“Japanese men aren’t exactly known for dirty talk. So I prefer American guys.” Shiori smiled. “Not just the ones who can talk dirty, but the guys who know how to act down and dirty.”

“Plenty of those at Diesel. So what’dya say?”

“I’m in. Is Katie coming?”

Fee’s eyes narrowed. “What do you have against Katie?”

Besides the fact she’s a decade younger, a foot taller, and she’s a blond amazon with big tits? “I hate that she literally hangs on the Black Arts instructors when we go out.”

“The guys might’ve invited her,” Fee warned. “She’s fun and generous in buying drinks. She hangs on the guys because she’s a born flirt. It comes to her as naturally as breathing. Best thing to do is ignore it.”

“You’re jumping to her defense? Last I knew you wanted to bitch-slap her into next week—your words, Fee, not mine. So what changed?”

She smeared on frosted pink lipstick. “She’s really trying to make Black and Blue Promotions into a larger entity. She’s smarter than anyone gives her credit for—especially my pigheaded brother and yours. Neither Ronin nor Blue gives her ideas any consideration. I feel for her because I suspect she’s been dealing with that attitude her whole life.”

“What makes you say that?” Shiori asked.

“I heard a phone call between her and her big-money big daddy. He was a total asshole to her. I saw her crying afterward. It just . . . gave me a different impression of her. She struggles like the rest of us with all the family shit.”

Of course Fee played on the one thing that would earn Shiori’s sympathy. “Fine. I’ll give her another chance.”

“That oughta keep her on the straight and narrow, because you scare the crap out of her.”

Shiori flashed her teeth. “Smart girl.”

Fee shouldered her purse. “Got a few bucks for bus fare?”

“I hate riding the bus. I could call Tom and he’d be here in fifteen minutes.”

“No car and driver tonight, moneybags. It’ll be good for you to rub elbows with the common folk.”

Shiori insulted her in Japanese.

Fee shot back a Portuguese phrase.

Then they both laughed.

“Come on. Booze and boys await us.”

The bus ride was tolerable. Diesel was just starting to fill up, but Gil had scored a corner table. Blue sat next to Katie.

Fee said, “What’s up, guys?” Then she frowned at Gil. “I thought you were closing down the dojo?”

“Knox said he’d handle it.”

“I talked to him, and he said he’d be here right afterward,” Katie added.

Of course she’d know Knox’s schedule.

Giving her a second chance, remember?

A pitcher of beer and one of margaritas were in the center of the table.

“Pull up a chair and have a drink,” Blue urged.

Both Fee and Shiori opted for margaritas.

After the toast and the usual “Thank god it’s the weekend” comments, Fee leaned over and whispered, “You’ve already got one admirer eyeing you.”

“Where?”

“At nine o’clock. The guy in the suit at the bar?”

Shiori casually turned her head and looked at the guy. Cute. Lanky. Malleable. He smiled at her. She smiled back.

Just as she started to get up, a pair of hands landed on her shoulders.

Proprietary hands.

CHAPTER TWO

KNOX had been oddly elated to see that Shiori had shown up for a night out with the Black Arts crew. As he approached the table, her gorgeous fall of black hair had swished over her shoulder when she’d turned her head toward the bar.

He’d followed her gaze to see what’d caught her attention and some jackass in a three-piece suit was making eyes at her.

Give it up, buddy. She’s not interested.

But then Shiori tilted her head and a crease appeared in her cheek, as if she was smiling at him. As if she was interested in him. Then her ass started to come out of the chair.

Not happening.

Knox pushed down on Shiori’s shoulders and put his mouth against her ear. “Going someplace?”

“Yes. Why do you care?”

Her silken tresses teased the side of his face. Her spicy scent filled his nose. She always smelled so damn good. “Because I’m surprised to see you here.”

She angled her head slightly to look at him. “Why?”

“You and Fee don’t usually hang out with us on Friday nights.”