“No.”
“Yes. Little Reo-sized bite marks in your cheese."
"He didn't even slice it?"
"No. Just picked it up and nibbled. Like a rodent." Hiro leaned in conspiratorially. "I believe Reo was a mouse in his prior life. A very sneaky mouse who pretends to care about unity but really just wants access to more cheese."
Another laugh burst out of me—louder this time, surprised out of my chest.
"Stop." I held up my hand as he inched toward the plate again.
“I’ll give you a lollipop for another croquette.”
“You would give me a lollipop regardless.”
He grabbed for a croquette.
"No."
Then Hiro did something I never expected.
He put his hands together in a full, dramatic, prayer-hands position—pressing his palms together and holding them up to his chin.
His eyes went wide and pleading.
His bottom lip actually trembled.
I watched a man who could kill everyone in this compound without breaking a sweat look at me like I held the keys to heaven.
Over mac and cheese balls.
It was so adorable I almost choked.
"Please, Nyomi. I'll do anything. I'll be your knight in shining armor for the rest of your life. Let me have one more croquette." He pressed his hands tighter together. "Anything you need from me. This is my oath to you."
A helpless giggle escaped me. "Fine. But if I murder somebody, you gotta help me hide the body."
Hiro's hand shot out and grabbed a croquette so fast I barely saw it move.
"Of course." He grinned, popping it into his mouth. "Actually, I'll kill the person for you and hide the body. You'll never need to do anything."
He was smiling when he said it.
But my stomach turned.
Because beneath the playfulness, beneath the charm, I saw it—the absolute certainty in his eyes. He wasn't joking. Not really. If I asked him to kill someone for me, he would do it without hesitation.
Without question.
Without remorse.
The smile stayed on my face, but something cold slithered through my chest.
This is who they are, and. . .this is who I'm with. It’s my new life.
Hiro groaned again as he chewed, completely oblivious to my momentary horror.
"This is insane. The crispy outside and then the cheese just—" He made an exploding gesture near his head. "Both of these are amazing. The chicken is incredible. The croquettes are incredible. How are you this good?"
