I was walking to the normal corner where I would meet Michael when I noticed the eyes on myself. Abruzzi's men watching my every move. I felt their glares before, but this time was different. They were planning something. Michael and i made eye contact, but i quickly tucked into a corridor, hoping to avoid them, but it was too late. As soon as I stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind me.
- going somewhere important, sweetheart? - the tall, muscular man with a scar running down his cheek, sneered as he blocked the path. They were Abruzzi's loyal thugs.
- where I go is none of your business, - i shot back, my voice steady.
- but it is - Scarface said, stepping closer, his breath on my face. - we heard the news. New York mob. An assassin.. Lee's daughter.
I clenched my fists, my mind racing. I had to stay calm. These men would not hesitate to kill me.
- we know exactly who you are. - I took a step back, my mind racing for a way out. I had dealt with thugs like them before, but being trapped in a narrow corridor, was a different one. A shank was at my throat before he slipped it down my shoulder, as blood slid down my arm going deeper.
- how tough are you, Ms Moore? - he hissed, grip tightening and the knife going deeper. I could feel the blood dripping down my arm, the pain that shot through my body and i bit down my lower lip. My nails digging into his arm, but his grip was too hard.
- let her go! - a deep voice came. I glanced up from looking down at my arm to see the older male with longer hair. - She's with Scofield. Which means she's with me. - Scarface looked at the man that came in and instantly i noticed the change of demeanour. - Sir, she's with the Moore mob
Another man came up from behind Abruzzi and I instantly recognised who it was. Michael, my safe haven and the only person i could trust.
- let her go, - Michael said. Scarface's grip faltered, and for a brief second, I sucked in a shallow breath before i quickly moved, knocking the man out with a hard punch to his face. I instantly placed my hand over the deep gash in my arm, walking away from the man. I stepped over him and walked over to Michael.
- If you have a problem with this, then take it up with me, - Abruzzi said as the tattooed man backed away. Michael opened his arms for me and his hand found my lower back.
Michael pulled me to a secluded area in the yard where his finger tilted my chin up to see the bruises forming on my neck. - are you ok? - he asked, his voice low, soothing.
I nodded, though my breath was still ragged. - I've had worse.
- doesn't mean you should, - he replied, examining me before taking my bloody hand off my arm. His touch was delicate while his other hand steadied me.
For a moment, our eyes met, and i saw something in his gaze that made me feel sage in a way i hadn't in a long time. - you should go to the infirmary. - I looked at him, unimpressed.
- I'll be fine. It's just a scratch. - i said as he ripped a piece of his shirt and wrapped it around my arm.
- you need to be more careful, - Michael said as his eyes darkened with an unreadable emotion. - Abruzzi's men, they're always looking for a reason.
- Michael, - i said with a sigh.
- Emma you need to drop this tough act because you aren't fooling me. You're going to get hurt
- last time I checked, I was minding my damn own business. - i started, but Scofield interrupted me.
- you're snarky, witty, and sharp with words.
- what do you want me to do, Michael? I am a woman in a men's prison. - i was getting irritated.
- I want you to go to the infirmary, - he said, signing. - you have quite a lot of bruising and that gash needs tending too. I liked his touch. I liked how he cared for me. Though I would never admit it out loud.
For a moment, neither of us said anything. The noise from the yard had faded into the background.
- I don't trust a lot of people, - i admitted, my voice quiet. - But I trust you. - Michael's expression softened, and he gave me a smile. - I guess I go to the infirmary now. - He nodded watching as i walked off. I winced as i pressed a cloth from Michael against the gash on her arm. My bruised neck only added to the growing list of injuries.
- are you the doctor? - i asked the redhead woman in the infirmary.
- yes, i am - she said as she turned around. - Dr. Tancredi - she introduced. She was tall, redhead and paler than i was.
- Emma right? - Dr. Tancredi asked, her voice smooth and steady. She motioned to the chair beside the able. - Come, sit down. Let's take a look at that.
