“Look.” He stepped closer, dropping his voice. “This isn’t charity. I legitimately need a partner. Someone who’s been on the inside. Someone who knows the system, who understands what these guys are going through when they get out.” He paused. “We help inmates reenter society. Stable work, counseling, addiction services if they need it. I could hire some business-school asshole, but they wouldn’t have half the passion you do. So, do me a favor, Knox. Stop being noble and say yes.”
The room had gone quiet around us.
I looked at him. At this man who’d built an entire company around the injustices he’d seen me face, who was standing here, offering me a future I didn’t think I deserved.
“Of course,” I said.
His grin returned full force. “Perfect. I’ll have your office decorated. Black-and-white stripes or orange? Your choice.”
Jace slapped him on the shoulder while we all chuckled.
And just like that, my future stretched out before me. Not a concrete wall. Not a barred window. But an open road, full of possibility.
Harper’s hand found mine again. I brought it to my lips without thinking, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
Soon, I’d have her alone.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Ryker’s voice cut through the moment.
Right. The conversation he’d mentioned.
I followed him toward the hallway, away from the noise.
He turned to face me, and whatever warmth had been in his expression was gone. This was Ryker in protector mode. All business.
“I know you know this,” he said, “but you’re on parole, which means you’re only out on the condition you follow all their rules. Break one, and you’ll spend the rest of those eleven years in prison. You need to keep your nose clean. Stay down. Don’t jaywalk. Don’t spit on the sidewalk. Don’t give them any ammunition to put you back. You attend every check-in early. Dot everyi, cross everyt, and triple-check that you’ve done it all.”
“Right.” I kept my voice even. “And whatever I do, don’t break the law.”
“If you break the rules, you go back for the full eleven years. If you break the law, they’ll tack onmoretime. And for a convicted murderer?” He held my gaze. “They won’t be lenient. I don’t want to see you at eighty, pushing a walker through the prison yard.”
A muscle in my jaw twitched. “What would I ever do to get myself in that situation?”
52
KNOX
The second the front door clicked shut, I locked it, turned around, and stalked toward Harper.
A mischievous glint flashed through her eyes. “Boy, you don’t intend on wasting any time, do you?”
“Not one second.”
I moved closer, but with each of my steps, she backed away, that smirk still playing on her lips.
“If you want me,” she said, her voice dropping to something low and teasing, “you’ll have to catch me.”
With that, she bolted.
I smirked and gave chase.
She darted down the short hallway, her laughter echoing off the walls as she rounded the corner. I could’ve caught her in two strides. Could’ve had her pinned against the wall before she made it three feet.
But where was the fun in that?
I let her think she had a head start. Let her weave back into the living room, around the couch as she squealed and ducked under my reaching arm.
“Too slow, Blackwood!” she taunted, breathless.
