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)
His hair fell to his waist in an immaculate braid, smooth as a river pulled through fingers.
No facial hair.
No visible tattoos.
His hands were so goddamn beautiful that I was actually jealous—long fingers, trimmed nails, the faintest sheen at his cuticles like someone oiled them daily for him.
He definitely didn’t do it himself. His whole look and facial expression is giving high levels of PAMPERED.
On his wrist, a bracelet of something pale—bone? Ivory?—was stacked with a gold chain of jeweled beads that appeared very much real and even. . .ancient.
That wasn’t bought from a store. That was passed down many, many times.
He stood with his weight centered over the arches of both feet, a dancer’s neutral position, poised to pivot without warning.
When he breathed, his shoulders barely moved.
Minimalist style? He’s probably super wealthy? Definitely didn’t starve as a kid, and did not grow up on the streets either.
In fact, this wasn’t the wealth you flashed in clubs; this was dynastic, temple-deep wealth, the kind that could buy a bloodline.
He looked at me and did not look away. There was no challenge in it, just this air of boredom.
He’s not pleased to be here, but he will do so out of fierce loyalty to Kenji.
I wondered what Kenji had done to get such great loyalty from such a wealthy man. That fact would be super important for some reason.
“Okay.” I drew a slow breath and put my gaze back on Kenji. “I’m done.”
“Good, Tora. Do you have any questions so far?”
“I know Kaoru. But what are the other men’s names?”
Something sharp flickered over Kenji’s face.
Rage?
Jealousy?
He definitely didn’t like me remembering Kaoru’s name.
Reo scribbled something.
Moving his hand from my back, Kenji put on a forced calm expression, but I could still feel the Dragon simmering angrily beneath. “You don’t need to know their names at this time.”
“Okay.”
“Are you ready for your test?”
My mouth went dry. “Yes.”
The faintest curve touched his mouth. “Each man will say three statements about himself. Two statements will be true. One statement will be a lie.”
“And I have to spot the lie?”
“Correct.”
“Any other rules?”
“You may ask them one question for each of the three sentences they say. Obviously, you can’t ask them about which statement they are lying about.”
“Got it. So. . .one question per statement?”
He nodded. “No more than one for each statement, so choose carefully.”
“So. . .I can ask three questions per man?”
“Yes.”
“And their answers to my questions. . .are they obligated to tell the truth?”
“Yes. They will answer your questions truthfully.”
Reo’s pen paused over his notebook as if he’d been expecting my barrage. The corner of his mouth tipped up.
Kenji didn’t look at him; he watched only me.
Three statements. One lie. Two truths.
I eyed Kenji. “Time limit?”
Reo’s voice slid in, smooth. “You have two minutes with each man. That's total. If you waste it on your first question, the clock won’t forgive you.”
“Alright.” I put my view back on Kenji. “Can I ask the same question to more than one man?”
“You may.”
“Can I ask a trick question? Something that corners him? Or is that considered out of bounds?”
Reo clicked his pen once, clearly amused. “You can be as clever as you like. However, remain focused. You are testing their truthfulness.”
Aww. So you want to see if I can quickly tell when a person is lying without much information or conversation. Why?
Now I was getting why Kenji brought extra men in. He knew I could already catch him in a lie so there would be no reason for him to be the test.
However, three men I didn’t know. . .that would be a good gauge of my skills.
This wasn’t just going to be a test of lies either, it would be a duel.
Me versus them.
Their composure against my instinct.
Kenji’s pride against my wit.
Well. . .this is interesting as hell.
I steadied myself, hoping I got this right.
Bring it on then. This test could be fun.
“I have another question.” I studied Kenji, pulse fluttering like a moth too close to fire. “Can I touch them?”
The room shifted.
Reo’s pen paused mid-scratch. From the corner of my eye I saw his mouth twitch, like he was fighting not to grin.
Meanwhile, Kenji’s eyes widened, and the temperature dropped like a window had blown open to winter. Violence blazed through his gaze—molten, merciless.
He didn’t answer right away. He only stared, every line of his body pulled taut, like he was weighing whether to cage me or let me burn myself alive.
“Tora. . .” His voice was a growl that crawled under my skin. “Be careful.”
I blinked. “I don’t mean sexually touch them. Skin carries truths mouths can hide. A hand on their pulse could—”
Fast, Kenji’s hand locked around my waist as if to chain me in place. “If their pulse touches your hand, Tora, I’ll rip their hearts from their chests myself.”
My bottom lip quivered. “Kenji. . .sometimes you can get the truth faster if you touch the person.”