“I’m fine. Totally the same,” I answer quickly as I dart into my closet to hide from her and her witchy ways of reading people. She is also good at pulling information out of people, so I need to be careful.
I grab a pair of wide-leg slacks and put them on, pairing them with a matching sweater. Then I quickly braid my hair without even checking myself over because I don’t care. It would be for the best if Carlos thinks I look like crap. Then everyone can stop with this whole idea of marriage.
When I exit my room, a guard trails behind me, and I make my way to the front of the house. I find Carlos standing in the entryway when I come down the stairs, and I force a smile onto my face.
“Carlos,” I say by way of a greeting.
“Sienna.” He pulls me in and kisses me on my cheek. “You look lovely as always.”
It’s a fight not to reach up and wipe my cheek where he left his kiss. “Thank you. Would you care for some coffee or tea?”
“Coffee sounds good.” He gives me a small smile.
Carlos is handsome, and he’s always been nice too. I think he will make someone a good husband one day, but it won’t be me. There’s no spark or passion between us, and that’s what I truly want. Reaching up, I touch my necklace, thinking of the love my parents had for each other as he follows me into the kitchen. I’m not willing to settle for anything less.
His family is close to ours, and they’ve been here several times. Instead of taking coffee in the formal sitting room, we choose the kitchen for a more casual setting. Margaret makes us something to drink before she leaves us sitting at the large island alone. I’m sure there are a few guards barely out of sight and within earshot, but it's the illusion of privacy at least.
We fall into light talk, not really about anything of importance. Then it circles around to my dad, and Carlos clears his throat.
“You know they want us to get married.” I nod my head. “I would like to hear what you think about that, Sienna.”
“I don’t really know you,” I say honestly. Plus, I think I’m in love with a convict, and although I barely know him, he did save my life and came on me. Thankfully I keep that part to myself.
“We should change that.” He places his hand on top of mine, and just at that moment, the house phone rings.
I hurry to pull my hand out from under his and get up. Perfect timing.
“Sorry, it could be my father.” I rush over to the phone and answer it. “Hello?”
“Sienna.” A deep voice rumbles through the line, and I turn around to face away from Carlos.
“Kai,” I whisper.
“Are you being a good girl?” I glance over my shoulder to Carlos, who is staring my way. “Answer me.”
“I’m trying to be.” It’s the truth.
“Sienna.” His tone is filled with warning.
“I have a visitor right now, but I didn’t know it was happening,” I whisper and lean closer to the phone. “He’s a potential husband.” The sound he makes on the other end of the phone makes my nipples tighten.
“I can’t stand that you’re out of my grasp. Get rid of him, or I’ll get rid of him permanently.” My mouth falls open. I have no idea what Kai is capable of, but it’s not like I want Carlos here either.
“Okay,” I agree.
“Good girl. I’ll call back, and he’d better be gone.”
It sounds like a threat, but it doesn't scare me in the least. If that was his intent, he’s failed because it’s had the opposite effect. Call me crazy or naïve, but I know Kai would never hurt me. And if this is the way he wants it, I’m all in.
“I will,” I tell him before I end the call.
I do as I’m told, and as soon as I hang up, I pretend to have a migraine. It gets Carlos out of here in record time, and I take the house phone with me to my bedroom.
As I wait for Kai to call back, I smile, knowing I’m the good girl he wants me to be.
Chapter Eight
Kai
It’s a long while later before I’m able to call Sienna back safely. Sam sent a package today and bribed the guards to pass it through inspection without checking it. Inside was a burner phone, cash, and a note. I flushed the note and hid the cash while I made a quick call to Sienna.
I’d felt utter rage when she said someone was there as a potential husband. That’s not fucking happening. Nobody but me is going to have her, and I don’t care how crazy that makes me. Our fate was sealed in the stars before we ever met. She is my destiny, that’s clear now, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to get to her.
“Tupuola,” someone says as my cell door opens.
It’s almost lights out, so I’m surprised there’s someone coming in here. After a moment, Leo steps through, and I notice he’s alone. Standing up, I brace myself for whatever’s coming next.
“I heard you had a visitor.” He gives nothing away as he makes this statement.
I nod, keeping my cards close to my chest. I should have known he would find out, but I was blinded by Sienna, and all rational thoughts were gone.
“She’s not meant for you,” he says, and I see his fists clench at his sides. “You saved her, and I owe you for that, but I’ve worked hard to keep her from this life.”
He’s not before me right now as the king, but as her father. What would I do if the roles were reversed? Clearly he doesn’t know what happened or I’d be dead already.
“What if I want the same thing?” I ask, and his eyes narrow. “You don’t know me, but I know you, and what I do know is that you don’t belong here. At least not for the crime you were found guilty of.”
“Yeah? Tell that to the judge.” He lets out a humorless laugh, and his hands relax.
“Nah, no judge, no jury.” I shake my head. “When the time comes, I’ll make sure the scales of justice are balanced.”
“Why are you doing this? Why are you really here?” There’s earnestness in his voice, and maybe even a little hope.
I look out of the cell, and for a moment I think only of Sienna. “I’m here to do what’s right,” I say before looking back at him. When our eyes meet, I tell him the absolute truth. “She’s special to me, and even though you might not understand it yet, I’ll prove to you I’m worthy of protecting her. I know that I’ll never be good enough for Sienna, but I’ll lay my life down to keep her safe.”
“There are already enough men around her to do that at this very moment.” He looks like he’s won, but I shake my head again.
“You of all people should know better than to trust those around you just because they’re the closest.”
“What are you saying?” He takes a step toward me. “What do you know?”
“I know that the sooner we’re out of here, the safer she is.”
The buzz sounds for lights out, and we both look out the open cell door. When it begins to close, Leo slips out. Before he walks away, he looks back at me, his eyes pleading.
“Do whatever it takes to save my little girl.”
I nod before he walks away and out of sight.