I began to speak.
Hiro placed his hand on my shoulder and whispered, “Shut up, brother. They need this tonight. Let them have it.”
I looked back at him. “They’re spoiled.”
“A dragon’s claws don’t spoil. They only get stronger and sharper.”
I looked back at her.
Nyomi's eyes went wet at the edges. She pulled Daisuke into a hug. “Thank you for saying that. It means a lot.”
When Daisuke let her go and headed off, the twins arrived simultaneously, wrapping around her from both sides until she disappeared between them entirely, laughing despite her wet eyes.
One of them whispered, “We forgive you.”
"We'll protect you. Always," the other added.
I blinked.
Forgive her for what?
The other twin let her go. "My knives will be waiting for your blood and—"
“Goodnight.” I sneered.
The twins rolled their eyes at the same time and in exactly the same way and then headed off.
The Claws and I will need to talk. They are getting too comfortable with what belongs to me.
Just when I was about to rise, Yoichi and Kaoru came over.
Yoichi reached her next. Thankfully, he wasn’t outrageous like the Claws. He simply stepped forward and held her with both arms. When he pulled back, he winked at her. "Very reminiscent of a samurai’s night after battle. Thank you for that.”
“I couldn’t have done it without your support.”
Samurai? What sort of conversations have they been having today?
Yoichi left her.
Kaoru hugged her next. "I will be demanding to be in your security detail full time."
"Good. I would feel safer."
I watched them go.
Full time. Absolutely not.
She called back to them. “Get some rest tonight, guys.”
Reo was the last one still seated. He'd watched the whole procession from his chair with his hands rested flat on the table.
Once they left, Reo began to rise. The process was slow enough that I had to look away.
I knew what it cost him and I knew he didn't want witnesses to the cost. So, I reached for my empty sake cup and gave him the dignity of my disinterest while he found his feet.
However, Nyomi crossed to him before he'd fully straightened.
Tora. . .don’t. . .
