Page 40 of Emperor of Havoc

Nina knocks lightly before letting herself in, dressed casually in jeans and a hoodie. “I brought coffee,” she announces, holding up two steaming mugs. “How's it going? You look like you’ve been stewing all night.”

“What gave it away?” I sign glumly, scowling as I stand and take the mug. The caffeine is necessary right now. Someone to vent to who won’t sugarcoat things might be even more so.

Nina takes my former spot on the bed next to Furrcules’ slumbering bulk, sipping her coffee as she watches me start to pace again. “This is about the fish, isn’t it?”

“The asshole could have killed me!” I sign furiously.

Nina raises a brow, calm as ever. “Okay, is there achanceit was an accident?”

I stop and shoot her a look. She makes a face.

“Fuck, Kat…” She shakes her head, her brow furrowed. “Does Ryu know?”

I only briefly mentioned the fish thing to Nina last night. Ithoughtabout telling Ryu—maybe even fantasized about his reaction to finding out Takeshi fucking poisoned me.

ButthenI thought about the utter shitshow that would ensue if Papa’s top advisor cut Takeshi’s head off at our engagement dinner. I ended up stewing on it instead.

I smile wryly. “I don’t mean to take this out on you.” I take a sip of my coffee and sigh. “Bet you’re glad you landed inthisparticularly dysfunctional family.”

She rolls her eyes. “Right, because my life before the Ishida household was definitely all sunshine and roses,” she mutters.

“Anyone ever get poisoned at your family's dinner parties?”

“Probably,” she snickers before she sighs and shakes her head. “Okay, so, that's a no to telling Ryu.”

“Can you even imagine?”

She grins. “No. But I’m guessing you have, in great detail.”

I run my fingers through my hair as I curl up in the chair, sipping the coffee.

“Hey, you okay?”

I nod. “Yeah,” I sign. “It was just…I mean, sitting there, trying to decide if he was playing a game or if I was about to die…” I shake my head. “He’s fucking crazy, Nina.”

She nods. “Definitely. But I think he's mainly trying to get under your skin. And, given that you’re practically vibrating with fury, I’d say he succeeded.”

I grit my teeth. “I hate it. He’s been on my mind all night.”

Nina smirks as I realize what I just said.

“Not like that,” I sign quickly.

“Not in theslightest? Really?” She grins and wags her brows as she runs her fingers through Furrcules’ soft fur. “I mean, yeah, the man's a psycho. But…I mean…”

When she trails off, I fix her with a hard look. “No, please,” I sign, my lips tight. “Don’t stop there.”

Nina rolls her eyes. “He’shot, okay?”

I make a face, and she laughs.

“Oh, fuck you. Don’t make me the weird one for pointing out the obvious. Your fiancé is a lunatic, sure. But that is onefinelooking man.”

“Hard disagree.”

“He’shot, Kat,” she fires back with a snort. "Plus, that whole crazy thing amps it up a little more. Don’t even try to tell me I’m wrong.”

“I don’t have to try. You’re wrong. He’s not attractive.”

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