The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 65

Margot’s POV

Time moved as I ensured to put on a white vest today and not the sports bra that almost caused holy murder the day prior…

No Coban.

No guards.

No clue what time it was.

No breakfast.

I paced the floor of the cell, wrapped in my anxiety like it was a second skin.

What if they put him in solitary for the day again? Or worse, remove him from the project all together?!

But he was only defending me… right?

The walls, once a comforting boundary between me and the chaos outside, now felt suffocating every time I was left in here alone.

Every step across the room echoed my thoughts: He’s angry. He’s in trouble. He won’t come back. He read the notebook.

I hated how powerless I felt in here without him. How dependent I’d become on his presence, even if it came with a storm cloud of mood swings.

Just days ago I would’ve killed for a moment alone. Now I’d trade anything for the sound of his deep, grumbling voice telling me to move my ass or shut the hell up.

But nothing came. No knock, No voice. No news.

Just the torturous passage of time and the sinking feeling in my gut that told me I was going to miss another meal today.

Again.

My stomach twisted, reminding me for the fifth time that it hadn’t been fed since last night.

It had obviously very quickly grown accustom to being fed all three times of the day and I’d be lying if l didn’t enjoy the regular meals…

The uncomfortable growl was followed by a sigh I didn’t bother holding back. I slid down onto the edge of the mattress, glaring at the closed notebook as if it were the traitor in this situation and not me.

“Thanks for getting me into trouble,” I mumbled at it like it had cars. “You stupid little snitch.”

Just as I was preparing to talk myself out of a breakdown for the second time that morning, a sharp knock rattled the door.

I jumped to my feet like I’d been electrocuted.

My first thought was Coban.

But why would he knock?

When the door creaked open, the tall, familiar silhouette standing there wasn’t him.

“Where is the man of the hour? Avoiding the gym today I see?!” Leo grinned as he sauntered inside like he owned the place, eyes casually sweeping the room as if expecting Coban to be hiding behind the dresser or under the bed.

And right behind him, to my great joy, was Cara.

“Cara!” I chirped, like a reawakened corpse, always relieved to see her still smiling and fully in one piece…

And then came the gasp from her lips…

A sharp inhale that sliced through the air like a blade.

“What the hell happened to your face?!” Cara cried, pointing directly at me with wide eyes. “Why is your bruise double the size now?! Did he-” she paused, her voice catching, “Did he hit you?”

My heart stopped.

Leo’s head turned toward me, his expression shifting from amused to unreadable. His brows furrowed as his gaze zeroed in on the cheek in question.

“No!” I blurted out, stepping forward and shaking my head rapidly to defend Coban’s honour, “No, it wasn’t him. I swear.”

Cara visibly exhaled, the tension melting from her posture like she’d been holding a brick on her shoulders. ‘Jesus, Margot. Don’t do that to me,” she said, hand over her chest.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think it looked that bad that you’d notice the change…” I replied quickly.

He said not to leave the cell…

“I don’t know…” I began slowly. “He already said…”

“Come on,” Leo cut in. “Coban would kill me if I let you starve and he won’t care if you’re with me. I’ll handle it. Promise.”

“Really?” I asked.

Leo smirked. “Really. I’m his friend, remember? I’m on the short list of people allowed within five feet of you.” He laughed next.

Cara nodded. “Come on, Margot. You look like you need to eat and vent to someone today!”

I did. Desperately.

I knew that staying here alone would for sure drive me insane…

Coban had said he didn’t like that I’d missed meals yesterday too… so maybe he would understand?

“Okay,” I finally said, reaching for my zip–through hoodie. “But I’m not sitting near anyone in mint–green.”

Leo grinned. “Good. Because then I’ll have to slap the shit out of them in Santo’s absence!” He chuckled, making us both laugh along with him.

I liked Leo… and I liked how relaxed Cara seemed to be around him now…

The three of us stepped out of the cell, heading for the cafeteria like it was the most dangerous adventure of our lives.

Especially with a furious Coban Santorelli waiting somewhere on the other side of this day for me…