“I can’t. He wants you surprised in the moment.”
The golf cart slowed to a stop.
A structure emerged from the trees. Smaller than I expected. Traditional Japanese architecture—dark wood, sloped roof, paper screens glowing warm from the inside. A stone path led to the entrance, lined with lanterns that cast soft gold circles on the ground. Somewhere nearby, water trickled. A fountain or a stream.
It looked peaceful. Innocent even.
But I was learning that nothing on this island was as innocent as it looked.
"Where is this, Hiroko?"
"This is the villa Kenji assigned me.”
“Nice.”
“It is." Hiroko stepped out of the cart. “A lot of the gear I'm going to put you in is here. And then we'll go to the next location."
"What's the next location?"
"The Dragon doesn't want you to know until you arrive."
I did my best to hide my annoyance.
What the hell do you have planned, Kenji? And why does the not knowing make my pulse race like this?
Chapter nineteen
The Slave in the Cage
Nyomi
We entered her villa.
Oh, this is nice.
The living room had been transformed. Racks lined the walls—red lingerie, leather pieces, harnesses, straps.
Incense curled from somewhere I couldn't see, filling the space with something dark and sweet.
And in the center of it all. . .Zo.
I grinned.
In true Zo fashion, he was lounging on a chaise. A king holding court. Silk pajamas. Martini in hand. One leg extended while a person knelt at his feet—tall, beautiful, with sharp cheekbones and long painted nails—carefully applying a top coat to his toes.
Another person stood beside him holding a small plate of grapes, occasionally placing one between his lips.
He looked ridiculous and glorious all at the same time.
He saw me and gave a lazy wave. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,”
Zo assessed my gown and hair. “Granted I would have done even better.”
“No doubt.”
"I would stand, but I don't want to mess up my nails."
