Chapter 40 - 44
Botan POV
I sit on a picnic table in the park, my combat boots posted on the bench.
The entire park is empty. My men are strategically spaced out around me, motionless, many and menacing. This place is peaceful, a small town tucked away in a deep cleft valley nestled between grizzled mountains. The mountain’s reflection is varnished on the glassy surface of the lake. However, my eyes are on the private property right across it. A lake house.
Akio approaches. I know without even looking, those long, stomping strides, leaves crunching underfoot that carries the weight of his frustration. He emerges in my periphery, but I don’t even spare him a glance. He makes a bold move by standing right in front of me. I haul up my gaze. He stares back at me impatiently.
"You were supposed to be in Abu Dhabi two days ago—"
"I sent Kai."
"Only you have the authority to coordinate a joint operation. You know how important this is, we’re supposed to secure a foothold in the middle east."
I tilt my head. He darts to the side, deliberately blocking my view.
"Kiyo."
"I empowered Kai to negotiate on our behalf. They know Kai already."
"It’s not about that, it’s about you shirking your responsibilities over some bitch who—"
My hearing cuts out. Blind rage overtakes me, and I rush forward, lunging for him. My hand clamps around his neck in a death grip. He clutches onto my wrist, powerless, his face inflamed, eyes popping out of his skull, prominent veins bursting around his face. His skin turns into deeper shades of red. I swing him around and drop him against the bench, anger forcing me to exert even more pressure around his throat, cutting off his air supply.