My queen.
My love.
The only anchor stable enough to hold on in this raging storm.
The meal wound down.
Absolutely well fed, my men pushed back from the table and stretched in satisfaction of the full meal.
All the sake bottles were emptied and the chopsticks had been set to rest.
“We must do this after every battle.” Daisuke stood and rolled his neck until it cracked twice. Even after all the fighting in Yoshiwara that black mohawk was still perfect. He blinked his bruised eyes, now darkening from purple to gray and yawned. “Thank you, Tora.”
I stiffened at his using my nickname for Nyomi.
I’ll have to tell them that only I call her that.
I decided on a later time, since I knew she would protest.
Nyomi smiled. “You’re welcome, Daisuke.”
Then Kaede rose, straightened his jacket, and yawned. “I agree. In fact, we should have a meal from the Tiger before we go into battle too.”
I sneered. “Not going to happen.”
Chuckles left Toma’s split and swollen lips. He left his seat too, giving me a good view of those long gashes stretching across his neck.
Akiro’s men beat us up bad.
Everyone else followed suit, the twins were last to stand.
"I killed at least twenty." Aki held up his bandaged hand.
Yuki didn't even look at him. "It was only eleven."
"You miscounted."
"You overcounted."
Nyomi shifted on my lap.
My arm tightened.
She shifted again with more intention. "Kenji."
“Yes?” I pressed my palm flat against her hip, anchoring her there without looking at her.
"Let me up."
Shocked, I looked at her. "You're comfortable."
"You'recomfortable. I want to get up and say goodbye to my Claws and Fangs."
"YourClaws and Fangs?"
She tapped my arm. "Kenji."
I exhaled through my nose and removed my arm.
