Page 29 of Imprisoned

“Speaking of cards...” Tommy speaks up. “I managed to get my hands on a fresh deck. Could do a poker night?”

“You mean lose all your cigarettes again?” Rico snorts.

“Hey, I’ve been practicing!”

“Yeah, and I’m the King of fucking England.” Snake rolls his eyes.

The familiar rhythm of prison banter washes over me. These idiots are useful tools, nothing more. But they’remytools.

“Remember when Tommy tried to bluff with a pair of twos?” Rico laughs.

“Man, shut up.” Tommy’s face flushes red. “That was one time.”

“One time too many,” Dante says. “Cost me my dessert for a week backing your dumb ass.”

I tune out their squabbling, scanning the cafeteria. Marcus’s crew huddles in their corner, shooting glances our way. They are pathetic. They think numbers give them power, but real power comes from knowing exactly when and where to strike.

“Boss?” Rico’s voice pulls me back. “We still on for yard time later?”

“Yeah.” I push my tray away. “Make sure everyone knows their positions. Don’t want any surprises when Marcus’s shipment comes in.”

The conversation flows around me like water. These men think they know me, think their loyalty makes them special. But they’re just pawns in a larger game. A game that’s about to get much more interesting.

15

AXEL

The chains rattle as Martinez makes a show of securing them when he loosens the cuffs. He’s a good little puppet, doing exactly what he’s told for the right price. The security camera feed will also be replaced today, meaning no evidence.

My demons mutter their approval—they like it when people obey.

“All set.” Martinez nods to my sweet, innocent Willow, standing there in her pencil skirt and white blouse, clutching her notepad like a shield. “Call if you need anything.” Something else I’ve handled. Martinez isn’t going to respond to her first two panic presses, as he has my word I won’t physically harm her.

The door clicks shut. We’re alone now. Just me and my pretty doctor, who has no idea the chains around my wrists might as well be paper.

Show her what real control feels like.

Make her scream.

Break her.

I push back against them. Not yet. This requires finesse.

“Good morning, Dr. Matthews.” I keep my voice soft, watching her settle into her chair across from me. I see how herchest rises and falls a bit too fast. The flush in her cheeks as she opens my file.

“How are you feeling today, Axel?”

I feel like ripping your clothes off and feasting on your perfect tits.

I smile, letting my arms rest loose in the restraints. “Better now that I’m with you. I had the most interesting dream about you last night.”

Color floods her cheeks. She shifts in her chair, and I catch the slight press of her thighs together.

“We should focus on your progress, not your dreams.”

“But doctor...” I lean forward. “Aren’t dreams important for understanding the psyche? Isn’t that what you’re here for? To understand me?”

She hasn’t noticed that I could stand up any time I wanted, cross this room in three steps, and show her exactly what’s been haunting her dreams and mine.

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