Page 103 of Emperor of Wrath

Just the same, when it comes to sink or swim situations, I generally only ever see one option.

…I mean who the hell wants to sit at the bottom of the pool?

Hana and I do end up losing to Takeshi, probably because we both place at least some value on our lives, which he clearly doesn’t. But it’s still close. I buy the drinks at Club Lotus, because I’m sure Hana held back just a little so I wouldn’t be totally lost trying to find our destination.

Two and a half hours later, the three of us pull back into the garage and kill the engines.

Takeshi eyes me coolly as he kicks his stand down and pulls off his helmet. His long dark hair is wild around his face, only adding to that feral vibe he’s got going on. “Not bad,” he nods, sliding off his bike.

“Not bad?” Hana rolls her eyes as she alights. “We were right on your ass the whole way there and back.”

I’m breathless, my face hot and my body tingling from the breakneck ride back to the house. There’s also an energy surging through me that I’m loving: the rush I always get from something and someplace new.

“Have fun?” Takeshi smirks.

“Holy shit!” I gush as I peel off my sweaty helmet, my hair sticking to my forehead. “That was incredible!”

“I’m glad you had such a good time.”

The energy dies instantly as we turn to see Kenzo leaning against the open bay door, his arms folded over his chest. He’s wearing a full suit, his hair nicely slicked back.

My eyes dart to the wall clock.

Shit.

Ten-fifteen.

“Kenzo, we?—”

He turns, shooting his sister a withering look.

“C’mon, man. We just had to blow off some steam. You know, shake the dust off after that fucking plane ride?—”

“I’ll speak with my wife now,” Kenzo growls. “Alone.”

Hana and Takeshi glance nervously at each other, then at me. I smile back weakly, shrugging like it’s nothing,

Like I’m not absolutely scared of the wrathful, dark way Kenzo’s energy is sucking the very light out of the garage.

When it’s just the two of us, I lift my eyes to his.

“I can get ready fast?—”

“Amid all your bitching and moaning about being stuck with me,” he growls, “has it ever once occurred to you that I’m not exactly thrilled to be stuck with you?”

“I—”

“This cocktail party tonight is important, Annika. Maybe not for you personally. But it is for me, and for my future. Which, though it pains me to say it, you’re now a part of.”

Okay, ouch?

“Important people expecting to meet with me are there tonight. People I might be going into business with.”

“So go!” I fire back. “If I’m such a burden to drag around, don’t. Just go without?—”

“That’s not what’s expected of?—”

“Who cares?”

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