Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
I nodded.
His eyes moved from the scattered petals on the floor to my face, and I watched the playfulness drain out of him like water from a cracked glass. He didn't ask what was wrong. He just studied me with the kind of stillness that meant he was cataloging everything—my breathing, my hands, my eyes—and filing it away.
He knew something had happened. He just didn't know what.
Nyomi's hand found my arm again. Gently this time. "Baby. Talk to me."
"It's nothing." I swallowed. "I just don't want white flowers in here."
She didn't believe me. I could see it in her face, but she didn't push.
An uncomfortable silence settled over the room.
The fallen petals sat on the floor.
Then footsteps approached, and Reo appeared in the doorway with two new servants behind him. They carried my tactical clothes. Black pants reinforced at the knees. A long-sleeve shirt designed for movement. Boots. Weapons belt.
I dropped the towel without ceremony and started getting dressed.
Nyomi's eyes tracked over my body, and I felt her gaze like a physical touch. Heat coiled low in my stomach, and I had to fight the urge to throw her back on the bed and bury myself inside her one more time.
Be careful, Tiger. I'll fuck you right here in front of everybody if you keep looking at me like that.
But I didn't say it out loud. Just pulled on my boxer briefs and pants, then buckled the weapons belt until the weight of it settled against my hips.
Once close to done, I laced my boots.
Nyomi tilted her head and looked at the joint in the ash tray. "Should y'all be smoking before going to do this?"
Both Hiro and I answered at the same time. "Of course."
She smiled and shook her head.
Reo's eyes landed on the knife, and his expression shifted slightly. "Have you already done the ritual?"
I pulled on my shirt. "Not yet."
Nyomi looked between all of us. "What's the ritual?"
Hiro picked up the knife and got off the bed. "We want your blood to smear on our guns."
I couldn't help it and laughed. "Our guns?"
Hiro turned to me. “Yeah.”
I laughed some more. “Our guns like yours and mine?”
Hiro shrugged. "Yeah. She's going to put blood on mine too."
“That’s not fucking happening.”
Hiro pointed at me. “You didn’t even remember the damn ritual.”
“Doesn’t matter. My Tiger. My blood for my guns.”
“Stop being greedy with her—”
“I can be as greedy as I fucking want. I’m already sharing her goddamn food—”
“That’s a basic thing.”
“Be grateful for that.”
Nyomi stopped Hiro before he could respond. “First of all, since we are talking about my blood, I think I can respond.”
Here we go.
“I have enough blood for you both.”
I rolled my eyes and stifled my groan. “This is bullshit.”
A huge smile spread across Hiro’s face.
Reo pulled his gun from his holster and held it up. "Actually, I thought it would be all three of us."
I stared at him.
Knowing he’d pissed me off, Reo didn’t even glance my way.
Nyomi smirked. “I would be honored, Reo.”
Chapter thirty
The Power of Blood
Kenji
Once Nyomi and I finished dressing, we were ready for the tradition.
Nyomi stood in the center of the room.
I went over and pulled out both of my guns from the belt. Silver. Custom-made. The metal gleamed in the low light, polished to a mirror finish. I'd chosen silver specifically because it showed everything.
Every scratch.
Every mark.
Every drop of my Tiger’s blood.
The two servants stepped forward and held their hands out. I placed one gun in each of their palms, and they held them steady between us.
Hiro held the knife, crossed to Nyomi, and gave it to her.
I looked at her. "Are you ready?"
She stared at the knife. “Yes.”
“Give me the knife and your hand."
She let out a long breath and then extended her hand toward me. Palm up. Her skin was smooth and warm, and I could see her pulse jumping at her wrist.
Hiro spoke, “Be careful with our Tiger.”
“I’m close to stabbing you with this knife.”
“You would never.” Hiro winked at me. “You love me too much.”
“Unfortunately.” I brought the blade to her fingertip. “Ready, Tora?”
She swallowed. “Yes.”
The point pressed against her skin. I pushed further and watched the way the flesh dimpled under the pressure. Her breath hitched, and I looked up at her face. "It'll only hurt for a second."
She nodded.
I pricked her finger. The blade was sharp enough that it went in clean, and blood welled up immediately—bright red and absolutely beautiful.
Mmmm.
My cock jumped in my pants.
I'd always known I had a thing for blood. For violence. For the thin line between pain and pleasure. But seeing Nyomi's blood on her fingertip made this primal awareness rise up in my chest.
I wanted to lick the blood off her skin.
Wanted to taste her.
Wanted to mark my skin with it the way she was about to mark our guns.