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Hatcher-Rosque will last a lifetime. After my recent adventures, I also find that I have little desire to resume my nomadic
ways. While I am heartbroken at the idea of giving him up, for Kasumi is a dear friend to me, I am a man of honor and the
contract I signed states that he is mine only so long as I require him. As I am settling down, I feel I will no longer require the
services of such a high-caliber bodyguard."
Kasumi started, eyes widening in disbelief behind his mask. Minoru was letting him go?
Well& it was& that was the way of things. Of course. His contract was never going to last forever&
"That being said, Lord Daichi, gentlemen of the clan, I am here today to recommend a man who is in need of the services
only you can offer."
Kasumi's eyes immediately narrowed. The bastard would not dare.
The smirk that flitted again across Luther's - Isaac's - mouth said he very much would dare.
Oh, he was going to-
"Honored gentlemen, most gracious Lord Daichi," Isaac said smoothly. "As I have already stated and made plain, I was until
recently a criminal. A pirate to be specific. Recent events have persuaded me to give up that life and attempt to live a
reformed and hopefully quiet life. With that in mind, I am not so stupid as to think old enemies will leave me in peace should
they discover me here and think me turned into a milksop. Your clan comes highly recommended to me, and I can more
than afford your asking price."
Lord Daichi chuckled. "As I said, unique circumstances. We have reviewed you thoroughly, and Lord Minoru has never
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AmaSour Fiction
recommended anyone to us before, which means you come highly recommended indeed." He smiled. "Unless the
gentlemen with me are opposed, I am more than willing to offer you a protector contract. As you stand in rather a
dangerous position, giving the circumstances, and likely will be in such danger the majority if not the entirety of your life, I
am prepared to offer you our very best."
"That would be ideal," Isaac said, eyes gleaming with pure mischief.
Kasumi was going to kill all of them.
"I believe the price quoted to you in our correspondence will suffice."
"Done," Isaac promptly replied.
"Then unless you object, I offer the finest bodyguard the East clan can offer. His name is Kasumi, and henceforth you are
his Master until such time you decide to end the contract."
"Accepted, and with pleasure," Isaac said.
Minoru stood. "Then I believe we will leave you to get acquainted with your new bodyguard. Lord Kasumi, I thank you for
everything, from the bottom of my heart. Always you will be a friend to me, and I hope sometime soon we might dine
together as peers."
Kasumi nodded and stood to sketch a deep bow. "It was an honor, Lord Minoru. May you lead a happy life. I will see you
shortly, of that I have no doubt."
He embraced his father one last time, then waited as they all left, all but vibrating in place.
When the door closed with a resounding click, he turned slowly to face the bastard who was shortly going to be very dead.
"Would you take off the mask?" Isaac asked.
Kasumi removed the mask and carefully set it down on the table - then threw himself forward, catching Isaac on the jaw,
dodging the arms that tried to catch him to drop and sweep Isaac's feet out from underneath him.
Then he punched the bastard again before he was himself caught and tossed aside. He gained his feet just in time to be
shoved up against the nearest wall.
"Bastard," he hissed.
Isaac grinned - then kissed him.
Kasumi bit his lip hard, eliciting a satisfying grunt of pain - then he yanked his arms free and wrapped them around Isaac's
neck, dragging him as close as he could possibly get. The scent of the sea still clung to him, mingling with some sharp, not-
quite-sweet cologne. His hair had grown out in the four months since he'd vanished, long enough Kasumi could sink his
fingers into it and lightly tug.
"I'm going to kill you," he said when Isaac finally let him go.
Isaac laughed. "I've missed you and your death threats, Kasumi."
"If you think for two seconds that I'm going to call you master, you conniving, vanishing-" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]