Page 78 of Crossed By the Stars

“You told me that Hiroto was humiliated and not looking for revenge.”

“Not Hiroto,” he said. “I fear this will only bring him more shame.”

The pieces would not come together for me. “Someone in attendance then? How will my being there help you?”

He didn’t answer.

Even with all the bits of knowledge I was missing, I realized a single truth.

“I’m the bait,” I breathed out.

He inclined his head.

“Why would I do this?”

“If you don’t, you will never have peace. They will always come after you. If you want a chance at life with Armaud, you will do as I say.”

I snorted. “I don’t think you care about me, or Dax, or his family.”

His eyes glimmered.

“He’s told you, then,”Otosansaid. It wasn’t a question.

“Yes. I guess betrayal runs in our family. You betrayed your friend and your lover long before I betrayed you.”

“I’ve had to make many hard choices along my path. Some I regret. Some I do not.”

“Élodie…is she a regret? Am I? How aboutKaasan?”

He looked surprised. “I have done nothing to your mother.”

“You’re betraying her right now, aren’t you? With Ichika Matsuda?”

He closed his eyes. “Who told you this? Akari? She thinks her mother and I are having an affair?”

I hated that I believed his surprise was legitimate.

“You’re not?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Ichika and I have been discussing Hiroto. He has Alzheimer’s and has started making regrettable mistakes. Mistakes I can’t afford for myShateigashirato make. Not after…” He trailed off, but his eyes continued to bore into me.

“Not after letting me go,” I finished for him. He didn’t acknowledge it or deny it. “Why would she help you?”

He laughed. “Ichika wants nothing more than to prove she can do her husband’s job.”

“What? Why?”

He stared at me. “Like you, she wants the world to see that women can be as powerful as men. That they do not need to hide behind their husbands.”

“Like me?” It was my turn to be surprised.

“From the first time you picked up the sword in my office and pretended to slay your enemy, you have been trying to prove to me that you are powerful. Strong. Unafraid.”

“I wanted to be you.” The admission ripped from me before I could hold it back.

“Until you realized I was the villain and not the hero.”

I swallowed hard.