Page 77 of Emperor of Havoc

Because their message hit a nerve and touched on something I’ve been afraid to admit: that there’s something about Takeshi and his motives for marrying me that he’s not telling me.

Right now, though, I’m not even going to the café. I’m taking a circuitous route around the area, trying to shake the feeling that I’m being watched.

Followed.

I turn left and slip into another alley. This one is quieter, the sounds of the city muted by the towering buildings looming on either side. My pace quickens, my unease growing with every step.

Then I hear it—the faintest scuff of a shoe against the pavement. My heart pounds as I glance behind me, but the alley is empty. The shadows look deeper now, darker, like they’re hiding something just out of sight.

I force myself to move, my steps faster, more purposeful. My pulse pounds in my ears, drowning out everything else. I need to get back to Nina or Ryu. But as I reach the end of the alley, a figure suddenly blocks my path.

He’s tall, dressed in dark clothing that blends seamlessly with the night. Anonimask obscures his face, but his posture is predatory, radiating menace. My breath catches: for a split second, I'msurethat this is Takeshi, playing a seriously fucked-up game with me.

Except then the masked man speaks.

“Mine.”

It isabsolutelynot Takeshi’s voice.

Holy fuck.

I spin on my heel, bolting back the way I came. The footsteps follow, heavy and unrelenting, as my skin ripples with panic. My lungs burn as I sprint through the labyrinthine alleys, the city blurring around me. But the figure is too fast, and I can feel him gaining on me.

I round a corner, nearly colliding with a stack of crates, but I don’t stop. I can’t. My mind races, searching for a way out, a safe place to hide. Sugita, the restaurant where Nina, Ryu, and a dozen Ishida-kai guards are all waiting for me—and probably wonder what’s taking me so long in the bathroom—isn’t far. But right now, it feels like miles away.

The footsteps grow louder, closer, and I know I’m running out of time. I dart into a side alley, my chest heaving with exertion.

It’s a dead end.

I whirl, my back pressed against the cold, damp wall. The figure appears at the mouth of the alley, a dark silhouette against the faint glow of the streetlights. He doesn’t speak or make a sound, but his intent is clear.

I reach into my bag, fingers closing around the handle of the small knife I always carry. I pull it out, my hand shaky as I hold it in front of me. The figure hesitates, his head tilted slightly as if assessing me. The air between us is charged, a silent standoff that stretches impossibly long.

Then he lunges.

I react instinctively, slashing with the blade. He dodges quickly and easily and I swing again, forcing him back. He hisses in pain, and my eyes fly to the tear in the front of his shirt, showing a brief flash of pale skin and red blood.

I cut him.

I don’t dwell on my victory. I take the opportunity to dart past him, my legs trembling but determined as I make a break for it.

The streets flash past as I run, fear driving me forward. I don’t stop until I reach the entrance to Sugita, my breath ragged andmy heart threatening to burst out of my chest. My father’s men standing guard outside react instantly when they take in my disheveled appearance.

“Inside,” I sign, my hands shaking. “Now.”

They nod, ushering me into the restaurant. I don’t stop until I’m safely inside the private dining room, Nina and Ryu springing from their chairs in shock. My entire body is trembling, the adrenaline refusing to subside.

Nina grabs me in a tight, panicked embrace. “What the hell happened?!” she blurts.

I sign quickly, jerkily. “Followed. Tried to grab me.”

Ryu’s jaw tightens. But he seems to instantly jump over the questions I’m sure he has about where I was, what I was doing, and why I lied about going to the bathroom. “Did you see who it was?”

I shake my head, still trembling. “Had a mask. I don’t know who he was. I cut him, though."

Ryu nods quickly before he goes to the door, yanks it open, and barks for his men. Four of them step in, nodding grimly when he tells them to surround the building, check every inch of the restaurant, and call in an armed security detail to get us back to Papa’s house.

Nina’s grip on my shoulders tightens. “We’ll figure out who it was. You're safe now.”

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