Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 161615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 539(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 539(@300wpm)
He picked up the Butcher piece. "Using the French’s weapons, I bombed all of our weapons and killed my father’s men. Now, he needs more of both, if he plans to fight me.”
I scanned the pieces throughout Asia. “And no one in Asia will help him, they're all waiting to see who wins."
“Very good, Tora. You are catching on fast.” Kenji smirked. “No one in Asia will help. That is our way. It is very different from the Western groups. We do not interfere in each other’s domestic wars.”
"So. . .” I put my gaze back on France. “Oh. Your father will have to call the Butcher and ask for help.”
“Yes.” Kenji chuckled. “My Tiger is very fucking fast. And so, due to the bombs, my father will ask Jean-Pierre for weapons and men, maybe even asylum in France, and when he does. . .”
I stared at the red dots. “Your spies and hackers will know.”
“And they will track the call. We'll use that to find my father’s location under Tokyo. And then we'll end him."
I stared at the board, at the intricate web of strategy he'd woven. "That's brilliant."
"But there's a problem." His voice went hard.
"The spy on the island."
"Exactly." He moved the Dragon piece slightly, positioning it defensively. "If my father still has a spy here. They'll report to him my location, my numbers, my plans, even. . .my Tiger. And the Fox will come for me while we’re exposed."
The room felt smaller suddenly, the walls pressing in.
"That's why we need to find the spy," I whispered.
"That's why I need you." His hand found mine. "You can read people, Tora. You can find the lie when no one else can, and you’ve already knocked out two of his fucking spineless spies."
The pressure of that responsibility hit me.
I stared at the board, and my mind raced.
Still, this was fascinating.
Intricate.
A puzzle of power and violence spread across continents.
Kenji wasn't just dangerous because he could slash throats or pull triggers. He was dangerous because his mind was a chessboard that never stopped moving.
Every piece had a purpose.
Every action had layers.
And somehow, this man—who had my panties flown to him via same-day delivery while he was in Paris—had also managed to plant spies and hackers throughout France, to set up a trap for his father, and orchestrate a war that spanned the globe.
The duality was staggering.
I thought back to Reo's message earlier, the one delivered through my guard's watch:
“Everything is clear. No word from the Butcher or the Fox yet.”
"So right now," I looked at Kenji, "your father hasn't called the Butcher yet?"
"Not yet." His voice was calm. "As soon as my father calls, I'll hear from Reo and we'll know the location. Then, Hiro, my Claws, Fangs, Reo, and I. . .well. . .we’ll visit him."
My heart tightened.
Pressure built in my chest—fear, anticipation, dread all tangled together.
I was scared.
Scared about what was to come.
Scared that something would go wrong.
That the strategy would fail.
That Kenji and Hiro would get hurt.
I was praying—actually praying—that everything would turn out exactly the way he'd planned.
And I was shocked that I was here.
In this place.
In this position.
With this man.
Doing something so big and violent.
Kenji's gaze shifted to the recorder sitting on the food cart—the one I'd gotten from my office earlier. One of my guards must have grabbed it before we left the kitchen.
He smiled. "You were in your office today?"
"Yeah. Just for a little bit."
"Once the spy is gone, you'll be in there more." His voice softened. "As I said before, my intentions for you were to write and enjoy yourself. Not to be a part of this."
I understood what he meant.
He'd wanted to give me peace, safety, a place to create.
But life had other plans.
"Kenji. . .I've been writing all my life. That's nothing that's ever going to change. That's who I am. That's every part of me." I moved closer to him, and my hand found his. "But right now, I want us to be together. And us being together means this man—the Fox, your father—must be. . .gone. I don't want any threats hanging over us. Once the threat is gone, once this war is over, I'll have all the time in the world to write."
Smiling, I snapped my fingers. "And believe me, I will still be writing about the underground sex industry in Tokyo, and you will be taking me everywhere."
He laughed—a real, warm laugh that made my chest feel too full. "Yes. Yes. I know. I will be your little tour guide slash assistant."
I grinned, thinking about how insane that was.
The Dragon. One of the most powerful and dangerous men in Asia. Serving as my assistant. Showing me around soaplands and hostess clubs. Helping me gather research for a book.
It made me feel warm all over.
Because he cared about what I did. He was dedicated to making sure I continued to have agency in my writing career and in my life.