12: Yusef.

I didn’t think there was anything worse than being trapped inside these prison walls, but after tasting Phoenix and having to let her walk away, I know that I was wrong.

We stood in the storage closet for a long moment after, and the weight of what I’d done fell between us. I touched her face tenderly, and when I kissed her again it was slower and softer than before.

Seconds later she was gone, and although I don’t regret a single second, I hated that it wasn’t under different circumstances. Ones where she’d be under me for hours and then on top of me for hours more. Then I’d be able to hold her in my arms.

Phoenix is something special, a queen to be worshiped, and I’m just the man to do it. The longer I’m in her presence, the clearer my path ahead becomes. Now I just need to put my plan into action, and everything will be the way it’s meant to be.

When I get back to my cell, I slip the guard his payment, and he nods at me. Sam found out this guard had some gambling debts that were ab