Page 78 of The Dragon 1

Yoichi muttered. “She can’t.”

I swallowed.

Kaoru ignored him. “And I’m sure you’re wondering why I went pink.”

Yoichi grumbled. “I bet she doesn’t care.”

Kaoru casually brushed his fingers through his hair. “I went pink because everyone in the Family tries to look invisible. Me? I like to be remembered.”

“Oh.” I checked out his face but didn’t see much of a resemblance. “So. . .you’re related to Kenji?”

To my surprise, both men chuckled.

Kaoru winked at me. “Relatedinblood, but notthroughblood.”

What the fuck? Oh. The Family is their. . .gang. Got it.

He gave me a warm smile. “You know, no woman has ever brought the Dragon a gift.”

My heart skipped a beat. “You mean. . .on a first date?”

“No,” he shook his head. “Not onanydate. You’re the first woman to bring a gift.”

Yoichi corrected. “Two gifts.”

“Well. . .” I swallowed. “I thought it would be respectful. I was told that in Japanese culture, gift-giving is a sign of sincerity. . .of. . .wanting to make a good impression.”

Kaoru nodded. “It is. Inmostcases.”

“But?”

He grinned. “You’re not in most cases.”

My nerves flared. “So. . .you think I shouldn’t have brought them?”

He shrugged. “It depends.”

“On what?”

Kaoru slowed his pace just enough that we lagged a few feet behind Yoichi. Then, he lowered his voice. “The more. . .intriguing you become to the Dragon, well. . .”

“What?”

“The more you open doors that you cannot close.”

I parted my lips.

What?

We continued walking in silence.

Doors you cannot close.

Kaoru had said it so casually but it stuck to my ribs just the same.

I’ll have to be more careful with Kenji.

The path curved suddenly and the moment I turned the corner, I stopped breathing for a few seconds.