Chapter 30: Unexpected Alliances at Frigid Rock

The room feels like a tomb—cold, dark, and heavy with the weight of everything that’s happened. Liberty sits beside me, her breath finally evening out after the chaos we just escaped. But the silence between us is thick, filled with unspoken words and questions neither of us is ready to voice. The tension of the last hour still hangs in the air, making it hard to relax even though we’re momentarily safe.

I glance at Liberty, trying to gauge how she’s holding up. She’s tough—I’ve seen that already—but even the toughest people have limits. She’s not from this world, the one I’ve been buried in for years. She’s a fighter, but this is a different kind of fight. One she shouldn’t have to face.

“We can’t stay here for long,” I finally say, breaking the silence. “They’ll keep searching until they find us.”

Liberty nods, her eyes focused and determined despite the fear that lingers just beneath the surface. “Then we need a plan.”

I can’t help but admire her resolve. She’s been through hell, but she’s still standing, still ready to fight. It’s something I respect, something I can’t ignore.

“I’ve got a few ideas,” I say, glancing around the room. “But we’ll need more than just the two of us to pull them off.”

Liberty looks at me, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking we need an ally,” I say, the words feeling almost foreign in my mouth. In this place, allies are rare, and trust is a dangerous commodity. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

Liberty frowns, clearly skeptical. “And where are we supposed to find an ally in a place like this?”

“Not everyone here is loyal to the Aryans,” I say, leaning back against the wall. “There are other groups—gangs, loners—who hate them as much as we do. We just need to find the right person, someone who has as much to lose as we do if those bastards take over.”

She raises an eyebrow, still doubtful. “And who do you have in mind?”

I pause, considering my options. There aren’t many people I trust in this place—hell, trust is a luxury I can’t afford. But there’s one person who might be desperate enough to help us. Someone who’s been a thorn in the Aryans’ side for a long time.

“There’s a guy,” I say slowly, watching Liberty’s reaction. “Viktor Sokolov. He’s with the Sevens, but he’s always had his own agenda. He’s smart, and he hates the Aryans with a passion. If anyone’s going to help us, it’ll be him.”

Liberty’s eyes narrow in thought. “And you think he’ll just agree to help us? What’s in it for him?”

I shrug. “That’s what we need to find out. But right now, he’s our best shot.”

She doesn’t look entirely convinced, but she nods. “Alright. Let’s find him.”

I push myself off the floor, my body still aching from the fight. Liberty stands beside me, and I can see the determination in her eyes, the fire that’s keeping her going. We’re in this together now, whether we like it or not.

The door slides open with a heavy thunk, and we step out into the corridor, the cold air hitting us like a slap in the face. The sounds of the ongoing chaos are distant now, but I know they’re still out there, lurking in the shadows.

We move quickly, sticking to the edges of the hallways, avoiding the more open areas where we could be spotted. Every step feels like a gamble, like we’re one wrong turn away from disaster. But I’ve learned to navigate this place like a second skin, and right now, that knowledge is our only advantage.

As we approach the section of the prison where the Sevens usually hang out, I signal Liberty to stay close. This is where things could get tricky. The Sevens aren’t exactly known for their hospitality, and if Viktor isn’t in a cooperative mood, we could be in for a world of trouble.

We turn a corner, and there he is—Viktor Sokolov, leaning against the wall, talking quietly with one of his men. He’s a wiry guy, with sharp features and a constant look of calculation in his eyes. He’s always thinking, always planning. That’s what makes him dangerous, but it’s also what makes him useful.

Viktor spots us immediately, his eyes narrowing as he straightens up. His hand moves subtly toward the knife tucked into his waistband, but he doesn’t draw it. Not yet.

“Sev,” he says, his voice low and smooth. “This is a surprise. What brings you to my corner of the world?”

I stop a few feet away, keeping my posture relaxed but ready. “We need to talk, Viktor. Got a minute?”

His eyes flicker to Liberty, curiosity mingling with suspicion. “And who’s this? You bring a friend to chat?”

“She’s with me,” I say, keeping my tone even. “We’re in a bit of a situation, and we could use your help.”

Viktor tilts his head, considering us both. “Is that so? And why should I help you, Sev? What’s in it for me?”

