The other half dozed off whenever the dialogue got too philosophical.
But there was one moment when Deja's fingers slowed in my hair, when on screen, the prostitute pressed her forehead against the son's chest and whispered something the subtitles translated as"I'm tired of being chosen for the wrong reasons."
Deja's hands went still.
Just for a second.
Maybe two.
Then she cleared her throat, pulled a new section of hair, and kept going. "This movie is dramatic as hell."
But her voice was quieter than before, and then Deja kept on braiding. “Anyway. . .your man is going to be kitty lips all night when he sees you.”
“Kitty lips?”
Nika pointed to my crotch. “Eating it up all night like it’s a budget Chinese buffet.”
“Wow.” I laughed.
“And for the next time you need your hair done, make sure you go to Amsterdam or Paris, so a bitch can do some shopping.”
“Noted.”
And then my phone rang.
Oh shit. Please let that be Kenji.
I pulled it out and looked at the screen.
Yes. Kenji.
My heart stopped.
"Hold on, Deja." I held up my hand. "I need to take this real quick."
“Okay, girl.” She stepped back.
“Shoot. I’ve been working hard.” Nika got up too and headed away. “Girl, I’m going back to our villa to take a nap.”
Deja rolled her eyes. “Bitch, you haven’t done shit.”
“I’m still tired.” Nika waved and left.
I stood and rushed out of the box.
Kaoru was immediately behind me, along with Yoichi. They followed me into the hallway and had their guns out.
I pressed the phone to my ear. "Kenji? Are you okay?"
His voice came through rough and ragged. "Tora. I'm fine. I'm safe."
My voice cracked. “Oh my God and everybody else? How’s Hiro?”
“He’s fine. Reo's safe too along with the Claws."
“Thank God. Did you find your father?”
"My father wasn't there. It was a trap by my brother, but we have some possible clues.”
