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Natalie stills for a moment, then walks closer and bows.

I don’t know who this man is, but I can guess. Despite that, I don’t move a muscle. He might be one of the most powerful men in the Yakuza and hold some power over Nat, but he has nothing on me. I’d rather shoot the prick than lower my head to him in any way.

“Granddaughter,” he says in a crisp Japanese accent that has Natalie rising to her full height. “It’s good to see you.”

“Thank you. I’m happy to see you so well.”

His weathered face shows a small smile before he has his man move him closer to the open couches in the living room.

“Please sit. I have tea coming.”

Natalie does as her grandfather asks, only looking at me when he looks at me expectantly. I just raise an eyebrow in challenge.

“Atom,” she calls, pulling my eyes to her. Once again, her hand is out in invitation, and I’m powerless to stop myself from walking confidently to her side and sitting beside her.

No one speaks for longer than I thought possible. They hardly move.

Only when the tea is brought out does Natalie move to pour us each a cup. Her fingers are long and elegant in her task. A task that she was clearly taught how to perform many years ago. She hands one cup to her grandfather, then one to me, and finally takes one for herself.

I don’t drink tea.

But a single look from her out of the side of her eye has me reluctantly raising the dainty porcelain cup to my lips and sipping the hot green liquid.

I’ve had worse things in my life, I’m sure, but nothing comes to mind at this moment.

I note her grandfather eyeing me, but he says nothing as he continues to sip away at whatever foul-tasting liquid is in the cup that he considers good. I set mine down on the table and manage to keep my distaste for it off my face.

“Barbra—” he starts, but I cut in quickly.

“Natalie.” I say it with enough force that the guards I expected to be around finally make themselves known by coming in from each hallway that this main room veers off to.

I look at each man and woman as they stand at the ready before finally settling back on her grandfather. “Her name is Natalie. Her mother named her that, and she should be recognized as such. It doesn’t get to be changed just because someone new came in and decided it to be so.”

The silence in the room is stifling, but I don’t back down as I hold the old man’s stare.

“Natalie always suited her better.”

Nat’s soft gasp pulls my gaze to her. I’ve got a feeling this is a bigger deal than I realize. Eight months ago, I knew nothing about Japanese culture. But since Natalie moved in and we learned of her connections to the Yakuza, I’ve been studying up. Not enough to serve tea properly, but at least now I know they take it seriously, and a bad pour can be seen as disrespectful.

I say it’s just stupid shit, but it ain’t my culture, so I don’t give a fuck. The only reason I’m being as civil as I can is because I’m outnumbered.

The Hounds are bound to know where we are now, or they’ll at least have a hint. If the cavalry is coming, it’ll take some time to get the team together. I need to play nice and see what this is all about before I start a war that wasn’t meant to be because I overlooked something.

Just like I almost overlooked how Natalie’s grandfather agreeing to her name could mean something.

“We have much to discuss.”

“We do?” Nat asks him with a small head tilt.

“Of course. We will begin by offering you a gift.” He sets his tea down and motions to someone.

A woman dressed in what I would have considered a tight tube dress shuffles over on silent feet and bows as she sets a gigantic box on Natalie’s lap.

I take the teacup from her quickly and set it down, noting the small, grateful look she gives me. I bet a spilled cup of tea is considered bad form here as well.

She opens it without a word and reveals a white-looking jacket.

“What is it?” I ask, not caring that I don’t know what it is.