Part 23 (2/2)
”Why?”
”I have no idea except that his young guns wanted vengeance for what Kennichi did to them back in Tokyo. It was a silly move and probably drew a great deal of unwanted attention to us. It also put them more on guard than they have been so far.”
Shuko took another bite of her fruit and kept staring at Nezuma. ”So now they know.”
”They've known for sure that they have people watching them. But a full scale attack in the middle of the night borders on insane.” Nezuma sat next to her and took her hand. ”Shuko.”
She looked at him. ”Master.”
He shook his head. ”I did not want to do what I had to do last night. I hope you understand that.”
”I understand.”
He rested his head on her shoulder. ”We are so close right now to finally gaining what we've been after-”
”What you've you've been after.” been after.”
He looked at her. ”This isn't just about me. It's about what the dorje dorje can do for both of us.” can do for both of us.”
She shook her head. ”I've never cared about that.”
”What do you mean?”
”I only care about what it can do for you, master. What it means to you-the value and glory you see in its recovery-means more to me than the item itself.”
Nezuma bowed his head. ”But it will give us the life we've always dreamed of.”
Shuko shook her head. ”But don't you see? I already have the life I've always dreamed of. You gave that to me years ago when you plucked me out of that slum. And every day since then I've thanked the G.o.ds for your appearance in my life.”
Nezuma placed his finger under her chin and lifted it to meet his gaze. ”You know I share your feelings.”
”Do you?”
”How can you question me?”
Shuko took her hand and pulled at the neck of her kimono. The dark black-and-blue welts on her skin showed like an angry yoke around her neck, mottling the skin toward her collarbones.
”This,” she said quietly, ”is not what two people in love do to each other.”
Nezuma covered her neck back up. ”You know I have a violent temper.”
”Yes. I know.”
”And you know that I sometimes do things I don't mean.”
”But I have never experienced any misdirected hatred from you. At least, not until last night.”
Nezuma nodded. ”Would you prefer to leave?”
Shuko looked at him. ”Would you let me?”
He leaned back. ”You think I would kill you?”
She said nothing.
Nezuma sighed. ”I suppose you do after last night.”
”Yes.”
”You have every right to.” He took a bite of the apple on the plate. ”But my life would mean nothing without you in it.”
”Do you really mean that? Truly?”
Nezuma swallowed. ”Yes.”
A small smile formed at the corners of her mouth. ”Thank you.”
Nezuma kissed her on the lips. ”I'm sorry for hurting you.”
She hugged him tightly, pressing her sobs into the folds of his robe. She shuddered and convulsed as he held on to her. When she was done, Nezuma could feel the wetness of her tears on his shoulder.
”You feel better now?”
She nodded, still with her face in his shoulder. He smoothed her hair back, running his fingers through the dark tresses as she sniffed and attempted to compose herself.
”My little beauty,” he said softly.
She sighed and kissed him then, pleading with her lips, slowly and long. Nezuma kissed her back, laying her back on the tatami tatami mats, taking his time to be gentle and soft with her. mats, taking his time to be gentle and soft with her.
As he nuzzled her, he thought about the timetable they would need to adhere to in order to pursue Kennichi and Annja Creed. At least they knew where to find them-that was if they stayed around long enough.
Shuko whimpered as he kissed her. s.e.x would take precious time away from them.
He frowned. But it was apparently necessary in order to rea.s.sure Shuko that he did truly love her. After all, he needed her badly by his side during the coming battles he felt sure would take place.
And afterward...
He smiled as Shuko's body tightened and then relaxed under his kisses.
Afterward, he could always dispose of her at his leisure.
”IT LOOKS DIFFERENT in the daylight.” in the daylight.”
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