Page 62 of Emperor of Wrath

My first fear in that terrifying moment after the explosion rocked the church was for my sister, of course. But by the time the van came crashing through the front wall, Drazen was already hustling her out through the side door, and they were outside when the bomb went off. They’re both fine.

Kir was apparently similarly dragging Freya out before the bomb even blew, and Sota Akiyama and Hana were also already outside as well.

But even knowing all that…and even though I grew up in the mafia, and went through what happened to my family, and then spent so many years living with danger… I’m still shaken by what just happened.

Hence the drinking.

I pour another hefty glass and bring it to my lips. It stings a little less this time, with the first shot already numbing my body a little, and settles inside to warm my core.

“Keep him there, Mal,” Kenzo growls into his phone across the room.

We’re in the penthouse apartment he keeps in Manhattan; a stunning spot high above Central Park East with huge double-story walls of glass that look out over the city. The penthouse is sparsely decorated and furnished, since he doesn’t spend much time here, and even when he is in New York, he’s mostly at Sota’s place.

Kenzo explained all of this in a few words when we first walked in.

“I don’t give a fuck that he’s angry,” Kenzo hisses, turning his back to me perched on the couch as he paces near the windows. “We’re all angry. His fucking job right now is to sit his ass down and guard Sota and Hana, not run around the city looking for a fight. Tell Takeshi I’m pulling rank and that’s a goddamn order.”

I glance back at my phone as I keep swigging vodka.

Freya

You’re SURE ur good??

Me

Yeah. Tons of security. Five of Kenzo’s guys watching the lobby plus three of Kir’s.

My brow knits.

Me

Are YOU okay?

After the explosion, Kenzo insisted on bringing me here, which he claims is one of the safest places in the city. Freya, meanwhile, went with Kir to his place. I’m not worried about her safety there, because I know Kir’s place is impenetrable. But I am worried about the fact that we both just experienced a fucking bombing.

Freya

I’m good. Kinda shaken. Like WTF

Freya

We thinking Kenzo’s enemies, or ours?

It’s impossible to know yet. All anyone does know is that the van was driven into the church and detonated via remote. It was a rental, too, and I’d bet my ass that the rental was done using a fake ID. No one would be stupid enough to bomb a mafia wedding and leave any possible trail back to themselves unless they wanted to die with their genitals stuffed down their throats.

Me

No idea, honestly. It DOES seem more like a Bratva move than Yakuza?

Not that the Yakuza don’t have open conflicts, too. But with firearms being so controlled in Japan, the Yakuza tends to wage war quietly. Swords, poison, that sort of thing. It’s the Russians who like to go barreling in with guns blazing and blowing shit up like a bunch of fucking cowboys.

I shiver as I glance back at my phone.

Me

Kir sent guys to watch Damian, yeah?

Damian’s last surgery was a huge success. But they’re giving him a few extra days in the induced coma after all, to help him heal a little more before they bring him out of it. The thought of him just lying there helpless in the hospital, easy pickings, sends a shiver up my spine.

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