The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 133

“Margot’s POV**

Coban didn’t say a word after the meeting.

He just took my hand – rough and tight – and pulled me along through the chaos.

I barely had time to keep up with his pace as we pushed down the corridor. weaving through clusters of shouting inmates and guards barking orders. I didn’t know where he was taking us until the familiar concrete scent of sweat and metal filled the air.

The gym.

Maybe he needed to hit something? Blow off steam? Or maybe he was hoping Leo had the same idea to meet him here?

Either way, I didn’t question him, not at first.

Is jaw was set, muscles tight beneath his shirt, his whole body vibrating with the kind of energy that scared me more than any guard’s weapon ever could.

He was furious with the new challenge. the kind of fury that didn’t come from just anger, but from

fear of losing his control.

And me?

I was a total bag of nerves.

There’d been encounters with some of the men before – all unpleasant.

The kind of men who looked at the volunteers like they were toys. The kind who saw the project as

a joke. Some of them didn’t like Coban or Leo either, which made me an easy target if 1 ended up

anywhere near them and away from my current protector.

“Coban…” I started, my voice small as we dodged a group of inmates shoving each other near the wall. “What if I get paired with one of your enemies or something terrible?”

. The words slipped out before I could stop them, and the second they did, his head snapped toward

me – sharp, warning.

“Don’t.” he hissed. his tone low but carrying enough weight to silence me immediately. His eyes flicked around the hallway as if to check who was listening.

Right. Of course. I shouldn’t talk about his enemies so openly.

This wasn’t some safe space. Words carried here – and the wrong ones could cost you.

He leaned down slightly. voice hard. “I told you, nobody will take you from me.”

I wanted to believe him. God. I wanted to. But there was something about the way he said it that made my stomach twist.

“But… what if it affects your freedom?” I whispered, softer this time. “What if…”

Before I could finish, his arm shot out. yanking me firmly into his side to avoid a man storming

past us. The movement was protective. instinctive, but the air around him felt electric and dangerous.

He didn’t answer me.

Just gave me a look.

A look that said enough.

I sighed, nodding faintly. I didn’t want to push him, not when his mind was clearly whirring with its own storm.

By the time we reached the gym, my chest was tight from the tension.

We stepped inside to find it was quieter than usual…

The smell of rubber mats and sweat hung in the air, and the fluorescent lights flickered overhead.

humming like a warning.

Usually, this was Coban’s space.

He’d train like he was preparing for war, throwing himself into every movement until his skin glistened with sweat and his knuckles were raw.

I’d sit by the windows, zoning out while secretly watching him or chatting with Cara.

“Margot!”

The voice came from the doorway.

I turned so fast it made my neck ache.

Cara was rushing toward me. her hair swinging wildly. Leo followed in close behind her. his expression matching Coban’s – stone hard and ready to explode any given second.

“Oh thank God.” I breathed. standing up to meet her halfway. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Cara’s face was pale. her eyes wide with the same fear I’d been trying to swallow since the announcement.

“You heard it. right?” she demanded. grabbing my arm. “They’re switching us all

up! Everyone! I tried asking one of the guards who’s going where and he wouldn’t say anything!”

, Leo’s voice came in next. low and furious. “This is bullshit,” he snapped, glaring toward Coban. ”

They’re trying to stir shit between us. They want us all to snap and fuck this experiment up.”

Coban pushed to his feet slowly, his movements deliberate – controlled, but fixed tight beneath the surface.

“Well,” he said darkly. “they’re about to find out what happens when they push too far.”

I looked between the two men.

Coban’s fists clenched, Leo’s eyes burning – and I could feel the dread begin to crawl up the back of my throat again.

Cara’s grip tightened around my wrist, whispering. “Margot… I might not even see you this entire- week again! I won’t be able to offload to you if things go sour! How the hell will we make it through this?!”I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

– ⁠I didn’t know.

– ⁠This new challenge was already tearing everything apart…