“There’s no such thing.”
“If all of them think they’re going to be cuddled up in our bed tonight, I’m going to fucking murder them.”
“I think you’re tipsy.”
“Is that what you think?” I lowered my hands to her ass and squeezed.
She shrieked and then chuckled.
Hiro muttered behind us, “Strike two, Kenji.”
I rolled my eyes.
We arrived at the second draped section. It was taller than the first. Heavier silk. More shimmer. Two tuxedoed guards took their positions at either side.
Again, they waited.
Nyomi nodded.
They pulled and the curtains swept apart in one clean motion and fell silent against the walls.
Every voice died.
Every Claw stopped walking.
Hiro's diamond fangs caught the light as his mouth opened and he dropped his lollipop. It shattered on the floor and sprayed liquid everywhere.
A woman hurried over to clean it up.
“Oh.” Kaede trembled.
Daisuke turned his face away.
The twins reached for each other's hands.
And Reo, beside me, made a sound like a man who had just been struck.
Tora. . .no. . .this isn’t good. . .
Chapter twelve
Whiplash
Kenji
No.Notthis,Tora.Anything but this.
All the loving warmth of the ballroom had died at my back, leaving me inwardly shivering in cool air thick with incense and wax that clawed at my throat.
The band went silent.
The violinist returned with the saddest melody that pierced my chest and twisted between my ribs.
Dark notes.
Gutting rhythm.
Fully stripped bare.
