Phoenix Arizona's father is prone to trouble. When he lands a few months of jail time, leaving Phoenix all alone and by herself, she's devastated and lonely. Frequently visiting him was never a problem, until a fight breaks out and she's the target.

But she gets saved by the least person she ever imagined.

An inmate. No, scratch that. A tall, smoldering, delicious, yet unlucky specimen of a man.

Yusef Fritz has lost all hope these few years behind bars. But one look at the calm, beautiful brunette girl and he finds a spark of light at the end of the tunnel. His body sizzles for her. Just how much would it cost to have the prison guards turn their back?

Claiming her in a cell isn't ideal, and she deserves better, but he'll do whatever it takes to get what he wants.

And he wants her.

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1: Phoenix.

The metal gates are twice as wide as the SUV I’m sitting in and even taller than that. They’re covered with barbed wire on the top and sealed all the way to the cinder block wall. When they start to slide open I’m almost amazed they’re able to. They look heavy and scary as they grant us entry into the prison. I try and keep my expression blank, knowing my emotions often show too easily. My fingers itch to fidget with the seam of my dress, but I don’t give in. My dad always said it’s what gives me away when I’m nervous. How can I not be nervous? I’m a bundle of emotions all at once. Excited, sad, and even scared, which makes my heart heavy.

I haven’t only lost my dad behind bars, I’ve been placed in a prison too. The only difference is my prison is on an estate with a full staff that can get me anything I need at a moment’s notice. My dad tells me there’s no reason to leave the estate because anything I could ever want is available to me. If only that were true. I’m never alone in that mansion, but I’ve never been lonelier.

Sitting in the back of the blacked-out SUV, I glance around at the four hulking men surrounding me. There’s one on each side and then two in the front. I’m sure there’s another vehicle following us, but it’s being discreet. My dad might be in prison, but he still somehow manages his men on both sides of the wall. Their loyalty to him is unbreakable.

Marco pulls the SUV around to the two double doors where visitors are supposed to enter. As soon as we come to a stop, all the men but him exit the car. A moment later they give me the all clear signal and I get out. When I’m out of the vehicle I stare up at the ominous building in front of me, hating that my dad is in there. He’s all I have left in this world, and he’s in a cage.

I reach up and touch the locket around my neck, and it gives me strength. Inside is a picture of me with my mom from so many years ago. We lost her when I was only four, and I often wonder if my memories of her are real. Sometimes I think I only have them because Dad always tells me stories about me and her together.

“This is as far as we can go, Phoenix,” Tom says stiffly.

“Thank you,” I say automatically as I step forward.

I can sense the tension all around them, but I didn’t expect anything less. They aren’t happy that they can’t come inside with me to be my shadow. They’ve all gotten so extreme with my safety since my dad went to prison. The only place I’m ever truly alone is my bedroom, and even then, there’s always someone right outside my door. It’s suffocating.

The double doors open for me, and I walk through. This is my third visit here, but I can only come as often as it’s allowed. I’m the one person my dad has on his approved list, and I’m not sure if it’s because he only wants to see me or because his men aren’t allowed in. I don’t ask because I know they won’t tell me the answer. Maybe one day I’ll get used to being in the dark.

“Arizona,” the guard barks. “Back again to see your prison daddy.” He chuckles at his own stupid joke.

I don’t respond. Instead, I stand on the other side of the glass waiting for him to slip my paperwork through the slot to sign. He stares at me for a long moment, and I stare back. I’m not looking at him but focusing on something behind him to try and calm my anxiety. As much as I want some freedom, it scares the crap out of me too.

My dad is an underground king that can make people piss themselves when he walks into a room. I, however, get overwhelmed with anxiety when someone is only looking at me. Keeping me locked away at the estate doesn’t help me overcome it. It’s rare that I have to deal with someone that isn’t on his payroll, and because of that I don’t have much experience with someone being a jerk to me.

“Still a snotty bitch, I see.” He pushes the papers towards me.

I grab the pen and scribble my name down. A few other guards linger behind him, and I wonder if he’ll be here the next time I come. I’m sure there are several people in here on my dad’s payroll. If either of the guards watching happen to work for my dad, he’ll be lucky if he gets to keep his tongue.

The door buzzes a moment later, and I step back. One of the female officers steps over and pats me down. After that I walk through a metal detector and another body scan. In all honesty I’m a bit surprised my dad even lets me come here to see him. His lawyers have been fighting for bail, but that isn’t going to happen. They think he’s a flight risk and they’re right—he is.

