“And I will handle it. You are not just our fire, Kenji. You are the spine of this entire empire, so please. . .get your Tiger and then get in the helicopter.”
“I don’t like running.”
“This isn’t running. It’s surviving. Strategizing. Living long enough to make every single one of these bastards regret breathing.”
My silence stretched.
I hated how right he was.
Reo nodded once. “Go to her. Guard her like the last flame in winter. Because if they are after you, they will reach for her next.”
Impossible rage roared within my chest.
He turned his back to me and faced the trembling assassins.
Annoyance hit me. “As soon as you know who the traitor is, I want that information.”
“You will have it, but more important, we must also get you out of this building before Hiro finds out what is happening.”
Oh yes. . .my brother. . .
A satisfied smile crept across my face, dark and slow. As always, my Roar moved like my shadow. He didn’t just understand me, he anticipated me, cutting where I would have cut, hurting where I would have hurt.
Suddenly, gunfire blasting racked outside.
Followed by a scream and boots pounding marble.
I frowned. “When willyougo?”
Reo kept his back to me. “Soon.”
“You’re to get out of here safely.”
“I will. There are several helicopters on the roof. More are enroute from Nara, Kobe, and Yokohama. All carrying men trained for war. All loyal. All willing to die for the Dragon.”
Gunfire cracked again in the distance—closer now.
I let the sounds settle and the moment breathe.
Then I spoke, “This isn’t retaliation anymore.”
Reo glanced over his shoulders and watched me.
My jaw tightened. “This is war. I want everyone at the safe spot by dawn, and then we trigger the bombs.”
“We planned to unleash the bombs days later.”
“And then my father attacked.”
“I understand, but there is no clear confirmation that this was the Fox.”
“Yet, I see my father’s fingerprints all over this.”
Reo nodded. “Then we will put Plan A into action tonight.”
“Yes, but first interrogate these fucking bastards. Get me names. Get me fucking details. Get me blood. Then, get to the safe spot so we can set off the bombs.”
“I will.”
