Chapter 226– "The Sky's the Limit"
Logan tilted his head back until his neck felt like it'd snap.
"Hell," he muttered, cigar stub twitching at the corner of his mouth. "What's a Japanese restaurant doin' with twenty-five floors? Thought you said you were openin' a ramen shop, darlin', not replacin' the Empire State."
Beside him, Mariko's soft laugh rang like bells against the concrete jungle. She adjusted the sash of her kimono, her voice even and serene.
"The first twenty-four floors are for customers. The last one is ours—to sit together above the noise, and watch the night sky."
Logan huffed, scratching the back of his neck. "I love the sentiment, but, Mari… you're loaded. Didn't think I was hitchin' my wagon to a skyscraper heiress."
"You are not hitching yourself to anything," she teased, slipping her arm into his. "You are walking beside me. That is all I ever wanted."
The glass doors slid open with a hushed swish. Inside, the marble lobby gleamed, polished so bright Logan could see the scowl on his own face staring back at him. He grumbled. "Shiny. Too shiny. Ain't natural."
Before Mariko could reply, the click of heels echoed across the lobby. A woman in emerald green, lips curved into a venomous smile, strolled in as if she owned the place. Beside her walked a man in silver armor, the blade at his hip glinting with menace.
"Harada," Mariko whispered, breath catching.
The armored man gave a curt bow, hand on the hilt of his katana. "Mariko. Sister."
Logan raised a brow, claws itching under his skin. "Didn't expect ya to have family poppin' out of the woodwork, Mari. Thought I was meetin' in-laws at my own damn pace."
Mariko's lips tightened. "He is no longer of the family. He was… removed. For crimes."
Viper's laugh was a hiss. "Crimes? Such an ugly word. Harada has rights, girl. Rights denied by weak men and their softer daughters."
Silver Samurai's voice was cold iron. "Father is imprisoned. The clan seat is mine. That is my rightful place."
Mariko stepped forward, chin high. "You would disgrace us further. You will never lead."
Viper's eyes flashed, her hand flicking. A hiss filled the air—purple mist blooming, choking, burning. "Then words are wasted."
Logan moved before thought. He grabbed Mariko, muscles coiling, tossing her behind a sliding door and slamming it shut. "Stay there." His lungs never burned—the crocodile trick kicked in, blood thick with stored oxygen. He sucked in one clean breath and locked it down.
The mist rolled heavy, paralytic stench that would've dropped anyone else. Logan let it slide useless over his skin.
He exhaled slowly, pulling the tiger's silence over himself. The world dimmed—heat, scent, sound pulled inward. To anyone searching, he was gone.
Thermal sight snapped alive—two hot signatures in the fog.
Viper was smirking, body loose. He stepped behind her before she could turn. One steel fist slammed into her gut. Her eyes bulged, a gasp of air escaping before she crumpled, unconscious.
"Viper?" Harada barked, sword flashing through the fog. "What happened?"
Logan's growl rumbled from nowhere, claws sliding out with a metallic snikt. "Death came knockin', bub."
Steel clashed. Harada swung wild, blade singing through empty air. Logan danced around him, reflexes tuned to an edge that saw every twitch, every angle before it came. A slash, another—adamantium carved sparks from Samurai's armor, shredding plates like foil.
Logan's chest heaved. One more strike. One more thrust to end it.
But in the curve of his claws, he saw Mariko's face. Her steady eyes. Her hand tightening around his.
Logan snarled, slamming his boot into Harada's chest instead. The Samurai flew into the wall with a crash, coughing blood.
"Take yer lady an' get lost," Logan spat, claws gleaming inches from Harada's throat. "You show your face 'round Mariko again, I finish the job."
Harada glared, lips bloodied. He staggered up, dragging Viper with him. Without a word, they vanished into the mist.
The haze thinned. Mariko stumbled from the room, eyes wide. "Logan… did you—?"
Logan looked at her, jaw clenched. "Really wanted to." His claws retracted with a shiver.
She pressed herself against him, arms curling tight. "Thank you."
For once, Logan didn't speak. He just held her, silent under the fading sting of poison in the air.