Page 43 of Dangerous Deceit

And by good for it, I mean he’s good for our family and not yours.

“All right,” he says. He straightens, and relief flows through me.

That’s it? He’s already agreeing?

“Really?” I ask.

“Better to keep an eye on him. Gotta look out for my family.”

A flicker of guilt runs through me. What does he mean by that? It seems unlikely he considers Patrick his family after thechat they had at the reception, so maybe he means he’s looking out for me. That I’m his family.

My cheeks redden at the thought, but I know it’s not that. It’s more likely Kenzo knows we’re actually working against the Endo-kai right now, and he wants to keep an eye on all of us. Maybe he’s keeping me and Patrick close to him so he can kill us quicker.

My gut sinks with anxiety.

“Come here,” Kenzo says.

Heat boils inside of me at those simple words. His muscles gleam, and I want to run my hands over his hard body. His brown eyes are deep and completely focused on me. With every passing hour, Kenzo wraps his claws around me, tightening his grasp on my composure. And if this is the beginning, I’m scared to know what the end will be like.

But I carry myself forward, that darkness calling to me. I need to do this. For my family. For Uncle Jay and Patrick. For our dream house. Sandy beaches. Calming ocean waves. A paradise that will never disappear.

I stand between his legs, and he runs his palms up and down my thighs. Goosebumps flash across my arms.

“Why are you here?” Kenzo asks.

The question strikes a match inside of me. Panic swells in my throat, but I shove it down, pretending to be surprised.

“What?” I ask. “What do you mean?”

“Are you working for your uncle?”

I blink at him. “I’m sorry. What?—”

He twirls us around and hurls me against the bed. One of his large hands clutches around my throat while the other reaches up my shirt, manipulating my breast. A shiver rolls through me. The threat of violence is there, but stupid,stupidme is hot all over, full of desire. He’s not supposed to have this kind of powerover me, but god, I love the way he’s got me trapped under his body, and I forget everything I’m supposed to do.

“I want to know why a girl like you is running around with your uncle,” he says in a low voice. His fingers pinch my nipple, and the soreness from last night surfaces, my nerves giving into the delicious ache. “You’re too smart to be letting your uncle take care of you. You should be on your own. Dating. Having fun. Living your life. So answer me this.” He pauses, letting those words settle between us. “Are you taking care of him, or are you working for him?”

Fear simmers in my veins. He knows I’m lying, and he hates liars.

You knew from the beginning this is a bad idea,my brain scolds.Bad idea. Bad idea. You freaking idiot.

But Kenzo’s fingers continue playing with my nipple, mixing soft caresses with flickers of pain, and the panic melts away.

That’s the messed up thing. With Kenzo, I’m helpless, but Iwantto be helpless. Why does he do this to me?

Suddenly, he pushes himself off of the bed. I stare at the ceiling, my mind completely blank.

“Are you going to answer?” he asks.

I should lie, but I don’t. When it comes to my family, I’m usually the one saving their asses by finding out information they can use to their advantage. I’m the one who reminds them when it’s time to get the hell out.

Maybe I am taking care of them.

“I don’t know,” I say. And really, I don’t. Sometimes, it feels like I don’t even know who I am anymore. But I know I have my family, and I can’t let anything happen to them. If I left, who would take care of them?

Who would take care of me?

A smirk rolls over Kenzo’s face, like he’s messing with me. But he’s not. He’s simply giving me a chance to relax.

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