Chapter 1

"Leo, I'm leaving."

The woman beside Leo Sterling dressed quickly, concealing the curves that had driven him to madness. She stood.

He caught her wrist, his voice thick with reluctance. "Evelyn, wait. Just three more days. When I get out, I'll—"

"Leo, listen to me."

Her stunning face carried a faint chill. Tears shimmered in her eyes, yet her voice was icy cold.

"Even though your brother is dead and I'm single again, the only reason I came to you was because I promised him I'd carry on the Sterling family bloodline. I never intended to marry you."

A blush spread across her cheeks. She bit her lip and continued, "The truth is, the night I came to you half a month ago and made that request… I conceived. Last night—coming here again—was my way of thanking you. From now on, we owe each other nothing."

Leo pulled on his prison uniform, stood, and stared at her with a cold expression. Then, without warning, he drew her into his arms, lowered his head, and crushed his lips against hers.

Her eyes flew open. She pushed against him, but it was useless. Little by little, she drowned in the overpowering masculinity that she could never resist.

He released her only when they were both gasping. Cradling her face, he locked his gaze with hers, each word a vow forged in steel. "Evelyn Harrison. Listen to me. You are mine. I will spend the rest of my life proving it."

A sob broke from her. She struck his chest—so much harder, so much broader than her late husband's—covered her mouth, and fled from the cell.

Leo sat back on the bed, brushing his fingers over the lingering warmth on the sheets, his mind filled with thoughts.

Since this prison's founding, he was the only inmate ever granted the privilege of a private, overnight conjugal visit.

Because here, he wasn't an inmate. He was the king.

Of the six legendary "Lords" who once ruled the grim hierarchy of Alcatan Penitentiary, he had killed four.

More than three thousand inmates were housed in Alcatan Penitentiary—crime lords, cartel bosses, and apex predators from across the nation. And every last one of them showed him respect. To earn a place in his orbit was the highest honor this hell could offer.

Three days later, a guard stood outside Cell Six and whispered, "Sir. They're processing you out. An hour early."

Inside, Leo dressed in a tailored black suit and polished Oxfords. He drew a padparadscha sapphire signet ring from his pocket and slid it onto his left thumb. Lighting three cigarettes, he faced a folded set of worn, simple clothes placed against the wall and bowed his head.

"Old Man," he murmured. "I'm leaving. I'll honor your token. If our paths are meant to cross again, they will."

When he stepped into the main corridor, a soft, rustling wave swept through the tiers. Inmates pressed against the bars of every cell, a silent, watching legion.

Leo paused in the central yard. He turned, his gaze sweeping the silent blocks. His voice, low and carrying, cut the stillness. "Whoever next calls Cell Six home will burn daily incense for the Blind Master."

"Yes, Sir!" The response rippled out, cell by cell, then coalesced into a single, thunderous roar that shook the concrete. "Alcatan salutes you, Sir!"

Outside the prison gates, a red Cayenne was parked along the road. Two stunning women stood beside it, watching Leo walk out from behind the massive iron doors.

"Leo, you're finally out!"

The woman in the white dress hurried to him, her eyes shining with emotion as she brushed a bundle of sage over his shoulders—a ritual for cleansing bad luck.

"Aunt Julia…"

Leo looked at Julia Sterling—the woman who had been more an adored older sister than an aunt, just six years his senior—and a knot of emotion tightened in his chest.

Julia wiped her tears, tossed the sage aside, and gripped his arm, turning him toward the other woman. "Leo, this is my closest friend, Sophia Cameron. She's a year younger than you. These past few years, with the Sterling family… gone… her family's protection is the only reason the Kirks didn't come for me. When I said I was coming here, she insisted on driving."

Julia was once called the Belle of Kingston, the cherished jewel of the Sterling dynasty. Her beauty had left a trail of smitten heirs in its wake.

Sophia, however, was her match. Younger, with a sharper, colder elegance. She made no effort to hide her disdain, giving Leo one dismissive glance before turning away.

Leo nodded. "Sophia. I appreciate your help."

"Don't." Sophia's voice was ice. "I'm here for Julia. Not for you." She turned and slid into the driver's seat.

Julia shot Leo a pleading look. "Give her time. She's wary of strangers."

He simply nodded and got in the back.

Once moving, Julia pulled an envelope from her purse. "Evelyn left this. She's gone, Leo."

"Gone where?" His voice was taut.

"I don't know. And the letter won't tell you… Leo, she was your brother's widow. Her leaving is probably a mercy."

Leo took a slow breath. "I will find her. Once I've dealt with things here, I'll bring her home."

Knowing him, Julia didn't argue. She sighed. "For now, her distance is a shield. The Kirk family won't rest. If she stayed in Kingston, she'd be a target—and a distraction for you."

From the front seat, Sophia snorted. "Still obsessed with your sister-in-law. You're disgusting. Why did they release someone like you? They should've locked you up for life."

The temperature in the car plummeted.

Leo turned his head slowly. "Say that again."

But Sophia didn't blink. "I said you're the kind of animal who thinks with his instincts. You couldn't keep your hands off family. Do you even remember why you went to prison? A leopard doesn't change its spots. You never should have walked free."

"Sophia, you don't understand—" Julia began.

"I understand enough," Sophia cut in, her eyes flashing in the rearview mirror. "Julia, if it weren't for you, a convicted felon wouldn't even be allowed to smell the leather in this car. It feels tainted."

'This woman is unhinged,' Leo thought and said, "Pull over."

The car jerked to a halt.

To her credit, Sophia braked without hesitation.

"Leo, no," Julia pleaded, grabbing his arm as he reached for the door.

He offered her a faint, reassuring smile. "It's alright. Lend me your phone. I'll call for a ride."

"There's no one left to call," Julia said, her voice breaking. "The Sterlings… it's just us now. I've tried everyone…"

Leo's smile didn't waver. "I'm not calling family. Word of my release has spread. There will be a line."

"Delusions of grandeur?" Sophia sneered, not bothering to look back. "You're a fresh-out parolee. Who would scramble for you? If he wants to play the big man, let him. It's over fifty miles to the city. Let's see how he manages."

Leo, however, was looking past her, through the windshield. His voice was calm, certain. "No call needed. They're already here."

Both women followed his gaze.

The long, empty country road ahead was no longer empty.

A massive convoy of cars was rolling toward them.