Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
T akeshi
I wait for Shinji to enter Katsuo’s office. Curiosity flutters doubts in the back of my mind. The only reason I see for Katsuo’s uncharacteristic behavior is he’s discovered something about Lakeshia that puts our promise to her in jeopardy. All relaxation from my interlude with Shinji disappears. Tension slowly tightens the muscles in my body until I stand rigid, lacking the ability to breathe freely.
But I don’t show my weakness. I must wait to evaluate what this unknown problem is, I remind myself. I’ve learned never to react on impulse. Doing so has killed too many people I cared about. It’s one reason delaying my impending fatherhood is a relief.
My reaction is selfish, especially considering Shinji’s feelings on the subject. He has said nothing, but his disappointment is palpable. He swallows it back because, like me, he’s seen Lakeshia’s defensive behavior. As strong as our chiisai senshi no megami is, she is wounded. She needs to heal before Shinji can fulfill his ultimate desire.
And I will take advantage of every delay that keeps me from fucking up our future child’s life.
“Oyassan, why so serious? After lunch with your wife, you usually whistle show tunes,” Shinji says as my cousin closes the office door.
Katsuo spears Shinji with a deadly stare meant to curb my husband’s tongue. I shake my head because no one, including Katsuo, can completely subdue Shinji’s glib tongue.
“What’s so urgent?” I ask.
“Tommaso Giametti.”
Katsuo’s response works to wipe the levity from Shinji’s face. Although I expected the name and the potential problems to leapfrog over the other concerns in my head, I hate that my instincts are right.
“What about him?” Shinji comes to stand by me, his body vibrating with suppressed energy.
“He’s on his way here as we speak. Before you ask, I don’t know why or what he wants. You two are here because I don’t want to repeat whatever happens during this meeting.” Katsuo turns a hardened glare on Shinji. “And I don’t want you opening your mouth because you think I’m going to hang your woman out to dry. For Tomasso’s sake, she’s a Kimura now.”
My husband and cousin stare down at each other until Shinji agrees with a nod.
Katsuo nods and addresses me, “Although I know you won’t do anything impulsive, you need to hear the words, too. Lakeshia is under our protection.”
I bow my head and swallow the gratitude clogging my throat. Katsuo won’t accept it, anyway.
His phone rings, and he picks up the receiver. “Send him in.”
An older man with a full head of silver hair enters with two younger men flanking him. This must be Tomasso. I compare him with the few photographs Ichiro, the man I put in charge of researching the Giametti family organization provided. Tomasso’s bearing demands respect, but he’ll get none from me.
The danger emanating from him is one I recognize. Predators can sense each other. Tomasso’s evaluating gaze lands on Shinji, me, then Katsuo. We are all dangerous, but what gives us the edge is that we don’t posture, thump our chests, or advertise that we’re the biggest baddies on the block. Our actions have won us the title. A title we don’t display, and from his disdainful stare, a title Tomasso doesn’t pick up on.
He sits in the chair facing Katsuo’s desk without an invitation. “So you’re Katsuo Kimura. You’re a hard man to find.”
Katsuo leans back in his chair without responding. The silence drags. Shinji and I are used to Katsuo’s way of doing business. Words are precious commodities that he spares for those who are worthy. I’ll be the spokesperson until Katsuo deems it necessary to intrude.
“I guess I’ll cut to the chase. I’m a busy man and I assume this isn’t some hobby you’re running…”
If Tomasso thinks his rib will nudge us to react, his gambit fails.
“I think we have something…correction, someone in common.”
“Yeah?” Shinji asks, his impish smile in place. “People say the world’s a small place. Maybe we have lots of people in common. Care to be more specific?”
“The woman who runs the brothel you own in Hawaii.”
Katsuo, Shinji, and I exchange curious glances.
“You’re mistaken. We don’t own any establishments that fit your description.” I fold my arms and wait for Tomasso’s reaction.
