both calm and deadly.
Does it make me crazy that I find him insanely hot and irresistible at this exact moment?
God, I need this man in my bed-for one night, at least.
Pull yourself together, Inara!
Now’s not the time for those thoughts. Enough!
“Get out of here. Leave them alone. Go find yourself another seat and a different victim, got it?”
Ismaël clenches his jaw, but facing Alexander’s cold expression, he finally growls in defeat.
He shoots me a look that says this isn’t over and walks off to sit elsewhere.
I try to nod at Alexander to thank him, but he returns to his seat across from Fatih and resumes eating like nothing happened.
I gesture to Chris to follow me under the watchful eyes of the inmates. He nods, and we head for the exit, heavy air around
We’re just a few feet from the door when I hear Anis call out:
“Where do you think you’re going with that prisoner-he’s not even handcuffed?”
I laugh nervously.
Tell me I’m hallucinating. Did this moron just say that?
“Worry about your ass, Anis. You didn’t even lift a finger against Ismaël. You just lost the tiny bit of credibility you had left. I suggest you let me do my job. I’m off to find your balls, you pathetic idiot.”
After spitting that venom, I walk out of the cafeteria with Chris close behind.
We lean against opposite walls, face to face.
“Thanks for your help. It wasn’t necessary.”
“You can speak to me informally.”
“You’re a prison guard.”
“If I say you can, then you can.”
He smiles, a little shy.
“Thanks for standing up for me. No one else would’ve done it.”
“It’s nothing.”
“No one will dare try anything against me now that Alexander has spoken.”
I’d forgotten about him for a moment.
“Ismaël won’t try anything, but the others won’t hesitate.”
1/4
Chapter 11
“You don’t know Alexander. He just gave a collective order.”
Now I understand why his ego is so oversized-seeing the dominance he has over the others makes it clear.
“I’ll leave you now. Thanks again,” Chris says with a grateful smile.
I take the opportunity to bend down and ease the pain in my body. My back and arms hurt like hell. I shouldn’t have pushed myself so hard.
“I knew one day you’d get your ass kicked for being so insolent.”
I lift my head and see Alexander standing in front of me. I straighten up immediately-no way am I letting him see me weak.
“What are you doing here? Came to make fun of me?”
“I’m not the type to laugh when a woman gets slapped in front of me, even if that woman is you. I watched you when you hit Ismaël-you don’t fight like someone who doesn’t know how to.”
Of course not-I’ve been undergoing intensive training for a long time.
I’m trained to take down the enemy, not just hurt them.
I roll my eyes, pretending not to understand where he’s going with this.
“What are you trying to say?”
“Your moves were precise and coordinated. I’m sure you could’ve handled him without my help, which shouldn’t be possible considering he’s twice your weight, taller, and knows how to fight. You’re suspicious.”
He analyzed me in detail, which means he watched every one of my movements carefully.
“It was just luck.”
“You fight like someone who’s had specialized training. Add to that your remarkable precision with a weapon… You know what I’m thinking?”
“I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”
“I think you were trained to kill and to fight.”
Shit.
“I had to build up my strength and body to get this job, remember?”
“Guards are trained to defend themselves—not to kill.”
“What are you implying?”
“You’re a female soldier.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“On the contrary-you know exactly what I’m talking about. I don’t have proof yet, but don’t worry, it’s coming.”
“Do whatever you want.”
I try to act indifferent, but deep down I feel sick.
2/4
15:34
Chapter 11
He’s getting close to discovering my real identity. If that happens, I’m dead-whether by him or by my father.
“So, your boyfriend beat you up? That’s why you look like a punching bag?”
He points at my eye and I sigh at the comment.
“I’m not the kind of woman who lets a man hit her.”
“You’ve got guts, and I’ll admit-you can throw a punch. But you still have a nasty bruise on your face, which means you did get hit.”
“And how is that your business? I don’t owe you an explanation.”
“It’s just curious. A woman who can stand up to every man in this prison suddenly shows up with a battered face.”
“You find me interesting?”
I flash him a cocky smile. He looks me up and down, then averts his eyes and stares off into the distance.
“You’re not as impressive as you think you are.”
“Right back at you.”
“When I get out of this place, there’ll be at least twenty women lining up for me because they want this body.”
I shrug.
“I feel sorry for them. They’re going to be disappointed. And honestly? That’s nothing to brag about.”
He suddenly pins me against the wall with a crooked smile, gripping my arm tightly to force me to look at him.
I hold his gaze with a defiant glint in my eyes.
“The day you get a taste of my body, you won’t be able to live without it.”
I smile at his audacity.
“The day you get a woman like me in your bed, you’ll tie her up so she can’t leave.”
Now it’s his turn to smile. He lets go of me, but his smile fades the second he notices my arm.
My sleeve is rolled up, clearly exposing bruises on my skin.
I quickly pull my sleeve down and try to walk away to escape the uncomfortable conversation, but he grabs my arm firmly.
I avert my eyes to avoid looking at him.
“You shouldn’t let some son of a bitch lay a hand on you. The blows you took—there’s hate behind them. I’m guessing this isn’t the first time, either.”
I thought he’d mock me and call me a victim, but he’s dead serious.
“Mind your own business, Alexander.”
“Men who hit women aren’t real men. You’ve got fire—it surprises me that you’d let someone hit you. But hey, it’s your choice. None of this is my concern.”
He lets go of me and walks back toward the cafeteria without looking back.
3/4
I stay there, leaning against the wall, rubbing my wrist.
I replay last night’s scene in my mind.
I never had a choice.
