System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)

The guards' shouts echoed through the cell block, announcing the morning inspection. Ethan awoke, having slept like a rock; the cumulative adrenaline and fatigue had finally given way. He had fully expected to be dragged out screaming for what he had done to Warden Hayes, but the silence and routine suggested otherwise. It seemed, for now, he was untouchable.

He followed the routine, heading first to the mess hall.

The breakfast line still served the standard federal gruel, but the atmosphere was dramatically different. The guards serving the trays kept their eyes down, and the inmates no longer jostled or cursed. The greasy scramble and watery coffee were delivered promptly to Ethan's tray. He took his seat confidently; the food, while still prison fare, had been improved by José's new authority—the bread wasn't stale, and the eggs seemed genuinely cooked. He ate deliberately, ignoring the countless pairs of eyes tracking his every bite.

Next came the communal showers. This was the true test of his new status.

The concrete room, typically a chaos of steam, slippery floors, and simmering aggression, was now divided by unspoken boundaries. As Ethan entered, every conversation stopped. Jason, freshly retrieved from the hole, moved immediately to his side, acting as a watchful shadow.

In the shower bay, José's most imposing men moved with purpose. They didn't speak; they simply positioned themselves, forming an impromptu, impenetrable perimeter of muscle around Ethan and Jason. If any other inmate tried to move too close—to grab a vacant faucet or just pass by—they were met with a powerful, silent shove from a broad shoulder. The message was clear: Do not approach the Boss.

The morning shift guards, who had missed the humiliation of the Warden but were acutely aware of the hospitalizations from the riot, watched from the entrance with absolute caution. They avoided any eye contact with Ethan, the man who had shattered the chain of command and walked away unscathed. Ethan washed quickly, enjoying the rare moment of enforced peace, the hot water washing away the last traces of dirt and stress.

Back in his cell, Ethan dropped onto his cot.

[It seems someone is doing an excellent job of turning this place into his personal playground,] the System noted mentally.

"It's amusing, I admit," Ethan replied, his face turning serious. "But I haven't heard anything from the outside. I don't know if the others are okay, if the Congressman attacked them, or if Olympus came back to mess with us. It's damn torture being incommunicado."

José, who was tidying a corner of the cell, noticed Ethan's genuine frustration.

"Something wrong, Boss?" José asked.

"I need to talk to someone on the outside, José. But I have no way. I'm locked up, remember?" Ethan said, the frustration evident in his voice.

José chuckled, a silent, knowing grin spreading across his face. "Boss, you perform miracles—attacking prosecutors and breaking wardens—but you make the easy stuff look hard. Give me a moment."

José walked to the cell bars and whistled softly. A guard passing by slowed down and stopped. José made a discreet hand signal. The guard hesitated, glanced nervously down the corridor, and then reached into his pocket, pulling out a small cellular phone. The guard slid it quickly through the bars to José.

José took the phone and handed it respectfully to Ethan.

Ethan stared at the phone. Then, he lightly slapped his forehead with his palm.

"It's true," Ethan said, chuckling softly. "I completely forgot we could do that. Haha."

Ethan was focused, beginning to dial a number on the small burner phone, when the cell door slid open with a sharp clack. Two guards stood there, their faces neutral but their posture deferential.

"The Warden wants to see you, Blake," one of them announced.

Ethan sighed dramatically, his moment of communication cut short. I have handed the phone to Jason.

"Review the situation outside," Ethan instructed, his voice low and serious. "Make the decisions you deem appropriate regarding our territory and contacts. I trust your judgment."

"Of course, sir," Jason said, accepting the phone with absolute loyalty. "I will handle it, without a doubt."

Ethan extended his hands toward the guards, expecting the cold click of handcuffs. They merely smiled and shook their heads.

"You are a distinguished guest, Mr. Blake," the guard said, the respect startlingly genuine. "We would be incapable of treating you in such a manner."

Ethan burst out laughing, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all. "Alright, alright, let's go!"

He paused before exiting the cell and yelled back at José: "José! Pass me the bottle! Let's see if I can get a refill!"

José quickly retrieved the empty Macallan bottle and tossed it to Ethan, who caught it cleanly. They began the walk down the corridor toward the administrative wing.

The System's voice echoed in his mind, smug and satisfied.

[Now you are a distinguished guest. Your cock truly works miracles.]

"It seems the other two also did a good job," Ethan replied mentally, referring to the humiliated guards.

Ethan reached the office, the door already closed. A voice from inside called out: "Come in!"

Ethan entered, the empty whiskey bottle dangling from his hand. He walked casually toward the large wooden desk and placed the bottle squarely in the center of the polished surface, directly in front of Warden Hayes.

The Warden was seated stiffly, dressed in a fresh uniform, attempting to project his former authority. Her eyes were shadowed, her lips slightly swollen.

Ethan beamed, his smile predatory and charming.

"Good morning, Warden," Ethan said, his voice dripping with false concern. "How are you today? I hope you are happy and stress-free."

Warden Hayes returned his smile, but hers was a brazen, desperate grin—the look of a woman who had been utterly broken and remade.

"I must be honest, Mr. Blake," she said, her voice husky. "You all performed very well. If I had known my guards were so eager, I would have treated them better and savored them sooner. I won't pretend to be a saint. I must confess, I love dicks and I just found a whole menu of different flavors, colors and shapes, I guess I'll take my time to taste them all.

Ethan's smile widened, accepting the full scope of his victory.

"I am truly delighted that you have met your true self, Warden," Ethan said. "Now, tell me, how can I help you today?"