The twins—Aki and Yuki—readied at the same time, like a mirror folding in on itself. Their curved tantos were drawn in perfect sync, held in reverse grip, blades catching moonlight for a breath before they lowered into position.
With his other hand, Yuki checked the mag on his compact submachine gun and then clicked it back into place.
Aki unwound his fine garrote wire and looped it once around each gloved knuckle.
Then I checked my own weapons.
I already had both guns in my hands—two custom-modified Uzis, matte black, heavy in the grip, built to cut through flesh like silk. The barrels had been forged with dragon-scale engraving, fine enough to be art, brutal enough to be disrespectful to show in museums.
I cocked the first. The sound cracked through the hush.
I checked the second.
Smooth slide.
Loaded.
Clean.
Across the handle of one, etched in metal wasObey.
Across the other:Burn.
“Put your guns up.” Hiro shook his head. “I don’t want you coming in there with us. You’ll stay by the door.”
“Who the fuck are you talking to?”
“Stay by the door, brother.”
I arched a brow. “You think I can’t handle five traitors?”
“You’re the head—”
“Yeah. Reo said that same bullshit at Hiroko’s club. And now Reo’s in a hospital bed. I’m fucking coming.”
Hiro frowned but didn’t push further. He turned to the twins. “Stay close to my brother. Something happens to him, and you answer to me.”
The twins stepped to my side and flanked me.
I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t need the twins to guard me. I need them searching, moving, killing. Not babysitting me.”
“The twins keep you safe.” Hiro’s tone went flat. “That is the deal.”
“What fucking deal?”
“You want to come into your death forest with us, then you will fucking have guards. No other option is available.” Without another word, Hiro adjusted the grip of his custom sidearm. He pulled it from his belt holster, checked the slide, popped the mag, and confirmed the rounds with a quick flick of his thumb.
I opened my mouth to argue—but stopped. Hiro’s fingers were shaking. Just slightly. Not from fear of dying. I knew him better than that.
It was me he was afraid of losing.
And if letting two silent shadows trail me gave him a fraction of peace, I’d allow it.
Sighing, I checked my watch. Time was passing by so fast. We needed to kill these guys before the bombs.
“Okay.” I gave a clipped nod. “Fine. Let’s go.”
We charged forward.
