“Katsu,” I say in a tiny whisper as my cheek brushes against the side of his face. My heart rate begins to increase and my breath hitches. I clamp my arms around his body like steel vices.
“Treasure…” Katsu clears his throat, bringing me back from my fantasy of Ben.
It was a good fantasy, and I fervently wish I was with him. But it’s a reckless fantasy, because had I said Ben’s name out loud, my days of breathing would surely end. I step away from Katsu and can see visible signs of his desire for me.
“I apologize for my behavior.” I turn away and start back toward the now wrecked limousine, but Katsu grabs at my arm and stops me. I don’t turn to face him. A single tear escapes my right eye, which faces Katsu. He interprets it as me being upset at the execution, but it’s because I miss Ben and want to be in his arms.
“Never be embarrassed around me. You saw something traumatic.” My secret fantasy about Ben is safe. Again, Katsu pulls me toward his body and kisses my forehead in an attempt to calm me. “I’m sorry, but unfortunately my body can’t help but display it’s longing for you. Come, we still have dinner to attend to.”
“Katsu, do you think that’s a good idea? I mean….” I look around at the scene and lift my shoulders in a shrug as I raise my eyebrows, indicating the events that have just taken place.
“My sexy Anna, please don’t worry. This is nothing I haven’t had to deal with before.” He waves his hand toward the driver from the SUV, now dead. “As a matter of fact, I have to deal with this sort of thing quite often.”
“Who are you?” This is what I really want to know. I couch my question in the troubled innocence he expects from me, but the question is real.
Who is Katsu Vang?
“Come, let’s go to dinner and we’ll talk more.”
Katsu leads me to the SUV his security rode in, and he opens the back door for me. As I slip in, I see Katsu assemble his security personnel at the front of the SUV as he issues orders to them. Security Guy from the golf cart turns and looks at me with narrowed eyes, Katsu slaps him hard across the face. Interesting.
I watch as another two vehicles approach and the men disappear into them, except for one man who gets into the driver’s seat of our SUV. Katsu climbs in beside me and immediately grabs my hand, rubbing small circles on my palm.
“I promise, treasure, I’ll tell you as much about me as I can tonight. I seem to have your interest so I’ll give you what information I can give you.”
“Katsu, if it’s okay with you I’d like to forgo the museum after dinner, please. I don’t much feel like walking around pretending nothing has happened, looking at shit that really doesn’t interest me.”
He laughs and nods his head. “Of course, but dinner isn’t negotiable, I’m afraid.”
“Good, because I’m starved.”
For the next twenty minutes, we travel quietly, except for the two phone calls Katsu makes. He speaks in Japanese again, and he sounds pissed off. He keeps glancing over at me during the short calls, and I wish I knew Japanese, so I knew exactly what he’s saying and to whom.
We arrive at a restaurant with the name ‘Pendulum Swings’ subtly written across one small window.
Katsu opens the door and I step inside, promptly noticing the restaurant is empty. The decor is opulent, the colorful, rich fabric covering the walls and seating soothe my mind. The mouth-watering, luscious aromas coming from the kitchen attack my other senses and I immediately want to devour whatever is generating that delicious smell.
“Why is no one here?” I already know the answer. Katsu’s going to go on about reserving the entire place for me and how he wants to spend intimate time getting to know me. Whatever.
“I own it and tonight we’re closed for everyone in Ottawa except you and me. What better way to talk without the possibility of ears that may be too large? Or eyes that may see something they aren’t supposed to?”
“Okay, But I’m very hungry, so please feed me.” Mmm, food.
I play a movie of Ben preparing dinner for us.
Ben in the kitchen. Mmm.
Snap out of it Anna.
The waiter at our table offers us champagne, Katsu lifts my empty flute. But I clear my throat to gain his attention. I give a small shake of the head and squeeze my eyes shut indicating I’d prefer not to drink that vile stuff.
