Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 161615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 539(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 539(@300wpm)
Kenji didn’t raise his voice, but the entire room seemed to lean toward him anyway, pulled in by gravity he didn’t bother to hide. His hand tightened on my thigh and pressed just enough to make the fabric shift against my skin. “I will not tolerate any disrespect to my Heart. Address her with respect, or bleed for the insult.”
I stiffened.
Granted, the possessiveness should have felt suffocating. Instead, it felt like being wrapped in armor made of obsidian and fire.
The Fangs nodded immediately.
The Claws just continued to watch me.
Really tough group.
Reo cleared his throat and gestured to the twins. “This is Aki and Yuki.”
The two men were identical. Black hair slicked back, matching scars under their chins.
Same suits.
Same posture.
Even their breathing was synchronized.
But their eyes weren't. One held calculation. The other held rage, carefully banked. I was guessing that the twins had somehow learned to move as one unit, but underneath, they were two separate people who'd survived something horrifically terrible enough to bind them together forever.
What happened to them?
One watched my face.
The other watched my hands.
Coordinated surveillance. Do they always do that?
Seconds later, they tilted their heads in perfect unison.
One spoke, “She made. . .”
The other finished, “. . .banana bread.”
Back to the first, “For the Dragon's guards.”
The second shook his head. “Again. . .not for the Claws.”
The disgust in their voices was palpable.
Oh shit. How did they find out about the banana bread? These guys stay gossiping about food.
I could see it in the twins’ gazes that they felt like the Dragon’s guards were beneath them in the hierarchy.
And I'd fed guards before feeding the Claws? No wonder they had not given me a warm welcome.
I felt Kenji tense beside me. His body went rigid. A growl started building in his chest—low and dangerous. He was about to explode into a roar.
No. No. No. Let me handle this. I need to have a voice among them.
Under the table, I gently touched his hand.
He calmed.
Sighing, I looked at the twins. "You’re right about the banana bread. I'm going to fix that. I didn’t think anything of it because I have a much bigger plan for the Claws. A huge gesture."
Thankfully, Kenji didn’t roar even though his body remained rigid beside me, ready to defend my honor with bloodshed.
I kept my voice steady. “In fact, I talked to Hiro this morning. Again, we're planning a big surprise.”
Kaede's eyes narrowed.
He’s still suspicious.
Toma's grin faded slightly.
He’s still testing.
Daisuke remained expressionless.
He’s waiting for proof.
The twins exchanged glances and then frowned.
They’re unconvinced.
One twin—Aki, I thought, based on the slight scar deviation—met my eyes directly for the first time. "What kind of surprise?"
"You'll have to wait and see," I said.
The other twin—Yuki—almost smiled. Almost. "We're good at waiting."
"And watching," Aki added.
"We see everything," they said together, but this time it sounded like a threat.
Kenji sneered.
The Claws were clearly a group of guys that had been through a lot and needed action not words in order to believe a person.
Tough crew, but. . .a very loyal one to Kenji. I don’t feel like any of them are spies.
And also. . .the more the Claws studied me, the more I felt the truth settle in my chest. I wanted to be worthy of this world. . .I yearned for their welcoming acceptance, and I wasn’t sure what that said about me.
That being said, I leaned Kenji’s way and whispered, “All of the Claws are clear. There are no spies in that group.”
He let out a low breath as if he’d been holding it the whole time. “Thank you, Tora.”
Reo had been watching us.
I gave him a small nod too.
Relief hit his eyes and he actually smiled.
A creak sounded across the room.
The door opened.
Who’s this?
Hiro walked in.
Oh.
I put my gaze on Hiro.
He was rubbing his eyes like he'd just woken up. Hiro’s hair fell across his forehead in a way that made his already handsome face look younger, softer—almost innocent on a man built for brutal violence.
Aww. He’s well-rested.
The dark circles under his eyes were lighter. His shoulders were relaxed instead of rigid with tension.
This was the first time I'd seen him look so peaceful.
The room's reaction was instant.
The Claws sat up straighter. Kaede's expression softened—barely, but it was there. The twins shifted in their seats—left then right, a choreographed ripple of respect. Even Toma stopped grinning, his face settled into something resembling respect. Daisuke, who had been blending into the setting, actually waved like he wanted to be noticed.
Their leader is here. They’re so different with him around.
It made me happy that I got to see their energy in Hiro’s absence. Now I fully understand how devoted they were to him.
Hiro nodded at each one and continued walking.
There was an empty chair next to the twins—clearly Hiro's spot.
But he didn't go there.
Instead, he walked directly toward where Reo sat.