Page 4 of Emperor of Lust

Expanding takes money. Building an empire takes even more. That’s the only reason I’ve been doing this. At the end of the day, Kenzo’s doing what he’s supposed to do: leading our family empire into a bigger, bolder future. And it’s my job to make sure everything runs smoothly as we grow.

That’s how I got into this side business in the first place: we needed the money, and I, frankly, know how to do this better than any of the competition. So for the last four months, I’ve been funneling dirty money through my family’s legitimate businesses, taking a cut of it, and paying out clean cash to psychos like Johnny.

If Damian unmasks me, they’ll all know what I’ve been doing. Not just conducting business with people we consider enemies. But they’ll know that our family’s cash flow problem came up under what’s supposed to be my watchful eye.

I can’t have that. I won’t. In fact, there’s almost nothing I wouldn’t do to make sure thatdoes nothappen.

Damian’s lips curl dangerously as he slips a finger under the edge of my mask, as if to lift it away.

“No.”

The word tumbles out before I can stop it, a quiet plea I hadn’t intended to voice.

Damian’s eyes shine with something dark, realization dawning slowly in them. His hand pauses, and instead of pulling the mask away he lets his fingers trace the line of my jaw, a deliberate, lingering touch that sends sparks dancing across my skin.

“I’m not sure you realize just how weak your negotiating position is, Kitsune,” he says, his voice dropping to a murmur, rich andmocking. He presses his thumb against my bottom lip, pulling it down slightly, exposing the sharp edge of my teeth. “Who’s behind the mask, hmm?” His gaze bores into me, amethyst eyes filling with interest as he watches my lips part, his thumb grazing back and forth across my bottom lip.

It happens without my brain even commanding it.

My tongue flicks over his thumb.

The contact is barely a breath, yet it fills the space between us with a charge so intense I can almost hear it, an electric hum of tension filtering through the silence.

I don’t know what possessed me. But in that space between us, something wild and thrilling and terrifying rushes through me like a hot pulse when I do it, turning my cheeks pink.

Damian lifts an eyebrow, his mouth twisting into a predatory, amused smile. “Oh my…” His voice is a low rumble, laced with condescension. “Was that your pathetic attempt atseduction, Kitsune?”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, my mind racing to explain what made me do it. I try to look away, but he holds my chin firmly, his thumb tracing the curve of my lower lip. There’s nowhere to hide from his scrutiny, or the slow, cruel smirk spreading across his face as he studies me.

Before I can find my voice he draws his hand away, keeping his fingers where they are for a heartbeat before releasing me entirely. He lifts the knife again, and I gasp when he touches the still-bloody tip of it against my neck. A throbbing knot forms in my core, my body humming with an energy I don’t quite understand as he drags the tip of the blade over my jugular.

“A pity,” he sighs, his tone tinged with mock sadness. “Such a pretty mouth. Such a work of art, all tied up like this.”

My heart thuds faster, desperation clawing to the surface. If I don’t give him a reason to keep me alive right now, he’ll kill me without hesitation.

I swallow hard, grasping for anything that might convince him to let me live. “Wait—” I whisper, the word edged with a fear I can’t suppress.

He cocks his head, pretending to think for a moment. “No.”

The word is blunt, almost dismissive, but I catch the faintest flicker of interest as his gaze lingers on the ropes, the mask, my exposed breasts, their nipples stiff. It’s a glimmer of something I might be able to use, if I’m willing to pay the price.

I take a shaky breath, my mind scrambling to find anything that will shift the balance of power even slightly. “If it’s the business you’re worried about, I’ll drop every client I’ve taken from you.”

He pauses. His gaze never leaves my face. There’s a cruelly curious glint in his eyes and I know he’s listening, if only to see how far I’ll go. “Is that right?” he murmurs, his tone deceptively casual. “And?”

I swallow nervously. “And?”

“To spare us both a drawn-out guessing game, Kitsune,” he murmurs darkly, his eyes dropping to my breasts again, “I’ll be blunt.” His gaze lifts to mine, piercing through the mask. “You fucked with my business.” His lips curl maliciously. “Perhaps I should fuckyou.”

The words shock through my system, sucking the air from my lungs and turning my blood gelid as I stare at him.

“You can’t be serious.”

Damian’s head cocks to the side. “Oh, but I am,” he growls almost playfully.

Something cold shudders up my spine and my head shakes stiffly side to side.

“No.”

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