A guard hands him an envelope and he extracts a photograph. “Are you saying this man doesn’t work for you?” He directs his question at me, since Katsuo’s expression borders on mild annoyance.
In the photograph he shows us, Shoichi, one of my wakagashira-hosas is walking into Serving Aloha. I’d assigned him to surveil Lakeshia’s escort service in case Tomasso’s people showed up, not enter the building.
Tomasso’s smug smile tells me he believes he’s caught me in a lie.
I shrug and admit, “I wouldn’t dare, but his work has nothing to do with ownership and everything to do with protection. You know about protection, don’t you? How would it look if we didn’t investigate the sudden disappearance of our lucrative income?”
Tomasso stares at me for a long time, but his attempt at intimidation barely grazes me. “Say I take your word at face value. You should look for her, too.”
“We are. She left town owing us a lot of money. Is she indebted to you, too?”
“Something like that, but no amount of money will clear her debt to me.”
I nod, hiding my contempt and the unexpected urge to slice him open under a neutral expression. Killing him is Lakeshia’s wish. Few exceptions will cause me to step in.
Shinji is less disciplined at controlling his expressions. With Tomasso’s attention on me, I can only hope the Giametti guards don’t study the darkening cloud surrounding my husband.
“Mona’s trail ended in Iowa, but if we find her, I’ll be sure to inform you. Consider it a favor you’ll owe us.”
“Mona? Is that what she called herself? Interesting…”
“What name do you know her by?” This is something I’ve wondered about since meeting Lakeshia. She discards aliases as quickly as underwear. I have yet to find out the name given to her at birth.
“Haven Covey. Looks like I’ve underestimated her all these years. To think, she has the kind of connections to create new aliases.” Tomasso stands and his men’s stances stiffen in alertness. “I hate owing people, which means you and I are racing against each other to find this woman. Unfortunately, I won’t leave enough of her to be of any use to you.” He turns and walks out the door.
“That—”
Katsuo slices Shinji with a lethal glance and nods toward the door. Once we’re sure our visitors have left, Katsuo silently leads us out of his office and onto the elevator to the roof. I understand my cousin’s cautious actions.
There’s no telling how skilled Tomasso’s men are at planting listening devices. Although we’re comfortable conversing in Japanese, Katsuo won’t discuss business in any language until our men sweep his office for bugs. After all, translators are easy to find for men of means like us and Tomasso.
Katsuo stands at the edge of the roof. The wind sings and swirls around us, fluttering our suits and hair in its wild grasp.
“Takeshi. Shinji. Their disrespect cannot stand. Destroy them all.”
“That’s an order I can get on board with,” Shinji says.
“Moving on them will require us to divide our attention more than we expected. It won’t be safe for you or Portia.” I stand beside my cousin and overlook the skyscrapers proliferating Serenidad’s skyline.
“Choose your replacements. Once they report for duty, I don’t want to see you until you have a plan of attack or you’ve handled the problem.”
I stare at Katsuo’s profile while a mixture of relief and concern vie for top position. His expression gives nothing away, but I know how big of a sacrifice this is for him.
I run through the list of my men in my head. “Alright, but take heed. Although I trust my men’s abilities, I’m not willing to risk your or your wife’s safety. I’m assigning you five men each.”
“One.”
“Four.”
“One.”
“Oyassan, my men are loyal, but none will come close to me and Shinji. One won’t do.”
“Keishi has a point oyassan. Think of ane-san. Are you willing to risk her security?” Shinji sidles beside me.
“Two,” Katsuo grits with a glare directed at me and my husband.
“Done,” I say, having expected this battle and accepting that he won’t budge further.
“For me, two. Assign five to Portia. I’ll explain the new circumstances to her.”
I nod, hiding my surprise.
Katsuo’s phone chirps with an alert. “My office is clean. Hurry and assign your replacements. I’m sure your houseguest is impatient for you to fulfill your promise to her.”