"Enough!" Kenji's voice cracked like a whip. His attention fixed back on me, and I felt the weight of his fury and fear pressing down. "You think Hiro being there makes it safe? You think the Claws being present means nothing can go wrong?"
"I think the Claws are deadly." I gestured with my lollipop and kept my voice still, even though my heart was racing. "I think you trust them with your life, so I can trust them with mine. Am I wrong?"
A muscle jumped in his jaw.
"I think. . .that you trying to hide me won't stop the Fox or spies. More important. . .I think that I would rather face them onourterms than wait for them to catch me off guard."
Silence.
Kenji stared at me, and I watched the war play out across his features. Then his hand left my hip and came up to cup my jaw. The touch was almost gentle—thumb brushing the corner of my mouth, fingers spanning my throat.
I could feel my pulse hammering against his palm.
He had to feel it too.
Had to know what his touch did to me even when we were surrounded by his men, even when the topic was my potential death.
His eyes dropped to my mouth for half a second—just long enough for heat to flash between us—before lifting back to mine. "Tora—"
"I'm not asking for permission to walk into danger blind," I interrupted gently. "I'm only asking you to trust that I can do this. With Hiro. With the Claws. With every protection you put in place."
From my left, I felt Hiro shift closer. Not touching me. But close enough that I could feel the heat of him, smell the faint scent of toasted sugar and cherry blossoms that clung to his clothes even better.
Hiro’s arm brushed mine on my armrest.
Casual.
Probably accidental.
Kenji's eyes tracked the movement.
“Brother, you’ve lost this fight. It’s your Tiger’s choice and she has the backing of your Roar.” Hiro shifted in his seat, angling toward me slightly. “And she has my backing too.”
Kenji shot him a look that could have drawn blood. A look that said touch her again and we're going to have a problem, brother or not.
Hiro's mouth curved into the faintest smirk.
Not moving away.
But, not moving closer either.
Just. . .staying exactly where he was.
The tension between the brothers crackled.
Hiro just shrugged. "I'm not saying I love the idea of her being bait. I'm just saying Reo and her are right."
The twins nodded in unison.
Reo remained silent.
I swirled the lollipop in my mouth, letting the sweet syrup coat my tongue.
Kenji's hand flexed on my chin. Once. Twice. His breathing was controlled, but I could feel the rage and terror vibrating beneath his skin. Finally, he spoke, and his voice was raw. "If anything happens to you—"
"It won't."
"If anything happens," he continued, ignoring me, "there won't be enough of this world left to bury the bodies. I'll burn this entire island to ash and follow you into hell."
