“For fuck’s sake, sit down,” Knox said. “You’re prowling like a caged animal.”
“I feel like a caged animal, watching this soap opera unfold.” Ronin dropped into the easy chair and closed his eyes. He breathed deeply for several long moments. When Shiori scooted to the edge of the couch and took his hand, he opened his eyes. “I’m sorry about your accident, Shi. You sure you’re okay?”
She made the so-so sign.
“Anything you need?”
She shook her head and pointed at Knox.
“I’m glad he’s taking care of you.”
Was that Ronin’s approval?
Nah. Temporary at best.
“Since you can’t talk, I’ll call Mom and let her know what happened.” Ronin looked at Knox. “You’ll fill me in?”
“Of course.”
Ronin kept ahold of his sister’s hand, and it seemed to ground him. “Look, I’m sorry for showing up unannounced and losing my shit. I just hadn’t expected to come home to any of this. Normally when I get back . . . everything is normal.” He sighed. “But you’re both right. The way I handled these last three months, being totally out of touch, was shitty. I figured Amery and I would get only one honeymoon, and I didn’t want to share a minute of our time with anyone. But I am sorry, and thank you for keeping everything together in my absence.”
Knox said, “You’re welcome. But don’t do that next time, okay?”
“There won’t be a next time.”
“What the hell happened in Japan, Ronin?”
“Besides the most brutal training schedule I’ve ever faced? Basically, Master Daichi cut me loose. It was bizarre, and I still can’t wrap my head around it.”
That was a huge development. “Why’d he cut you loose?”
“According to Yasuji? I’d learned everything I could from Master Daichi. I ended up leaving training early. While Amery and I were in Tokyo, a few things that’d been hanging between us came to a head, so we stayed five more days than I’d planned. Then I thought, what the hell; why not extend the trip another week in Hawaii. The day before we left, Yasuji called me with the news Master Kenji agreed to meet with me about supervising my training.”
Knox frowned. “Master Kenji? Where’s he?”
“San Francisco. So I spent three days having Master Kenji assess me. He agreed to take me on, which I’m grateful for because there are only three other jujitsu masters I’d consider working with.”
Shiori grabbed her notebook and started writing.
MASTER KENJI IS MASTER DAICHI’S PROTÉGÉ?
“Yes. He’s Daichi’s oldest student.” Ronin smiled. “I believe Master Daichi found irony in having his youngest student being taught by his oldest living student. Anyway, we—Black Arts Jujitsu—will be listed under the House of Kenji.”
Shiori wrote another message.
YOU WERE WORRIED BLACK ARTS WOULD FADE INTO OBLIVION AFTER HOUSE OF DAICHI RELEASED YOU?
“It had caused me a few sleepless nights. I’d hoped to find a new sensei, but I’d never imagined it’d happen that fast and that Master Kenji would come to me.”
Ronin had a healthy ego—as he should. So the moments when he was surprised and humbled served as a reminder to Knox that no matter what skill level was reached, there would always be doubts and fear about being good enough.
“Granted, Master Kenji has a few requirements for the dojo that I’ll implement as soon as possible.” Ronin locked his gaze to Knox’s. “We’ll go over those in detail.”
Knox gave him a fake smile. “Looking forward to it.”
Shiori wrote something else.
THERE’S MORE TO IT. TELL US.
He loved how she used us.
“You’re included in those conversations too, Shi.”
THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT.
Ronin looked torn. His gaze moved between Knox and Shiori again before he sighed. “Remember Beck Leeds?”
“Wasn’t he your second-in-command when . . . ?” Everything fell apart after the Naomi debacle. Why the fuck would Ronin bring up that situation now?
Because Shiori pushed him to.
Shiori held up her hand, and they waited while she jotted something down.
BECK WAS ONE OF THE THREE BLACK ARTS INSTRUCTORS YOU FIRED AFTER EVERYTHING WENT DOWN WITH NAOMI BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT OJISAN PLANTED THEM TO SPY ON YOU.
“Yeah. I realize I hadn’t been thinking straight. But my whole life had just been turned completely upside down. I gave in to that paranoia—just another fun fucking piece of fallout from Naomi.”