Page 169 of Emperor of Wrath

I’ve seen this necklace before. I’ve held it before.

In fact, I’m the asshole who stole it from its rightful owner and sold it to a black-market dealer here in Kyoto, who then turned around and sold it to someone else also right here in Kyoto for a nice markup.

It’s been here ever since.

I pluck it from its resting place and set it in the nice little black velvet box I’ve selected for the occasion. I grin, imagining the look on Kenzo’s face when I give this back to him. I even wrote him a nice card.

Needless to say, all of this comes with letting him do whatever he wants to me tonight, however he wants to do it. But honestly, that’s more of an “us” present than a “him” present.

“You’re not seriously going to—Goddammit, Annika Brancovich, what?—”

“Mori,” I correct Freya. “Annika Mori, thank you very much.”

“Whatever. What the fuck happened to Annika the bad-ass thief? Because that chick wouldn’t go to all the trouble of breaking into a place to steal a necklace only to leave money for it.”

I smirk as I set the fat roll of bills down where the necklace previously was. I’ve even included a little extra, for the skylight.

“Hey, I made a promise.”

“Yeah yeah yeah. If you’re done, we have a party to get to.”

I do end up being twenty minutes late for my own party. Not because of the job, but because my dress was being an asshole and reminding me why I’ve historically not worn them.

But I don’t think Kenzo minds. The second I walk in, he’s pulling me into his arms, dipping me, and kissing me thoroughly in front of everyone.

He’s speechless when I give him his gift. Then he’s kissing me all over again and telling me he loves me.

Then he’s pulling me into a side room and giving me a present: two shiny gold and black toys, which have me shuddering and gripping his arm as he slowly pushes them into me.

Back with our friends and family, he twirls me across the dance floor and kisses me again.

“I love you, wife,” he growls quietly, holding me in his arms.

“I love you too, husband,” I murmur back, my lips finding his.

---