I snort. “I would say pretty good with the way they keep eyeing each other. But it won’t go over too red-hot with Santiago if it happens while the guard’s on duty.”

“Makes sense.” Solana sighs, her eyes drifting somewhere distant. “Although it would be nice if one of us was getting laid.”

I feel my face flush at the reminder of Judge fucking me in my entryway last night, but I figure it’s probably best not to bring that up.

“I’m sure you could find plenty of willing volunteers.” I turn my attention to her.

She shrugs. “I guess. But they’re all boring. I need a challenge. Someone who can handle me, you know?”

I laugh and shake my head absently as my phone chimes with a message. My stomach drops when I see that it’s from Judge.

You transferred your phone number?

Why it should surprise me that he’s aware of this already, I don’t know. Regardless, I decide it’s best not to answer.

“Hey.” Solana’s voice brings me back to the present, and when I look up at her, she’s chewing on the end of her licorice in thought. “What’s up with Judge’s brother?”

I feel the color drain from my face as I study her. “Theron?”

She pauses her chewing, clearly concerned. “What is it?”

“He’s an asshole,” I declare, a little too emphatically. “Why do you ask?”

“Is that supposed to be a surprise?” She arches a brow in question. “I’m guessing it’s a family trait.”

“It’s not the same.” I shake my head and force down a gulp of water from my glass. “Theron is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“How so?” Solana presses.

Her curiosity about him concerns me. I know she met him briefly at Judge’s office, and she’s mentioned several times she thought he was an asshole herself. Yet there’s a glint in her eyes right now that I need to quash. I never intended to tell her what happened in that punishment room, but she needs to get him out of her thoughts before she goes any further down that rabbit hole.

“He’s got issues,” I say. “Addiction, for starters. I’m not really sure, but there’s something dark in him. I just know you can’t trust him. He seems lovely and charming at first. That is until he’s high out of his mind, restraining you to a bench so he can whip your ass.”

“Oh, my god.” Her eyes widen in shock, but I can see I’ve only sparked her curiosity more.

“It wasn’t that kind of whipping,” I clip out. “Nothing was sexy about it, and I didn’t want it. I didn’t ask for it.”

“Oh.” She frowns, swallows, and shakes her head. “God, babe, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize. Why didn’t you tell me?”