Page 36 of Emperor of Lust

What the fuck have I gotten myself into?

After a moment, I pull my phone from my pocket, my fingers shaking as I dial Kai’s number. Our head of security picks up on the third ring, his tone alert.

“Hana?” he asks. “What’s wrong?”

I try to keep my voice calm. “Nothing at all. Just wondering… Could you make sure the house is extra secure tonight?” I ask, trying to keep a cheery tone.

There’s a pause on the other end, and I can hear faint movement, as if he’s already checking. “Do you know of any specific threat?”

“No!” I blurt, forcing a laugh. “I was an idiot and watched a scary movie earlier, is all. So I’m just…” I cough lightly. “If you could?”

“Of course,” Kai asserts, loyal as ever.

After I end the call, the silence of my room feels oppressive, the weight of Damian’s “gift” hanging over me like a storm cloud. For a moment, I consider calling Takeshi, telling him everything.

But I don’t.

Instead, I sit alone in my room, staring at the small, terrifying box.

Thinking ofhim.

11

HANA

The world outside blurs,streaks of green and silver flashing past as the Shinkansen bullet train speeds toward Tokyo.

I sit in plush luxury in a private compartment, but the velocity of the train echoes the chaos swirling inside me. The frustration, the tension, the feeling of being completely out of control—all of it crashes over me in waves.

I can’t escape Damian’s clutches. His claws have dug in deep, and every move he makes only sinks them further into me.

Across from me, Kai sits silently, his usually calm, stoic presence slightly off-kilter. I notice his fingers twitching before he switches to picking at his cuticles.

“Did you bring some gum or anything?”

“I’m fine,” he half-snaps. Instantly, his face twists with regret. “I’m sorry, Hana?—”

“Don’t be,” I smile as I reach across and squeeze his hand. “I get it. We’ll be there soon.”

Kai is a heavy chain smoker, and this smoke-free train ride is driving himnuts. I offer him a sympathetic look, but he simply gives me a curt nod, his jaw set.

Once we’ve settled intoTokyo, we’ll be guests at a dinner hosted by Miyamoto Kato at his estate—a massive compound in Denenchofu, in Tokyo’s Ota Ward. This is more than a visit; it’s a show of strength and alliance. The Mori-kai and the Nikolayev families are expected to present themselves as a united front, and the stakes are too high for anything less than perfection.

Miyamoto clearly understands this is all for show, but we do still need togivethe show if we’re going to move forward with our plans for Tokyo. Miyamoto can’t give his blessing to that and risk his own reputation if Damian and I don’t sell the bullshit.

Which is just about the last thing I want to do. Ever.

Just as I take a deep breath, I hear a low, significant cough behind me. I turn, irritation rising as I see the devil himself standing there, a faint, smug smile playing at his lips. He looks down at me, his expression unreadable but his presence impossible to ignore.

He inclines his head toward Kai, his voice a low growl. “Leave us.”

Kai doesn’t flinch, though I see his jaw tighten. His gaze remains fixed on the world flashing by outside the window, but his fingers tap against his thigh in a steady rhythm. “I’m here to watch over Miss Mori,” he replies, his voice as rough as ever, but edged with irritation.

Damian’s jaw tightens as he regards Kai with a smoldering intensity. “Leave me alone with my fiancée,” he repeats, his voicecold, the threat unmistakable, “or I’ll throw you off this fucking train.”

Kai’s gaze flicks toward me, questioning, waiting for my signal. I let out a slow sigh, feeling caught. The last thing I need right now is a confrontation. “It’s fine, Kai. I’ll be all right,” I say, my tone resigned.

Reluctantly, Kai rises, shooting Damian a sharp, warning look before stepping away, his posture rigid with displeasure. As he moves to the other end of the car, the full weight of Damian’s gaze settles on me, dark amusement mixed with something sharper and more possessive as he sinks into the seat across from me.

---