Nyomi blinked. “How long have you been there?”
“Not long enough.” He leaned forward and pressed his face into her pillow, inhaled deeply, and then he looked at me with that infuriating grin. "Did you know the bed smells like your Tiger?"
“I’m aware of that. I’m more annoyedyouknow that.”
He inhaled the pillow again. “I’ll have to come visit here more often.”
I crossed the room. “I’m changing the guards in front of my bedroom.”
“Why? New ones won’t stop me from coming in here either.”
“A Fang could.”
“No, Brother. It would need to be at least three Fangs.”
“I’ll be sure to let them know that.” I took the joint from his hand.
The paper was damp where his lips had been, and I brought it to my mouth and inhaled. The smoke was thick and earthy, with a sweetness underneath that told me this was the good stuff. The kind Hiro kept hidden in his personal stash. I held it in my lungs for a moment before exhaling slowly.
The scent filled the room. Rich and herbal with a faint spice that clung to the back of my throat.
I offered it to Nyomi who was watching us with a wicked smirk.
She shook her head and headed to the closet.
I took another hit and then blew out smoke. "Why are you here?"
Hiro's smile widened. "Because I'm saying goodbye tomyTiger too."
Nyomi’s laughter echoed from the closet. She thought he was joking.
But I knew better.
I looked at my brother sprawled across the bed like he'd been invited, and I knew with absolute certainty that he was one hundred percent serious.
Hiro had come in here to say goodbye to Nyomi. Tomywoman. And he didn't give a single fuck that it was inappropriate or that I might have a problem with it.
The worst part?
I didn't even mind.
I gestured to the knife on the bed. "What's that for?"
Hiro raised his eyebrows. "Did you forget already?"
"Forget what?"
"Your mother's ways.” He sat up. " Reo and me assumed you were going to do this."
"Do what?"
"Get the Tiger's blood."
“What?” Nyomi walked out of the closet, now in a robe. Her hair was still damp and hung in thick braids down her back. She looked between us with confusion written across her face. "What would we need my blood for?"
Hiro grabbed the joint from me. “To protect our guns.”
Oh.