Katsu smiles, probably remembering my comment about champagne on the jet. “I think we both prefer Jack. Actually just bring the bottle.”
“Very good, Sir,” the waiter says leaves.
“As I told you on the jet, I’m really not the champagne type, so thank you for not making me drink that awful stuff.”
Katsu laughs at my statement.
The waiter returns with a bottle of Jack and two glasses. Katsu tells him we’re ready for our meal. He comes back quickly pushing a cart with a number of plates covered with silver domes. When he removes the silver domes, the aromas waft around us and the meals look divine.
“Leave us,” he orders the waiter then turns to his security detail and nods them away.
“My stunning Anna, please help yourself.” I sit quietly and hope to my maker that he starts talking soon. The only saving grace of this “date” is the fact there are enticing dishes to choose from. Katsu places a small amount of food on his plate and starts talking. Thank God.
“What you saw earlier must be playing on your mind. But since you didn’t scream or freak out, I think you’re either very strong or very broken. Either way, what information I give you from this point on, well…you must understand that I’ll have to kill you if you choose to repeat it to anyone.” My fork’s in my hand and stops on its way to my mouth. My eyes dart up and Katsu tries to enforce his authority over me again. I’ll let him think it’s working.
“Go on,” I say.
How bad can it be?
“Anna, I am Yakuza.”
Ben
A few things have been stirring in St. Cloud for about two weeks now.
There have been extra moving vans coming through town and I haven’t been able to use any of my contacts to gather information. It’s like all of my CIs have turned deaf, dumb, and blind.
Emily and Claire have always heard whispers in the past, and were always on the phone with me immediately, trying to figure out what the next step was. But now we’re in the dark and for us that’s dangerous. At times like these, the three of us need to stick together and make sure whatever decisions we make are the right ones for everyone.
I’m sitting in my office at the station when my phone rings. I look at the number on the display and recognize it’s Claire.
“What’s happening, Claire?”
“Boss.” I despise it when she calls me that. “There’s movement happening all over the country. All I’ve been able to find out is someone big is coming in and everyone else is running to hide. No one’s talking, no matter what I do.” Her voice is calm and shrewd.
Emily’s hot-headed, prone to anger and yelling at you. But Claire, she’s deadly on a whole new level.
“Have you been in touch with the James family?”
“Ben, I’ve tried fucking talking to that scum and they’re fucked-up scared.”
I can tell Claire is pissed just by her tone.
“Claire, we need to get Emily on Skype tonight. My shift finishes in...” I check my watch and see it’s already eight. “My shift finishes in two hours. Send Emily a message telling her to be ready for a Skype call at 10:30 tonight. Make sure Jeremy isn’t in the room and pass that on to Emily so Thomas is out of the way, too.”
“Ben, we really need to find out what the fuck’s happening. I don’t want to be taken by surprise. It’s not good for business; the others will think we’re losing our touch.” She’s rattled and rambling.
“Claire!” I interject, shutting her down. “We’ll figure out what we need to do when we talk tonight. I’m hanging up now.” I disconnect the call because she’s stressing me out more than I already am.
My new Executive Assistant Chief is a woman who came to the St. Cloud PD twelve months ago. Her name is Ophelia Woods. She’s twenty-six years old and very eager. She graduated school early by jumping a couple of grades and went into the Academy at eighteen. She’s as smart as they come; I’d say almost as smart as Anna – almost. Ophelia works hard, follows every rule, and has never wavered.
Ophelia’s also beautiful and the guys around the station certainly like coming to work on the days she’s on duty. She’s tall with chestnut brown hair, hazel eyes, a tight, toned body, skin with a dark under-tone, and a face that rivals any movie star.
I did a thorough background check on her before she came to St. Cloud and found she not only has an impeccable record with the police department, but she was also personally clean. I didn’t need another Ethan Martelli mess.
