I’m glad he came in here.
Hiro's grin widened. He looked positively giddy—this massive, tattooed, dangerous man reduced to a child trying to sneak cookies before dinner.
"Fine." He held up his hands in surrender, still grinning. "I'll wait."
"Good."
"But only because I respect the process." He placed his hand over his heart.
Solemn.
Sincere.
My shoulders relaxed. "Thank you, Hiro."
"Of course."
Then—faster than I could react—his hand shot out and snagged a croquette off the plate.
"HIRO!"
“Sorry.” He popped it into his mouth before I could stop him, and then hegroaned. Not the polite appreciation sound from the karaage.
This was deeper.
More guttural.
The sound of a man experiencing religious ecstasy.
"Oh my." His eyes rolled back slightly. "Nyomi. What the fuck is in these?"
“You lied to me.”
“My hand is not under my command.”
“Bullshit. You’re being a menace.”
“I promise to spend the rest of my life making that up to you. Now what is in this?”
"They’re called Crazy Croquettes. Three cheeses, bacon lardons, and a bechamel base with—"
"I don't know what some of that is, but. . ." He was already reaching for another one. "I just need two more."
I slapped his hand away. "No!"
"You’re worried aboutme. You better not let Reo into this kitchen and see these croquettes." He eyed the plate like a predator stalking prey. "Because there won't be any left. The man has a serious addiction to cheese."
I laughed despite myself. "What?"
"It's a problem." Hiro shook his head gravely. "Back when Kenji first took the throne from our father, Reo convinced everyone that the Claws, Fangs, and him should all live together in one house. Said it would form unity. Build brotherhood. Strengthen the bonds between us."
"That sounds nice."
"What Reo failed to mention was that he would be nibbling on everyone's cheese in the middle of the night."
I covered my mouth. "No way.”
"Anytime any of us would buy cheese, put it in the refrigerator, and go to sleep, the next day we would wake up, go to our cheese. . .and you know what we would see?" Hiro mimed opening a refrigerator door, then staring in horror. "Bite marks.”
