Jim Phu

Mara is a young creative writing professor struggling with problems in her marriage to an experimental musician. One day, she runs into Matt, a charismatic, free-spirited author from her past, when he wanders onto her university campus. Bonded by their shared interests, the two gradually become closer. When Mara’s husband unexpectedly cancels plans to drive her to an out-of-town conference, Matt accompanies Mara on the trip instead. Along the way, the tension surrounding their undefined relationship slowly grows.

When a struggling young drug dealer unknowingly steals from the city's most feared crime family, he becomes the unsuspecting pawn in a silent war orchestrated by a brilliant underground mastermind.

Down on his luck, Cruz Ross tries to win all the money he needs at an underground card room to save his family. After winning more than enough, he's faced with the dilemma to go big or just go home.