Heaven's Crime (gxg) ✓

twenty-four. we eat sushi and contemplate murder

                       "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, so―you 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 hungry―come 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.