Her breath hitched.
"There were thirty more snakes, Tora. Thirty more people who would have eventually plotted to kill me, Hiro, Reo, the Fangs, the Claws, but especially you. Thirty snakes who were waiting for the right moment to strike. Andyoufound them. You. My Tiger. My Heart. You. In one night. With nothing but your instincts and your courage."
"T-thirty more?"
"Yes. Sako was managing the entire network. My father had brainwashed him into thinking that his spying was keeping me safe." I pulled back just enough to look at her. "And you burned it all down in a single evening."
Her eyes were wet now and glistening in the moonlight.
"I didn't know," she whispered. "I just. . .I followed the trail. I didn't realize—"
"That's what makes you extraordinary." I kissed her forehead. "You don't even understand how brilliant you are. How invaluable. How utterly irreplaceable."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
I caught it with my thumb and brushed it away. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life proving to you what you mean to me, starting now."
Her brow furrowed slightly. "Starting now?"
I glanced toward the nightstand where the velvet box sat waiting.
Her gaze followed mine. "What's that?"
"Your gift. Open it."
Chapter forty-seven
The Gift of Love
Kenji
She sat up slowly.
The sheets pooled around her waist, as she reached for the box with trembling fingers.
I watched her face as she opened it.
Confusion first.
Then disbelief.
Then something that looked like shock mixed with wonder.
She looked up at me. "These are. . .keys.”
"Yes."
"Did you get me a car?"
"No."
She stared at me, utterly baffled. "Keys to a new office?"
"No."
"A. . .house?"
"No."
