The Giant Inmate Tried to Break Me—But He Didn't Know My True Identity

A Dangerous Alliance

Kane's mocking grin quickly faded when he realized his intimidation tactics had failed. Humiliated by my lack of fear in front of his crew, his face contorted with rage. He lunged forward, his massive hand reaching out to grab my collar and throw me to the gravel. But he didn't know about my years of intensive hand-to-hand combat training.

Before his hand could make contact, I stepped inside his reach, grabbed his wrist, and channeled his massive momentum. With a swift, calculated pivot, I swept his legs out from under him. The ground seemed to shake as Kane’s colossal body slammed hard into the gravel. A collective gasp echoed through the yard. The undisputed king of the prison was lying on his back, gasping for air, while I stood over him without a single scratch.

Before the crowd could react, the heavy inner gates screeched open. A black SUV with tinted windows rolled directly into the secure yard—an unprecedented event. From the backseat stepped Detective Miller, my corrupt former partner. He looked at the warden, who was hovering nearby, and handed him a thick envelope. Then, Miller walked over to me, a sickeningly smug smile on his face.

"Did you really think a prison cell would keep you safe, Tessa?" Miller whispered, loud enough for Kane to hear. "Tonight, there's going to be a tragic accident in your cell. And your precious evidence will burn with you."

Miller nodded at Kane, who was now standing up, nursing his bruised wrist. I realized with a jolt of dread that Kane was on Miller's payroll. The warden had been bought, the kingpin of the yard was my assigned executioner, and I was locked in a cage with no way out. As the guards began ordering everyone back to their cells, Miller smiled and walked away, leaving me to face a death sentence under the cover of darkness.