Page 64 of Emperor of Havoc

Most of my harem—yep, still talking about motorcycles here—are still back in Kyoto. But I brought a select few with me when I made the move to Tokyo. I trail my fingers over them until I getto the forest green with gold trim BSA Y13—a 750cc engine V-twin from 1937.

It sticks out like a sore thumb amongst my collection of—mostly—far more modern racing bikes. But this particular set of wheels carries a lot more than just an engine for me.

This was Akira’s.

I don’t think about him often, partly because it still stings to consider someone killed him. And partly because life just—goes on, I guess. But Hana’s words bring him to the forefront of my mind, a memory I can’t suppress.

I was fourteen when he came into my life. Kenzo and Mal had already gone to Japan, leaving me and Hana behind to deal with our mother’s spiraling illness. She was deep in her Lewy body dementia by then, barely recognizing us most days. It was a lonely, angry time, and I was drowning in it.

Then Akira appeared. He wasn’t just a mentor, though. He saw me. The real me. The darkness I carried, the violent impulses I couldn’t control. And instead of being afraid, he embraced them, taught me how to channel them, how to control the chaos inside me.

And then he was gone. Kolya made Akira disappear.

There are myriad reasons for me marrying Katarina.

But one thing’s for sure: this game ends with Kolya answering for what he did.

Even if I have to go through her to do it.

17

KATARINA

Takeshi

Be outside in fifteen minutes. Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.

It’s latewhen I descend the stairs to the main foyer of my father’s house and read his text again.

What am I doing?

WHY am I doing this?

I frown as I re-read my response from thirteen minutes ago.

Me

Why would I do that?

Takeshi

Because you’re tired of never knowing.

Me

Never knowing what?

Takeshi

If you’re brave enough to go through with it. Twelve minutes.

Two of my father’s guards materialize out of the shadows near the front door.

“Ms. Katarina,” one of them grunts as they both bow deeply. “I wasn’t aware you were going out tonight. Let me call your driver?—”

I shake my head, bringing up a blank doc on the notes app on my phone and typing an explanation that I show him.

“No need, thank you. I’m going for a drive with my husband.”

---