Walking down the long white hallway, a lump forms in my throat. I can’t help but think about my dad in this place and how he may never get out of here. I have no idea what I will do then, but I can’t stay behind the walls of the family estate for the rest of my life.

Another buzz sounds before the last door swings open, and then I smile. I walk past the guards and go straight to my dad on the other side of the room. He stands from the round table and engulfs me in a tight hug. I rest my head on his chest, willing myself not to cry. As much as he can drive me crazy, I love him. This hug right now and the one I’ll give him before I leave are the only times we’re allowed to touch.

“Missed you, sugar.” His voice is raspy, but it’s a comfort to my heart.

“Missed you too, Dad.” He kisses the top of my head before we break apart and sit down at the table. “How are things?”

“Same old shit. Nothing new to report. How are your classes?” He quickly changes the subject off himself, because he doesn’t like to involve me in his business.

I enrolled in some online courses so I wouldn’t go out of my mind while I was at the estate. “They’re fine. Any update from your lawyer?” If he can change the subject, I can change it right back.

“You don’t need to think about things like that.” It’s way too late for that.

I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. I think his response would be so different if I were his son instead of his daughter. Then again, I’m not sure if I want to be a part of this life more than I already am.

Peeking over at the table next to us, I see a couple having a hushed fight. Today is the busiest I’ve ever seen it, but that’s probably because it’s the weekend. I don’t know if it’s all the people in this room or that I don’t have a bunch of men hanging around guarding me, but my stomach is nervous.

It feels like someone is watching me, and when I turn my head, I see him. Cold blue eyes are focused on me, and I’m too stunned to look away. The muscled man makes no effort to hide that he’s staring at me, and I can’t look away. He’s got dark, tanned skin with tattoos that mark up his arms and disappear under the navy-blue prison uniform. He’s so big, it looks like he’s sitting on a child’s seat instead of a regular-sized chair. Another man sits across from him saying something, and although the prisoner nods, he hasn’t taken his eyes off me.

“Phoenix, are you listening to me?”

“What?” I jerk my attention back to my dad, and he smiles softly. He always teases me that I get lost in my own head.

“Did you think about the Espositos’ offer?”

“Not really.” I try not to grimace.

“I thought you liked Carlo.”

“I mean, he was nice the few times I met him.” I don’t think being nice is a good enough reason to marry someone, but I don’t say that to my dad. Plus, everyone is always nice to me because of who he is.

“He would be faithful to you.”

“Because he wanted to, or out of fear?” I’m surprised to find myself challenging my dad.

My eyes flicker back to the blue-eyed man. He’s no longer staring in my direction, and a weird disappointment curls inside of me. Clearly, I’ve been isolated for too long because I’m trying to get the attention of a ruggedly handsome convict.

“Does it matter?” he asks. “He would be loyal to you, and he comes from a good family.”

I hate that he’s pushing this, and it scares me. Does he think he’s never getting out of here and now he needs to find me lifelong protection?

“Dad. I know you’re only bringing up marriage because you’re worried about me, and I get that. But I just can’t. I want to be with someone who loves me, and not out of obligation.” I smile softly and shrug. “You can blame yourself for that one.” Then I touch my locket to drive home my point. The way he always speaks of Mom is what I want from a husband. I want him to be loyal to me because he wants to be and because I’m his entire world.

“I know but…” He trails off, sitting up straighter, then tilts his head like he’s listening to something.

As I follow his line of sight, I swear I hear someone whisper my name. There are two inmates talking between tables, which I know is against the rules. At the same time, they both glance my way and one smirks. Then he winks at me, and my stomach turns.

When I look back at my dad, his whole demeanor has changed. “I think it’s time for you to go, sugar.” I shouldn’t question him, but I only get a little time with him each week, and I don’t want to go already.

“Why? I still have time.”

“You motherfucker!” It’s shouted across the room, making me jump.

An inmate springs to his feet and tackles the man that smirked at me. I look around, expecting the guards to come rushing over, but they don’t.

Instead, all hell breaks loose.

“I don’t know how much longer you’re going to get our support,” Sam says from across the table but I just nod. “Yusef,” he tries again, and when the dark-haired girl looks away, I give him my attention.

“We’ve been planning this for two years, Sam. I’m not stopping until it’s finished.”

“I can’t give you much more time.”

