“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 O’Neal 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 Sienna’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 Sienna.
“Maybe,” I say, getting up from the table, leaving the kings between us. “Maybe not.”
Chapter Five
Sienna
Standing in front of the mirror, I wonder what Kai will think of this dress. I tried to pick something out that made me seem older, but there aren’t a lot of dresses like that in my closet. It’s too late to try and order anything, and I’m not waiting.
Turning around, I check my backside to make sure the dress is covering all that it should. Especially the places where I’m bigger, like my butt and thighs. The soft pink dress is fitted at the top, and down to my waist. Thankfully it’s got a little stretch to it, and it’s fairly comfortable. There’s a sweetheart neckline, and it’s tied in the back with a bow. Everything I own seems young and immature, but it is what it is.
After what happened last time, I put on flats instead of heels. I know taller shoes would make me seem older and maybe slimmer, but with how crazy everything was last time, I don’t want to risk it.
A knock sounds at my bedroom door, and I hear Marco on the other side.
“Sienna, the car is ready.”
Marco doesn’t dare to enter my bedroom. None of the staff do if I’m in here, except for my dad or Margaret. The only time security can cross that threshold is if I’m in trouble.
I quickly put on some mascara and lip gloss before I grab a clip to pull my hair away from my face.
“Be a good boy while Mommy is gone.” I pick Tiger up and give him a kiss on the head.
The little kitten arrived a few days ago as a gift from my dad. He feels guilty about not letting me come and see him, and it’s eating him up. Tiger is a fuzzy orange ball of cuteness, and he almost makes up for my dad's rejection. Almost.
I put him on my bed before leaving my room and descending the stairs. Two guards step forward, one opening the double doors for me to exit. I go straight for the SUV and slide into the back seat. It doesn't take long until we’re on the road and heading toward the prison. It’s been over a week since my last visit, and I’m nervous.
Because today, I’m not going to see my dad. Not that anyone else needs to know that. That’s what they all think at least, and I’m going to keep on letting them think it. I still haven't gotten a response from the letter I sent Kai. I know Dad got his a few days ago, because he called me and told me so. After speaking to him, I took a shot in the dark and put in a request to visit Kai. The inmate has to approve the person visiting, so I was surprised when he did. I’d gotten an alert last night and made a plan from there.
I tap my fingers on my thighs the closer we get to the prison. I’m anxious and can’t help but imagine what Kai might say to me. I’m sure he’s wondering why the heck I asked to come see him, but he was curious enough to agree.
“If you’re nervous, Sienna, you don’t have to go. Your father would understand,” Marco says from beside me. He looks at my tapping fingers, and I stop.
“No, I’m fine. Just excited.”
“I’m sure your father will be happy to see you.” I only smile as a response.
Guilt starts to take over, because I hate lying to the men who are only trying to keep me safe. But I can’t help myself. There’s something pulling me to Kai, and although I’ve never gone against anything my dad has ever told me to do, I need to do this.
My heart starts to pound as we roll up to the gate. A few moments later the gates part to let us drive through. After we stop, Marco helps me out of the car but doesn't release my hand when my feet hit the ground.
“Be careful, Sienna,” he says and squeezes my hand.
“I will.” He releases me, and again guilt gnaws at my insides.
Marco has been an uncle to me since I was a little girl. But as I step forward, I realize the guilt isn't strong enough to make me turn around and get back into the SUV.
I’m immediately relieved when I enter to sign my paperwork and the jerk from before isn’t there. I’m guessing I’ve seen the last of him, and I’m thankful for it.
I get my usual pat-down before I’m led down the same long hallway, and my stomach tightens when they pull open the door. I don’t have to search for Kai. There’s no missing him even from across the room. The visitors’ center isn't as full today as it was last time, but he’d stand out even if it was packed. His eyes lock right on me, and I’m frozen in place.
“You going in?” the guard asks.
“Right,” I answer and scurry through the door.
He stands from his seat as I draw closer, and I'm overcome by his size. I remember him being big but not this big. It doesn’t stop my feet from moving closer, and when I’m in front of him, I wrap my arms around his waist and hold myself against his big body.
He stands rock solid for a long moment before he returns the hug. A peace falls over me for a moment, and I know I did the right thing coming here. Something brushes the top of my head and I hear him inhale as he presses his nose there. It’s not the only thing I feel, as something hard digs into my stomach. Heat rushes between my thighs as desire unlike anything I’ve ever known takes hold of my body. I try and pretend I don’t notice it when we break the hug.