Page 118 of The Dragon 1
Tell her?
That story?
That night?
It wasn’t just a memory—it was a brand. Something etched onto the underside of my ribs. One of the few moments in my life where I hadn’t been the one in control, where I’d let someone peel back the dragon’s skin and touch the trembling man beneath it.
Not many knew about Lya.
None of my men.
Not even Reo.
It was my little secret.
Private.
Sacred.
Sharp-edged.
Yet, Nyomi was looking at me like shedeservedto hear it. Like she could hold something that raw and not flinch.
Not mock.
Not weaponize it.
I’d already said so much for us to not know each other well but my heart said it didn’t matter.
Nyomi’s gaze held curiosity yet was laced with desire.
Could I give her this? Should I?
I glanced away for a brief second, jaw flexing.
She probably should hear the story. It would help her better understand the offer I made. And if she was going to hold the rope—she probably should know about the last person who had.
I looked back at her.
Nyomi was still watching me. Waiting. Her body soft, open, lips parted just slightly as if she were already tasting the answer.
Something in my chest cracked open.
Fine.
She would hear it.
She would know.
I reached for my sake, lifted it and took another sip—slow and deliberate. Let the heat roll down my throat and anchor me in the now. “I’ll tell you the story.”
What will she think about it?
Chapter nineteen
Red Silk Confession
Kenji
