Page 75 of Dangerous Deceit

Growing up, Uncle Jay would get me tampons, but Patrick always complained about the smell of the bathroom when thattime of the month came. There were no lessons then, and it almost made me happy to be on my period, even if I had cramps and a period-shaming cousin.

“Thanks,” I say sheepishly.

“Let me walk you back to the dining room.”

It’s only when we’re at the door to the private room I realize the tampon gesture may not even be about the tampons or paying me back; it may be about checking up on me, since Uncle Jay and I left the room at the same time.

Cherry opens the door for me, and I take a deep breath. Nothing is going to happen right now. We’re all safe. We just have to get through this dinner.

I enter the room and the conversation falls silent, like every member of the yakuza was just talking about Uncle Jay and me. My nerves spike, but Kenzo puts an arm around me as if nothing is wrong.

“Please,” Tomo says, waving toward the rolls in front of my plate. “Please. Eat.”

I lift a bite with my chopsticks. Kenzo leans into my ear and puts a clean cloth napkin into my lap.

“Wipe yourself with this,” he whispers.

Fire dances inside of me, but I do as I’m told, pressing the napkin between my legs. Kenzo pulls the cloth into his lap, and after a few minutes of eating, he brings it to his mouth and inhales deeply. His nostrils flare as his eyes roll into the back of his head.

“I could feast all fucking day,” he says.

But he’s not talking about the sushi. Still, Tomo agrees with him.

“Meiyo is the best Japanese restaurant in Nevada,” Tomo tells me.

The anxiety holds me on edge, and with the vibrator on stand by and Kenzo sniffing my scent, I’m about to explode. UncleJay finally returns, and the conversation flows like normal. All friendly banter, and no more awkwardness. No more secrets revealed. No more guns. I stuff my face, glad for the excuse not to talk, but my eating slows as Kenzo strokes the back of my neck, tickling my spine, constantly reminding me of his presence and his control over me.

When we finish our dessert, we stand.

“Are you taking care of my niece?” Uncle Jay asks Kenzo. He pulls both of us in for a group hug. “Take good care of her for me.”

“I will,” Kenzo says, and there’s a subtle edge to his words, a violence that makes me tense. “Why don’t you walk your uncle out?” Kenzo asks me. He tilts his head toward Tomo. “We’ve got business to discuss. I’ll meet you at Chandelier Bar.”

My stomach sinks, knowing they must not want me or Uncle Jay around for those talks. I don’t blame them. But god, I am afraid of them.

“See you soon?” I ask, practically begging for Kenzo to come rescue me as soon as possible. I don’t want to be alone with Uncle Jay right now.

“Of course.” He turns to Uncle Jay. “It was good to see you.”

Uncle Jay grins with a hint of animosity in his posture. “Right back at you,” he says.

CHAPTER 33

KENZO

Once we’re backin our seats and Vi and Jay are long gone, Ronin looks at me.

“She’s a spy,” Ronin says. Almost like he’s practically screaming,I told you so.“Both of them are. They’re not here for?—”

Tomo raises his hand, and Ronin falls silent. Tomo peers around the room, then his eyes stay on me for a few moments longer, reading my internal position in this. Gracie fidgets in her seat. Niko is dark, like an ominous sea, and Cherry is ready to fight, her hands balled into fists, her nails painted bright red. Dice seems bored but attentive, his bulky shoulders tense, his eyes staring off into space.

“You are not thewakagashira,” Tomo says to Ronin. “It is not your duty to provide judgments. Your sole duty is to proveyouaren’t still loyal to Ito-gumi.” Ronin bows his head, and Tomo looks at me. “They must be working for a client,” he says. “What do you know?”

“Not much,” I say. “Jay may or may not be her real uncle. But she’s been with him since she was a kid. I had her cousin working, but then I?—”

“I don’t need their family history,” Tomo interrupts. “What are theyafter?”

My stomach sinks with the way he’s talking about them,about her,but I don’t convey that. Shit. Why can’t I answer? Am I avoiding the subject because I know it’s not going to end well for my wife?

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