Page 34 of Dangerous Deceit

“I think you make a lot of money doing a lot of illegal things.” I lift my shoulders. “That’s what the Endo-kai does, right? Samurai Corporation seems like a legitimate business, but in the end, you’re just an organized crime group.”

His lips quirk in amusement. “Yes, we may have some less-than-savory business transactions, but it’s also wrong for your uncle to put his arm around another man’s wife,” he counters. “It’s even worse to offer his niece for an arranged marriage when he knows her new husband is a criminal.”

“And it’s illegal toaccepthis niece in a marriage contract for a minimal transgression,” I say. “Shouldn’t that qualify as human trafficking?”

I tap my chin, revealing my smart ass side. I know I shouldn’t, but there’s a spark inside of him that intrigues me. Even if it’s dangerous, I want to see the real him too.

“Your uncle paid his debt when he received our yakuza’s mark. No one is making you stay here,” Kenzo says. His voice is cold, but there’s a hint of pleasure glimmering behind his dark eyes. “I should punish you for forgetting.”

Heat pools between my legs. I think of Patrick at the reception, and how Kenzo wanted to talk to him privately. Based on his tone, I’m almost positive Kenzo said something to protect me from Patrick. No one, not even Uncle Jay, has done that for me before.

Even if he is from the mafia, I feel safe with Kenzo.

He grins down at me, like every bone in his body is full of amusement.

“Where’d my shy girl go?” he teases. “You like keeping a man on his toes, Vi?”

“I like a lot of things,” I say, shrinking behind my shoulders.

“Tell me, then,” he says. He pins me against the railing, caging me inside of his arms. “What does my littlevirginlike?”

Instead of answering, I take a long swig of whisky. The liquid burns my throat. I relish in the sensation and use it to distract me from my nerves.

He said the word “virgin” like heknowsI’m not one. It’s a warning. A signal I should abort the mission rightnow.

But I don’t. I lick the whisky off my lips. His eyes follow my tongue.

“I think you’re a very bad man,” I say.

“But what are you, Vivian?” he asks. “Are you a good girl like your uncle claims you are?”

My full name on his tongue should annoy me, but it lights a fire inside of me. He presses his body against mine, and every thought melts away.

A chill runs through me. The only way I have to go is down, past the railing, falling to my death, and we both know it. He has me trapped.

But maybe I like it this way.

I bite my bottom lip, lowering my eyes to the buttons on his shirt.

This behavior isn’t me. I know who I am. I know what I’m worth.

I look him straight in the eyes, and a low growl emerges from his throat.

“I have a few rules I live by,” he says. “You can lie to anyone in the world, but you don’t lie to your family. Even as a kid, I told my parents when I left Los Angeles I wasn’t coming back. I kept to my word.”

My heart aches for his parents, but I don’t say that.

“Tomo isn’t your dad?” I ask.

“Not by blood.”

Everything clicks into place; maybethat’swhy I’m drawn to Kenzo. I have no idea when Kenzo joined up with Tomo, but that means we were both raised by people who aren’t our biological parents.

His eyes trace me like he’s taunting me, like he wants to see if I will question his loyalty to Tomo and the Endo-kai, but I don’t. I’ve done so many terrible things for Uncle Jay and Patrick; why would I question what Kenzo is capable of when it comes to the Endo-kai?

“I’ll be honest with you,” Kenzo says. “I need a date for those events. Nothing more.” He flicks a finger between us. “This may not last. But it may be better for you that way. You already know I’m a bad man.” His tongue slithers over his lips. “But I willneverlie to you, Vi. And I expect you to do the same for me.”

My stomach twists in knots. I’m almost positive coming clean and telling him I’m actually pretty experienced in bed—at least when I’ve got alcohol in my system—will make him like memore.

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