Page 83 of Emperor of Lust

“Starving,” I groan, slipping off my helmet and grinning as we browse what’s on offer.

We end up grabbing sometakoyakiand a couple of Kirin beers. This is our frequent ritual in Kyoto, too. Our post-ride routine. Our chance to unwind and talk, to catch up on whatever we don’t say over family dinner or at Mori-kai meetings.

We grab a seat on a bench off to the side, the city looming tall, alive, and restless around us. I pop the cap off my beer, leaning back as Takeshi gives me that twin brother stare that doesn’t miss anything.

“So,” he begins, abruptly breaking the silence. “Damian knows, doesn’t he?” His tone is quiet, but there’s an edge to it. “About Josh, I mean.”

I pause, the words catching in my throat before I nod slowly, glancing away. “Yeah.”

Takeshi’s gaze is sharp. “You told him?”

Another nod. I feel something tighten in my chest, a mixture of guilt and relief, hoping that he understands.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur.

He waves it off. “Don’t be. If you told him, you had a reason. Both to trust him in the first place, and to tell him.” There’s a wry smile on his face. “And, let’s be real—heir to a Bratva empire? Not exactly the kind of guy to rat me out.”

“Low probability,” I agree with a small smile, sipping my beer. “How’d you know?”

Takeshi smirks. “Crossed paths in the hotel this morning. He clapped me on the shoulder and nodded, then went about his day.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You got all that from ashoulder pat?”

“Mind powers,” he deadpans, tapping the side of his head. “Also, most times we cross paths, it’s a miracle we don’t knock each other out, so…”

I laugh, the sound easing some of the tension that’s been living inside me. Takeshi’s good like that. He always has a way of cutting through the bullshit, giving me space to breathe.

He looks at me again. “He doesn’t knowallof it, though, does he.”

My gaze shifts away, the familiar dread pooling low in my stomach. “Why would you say that?”

“Hana…” he says, his voice softening, the weight of it settling over us. There’s no judgment, just understanding.

I sigh, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “No. He doesn’t.”

Takeshi’s quiet for a moment, a thoughtful crease forming between his brows. “Maybe he should.” Then his gaze turns reflective. “What made you tell him at all?”

I swallow, the memory of the video flashing in my mind. “Do you remember that package? Left for me at the hotel? It was an iPad with a video.”

He frowns in confusion.

“From that night,” I say softly.

Takeshi’s face darkens, his jaw clenching. “Jesus Christ, Hana.”

“It’s nothing,” I mutter, brushing it off even as my heartrate spikes. “I mean, it is what it is.”

Tak swears viciously, shaking his head and shoving his fingers through his hair before glancing back at me. “Who the fuck sent it?” he growls, the protective edge in his voice unmistakable.

“Dunno.” I shrug, feeling the helplessness of that uncertainty settle over me again.

“We could trace the package?—”

“Already did,” I say quietly. “Asked Freya to look into it.”

He raises an eyebrow. “And?”

I shake my head glumly. “Nothing. Shell company after shell company. The trail just goes cold.”

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