Page 88 of Secrets & Sake

Fuck. I knew it. Heart in my throat, I spring up. “What?”

“There’s no time to explain! I need to focus. I’m driving to you now.”

“Wait! I’m at Raiden’s place. Come and get me.”

“Will do.”

Fear is sour in my throat. “Is he… is he okay?”

Hideyoshi’s voice shakes when he says, “Just wait for me. I’ll be there soon.”

My heart feels like it will explode as I hang up.

Oh, god. What’s happened now? Is it Takada? Did he hurt Raiden to get back at him for what Raiden did while under Namikawa’s influence? Did hunters shoot him again? Or did he run into trouble while collecting debts? And what am I needed for? I can’t help. All I can do is guess, fear twisting my stomach into knots.

After what feels like forever, my phone vibrates.

Hideyoshi: I am outside.

My feet pound the ground as I run outside, cricking my neck as I look every which way. Someone waves out the window of a big black car across the way. Hideyoshi motions me over. “Quickly! There’s no time!”

Please be safe, Raiden!

Looking both ways, I jog across the street. At my approach, the automatic doors slide open. I grab the handle and hoist myself in. “Hideyoshi, what’s going—” I freeze at the sight of Raiden, sitting in the back seat. The doors close. Hideyoshi slams on the gas.

What’s going on? Why is he here?

Raiden’s face is stony, cold eyes staring right through me. They’re… empty.

I look over at Hideyoshi. “Hang on. What’s—”

Raiden lunges for me, snaring my arm in his grip and tugging me onto the back seat. The razor tips of his claws dig into my throat, dangerously close to breaking the skin. If I struggle, his claws will puncture my throat.

Hideyoshi meets my wide, horrified gaze in the rearview mirror. “I’m sorry,” he says, voice shaking, and I’m not sure who he’s talking to. Me or Raiden.

Tears prick my eyes when I try to meet Raiden’s gaze. He stares straight ahead, eyes glossy, still as a statue. “Raiden,” I whisper, and his claws twitch against my neck, making me swallow my pleas. I have no choice but to surrender and accept my fate.

Chapter 24

The sun disappears beyond the horizon as Hideyoshi drives us out of the city, a lit cigarette between his yellowed teeth. I have no idea where he’s taking us, but I know in my heart that wherever we’re going, the missing people will be there.

Raiden’s claws dig into my skin. My back aches from lack of movement, but if I move, Raiden’s claws will cut me. Every time I swallow, his hand bobs on my throat. Raiden is completely still, eyes staring miles ahead.

I have no idea if he’s aware of what he’s doing. He’s trapped. A prisoner in his own body. The despair threatens to consume me. God. He’s been used enough.

“You have to help him,” I say, voice rusty from an hour and a half of silence.

Hideyoshi’s head twitches in my direction, but he keeps his eyes on the road. “Everything I do is for him. Even this.” His face twists in disgust, knuckles whitening on the wheel.

“What do you mean?”

“Raiden told me everything about your investigation.”

I wince. “And this is… what? Revenge for that?”

Surprise widens Hideyoshi’s eyes. “No. Am I angry that you were spying on my grandson? Yes. But this is not revenge.”

“Then what is it?” I grit out, my patience wearing thin.

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