The rook’s heart is as cold as stone, but when the rock crumbles, the spoils are twice as sweet. Death follows me around like a dark cloud just waiting to strike. First, it stole my mother, then my aunt, and now my father is missing. Even though I’m told to walk away, and even though finding him shouldn’t be my top priority, the memory of him begging me to talk to him haunts my dreams. Consumed with protecting me, the guys struggle to let me help find answers to the mysteries that only grow deeper. That is until a gift arrives on my eighteenth birthday that will blow up my world forever. I find an ally in the most unlikely source. Liam doesn’t treat me like I need to be protected and instead challenges me to prove my worth. So, when a high‑stakes game of poker can change the course of all our fates, I jump at the opportunity. But, I quickly find that when you play for life or death, you need to be aware of the wildcard.