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)
Kaoru chuckled.
I looked at him.
He went silent and shrugged.
Rin crossed his arms over his chest.
I frowned at him.
What exactly is your endgame here, sir? You are not getting a bag over Deja’s face. She would put a bag over your face first.
Right as I was about to speak, Deja did.
“Don’t worry, Nyomi. I’ve got it. I’m going to walk this little doggy.” She pointed at Rin. “He’s been inside all day and needs some fresh air.”
I blinked.
Kaoru widened his eyes.
Rin maintained that bored expression.
Deja shrugged. “He wants a spot in my stable. It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t let him audition.”
Rin leaned his head to the side.
“That’s alright. I’m his first bad bitch. He’ll figure it out.” She walked off.
Rin lowered his gaze to her ass. That bored expression completely cracked. In its place was the look of a predator who had caught the scent of prey and had already decided how he was going to devour it.
Then, he stalked off.
I tensed.
The door closed behind them.
I looked back at Kaoru. “He better not try anything with Deja.”
Kaoru shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Yoichi laughed from the side.
I stiffened. “When did you get back?”
"Back from where?"
"You left. You were gone. I turned around and you weren't—"
"I've been here the whole time." Yoichi gave me the most rehearsed innocent expression I’ve ever seen on a grown man.
“Wasn’t he gone?” I looked at Kaoru.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Nyomi.” Kaoru put his view on the movie.
“But. . .”
Wasn’t he gone?
Chapter forty-two
What Held Us Together
Nyomi
The Fangs had relaxed a little bit since Kenji's call, since Reo had confirmed to Yoichi that they were sure the Fox still didn't know where the island was.
An hour later, I stood in the kitchen with my hip pressed against the edge of the counter, and my fingers drumming against the cool stone.
Rin had not returned. That made me a little worried. I knew what he was planning and was sure that his servants had already finished a copper silk bag to be put over Deja’s head.
But I also knew Deja could handle herself and had eaten men alive for suggesting less.
They’re both grown. All will be fine.
Satoshi and Zo hadn’t returned either. Apparently, that washing off session would be lasting the rest of the day.
Alright. What would be a good dinner for Kenji and the men? They’ll be exhausted when they arrive.
The sun had started its descent outside, and the light was pouring through the windows. It had gone soft and golden as it spilled across the countertops in long, warm streaks and caught the steam rising from a pot of water Chef Bunzō had set to boil.
The heat of the setting sun touched the side of my neck and forearm, making everything feel slower than it was.
Kaoru sat on a stool at the far end of the island with one ankle crossed over the other. Every few minutes, he would glance up at the door.
Yoichi leaned against the wall near the window with his muscular arms folded and watched everything. The fading light cut across his jaw and turned his eyes bright amber.
Meanwhile, a handful of armed guards stood near each doorway. Still. Hands clasped in front of them.
Chef Bunzō and his assistants moved through the space.
One woman slid a knife through a block of tuna in clean strokes. The blade tapped the board in a rhythmic beat.
On the right, a man rinsed vegetables under a stream of water.
Near one of the stoves, a woman tossed chopped garlic in an oiled pan. The rich aroma spread and curled through the kitchen.
My stomach tightened, but not from hunger.
I'd gathered the Chef and his staff to have a meal ready for Kenji's arrival.
However, I was still unsure of what we would be eating.
I muttered, “Fuck.”
“You’re thinking too hard about this.” Kaoru rose from his seat and came over to me. “The fact that they’ll arrive to a meal is enough. Usually, when we return from a big mission, we all go off on our own and figure out what we’ll eat.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded. “Kenji might eat with the Roar or Hiro, but that barely happens.”
“There’s not a big. . .I don’t know.” I held out my hands. “Like a big final meal celebration?”
Yoichi snorted.
Kaoru shook his head. “Never that. If anything, Hiro may pour a drink for everyone and we all toast to those that died.”
“Oh no. We have to change that. I think afterwards. . .getting together is important. If only to. . .process as a group.”
Kaoru tilted his head to the side. “Process what?”
“Everything that happened.”
Kaoru chuckled.
“Hmmm.” Yoichi shifted against the wall and unfolded those big arms. "She's actually right."
Kaoru looked at him. “What?”
“Long ago. . .” Yoichi's gaze went somewhere far away, past us and the kitchen. "After a battle, samurai would gather and share a meal together. It wasn't about celebration. It was about honoring what had been endured. The living sat together and ate, and the dead were spoken of by name so that their spirits would know they hadn't been forgotten."