The walk took longer than expected–each movement still sparked pain through my body–but I pushed through..
Finally, as we entered the cafeteria, the room fell silent.
Every voice stopped instantly.
The inmates all turned to look at me.
Their stares were heavy, but the moment Dante scanned the room with that cold, intimidating gaze, they quickly looked away, lowering their heads or focusing back on their food.
I took a deep breath, my eyes searching the tables until I spotted Fox in his usual spot. Beside him sat a young man I hadn’t seen before. I didn’t think much of it and turned back to Dante.
“Can I sit with Fox?” I asked.
His expression immediately turned serious.
“Please, Dante. He’s my friend.
He sighed, reluctant, but then gave a small smile.
“What don’t I do for you, my little bunny?”
He pressed a quick kiss to my lips before walking away. He headed to his table, grabbed a tray of food, and returned to me.
“Do you think you can carry it or want me to take it?” he asked, eyes scanning my movements carefully.
I smiled softly.
‘I’ve got it.”
I took the tray and began walking toward Fox’s table. Each step triggered a twinge of pain, my body protesting, but I didn’t stop. After so many days locked in a cell, I needed a taste of normalcy.
“Hey, Fox. Long time, I joked, pulling out the chair and sitting beside him.
He laughed.
“A long time indeed, rookie. I tried to visit you, but… you know how it is.” He nodded in Dante’s direction.
I chuckled at the thought.
I get it.”
I looked at him and tilted my head slightly.
‘And you? How’ve you been??
He laughed again, shaking his head.
Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?” he teased, raising a brow.
I let out a quiet laugh.
“Fair enough.”
1/3
Chapter 80
He shrugged. took a sip of juice, then replied, ‘I’m good, as always. But the real question is how are you, rookie?‘
I shrugged.
Better than before.”
“Hey. A voice I didn’t recognize cut in.
I raised an eyebrow, surprised he was speaking to me. Until now, I had ignored his presence, but now I took a better look at him.
Blond. Pale green eyes. Fair skin. Sharp features–the kind of beauty that turned heads. His orange uniform meant he’d committed a serious crime.
‘Name’s Predator, he introduced himself, a sly smile playing on his lips.
The name stirred something uneasy in me.
That wasn’t a random nickname.
In prison, no one got a name like that for nothing.
It meant he had a reputation.
“You can call me Rookie,” I replied curtly.
His smile widened slightly before he leaned across the table, resting his elbows on the surface.
“Tell me… Is that hot piece over there yours?”
I followed his gaze to Dante, who was sitting on the other side of the cafeteria, eating calmly, unaware of our conversation.
But Predator’s eyes were anything but innocent.
They shimmered with lust and desire.
Something twisted inside me.
Jealousy flared like fire, scorching through every inch of me.
Anger mixed with discomfort, a knot forming in my stomach. My jaw clenched as I gripped my utensils tighter than I should’ve.
I didn’t like that look.
I hated the way he stared at Dante, like he could have him.
I met his gaze head–on, my voice firm and unwavering.
“Yeah. He’s my boyfriend.”
Fox choked on his juice immediately.
Predator froze for a second, then tilted his head, examining my expression. His eyes gleamed with something unreadable.
“Seriously? You two are a thing?” His voice was slow, almost contemplative. Congrats… You two look good together.”
His tone sounded sincere, but there was something else there.
I didn’t trust him. It was obvious that news didn’t sit well with him, no matter how hard he tried to pretend.
2/3
Chapter 80
Of course, Dante was gorgeous.
Irresist.
Dominant.
It was no surprise that he stirred desire in others.
But seeing it happen right in front of me… I felt that old insecurity creeping in.
And I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
Because unlike me, Dante had countless experiences. Many of the inmates here had already been in his bed.
And me?
I knew nothing about that world.
I had no experience at all.
And for a second, I felt afraid–afraid that I wouldn’t be enough for him.
But then, a voice in my head screamed at me to stop.
Enough of that, Elijah.
Dante chose me That’s what matters.
I took a deep breath and forced a fake smile.
“Thanks,” I replied.
But deep down, I knew that conversation would keep echoing in my mind for a long time.
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