Page 97 of Emperor of Havoc

29

KATARINA

Sunlight streamsthrough the windows and spills across the polished wood floors, soft and golden.

For the first time in what seems like forever, the Ishida house feels alive, not suffocating. My steps are lighter. My mood is elevated.

I’m enjoying it.

I’ve healed from the injuries from the crash and the masked biker's attack. Takeshi has too, though he’d never admit that he was hurt to begin with.

Something shifted during those days of recovery, turning the twisted darkness or whatever it was between us into somethingmore.

Something bigger.

It’s not just physical attraction anymore. It’s deep, turbulent, and messy in a way that makes me feel simultaneously grounded and adrift. Takeshi’s intensity still terrifies me, but it also draws me in, binding me in ways I never thought possible.

And whatever this is between us, it feels real.

Tangible.

Alive.

The thought lingers as I sit in the meeting room, surrounded by Ryu and several of the Ishida-kaiwaka gashira, discussing supply chain issues and concerns about some Triad-affiliated gangs near the seaport district who have been scoping out Ishida-kai warehouses.

I’m trying to concentrate, but it’s tough. Papa is in the hospital again, this time for the first of a few surgeries to clear the tumor from his spine.

I was there earlier this morning to hold his hand as they wheeled him into the OR. But the surgery is going to take eleven hours, and he’ll be out for a while after. Icouldstay and pace a trench into the linoleum of the hospital hallway until he's awake again, but I know he’d rather I was here, sitting at the head of this table, leading.

So that’s what I’m doing.

“The Vorobev family has been quiet lately,” Ryu says cautiously as he glances around the table. “A bittooquiet.”

Apparently, Sergey is still pissed that his fuckwad son was summarily dismissed from contention to marry me.

Cue the tiniest violin in the world.

“Sergey is sulking,” I sign, shrugging. “We should remind him that he’s a big boy, and suggest that he pull up his big boy pants and move on.”

A few of my captains grin and chuckle when Nina translates.

“No, but seriously,” I continue. “We should keep an eye on them. This is Sergey’s way, not to announce anything loudly. If he’s going to try anything stupid, he’ll wait until he thinks we’re not watching.”

“So let’s make sure we’realwayswatching,” Ryu grunts to the table, his mouth pressed to a grim line.

Ryu has always been my fiercest ally. But with Papa in and out of the hospital more and more these days, and me basically sitting on the throne, he’s become my superhero. And though I’d never admit it out loud, his steadying presence has become a real source of strength for me. He watches over me like a hawk, and his loyalty is something I’ll never take for granted.

When the meeting wraps up an hour later, Ryu stops me as I start to stand.

“I think we should delay this next sit down,” he growls quietly in my ear.

I arch a questioning brow. We’ve got plans to meet with Li Fan, the leader of the Jade Dragons, in about two hours. He’s both the most powerful, and by all accounts, the mostreasonableand level-headed leader of the Chinese Triad gangs that operate in Tokyo.

Since there’s been a recent uptick in Triad activity in our areas of the seaport, something obviously has to give. But rather than go with Ryu’s idea of sending in a small army to spill blood, I'd like to try the carrot before we whip out the stick.

“Li Fan seems open to negotiations,” I sign to Ryu. “And he’s vocally opposed to the actions of the other Triad gangs who’ve actively tried to take parts of our territory. I’m willing to let him have his own space, even do business with him, so long as hemakes sure the other Triad organizations stay the fuck off of our turf.”

Ryu smiles. “Your father has raised quite the Queen. I hope you know that.”

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