“So… am I safe?” Ehlian asked uncertainly. “There’s no chance I’ll be transferred to another prison so soon, is there?”
“No, and that’s not the reason for my visit,” Daribon said. “Your alpha contacted me.”
“My alpha?” Ehlian frowned.
“That’s what he said,” Daribon replied, a faintly mocking glint in his eyes. “Geald Terlon… is that correct?”
Ehlian drew in a sharp breath, his jaw tightening. “What did he want?”
“He’s worried about you.”
Ehlian scoffed. “I’m sure he is.”
“He said it never sat well with him that your uncle gambled away your inheritance.”
“Curious,” Ehlian said drily. “He forgot to show any concern for me when I was charged.”
“Unfortunately, I do not think that has changed much.” Daribon seemed to be enjoying Ehlian’s dry remark, despite attempting to keep a professional mask in place. “He was particularly interested in whether you’re part of Hayce Cartivair’s pack, because apparently you’d be a fool not to use his connections once you’re out.”
That slimy bastard. Ehlian ought to have known Geald had an ulterior motive. He felt sick with himself for ever falling for that prick’s sweet words.
“Now,” Daribon added, “my former secretary helping him access your files might or might not have contributed to our parting ways.”
Ehlian gave him a rueful, apologetic look. “I’m usually not this bad at reading people, but he got me. For any inconvenience he’s caused you—”
“Not at all. I just wanted to warn you he might try to approach you once you’re out. And while I’m sure you’ve already made up your mind about him, don’t fall for whatever he tries next.” Daribon said, then tapped his holowatch. A curling‘C’was engraved into the silver frame, marking it asCartivair. Half the planet wore their holowatches. There was maybe only one empire that could rival the company’s reach. Hayce had effectively limitless resources.
“Although…” Daribon added. One more tap, and the watch projected Ehlian’s case files into the air between them. “His little stunt reminded me to review your case. I do it periodically for all my clients, and I think you have a fair chance of early release for good behaviour.”
Ehlian’s frustration tipped into hope. “You think it’s possible?”
“Yes.” Daribon nodded. “While we didn’t have much success arguing your emotional vulnerability when your uncle pressured you into signing, we could revisit that angle. But even without it, we have a case here.”
Ehlian pictured it vividly: walking out of here, leaving behind the stench of criminality, the bland food, the stale air. Leaving behind that lavish cell, leaving behind—
“Is something wrong?” Daribon asked, eyes searching his face.
Ehlian forced a smile. “No, nothing’s wrong. It sounds great.”
“So… do you want me to start the process?”
“Yes,” he said quickly, before something else could leave his stupid mouth. “Yes, please.”
“Good. I’ll contact you again once I’ve finished drafting our strategy, and we can go through it together.” Daribon closed the files and stood, but added before he left, “If we succeed,ironically, you might have Geald to thank for your early freedom.”
“I’ll pass,” Ehlian said, his anger renewed.
By the time Ehlian returned to the cell, he was still fuming. He couldn’t believe he had ever missed that asshole.
“I take it the visit didn’t go well.” Hayce’s words cut through the fog of his thoughts. He was already in bed in his usual dark tank top, a new book in his hand.
“Geald.” Ehlian flinched, his lip curling in distaste. “I can’t believe I ever fell for that dickhead’s sweet talk.”
Something dark and sharp flashed in Hayce’s eyes—there and gone so quickly Ehlian almost missed it. “What did he say?”
“Nothing.” Ehlian grabbed his nightwear and began to change. “He didn’t have the guts or the care to actually come. I should’ve known that he was a lazy ass when I sensed his weak core.”
Still fresh in his mind, Ehlian quickly recounted the meeting with Daribon. By the time he finished, he was under the blanket too, sitting beside Hayce.
