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)
He stalked forward, and right when he got close, he took me in his arms too and held me hard. It was a full-body grip. His face went into the crook of my neck and he inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with my scent. "I love you so much, Tora."
I shivered in his hold. "I love you too."
"Thank you for this."
"You're welcome."
"I think this might have been good for me. The pressure is gone in my chest. I felt her close to me for the first time. The picture helped."
"Good."
Hiro lifted his head slowly and his eyes found Kenji, who was now frowning at him. "Can I kiss her, brother?"
Kenji sneered.
“Please.”
"Only on the cheek or forehead."
Hiro tilted his head. "Not on the lips?"
"Not unless you want your picture next to our brother's and some candles placed to honor your death."
A dark chuckle left Hiro.
Kenji did not laugh.
Hiro kissed me on my forehead.
I shivered.
Then, Hiro let me go and shrugged. "Death for a kiss with your Tiger? Not bad. Especially if her tongue is as sweet as I think it is. I might take that deal later tonight."
“And I’ll be true to my promise.” Kenji took my hand.
Hiro took the other.
And the three of us walked off together.
Hiro looked at me. "More signature drinks?"
“Yep. We still have Daisuke and the twins’ drinks.” I quirked my brows. “Do you think the twins are even still here?”
“Of course they are. They would never leave this party.”
“Do you think I pushed them too far?”
“How could you? You’re perfect and they know it.”
“They didn’t light a candle for their mother.”
“Because she didn’t deserve it.” Hiro looked forward. “But you putting her picture there was good because it acknowledged that you understood their pain and what they had gone through.”
“So you don’t think they will be angry with me?”
“No. They’ll just love you more.”
The bar glowed ahead of us. The flappers were already waiting as the bartender hurried around making the next drinks.
And just like Hiro had said, the twins stood—mirror images of each other—watching us all return to them.
But best of all. . .the twins were smiling.
Whew. Now all I have to do is finish this cocktail party, do the dinner, and we’re done.
I just prayed that the rest of the evening would go smoothly with no drama.
Chapter fifteen
The Final Drinks
Nyomi
The violin sang in bright, playful notes that shimmered like champagne bubbles. The whimsical melody danced between laughter and fantasy.
Daisuke's drink came first.
One of my beautiful helpers appeared wheeling a silver cart toward us.
The Claws parted for it. Conversations dipped. Eyes lifted.
“Alright. We have two more signature drinks before the dinner party begins.” I left Kenji and headed over to Daisuke. “Are you all ready?”
Daisuke stepped forward. “I am because I know this one has to be mine.”
One twin frowned. “Or it could be ours.”
“Yeah.” The other nodded.
“No.” Daisuke waved them away. “You two will have two drinks most likely because you’re twins.”
The twins blinked in unison and then wide smiles spread across their faces.
“Let’s just focus, everyone.” I stopped in front of the silver cart. Several small glasses were placed on top along with pitchers of alcohol and other ingredients. “I’ll be making this one in front of you.”
Daisuke looked back at the others. “Because I’m the most special.”
Kaede snorted.
From the little I’d known about Daisuke, he was the one Claw who relished in disappearing within the shadows and never being seen too much.
I’d learned his backstory from Ali’s research, understood him even more, and shed some tears.
Now it made sense how Daisuke liked to blend in and hold himself just outside of reach due to a violent father that terrorized his house and killed his baby sister.
That kind of horror didn’t only break a child. It rewired him.
I bet that he’d learned to vanish back then just to not get hit. Folding his little body into corners and shadows.
But tonight, Daisuke could not be ignored with that candy apple red hair layered to his head in waves and his long black silk dress with ostrich feathers.
That ensemble alone told me that he felt safe with the other Claws, Kenji, and even me.
My heart warmed.
“Let’s begin because yes. . .this is Daisuke’s drink.” I poured the first liquid and then the next. “Mezcal for the danger you carry. Bourbon for the hidden edge."
The pour was slow and golden, appearing like two rivers braiding into one.
Toma whispered, “So cool.”
The Claws got closer, while Reo and Kenji remained in the back.
I gestured for my second helper to come over. We’d practiced this drink before the party.
She appeared with a small brass dipper of honey-ginger and ribboned it through the amber in a single unbroken pour. The honey hung in the liquor like silk in water.
I pointed. “Honey-ginger because you are still sweet under all the danger you exude.”