Page 21 of The Oyabun's Boy

"Good." He glanced at his watch. "It's late. You should rest."

"Where, exactly?" I asked, eyeing him suspiciously. "Because if you think—"

"There are guest quarters prepared for you," he interrupted. "Adjacent to your mother's. Chen will show you."

"Oh." I felt strangely disappointed, which was ridiculous. Of course I didn't want to sleep in his room, in his bed, with him. That would be insane. "Good."

Kenji stepped closer, invading my personal space with practiced ease. Before I could react, his hand cupped my cheek, thumb brushing lightly across my lower lip in a touch so gentle it barely registered—and yet it burned like a brand.

"Rest well, Princess," he murmured. "Tomorrow, we begin."

"Begin what?" I asked, my voice embarrassingly breathless.

His eyes darkened, and that dangerous smirk returned. "Teaching you to belong to me."

I should have been outraged. I should have slapped his hand away and told him exactly where he could shove his possessive macho bullshit. Instead, I stood frozen, caught between indignation and a shameful, secret thrill that coursed through me at his words.

"I don't belong to anyone," I managed, the protest weak even to my own ears.

"We'll see," he replied, echoing his words from the night in the alley. Then he stepped back, breaking the spell. "Chen will escort you to your room. Anything you need, he will provide."

As if summoned by his name, Chen appeared in the doorway, his expression as unreadable as ever.

I reluctantly left the library, casting one longing look back at the books—and at Kenji, standing among them like some dark guardian of knowledge.

"Goodnight, Kenji," I said softly.

"Until tomorrow, Joy," he replied, my name in his mouth sounding like both a promise and a threat.

As I followed Chen through the winding corridors of Kotei Tower, I tried to sort through the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. Fear, certainly. Confusion, absolutely. But also something dangerously close to anticipation.

Whatever game we were playing, I was pretty sure Kenji was winning. And the most frightening part? I wasn't entirely sure I wanted him to lose.

Chapter Six

~ Kenji ~

I pushed through the double doors of the command center, letting them slam closed behind me. The room fell silent instantly—phones mid-conversation abandoned, keyboards stopped mid-stroke.

Fear had a scent. It perfumed the air around my subordinates as their eyes darted to the floor, avoiding my gaze. Good. Fear kept them honest. Fear kept them loyal. Or at least, fear kept them pretending to be.

The command center sprawled before me—a testament to power wrapped in technology. Thirty monitors lined the walls, each displaying a different feed—security cameras from my properties, surveillance on rivals, financial tickers flowing like digital blood.

The room smelled of electronics and sweat. Ten of my men sat at workstations, now frozen like prey animals sensing a predator.

I strode to the central console, my shoes clicking against polished concrete. Each step echoed in the silence. Not even breathing disturbed the air.

"Status report," I said, my voice deceptively soft.

Chen stepped forward, tablet in hand, expression neutral. The others remained motionless. Smart man, Chen. He knew better than to make me wait.

"We've narrowed your uncle's location to three possible properties in Brooklyn," he said, swiping through satellite images.

I felt my jaw tighten. "Narrowed."

The word hung in the air like a threat.

"We're working on—"