Page 5 of Dangerous Deceit

“Twenty-five.”

I run a hand over my mouth. A mid-twenties virgin would knowbetter,and that would make her harder to crack. I like an interesting challenge.

But how does her uncle know she’s a virgin? He may be lying. Either way, he probably thinks the marriage will give him the ability to live off of usthroughhis niece. But that’s not how life works in the Endo-kai. He’s lucky Tomo even thought to ask me about his offer.

In the grand scheme of things, this prisoner is insignificant. We can kill him, and no one will blink. I’m sure ourkanbuwould appreciate it.

But for me, this is a puzzle. Something to break up the blandness. A buzzing weight spreads across my chest as I imagine the possible games I could play with a woman like her. Innocent, yet full of spite. Oh, the fun I could have with her. My personal little toy. A woman trapped in my arena.

I make decisions, and I own them. And right now, I have no date and a gala to attend. His niece is perfect.

“If you prefer men,” he starts. “I’ve got a son too?—”

I cut him off: “Let me discuss it with the boss.”

Back in the lounge, Tomo is still at the bar, working on his second or third whisky, and Cherry is clutching a water bottle like she’s got money on one of the car races. She scrunches her nose at me like I smell. I probably do. But instead of starting playful sibling banter with her, I get down to the specifics. I’m too curious about the prisoner’s niece for verbal sparring right now.

“Did you feel anything off about him?” I ask Tomo.

“Told you,” Cherry cuts in, smirking at Tomo.

Tomo turns to me. “Cherry said she thinks he’s hiding something, but all I see is a desperate urchin. But the niece is perfect, eh? Put her in a ball gown, and she’ll blend in.”

“You told him an arranged marriage is an option?” I ask.

Tomo scrubs a hand over his face. “Weren’t you saying you wanted something different lately? Maybe you need a wife. It would benefit our public image and these events.” He grunts in annoyance. “Everyone wants Samurai Corporation at their charity balls.”

Tomo hates those events, which is whyI’mthe face of our front-facing company. I can charm my way out of anything, and I blackmail myself out of the rest.

“I don’t know about a wife yet,” I say with amusement. “But I’ll give her a test run.”

Cherry rolls her eyes. “She’s not a sports car.”

I lift my shoulders. “I’m not going to commit to marriage until I know she can ride.”

Cherry scoffs. “At least do her a favor and propose the proper way.”

I wink. “Don’t worry. She’ll get a ring.”

A buzz of energy ripples through me at the thought.Thisis a new adventure, the entertainment I’ve been waiting for. I usually screw and leave women—my playboy habits and my criminal lifestyle get in the way of long-term commitments—but this? This is a challenge. A potentialwife.

Maybe she’ll even be my partner-in-crime one day.

“As for the prisoner?” I ask. “Is he free to leave?”

Tomo shakes his head, then motions for me to lean in closer.

“Are you ready?” Tomo asks. I raise a brow. A grin spreads across Tomo’s lips. “Let’s teach him a lesson.”

Pride swells in my chest. I swear the boss loves making torture a group effort, looks at it like a bonding activity. In a way, it’s a part of his legacy. Family, whether it be by blood orby yakuza, is everything. He even ends the bonding ritual by signingEndo-kaiinto the traitor’s hand. And now, my possible future uncle-in-law will forever carry our mark with him.

I wonder what my potential wife will think of that.

CHAPTER 4

KENZO

Cherryand I follow the boss to the holding cell, and another set of soldiers follows behind us. Right now, Tomo leads the way, barely limping at all. He’s too strong to let it show, especially on his way to watch a traditional practice unfold, but he walks carefully. It must be painful for him. The stubborn old man refuses to use a cane, no matter how much we encourage it. He’s still ouroyabun.Our godfather. Our honorable leader. A cane isn’t going to change that.

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