Chapter 11 #2
They both pulled their guns’ triggers. Bubbles rose and filled the space, surprising all of the women who cheered.
Meanwhile, Reo had not grabbed a lollipop. He was only focusing on his bites, oblivious to all the happenings around him.
I took my own lollipop and licked it once.
The sugar was sweet against my tongue.
I thought of Hiro at six years old. Before our father had broken him down into the man he had become. Before the dirty alleys of Nishinari and the neglect of his mother.
Before the violence.
Before the bodies.
Before the nights he spent making sure he could kill in his sleep to protect himself.
I thought of the boy my little brother had been. The one who had loved candy and nothing else. The one who had smiled before he knew what it cost to smile.
And I saw that kid right in front of me, lapping at his lollipop like a clown and I laughed and bit through my own shell, happy to be fucking alive to witness it all.
Mmmm.
Cherry sake bloomed across my tongue. Vodka followed, sharp and clean. Grenadine softened the edges. Cream landed last, quiet, gentle, and soft.
I let the liquid sit on my tongue and then swallowed it down.
For several minutes we stood there, sucking on candy like children and riding the lovely adventure of sugar and alcohol.
Once done, I slung my empty stick on the tray and captured my Tiger.
She shrieked.
I pulled her toward me.
Her eyes went wide, then closed as I brought her mouth to mine. Her warm mouth tasted sweeter than the candy.
Her body went rigid for half a second, then melted against me.
I felt her pulse hammering where my fingers pressed her throat.
Hiro cleared his throat next to us. “Eh, she’s our Tiger this evening.”
I’m going to fucking kill him.
I pulled back and glared. “Give us a minute.”
“She’s ours for the night.”
“What did you say?” I let her go and went to him, ready to fight.
She got between us. “Alright. I want to show you our next surprise. Be nice or I’ll kick you both out.”
Behind her, Hiro lifted up his fists and mouthed the word, ours.
I rolled my eyes.
Nyomi frowned. “Are you rolling your eyes at me?”
“No. I’m doing it to him.”
She captured my hand. “Come on, baby. Be good.”
“He’s the fucking one—”
“Kenji.” She shook her head.
I sighed and looked forward. Tonight, I apparently wasn’t the Dragon. I was the Tiger’s plus one.
Guards in tuxedos came over and stepped to either side of the large curtain in front of us. They each gripped a handful of heavy black silk.
She nodded.
They pulled.
The curtains swept apart in one fluid motion and slipped along the floor.
I spotted a raised stage with a polished black floor. A single microphone stood at center, lit from below.
A large screen was behind the stage.
Along the back, thousands of tiny lights had been woven into hanging black fabric to create a starlit backdrop that slowly twinkled on and off.
Several plush velvet benches were in front of the stage for the audience.
Toma shouted so loud that the violin player across the room flinched. "Is that a fucking karaoke machine?!"
"Oh, we are going to destroy that stage tonight." Hiro raised his cane like a sword. "All of it. Every song. We will sing until someone physically removes us."
Kaede nodded. “We’ll beat Kaoru this time.”
The twins began to climb up onto the stage.
Nyomi laughed. "Not yet, guys. We still have dinner, the Fangs, and more drinks to come. But it's there. When the time is right."
I let my hand slide from the small of her back up her spine to rest between her shoulder blades. I could feel her breath move under my palm. The laugh hadn't quite left her body yet. It was still vibrating through her bones.
I leaned down.
My lips brushed the shell of her ear.
"You built my men a stage."
"I built us all a stage."
"You gave them permission to make fools of themselves."
"I gave them permission to be seen, Kenji."
“I’m going to fuck you hard tonight.” I kissed the spot just below her earlobe.
She let out a soft moan.
“You’re going to be pregnant by the morning.”
“I have protection from your craziness.”
“We’ll deal with that later too.”
“We won’t.” She stepped out of my hold as the flapper women arrived with trays of small crystal glasses that were the size of the Dragon's Flame shots.
I frowned, yearning to have my hands all over her.
“Let’s try more drinks.” Nyomi clapped. “I’m keeping the portions small. Sample sizes. So we all don’t get drunk too fast.”
One of the Claws booed.
I glanced that way.
No one admitted who it was.
“Hey.” Nyomi put her hands on her hips. “After we’ve tried them all, whatever drink you like the most, you can order a regular size glass.”
“I like the sound of that.” Toma gave her a thumbs up.
Hiro shrugged. “I’m ordering lollipops all damn night.”
Two trays came forward.
The first woman held the tray out. On it sat small glasses with pale green liquid and orange peels draped over the rim, waiting.
Another woman came up to her, struck a match, and passed the flame once over each peel.
A single blue flare lit and vanished.
Nyomi gestured to Kaede. “This is yours, my love. The Ember Waltz."
“I like that name.” He picked his up.
Nyomi grabbed her own. "Japanese gin for Kaede’s smoothness. Dry sake due to his discipline. Yuzu for his brightness. Honey for the softness he pretends not to have. And finally. . .Absinthe to remind us all that he still cuts."
Kaede stared at her. I could tell he wanted to say something, but didn’t have the words. A second later, he lifted the glass, sniffed once, closed his eyes, and took the sip.
He swallowed slowly.
When he opened his eyes, they were glassier than before. "This is. . .me."
Hiro stared at him. "Are you about to cry?"
Kaede blinked his eyes. "No.”
“Your one good eye is watering.”
"It’s the fucking absinthe."
Nyomi stepped between them. “Leave him alone.”
“Yes, Tora.” Hiro blew a kiss her way.
Kaede turned his face away and took another sip.