Glancing around the room, I clock the prisoners and who is getting a visitor. Every time I make a scan, my eyes go back to her. Phoenix Arizona. Daughter of Leo Arizona, the most powerful man in the world. You’d have to be living under a rock or be some boring investment banker to not know who she is. She’s the king's daughter, and the most powerful player in the game. One day she’ll be queen, but not until he hands over the crown.

I’ve seen pictures of her before, but always from long distances and most of them when she was little. She’s grown into a woman since the trial, and I can see the god that gave her curves was generous. Her ass fills the seat and then some, and I clench my fists. Fuck, I haven’t had a woman in years, and this little slice of sweetness comes in here with thighs thicker than a milkshake. A man would have to push hard to get between them, and I’m just that kind of man. There’s nothing to do in here but work out, and I’ve got muscles on top of muscles. A big girl like her would feel good riding my dick. I like weight on a woman, something to hold on to.

Two inmates on the other side of the room keep leaning over and talking to one another. I check the guards, and they’re by the door pretending they don’t see it. One of them says her name and then they laugh. I watch the guys a little longer, and my senses sharpen as I see one of the inmates wink at her.

It’s time for her to go. That’s the thought I have right before one of the inmates screams.

“Yusef!” Sam shouts as the room erupts into chaos, and I tackle an inmate coming in my direction.

There’s no alarm for lockdown, and I don’t hear guards getting the civilians out. That tells me this was planned, and it’s much worse than I thought.

“Get down!” I shout at Sam as I punch the guy who tried to get past me. Sam gets under the table as I look around the room, searching for her.

Every inmate is either in the fight or protecting their visitor, but the guards turn their backs as people begin to shout. When I see Phoenix and her father in the middle of the crowd, I tear through the fight in that direction. I feel something sharp in my side as I knock an inmate out of the way, but don’t stop to examine it, even when I feel something hot and wet drip down my jumpsuit.

In my peripheral vision I see him coming. The inmate that said her name earlier has something sharp and shiny in his hand, and he’s headed for Phoenix. A family member must have snuck it in, because they check us before we’re allowed in the visiting room.

He’s moving fast, but I’m faster. She’s got her arms wrapped around her father and her eyes closed tight just as the inmate holds out the knife over his head to bring it down on her. Before he can make contact, I’m there, grabbing his wrist and twisting it back until the bone snaps like a twig. He cries out and crumples to the floor as I stomp on his upper arm and shatter that part too.

“Get to the corner!” I shout because they’ve finally set off the alarms. The crowd is too thick and the fighting too chaotic as the lights go off. “Fuck.”

Without thinking and any choice, I grab Phoenix and toss her over my shoulder. “Stay behind me,” I call out to Leo and feel him move to my back.

Pushing through the crowd, I feel people fall against me as I step over bodies on the floor. I don’t want to think about who they might be and if innocent lives will be lost in this. The whole way, Leo is at my back, shielded by my size and strength. When I make it to the other side of the room and to the corner next to the exit, I pin Phoenix to the wall.

“Don’t. Move,” I order, and in the dim light of the emergency exit sign I see her wide eyes filled with fear. She’s strong, though, because she doesn’t break eye contact as she nods.

I grab Leo and put him behind me as I turn to face the crowd, keeping the two of them at my back. Someone comes running in our direction, but I’m not sure if they’re after me or the guards. I’m ready either way, and I drop my shoulder and shove against him. He goes flying back, and I plant my feet, ready for the next attacker.

It feels like hours, but it’s not long before dozens of guards have entered the room and are breaking up the fights. Finally, word of the riot has reached the rest of the prison. But I don’t relax my position until I feel a hand on my shoulder.

When I turn around, Leo nods, and I straighten. Then a guard comes over and is shouting for Phoenix to move so she can be escorted out with the other civilians. The guard is yelling for everyone to get down with their hands behind their backs, and the noise is deafening.

“Go, get out of here,” Leo says to Phoenix as she gives him a quick hug.

Before I realize it, she’s in my arms and squeezing me. “Thank you,” she says softly and then she’s gone.

I open my mouth to say something, but I feel a quick sudden pain on the back of my knee. I groan as I fall to the ground and I look up to see the guard has hit my leg with the butt of his gun.

“On the ground!” he shouts, and I do what he says while putting my hands behind my back.

Leo is next to me doing the same as a guard stands beside him, clearly protecting the king. Where the fuck were his men earlier?

“This one is bleeding,” the guard who hit me says, and then I remember getting stabbed in my side. It’s probably going to need stitches. “Get the cuffs.” As he’s fastening the metal around my wrists, I turn to face Leo.

