Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 161615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 539(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 539(@300wpm)
“The clown name came too fast to be a lie. Even if you didn’t know the translation. . .you said it—without flinching, without apology.” I tapped my foot again. “The water allergy. . .that’s real. I’ve never heard of it, but your skin tells the story and there was so much pain in your voice when you answered me about it. . .I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”
Satoshi didn’t blink. Didn’t soften. He only inhaled through his nose like my observation had let a notch of pressure out of some inner valve.
“That leaves the. . .cock statement.” I cleared my throat. “Thirteen inches. You hesitated. For a fraction and blinked. Which tells me you had to decide on a measuring device, not that you were remembering the moment you measured it.”
I tapped my foot. “So. . .that’s the lie.”
Silence gathered its skirts again. I could feel Reo grinning without having to look. Kaoru’s mouth did something like a contained laugh. The man in the white braid didn’t move at all. He was still without a doubt. . .bored as fuck.
Reo broke it with a clean, pleased voice. “What’s the lie?”
Satoshi studied me for a long heartbeat, and for that moment I thought he might refuse to answer on principle. But rules were rules and this was the Dragon’s house.
“Thirteen inches.” No shame, no boast, no apology.
Oh no. I got that wrong.
Then, he shook his head. “My cock isn’t thirteen inches. Maybe ten.”
Ah ha!
I smiled—gentle, victorious, and kind. “Thank you, Satoshi.”
Kenji frowned and I knew it was because I had said his Fang’s name.
That’s right. I know his name. He’s my friend now and you can’t do anything about it!
Reo clicked his pen twice. “Two for two. Liars at zero.”
Satoshi gave me a bow and then stepped back.
Reo raised his hand. “I would like to edit the rules for her winning.”
“We’re not editing anything. She has to get all three right or she fails.”
“However, I believe Nyomi has already showed high intelligence for spotting dishonesty and reading body language fast and under pressure—”
“All three men. That was our agreement.”
“Still. . .” Reo frowned and returned his view to his notebook. “Even if she gets the next one wrong. . .I will argue for her involvement.”
“You can argue, but I won’t listen.” Kenji appeared highly pissed.
Reo clearly saw that and finally let the discussion go.
And now I was realizing that Kenji wasn’t giving me his approval when I got things right because whatever Reo wanted me to do. . .Kenji adamantly did not like it.
What is it? Fuck. It must be really dangerous.
However. . .call me crazy, but I still wanted to be included in this strategy. Still wanted to be important to his winning this war against his father.
Thanks, Reo, but I’m going to get this third one right too. I’ve got it and I can do this.
Chapter five
The Ultimate Test
Nyomi
Alright. Last one.
My heart was a drumline in my throat.
Kenji’s face wore a neutral expression. “Next.”
I told myself to breathe.
Two for two. One more man, one more lie to catch.
Kenji had been adamant: all three, or I failed.
That rule sat like a blade at my throat. It made my fingers tremble, just a little, so I curled them into the silk at my sides until the shaking belonged to the robe and not to me.
The Dragon watched me which didn’t ease my nerves at all.
I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin, practicing confidence even if I couldn’t fully feel it.
The third man stepped forward.
He was the one in white with the long braid falling down his back like a dark rope. His hair was so smooth it looked wetted by moonlight.
He stopped at the same distance Satoshi had earlier.
He didn’t try to charm me like Kaoru or appear professional like Satoshi. He simply met my eyes and held them, as if the game bored him but he would play because duty said so.
Reo gestured to him. “Go ahead, Rin.”
Aww. That’s his name. Interesting. I’m logging that.
When Rin spoke, his voice was cool water poured into a glass and left on an altar to be offered to Gods. “I eat a human heart once a month for strength and vitality.”
Jesus Christ! What did he say? A human heart?
My skin prickled.
Well. . .I hope that is a lie. Cause. . .I’m not trying to be in a room with a cannibal.
Utterly bored, Rin continued, same smooth voice and tone, “When I have sex, the woman must have a bag over her face the entire time.”
I blinked.
What the fuck? I hope both of those are lies? No kink shaming but. . .what kind of kink is that? A bag over her head? The whole time?
Shock surged through me.
“Last,” Rin finished, “I am Japanese royalty and am third in line to the throne.”