Chapter 28: Emperor of Wrath: Chapter 28

“Do you have the slightest idea what you’ve done, Kenzo?”

Tengan glares over the rim of his glasses at me as he, unbelievably, manages to stop his frantic pacing for a single fucking second.

“Kenzo?”

My face still hurts. My body still hurts, too.

My dick hurts as well, now that I think about it, but that’s in a good way. That particular part of me is sore because I spent the entirety of last night tangled up in bed with Annika, pumping her so full of my cum that she’ll be feeling me drip into her panties for a week.

And as soon as this absurd “high priority meeting” that Tengan insisted on is over, I’ll be finding Annika wherever she is and dragging her back to bed for round…fuck, I’ve lost count.

Sota’s business manager glares at me over his glass again, as if I’m some naughty schoolboy.

“Do you?” he hisses shrilly.

“First, you will lower your voice and calm your tone when you’re speaking to me,” I growl. I catch the hidden smirk on Sota’s face before he tucks it behind his customary “business Sota” mask of indifference.

“Second, I didn’t do shit. Ulkan Gacaferi killed Leka, not me.”

If Ulkan were still alive, I still haven’t decided if I’d send him a gift for killing that fuck or kill him myself for robbing me of that honor.

It’s probably the second one.

“Yes, but you gave the order last night to declare open war on Leka’s people, not to mention seize his assets and businesses.”

“His people are a bunch of drug smugglers who’ve been dipping their toes into human trafficking. I sincerely doubt anyone in the world will mourn their passing,” I snarl. “This, I should add, is why I was never going to go into business with him.”

And that was even before I learned that he’d hurt Annika.

“The issue, Kenzo,” Tengan mutters snippily, “is that by declaring open season on Leka’s interests, you’ve made it clear in just about every circle that you’re glad he’s dead.”

“Which I am,” I growl.

“It makes it look like you could have had a hand in his death.”

“Tengan,” I mutter tiredly. “I still fail to see the downside⁠—”

“Leka was in long-term business deals with Yelizaveta Solovyova.”

I shrug. “Yes, I’m aware. I spoke with Kir last night, and he’s going to smooth⁠—”

“That hasn’t gone quite as planned,” Tengan spits at me. He turns to shake his head at Sota. “Sota-san,” he whines. “The White Queen is not pleased. My people⁠—”

“Who exactly are your people, Tengan?” I grunt. “Surely you mean Sota’s people, no?”

The little twerp shoots me a look before he turns back to Sota.

“Of course, Sota-san, I mean your people⁠—”

“It’s fine, Tengan,” Sota says mildly. “Go on.”

“Yelizaveta is not at all pleased with how this was handled.” He whirls back to me before I can open my mouth. “Before you say anything, yes, we can all agree that Valon Leka was not a good man. But that’s really not her concern considering the amount of business she did with him, and the value of the product that he transported for her.”

I sigh. “I’ll get in touch with Ms. Solovyova and give her the full⁠—”

“Leka still has people, you know,” Tengan spits shrewishly. “In fact, his brother Basor, with whom he started the business, is interested in taking over. He’s currently in prison in Bulgaria, but he reached out to me this morning⁠—”

“I’m sorry, what?” I snarl, lurching to my feet. Tengan scuttles back when I jab a finger at his face. “Exactly who do you work for, Tengan⁠—”

“Kenzo.” Sota raises a finger. “Let him finish. Tengan’s loyalty is not up for debate.”

I glare at Sota’s business manager, but then nod respectfully to Sota and sit down again.

Tengan straightens his tie fastidiously. “Of course I work for Sota-san, Kenzo,” he mutters. “But it’s my job to make sure business flows as it should. So, yes, Basor contacted me this morning from prison via a smuggled phone. He wants the death of his brother to settle whatever disagreement you had with him….”

Disagreement?!

I could strangle the little fuck. But I keep myself in check.

“And as he will be taking Valon’s place as head of the organization, he wants to talk about doing business as planned and going ahead with the original contract that was discussed.”

I shake my head. “Not happening in a million years. No. Fuck no.”

Tengan’s face darkens as he glances at Sota.

“Sota-san, if you could kindly talk sense into your⁠—”

“Give us a moment, Tengan,” Sota says quietly.

Tengan glares at me, then he turns and bows stiffly to his boss. “Of course.”

After he’s gone, I shake my head and point to the door that Tengan just retreated through.

“He’s a big problem,” I growl.

Sota smiles, nodding amicably. “He would be, if he wasn’t so loyal to me.”

I exhale slowly. “I just can’t okay doing business with Leka’s successor, even if the bastard himself is dead. Besides, I’ve heard of Basor. He’s supposed to be even more of a piece of shit than Valon was.”

Sota nods. “You understand what Tengan is saying though, yes? If we were to go into business with Basor, it would reassure Yelizaveta that the feud was with one man, not an entire organization with whom she does significant business.” He sighs. “I know it might not be what you want, but you had to know there would be fallout from everything that happened last night.”

I nod. “I know, and I’ll face it, Sota. Look, I made a choice. And I’m sticking to that choice. I’ll deal with whatever comes of it.”

A small smile creeps over his face. “Good,” he says quietly. “If that’s the way you feel, then you’re ready.”

My brow furrows. “For?”

“In eight weeks, I’m going to be going to Italy for a few months. I’m not sure exactly how long. But I’ve always wanted to visit the vineyards of Tuscany and Piedmont, and I can’t think of a better time to go.”

I stare. “Sota, in eight weeks you have to be in New York for your next round of treatment⁠—”

“I won’t be going to New York for another round of treatment, Kenzo,” he says quietly.

Something breaks inside me. My face falls, my pulse skipping as I stare at my second father, every emotion roaring to the surface.

No.

I’m not ready yet. I’m not ready for this man to leave this world. Not now, and definitely not like this.

“Sota,” I choke. “Whatever they said, there are other options. There’s a doctor in China right now doing some amazing breakthrough stuff with mRNA⁠—”

“I’m not going back to treatment, Kenzo,” Sota says with a small smile, “because I’m in remission.”

The world freezes. I stare at him, shocked and stunned, watching the grin creep across his face.

“Goddammit,” I groan, lurching to my feet and striding around the desk. “You’re serious?”

Sota stands, laughing as I hug him fiercely.

“Completely,” he smiles warmly. “Full remission after my last blood test.”

I grin, shaking my head at him. “You scared the shit out of me, you know.”

He grins, shrugging. “Let an old man have his theatrics.”

I exhale heavily, shaking my head again. “That wasn’t even the littlest bit funny. Do me a favor, don’t pull that crap with Hana. It’ll break her.”

Then, suddenly, I frown.

“What did you mean by me being ready?”

He smiles as he takes my hand and pats it. “I understand your father now. I understand the need for something different and more peaceful than the Yakuza. In two months, Kenzo, I’m done. I’m going to Italy without a return ticket, and I plan on eating good pasta, drinking fine wine, and kissing beautiful Italian women. And when I do…”

I tense up as it hits me.

“Sota—”

“You’re ready, Kenzo,” he says quietly. “To be King.”