“You’re Eritz,” Leo says, not asking the question but confirming the answer. I nod, and his eyes bore into mine like he can see straight to my soul. “I won’t forget today,” he says before three guards haul me off the floor and to the infirmary.

I’m counting on it.

“Honey, are you sleeping okay?” Margaret asks me as she stirs a giant pot of sauce. She’s been like a grandma to me over the years, and I can’t remember a time she wasn't here. She’s in charge of running the estate to keep it in top shape and I’m guessing keeping an eye on me as well.

“Not really,” I admit. She puts the lid on the sauce and starts to make me a cup of tea. She thinks tea is the cure to everything, as long as it has extra honey, of course.

“I hate that you had to go through that. I know it was scary.”

Scary is putting it mildly. I knew prison was a rough place, and I’d even imagined things like that happening there. Actually seeing it was something else altogether. I could’ve sworn that inmate with the knife was coming after me and not my dad, but I don’t know why.

Then he saved us both. Cold blue eyes flash in my mind, and somehow they don’t make me afraid. I haven't been able to stop seeing them since I left the prison, and I even dream about him at night. I wake up with my hand in my panties begging him to take me. Why does the first man I’m attracted to have to be in prison?

“He’s not going to let me come back.” It makes my heart ache to admit that out loud.

“Give it time, Phoenix. I’m sure he’s still a bit shook up. He’ll let you come back after he handles things.”

I know what she’s alluding to. Once he figures out who set up what went down in the visitor center and does away with them. Margaret makes it sound as easy as taking out the trash. I suppose it is for my dad.

“I wrote him a letter. It might be nice for him to have something from me.” I wrote Yusef too, but I don’t tell Margaret that.

When I asked my dad about the man that saved us, he told me his name. I wanted to make sure he was okay and to thank him for not only coming to my rescue, but to my dad’s as well. Dad said he isn’t one of his men, but that was all I could get out of him without it sounding suspicious. It’s a bit nutty that I think of Yusef as my knight in shining armor, but I can’t help it.

“I think that’s a great idea. I’m sure he’ll love it.” She places the tea in front of me, and I pick it up and take a sip.

“Is he ever going to come home?” I ask, but Margaret’s face doesn't give anything away.

“Of course,” she answers swiftly.

I don’t want to think about never seeing my dad outside of those walls again. So when the landline rings, I rush to answer it. Only one person ever calls it, and it’s the person I need to talk to most right now.

“Hello?” I say quickly as soon as I pick it up.

“Sugar.” I smile when I hear his voice because I know he’s okay today. There was no automated introduction to the call, so I know he’s on someone’s cell phone.

“How are you?”

“Everything’s good,” he says.

I don’t want to give myself away, but I can’t help but ask. “Yusef. Is he okay too?” There was so much blood, and if it wasn’t for him it would have been my blood. He took that hit for me, and for that I owe him my life.

“He’s still in solitary, but I’ve been assured he’s fine.” There’s a knot inside my chest that comes loose when I know he’s okay. “You’ve been worried.”

He’s not asking me a question, but I’m not about to tell him all that I’m feeling. Instead of explaining my new obsession, I stick to the facts.

“He saved us. I would have felt terrible if he died in the process.” I know my dad wouldn't feel the same way. I’m sure men die all the time to keep him safe. For some reason that doesn't bother me, though. It’s Yusef that’s getting to me. He’s different, and I’m not sure why.

“He did, and I’ll make sure he’s taken care of for that.” I want to ask how, but I don’t. He might be on a cell phone, but we can’t ever be too careful with what we say.

“Can I come see you if everything has been handled?” I cross my fingers, hoping he gives me the all-clear.

“Not yet, sugar.” My heart drops. I don’t only want to see him, but I hoped that maybe Yusef would be there too. I’m sure it’s a small chance, but it’s still a chance.

“Are you ever going to let me come back?”

There’s a long pause before he answers. “We’ll see.”

My eyes start to burn with tears at the thought of not seeing him. I have only a few people in my life, and that circle is slowly growing smaller. Soon I’ll be all alone, and then what? There isn't even anyone around here near my age, and it’s not as though I get to meet new people while I’m out enjoying life. The only time I can leave is to go for a visit to see him.

“Don’t be sad, sugar. I’ll figure something out.”

“Okay.” I try to keep the emotion out of my voice because the last thing I want to do is upset him. He has enough to deal with already, and I don’t want to add more onto his shoulders.

“I love you, and I’ll call again later to check on you.”

“I love you too,” I say before he ends the call.

