Kenji clears his throat as I lean in to take her lips.
“Kenji, don’t you have somewhere to be,” I murmur, pressing my lips into hers.
“We both do, actually. You’ve been summoned to your father’s.”
Pulling back from Cleo, I glance up at Kenji.
“When?”
“Two hours.” He brings two plates over, sliding one in front of Cleo while pushing the other one in front of the empty stool next to her. “Eat up. You’re going to need it.”
He gives me a hard look. This meeting isn’t good. He knows as well as I do. My father never approved of my pursuit of Cleo. Not only that, but he has to know by now that we went in and rescued her last night.
Pressing one last kiss to her cheek, I take the seat next to her. When I take a bite of the eggs, she follows suit.
“Have you heard from anyone?” I ask as I continue to eat.
“Callum called a couple hours ago. Killian is on a flight out. He will want to meet with you,” Kenji says.
“Callum’s, okay?” Cleo’s voice is so hopeful.
“He is. He said to tell you not to worry about him.”
She smiles, her eyes tearing up. “I’m so relieved. I was worried about him.”
Reaching over, I squeeze her knee. “You’re sweet. Callum’s a fierce warrior. I’m sure he single-handedly took down most of those men last night.”
She looks down at her plate then. “Do you think my father and mother are dead?”
I sigh. “I don’t know. We will find out, though. Maybe we can call Callum from the car.”
She looks up, giving me a small smile. “I’d like that. You’re too good to me.”
“No, I’m not good enough, but I will spend my every breath until my last being good to you.”
“Charmer,” she mutters, hiding a smile as she continues to eat.
Walkinginto my father’s warehouse is nothing new. Walking in with Cleo next to me is. This was a strategic decision. A show of power.
I didn’t plan to accelerate my plan to take over, but my hands are tied. I refuse to let him stay in power any longer. Not with the way he is currently staring at my betrothed.
“Haruaki, why have you brought the Irish girl into our sanctuary?” he sneers.
Sanctuary, my ass. It’s an old warehouse that he uses to hold court. It’s not even fucking nice.
“She’s my fiancée and as such she will be by my side, always.” I give him a questioning look, daring him to speak out.
That’s the problem with my father. He’s an idiot. He thinks he is invincible. That his men will follow him into the depths of hell.
They might have at one time, but not anymore. Not after I’m done with him.
You see, there are two types of rulers in this world. Those that rule by fear, like my father and those who rule by loyalty, like me. I don’t make my men follow me. The ones who do, do so because I have shown them that loyalty is rewarded. I have proven that I will fight on the front lines with them, often stepping in the way of danger for them.
They are loyal to me because they choose to be.
Men who rule by fear do not have loyalty. Their men will defer if another steps forward to remove him from rule.
That’s what I plan to do.
