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)
“Put your fucking shirt back on—”
“It’s fine, baby.” I hugged Hiro and pressed my face against his bare chest. His skin was cool against my flushed cheek, and I could smell the salt and sea even deeper now. "I'm so happy you're back."
"There we go." Hiro squeezed me, and his laugh rumbled through his chest and rolled across my skin like a wave pulling back from shore. "This is a proper welcome."
I felt his heartbeat against my cheek. “My bad. I’ll work on that.”
“No. That was Kenji’s fault. Next time, I will beat him to you.”
Kenji growled, “And then I will beat you.”
“A duel over your Tiger?” Hiro shrugged in my hold. “Bring it. I’ve fought over less.”
Kenji stepped closer behind me. His heat pressed against my back while Hiro's cool held my front.
Two brothers.
Two elements.
And me caught between them like a flame dancing on the surface of the ocean.
These two are going to be the death of me.
Hiro's gaze lifted to my braids. "Oh. This is very nice."
He leaned back and tilted his head, studying the pattern. "What is this called?"
"Goddess braids.”
“Do you think she can do this for me?”
Kaoru chuckled.
Hiro glanced his way.
Kaoru cleared his throat and put his view on the plates.
I smiled. “Deja would probably love to do your hair.”
"This is so beautiful." He reached up to touch one of the braids.
Kenji's hand shot out and caught Hiro's wrist midair.
I backed up.
Hiro looked at his brother's grip and then at Kenji's face. "Really?"
"Don't touch her hair. It’s rude."
I smirked.
Oh really?
Kenji let go of his wrist. "And put your fucking shirt on. She isn’t going to be inspecting your bruises. You’re fine."
“Am I? I fought the most men.” Hiro looked at me and winked. “Kenji didn’t even fight one guy.”
Kenji rolled his eyes.
I chuckled. “Well. . .I don’t believe that, Hiro.”
Grinning, Hiro looked down at me and took in the braids again. "I hope you know that my brother is going to destroy every single one of those braids."
"I'm aware."
"Tonight."
“Well, I was hoping for a few more days.”
Hiro held up a finger. "He won't even make it to tomorrow."
Kenji said nothing, and that silence confirmed everything.
The Claws started filing in along with some of the other men.
Kaede came first. His platinum-blond hair was wet and tied back, but a few damp strands had come loose and hung around his face. A bandage wrapped his left forearm, and he moved with a slight limp. His expression was calm as always—the kind of calm that made you wonder if he'd been born without the ability to panic.
"Hey, Nyomi." He dipped his head as he passed and then slowed when his gaze caught the table. “Huh?”
Daisuke followed with his sharp black mohawk still perfect despite everything. Both eyes were bruised purple, and he held his side like his ribs were screaming at him. He didn't acknowledge the pain. Just walked in, scanned the room, and stopped at the table too.
Shock covered his face.
Toma came in grinning, even though his bottom lip was split and swollen and long gashes stretched across his neck. He spotted the food and his whole face changed. "Oh shit. Is this for us?"
The twins were last. Aki had a bandage wrapped around his hand. Yuki had a cut along his jaw. They moved together in perfect sync like always—same stride, same tilt of the head, same quiet sweep of the room.
Then they saw the table and both of them went still too.
I watched them all standing there—battered, bandaged, alive—and the sight hit me somewhere deep.
Hiroko should be walking through that door too.
The thought came fast and sharp like a blade slipping between my ribs and stabbing my heart. I could see her so clearly. The way she would have surveyed this table and smiled. The way she would have touched my shoulder and whispered something about how a woman who feeds warriors owns their loyalty forever.
I still can’t believe you’re gone. . .
My eyes burned. I blinked it away and straightened a plate that didn't need straightening.
Later. Not now. Not in front of them.
The room was quiet. All of them staring at the food, the candles, the chairs arranged for every single person.
Even Kenji finally looked around. "What is this?"
"I just thought we'd need a good dinner." My voice came out lighter than I intended. "All of us together. Just to kind of get our minds off things. . .just, you know, after everything. But. . .you all don't have to stay too long if you're exhausted."
"Exhausted? We’re Claws. Not Fangs.” Chuckling, Toma headed to the table and sat down. “I’m just glad the Dragon’s Heart is in charge now. I thought I was going to have to eat that old slice of pizza in my bedroom’s fridge.”
I blinked.
“Thank you, Heart. I’m definitely eating.” Kaede limped to the table and lowered himself into a seat. “I almost died three times today. Let’s just say this meal is in honor of me and my new sword."