Yeah, Mai continues, almost obliviously. Both the So-Cai and Kogu-Ryu gangs had their eyes on you. Why do you think she was in Santa Monica in the first place ? How do you think she found you ?
I am still trying to piece it together, to figure it out
I mean, Imai and the So-Cai gang were after you because they want the Wyvern. Once the Yakuza figured out someone had the potential to hack the Drakon, well . . . let’s put it simply. They can’t have that kind of loose end running around, especially with that stunt you pulled.
What is she talking about ? What stunt ?
So they sent Veah, Mai says. The So-Cai gang wanted to kidnap you, because you can hack the firewall for them. But the Kogu-Ryu gang wanted you dead.
I have a very, very bad feeling about this.
Veah wasn’t sent by the So-Cai gang, was she, I say flatly.
Which meanswhich means
All of Tokyo city is in an uproar, Mai says, grinning. Half the city wants you kidnapped, and the other half wants you dead.
Blood is roaring in my ears.
Which half are you guys on ? I ask.
Mai shrugs. Neither. We’re on Veah’s side, always.
But doesn’t this mean . . .
I can’t think. Can’t breathe.
Veah, I begin. She was . . .
How do I finish that ?
How do I make sense of that ?
The pretty girl who kissed you, who quoted classical literature for you . . .
She was sent to kill you, Mai says, as though her entire world isn’t shattering. Didn’t you know ?
And as if the devil summoned her, Veah appears at the door holding a cinnamon bun.
She was supposed to . . .
What ?
Mai’s eyes finally narrow on me.
Sharp realization.
Wait, she breathes, scanning my face. You didn’t know.
She was supposed to assassinate me ? I say, my voice rising.
Ren’s mouth opens. You didn’t know ?
Mai glances hurriedly at Veah, who is still standing in the doorway with no clue that I’m about to commit murder.
I mean, really, we shouldn’t be saying anything, it’s not a big deal.
She was supposed to assassinate me ?
But she didn’t, Mai assures me quickly. She didn’t, soyou see, it’s all fine
Veah’s eyes slide from Maiko and Ren to me.
She sets down the cinnamon bun. Recognition ignites in her grey eyes. She holds out her hands like I’m some kind of squirrel that needs to be calmed.
I can explain, she says.
I don’t know what laws Tokyo has against murder, but I’m willing to break every single one of them right now.
I promise, I was going to tell you everything.
You were going to assassinate me, but you don’t think that was something you might just happen to mention maybe once or twice or ever ?
Kaya, she says quietly.
I resist the urge to soften at that tone. At the way she is looking at me.
Give me your gun, I snap.
Why ?
So I can shoot you ! Obviously.
The fraction of a smile twitches on her lips. You want me to give you my gun, so you can shoot me ?
That’s what I just said, isn’t it ?
Kaya, I’ll tell you everything. But you must be hungrycome on. Let’s eat.
I am not going anywhere with you.
Even if I got you a cinnamon bun ?
I’ll suffocate you with it.
From the corner of the room, I hear Maiko mutter to Ren, That’s a new one. Bet ?
Twenty says they both end up killing each other, Ren whispers.
Fifty says they both end up making out, Mai responds.
I give them both scorching glares. I announce, One hundred says I murder everyone in this room.
She’s so cute, Mai whispers. Like a squirrel.
No, like a little panda.