There have been times at the station when I’d catch her looking at me, and she has even flirted with me on a couple of occasions. I can’t deny she’s attractive, but only one woman holds my heart, and it’s not Ophelia.
It’s getting more and more difficult to hold onto my images of Anna and resist my desires, however small the temptation is, for Ophelia. But I have always avoided any inappropriate behavior and removed myself from any situation that might encourage her to continue flirting with me.
To be truthful, I’m a man and she really is very attractive. There’s only so much temptation I can endure before I give in.
But I still hold onto the hope Anna and I will one day find a way to be together again, no matter how small that sliver of hope is.
Ophelia comes in from duty, proud of herself for how she handled a situation involving a drunk driver. She repeats her version of the encounter with him.
“I was going into Ted’s to get some dinner, when I notice this man stumble out of the bar across the road and make his way over to his car.” She stops talking and looks down at her uniform.
“I walk over to him, clearly in my uniform and he doesn’t see me. He drops his keys on the ground. I pick them up and hold onto them, and he’s so drunk he doesn’t even notice my uniform and starts trying to pick me up. Obviously, I refuse his advances and ask him if I can call him a cab. But no, he starts getting angry and yelling, ‘What’s your fucking problem? What are you, a cop or something?’” Ophelia says. We all laugh, partly because of the way she’s telling the story, but mostly because she doesn’t tolerate stupidity and this guy’s a moron.
“Yes sir, that’s exactly what I am. Maybe if you weren’t so drunk you’d see the uniform I’m wearing. Now, how about that cab?” Ophelia stops again and smiles.
“He gets even more pissed off. He yells, ‘Fuck you piiiiiig,’ and goes to punch me.”
“What happened?” one of the officers asks her.
“He’s in a cell sleeping it off. He also needs to appear in Court on a misdemeanor charge of creating a public nuisance…and he may have a swollen lip...” She pauses, “…and also a cut above his brow.” She’s laughing at what happened and just shakes her head.
The thing I like most about Ophelia is how she’s fair. This drunk takes a swing at her and she put him on his ass, but she didn’t see it necessary to charge him with more than she needed to. After she checked his records, she found he was going through unemployment, a foreclosure, and his wife left him, taking their child. He had a clean record up to this point.
Ophelia is a valuable asset to the St. Cloud police department and I would have loved for her to work personally for me, too. But she’s too clean; I have never entertained that thought again.
Thankfully, my shift finally ends at 10:00 p.m. I gather my car keys, wallet, and service weapon and head out the door. I need to get home and get ready for the Skype call with my sisters. I’ve got a feeling tonight is going to be a very long night.
I head outside to my Mustang and hear quick footsteps behind me.
I turn and I see Ophelia running out after me.
“Ben, wait up.”
“What’s up, Ophelia? I really do have to get home.”
“Nothing serious, it’s okay. I’ll talk to you later.” She shrugs and turns away from me.
“What is it Ophelia?” I pinch the bridge of my nose. I have other things on my mind, and the sudden withdrawal of her question frustrates me.
“Fuck, Ben, I didn’t realize I irritated you so much.” she says through a clenched jaw. Hello there, where did this outburst come from?
“Sorry, Ophelia, I just have a lot on my mind and I’m in a hurry. Now what can I do for you?”
“I was just going to see if you wanted to get a drink, but clearly you don’t. Sorry I bothered you,” she snaps at me and I’m a little offended, but also excited at her outburst.
“Look, Ophelia, there are some things happening with my family I need to get sorted out. Thank you for the offer, but I just can’t.” Besides, if Anna comes back she’ll fucking kill you. And you’re a good Executive Assistant I really don’t want to replace.
“So, it’s a no for now?” There’s hope in her voice.
I step away from my open car door and come around it to stand in front of her. I look into her eyes and recognize a look of lust and arousal. I’m sure that’s how I look when I think about Anna.
“Ophelia, I’m sort of seeing someone. It’s a complicated situation and I don’t want to start something when I don’t know where I’m heading with this other person. I hope you understand.”
