Chapter 16
As he opens his mouth to reply, I finally manage to pull out a knife I’ve been trying to grab from my back pocket for the past few minutes without being noticed.
I point it right at his face.
“Let me go, or I’ll be the one gouging out your eyes!”
He doesn’t even flinch.
He pays no attention to my threats-or the knife in my hand.
“I was wondering when you’d finally manage to draw your weapon.”
What the hell?!
If he knew I was going for the knife… why let me?
“You knew I had a knife?”
“Yeah. It was pretty obvious,” he says with a smirk. “But if I were you, I’d put it down.”
“Oh yeah? And why’s that?”
“If I come and take it from you, I might mess up that pretty face of yours.”
“What difference would it make? Weren’t you planning to hand me over to the other inmates? If I’ve got a scar, maybe they’ll find me less attractive.”
“They’d still think you’re sexy-even with one eye missing.”
My heart starts racing uncontrollably.
“I’m not letting go.”
“Keep it if it makes you feel better. I know you won’t use it on me.”
“You think I’m bluffing? Didn’t you hear what I said earlier? I was trained to kill.”
“You won’t touch me because your father didn’t give you permission.”
My father has no idea what’s going on here.
He never said whether he wanted Alexander dead or alive.
If he finds out I laid a finger on Alexander without his consent, he’ll make me pay.
He’d rather see me dead than risk sparking a war with Alexander’s network.
He’s even said that Alexander’s power, despite his age, is not to be underestimated.
It’s pathetic that a father would rather lose his daughter than lose his business.
I lower the knife and toss it aside.
“I knew you were under your father’s control. It’s obvious from miles away how terrified you are of him.”
1/3
Chapter 16
How can he know that when I’ve hidden my fear from everyone my whole life?
“Glad you’re enjoying yourself.”
“It’s satisfying to see that behind all your cold, badass vibes, you’re just a little girl afraid of getting scolded by Daddy.”
My father never scolded me.
He has far more extreme ways of showing anger and disappointment.
“You think a little girl would’ve infiltrated a prison full of men with rap sheets longer than their dicks? I don’t think so.”
“I’m guessing you didn’t have a choice-and that’s why you’re here.”
Shit. He does know everything.
“Maybe. But I’m here anyway.”
“It’s also obvious you’re a woman.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
“A man wouldn’t have lowered his weapon-even if he feared his boss.”
I roll my eyes.
“So you think men are invincible, is that it? I earned my place in the gang the moment I was born. I just had to wait until my training was complete to become a full member. Whether I’m a man or not doesn’t make a damn difference.”
“Poor little doll,” he scoffs mockingly, “they told you to choose weapons over designer handbags, huh?”
No one asked me. I was ordered.
“Do you ask Daddy for permission before spreading your legs too?” he grins.
I step toward him and try to slap him, but he catches my hand.
“I’m not your friend or your boyfriend. Don’t ever try to hit me again, understood? Next time you try, I’ll break your hand.”
“If you don’t want me to touch you, then don’t talk to me like I’m some toy. You don’t know anything about my life-don’t disrespect me.”
“I don’t give a fuck about your life! You have no idea.”
“Good, because I feel the same way about yours.”
“Yet you came here for me, didn’t you?”
“I came to carry out my mission. And that mission is you.”
“So I was your mission.”
He finally lets go of my hand but doesn’t stop staring at me.
His
eyes
unnerved me so much that I looked away.
Since when do I look away?
“What are you planning to do to me?”
2/3
Chapter 16
I said it barely above a whisper, revealing a fragility he must not notice.
But he heard me.
He looks at the bruise still visible on my face.
“You want to know if I’m going to tell the others who you are… The answer is no.”
I glare at him suspiciously.
“Why?”
“Because rape-especially gang rape-is something I don’t condone or tolerate.”
“So?”
“I’m not planning on killing you either.”
“Then what are you planning to do?”
“I don’t know yet. I’ll keep you alive until I decide what to do with you.”
That’s it? He’s not going to kill me or hit me?
I can’t believe it.
I was sure I’d die in agony.
Alexander turns to leave the hallway, but not before saying:
ツ
“I suggest you don’t tell your father that I know everything. Keep showing up to work like nothing happened. I’ve got plenty of men who won’t hesitate to deal with you if you try to run.”
He leaves with those final words.
I lean against the wall, relieved to still be alive.
I wasn’t planning to run-that’s not who I am.
But Khalid will soon find out that Alexander knows everything.
When that happens, he’ll kill me.
I need to find a way to survive-and fast.
