Yeah, I say, because theyfucked.
A smile curves her soft lips.
I think cherries might be my favourite fruit.
It might, Veah admits. They’ve been in love since we were teenagers. But Mai doesn’t think she deserves Ren, and Ren . . . . he doesn’t think she deserves her, either.
Couldn’t there be . . . is there anything we can do ?
Veah shakes her head softly. They both have to realize it for themselves, and until thenGod, they’re so stupid.
I smile a little. I like them.
Veah grins. Good.
Whatever this isif this is some kind of moment, it is broken when the waiter returns with a tray of sushi. But the food looks so good that I moan at the scent of it, wafting through the air.
How do you say thank you in Japanese ? I whisper to Veah, once we’re alone. The next time he comes to our table, I want to be able to say it.
Arigato gozaimasu, Veah says.
Clumsily, I repeat it, and she gives me a nod of approval. Then she gestures to the food, and somehow, I manage to forget the fact that I’m mad at her.
She was right. The makizushi might be the best meal I’ve ever had.
Veah takes me to an apartment high above the city, with glass walls and glossy furniture. It feels almost empty, like no one has ever truly lived here.
It’s a safehouse, Veah explains. Now that . . .
Half the city wants me kidnapped, and the other half wants me dead ?
She looks down, setting the keys onto the marble countertop. Kaya . . .
I am remembering to be furious again. So when were you going to tell me ? I press. It wasn’t just a coincidence that you ended up at that party, right in the middle of Santa Monica, Florida on Halloween ?
It was the only way.
This whole time, I was blaming you. I begin to pace back and forth from one end of the window to the other. The entire outside wall is made of glass, and any other time, I might admire the city lights again, but now
I round on Veah again.
I thought the only reason I was in this mess, to fake my death, make a new identity . . . I thought it was all because of you ! I thought this was some crazy, random coincidence ! Some unlucky twist ! I didn’t think it was because . . . because . . . you were supposed to kill me !
It was better that way, Veah says quietly.
And when I woke up, and I couldn’t remember being handcuffed . . . that was all you ? What about the night we had ? All the crazy things we did ? Was that
Veah closes her eyes. I read about you. My target. Kaya Lee Rivers.
I cross my arms, pacing again.
On the outside, you were unexciting, Veah continues, leaning back, eyes still closed. Good grades. Safe job. A little rule-follower. But then I looked a little deeper, and I found . . . I found someone who hacked into the police database to get some idiot boys arrested. I found someone who transferred money into an offshore account every week, under her sister’s name. I found someone who was . . .
Her eyes open. Startling grey.
I found you, Veah says.
Me ? I’m . . .
You follow rules. Veah’s eyes are piercing. I can’t look away. You lecture me on the speed limit while we’re trying to escape from the Yakuza. And yes, you’re cautious. Yes, you’re organized, and yeahyou follow the rules. But I . . .
Veah runs her fingers through her hair. Her tan skin looks smooth, a contrast against her deep brown hair, her striking eyes.
I like that about you. I like you, everything about you. You keep me grounded. You keep me a little saner.
But I’m not willing to accept that from an assassin from the Japanese Mafia. Not yet.
Why didn’t you tell me ? Why did you let me blame you ? I thought this was all your fault, but you were saving me. You were . . . I slump back against the glass wall, sliding to the ground. I don’t get it.
Veah looks away. Let’s play the game. The truth game.
A question for a question ?
And an answer for an answer.
I nod, slowly. Fine.
Why didn’t you go to the police ? she asks.
Honestly, I answer, I haven’t trusted the police since I hacked into their databasesince I saw for myself how corrupt they are. And I . . . I felt safe with you. At least, I knew you’d protect me.
Why did you follow me here, to Tokyo ? Even knowing how dangerous it would be, and what you’d have to do.
I lift a shoulder. There’s no way to explain it. You . . . I guess I’ve trusted you, since you’ve saved my life so many times. But maybe it’s deeper than that. There’s something about youand God, it sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it ? That I could trust someone I’ve only just met ? But my instincts don’t push me away from you, they push me towards you. That time I tried to escape . . . I had to go against my own gut feeling.
My head tips back against the window. I take a deep breath.
You’re crazy, and chaotic, and you take a lot of risks, but . . . but I think I needed that, too. I think I needed to step outside of my comfort zoneeven if it was because of murderous, gun-toting hooligans. Because even in this mess, even when I know I’m supposed to be mad at you, it’s so hard. You’re the only thing that makes sense to me, you know ?
And I can’t believe I just said that.
Her eyes flicker. Indistinguishable.
At last, she asks, Why did you kiss me ?
Pass, I say immediately.
But
I get three questions now. Firstly . . . were you the one that handcuffed us together ?
Because I can’t remember how that happened. It must have been in an alcoholic daze, but the mystery has been driving me crazy.
No, Veah says.
My head snaps up. Wait It wasn’t you ?
No, I don’t remember how that happened either.
My head spins with thatI had been so certain. It made sense, it aligned with everything she’s told me, but . . . I know she wouldn’t lie.
And hell, I trust her.