Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Chapter 1154

---

"Irene."

Kenzo's voice cut through the room. "Step outside for a moment. I need a word with him."

Irene raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. Once she was gone, the room settled into an uneasy quiet.

Jaired stayed seated, his eyes drifting to the disheveled bed. With a smirk, he said, "Thought you were into Brielle?"

Kenzo pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a flick of his lighter. It was one of Irene's, a slim, lady's cigarette he'd lifted from the bathroom. "Spill it, Jaired."

When had Jaired joined their ranks? Had he known about his true identity back in Beaconsfield?

Jaired shrugged, picking up a glass of water from the table and taking a sip.

"Not much to say. I know as little about this place as I do about you. So, what's the deal, Mr. Kenzo? Got someone you need taken out?"

Kenzo blew out a ring of smoke, a habit he'd picked up only when diving deep into a character for a screenplay. Since coming back to North America, it seemed he couldn't quit. "I need Max gone. You game?"

Jaired squinted, probably weighing the truth in Kenzo's words.

"When the boss gives an order, I follow."

Typical, Kenzo thought. Only the truly twisted got into their circle.

Flicking ash from his cigarette, Kenzo turned to gaze out the window, his back to Jaired.

first crossed in Beaconsfield,

their group, only Andrew's loyalty was

pause, Kenzo stubbed out his

Brielle, no matter the

before he stood up, "Just make sure you don't regret

didn't reply, and by the time he turned

him that Jaired was the

no different,

another cigarette, he watched as his

holding an intricately designed

dug it up from your old place, said

up

box with a blade strapped to her

blackened skewer of candied fruit, clearly

and

is it? Why hold onto such

to retrieve it, just

"No, it's not."

give Jaired? He disappeared

ever botched a

some reason, Kenzo felt

was the

secret weapon, maybe he'd

Brielle before,

once.