Chapter Eighteen
THE MEETING WITH the FBI agent was going well as far as Jiro could tell.
But the fact was, he kept losing focus because he was spending most of his time trying not to be distracted by Aurora, who sat directly beside him.
They were seated in two plastic chairs at the end of Taro’s hospital bed.
Someone had placed them close enough together so that every time she moved or gestured, their knees would touch and he would be transported back to last night in her bed.
Which had been a revelation, and he was desperate for a repeat of that amazing intimacy.
But Inspector Viskten was pacing back-and-forth as he spoke to the computer screen, talking to Agent Utsi in his office back in Seattle, and Jiro needed to concentrate.
He could think about running his tongue down the length of Aurora’s thighs later.
Taro was sitting up in bed, his face strained with pain, which he was trying to hide. But he answered all the questions the agent asked him directly and concisely. He made it clear that he was not playing games, and he’d happily give up all information if they would help him protect his family.
Jiro had not been able to hide his shock when he’d first seen his brother earlier today.
Tuckburg hadn’t been wrong when he said Taro wasn’t a pretty sight.
His face was a myriad of cuts and abrasions, as if he’d been beaten and then systematically sliced open.
He was missing part of his left ear, and the tip of his pinky finger, among many, many other injuries.
When Jiro had seen how badly his brother had been treated, his first reaction had been that he was going to find the man who’d inflicted these injuries and kill him; it’d taken a while for his brother to talk him down.
Jiro already knew the guard outside the door would never let him into the kidnapper’s room anyway, but that didn’t stop him fantasizing about what he would do to the man if he ever got the chance.
Taro had told him that the kidnapper—the man they now knew as Liam Kenzo—had wanted assurances that he would continue the partnership with the Kyodo-kai gang and go along with the new conditions as well.
Taro had made it seem as if he was putting up a bit of a struggle—even though he knew he was going to pretend to agree in the end—because he didn’t want the man to think he’d caved too quickly.
But then even after the man removed part of his ear and Taro had finally agreed to his demands, Liam continued his sadistic torture.
His brother wasn’t sure if it was to make sure Taro got the message, or if he just enjoyed inflicting pain.
Jiro had felt as if he was going to throw up as Taro recounted the time spent with the Yakuza thug.
These men had a fearsome reputation, and perhaps this guy was merely upholding that renown.
The meeting was winding down now. Inspector Viskten was asking if Agent Utsi had enough information to put Taro’s family into witness protection while they confirmed all the details Taro had just related.
Jiro liked M?rten. He seemed to be a good partner for Aurora, treating her as an equal rather than the rookie.
He was solid as a rock, caring, but also not without a tough side when it was needed.
Jiro was a little envious of the man. He got to spend at least eight hours a day in Aurora’s company.
Got to talk to her, watch those pretty eyes wrinkle up every time she smiled, encourage her sharp mind to come to the correct conclusions, laugh along with her at her witty jokes.
Jiro wanted to be able to do the same things. But he was leaving.
Of course he’d have to take his father home; there was no choice in the matter.
It was his duty to make sure Papa was healthy and settled peacefully back into his old life once more.
But part of him didn’t want to leave Sweden.
Didn’t want to leave Aurora. The realization didn’t shock him as much as it should have.
She’d been creeping up on him steadily over the past few days.
Creeping into his heart without him really comprehending, until it was too late.
Their physical attraction was unquestionable.
He’d started more than one relationship on less.
But attraction wasn’t everything, and while this was the strongest he’d ever felt, was it enough to make him form a dependable connection?
He didn’t know. But he did need to find a time when they could talk alone.
Needed to find out how she felt about him.
If she felt the same, perhaps he would tell her that if she wanted him to, he could come back to Sweden after he’d settled his father and sorted out Taro’s affairs.
But that would mean leaving his perfect job.
Could he do that? There must be wolf projects in northern Sweden he could work on.
But he loved living in San Diego. With his family close by, why would he leave all that for something he was unsure about?
Jiro shook his head. There were just too many ifs and buts. With too many balls in the air, he had to juggle. He needed some time alone to process his feelings. And he needed some time with Aurora to talk about those feelings.
It bothered him that he still hadn’t had a chance to replace his cell phone yet.
The police probably wouldn’t release his old one for many weeks yet, as it formed a crucial part of the evidence against this Liam fellow.
Without it, he felt disconnected from everyone.
Disconnected from the world. It meant he couldn’t get in touch with Aurora either, and that thought bothered him more than anything else.
Aurora’s shoulder brushed his as she got to her feet.
The meeting was at an end, and he’d almost missed it.
Agent Utsi was saying his final farewells, assuring Taro they’d do everything in their power to protect his family.
Which was one good thing to come out of this meeting, and the main item on Taro’s agenda, at least. The other wrecking ball that was hanging over Taro’s head would be much harder to dodge.
The question of how long he would spend in jail hadn’t been mentioned.
But he’d been formally charged with weapons smuggling by Inspector Viskten and was now handcuffed to the bed.
He’d be extradited back to America to face the charges as soon as he was well enough to travel.
“Thank you, Inspector Viskten.” Taro extended his hand as far as the handcuffs allowed for the police officer to shake.
Even though this was the man who had chained him to the bed, he was also the man who had engineered this meeting and was working to protect Taro’s family, as well as Taro himself.
Viskten was just doing his job, and Jiro was glad to see that Taro held no grudge against him; he’d accepted his fate.
Jiro also stepped forward to shake M?rten’s hand. “Yes, thank you. For everything you and your officers have done for me and our family.” He meant every word, and he could tell by M?rten’s firm grip and the way he looked him directly in the eye, he was glad to accept that approval.
M?rten gathered up his computer, and everyone prepared to leave the room; Jiro was desperate to talk to Aurora, hoping he could get a few minutes alone with her in the hallway. But just as he was about to follow her through the doorway, Taro called him back.
“Hey bro, I need to talk to you. You haven’t told me how Papa is yet.”
Shit. Jiro glanced at Aurora’s retreating back, catching a glimpse of her smooth, dark hair as she ducked around the corner. He’d confirmed their father was awake and seemed to be recovering okay when he had first entered Taro’s room, but there’d been too much going on for him to elaborate.
“Can he stay for a few minutes?” Taro’s question was directed at Viskten, who turned, hesitating for a moment.
“Yes. That should be fine. I’ll let the guard on the door know.
” The inspector lifted his chin in the brother’s direction and gave them a rueful look.
“But no more than five minutes. Now you’re formally under arrest, all your visitors should technically be approved by the commissioner and accompanied by an officer. ”
It looked like Jiro was staying whether he wanted to or not, because this might be the last time he got to talk to his brother one-on-one. And they had a lot to discuss.
He could no longer see Aurora. She’d already disappeared through the door and was probably waiting for Viskten in the hall.
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask the inspector if Aurora might be able to wait for him, but then Taro started talking and the moment was lost. He’d have to catch up with her later, although where and when that might be was anybody’s guess.
Even as Taro asked again how Kenichi was faring, Jiro’s mind was only half on his answer.
The other half was with the woman who was probably walking down the hall, blue uniform on, shoulders straight and head held high.
The woman he might be falling in love with.
* * *
“Is this okay for you, Papa?” Jiro hovered beside his father’s armchair, making sure he was comfortable. He’d made a traditional pot of green tea, and now poured Kenichi a cup and set it on the small table beside his chair, still lingering.
“Stop treating me like an invalid,” Kenichi snapped, but there was no heat to his words. Then in a milder tone, he added, “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for the tea. Now sit down and stop clucking over me like a mother hen.”