Page 44 of Dangerous Deceit

For now.

“Get dressed,” he says. “I’ve got a game for you.”

CHAPTER 21

KENZO

Cigarette smokeand synthetic air fresheners sift through the air, and it smells like home: Samurai Castle Resort & Casino. I hold Vi’s lower back, pushing her toward the bar. She’s in a skirt and a dressy blouse now, and to be honest, I miss the loungewear. She was real like that, not like the prim and proper woman she is now.

But skirts are easy access. I can appreciate that.

I’ve got a plan up my sleeve, something to knock Vi out of her element, but when you enter Samurai Castle, you greet your family. Period.

“You going to let me buy you a drink, Mrs. Watanabe?” I ask.

“Sure,” she says, flattening her palms along her skirt. “Champagne, please.”

The bartender hands us our drinks, and Tomo and Cherry stand on the other side of us. Cherry smacks Vi in the back.

“You survived this asshat for a whole night,” she says. “A world record.”

Vi sits up straighter, her cheeks slightly red. “Survived?”

“I figured his music could put anyone to death,” Cherry says. She laughs, and I do too.

“No appreciation for the classics,” Tomo says in a mocking voice.

“At least my musicians have talent,” I taunt. All of us laugh, but Vi looks between us awkwardly. She’s not sure what to make of us.

“I’ll be honest, classic rock isn’t myfavoritemusic,” Vi says.

“Psh,” I say. “You’ll learn.”

Cherry leans her elbows on the bar next to Vi. “What’s your favorite genre, then?”

Vi shrinks into herself and hides behind me. “I like pop?”

“Oh, fuck that!” Cherry shouts, smacking the countertop. “Where are my elder emos?”

We laugh, and the bartender automatically brings Cherry and Tomo their drinks. Vi is red-cheeked, and I wonder if it has to do with Cherry. She can be intimidating and snarky, but once she warms up to you, she’s aprotectivesmart ass.

“Where’s Mama?” I ask. Neither Tomo nor Gracie are my biological parents, but I still call Gracie “Mama.” It fits.

“Penthouse,” Tomo says, pointing upward.

“You missed jalapeño popper casserole,” Cherry adds.

I grunt. “When?”

“Couple of nights before the wedding.”

I shake my head, pretending I’m pissed, but I was probably screwing around.

“Soon. I’ll bring my wife,” I say, squeezing Vi’s hip. She tenses, but then relaxes into me.

“She’ll like that,” Tomo says.

Something catches Tomo’s eye, and Cherry straightens, finding her spot next to Tomo. I spin around to find Jay, my uncle-in-law, making a beeline for our group. Vi waits on the outside, behind me, and Jay saddles up next to his niece. I put on my best charm, ready to see what I can get out of his mouth.Two of our soldiers approach Tomo and Cherry on the other end of the bar, probably discussing what to do about the uncle.

---