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 Dragon doesn't like being interrupted.
But the Dragon planned this. And the plan was worth the wait.
I checked my left.
Hiroko entered the war room with her two assistants. Her gray hair was pulled back in a severe knot.
Her kimono was black leather, fitted and gleaming, with delicate stitching along the edges.
Her two assistants flanked her, both dressed head to toe in leather—corsets, pants, gloves, and boots that clicked against the floor.
That’s okay. This surprise is worth it.
I kissed the bite mark and then let her go.
Lust filled my Tiger’s eyes. She turned and saw Hiroko, all the leather, and the assistants. Confusion crossed her face. "What’s going on?"
"Remember. I have a hot surprise for you."
Her brow furrowed. "But wasn't this the surprise?"
"No." I shook my head. "I told you a HOT surprise. This wasn't hot at all."
"I thought this was pretty amazing."
"It was." I kissed her again—quick this time, but firm. "But this wasn't the surprise. This was just the discussion."
Her lips curled into a skeptical smile. "And what might this so-called hot surprise be?"
“It’s a surprise, Tora. I’m not telling you.”
“And you’re working with Hiroko?”
“I am.”
She shook her head. “No. I’m the only one that sets up surprises with Hiroko.”
I chuckled. “I knew her before you.”
Nyomi sucked her teeth. “I don’t like surprises because I’m incredibly nosy.”
“Well. . .you’ll see what it is soon. You just have to get ready.”
“Get ready?”
“Yes.” I rose and helped Nyomi to her feet too. "I'll see you soon."
"Where are you going?"
"You'll see."
She frowned. “You can at least give me a hint.”
“I said it was hot.”
“That’s not a damn clue. Lots of things can be hot.”
Chuckling, I walked toward the exit, thinking about what we had in store which made my cock begin to grow in my pants.
And every step away from her was a war against my own body.
Chapter eighteen
Consume
Nyomi
Kenji disappeared through the exit, and I watched him go until the shadows swallowed him whole.
Then I turned to face Hiroko.
She stood a few feet in front of me. That black leather kimono fit her like armor—stitched tight, gleaming under the candlelight.
Her gray hair pulled back in that severe knot.
Eyes sharp and assessing the whole scene.
I wondered what she thought about Kenji’s romantic dinner.
Then, her gaze landed on my neck.
On the bite marks.
She didn't flinch, but she did blink. And then her gaze moved on like she'd filed the information away in a drawer she'd open later.
Behind her, the two assistants weren't as composed. They spotted the bite marks and then I caught the glance between them—quick, wide-eyed, mouths pressed tight to keep from reacting.
One of them touched her own neck. Unconsciously. Like she could feel the sting just from looking at mine.
That told me everything.
Hiroko stepped forward. "Are you ready for your surprise today?"
I smoothed my hands down my sides. "I think. Kenji says it will be hot."
"That's an understatement." She turned and walked toward the far corridor without another word.
I fell into step beside her. “Are you going to give me a hint of what he has in store?”
“Absolutely not.”
“I thought we were cool.”
“We are, but the Dragon is much scarier.”
I grinned.
"I can tell you that we're going to leave the main house to get you dressed. You'll ride with me on my golf cart."
"Okay."
We moved quickly.
Down the hall.
Through the door.
Outside into the cool air.
The sun was setting, painting the sky in streaks of orange and gold. An ocean breeze lifted the hem of my phoenix gown.
The air carried the scent of ocean and woodsmoke, and unlike this morning it smelled more like a smoldering campfire, not carnage.
I looked to the left.
The pyre was gone.
Only embers remained, glowing orange in the fading light. But the people were still gathered around it. Some talking. Some singing. A few strumming instruments I didn't recognize.
Children chased each other through the grass, their laughter bright and unafraid.
No one seemed sad or traumatized. They actually looked like a family gathering after a long day like burning traitors alive was just another Tuesday.
This was what Hiro had told me about earlier. How the burning made the people feel safe. Protected. How it brought them together instead of tearing them apart.
Wow. This is definitely a different world.
As I walked toward the golf cart, people noticed me.
Conversations paused.
Heads turned.
A woman near the embers saw me first. She straightened, pressed her hand to her chest, and bowed.
Deep.
Respectful.
Then the man beside her did the same.
Then two more.
It moved through the crowd like a wave. One by one, people stopped what they were doing and bowed. Not out of fear. I knew what fear looked like on this island. I'd seen it directed at Kenji. At Reo. At the Fangs.
This wasn't that.
This was gratitude.
Hiroko smiled.
My throat tightened.
I didn't bow back. Didn't wave. Didn't know what the protocol was for something like this. So I just nodded and kept walking.