Mingyu called the number back once he’d had a chance to explain his plan to the others and they’d tentatively agreed to try it.
“Just in time, Mingyu. I was growing impatient.”
He wanted to strangle that smug voice.
“I want proof that Wonwoo is unharmed.”
There was a huff of amusement. “I thought you might. Check the phone.”
Another picture of the omega, blindfolded, sitting on a mattress in the corner of a dark room.
“If you’ve hurt him…”
“Very gallant, of course. I have no reason to hurt him, as long as you keep up your end of the bargain. Speaking of which, do you have the information I’m looking for?”
“No,” Mingyu said sharply. “That’s not how this is going to work.”
“You’re not in any position to dictate terms.”
Mingyu steeled himself, hoping he’d read the situation right.
“Oh, I think I am. You’re very invested in reclaiming your purchase. Or maybe I’m wrong, and you don’t want to hear what I have to say…” He let it hang, knowing he was pushing the alpha’s buttons. It might backfire, or it might not.
“I’m listening,” the alpha said heavily.
“I want Wonwoo back safe. And I want money.”
The alpha scoffed. “Are you trying to blackmail me?”
“Turnabout’s fair play,” he said flatly. “Do you want your investment back or not? I figured you’ve paid a lot already. What’s a little more if I can deliver him right into your waiting hands?”
He heard the sharp intake of breath through the phone.
“No, you don’t have him. We would have seen.”
Mingyu laughed. “I’m not keeping him in my pocket, if that’s what you’re thinking. I stashed him somewhere safe. For the right price, I could be persuaded to part with him.”
“Or I could just cut your pretty omega’s throat.”
“Sure, but then you’d have no bargaining power, and I’d still have your pretty omega all to myself. I’m guessing there are a lot of people who’d pay good money to get their hands on something they know you want.”
He wasn’t sure his attempt to twist things around was working. He needed the alpha desperate, thrown, and willing to agree to the terms Mingyu wanted to set.
“You’re a far more complex character than your history led me to believe,” the alpha said finally.
“Image is everything in this business. If you’re squeaky clean, no one looks twice at you. But if there’s any hint that you’re slugging it out in the dirt… well, mud sticks.”
“No wonder you were so quick to distance yourself from my little operation. You were afraid it would interfere with whatever games you’re running.”
“I don’t play games. And I don’t run my mouth off to strangers, so if you’re looking to get the inside scoop on me, you’ve come to the wrong place. Now, let’s get back to business, shall we? Time is a-wasting.”
The alpha hummed in agreement. “It is. So you’re offering to bring my pet to me in person?”
“Sure. I’ll exchange him for Wonwoo and… let’s call it a finder’s fee.”
YOU ARE READING
𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫 || 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐖𝐨𝐧
FanfictionBoth on the run from their pasts, Mingyu and Wonwoo find themselves at the orchard. Was it chance that brought them there or were they called home? Wonwoo is too tangled up in the idea of who he's running from to realize the truth about who he's run...
