"Their quarters," I clarified. "Yuki, Mami, and Hina. While they're not there. Before I ever speak to them."
Kenji's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"Because people reveal themselves in their private spaces. What they keep. What they hide. How they arrange things." I met his gaze. "I need to see who they are when they think no one's watching. That's how I'll know which questions to ask."
Reo's expression shifted. "Like you did with Ward. You researched him before the interview."
"I knew his mother died. I knew about the farm that was abandoned. The police had searched throughout, even with dogs. . .for whatever reason, the garden never yanked at anyone’s suspicions. Anyway, I used that information to press where it would hurt most." I looked between them. "I need the same advantage here. Let me see their rooms first, then I'll know exactly what questions will make them slip."
Reo smiled. "I'll arrange it. After the meeting with the Fangs and Claws. I'll make sure all three are occupied elsewhere."
Kenji didn’t look pleased, but he nodded. "After the meeting."
With that settled, we entered the mansion with me walking in front of them.
The meeting would reveal a strategy that would hopefully make these spies expose themselves.
As we crossed the mansion’s marble foyer, I heard the faintest whisper behind me.
For some reason, Kenji and Reo walked a few steps in the back, and Kenji’s words lowered as if he was trying to make sureI didn’t hear him. “Find out if this serial killer is still alive, and what prison he’s in.”
Reo murmured, “I’d already made a note on the helicopter.”
My whole body tensed, but I didn’t turn around. Didn’t flinch. Just kept walking forward like I hadn’t heard. Still, my pulse thrummed hard enough to make my vision blur.
If Kenji found out that Caleb Ward was still breathing. . .he would kill him.
And it wouldn’t be out of justice for the six victims.
It would be out of principle for threatening me.
The thought made my throat tighten. Because part of me—God help me—wouldn’t stop him or even try. Ward had haunted my dreams for years, the echo of his voice creeping through every silence.
The idea of Kenji’s men walking into that prison and ending that monster’s life. . .it should have repulsed me.
Instead, it made my heart warm and my stomach twist with darkness.
That should have scared me too.
But I could feel myself changing the more I spent time with him. . .I could feel myself understanding the necessity for death and violence.
Chapter twenty-six
The Tiger’s True Test
Nyomi
Kenji stopped just as we reached the threshold of the meeting room. His hand wrapped gently around my waist and then he pulled me closer to him and leaned in.
"Tora," he whispered. "Before we start, do your magic. Check my Claws and Fangs. Make sure they're not spies."
My pulse spiked.
Not from fear, but from the sudden, crushing weight of what he was asking. These weren't suspects in an interrogation room with cops outside.
These were Kenji'sinnercircle.
His brothers.
