Page 31 of Emperor of Havoc

“Only when assholes barge into my room uninvited,” I sign furiously.

His eyes flash. “And yet you haven’t told me to leave.”

I open my mouth as if to argue but my hands freeze mid-movement, and his smile widens like he’s just won a silent war.

Suddenly Takeshi whirls toward the low, guttural growl behind him, tensing like a predator surprised by something even higher up on the food chain. His gaze drops to where Furrcules is standing in the doorway, all fluff and menace, tiny teeth bared in a warning snarl.

“What thefuckis that?” Takeshi mutters.

I use the fact that he’s distracted to turn and snatch the gown from its hanger and throw it on. I let it fall down my body, covering my nudity before I walk over to my tiger cub. I crouch down and scratch behind his ears, feeling Furrcules relax under my touch before I glance up at a scowling Takeshi.

“A turtle, obviously,” I sign with a sarcastic grin.

“You have a fucking tiger?”Takeshi grunts, his eyes still narrowed as he stares at the animal warily, like it might leap for his throat.

Note to self: see about training Furrcules to do exactly that.

“It’s a baby tiger,” I sign back, adding a mockingly sweet head tilt.

“Baby tigers have a pesky habit of turning into grown-up tigers, who have a pesky habit ofeating people,” Takeshi growls.

“What’s the matter?”I sign, my lips curling into a smirk as I rise to my feet. “Scared of a little pussy?”

Takeshi’s head snaps toward me. “You really think you’re amusing, don’t you?” he mutters.

I arch a brow.“Hilarious, actually.”

He shakes his head. “Let’s be clear about one thing, princess.”

I scowl at the nickname, my hands already moving in irritation.“Stop calling me that.”

Takeshi ignores me, stepping closer again. “What? Princess?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not one,” I sign back tersely.

“You’re the daughter of a Yakuza king, you’re kept in a tower, you’re marrying the villain, and you have a fuzzy sidekick. You’re a fucking princess, princess.”

“Well, you’re the farthest thing from Prince Charming,”I fire back.

Takeshi leans in, his voice dropping to a low, gravelly whisper as his smirk sharpens, becomes feral, making the space between us feel too small. “Are you always this much of a brat?”

“Are you always this much of an asshole?”

His chuckle is dark and low as he steps even closer, until I’m forced to tilt up my chin to maintain eye contact. “You’re going to have to do a lot better than that if you want to scare me off.”

Before I can respond, he leans down, whispering in my ear.

“Let’s be clear about one thing, princess,” he murmurs. “Prince Charming or not, I’m not here to rescue you from the evil wizard. I’m not here to sweep you off your feet”

His long, strong fingers wrap around my throat and his lips dip to brush against my earlobe, sending a shivering ripple down my spine.

“I’m here toconquer you.”

9

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