"Kenji."
He let out a long heavy exhale that vibrated through the phone and slipped over me.
And I wondered why he wanted me to say his real name instead of title or a term of endearment. Was it the idea that he wanted to be reminded of being a man? Was it because his mother probably only referred to him by his name?
Or was it something else deeper within his heart?
Or was it truly the idea that all knew him as the Dragon, but I had fallen in love with Kenji and merely accepted the Dragon?
Next, he whispered, “Thank you, Tora.”
Click.
I stared at the phone in my hand and shivered at the silence on the other end where his voice had just been.
My thumb was still pressing the screen as if I could hold him there.
Fuck. . .what’s going to happen now?
Epilogue
Evacuation
Nyomi
We moved fast through the mansion. Phones buzzed, telling me that Reo had delivered the message.
Once we got back on the elevator, Yoichi pulled out his device, checked the screen, and then, without a word, he handed it to me.
I took it.
The text was from Reo.
Yoichi give this to the Heart.
Kiko killed Dr. Goda, took his phone, and made a call to the Fox.
The doctor's phone was on the satellite network’s emergency medical line, not our protected channel which probably gave the Fox's hackers enough time to triangulate the island.
We’re certain that they have our coordinates.
The battle is tonight.
Please, stay with Yoichi and do what he says.
I love you, Nyomi.
Reo.
I read it twice.
Then I read it a third time.
That bitch.
Rage surged in my chest.
Goddamn it! And I told Kenji not to kill her!
