Chapter 25 · The Gilded Crane

"Your father's chair is waiting for you, Mara."

Victor's voice rolled through the burner's cheap speaker. Smooth. Like a waiter pouring expensive wine.

Rain ran off my bangs, hitting the glass screen in fat drops.

Dominic reached for the phone. Fast.

I stepped back before his fingers could graze the plastic.

"Don't," I said.

He froze. His hand hovered between our chests, fingers hooked, rain streaming down his knuckles. Then he lowered it. Slow. Painful. He'd sworn not to touch my things. A burner tossed through his front iron gates still counted.

"I'm listening," I told the mic.

"Good girl. Pier 9. Second floor above the old cannery. There's a new club up there. The Gilded Crane." Victor let out a quiet chuckle. "Come hungry. I brewed tea."

"Give me one reason."

"Because Dominic only gave you half the story. I'm the one with the rest." A beat. Static hummed. "Plus, I have something of Danny's."

My gut dropped straight through the soles of my boots.

Click.

Dead air.

I stood in the courtyard with the plastic heating up in my fist.