Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
“Meeting’s about to start.” He stands at my elbow.
I tilt Mei’s chin up. “Stay with Toru, but don’t shake that perfect ass for anyone but me. Understand?”
Her lips curve into a smile. “Yes. Besides, I saw a big food table at the side of the foyer I need to investigate.”
“You do that. And I’ll fill you up with something much sweeter after the party.”
Toru groans and rolls his eyes as Mei blushes.
“Stay with her.” I turn to Toru.
“I know.” He leans closer. “The plan is already underway. The Ito warehouses are already burning, and their vacation homes are about to go up in flames too.”
“Good.” I smile at the destruction my soldiers are bringing to the Itos tonight. Isamu may think he’s cornered me at this party, but when he figures out I’ve struck him, he’ll fall apart. I’m counting on it.
“Back soon.” I kiss Mei’s forehead, then stride away to take the stairs to the business meeting. Ito stands on the landing, watching me approach. When his eyes flick to Mei, I force myself to mask the fury that rises in my gut. I don’t want him to even breathe the same air she does. He doesn’t fucking deserve it.
“Kazuo.” He stares as I stride past him. “I’m glad you accepted my invitation.”
His son Rai stands just outside the door of the meeting room, his beady eyes on me.
“Done any good sailing lately?” I ask.
Rai’s hands curl into fists. “Bastard.”
I smirk. “Let’s get this over with. I’m a busy man.”
Isamu snorts. “I’m sure you have much to do with Hideo’s daughter, Mei. I’ve heard she’s as fresh as a ripe plum. Or at least she was …” He lets the innuendo hang in the air.
I stop but don’t give him the satisfaction of turning around. “Keep her name out of your mouth, and I’ll allow you to keep breathing.” With that, I continue down the hall and into the meeting room. The sooner I get this done, the sooner I can give Mei what she’s been begging for from the moment we met.
18
Mei
“You can eat and guard me at the same time,” I tell Toru as I thrust a plate full of food into his hands. He reluctantly takes it from me so I can make one of my own. “You could grow faint and pass out without nourishment,” I tease, making him crack a small smile. Kazuo’s men are so different from my father’s. They’re always warm and respectful toward me.
I know Kazuo can get a bit jealous when I give them attention, but I enjoy making them treats. It’s my way of showing them that I respect them, too. Not only that; they keep my Kazuo safe. Feeding them at times is the least I can do in return.
Plus, I want them to like me because they genuinely do, not because Kazuo orders them to. I want their respect for me to be real. I see how much loyalty both my father’s men and Kazuo’s have for them. I want that. I just have a different way of going about getting it. I suppose I’ve got some of my father in me after all.
“Thank you,” Toru says and follows me down the table as I pile a little bit of this and that onto my plate. I want to try everything and experience it all. Not many others are enjoying the food. The table looks more like a decoration than anything.
My stepmother would throw parties with servers walking around with trays of food that were never really touched. I would always sneak into the kitchen and steal the finger foods. It was the only time that amount of carbs were ever allowed in the house at one time.
“Shall we sit?” I nod toward an empty table.
“If you wish.” Toru walks over and pulls out a chair for me. I take it. He sets his plate down next to mine. “Drink?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’m going to be right over there.” He points to the bar that is twenty feet away. “You need to stay at the table.”
“Promise,” I reassure him. I can tell he’s not really sure if he should leave me. Even if it’s only twenty feet away with a clear view to where I’m sitting. “I know tonight is important. I’ll keep my booty in this chair until you return. I’m not looking to cause you or Kazuo any more stress. I’ll save that for when we’re home.”
“Thank you.” He gives me a soft smile before he hurries over to the bar.
I hate how much he doubts me, but I get it after the whole yacht incident. And I do happen to have a reputation of doing the opposite of what everyone tells me. I mean, Kazuo doesn’t call me little rebel for no reason. Honestly, I’m not sure if the men worry over my safety because they generally care for me or they fear what Kazuo would do if harm were to come to me.