Page 21 of Sacrifice
I follow the others inside, the familiar noise and smoke wrapping around me like home.
"Emil!" Bodul waves from the pool table where he's absolutely destroying one of the newer prospects, Aren. "You in for the next game?"
"Maybe later," I call back, heading for the bar.
I need a drink and a minute to think.
The second I sit down, I order a drink, and Elfe hands it right to me.
The whiskey burns good going down, helps focus my scattered thoughts.
But then Rio slides up beside me, that knowing look on his face.
"So," he says. "What happened at Doran's? Before the meeting, I mean."
"Nothing important."
"Nothing important doesn't usually end with a woman storming out calling you an asshole."
"She called me an asshole?" I can't help but grin. "Must have missed that part."
I look up for a split second and notice Elfe smirking. She must’ve already spoken to Saga.
"Among other things. Tor said you ran off her date?"
"He ran himself off. I just helped him see the obvious."
Rio laughs, signaling for his own drink. "And what's the obvious?"
"That Saga's mine. She's just being stubborn about admitting it."
"Sounds familiar." He tilts his beer toward me. "Remember giving me shit about Dasha? Something about stop circling and make a move?"
"That was different."
"How?"
"You were scared. I'm being strategic."
"Strategic," Rio repeats. "That what we're calling terrorizing accountants now?"
"He's in finance," I correct, not sure why it matters. "And I didn't terrorize anyone. Just had a conversation."
"A conversation that ended with him leaving and you drinking her wine."
"She admitted she dreams about me," I say, the words tasting like victory. "Every night."
Rio whistles low. "And she still walked out?"
"Like I said—stubborn."
"Must be a family trait," a new voice says, and I turn to find Rati behind us, beer in hand. "My daughter giving you trouble?"
Shit.
The last thing I need is Saga's father getting involved.
I respect Rati, always have.
