Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 92392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“Yes. I. . .feel you a lot.” The doctor stared at her. "I have never heard it explained that way."
"That's because nobody is teaching women shit like that. Instead, we see movies where the girl bypasses the rich guy for some basic ass dude for love." Deja rolled her eyes. “Men run the media industry and stay trying to get in our heads. Now why would she not pick the rich guy?”
One nurse opened her mouth in shock. “And the rich guy is usually the bad guy.”
“Exactly.” Deja pointed at her. “Oh girls, don’t be gold diggers. Pick the men that don’t know how to make money. Now why would I do that when the dude can’t even afford my pussy?”
All of the women blinked—the nurses and doctor.
One of my guards cleared his throat.
“Naw. Always aim high. Unless of course you are a Bargain Basic Bitch.”
The doctor quickly shook her head. “I am certainly not that.”
“Exactly.” Deja snapped her finger twice. "Aim higher. The fat wallet shows character. Let the broke guy figure his shit out and learn how to be a proper man."
The doctor bobbed her head. “Thank you so much. This is so insightful.”
“And you’re a doctor. You can afford the exclusive health clubs and high-end restaurants. Go there with your hair down, make up on, sexy dress, and spoil yourself in front of these rich guys. They’ll be looking at you like, ‘I have to get her.’ Make them work and play with your pussy yourself the whole time until they’re worthy to get it.”
The doctor blushed. “Well. . .”
Deja snapped her fingers again. “That’s your pussy-care prescription for today.”
One nurse clapped.
Another asked her a question.
Alright, Dr. Deja.
And I just wondered if Deja understood that she would not be leaving Japan anymore. If Rin didn’t force her to stay, the women of Japan surely would.
Nika would be on the floor laughing if she saw this. Thank God Deja is with me right now. I need these funny moments.
The war pressed against my chest from the inside.
It had been pressing since Yoichi pulled me into the basement. Kenji was somewhere on the island fighting along with Reo, Hiro, the Claws, and Fangs.
Zo’s raggedy ass was still snoring in the next room. Two guards stood next to him and were told to let me know as soon as he woke up.
That damn man is really going to sleep through the whole war.
My mind went back to Kenji.
Fuck. Please. . .be okay. That sacrifice had to be enough. Right?
I turned back to the incubator.
The twins lay together on a soft white blanket inside the clear curved walls with their little eyes closed. Two tiny bodies tucked against each other like one folded shape. The smaller one had his cheek tipped toward his brother's shoulder. The other had his fingers loosely open against his brother's side.
They had on matching blue onesies the staff had brought in within the hour, and small soft caps over their heads.
Tubes ran from their noses to the small machines humming beside them.
Instead of swimming in my anxiety over the war or if Kenji and everyone were safe, I watched the twins breathe. Each rise of their chests was so small it barely moved the blanket. Each fall almost stopped my own breath.
They were so new.
So fresh from somewhere I could not name.
So unaware of what they had already lost and what they had already been given.
Their mother was dead.
Their father did not yet know they were his.
And somehow they had ended up in front of me, two perfect lives on a soft white blanket, and I had not yet figured out what to do with the love I already felt for them.
One of the twins stirred.
His small face wrinkled. His mouth opened. A thin sound began at the back of his throat, climbing toward a real cry.
Aww. Not you starting again.
I slid my hand through the small porthole on the side of the incubator. The opening had a soft sleeve that gave around my wrist. The air inside was warmer than the air outside. I rested my fingertips against the side of his tiny body.
The cry stopped before it left him.
He sighed once. His mouth closed. His little brow smoothed.
I told you that I’ve got you. Relax.
I held my hand still.
The other twin shifted, turned his head a fraction toward my fingers, and went quiet too.
Look at you. I see you noticing my hand is in here. You’re so much like your father. So aware even in slumber.
I exhaled.
Both twins had Hiro's face. The shape of his eyes. That small straight nose. The set of the mouth that even in sleep already looked like it was about to say something it shouldn't.
Thank God they look like Hiro. It might have made me feel guilty if they looked like Kiko.