Kenji nodded, and his eyes grew distant. "I'm sure my brother. . .needed that time with you today. . .even though I don't like sharing you with anyone. . .I'm glad you spent that time with him."
"Hiro was sweet. I felt so bad for his drinking and sleeping in the kitchen. It was like. . .he was all alone."
"Hiro has Reo, me, and the Claws. Even the Fangs love him, but. . .he does not have the feminine touch that he probably. . .has always yearned for."
"What about his mother? Where is she?"
"She's on the island, but she's never been motherly. She's trying to be in her old age, but he resents his childhood and the part she did or. . .did not play in it. In other words, their relationship is. . .very. . .complicated. . ."
I swallowed down sadness. "How long ago did your father kill this woman that Hiro liked?"
"Barely a few weeks ago."
"Jesus." My voice cracked.
“Her name was Nura.”
My chest ached. "And your father just. . .murdered her?"
"In front of him and me." Kenji's voice went flat. "The night of our first date."
Oh God.
No wonder Hiro drank himself to sleep.
No wonder he looked so broken.
No wonder a knife appeared in his hand even when he was unconscious—he was still trying to protect someone he couldn't save.
"I hope you don’t mind, Kenji but. . .I'm going to make Hiro more food. Every day. Whatever he wants."
Kenji looked up at me, and something soft flickered in his eyes. "He would like that."
"Does he have a favorite dish? Something that brings him comfort?"
"Katsu curry. His mother made it for him once when he was sick as a child. It's one of his few good memories of her."
"Then I'll make him the best damn katsu curry he's ever had." I reached across the table and took Kenji's hand. "I'm sorry this happened to the both of you. I'm sorry your father is a monster."
His fingers tightened around mine. "So am I."
"Also, I talked to my grandma this morning. Thank you for sending men to her. Actually. . .thank you for protecting all of my family."
"Your family is now my family."
The words hit me like a physical thing—warm, overwhelming, making my eyes sting.
I took a breath, pushing past the grief and anger to focus on the war. Now with this information, I knew what had truly started this battle with the Fox, and I was damn sure ready to hear the news that the Fox was dead.
I let go of Kenji’s hand and leaned back in my chair. "Now that the bombs have detonated, what is your plan?"
Kenji turned to his guards. "Bring in the Power Board. I want to catch my Tiger up on strategy."
My eyes widened as the guards moved immediately, heading out the door to retrieve whatever the "Power Board" was.
Catch me up on strategy? Okay. . .This is it.
The real war was about to begin.
