Page 64 of Emperor of Lust

“Of the ballet?” I lift a shoulder. “A little, I guess.”

“If we’re ever in New York together, remind me to take you to the Zakharova Ballet. Kir’s a generous patron.”

He holds his arm out. “Shall we?”

“Gotta make the people happy, I guess,” I grin.

We’re starting to head inside, arm-in-arm, when I clear my throat.

“I got your gift, by the way.”

This morning, I woke up alone in his bed. Or, I guess it’sourbed, I just haven’t been using it aside from last night. He was already off to early meetings. But when I rolled over, I found myself smiling at a little origami crane—tied in red yarn, of course—sitting on the pillow next to me.

Damian shrugs nonchalantly. “Well, they were fresh out of fingers today. So…”

I giggle, a strange thrill spreading through me, heat creeping up my neck. We walk into the gala side by side, an odd, easy silence hanging between us.

The upper foyer is tastefully opulent: chandeliers dripping with crystals, dark wood paneled walls gleaming under soft light. The crowd is a mix of politicians, businessmen, and Yakuza bosses, mingling together like they’re all part of the same twisted, corrupt club.

Probably becausethey are.

Before I can blink, Annika’s at my side, tugging me away from Damian. Takeshi couldn’t come tonight, but Annika was adamant about joining, and brought Kai as her date.

She grins, waving a drink in my face. “There you are! Thought you might still be avoiding me after ditching us last night.”

I roll my eyes, laughing. “I already told you, I crashedhard.”

When I never made it back to Takeshi’s suite last night, I texted them that I had to work out some quick business stuff with Damian. But then I never came back, so…

Be honest,” Anni says with a sigh. “Was D being a dickhead?”

“Nah” I say slowly, thinking back to the previous night. “He was…actually really great.”

Annika raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “Great?”

I swallow. It’s strange: what I shared about myself with him last night is somethingno oneknows about.

Not even Kenzo or Mal.

Only Takeshi—and now Damian. It’s unsettling, but there’s a sort of calmness in it too.

“Yeah,” I say. “He helped me with some business stuff we had to go over. So—” I blurt, worried she’ll see through the lie, eager to change the subject. “Do we know where Takeshi is tonight?”

She shrugs. “Not sure. He’s got this whole clandestine plan involving the Ishida-kai, so he’s off doing…that. Something to do with Kolya Ishida’s heir, maybe?”

Kolya’s name alone sends a chill through me, but that’s not why I’m frowning.

“I didn’t think he had children,” I murmur.

Annika glances around, her voice dropping. “That’s the thing:no one’s sure. Some say his daughter died years ago. Others claim she’s been spotted recently.”

“Seriously?”

She looks around again. “No idea, but apparently it’sthehot topic of gossip in the Yakuza circles of Tokyo these days.”

Before I can ask more, Annika’s attention shifts as someone nearby calls her name.

She groans as she glances at a well-dressed women eagerly waving at her. “Shit. Her husband knows Kenzo. I should probably go be charming. Catch you later.”

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