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“Gray was being a dick,” she mumbles, my brow raising at her words. It confirms my thoughts that he’s also interested in Silla. “He was complaining because I skipped lunch, but I felt like shit. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him, so I started to cry from exhaustion. I so rarely cry… I fucking hate it.”

“You’re stronger than a lot of people here,” I rumble. “Is the Warden the only reason you’re upset?”

Mentioning his station is a mistake, and Silla flinches. “Sidney, you can’t say anything,” she gasps, and I shake my head.

“No, Pet. I’m not asking any of these things for any other reason than to know why you’re upset, alright?” I reassure her.

If this was anyone else, I would pull all of her secrets while she’s ill, but she’s not. Silla is the girl who makes me feel things. I want to protect her and keep her, and I just don’t know if I can yet.

“Is there another reason you were crying today?” I push.

“It’s so dumb, Sidney. I don’t really want to tell you. You’ll think I’m being silly,” Silla yawns.

“I absolutely do want to know,” I insist.

“I was feeling off because I didn’t get to go outside today, and I know it’s because you were busy. It’s fine, the world doesn’t revolve around me,” Silla scoffs. She’s so wrong though, because I spend time wondering if she’s excited to spend time in the greenhouse with me. “And then, I usually have lunch with Grayson, but he was busy, so I skipped it because I don’t like the dining hall in the afternoon. It’s so busy there, and I already don’t feel well. No one had time for me today, and it made me feel small and insignificant. One of the Queen’s Mission reminded me that I’m here because my sister put me here.”

“How?” I ask, still massaging her head to keep her calm.

“There’s no evidence I committed the crimes I was charged with. Holton, the man who was here, asked me if it would please my step-sister if she got a video of me choking on his dick,” Silla explains. Her words are a bit disjointed, but it’s due to the memory being so fresh and being in pain. “Grayson played into the idea that all I am is a tight pussy in training that will control others. I don’t know why it hurt my feelings.”

“Because you’re so much more than that,” I spit out. “Even if he was playing Holton’s game, the Warden should have spoken to you after. Have you seen Isaac today, Pet?”

“Nope. I’m not great company right now,” Silla says absently. She sounds as if she’s falling asleep again, and I allow her to.

Holding her to my body, I get comfortable as I pull out my phone to text the Warden.

If I knew you were this inept, I would have taken Silla from you before this.

Warden: She’s a person, you can’t take her from anyone. I don’t know what’s going on with that girl.

Your recruits went without sleep because they cleaned FRC, not the maintenance staff. Cancel night classes, suggest they go to bed early. Silla has a severe migraine and menstrual cramps. I’m with her now.

There’ssilence on the other end for so long, I occupy my time staring at Silla in the gloomy light of the lamp. Her curls are slightly damp, but so soft as I run my fingers through her hair. Her curves even fit perfectly draped over my body, and I don’t want to move.

Silla’s bedroom door opens, and the Warden walks in, looking contrite.

“I thought she was just mad because I missed finding her to have lunch.” He sighs.

“She depends on you,” I tell him, though I don’t know why I bother. “Your words and actions matter to her, and she apparently really hates the dining hall.”

“We started having lunch together in my office instead. The Queen’s Mission fucked up my day, and I’ve had their staff members calling me all day. They’re so fucking obnoxious,” the Warden growls. “I didn’t understand why she was so tired. I told them to clean up, but I meant their rooms. I didn’t expect them to clean up everything.”

“The Mission undoubtedly scared the inmates, and you didn’t help morale at all. They all look to you, but you fucked up,” I tell him. “I want Patricia to do some blood work on Silla to see how the birth control is working for her. I’m worried that’s why her cramps are even worse than normal.”

“I’ll have Patricia see to it,” the Warden says, coming closer. “I’m so sorry, Dangerous Girl. I fucked up, Beautiful. So now that you know I have feelings for Silla. What do you want?”

Grayson’s voice is gruff and matter of fact, and I blow out a breath. “I want to get to know Silla,” I tell him, surprising myself. “She’s under my skin, and I don’t want to dig her out. But that means you need to pay attention to her Godsdamn feelings, Warden. What the fuck is wrong with you? Silla seems very upset that you called her a tight pussy in training in front of someone called Holton? Explain that to me.”

“Fuck me,” Grayson mutters. “He was going on and on about why Silla couldn’t pick up her mattress alone, and asking what kind of exercise program the inmates are on. Holton pushed her around, and threw her so hard, she hit the ground. I wanted to get his attention away from her, so I explained that she doesn’t have to kill a man with her bare hands, she can manage that with her pussy.”

“Ugh. That’s great,” I sigh. “He knew who she was, called her by name, and scared her when you weren’t paying attention. This Holton is going to be a problem.”

“I’m already beginning to gather that. I need to send the inmates to bed early and make an announcement tomorrow in apology for not being more explicit in my instructions last night. Are you staying with her?” Grayson asks and I nod. “I swear, I fuck up with this girl so much, it’ll be a miracle if she’ll talk to me when she wakes up.”

Looking down at Silla, I rub her arm. “You fuck up with her the most because you and Isaac are around her the most,” I explain. “There are more opportunities for things to go sideways.”

“Yeah, I can see that. Has Isaac been by?” he asks.