Reo nodded slowly. "Good thinking."
"And no one sits directly behind where Nyomi's getting her hair done." Kenji's hand tightened on my thigh. "I don't care how natural it needs to look. The row behind her stays empty. Clear line of sight for the Claws. No one at her back."
"We can block those seats," Reo typed something on the tablet. "They’ll be marked reserved."
Kenji wasn't finished. His strategic mind was working now, the Dragon calculating angles and vulnerabilities. "I want a panic word or statement. Something she can say that sounds casual but means abort immediately."
He looked at me. "What's something you'd naturally say around your stylist that wouldn't raise suspicion?"
I thought for a moment. "‘Girl, I’m getting hungry. Can we take a break?’"
Reo typed more into the tablet. “Got it. Also, the main theater has basic cameras—but we'll install more tonight. Hidden angles. Infrared in the corners. Every single inch will be covered."
Kenji jumped in. "We control the sign-up list. Inner circle, vetted staff, and all our suspects mixed throughout different showings. Natural distribution."
Kaoru ran his fingers through his pink hair. “Where will the Fangs be?”
Kenji spoke, "Hidden within the household. However, everyone will be told that the Fangs are with Reo and me.”
Kaoru looked at the screen. “And where will you two be, Reo?”
“We will be at the north dock. There's a weapons shipment coming in tomorrow. We'll inspect it publicly. Far enough away to seem absent, close enough to respond in under three minutes if needed."
Okay. This is getting super real.
While three minutes travel time sounded good. Three minutes was still an eternity when someone was trying to kill me.
I can do this.
Kaoru bobbed his head. “If the Fangs remain hidden, let it be the war room. It’ll be cleared out anyway. No one would knowwho was in there. Not even the security crew has cameras in there.”
"I like that idea.” Reo swiped to a new screen showing the theater. “The Claws will need to position themselves throughout the theater."
Reo looked at Hiro. "Different rows, different sections. Some standing. Make it look casual."
The twins exchanged one of their silent conversations—a language of glances and micro-expressions I was beginning to recognize.
Aki tilted his head a fraction.
Yuki's jaw tightened in response.
A full argument, negotiated in silence.
Finally, Yuki spoke. "We're not splitting up."
Reo's eyes narrowed. "For this to work, you need to be in different sections—"
"No." Aki's voice was quieter than his brother's, but just as firm. "We work better together.”
Yuki nodded. “Always have."
Reo pointed at them and was about to speak, Hiro held up his hand. “Forget about it. The twins will never budge when it comes to splitting them up. Save yourself a headache.”
Reo let out a long breath. “Fine. The twins will stay together.”
They grinned.
"My friends will be there too," I added. "Zo and Hiroko. They'll sit with me during the styling. It’ll look natural—just my friends and I hanging out, watching a movie while I get my hair done."
