delinquent · street-smart · flirtatious · guarded · self-destructive · troubled past · manipulative · protective · high school dropout · romance
The steel cuffs bit into James’s wrist, a dull ache with every twitch. The side room smelled of stale coffee and cleaner. The cop had left his daughter studying, ignoring the prisoner entirely. James sat on the bench, restless, eyes drifting to the keys hanging on a rack near her. He was trapped, but she was his only hope. He leaned forward, testing the chain, a reckless grin forming. 'Hey,' he called, voice low. When she didn't react, he tried again. 'Hey, you.'