I closed my eyes as all the alcohol I’d just consumed hit my bloodstream at once, helping me release every shred of dignity I’d manage to weave together in the past ten years. “No. You’re… you’re right, I need help.”
I could hear the smile in his voice, the murmur of background noise quieting and the heavy door to his office sliding shut. “How interesting. What is it then? Do you need me to dispose of a body?”
He interrupted me before I could answer. “No, don’t tell me! I want to guess. Hm, is it debts? Gambling? Drugs, perhaps?”
“Dad…” I growled.
“What could be so impossible for my son to get out of that he’d call his old man to beg for help—you will be begging, won’t you?”
I gripped my phone and gritted my teeth, trying not to break either. “If that’s what you need, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
He chuckled darkly, taking a drag of vaporleaf. “Alright, why don’t you just spit it out then. I’m dying to know.”
“My mate.”
He paused, waiting a few moments before responding. “Yes, well, that would definitely be something worth calling about.”His tone had softened just a touch, whether due to surprise or respect for a mating bond, I didn’t know.“What do you need help with? Is she in trouble, then?”
Garrick’s eyes were wide, and all he could do was shake his in disbelief while I continued. “The vampire Premier has her, and he won’t let her go.”
“Corvane has your mate? But why? Did she piss him off? Didyoupiss him off?”
“It’s hard to talk about over the phone. I can be in Ignareth by tomorrow evening.” I was already too drunk to drive anywhere tonight.
“I look forward to it. It’s been far too long, son.”
He hung up, and I put my phone back down at the table, staring at it.
Ten years of striking out on my own, ten years of steadfast refusal to ever have anything to do with that man or my family again.
But it didn’t matter anymore. Nothing mattered until Sage was with me again.
Garrick and I sat in silence, the sound of laughter, conversation, clinking glasses, and ice rattling in cocktail shakers filling the space between us, until our phones both chirped. I picked mine up. It was a notice from my bank thatnine million, two-hundred and fifty thousand runics had just been deposited into my account.
I put it back down with a disgusted scoff, while Garrick just looked at his screen, unblinking at the handler’s cut he’d received. Finally, he spoke, returning his phone to his pocket. “You’re Ronan fucking Oniguro?”
I took another swig from his bottle. I probably should have gone by a different first name, too, if I’d wanted to remain more anonymous. But considering no one had guessed thus far, or cared enough to out me, I supposed it didn’t really matter. “Technically.”
He growled low. “Oldest son of Kenzo Oniguro, heir to—”
“Heir to nothing,” I interrupted. “I gave up all rights to the Oniguro empire ten years ago. My sister’s next in line now.”
I didn’t have any beef with Maia like I did with my dad, but it had been safer to cut her off, too. Besides, her temperament suited the “business” far better than mine ever did.
“Gave up all rights aside from the one to call a war against the Premier of Noctis,” he hissed, his eyes shifting to make sure no one could overhear our conversation. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”
“She’s my mate,” I yelled, slamming my fist on the table. A few patrons turned to look at us, their expressions annoyed at the ruckus.
“Keep your Vorrak-damned voice down,” Garrick grumbled. He poured himself another shot and downed it, wincing slightly at the burn. Then he turned the small glass in his hands and spoke softly. “I’ll admit it—I’m pissed at this whole situation. Whether she’s your mate or not, I was a hunter for eight years, then a handler for thirteen, and not once have I been hired to track down someone like this.”
“That we know of,” I snorted. That’s what Morgana Vale did, wasn’t it? Help people like Sage escape bad situations? Their abusers.
Garrick continued. “Corvane lied about the nature of the deal, and if you want to do this without involving the Oniguros, I can get a lawyer to comb through the contract again. Maybe see if there isn’t some way we can free her legally.”
“You wanna take the Premier of Noctis to civil court?” I asked with a sneer. “The man killed at least two people—that we know of—without any repercussions, just to keep her hidden. He kidnapped her, imprisoned her, and…” Just thinking about it all made my stomach churn, the Appletini and whiskey threatening to come back up. “And Ravaric knows what else. You think a judge’s orders would mean anything to him?”
“It’s better than starting a war!”
Easy for him to say; he didn’t have a mate who was currently being tortured. “Agree to disagree.”
