Page 8 of Retrograde

Sunborough was resigned to the outcome, his defeated demeanor making me feel bad for him. He really was a good guy.

Just a shit father who raised a monster.

I saved the audio and thought to get it to Myriam later. I also had a thought that even if Sagan was drugged twice, it showedhow fast the security handled even an inside job and how quickly they got the evidence. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than most thought was going on.

It would make anyone think twice about pulling any kind of shit. Especially when the Alphas were all on the side of punishing the culprit.

The next couple of days were crazy, but I managed to get some time alone Friday night to have my contraband cognac and toast my mother.

But nothing surprised me more than Sagan coming into my hiding area looking like she was escaping something—or someone—and ready to explode as well.

This place seriously is a whole different level of drama than even I’m used to growing up in such a fucked-up family.

3

Sagan

“You ditching someone or do I need to get ready to fight?” a deep voice asked from my left, scaring the shit out of me.

I swallowed a yelp and glanced over to see pear eyes and not much else hidden in the darkness. Then what he said hit me. “I just needed some air.”

He snorted. “You need a fucking vacation and maybe a cleansing of this castle to help you survive this madness.” He sat up and into the light more as he offered me a glass. “You like cognac?”

I raised my eyebrow at Ayao Hamdan, Alpha Dray’s nephew. He’d made me a shit offer of mating in name and living our own separate lives… Basically letting him have quiet affairs but the alliance for his family.

I went to say something snarky, but the glossy look in his pretty eyes and red cheeks said a lot. “How did you get cognac?”

He chuckled. “They didn’t tell you? That’s cool of Benson. I’m the one who saw fuckhead and told them where he got the drugs. I was in the same shady area to get my bootlegged booze.”

“Quite the risk for cognac,” I hedged and moved closer. “I do like it. I like certain wines even if most wouldn’t consider cognac a wine. It’s made from grapes, so really it is.”

He held up his glass again. “It was my birth mother’s favorite. Her mother wasn’t a dragon and she used to smuggle it in from her home country.” He gave me a sad smile when I accepted. “I drink to her every year on the day of her death.”

“I’m sorry.” I raised the glass. “May she enjoy her peace by the gods.”

“You’re so much nicer than people give you credit for,” he mumbled as I finished his drink. “Really makes me feel bad for you.”

I wasn’t sure what that meant, and I really knew better than to ask when he was clearly drunk. “How did she die?” I thought back to his file and realized it didn’t say anything about his birth mother… Or his mother now being his stepmother.

He took the glass back with an ugly chuckle and refilled it. “I killed her.” He toasted me with it. “According to my father, I killed her. She was only half dragon and giving birth to a larger dragon baby killed her. My fault.”

“Your father’s an idiot,” I sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re the first to say it so bluntly,” he admitted. “Thank you.”

Then what he’d also just admitted hit me. “Happy Birthday.”

“Thank you.” He took a slow sip and kept my gaze as he did. “No matter how bad your life gets—and I’mnotdebating your life is shit—just know that you’re theonly personwho has said that to me today.” He nodded when I raised an eyebrow. “And you don’t even fucking like me.”

Ayao snickered and took another sip.

“I don’t know you well enough to not like you,” I offered. “We got off on the wrong foot, but I do appreciate your honesty.”

He lowered his drink and studied me. “I want to apologize for that, but I won’t ever apologize for being real and honest with people. There’s too many fucking lies and games and you rightfully called me out on starting the meal that way.”

I ran my tongue over my teeth. “It wasn’t your honesty that upset me. It was that you kept talkingafterwhen you realized I wasn’t open to your deal.”

“I’m not perfect and definitely can be too harsh, but I don’t lash out and try to hurt people.” He snorted. “I’m not like fucking Kole or these other dipshits.” Something like regret filled his eyes. “I’m sorry it came off as a jab. I don’t even remember what I said really. It’s all just a mess of…” He gestured around.