Chapter 9
Lunch ends with the same harsh buzzer that started the day. Trays clatter into stacks. Feet shuffle toward the exit. I stay seated a moment longer, watching Reaper rise from his corner table. He doesn't look back at me. He doesn't need to. The weight of his stare lingers like smoke on my skin. When he disappears through the double doors, the room feels smaller. Lighter. Dangerous still.
I stand. Lena falls in step beside me as we head back to laundry. "You stared him down across the whole damn hall," she mutters. "People noticed."
"Good," I say. "Let them notice."
Back in the steam-filled room, the afternoon shift starts slow. Fewer eyes on me now. Most men are tired from the morning rush. Jax keeps his distance, folding sheets at the far end, stealing glances every few seconds. Rico cracks jokes with his crew but watches me like a hawk. Hale patrols the perimeter, clipboard forgotten, eyes flicking my way whenever he thinks no one sees.
I work quietly. Fold. Stack. Wait.
The opportunity comes near the end of the shift. A cart of clean uniforms tips over near the dryers. Sheets and shirts spill across the floor in a gray wave. Guards shout. Inmates curse. Everyone rushes to clean up before someone gets blamed.
I move fast. Slip behind the tallest stack of shelves where the light barely reaches. Reaper is already there. He must have seen me coming. He stands with his back to the wall, arms crossed, scar catching the faint glow from a distant bulb. Up close in the shadows he looks even bigger. Like the darkness grew arms and decided to wear his face.
"You followed me," I say. Not a question.
"You walked this way," he answers. His voice is gravel wrapped in velvet. Low enough that only I can hear. "Figured you wanted privacy."
I step closer. The air between us feels charged. Hot. "I want a lot of things."
His eyes drop to my lips for half a second. Then back up. "Like what?"
"Information," I say. "About this place. About you. About the other two."
He tilts his head. The scar pulls tight. "Prince and Throne."
I nod. "You three run everything. I want to know how. And why you're watching me like I'm already yours."
He doesn't smile. Doesn't deny it. "Because you look at me like I'm already yours."
My pulse jumps. I don't let it show. "Maybe I do."
He uncrosses his arms. Steps forward until only inches separate us. I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. His breath brushes my forehead. "You think you can collect kings the way you collect those little boys out there? Gum. Apples. Water bottles."
I don't back up. I press my palm flat against his chest instead. His heart beats hard under my hand. Steady. Strong. "I think I can collect whatever I want," I whisper. "If I want it bad enough."
His hand comes up. Slow. Gives me time to pull away. I don't. His fingers curl around my wrist. Not tight. Just enough to hold. His thumb strokes the inside pulse point. Slow circles. My breath catches.
"You're bold," he says. "Stupid bold."
"Or smart bold," I counter. "You decide."
He studies me. Long. Silent. Then he leans down. His mouth hovers near my ear. "Tomorrow. Yard time. East corner. Alone. Bring nothing. Wear the jumpsuit unzipped halfway. I'll decide if you're worth talking to."
I smile against his shoulder. "And if I say no?"
His grip tightens just a fraction. "Then you stay small-time. Playing with runners and guards. While the real game happens without you."
He releases my wrist. Steps back. The space between us feels colder instantly.
I rub the spot where his fingers were. Still warm. Still tingling. "East corner," I repeat. "Halfway unzipped. I'll be there."
He nods once. Turns to leave.
I catch his sleeve before he disappears into the light. "Reaper."
He pauses. Looks back.
"Don't make me wait long," I say. "I get bored easy."
For the first time, he almost smiles. A quick flash. Gone in a blink. Then he's gone.
I step out from the shadows. The spill is cleaned up. Work resumes. Jax looks at me with questions in his eyes. Rico frowns. Hale pretends not to notice.
I return to my table. Pick up a towel. Fold it neat.
My hands don't shake.
My heart races.
Tomorrow.
East corner.
Halfway unzipped.
Reaper just made me an offer.
Not a threat.
A deal.
And I'm taking it.
Because small prizes are fun.
But kings?
Kings are the crown I came here to steal.