“Are you hungry?” Margaret asks, trying to distract me.

“Not really.”

When I go back to the table, I sit down and take another sip of my tea. I don’t want to be rude and not drink it, and maybe it will make Margaret less concerned if I don’t rush out of here in tears.

The landline begins to ring again, and I look over at Margaret in surprise. I’d shamelessly put the house number down on Yusef’s letter, but there’s no way it’s him. I’m sure he’ll never call, but I couldn’t help myself. Apparently, I have no self-control when it comes to the man that saved me, but there’s no way he could’ve gotten the letter I sent yet. It’s too soon, and Dad didn’t mention anything about getting his. Not to mention Dad said Yusef is still in solitary.

“Hello?” I say, after answering it.

“Phoenix,” the person on the other end of the line says, and I know right away it’s not my dad. I also know it’s not Yusef, because his voice was deep and commanding. “Hey, it’s Carlos. I wanted to see how you’re doing.”

Inwardly I groan. Dad must have told him to call me. He won’t force me to marry Carlos, but he’ll try and nudge the idea along.

“Oh, hi Carlos. It’s been a while.”

“Too long. I’ve missed the sound of your voice.” He sounds eager and like he’s going to say something else, so I interrupt.

“Yes, Margaret, I’ll be right there!” I shout, and she turns around and gives me a funny look. “Hey Carlos, I’m sorry, I need to go. Margaret is calling me for dinner.”

“All right, I’ll try you again later. I want to catch up.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to you then.”

“Until then, bebita,” he responds before I quickly hang up.

“So now you’re hungry?” Margaret teases me, and I bite my bottom lip.

Oh, I’m hungry, but it’s not for food. And it’s not for Carlos either.

Prison is exactly as awful anyone outside imagines it to be. Solitary confinement? That’s hell on earth. After three days in the hole, the guard comes over and opens the metal door, sending a fraction of light into the dark space. It must be from the moon because it’s late.

“Eritz, you’re out,” he orders as he knocks his wooden nightstick against the bars.

I get up off the floor and duck my head. The cell isn’t big enough for me to stand straight, and my muscles protest at being cramped for so long. Thankfully my stitches are still clean, and I’ve healed enough that I’m not worried about them tearing open.

Keeping my mouth shut, I move to the designated spot outside the cell and straighten my spine. It feels good, but I don’t let the emotion show. I don’t let anything show, ever.

The guard leads me and three other men that were in solitary down the long hall that leads to the showers. Inside the bathroom, the stalls are open, with no privacy. Next to the showers are clean jumpsuits and soap, along with a single towel that’s about the size of a stamp. The guards are at their posts as we strip down and toss our solitary uniforms in the laundry bin. After two years here, I know the drill and grab the soap.

It feels good to be clean after a few days of sitting in my own filth. I can’t imagine how the guys who have to stay in there long-term don’t go crazy. Dragging the soap across my chest, I look down at the traditional tattoos that cover most of my body. At first the guards asked me about them, but after not answering for so long, they let it go. You don’t see many men here with tattoos over their ass and down their thighs, but I’m not going out of my way to find them either.

We don’t have long to shower, so I move quickly to scrub off the dirt and then rinse off. Once they call out for us to move, I grab my towel and dry off. Glancing around, I see some of the guys that were in the riot were in solitary with me. I don’t see Leo or the guy whose arm I broke. Most likely that guy will need surgery after what I did to it. Or one of Leo Arizona’s guys took him out back and dealt with it already.

Once we’re back in jumpsuits, we’re led to the main block where our cells are located. Mine is on the second floor, and after the guards drop off the other prisoners, we go to mine. As I approach the cell I’m surprised to see it’s empty. My cellmate Reggie is a wiry little fuck who was arrested for cooking meth in the basement of an apartment building. The dumbass managed to blow it up, along with himself and a couple of residents. After he healed from the burns, he was moved in here with me, and I’ve contemplated killing him at least a dozen times a day.

“Where’s Reggie?” I turn around to see there’s only one guard now, and it’s the one I remember seeing standing over Leo after the alarms went off.

“A present from the king,” he says quietly and nods as my cell door opens.

My cell only has one cot now, and everything of Reggie’s is gone. I guess they don’t have plans to move anyone else in with me, and if this is a gift from the king, who am I to question it?

“Under the mattress,” the guard whispers before the cell door closes again and they call for lights out.

I wait a few moments to make sure I’m alone and reach under the mattress. There’s a folded piece of paper sticking out at the edge, and I grab it. When I open it, I see it’s from Leo.