All tried his drink, even me. I found it tasty, but not as good as the Dragon’s Flame.
The second flapper showed up with a tray of glasses filled with this deep purple liquid.
One twin grinned. “This must be for Toma.”
“It must.” The other nodded.
The rims were lined with black salt.
Another woman came forward with a single wedge of lime and squeezed it directly over the glass.
The color shifted in an instant from purple to bright magenta. Out of fucking nowhere, a quick flame rose, kissed the surface, and then vanished.
Toma leaned forward. “How the hell did that happen?”
“That is the magic of Purple Riot." Nyomi shrugged. "We have whiskey for the backbone. Butterfly pea flower for the color. Lime to wake it up. Jalapeno syrup to match his personality. And a few secrets for the magic."
"Damn right." Toma grabbed a glass and slammed the whole thing back in one swallow.
He coughed.
His eyes watered.
He pounded his chest twice. "That is the loudest fucking drink I have ever tasted."
"Pace yourself, Toma."
"I refuse." He grinned and grabbed another. "By the way, I love you."
I frowned.
All tried Purple Riot while more hors d'oeuvres arrived. Servers moved through the draped space in a quiet line with black lacquered platters balanced on their palms.
The first tray stopped in front of me. It was all neat rows of gyoza. Half-moons crimped tight, skins burnished to deep gold where they'd kissed the pan. Each one resting in a shallow puddle of dark dipping sauce.
Kaede lifted one, dipped it, and took a bite.
Others followed.
"Okay. We have a cool rendition of collard greens." She moved around them. "They’re in the gyozas with smoked bacon. Chef Bunzō was a wizard with the sauce."
It was perfectly seasoned and delicious.
Very good, Tora.
The karaage came next, and the smell reached me before the tray did.
Crackling.
Sweet.
That deep, oiled heat that climbed into the sinuses and stayed.
Unable to control myself, I grabbed one fast. The chicken was shatter-crisp and glossed in this honey-bourbon glaze.
Toma crossed the draped space so fast I laughed. “Move. Get out of my way. I want these.”
“Eh!” Kaede got several first. “You back up!”
“We have enough for everyone.” Nyomi gestured for another waitress holding a karaage to go to them.
I popped one into my mouth whole.
Chewed.
Froze.
And then groaned.
You’ve done it again.
Hiro whistled. "This is so perfect I'm angry about it."
“Now why are you angry?” Nyomi laughed.
Behind one twin, the other reached over his shoulder and snatched one straight from his hand.
The victimized twin glared. “Hey!”
“Can’t help it.” The thieving twin popped it into his mouth.
Another tray appeared.
“And here we have miso-maple pork belly.” She held out her hands. “Enjoy.”
The glossy cubes had been caramelized until the fat ran translucent. Each square rested on a tiny charred sheet of nori paper.
Daisuke took one, ate it, and closed his eyes. He said nothing for a long moment. When he opened his eyes, he looked at Nyomi like he was meeting her again for the first time. “If the Dragon doesn’t satisfy you, I am here. I am waiting.”
I sneered at him.
Nyomi winked. “Thanks, Daisuke. I’ll remember that.”
We continued to enjoy the drinks and food, eating, laughing, and reaching for more.
Another round of Roar Bites showed up because Reo had apparently asked for them personally.
I finished the Purple Riot and could feel myself getting tipsy, but I had no plan to stop drinking just yet.
I’m going to be fucked up tonight.
For a while, we stood there chatting and nibbling the food. Kaede, very slightly drunk, drifted into her orbit and tilted his head to study her hair. "Your braids are exceptional tonight, Tora. So lovely. I want to draw you."
She blushed. “Aww. I would love that.”
My jaw tightened.
Across the room, Hiro saw my face and laughed.
After a few more minutes passed, Nyomi clapped her hands. "Alright. Everyone follow me to the next surprise. Fair warning, this one is a bit. . .somber, but we need this."
She turned and began walking toward the opposite side of the ballroom where the second draped section was.
Hiro had a new lollipop in his hand, lapping at the top. The liquid swished inside. He got to my side. “I’m serious about the marrying her.”
“I gathered that. My only question is who do you think is marrying her?”
“Exactly.” He winked and headed off.
I shook my head.
Everyone fell in behind her in a ragged line.
The jazz band continued to play upbeat songs. I could tell that I was feeling too good because for a few steps I wanted to shake my shoulders with the rhythm, but I fought through it.
Instead, I picked up my pace and got back to her side, placing my hand right at the small of her back again.
She slowed her steps and leaned against my palm. “Do you think they’re enjoying themselves?”
“I think they’re having too much fun.”
“There’s no such thing.”
“If all of them think they’re going to be cuddled up in our bed tonight, I’m going to fucking murder them.”
“I think you’re tipsy.”
“Is that what you think?” I lowered my hands to her ass and squeezed.
She shrieked and then chuckled.
Hiro muttered behind us, “Strike two, Kenji.”
I rolled my eyes.
We arrived at the second draped section. It was taller than the first. Heavier silk. More shimmer. Two tuxedoed guards took their positions at either side.
Again, they waited.
Nyomi nodded.
They pulled and the curtains swept apart in one clean motion and fell silent against the walls.
Every voice died.
Every Claw stopped walking.
Hiro's diamond fangs caught the light as his mouth opened and he dropped his lollipop. It shattered on the floor and sprayed liquid everywhere.
A woman hurried over to clean it up.
“Oh.” Kaede trembled.
Daisuke turned his face away.
The twins reached for each other's hands.
And Reo, beside me, made a sound like a man who had just been struck.
Tora. . .no. . .this isn’t good. . .