Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104141 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
The path was clogged with people. Men in dark jackets were distributing rifles from the back of an open truck, handing them to other men who had clearly never held a rifle in their lives. A teenager took one of the weapons with both hands and almost dropped it from the weight.
Others sprinted in every direction. A man ran past us with a rifle slung across his back and a child in his arms. A woman ran the other way with what looked like a photo album pressed to her chest.
Two staff members were dragging a heavy trunk between them.
The island typically smelled like—salt off the water, jasmine along the path, smoke from grills, and the faint sweetness of plumeria.
Those scents were gone now and replaced with fuel, gun oil, sweat, and fear.
I spotted four empty helicopters far off on the other side of the island. Tons of people gathered around them, wagging their hands and yelling.
Several smaller boats were heading toward us, but it would take them some time.
I looked at Yoichi. “Why aren’t they putting people on the helicopters yet and getting them outside?”
“The Tiger goes first and then everyone else—”
“Hell no. Call whoever is up there and tell them to load all four helicopters and take them off. I can wait for the second trip—”
“There may not be a second trip. They’re taking everyone who can fit on the helicopters to safehouses in Tokyo. That could take forty minutes to an hour.”
“No.”
That long per round trip and only four helicopters. That meant barely sixty people per trip if we crammed everyone in.
The math was not survivable.
I shook my head. “Have the helicopters go to Kenji’s private island and drop people off and then come back. Do they know where it is?”
“They would.”
“Could you contact the helicopters?”
“Of course. I have the contact for Kenji’s personal one.”
“Then, have them sent to the island. That would take them five to ten minutes. The helicopters could make several trips and get a lot of people out of here, if we do that.”
Yoichi pressed on the phone. “You’re overriding Reo’s evacuation plan. Are you okay with that?”
I swallowed. “Should I. . .call Reo and ask?”
“And fuck up his already fucked up focus? No.” Yoichi tabbed his phone and placed it against his ear. “Your plan is solid. Reo is juggling fifty things right now and our Roar is efficient and a genius, but he is still a man.”
I let out a long breath.
Poor Reo. You would have caught that if not for your mind being so packed.
Yoichi switched to Japanese as he delivered the orders to the pilot.
Seconds later, he hung up the phone and then pointed to the left. “Your cart is over there. I don’t see the driver, but we don’t need him. Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
A boom went off in the distance.
A woman near the front door screamed and dropped to her knees with her arms over her head.
Oh no! Are they here?!
Another boom came.
The ground shook under my feet.
I lost my balance.
Yoichi grabbed my arm. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” I straightened and got back in step. “What the hell was that?”
"They're testing the antiaircraft guns on the outer ridge."
I watched the woman cry on the ground and headed to her.
Yoichi grabbed my arm and stopped me. “We have no time.”
“But. . .”
Another woman helped her up. She was shaking so hard her teeth were chattering.
A third boom rolled across the island.
This one was farther away. The ground didn't shake, but a small group of kids raced away in horror.
Goddamn it. Where are their parents?
We got to my cart, and I turned to my guards. They stood in formation around me. "Listen."
They watched.
"I’m safe with Yoichi. Go get your kids, wives, and loved ones off this island. Get them on a helicopter or boat. Once your families are safe, come find me. But your families are priority right now. Not me."
None of them moved.
I looked at Yoichi.
He shook his head. "Their first priority is you."
I drew in a breath, raised my hand, and pointed to the soul pin that Reo had given me.
Yoichi frowned.
“The Tiger commands it. Go get your kids and wives off this fucking island. The Dragon doesn't have to know. If he has a fucking problem with it, I'll deal with him personally.” I dropped my hand. “Now go!"
For one beat, nothing happened.
Then the tall one with the scar through his eyebrow gave me the deepest bow I had ever received in my life. "Yes, Tora."
He turned and ran off.
Two more nervously backed away and then ran off too.
The rest stayed.
I looked at them. "No kids or wives?"
One nodded. "None."
"Parents on the island?"
They shook their heads.
Yoichi crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “Are we done saving everyone else besides yourself now?”
“No, but I will get onto the cart.”
To my surprise, Yoichi let out a dark chuckle and headed to the driver’s side.