Page 9 of Babalon

Goddamn it.

Officer Pierce.

Not only was I getting my ass handed to me, now I was going to have the vicious little thing on my ass for not being locked down in my bunk.

A few more punches and then I felt the cold air of the cafeteria return thanks to the guards yanking Nate off me. My collar being snatched once more, I rolled with the force of the pull until my body toppled over the side of the table. Hitting the floor with a grunt, I instantly felt the warm weight of Officer Pierce pressingagainst my back, her knee shoved against my spine as she quickly cuffed my wrists.

I’m going to have permanent marks from the tight metal before I finally die here. She liked to make sure they bite, marking my skin.

“Another day, another ass whooping. Should have stayed in your cell,” Nadia crooned closer to my ear.

She was such a bitch sometimes, flaunting her little smidgen of power around the prison while simultaneously keeping secrets that would have ended her career as soon as it started. If they found out a fraction of the things she did to me, she’d be gone. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up in her own cell over at Bluitt.

I grunted a reply, lifting my head back just enough to spit onto the floor— needing to check for blood in my mouth. Since I was so high on adrenaline right now, I couldn’t taste a fucking thing. Seeing the bubbly white blob absent of crimson, I turned my head to the right and watched as the other officers frisked and restrained Nate.

He’d be in SEG for a week… again.

Asshole.

I had to wait there until the guards got everything under control and the cafeteria was emptied; everyone’s breakfast was cut short all thanks to Nate and his drama this morning.

There was always something going down. When you cage killers, rapists, and psychopaths in a building for the rest of their lives, shit was bound to happen.

It did.

Every day.

Once the commotion was over, I felt Nadia's gloved hands dig under my right arm and help yank me up to my feet. She kept her harsh hold as she hauled me out of the room, almost dragging me. For a sassy thing, barely able to combat my six-foot-twoheight, she sure was strong, the thought making me chuckle inwardly.

Rounding a corner, she brought me to a halt and glared. Her perfectly little manicured brows dipped in the center as a grin adorned her mouth. I bet those lush lips would look so good wrapped around something. Like the barrel of a gun or sucking the chrome off a trailer hitch.

“That’s going to cost you, you know,” she stated.

“Yeah, I’m sure it is. What are you going to do this time? Field work? Move my funds around? Spank me?” Half the time I goaded her; the other half I just kept my fucking mouth shut. She’ll toss me into SEG next door to Nate if I’m not careful.

“I’ll think of something. I’m sure your mom and sister are signed up to visit you tomorrow. I’m positive there are other things to do with your time.”

“Oh, come on, Nadia…”

“Aht, aht. Don’t forget your place, inmate.”

“My apologizes, Officer Pierce. I haven’t been able to see my mom for six months. Give me a break.”

“I give you breaks every day, do I not?” she asked sharply, placing her hand over her chest, attempting to feign shock. I couldn’t help the mocking laugh that escaped me. She really was funny sometimes. Seeing a woman in here was one thing, but one that could hold her own was a whole different game.

“No, Officer Pierce, you don’t and I’m not sure why.”

Mean ass snake huffed and smirked. Fuck, I hate her sometimes, but I leered anyway.

“That’s a matter for another day. Let’s get you to the medical ward so we can see if Nate damaged that brain of yours, then I’ll be escorting you to your job assignment and class afterwards.”

“Unnecessary, Officer. I’m a big boy. I can handle things myself.”

I’d be a liar if I told you a little bit of surprise hit me when her pupils dilated. There’s been some sort of animosity between us since I first encountered her. It’s like the sociopath got off on knowing there is nothing I can do. That I can’t hold my own defenses against other inmates here, that I am shunned from most groups and refused to join others.

That I am alone. Maybe she likes being alone as much as I do.

Awe, Nadia, do we have something in common?

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