Page 19

19

RYUJI

W e stepped off the chartered plane and immediately got smacked in the face by the LA heat. I bit back a hiss when the sun blared down on us.

“It’s beautiful,” Leona said with a huge smile, giant designer sunglasses over her eyes. Obi had them waiting for her on the plane and I’d smirked at how he’d pointedly avoided my knowing look. “Wow, this is so much better than dreary New York days.”

She’d napped almost the entire plane ride. Meanwhile, I had been bored out of my fucking mind. I had hoped to flirt with her the whole time, but nope. Instead, I’d been forced to watch Obi work. I’d sucked down two glasses of scotch, but it was not the trip I had been hoping for.

I must have been scowling because Obi smirked. “Ryuji hates the sunlight.”

I scoffed, grabbing Leona’s bag from her hand and throwing it over my shoulder. Obi picked up his bags, alongside the extra we’d packed with weapons. “I am a creature of darkness.”

Leona snorted, and I bit back a grin. “Go back to your cave, dragon.”

“Once we’re done here, I will gladly do so.”

An armored G-Wagon waited for us in the parking lot. I whistled as we packed our stuff into the back. This thing was a fortress. Raised wheels, reinforced chassis, bulletproof glass. Badass shit.

Obi had killed it on the travel arrangements.

Couldn’t wait to see what kind of hotel room he got us. My brain spent the last six hours imagining the three of us entwined. I’d had a semi all fucking day.

“Nice car, Obi,” Leona said, sliding into the back seat. Her hair looked gorgeous against the black leather interior. Obi took the front, and I slid in the seat beside her. Just in case anything happened, I wanted to be right next to her. “When do we have to return it?”

“What do you mean?” he asked as he adjusted the mirrors.

“Like, when is the rental due?” Her delicate fingers slid over the center console armrest separating us, inspecting all the nooks and crannies of the cupholders and the hidden compartment that opened inside. She grinned when she caught me staring.

This was why I’d wanted to flirt on the plane. Because now, I couldn’t get my mind off anything but planting my face between her magnificent tits while she stroked my cock until we were both panting.

“I bought it.”

“You bought it?” Leona asked, eyes wide.

I huffed a laugh. “Of course you did.”

“What? It seemed prudent,” he said, hand tightening on the steering wheel. “If Ryuji opens a club here, and we expand business, why would we not want easy access to safe travel?”

Leona met my eyes with a laugh. “No, no, you’re completely right.”

I smirked. “Plus, if it’s ours, we can mess up the back seat however we want.”

Her cheeks flushed pink before she smacked my chest. “ Contain yourself.”

“I told you, I never stop.” I laughed, grabbing hold of her hand, and keeping it tight against my chest. “This trip is going to be so fun.”

“Let’s get settled into our accommodations,” Obi said. He put the SUV in drive. “The meeting with Kofler is in two hours.”

“Good, I need a shower. I’m all sweaty,” Leona said.

I bit back a groan.

Yes , this trip would be fun. Finally, it was time to release the stress of the last few weeks. I’d been dying to get her alone, all to myself—and Obi.

Business? Who cared. Someone owed me a favor, and I intended to collect.

“Why the fuck would you book us two rooms, you dipshit?” I snapped at Obi as I chucked my bag against the wall.

He leveled a glare at me. “She deserves privacy.”

“Oh, come on! This would have been perfect!” I’d planned to lay her out on the bed, take my time with her, finally make good on my promise to make her scream. I’d planned to let Obi watch. We’d done it before, and I’d fully expected that he’d want to do it again.

But he’d fucked everything up by booking us two suites. Our suite had two separate bedrooms along with a living area and a fucking kitchen, but he had to go and get her an entirely separate suite.

“They are adjoining rooms, Ryu,” he said, exasperated. “You will survive.”

“The fact they’re adjoining is the only reason I’m not throwing a tantrum,” I growled. Fuck . I finally had time with her without the bodyguard breathing down my neck.

Obi huffed, but said nothing.

“Maybe she’ll let me sleep in her room.” I snatched up my bag and stomped over to the connector door, but Obi grabbed my shoulder and yanked me backward. Instantly, I dropped the bag, and had a knife in my hand.

We stared at each other.

“Are you going to stab me, Ryu?”

I sighed and tucked it away again. “Reflex.”

“I will not let you intrude on her space,” Obi said. His voice was hard, final. “She has not slept on her own in weeks. Even at home, she and Caspian share a room. Maybe she wants a few nights by herself.”

I narrowed my eyes. “So thoughtful. So scared ?”

He turned away to unpack his clothes into the dressers. “What would I have to be afraid of?”

“If she was in our room, who do you think she’d choose to sleep with? Me or you?”

“I am aware she would pick you.”

“Exactly. That’s what you’re afraid of.” I yanked open the bathroom door. I needed a shower. I needed to jerk off. I needed to relax . “I won’t let your issues ruin my fun.”

I peeled off my travel clothes and turned on the massive shower. This thing had room for at least three people, let alone the tub next to it, and he was going to deny me the opportunity to push her up against the wall?

Fucker. If he wasn’t my brother, I would have stabbed him.

I would fuck her in that tub and there was nothing he could do to stop me.

As I climbed in the shower and let the water run over me, the tightness in my shoulders finally lessened.

I wasn’t really mad at Obi. I just had too much energy and nowhere to put it.

We’d all seen the tension between her and him, and at first, I’d barely cared because it had nothing to do with me. But Obi’s choices were getting in my way, and that meant I had to step in.

My tongue darted over my lips.

I’d have to push them both.

In the ten years Obi and I had been brothers, he’d always striven to maintain his control, hide his true desires from the rest of us. What would he do if that control snapped?

I knew all the buttons to push.

An hour later, I’d showered, confirmed tomorrow’s visit with the realtor, and checked up on all my clubs. This property looked promising, and it relieved some of my anxiety to know that I would soon be expanding my businesses. More money was always a good thing.

I wanted to bury myself between her legs. I wanted my future set. On this trip, I’d get both.

A knock came from the connecting door. Just as I finished strapping on all my assorted weapons, Obi pulled the door open.

My chest tightened the moment I saw her, and I absentmindedly rubbed it. Fuck, Leona looked beautiful. Tonight, she wore her usual leather jacket, but this time, she paired it with tight ass leggings that hugged her every curve and thigh-high boots. As she stepped inside our room, I caught a glance of a knife peeking from the top of her boot. She’d refreshed her makeup, and braided her hair to the side. She looked ready for battle. Absolutely delicious .

I was again filled with annoyance that I wasn’t in her room and wasn’t between her legs.

“You guys ready?” she asked, stepping into our room, and glancing around. “Nice room.”

I glared at Obi, but he rolled his eyes.

“Yes,” Obi responded, glancing at his watch. “We are right on time.”

Business, first. Then, back to the room.

She would not sleep tonight until I was done with her.