The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 72

Margot’s POV

The sun was sharp and unrelenting as we stepped into the yard, heat bouncing off the concrete in waves that instantly clung to my skin beneath the layers I was wearing.

I blinked up at the sky, momentarily stunned. It was the first time I’d seen it so bright since arriving here.

No clouds, no breeze.

Just the kind of heavy warmth that made you dizzy the longer you stood in it…

I regretted the sweatshirt instantly.

The thick, grey material clung to my back already, trapping heat like a cage around me, and I resisted the urge to tug at the hem.

I kept my arms down, nervous, even as my skin began to prickle with sweat. I should have worn the T–shirt like Cara.

Smart girl.

I thought, as we approached them on the benches.

Cara spotted me tugging gently at the collar and smiled knowingly. “You’re going to boil in that,” she said lightly as she and Leo sat a little closer than what they usually did before.

She wore a soft lilac tee shirt with sleeves that ended mid–bicep, and even that looked hot, but at least she could breathe.

I envied her immediately.

Coban didn’t say much as we joined them, already sitting down and becoming wrapped up in some quiet conversation with Leo.

Something about a fight that broke out in the gym that morning from what I could hear. I could barely concentrate, my thoughts too focused on the way the sweatshirt felt like it was suffocating me one sticky second at a time.

I shifted my weight from foot to foot, unsure whether I was allowed to speak yet, Coban hadn’t said anything since we left the cell, hadn’t even looked at me twice, I think he was still playing it cool after the whole notebook ordeal, like his approval had to last for exactly one hour before he went back to treating me like a misbehaving pet.

I watched Coban peel off his own tee–shirt, his bare torso welcoming the sun to top up his natural tan…

I was instantly jealous.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Coban,” I murmured, turning to him, tugging gently at the sleeve of his shirt to gain his full attention. “Mind if I take this off? It’s really hot.” I whisper, embarrassed that I even had to ask in front of the others…

His eyes snapped down to me instantly. Cold. Sharp. Unforgiving.

“No, should’ve thought about that inside!” he said flatly.

I blinked. My stomach turned. But I tried again.

“But I’ve got the vest on today,” I said quickly, my voice rising slightly in pitch. “I made sure, just like you said no sports bra I promise.”

–

He stared at me. Calculating.

Then, “Still not enough coverage. No.”

The second no landed like an extra slap. An additional punishment for yesterday’s incident.

I sat there, stunned for a moment, the heat feeling ten times worse now that I’d been denied escape from it. I swallowed hard, feeling sweat drip down my spine.

“You okay?” Cara whispered softly beside me, concern on her face as she leaned closer. “You’re turning purple girl.”

I laughed nervously, but even my chuckle sounded weak. “I feel like I’m physically melting.”

She nodded toward the shaded side of the yard. “Try him again, or ask if we can go back inside. It’s brutal out here, I don’t know how you’ve even lasted so long in that.”

I hesitated, but I couldn’t take it anymore. My heart was thudding too fast, the heat making me dizzy and my mouth turning dry.

Or all three?

Leo glanced back at us and smirked. “Under the thumb, Santo…” he called out.

Coban scowled. “Look at you, bro. You ain’t any better.”

Leo shrugged, not at all offended. “I never claimed to be.”

I couldn’t help but let out a small breath of amusement. It felt weird to laugh around Coban, but it happened occasionally anyway. Maybe the heat had melted a few of my brain cells along with it.

Coban looked down at me, but his expression was unreadable.

I looked back up at him, meeting his eyes, half–expecting him to bark another order. But he just sat there, holding me to his side like a silent warning sign to the rest of the yard. His fingers splayed over my hipbone, firm, unmovable as I felt his hard torso against mine like a shield of armour…

The sun beat down on us both, but I didn’t ask to go inside again.

Something about his grip, about the heat between us now, had me rooted to the spot.

Not comfortable.

Not exactly safe.

But here. With him.

“You like testing me don’t you?” He turned his head to whisper, before quickly nipping at my ear – causing me to jolt.

Damn…