Page 56 of The Dragon 1

I will meet you tomorrow, butnotfor a date.

I would love to sit down and discuss acompromiseto my carrying on my observations in Kabukicho district.

I also want my tape recorder back.

Respectfully.

As I said before, that device means a lot to me.

Sincerely,

Nyomi

I considered underlining my name to prove a point that I wasn’t his Tora, but thought I’d pushed the situation enough with my letter.

Let’s see what he thinks of this.

I folded up the page, stuffed it back into the envelope, and returned it to the guy. “Thanks so much and be careful out there. It’s pretty late.”

He gave me a weird nod and rushed away.

Once I closed the door, Zo leapt out of the shadows. “What is it?!”

I jumped. “Holy shit you scared me.”

“What did he get you?”

I gestured at the two packages, “I have no idea.”

“I can’t believe he sent you gifts. You’ll need to give him something back.”

I lowered to my knees. “I will?”

“Definitely.”

“Why do I have to give him a gift?”

“Gift-giving is traditional and almost a social obligation at times. I’m always buying things when I go traveling. I store tons of stuff in my closet for these occasions. Here, if someone gives you a gift, you’re to give them something of at least equal value.”

“Awesome. Now he's bound me to buying him something,” I tore off the pretty paper and lifted the top of the box to open it. “Meanwhile, he’s stolen my freaking recorder.”

“Would you let the damn recorder go? It barely worked.”

“It served me just fine.” I pouted.

He mocked me.“It served me just fine.”

“Oh, just go fuck yourself, Zo.”

“I sure will, after we check out what the Dragon has given you.”

I picked up the smaller box and looked at it. I almost didn’t want to tear away the gold paper. It looked custom—too thick, too decadent, as if it had been rolled out of a secret boutique meant only for billionaires with sins to disguise.

Let’s see what he got me.

Carefully, I pulled the gold wrapping away and lifted the lid.

A book rested inside, nestled in tissue paper.