I glance at Liberty, then back at Viktor. “How about we start with the fact that if the Aryans take over, you’re as good as dead? You know they’ll come after you, Viktor. They’ve been gunning for you for years.”

Viktor’s expression doesn’t change, but I can see the wheels turning in his head. He’s weighing his options, calculating the risks. That’s the thing about Viktor—he’s always looking for the angle, the way out.

“And what exactly do you want from me?” he asks, his tone cautious.

“I need intel,” I say bluntly. “The Aryans are planning something big—a riot, a takeover. They’re going to use Liberty as leverage. We need to know their moves, and we need someone who can help us stay ahead of them.”

Viktor’s eyes flicker with interest at the mention of Liberty. He steps closer, his gaze fixed on her, assessing her like a valuable piece of merchandise.

“And what’s your role in all this, sweetheart?” he asks, his voice dripping with false charm. “Why are they so interested in you?”

Liberty meets his gaze head-on, her voice steady. “I’m the reason they’re here, Viktor. This whole place is an experiment, and I’m the one running it. If they get their hands on me, they’ll have all the power they need to turn this place into a living nightmare.”

Viktor raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “An experiment, huh? That explains a lot.”

He’s quiet for a moment, then he nods slowly. “Alright, Sev. You’ve got my attention. I’ll help you, but I want something in return.”

“Name it,” I say, though I’m already bracing myself for whatever ridiculous demand he’s about to make.

“I want out,” Viktor says, his voice cold and clear. “When this is over, I want out of this hellhole. You’ve got connections, Sev. You can make that happen.”

I stare at him, trying to gauge if he’s serious. Wanting out of here isn’t a new request—hell, it’s what most of us want. But getting out? That’s a whole different ballgame.

“And how do you expect me to do that?” I ask, keeping my voice neutral.

“You figure it out,” Viktor says with a shrug. “But if you want my help, that’s the price.”

Liberty looks at me, her expression tense. “Can we really do that?”

I meet her eyes, then look back at Viktor. “Fine. You help us, and I’ll do what I can to get you out of here. But you double-cross us, and I’ll make sure you never see the outside of these walls again.”

Viktor smiles, a sly, calculating smile. “Deal.”

We shake on it, though I’m not entirely sure I trust him. But right now, we don’t have many options. If Viktor’s willing to help, we have to take that chance.

“Alright,” I say, pulling out a map of the prison I’d swiped from the control room earlier. “Here’s what we know…”

As we go over the plan, Liberty stands close to me, her presence a steadying force. I can feel the tension in her, the fear she’s trying so hard to hide, but she doesn’t back down. I have to respect that. It’s not easy, being in a place like this, surrounded by danger at every turn, but she’s holding her own.

Viktor’s men move in and out, gathering the information we need. It’s a delicate balance, coordinating with them without tipping our hand to the Aryans. Every move we make is a calculated risk, but it’s the only way we’re going to get through this.

Finally, after what feels like hours, we have a plan. It’s not perfect—hell, it’s barely even good—but it’s the best we can do with the resources we have. Now, all we can do is execute it and hope we’re not walking into a trap.

Viktor gives me a final nod, then heads off to relay the plan to his men. Liberty and I are left alone in the corridor, the weight of what’s ahead pressing down on us.

“Do you really think this will work?” she

asks quietly, her voice tinged with doubt.

I look at her, seeing the worry in her eyes, and I wish I could give her the reassurance she’s looking for. But this is Frigid Rock, and there are no guarantees here.

“I don’t know,” I admit, my voice low. “But it’s the best shot we’ve got.”

She nods, biting her lip as she looks down at the map. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

I reach out, placing a hand on her shoulder, feeling the tension there. “We’ll get through this, Liberty. I promise.”

She looks up at me, her blue eyes wide and vulnerable, and for a moment, I see the woman beneath the tough exterior. The woman who’s been thrown into a world she doesn’t belong in, fighting battles she never asked for.

“Thank you, Sev,” she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. There’s too much at stake now, too much riding on the fragile alliance we’ve just formed. But I can’t deny the connection between us, the unspoken bond that’s grown in the midst of all this chaos.

As we prepare to face whatever comes next, I know one thing for certain—I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it means risking everything.
Slave to the Mafia Prison Gang
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