Chapter 23 - Chapter 22

# Chapter 22
AYANDA

"Sneaking out on me, are you?"

I spin around with a yelp, the closed door at my back. Meiring approaches me in a way I recognise so many times from being a young girl. The slow steps, one steel-capped shoe in front of the other, thumbs hooked in his belt loops, and a predatory glimmer in his eyes.

"I upheld my end of the bargain. You got your hour, and it was a very enjoyable hour, by the sounds of it. I have to say, I expected you to be the whimpering kind. Instead, I have a screamer on my hands."

My heart jumps to my throat when he stops in front of me and traps me with his hand on the door, just above my head. "It was a mistake to make you that offer," I reply, wetting my lips. Vusi is a dangerous man, and I was so clouded by my desire to get him to trust me that I didn't stop to think of the consequences. Now, there's no doubt in my mind that the man before me is a dead man walking unless I convince him this is a bad idea.

"A mistake, ja," he hums, watching me closely. Too closely.

"Surely, you have some self-preservation. He'll hurt you if you touch me."

"Unless you've failed to notice, beautiful, he's locked up in his cell. I'm untouchable in this place."

"Please, don't." I plead when he pushes down on the handle. The door slides open, and I stumble back into the room. Warder Meiring follows me step by step, shutting the door behind him and flipping the lock.

"Here's the thing about favours. I always collect."