Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
When she finished, she pulled back and looked up at him.
He stared down at her for a long moment and said nothing.
Whatever you told him, Tora.
My chest pulled tight.
I wish I knew.
Her voice grew soft. "Goodnight, Reo."
He straightened and cleared his throat. "Goodnight, Tora."
And this time, I didn’t mind the use of her nickname on another’s lips.
When Reo left, I stood.
Hiro remained at the table, leaning back in his chair with his arms folded and watching us.
I gripped the back of his neck hard, the way we'd been doing since we were boys. “Get some rest.”
He reached up and gripped my forearm in return. “Soon, but not yet.”
“Soon.”
“I have things to do. Important things.”
“Make them quick.”
“Not too quick.”
I let out a sigh and let him go.
Nyomi went over to Hiro. “Get up so I can give you a hug.”
"No need." He unfolded his arms. "We're not saying goodbye anytime soon."
What the hell does that mean?
“He’s drunk. Ignore him.” I turned back to Nyomi and reached for her hand. “Let’s go, Tora.”
“Bye, Hiro. I love you.” Nyomi took my hand, and we headed away.
I glanced back at Hiro.
He sat exactly where I'd left him, with amusement dancing on his face.
Nyomi's hand tightened slightly in mine, delivering peace and warmth deep into my soul.
I don't deserve her.
And yet I held on anyway.
I turned back to the door and walked my Tiger out into the corridor.
My guards followed.
The staff passed us and gave low bows.
I nodded.
The mansion settled into its nighttime breathing—the low murmur of men inside rooms, plates being cleared, and the beep of my security’s walkie talkies.
I pressed the elevator call button.
Nyomi leaned her head against my arm while we waited. Her lush scent of black amber and ripe plum surrounded and further anchored me.
And with that. . .I felt less buried alive. . .more whole and able to breathe.
The elevator doors opened.
We stepped in with a few of my guards.
One pressed three.
The doors began to close.
I watched the gap of the doors narrow and then a big hand shot through.
I widened my eyes.
What?
The elevator doors stuttered back open.
Hiro stepped in like he’d been invited, still bare-chested, and now holding a full bottle of sake. “Thank you.”
The guards made room for Hiro.
I stared at him.
The elevator doors closed.
He didn’t press the number two button for his floor.
I raised my eyebrows. "Where are you going?"
"Our bedroom."
"We don't have a bedroom together."
He tilted his head at me the way he always did when he thought I was being deliberately stupid. "We do. It's where our Tiger sleeps."
"My Tiger."
Hiro exhaled through his nose like he was explaining something to someone who kept missing the point.
"Kenji." He had the audacity to say my name like a full sentence. "We've already decided. We're sharing her."
“You’re going to your bedroom not mine—”
“Our bedroom. Not yours. And of course I won’t be sleeping in the bedroom that we share. That would be ridiculous, but I have earned some cuddle time and I will not deny myself any longer.”
“Did you just fucking say cuddle time?”
Nyomi pressed her lips together, poorly suppressing a laugh. Seconds later, it came anyway, bright, joyful, and loud in the elevator.
Her laugh filled the elevator completely and rewrote the suffocating sadness in my chest.
Tora.
I looked at her.
She had her hand pressed over her mouth, and her shoulders were shaking.
And for one clean, uncomplicated moment the burial of my grief receded. The weight of Yoshiwara, the names Hiro had spoken at the table, Hiroko's face, the shovels of dirt pressing down over my body. . .all of it lifted.
Slightly.
Enough to breathe better.
I want to hear that sound again tonight and again. . .
I needed that more than sex or sake. I yearned to hear my Tiger laugh until the grief had nowhere left to stand.
Hmmm.
I looked at my brother. He stood there shameless and holding his sake bottle. I had a thousand things to say to him, but said none of them.
Because she was still laughing.
“Fine.” I faced the doors. “You can come to my bedroom and spend time with my Tiger and me. . .for a few minutes. And then I’m kicking you out.”
While I thought Hiro would smile or say thank you, he rolled his eyes as if I was the most audacious person on the elevator.
I’m going to kill him before this night is over.
Chapter one
The Three of Us
Kenji
The elevator opened on three.
Hiro stepped out first.
We followed.
My guards peeled off at their posts and I walked Nyomi down the corridor with my hand at the small of her back.
The corridor was dim and still with low lights and the distant shift of guards changing posts.
When we arrived at the bedroom, the guard gave us a low bow and opened the door. Two other guards exchanged glances.
I held my chuckle in.
They probably think I’m sharing her with Hiro tonight.