Page 13 of Emperor of Wrath

“Why the fuck are we avoiding that?” I snarl.

Sota shoots me a hard look. “War is seldom the answer, Kenzo. And this bullshit between our two families is…untenable. It cannot continue. Aoki was one of our best men. Damian is Kir’s fucking heir. If this comes to war, it will be bloody, and there will not be rules.”

I slam back the rest of my champagne as Sota shakes his head sadly.

“War cannot happen, Kenzo.” I stare at him, livid. “Don’t look at me like that,” he grunts. “It’s not that I’m too old or too weak.”

I smile wryly. “That is the very last thing I’m thinking.”

“Good,” he smiles. “Because I can still best you.”

My own smile turns grim as I frown. “So… What’s the agreement?”

Sota’s jaw sets. “It’s going to mean changing your plans for the evening. I know why you’re here, Kenzo. I know what you’ve set up.”

My mouth tightens. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re?—”

“I’m in no mood for games, Kenzo,” he sighs. “You’re the son I never had. All due respect to Hideo, you’re my heir. You’ll take both my empire and his and turn them into your own. But that can’t happen if there’s war.”

“Sota—”

“Kir has no sons, which is why his nephew Damian is his heir. He has no daughters, either. But like me, Kir took in a stray…”

When it hits me, my whole body tightens. My eyes turn glacial as I stare at him.

“No.”

Sota nods. “Yes,” he says quietly. “I’m asking you to do what is?—”

“It’s a fucking no, Sota.”

“While I am still breathing, Kenzo,” he snarls viciously, “you will obey my wishes.”

I grit my teeth and bow stiffly. “Of course, Sota-san,” I growl.

He exhales a long, stuttering breath. “I am sorry, Kenzo. I truly am.”

Slowly, I turn to look through the window, watching as Annika makes her way through the party, her white dress clinging to her every curve, highlighting the modelesque length of her legs.

Watching the swish of her hair as she turns to smile at another guest. The bat of her lashes over her lying eyes. The curl of her poisonous mouth.

“This is the only way we’ll avoid war,” Sota growls quietly. “You and Annika Brancovich will marry. That’s final.”

My lips curl dangerously.

Then I think of Rafe.

Straight out attacking didn’t work. Baiting helped to draw the rabbits out of their burrow but didn’t finish the job.

It took sending a snake inside to truly end things.

My eyes lock on Annika through the window as she blithely sips her champagne.

Hello, little rabbit. My name is Snake. And I am going to eat you fucking ALIVE.

Ten minutes later, I’m dragging her out of the study, yanking her down the stairs, setting her in front of a crowd of clapping onlookers and announcing to the world that we’re engaged.

I have her.

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