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“Your fiancé is this way, Ms Marrón”

That word, fiancé, makes me startle for a second I don’t have one, of course Not really But this prison guard doesn’t know that In order to meet one-on-one with the in as his fiancée was the easiest and , option That’s why Dad sent , burlythe answer they want out of so—fit the bill

So I paste a broad smile on my face “Thank you How much time e have in visitation?”

“Half an hour,” the guard says with a glance over his shoulder at er on my chest, which makes me feel suddenly self-conscious, but I don’t cross my arms or back down

Half an hour Half an hour to get the information I need from this criminal

I square my shoulders You can do this, Ashley

“Private visitation is unusual,” the guard comments as we continue to stroll down the corridor “You two h places”

You could say that In truth, s with his friends in the prison sector Normally even a fiancée’s visit to the prison would be heavily monitored But we’ll be left alone Just Damon Tell and me

Damon Tell, the bastard who screwed my father over, and killed an innocent man in the process

I tighten uard “We’re very lucky,” I tell hih the hallways of Upton State Penitentiary “Warden Andrews is a family friend He understands why I’d like some privacy when I speak to Damon”

“I’ll bet he does,” the guard replies with a leer that turns my stomach

Upton State Penitentiary is home to the most notorious and ruthless criminals in the tri-state area Full of mobsters and murderers alike

Lucky me, my so-called fiancé is both

I spread h the pat-down routine

It’s not my first visit to Upton The last time I was here, when I was only five years old, I held hands with ot this same pat-down on the way to visit rave, and Dad? Well, he’s still up to the same business that landed hi races at the local tracks Soets really tight at home It’s not honest work, no, but it’s the faenerations And Dad is an honorable thief, at least He gives back—hires his thugs froive back where we can

My father is a mob boss, you see—a criminal and a thief—but he’s an honorable one

Not like the man I’m here to see

“She’s clear,” the guard announces, and another guard buzzes open a clear glass door, then waves h I step into the room It’soverlass panel “There’s nobody behind the ot the place to yourself Like I said, half an hour”

I nod briskly