Page 92 of Emperor of Lust

I don’t give a fuck about hismessage. Or the building he torched. I do give a serious fuck that Hana could have been badly hurt.

She could havedied. And for that reason alone, what happened earlier is not going unanswered.

Next to me, Takeshi stands with his arms crossed, his face illuminated by the blaze, a savage grin on his face as he watches it all go up. Kai’s a quiet shadow beside him as he flicks his Zippo and deftly lights a cigarette.

“Job well done, boys,” Takeshi mutters, his voice rough. He doesn’t look at us; his eyes are still fixed on the inferno, pride radiating off him like heat. “Jobwellfucking done.”

I nod grimly. Kai exhales a thin plume of smoke, his expression calm as ever. But there’s a faint smirk on his lips as he regards the flames.

Takeshi chuckles darkly. “Kolya wanted a war. Well, he’s got one.”

I stopat the hotel to make sure Hana is safe. She’s sleeping when I get there, so I kiss her softly, not wanting to wake her. I double-check that the five guards I have watching the suite, the ten men patrolling the hallways and the roof, and the dozen more in the lobby are good and sharp.

Then I have business to attend to.

Tokyo’s night air is cold against my skin as I scale the wall surrounding the US Ambassador’s residence. Getting in is surprisingly easy: the guards move in predictable rotations, and the security systems themselves are slightly outdated.

I easily dodge the patrols and climb a lattice of ivy to a second-floor balcony. I slip inside the house itself, moving silently, with purpose.

I want fucking answers.

The massive residence is tastefully decorated with old-world, moneyed elegance. From down the hall, I hear the faint hum of voices. I follow the sound, every sense locked in.

Inside the sweeping library, the Donahues sit together, sipping wine and watching the news like they’re untouchable, like they haven’t destroyed lives and stayed clean doing it.

Tonight, that illusion is going to shatter.

Their backs are to me as I step closer, mykatanasliding free with a cold, lethal snick that fills the room.

Judge Donahue lets out a startled, choked gasp as she and her husband snap their heads around to face me, their expressions morphing from shock to pale, horrified realization.

I press the blade to Josh’s father’s throat, just hard enough to show him that I’m not here for games.

“W-whatever you want,” he bleats. “Take it! There’s cash in the safe in the bedroom, jewelry. All yours, just?—”

“I don’t give a fuck about yourthings,” I growl. I smile coldly as I twist the hilt, letting the very tip of the blade dance lightly over Kempton Donahue’s jugular. The smallest bead of red appears on his skin before slowly dripping down to his collar.

I lean closer, my voice a razor-sharp whisper. “Your son hurt someone I care about deeply. Andyou—” I drag the blade closer, feeling his skin twitch under the edge. “You hurt her just as badly.”

The blood drains from his face, his hands rising in surrender. “Look, let’s… Let’s be reasonable—” he stammers.

I cut him off with a glare. “Too late for that. Explain yourself now, or I start opening veins.” I press the blade against his skin, making him flinch.

“I—I don’t know what you mean,” he says, his voice wavering.

My smile curls venomously. “I know everything,Senator,” I growl. My eyes drag over to his wife. “Your Honor,” I sneer as her face goes white. “Your son tried to rape a girl. And instead of helping her, or apologizing, or leaving her the fuck alone,” I snarl, “youblackmailed her.”

“Blackmail?!” Judge Donahue blurts shrilly. “That little bitch’s psycho brothermurderedour?—!”

She shrieks as I grab her by the hair and yank her off the couch. Her husband starts screaming too when I drag her across the floor and press my blade to her throat.

“Speak of her that way again,” I hiss through clenched teeth, my vision already red, “and I’ll go to work on your face like a fucking butcher. Nod if you understand.”

The Honorable Judge Donahue nods quickly.

“Now then,” I snarl.

“I—I can pay back the money!” Senator Donahue blurts. “Tonight!”

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