**Chapter 5: Reign of Power**

As Lexi disappeared into the crowd, the shower area remained silent, the only sound the gentle patter of water on the tile floor. Tanya, still reeling from the humiliation, stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the spot where Lexi had vanished. The other inmates, emboldened by Lexi's display of dominance, began to murmur among themselves, their eyes darting towards Tanya with a mix of curiosity and contempt. One of the inmates, a petite woman with a tattoo of a snake coiled around her neck, took a step forward, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Well, well, well, looks like someone's lost their status," she sneered, her eyes locked onto Tanya's face. "What's the matter, Tanya? Can't handle a little competition?" Tanya's face darkened, her eyes flashing with anger, but before she could respond, Lexi reappeared, her bright pink glasses glinting with a fierce light. "I don't think so," she said, her voice low and husky, her eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on the snake-tattooed inmate. "You can't play with my new property." The inmate's grin faltered, her eyes darting towards Lexi with a mix of fear and uncertainty. "Your property?" she repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. Lexi nodded, her eyes never leaving the inmate's face. "Tanya's under my protection now. You want to take a shot at her, you'll have to go through me first." The other inmates exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale with fear as they realized that Lexi was not to be trifled with. The snake-tattooed inmate took a step back, her eyes dropping to the floor, and the others followed suit, their murmurs dying down as they retreated into the shadows. Lexi's eyes locked onto Tanya's face, a small smile playing on her lips. "You can thank me later," she said, her voice softening slightly. Tanya's face was still red with humiliation, but a glimmer of gratitude flickered in her eyes as she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks, Lexi." Lexi's smile grew wider, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Don't mention it, Tanya. You're my property now. And I'll make sure no one messes with you." As Lexi turned to walk away, Tanya's eyes followed her, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She was still reeling from the humiliation, but a part of her was grateful to Lexi for defending her. She realized that she was now tied to Lexi, bound by a thread of dominance and submission. The shower area returned to its usual din of conversation and laughter, but the atmosphere had shifted, the other inmates casting nervous glances towards Lexi as she walked away, her bright pink glasses glinting with a fierce light. Tanya watched her go, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and fascination, wondering what lay ahead for her under Lexi's protection.