The scars at his hands, across his face, and along his neck weren’t from knives or belts; they were maps drawn by hives that had blistered, broken, and healed back into him.
My throat tightened with something like awe. Satoshi existed inside this war with his own body and still chose to serve a man who would drown the world.
The test, Nyomi. Don’t forget this is timed.
As if Reo heard me, he flipped the page of his notebook. “Time.”
“The clown name came too fast to be a lie. Even if you didn’t know the translation. . .you said it—without flinching, without apology.” I tapped my foot again. “The water allergy. . .that’s real. I’ve never heard of it, but your skin tells the story and there was so much pain in your voice when you answered me about it. . .I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”
Satoshi didn’t blink. Didn’t soften. He only inhaled through his nose like my observation had let a notch of pressure out of some inner valve.
“That leaves the. . .cock statement.” I cleared my throat. “Thirteen inches. You hesitated. For a fraction and blinked. Which tells me you had to decide on a measuring device, not that you were remembering the moment you measured it.”
I tapped my foot. “So. . .that’s the lie.”
Silence gathered its skirts again. I could feel Reo grinning without having to look. Kaoru’s mouth did something like a contained laugh. The man in the white braid didn’t move at all. He was still without a doubt. . .bored as fuck.
Reo broke it with a clean, pleased voice. “What’s the lie?”
Satoshi studied me for a long heartbeat, and for that moment I thought he might refuse to answer on principle. But rules were rules and this was the Dragon’s house.
“Thirteen inches.” No shame, no boast, no apology.
Oh no. I got that wrong.
Then, he shook his head. “My cock isn’t thirteen inches. Maybe ten.”
Ah ha!
I smiled—gentle, victorious, and kind. “Thank you, Satoshi.”
Kenji frowned and I knew it was because I had said his Fang’s name.
That’s right. I know his name. He’s my friend now and you can’t do anything about it!
Reo clicked his pen twice. “Two for two. Liars at zero.”
Satoshi gave me a bow and then stepped back.
Reo raised his hand. “I would like to edit the rules for her winning.”
“We’re not editing anything. She has to get all three right or she fails.”
“However, I believe Nyomi has already showed high intelligence for spotting dishonesty and reading body language fast and under pressure—”
“All three men. That was our agreement.”
“Still. . .” Reo frowned and returned his view to his notebook. “Even if she gets the next one wrong. . .I will argue for her involvement.”
“You can argue, but I won’t listen.” Kenji appeared highly pissed.
Reo clearly saw that and finally let the discussion go.
And now I was realizing that Kenji wasn’t giving me his approval when I got things right because whatever Reo wanted me to do. . .Kenji adamantly did not like it.
What is it? Fuck. It must be really dangerous.
However. . .call me crazy, but I still wanted to be included in this strategy. Still wanted to be important to his winning this war against his father.
