Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
“That tears at me even more.”
“And why do you feel guilty?”
“I helped you all by figuring out Sako was the spy.”
“You found a traitor who confessed about other traitors. You didn't light the match."
“I know, but. . .how do you live with guilt? How do you wake up every day knowing what you've done? What you've seen?"
For a long moment, he didn't answer. Then, quietly, he spoke, "I still don’t know, sis. All I can say is that. . .I believe. . .you learn to carry it.”
I stilled. “Carry it.”
“The weight never gets lighter, but you get stronger. And eventually, you stop trying to carry it alone."
I pulled back just enough to look at his face.
His expression was open in a way I'd never seen—not the sharpness of the predator, not the playful smirk. This was Hiro unmasked, and he looked so damned sad.
"We need you, Nyomi." His hands came up to frame my face, and his thumbs brushed away tears I hadn't realized were falling. "All of us need you. Kenji, me, the Claws, the Fangs—we need you. Your warmth. Your love and honesty. Your ability to see people when everyone else looks right through them."
“What about the Roar?”
“What?”
“You left him out.” I tried to make light of this moment. “Surely Reo needs me too.”
To my surprise, worry hit his face. “Well. . .let’s hope Reo is. . .still with us.”
“What does that mean?”
“If the pyre was moved, then Reo did it, and that means he did that for a reason that only he understands, and no matter how he will explain it to my brother. . .”
“What?”
“Let’s just say that Reo will need to deal with whatever comes to him today.”
I left Hiro’s arms. “What the hell does that mean?”
“I don’t know.”
“You do know.”
“I don’t. This is new territory. Reo doesn’t usually go against a direct order from my brother. I was there last night when Kenji told Reo where to put the pyre and that he didn’t want you to see it.”
My bottom lip quivered.
“And this is also new territory because . . .Kenji has never had a woman around us that he’s cared about so. . .I don’t know what my brother will do to Reo.”
“Oh no. I don’t want anything to happen to Reo just because I got upset.” I began to walk around him.
Hiro stopped me. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to make sure Reo is fine.”
“That would just make it worse.”
“How?”
“First, my brother would get jealous that you’re checking on his Roar. And that would only cause Reo more pain than he’s probably already dealing with. Second, the act of your going to make sure Reo is okay, would suggest to everyone that you think Reo is weak.”
I held out my hands. “Both things are ridiculous.”
“Yet, this is our way. Are you going to accept it or try to challenge our ways?”
“I’m. . .”
He leaned his head to the side.
“But. . .”
“What?”
“How do I find out if Reo is okay without triggering any jealousy or further harm?”
“That’s where I step in.” Hiro pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and put the device to his ear.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
He held up a finger.
The phone rang and then the person picked up.
“Yes. . .Hiro. . .” Reo's voice came through on speaker, and it was strained. Tight. The kind of voice that came out when every breath cost you.
Oh shit.
Hiro spoke, "I'm up. What do you have for me?"
"The Tiger still wants to get her hair braided and do the movies for the island." Reo paused. A beat too long. Like he was catching his breath between sentences. "You and the Claws will keep her safe. . .while Kenji and I deal with the shipments."
"What time will she be getting her hair braided?"
"Ask her.”
Hiro quirked his brows. “What?”
“I know you're with her right now."
"Hmmm." Hiro smiled at me. "Did I miss anything this morning?"
"You missed a lot, but I'm sure the Claws will catch you up."
"You're too busy?"
"At the moment, I have something important."
"Ah. Then I'll talk to you later." Hiro hung up and looked at me.
I let out a long breath. "Good. He sounds. . .okay."
"No. He doesn’t. He's in a lot of pain. Probably bruised ribs."
I stared at him. "You heard bruised ribs from those few sentences?"
"His breathing was shallow. Controlled. He was rationing air."
"That wouldn’t be anything else?"
"No." Hiro shook his head. "I know Reo. We've bled together. Trained together. Fought side by side more times than I can count. When a man takes a hit to the ribs, his voice changes. It sits higher in the chest because he can't pull from the diaphragm without pain."
I swallowed.
"Also, Reo would have wanted to stay on the phone longer."
"Why?"
"Because we're in the kitchen." Hiro's eyes held mine. "He knows I don't cook. He knows you do. If he weren’t hurt, he would have asked what we were making. He would have hinted for a plate."