A small token of my appreciation for what you did for my daughter and me. I’d like to speak to you after breakfast.

Walking over the toilet in my cell, I toss the note in and watch it dissolve instantly. No matter why that riot happened, I’ve got to make the most of this chance.

Stretching out on the cot, I think about how I got to this point and what this might mean. I close my eyes and think about home, wishing for sunshine and the smell of salt. Praying for the day when I can feel the sand under my feet again and the wind of my island around me.

My mother was from the Philippines and came to Hawaii as a small child. Her family was poor, but when she was old enough she began to work in a restaurant to make extra money. She cleaned tables and washed dishes until she was old enough to cook, then eventually she took over the kitchen. That’s how she met my dad. He was born in Molokai and came to Lanai for work. He was asked to deliver supplies to a restaurant one day, and that’s when he saw her. He told me that with one look he knew, even though he’d never spoken a word to her.

They were married soon after and had me almost exactly nine months later. My parents didn’t have much, but they gave me everything that mattered: a safe home filled with love and an education. They didn’t finish school, so it was important to them that I did. I worked hard because they had all of their hopes and dreams in me, and I carried that on my shoulders with pride. They cried the day I left for college, but not out of sadness. This was an opportunity they’d never dreamed possible, but they didn’t live to see me graduate.

My mother caught a cold that set into her chest and never left. Later the doctors found out it was pneumonia, but by then it was too late. My father disappeared the day she died, and no one knows what happened. Part of me used to dream about him being alive, but I know that he wouldn’t have wanted to live without her. He told me once that when his time was up, he would go into the sea, and that’s where he would meet my mother again. In my heart I know that they are together, I just hope they understand what I have to do now.

After I lost them, I decided the only way to move on was to fulfill the dream they had for me. I didn’t know that it would mean being behind bars and making deals with criminal kingpins.

It’s the best night of sleep I’ve had since I’ve been locked in here, and that’s thanks to Leo Arizona. I didn’t have to worry about Reggie the tweaker trying to stab me while I was in bed, so I could sleep with both eyes closed.

The reason I haven’t been able to get close to Leo before now is because we were placed in different cell blocks, so we were on different schedules. I don’t know what’s changed, but after breakfast, I go into the yard and see him on the other side with his men. There’s five of them standing next to the fence and Leo is sitting with two guys at a table playing cards. He’s smiling and talking to them until he looks up and sees me. He motions for me to come closer, and I do as I’m told, walking past the groups of people in the yard that are watching us.

“Have a seat,” Leo says, and the guys sitting at the table stand up. With one look, they disperse, and we’re alone. “Sleep okay?”

“Thank you for that,” I say as he picks up the cards and begins to shuffle them.

“I’ve asked around about you.” He doesn’t look at me as he says this, just shuffles the cards and then places them between us. “Cut them.” He nods, and I do, placing half the pile on one side and putting the bottom half on top.

“Find out anything interesting?” I ask as he deals the cards between us.

“You don’t have any friends in here.” It’s a statement that doesn’t require a response. “So I’ve come to my own conclusions.”

“Which are?” I look at the hand he’s dealt me and put them in order. I haven’t played poker in a long time, but it’s not a hard game.

“One of two things.” He discards one card and then draws another.

I noticed he’s not playing with money, and he wasn’t with his men earlier. Leo Arizona isn’t someone who needs money to get what he wants. He can do that with information and favors. Both of which don’t sit on a table for everyone to see.

“You’ve either been transferred here to kill me—” He looks up and his dark eyes remind me of Phoenix’s. “Or you’re a cop.”

“Why can’t it be both?” I ask, and there’s a long pause before a big smile stretches out across his face.

“What do you want?” he asks, waiting for me to discard. I look down at my hand again and shake my head.

“Nothing.”

His eyes narrow, and I feel like there’s more meaning in his question than just the cards. Is this a test? The king didn’t get to where he is by not being able to read people. What does he see when he looks at me? When I look in the mirror, I see the boy who aches for home.

I place my cards down on the table face up, revealing my hand to him. Four kings in a row stare back at us, the weight of their meaning clear. He’s the king, but I’m holding the cards. He’s given me this power by dealing them to me, and now he’s asking what I’d like to do with it.

“How much time do you have left?” I ask, and he smiles again.

“Too long.” He looks toward the fence as his smile fades, and I’m wondering if he’s thinking of Phoenix.

“Maybe,” I say, getting up from the table, leaving the kings between us. “Maybe not.”