Page 80 of Emperor of Havoc

Instantly, the roar of an engine pierces the air and a dark blur cuts across the road in front of us. Okira swears, slamming on the brakes as the black motorcycle screeches to a halt directly in front of the car.

The tall, built man swings off the bike, his boots hitting the pavement with deliberate force. He yanks off his helmet, revealing wild eyes and sharp features.

FuckingTakeshi.

The guards are on him in seconds, hands hovering over their weapons. Okita steps out of the car, his expression grim. “Sir!” he growls. “You need to move?—”

I roll down the window just enough to stick out my hand and slap the side of the car. “It’s fine, Okita,” I sign sharply and precisely. “I can handle this.”

The guards hesitate, exchanging glances, but then step back at my command. I push the door open and step out, my face impassive despite the chaos Takeshi is clearly trying to stir.

He’s scowling at me as I walk the rest of the way down the driveway and come to a stop right in front of him, my expression utterly neutral.

“Can I help you?” I sign, my hands moving with deliberate flair.

“You know exactly what this is about,” Takeshi growls, his voice low and rough. “You’re boxing me out.”

I cock an eyebrow. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I reply, my movements crisp and dismissive.

“My code's stopped working. I can’t get into the compound.”

“New security protocol,” I toss back. “You don’t live here, remember?”

His nostrils flare, and he takes a step closer. “You’ve got all the captains and Ishida-kai allies shutting up the second I walk into a room.”

“Yes, because they’re Ishida-kai captains and allies,” I retort. “Not yours.”

His voice drops, rumbling darkly. “I am yourhusband.”

“Yes—why is that, by the way?” I sign back, the fire in me stoked by his audacity.

He glares at me, the tension in his body palpable. “It’s atruce.”

“And?” I press, stepping closer.

“It helps you retain power,” he growls, his voice tight and frustrated.

“But what about you, Tak?” I counter, my hands trembling slightly as I shape the words. “What do you get out of this?”

He’s silent as he stares at me, his eyes dark and unreadable.

“You can't possibly claim it's out of the goodness of your heart,” I add, my face twisted bitterly. “Don’t even try to say you’re doing this for me. You don’t give a shit about me. I’m just an angle for you.”

His eyes flash as he comes closer, his presence suffocating. “Is that what you think?” he snarls. “You think I’d defy both your psycho father and my own family, and put the entire peace in jeopardy,for no reason?”

I hold his gaze, unblinking. Then I hurl the listening device at him. It hits his chest before clattering to the ground.

“For my own protection, I suppose?” I motion furiously, my hands shaking with rage.

He stares at the device for a moment before lifting his gaze to mine. “Yes,” he says firmly.

“Liar,” I retort.

“You don’t get to freeze me out, Katarina,” he growls, his voice a low snarl. “Not after everything.”

“You mean after the lies?” I fire back, my hands moving sharply. “The manipulation? The games?”

“You call this a game?” he demands, his face mere inches from mine. “You think I’mplayingwith you?”

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