He saw Marcus during a training documentary.

He stared at him.

"No way."

Marcus looked over.

"What?"

Walter walked closer.

"You."

Marcus became quiet.

Walter lowered his voice.

"You're Marcus Reed."

Several inmates looked confused.

"So?"

Walter looked shocked.

"The Marcus Reed?"

Nobody answered.

Walter continued:

"The national combat champion?"

The room changed instantly.

Derek stopped smiling.

Years earlier, Marcus Reed had been one of the most respected amateur fighters in the country.

He won championships.

He trained professionally.

He was known for discipline and control.

Then one mistake changed his life.

A situation outside competition.

A decision he regretted.

And eventually, prison.

But his skills never disappeared.

They were simply hidden.

Derek looked at Marcus differently.

Not with fear.

Not yet.

But with uncertainty.

Because the person he thought was an easy target…

was someone who had spent years mastering exactly what Derek was trying to use against him.

Control.

CHAPTER 6 — THE BULLY WHO COULDN'T ACCEPT THE TRUTH

For the first time in years, Derek Malone felt uncertain.

Not afraid.

Not yet.

But uncertain.

Because the entire dynamic had changed.

A few days earlier, Marcus Reed was just another new inmate.

Someone Derek could intimidate.

Someone he could use to entertain the block.

Now everyone looked at Marcus differently.

Not because Marcus wanted attention.