Chapter 25 - Rule One Margot's POV The world came back to me in pieces . A hand . A shake . A jolt so violent my entire body rattled on the floor . My eyes scrunched shut as I let out a groan , every muscle stiff , my back screaming with newly found aches . I didn't feel ready to wake up yet ... " Ugh ... " I mumbled , stretching out slowly , limbs heavy and unwilling . " Just five more minutes- " Wrong . Something was wrong . " No ! Get the fuck up , " Coban snarled , his voice splitting the fog of my dreams like a whip . " I'm not taking you to breakfast wearing that . Cells open in fifteen - don't make me fucking drag you to the shower . " My eyes shot open at that voice . I blinked up , disoriented for half a breath - then when I glanced over my shoulder , my vision locked on him . Coban . Crouched down right next to me . His bare chest glistened , a towel slung low around his hips , dark hair dripping wet from the shower . It took everything in me not to recoil . The nearness . The aggression in his tone . The heat still radiating off his skin . He looked like he'd stepped out of a fire and was ready to throw me into one . 1 " I'm sorry - I didn't hear you- " I scramble up on to my elbows , before turning fully to lock eyes with him . But then he stilled . His expression twisted . Not anger . Not amusement . Something sharper . Eyes locked on my face like they'd spotted something rotten . " What the fuck is that on your face ? " he asked , features screwing up . My stomach dropped . My mind raced . 1/5 3:16 pm P DD Chapter 25 - Rule One What ... ? Then it hit me . The damn bruise ! I'd forgotten all about it ! After last night's shower , I'd gotten really tired , wanted to put my things away and only got half way through before grabbing my blanket and curling up on the floor . I'd completely skipped the concealer . The bruise was on full show now , bare and blooming like an ugly secret across my skin . " Oh . That ? " I forced a nervous laugh , scrambling to play it off as though it were nothing . " I , um ... I fell . Hit a table edge . Stupid really . " My words came out fast , tangled and idiotic . I reached to stand , desperate to put some distance between us- His hand shot out like a cracking whip , closing around my wrist firmly . He yanked me back down , closer to him now , as I inhaled a sharp , fearful breath . It wasn't hard enough to hurt , but hard enough to remind me that he could hurt me if he wanted to . His grip was commanding , fast , terrifying . " Don't lie to me , " he growled , voice low and lethal . " That's breaking rule number one . " My chest tightened . My lungs forgot how to work . It was the first time he'd touched me since I'd arrived , and even though it wasn't a hit , it felt like one . His speed , his precision - it was a warning of how dangerous he was . A demonstration . My lips parted , dry and useless . " I - I'm not lying , I- " He didn't buy it . His stare pierced through me like knives . " You want another night on this floor ? " he snapped , " No. " The word slipped out like a breath , barely audible . " Then don't test me , Bella ! " He snapped , the pet name feeling like a punishment itself each time he used it . I was spiraling . Every cell in my body screaming be smart , Margot , be safe . " I - I was attacked ... walking home one night " 2/5 3:16 pm P SDD . Chapter 25 - Rule One It sounded more like a question though , even to me . " Attacked , yes . That explains the bruises down your legs ... I noticed them too , I'm not a fucking idiot ... " he starts , as I nod slowly and swallow the lump in my throat . I had almost forgotten how exposed I had been , asleep without my blanket for cover and in shorts ! Of course he had seen them ! I was only glad that the more ugly scars were hidden on my back ... thankfully still concealed . Was he believing it ? A random attack in the street ? Had I actually managed to save myself from the ' my Dad's an abusive asshole chat ? ' Coban's jaw ticked , eyeing me over . I was terrified that he could smell the lie . Taste it . " Shower . Get dressed . Think about your choices before you lie to me again . " He rose to his full height , his grip on my wrist pulling me up with him . " You can tell me the truth about who attacked you when you get out ! But be warned , three strikes and you're out , princess. " - Then , just like that , he turned and walked away - like nothing had even happened . Like he hadn't just yanked my body and soul off the ground with a single hand and reminded me that I was his to deal with however he saw fit . My legs were jelly , but I didn't hesitate . I rushed to the drawer , rummaging blindly for my clothes and underwear before returning to the box for the makeup compact I'd stupidly ignored the night before . My fingers found the concealer and I clutched it like a lifeline , along with the folded uniform , a clean pair of underwear , and the soft hairbrush . No more mistakes . I darted for the bathroom and shut the door behind me with a shaky breath , locking it like my life depended on it . Maybe it did ? " Ten minutes ! " I heard Coban yell from the other side of the door , as I trembled and stripped off in record time , rushing in to the shower . The water scalded me . I let it . Turned the handle all the way to the left until the heat bit into my skin like punishment . 3/5 Chapter 25 - Rule One I scrubbed fast , mechanical , barely processing the motions . Soap . Rinse . Soap . Rinse again . I didn't let myself linger . There was no luxury in this . No time to think or feel or cry . I had ten minutes . I shut the water off and reached for the towel , wrapping it tight around my chest as I stepped out into the cold , sterile bathroom light . Glancing in the mirror , the bruise was worse than I remembered . A sick bloom of purple and green spreading like oil across my face . ' Three strikes and you're out ' . I chewed my lip , knowing I had no choice but to be truthful ... I tugged on my clean underwear first , followed by the new pale grey sweatpants I was forced to opt for over the pink , before peeling on a white soft sports bra topped with a fitted white vest . My skin was still boiling from the shower , and so I decided to carry my matching grey sweatshirt . My fingers trembled as I opened the makeup compact and began dabbing concealer over the bruise . It was thin but I layered it anyway , praying it would hold . It helped . A little . Enough to look like maybe it wasn't what it was . Enough to fool someone who didn't really want to look closely . I took my hair down again , and brushed through it with quick , jerking motions until it sat somewhat presentable . As I stepped out of the bathroom , the cell doors began to buzz and clang open , the sound echoing like gunshots through the walls . Coban was waiting near the door dressed in a full black sweatsuit ; the most clothes I had seen him in since we met . Hair still damp but styled neatly . - He looked me over slowly taking in the grey and white outfit and my new face , the work I'd done to cover the bruise . " Better , " he muttered . " Put on your sweatshirt and slides and let's go . " I nodded , moving to retrieve the white slides , slipping my feet in to them - thankful they fit - before tugging on the jumper against my hot skin , not wanting to argue . Here goes nothing ... 4/5 3:16 pm PD The Prison Project Chapter 26