I close my eyes and reach down, stroking myself slowly while I remember her face, the way she stared at me with her big, beautiful eyes. Her pink skirt. The white sweater hiding small, perfect breasts. She’s like a flowery daydream, a soft cloud that I want to bury myself in.
It doesn’t take long for me to come on a groan. I thought of her the entire time. Mei. Sweet and sassy Mei. What the hell is she doing here?
I need to figure this out. Soon. There’s too much death and war going on here with the Itos. Hideo must not realize he sent his daughter straight into the tiger’s mouth. I should send her back.
Lathering up, I think about her leaving. It shouldn’t bother me. After all, she just got here. If anything, she’s a burden. I don’t need anything distracting me from serving up vengeance on the Ito family. But just the idea of her walking out the front door and getting on a plane back to Japan rubs me wrong. Not because I want her. I mean, maybe I just came hard while moaning her name, but that’s just a weird side effect of seeing her right after I committed violence. Has to be. I’m under a lot of stress.
But if I send her back, she’ll be safe from the Itos and out of my way. I flip off the water and step from the shower. The thought of her leaving is still making me uneasy.
Maybe … Maybe she’s here because Nakamura knows she’d be safer with me. What if there’s trouble in Tokyo? If that’s the case, then she’s probably better off here with me. Even with the Itos breathing down my neck, I have zero doubts that I can protect Mei. She won’t have to worry.
I sigh at myself as I think about all the mental gymnastics I just performed. At least I stuck the landing–Mei stays.
Dressing quickly, I stop at the mirror and run a hand through my dark hair, then try to smooth it down a little. Not that I care how I look. I mean, I’m home. It doesn’t matter. I’m surrounded by soldiers. But now … Now Mei’s here, too. I can’t have her telling her father I’m slacking. So I keep smoothing my hair until it’s presentable.
I have more business to transact today, including providing for the families who lost loved ones thanks to the traitor in our midst. Once I’ve spoken with them, I need to send reinforcements to my other operations and reassure my workers personally. After that, meetings with the other families. I have to bring them to my side. Ito has gone too far, and now it’s time to put him down.
So I need to get Mei in line. I don’t have time for any of her issues. She clearly has some, given her attitude and the fact she was kicked out of school. What did she do? Never mind. It doesn’t matter. What matters is she’s under my control now, and I intend to keep her safe for Hideo.
With new resolve, I open my bedroom door and stride to hers. I unlock it, then rap lightly on the wood. “Mei?”
No answer.
“Mei?” I call again.
Silence.
Shit. What if I was too harsh with her? What if she’s crying? That thought sends a chill swirling through me. What if I made her cry? No. I don’t like the idea of that at all.
“Look, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. The blood isn’t a common thing. It was just bad timing. We can talk about your stay here and make arrangements to get all the things your kitten needs.” I pause, and when there’s still no answer, I take a deep breath. “Look, I’m sorry I was gruff, okay? Can I please come in?” Thank God Toru isn’t up here listening to me grovel.
Right as I say that, he turns the corner at the top of the stairs, a smirk on his face.
Double shit. “What?” I bark.
“I heard you talking. What are you doing?”
I point at the door. “I’m talking to Mei.”
His smirk only grows. “Yeah?”
“Do you want something, Toru?” I let my irritation show. “I’m busy right now.”
“Busy talking to Mei?” He leans against the wall next to a priceless vase.
“Yes. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Nothing’s wrong with me. You’re the one talking to a door.”
“Mei,” I correct. “I’m talking to Mei.”
“That’s interesting since Mei is out in the garden with Ritsu, Ken, and her cat.”
“The fuck?” I’m moving before I can even think it through. I pound down the stairs and hurry to the back garden. Past the pool, I find Mei sitting under a rose arbor with her kitten in her lap and my men hovering on either side.
My hands fist, and I can swear I feel my fucking blood pressure spike. “Ritsu, Ken!”