Ophelia brings her hand up and lightly brushes my arm. “Gee, Ben, it’s only a fucking drink.” A thrill stirs in my pants and my mind goes to Anna.
When was the last time I had sex?
I clear my throat and walk back to my car. “Good night, Ophelia. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Enjoy your night, Ben.” She pulls on her helmet and jumps on her Kawasaki Ninja. It roars to life and she takes off, I assume toward her home.
Once in my car, I head home in a hurry. Ophelia’s managed to put me behind schedule.
I get home and sit in the driveway for just a moment, calming my nerves after the images of Anna that Ophelia conjured up just moments earlier. Anna’s long legs, her beautiful black eyes, her perfect breasts, the curve of her shoulder, those delicious pink……. Snap out of it Ben.
I stop that steamy and dangerous erotic fantasy and drag my body up the porch steps, when my phone starts ringing. I look at the number and it’s Emily.
I answer it, but don’t have a chance to say anything before Emily lets loose a string of verbal abuse. “What the fuck, Ben. Hurry up and get on fucking Skype. We have fucking problems and you’re out fucking around.” I don’t even let her finish. I simply hang up on her.
My laptop’s in my bedroom and I retrieve it, booting it up right away. I log in to Skype and sign on, hearing the familiar ping and see Emily is requesting a video chat. Within seconds, Claire’s in on the conversation too. They both explode with complaints about my lateness.
“Shut the fuck up for a minute,” I yell at them and they both snap their mouths shut.
I sit at the computer, running my hands through my hair, tugging on the ends to relieve some stress. But it’s not working. My nerves are on edge.
“Let’s all calm down. Do you really wanna attack me cause I’m ten minutes late or should we discuss what the fuck’s going on?”
“I can’t get any information from anyone here in Salt Lake City,” Emily says. “I’ve been knocking down doors and it seems everyone’s gone into hiding. The Germans have no fucking idea. The Irish aren’t talking, if you can imagine that. Our runners are quaking in their boots and they aren’t fucking talking, either. I had to take care of a couple.”
“Fuck, Emily, what did you do?” I say clearly pissed off at her.
“I had to stand my ground. I’m not letting some mystery fucker run me out of Salt Lake City! Our fucking family built this, not those little pissants.” Emily’s so ang
ry she’s standing in front of the computer, screaming at me and Claire. Claire remains quiet, which is always dangerous.
“Ben I’m not hearing a fucking thing here in New York, either.” Claire finally speaks up.
“What are we going to do, Ben?” Emily finally calms down enough to sit in front of the computer. I lean back in my office chair and put my hands on my head.
“I have no idea,” I truthfully admit.
“Ben!” Both Claire and Emily shriek at the same time. “You need to lead us. There will be a bloodbath if we don’t get it straightened out.”
“The one thing I know for sure is that we need to keep our anonymity. We can’t go all crazed and start killing people indiscriminately. Everything Mom and Dad worked for and everything we’ve put in place since, will be totally destroyed if the other families figure us out. There are rumors flying around the station, and the word on the streets is someone big is in town. The only organizations I know of who can create this sort of pandemonium are the Russians or the Yakuza. But I haven’t heard or seen anything concrete yet.” My cell phone rings just as Claire and Emily start ranting. I tell them to shut up while I look at the phone. It’s the station.
“Yes,” I snap at whoever’s calling me.
“Sir, we have a problem at the station.” It’s one of the officers on duty. I look at my watch and it’s near midnight.
“Do I need to come in?” I’m really tired and stressed and was hoping for a few hours’ sleep.
“I think you had better, sir.”
I hang up and let my sisters go. As I leave for the station, my phone rings again. I answer it without checking the incoming number, assuming it’s the station again.
“I’m coming,” I yell, aggravated at the stupid fuckers.
“Not without me.”
The HiT Series Page 27