Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
The men rushed to him.
He handed it to them.
They took it and headed for the door.
Deja blinked and placed her hand on her hip. "Now I just said I’ve got it."
He stared at her. "It's taken care of."
"It has to be burned down to ashes."
"We're good at burning things here." The corner of his mouth didn't quite move, but something behind his eyes did. "Don't worry."
"Someone should say a prayer over the ashes as they ride in the wind."
Rin set the broom down, pulled out his phone, and typed something with his thumb. "It’s taken care of. Anything else?"
Deja stared at him. "Well . . . no. That’s it."
What?
I knew Deja and she was fire cracker who didn’t give one fuck about cursing a man or woman out.
She must be exhausted. That’s what it is.
Deja turned back to putting away her supplies.
Rin walked over, stood beside her, and started mirroring her movements.
Alright, Rin. You’re pushing it.
Meanwhile, some movie played out in the theater, but Kaoru, Yoichi, and I were only watching them like they were a summer blockbuster thriller.
Deja capped a bottle.
Rin picked up the next one and capped it.
Kaoru snorted.
Deja zipped one section of her kit. He picked up another kit on the side and zipped it too.
Yoichi scratched his head and blinked for the hundredth time that day.
She reached for her comb set and Rin was already sliding it across the counter toward her.
Deja's hands slowed and she glanced at him sideways. “I’ve got it. Thank you.”
Thank you?
I tensed.
Deja said thank you? To a man?
If Nika had been here, she might have fallen out her chair.
Meanwhile, Rin didn’t move away. Instead, he put the comb in the last kit and zipped it.
This time, Deja blinked.
I pressed my lips together.
Damn it. Zo might win this bet. . .and he is going to be insufferable if he does win.
Because Rin—stone-faced, monosyllabic, wouldn't-blink-if-the-building-was-on-fire Rin—was over there organizing hair products like he'd been a secret hairstylist his whole life.
And Deja—who didn't let anybody touch her tools—was letting him.
Deja reached for the bottles of batana oil.
Rin grabbed them before her and placed them in the kit.
And her hand paused in the air mid-reach.
Oh shit. . .
Rin leaned forward to grab something else and his long braid swung over his shoulder and hung there.
Deja's eyes dropped to it.
And even I had to admit the braid was immaculate. Whoever maintained it knew what they were doing. The plait was tight and uniform from root to tip, the hair glossy and black as ink, and the whole thing was thick enough that Deja's hand wouldn't have been able to close around it.
Her fingers twitched and she dropped her hand and looked away.
Rin straightened up.
The braid swung back behind him.
Once everything was in her kits, Rin snapped his fingers.
The men rushed over and picked up all the bags.
"Alright. Hold up." She held out her hands. "I'm taking my bags back. I brought them in here and—"
The men walked out with her stuff like she hadn't spoken. Like she was a television someone had muted.
Deja's hand was still extended toward a door that was already closed. She held the pose for a solid three seconds — arm out, fingers spread, mouth half open — like a woman waiting for the universe to apologize.
It did not.
She dropped her hand and turned to me. “This island is absolutely crazy.”
“It is.” I widened my eyes. “I apologize.”
“Girl, it’s all good.” She checked her watch. “Anyway. I’m glad you like your hair. Come on over here and give me a hug goodbye. We leave in the morning.”
Kaoru snorted.
Yoichi chuckled.
I looked at the both of them. “Excuse me? What’s so funny?”
Yoichi cleared his throat. “Nothing. Sorry. I was looking at the movie.”
“Yeah.” Kaoru bobbed his head. “This movie is so funny.”
Deja and I glanced at the screen.
A man was pushing a little girl in a hospital chair as she blew a dandelion and the petals drifted through the air.
“Yeah. So funny.” I rolled my eyes and hugged Deja. “Have a safe trip back to New York and let me know when you get there.”
“I sure will.”
“Oh. I have to pay you. Let me—”
“Girl, they gave me a briefcase of money. Did you forget? You won’t have to pay for a few years now.”
“Well. . .good. I’m glad you’re taken care of.” I chuckled and looked at Kaoru. “Can you walk Deja back for me?”
Rin watched Deja and remained silent.
Of course I was trying to cock block to win that bet.
Kaoru touched his chest. “Me?”
“Yes. You.” I nodded. “Can you walk her to her villa or get some men to—”
“I actually am supposed to be at your side the whole time. Dragon’s orders.”
I turned around to tell Yoichi to take Deja and that motherfucker had disappeared. I didn’t even hear the door open or close. “Where the hell did Yoichi go?”