Page 44 of Emperor of Havoc

Never called, wrote, emailed.Nothing. It was like the guy had vanished off the face of the Earth.

Years later, after I’d followed Kenzo and Mal to Kyoto, I started digging into it. That’s when I learned the truth. Akira didn’t just magically disappear.

He was killed.

I’ve been trying to retrace his path and figure out where the trail ends ever since, so I can find whoever did it and make them and their immediate descendants wish to God that they’d never been born.

And as of a few months ago, I finally figured out where that trail leads:

…To Kolya fucking Ishida’s front door.

I think that at least partially explains why I wanted to slither my way into the Ishida-kai, via Katarina. Yes, my primary duty isto the Mori-kai. And yes, marrying Katarina ends the potential violence between our families, and allows Kenzo to officially set up shop in Tokyo without setting off World War Three.

But there’s more to it than that.

By the time I’m done here, not onlywillI figure out what happened to Akira—and when I do, someone will pay dearly, even if that person is my soon-to-be father-in-law—but I’ll also control the Ishida-kai from the inside out, like a puppet-master.

Both the empire,andthe princess…

Across the room, Yamamoto's heavy brows are knit as he grumbles something to the others. He’s been in Kolya’s circle for as long as anyone can remember, which makes him one of the most influential voices in the room.

Influence I need.

“I didn’t know we were having a meeting,” I say casually, striding into the room. I don’t have to raise my voice; the captains hear me anyway. Their heads swivel in unison, and the room goes quiet.

“It’s nothing you need concern yourself with,” Yamamoto says, his voice a low rumble.

I smile faintly, slipping my hands into my pockets. “Really? Last I checked, I was engaged to Katarina Ishida. That makes me family. Family is concerned with everything.”

“Familyearns its place,” Baku Katagiri, another Ishida-kai ally, shoots back. His tone is sharp. “You haven’t done that yet.”

I let the insult roll off me as I step closer.

“I will earn my place soon enough,” I say, evenly, unbothered. “Whether you approve or not.”

“You think marrying Katarina-sama makes you untouchable?” Ryu’s voice is like a blade. I turn slowly to see him standing near the door, arms crossed, mouth set in that insufferable, perpetual scowl of his.

Here we go.

“Untouchable?” I repeat, letting the word hang in the air. “I don’t think it makes me untouchable. I think it makes menecessary.”

He snorts softly, his gaze dark. “You’re delusional if you think we need you. You’re a guest in this house—that's all.”

“Guest?” I echo, my lips curling dangerously. “The moment I marry Katarina, I’m no longer a guest. I’m part of this family. Privy to everything.”

“That,” Ryu says, “is Katarina’s choice to make.”

I smile wryly, my gaze locking with his.They think this is a fight they can win.That Katarina can outmaneuver me, keep me in the dark while she runs her little show behind closed doors. It’s admirable how loyal they are to her. But loyalty doesn’t change reality.

I keep smiling as I calmly step closer to Ryu.

“You’re very loyal to her, aren’t you.”

His face remains impassive as he stays silent, glaring at me. My smile widens.

“I’ve seen how you are around her,” I continue. “So protective. So attentive… It must goad you to no end to see me waltz in hereandpluckwhat you’ve watched from a distance and waited for so patiently.”

Ryu’s eyes narrow. “What you’re insinuating is both disgusting and offensive,gaijin.”

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