"I know we found the phone, but—"
"I will meet you in the bedroom later. Thank you for solving this. What you’ve just said in that text. . .” Pain hit those words. Real heartbreak. “Thank you for all you’ve done. We will meet in the bedroom."
"But I'm still not sure it's just the people we found. If Sako's been using the passageways—"
"Now it's time for the Fangs and my Roar to handle the rest." His tone allowed no argument. "You've done enough."
"I think the secret passageways will give me answers that—"
"Tora." Just my name. But the way he said it—low, commanding, absolute—stopped me mid-sentence.
Silence stretched between us.
I could hear him breathing on the other end. I could practically feel the rise of his authority pressing through the phone, demanding my obedience. I could even feel that damned dragon-shadow trying to push itself through the line.
Heat prickled up my neck.
And not the good kind.
"Fine," I said tightly.
"Thank you, Tora. I'll see you soon."
So pissed, I hung up without saying goodbye.
When I looked at Hiro, he was grinning like a cat who'd just watched a mouse walk into a trap.
"He said no, didn't he?"
I rolled my eyes.
He laughed—actually laughed—a low, rich sound that bounced off Hina's cream-colored walls. "I told you."
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"Watching someone else get shut down by my brother for once?" He pushed off the wall, still grinning. "Yeah. I am."
I shoved my phone back in my pocket, irritation burning in my chest. "The passageways could have evidence. Real evidence. Not just a phone and some diary entries."
"Maybe. But you’re too important tous, to just let you go in there." He gestured toward the door. "Come on, Velma. You’ve done more than enough. Thank you."
We left Hina's room, and I took one last look at the scale models on her shelves. Tiny buildings meant to help people. Dreams of a better world, crafted by hands that had never held a weapon.
When Kenji lets go of her, she’ll be the one to truly enjoy her life.
I left the room.
Hiro got to my side. “You’re amazing.”
I glanced at him and smiled. “Oh really?”
“Really. Fucking amazing.” He bobbed his head. “Now I truly see why Kenji is biting you.”
I blushed.
“You may need your own guards just to protect you from his teeth. Especially tonight.”
“My own guards to stop Kenji from biting me.” I chuckled. “What would we call them?”
