The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 34

Margot’s POV

The laughter amongst them felt loud and sharp like a rusted blade dragging along a chalk board.

It cut straight through the thin barrier of calm I’d been trying so hard to keep together since my somewhat successful chat with Coban…

I just remained frozen next to Coban on the bench, still reeling from the sudden invasion of my peace. The guys hadn’t stopped smirking since they showed up, all puffed chests and loud voices like the yard was their stage.

And then one of them – the one with blunt tattoos trailing under his eyes like messy black tears – had the nerve to eye me up and down before declaring, “Fuck! How’d you land such a hot one, boss?”

Hot.

Like I was a prize. Like I was meat.

My stomach twisted.

Beside me, Coban’s posture shifted immediately. He didn’t lunge or growl or even glare subtle than that, but I noticed it.

—

A roll of tension moved through his body like thunder underneath his skin. He leaned forward slightly, one forearm resting on his thigh, the other hanging loose like it was ready to do damage if needed.

“Why don’t you focus on your own bitch, Rocker?” he snapped, voice low and sharp enough to slice through bone.

Rocker apparently the name of Tattoo Tears just grinned and held both hands up in mock surrender, unfazed. “My bitch gives good head anyhow, so I’m happy!” he hummed like it was something to be proud of, the words drenched in casual filth.

The other three guys around him erupted in to laughter, elbowing each other and making whooping sounds like we were in a goddamn locker room.

I stared at them, blinking in disbelief, cheeks burning hot as the heat climbed up my neck.

Only two people noticeably didn’t laugh though – Coban and Leo. (2)

They exchanged a look, brief but clear. Disgust. Or maybe it was their patience wearing thin?

–

My eyes flicked to the Rocker dude again who was now yanking a girl toward him by the hip, pressing a sloppy kiss to her temple like she was a toy.

She looked surprised for a second, but then plastered on a coy smile as if it were all a game to her too.

And that’s when I recognised her.

Mint–green.

The uniform was unmistakable, and so was the girl.

Of course it was one of them.

I’d clocked her from on the ship. Loud laugh. Loud opinions. Pretty face with sharp eyes and zero shame. She’d boasted all about this guy, before catching me staring at her…

And now, here she was, arm wrapped around him in person, like she was proud of it all.

They’d already done something. Last night. On night one. Unlike me who hadn’t even had the decency of sniffing the bed let alone sleeping in it!

It was laughable really.

Sort of embarrassing too.

My throat dried out at the thought of how different our nights had gone… with me being on a hard floor…

But Coban just stepped forward once. No words. Just presence.

Enough to make everyone tense.

Even Luca stopped smiling.

The air shifted.

Like the warning before a hurricane.

“Your voice is making me want to put a blade through you now…” Coban’s words leave his lips, as I glance towards Cara in sheer horror and disbelief.

As though I hadn’t just damn well caused this!

“Chill, chill, I’ll just leave you to it then! We were heading inside anyhow!” Rocker plays it off cooly, grabbing his mint–green girl before pulling her off with him without another word – obliging quickly.

I sat there, frozen, watching it unfold…

Coban barely had to try, before getting Rocker out of our proximity…

“Leo you stay,” Coban mutters in a bored tone, as I watch the other three guys and girls awkwardly peel off from the group next too, not wanting to test sticking around longer.

“I don’t need a fucking invite to stay!” Leo tuts out; “But I’m glad you got rid of them, I can only handle that lot in small doses.” Leo states loudly, as he pushes Cara towards the bench beside ours, Cara choosing the seat closest to me.

“They’re fucking in heat by the looks of it, probably never even seen a pussy before this experiment too!” Coban snorts, as him and Leo talk over us.