“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.

Chapter Two

Kai

“I don’t know how much longer you’re going to get our support,” Sam says from across the table but I just nod. “Kai,” 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. Sienna O’Neal. Daughter of Leo O’Neal, 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.

“Kai!” 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 Sienna 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 Sienna. 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 Sienna 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 Sienna 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 Sienna 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 Sienna as she gives him a quick hug.