Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Chapter eleven
Signature
Kenji
Still on the bar, Nyomi lifted her hand and the Claws went quiet without being told.
That detail hit me harder than it should have. A week ago, only Reo and I could get silence from that group. Tonight, my Tiger had gotten it with one raised palm.
"Before we get to the Claws’ signature drinks," She rubbed her hands together. "there's one more person we need to honor."
Hiro shook his head. "Hell no!”
She looked at him. “Excuse me?”
“This better not be something for the Roar. He's lucky to be here."
Reo's head turned slowly. His eyes found Hiro's across the room and settled there with a murderous glare.
Nyomi rolled her eyes. "Hiro, keep it up and you’re getting thrown out of the party."
"I would like to see somebody drag me out of here." He crossed his arms over his chest. “I already plan on sleeping under that claw this evening.”
“Whatever, crazy man.” Nyomi snapped her fingers toward the doors at the far end of the ballroom.
They opened.
A line of women walked in, wearing black floor-length gowns and carrying small black trays. On each one sat a row of golden spheres on thin gold skewers. Steam rose from them in twisting ribbons.
The violin retreated and the band shifted to upbeat jazz. The saxophone led the melody and the piano kept a steady rhythm.
Nyomi cleared her throat. "You all need food as we're drinking so much alcohol."
Hiro narrowed his eyes at those trays. “This better not be for the Roar.”
"Of course not. In fact, these bites are not in honor of anyone special." She kept her voice light. "Not even. . .anyone absolutely amazing who I love and respect with all my heart."
Reo smiled.
Hiro loudly groaned.
Nyomi picked a skewer off the nearest tray and held it between two fingers. "But I do hope that when you all eat these bites, you have a roaring good time."
Hiro pointed at her. "I caught that!"
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Oh shut up and eat the damn Roar bite."
Reo snickered and reached for the tray.
He took two.
Then, three.
The waitress began to walk away.
I stopped her. “Stay. He’ll want more.”
She smiled and remained next to him.
“Thank you, Kenji.” Reo looked like a man who would lay down his life to protect Nyomi in any future endeavor.
She’s stolen my Claws. Now she has my Roar.
I took one off the tray and studied it.
At least I have my Fangs. . .for now. . .
I stared at the spheres on the skewers. They were golden, about the size of large cherries, crusted in what looked like panko flakes. A thin dusting of shaved parmesan clung to their crust.
I bit down on one.
Mmmhmm.
The panko cracked. Inside was warm cheese. No. Multiple cheeses melded into a single creamy molten interior that pulled in a thin stretch from the bite to my lips as I drew back.
“I hope you enjoy.” Nyomi turned to Reo who still had not tried his bite just yet. “First, we have aged cheddar.”
Reo groaned like an idiot.
“Gruyère rolled in behind it.”
“Oh yes!” Reo wiggled his head.
I widened my eyes.
“And don’t forget the fontina.”
“And now I agree with Hiro.” Reo bobbed his head. “We’re getting married.”
I raised my eyebrows not sure if the whiskey from my shot had intoxicated him or if he was just getting high off the list of cheeses.
The twins grabbed bites from the same tray at the same moment, bit in unison, and then nodded. “Perfect!”
“All that with a bit of Parmigiano-Reggiano should make it yummy yummy in your tummies.” Nyomi ate hers.
“Yes!” Reo raised his skewers in the air. “To the Heart!”
I frowned. “Just fucking eat them.”
Reo laughed and ate two spheres together, the whole time munching and moaning like some drug addict that just got their fix. This was absolutely un-Roar-like behavior. Thankfully, no one else but us witnessed it.
Grumbling, I ate more of mine.
Around me, the Claws were having their own reactions.
Daisuke had a skewer in each hand. "I don’t usually like cheese but this is good."
Some of the melted cheese dripped on Toma’s purple jacket and he scooped it up and ate it. “Mmmhmm.”
“All forgiven,” Hiro muttered through a mouth full of cheese.
When Reo finished his skewers, he glanced at the waitress still next to him holding a tray full. “Stay with me the whole party.”
She nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Reo took his fourth skewer.
Kaede had somehow acquired a small napkin and was eating his in tiny measured bites. "Delicious.”
"Eat it, Kaede." Toma had moved on to his third. "Stop writing a review in your head."
"I am taking my time and tasting it."
"You are annoying."
Minutes later, Nyomi lifted both arms. "Twins, help me down, please."
Aki and Yuki did not hesitate. They moved together, hands at her waist and her arms, lifting her cleanly off the marble surface and setting her on the floor in one smooth motion. As she came down, the slit of her dress rode high enough that I caught the temporary dragon tattoo curling up the outside of her thigh.