With a two-finger salute, Nate revved his engine and drove away.
*****
“Are you crazy?”
Sylvie glared at her father’s lieutenant. Hiroshi held up his phone and waved it at her before his fingers flew over the screen.
Her phone chimed. Message from Hiroshi aka PITA (Pain In The Ass).
PITA: Your friends may have bugged the place. It is wise not to speak of business here.
Sylvie: Where is Kato?
PITA: My associate has him. He is unharmed. We’re just taking care of the surveillance feeds.
A frisson of alarm shot through her center. Nate had tampered with the feed last night. Hiroshi idly looked at the boxes in her office, not saying one word to her. After a few minutes, one of his men came into the office and whispered into Hiroshi’s ear. Sylvie watched the expression change on the lieutenant’s face, morphing from congenial to angry. He speared Sylvie with a furious stare, lips curling into a snarl as if he wanted to say something.
He typed furiously into his phone.
PITA: Come with me.
“No.”
Hiroshi stalked past her desk, gripped her arm, and yanked her to her feet. He lowered his head. “You will come with me outside whether you like it or not. You have some explaining to do, little sparrow.”
“You wouldn’t dare hurt me.”
“You’re right. But I have no problem making an example of your kitchen assistant. How will he fare with one or two less fingers?”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Quiet!” His gripped tightened on her arm as he pulled her toward the door. Hiroshi glanced down at her hand and grabbed her phone, tossing it on her table.
Sylvie jerked her arm out of his grasp and walked ahead of him. Kato was standing near the exit, glaring at the man pointing a gun at him.
“Kato, are you okay?”
“Chef?” Kato straightened from his stance; his troubled face and stuttered breathing signs of his distress.
“Don’t,” Sylvie warned her assistant. “He just wants to talk.” She turned to Hiroshi. “Please tell your man to lower his gun.”
“You don’t tell me what to do, Sylvie,” Hiroshi replied and pushed her out the door.
Kato looked on helplessly.
“How dare you threaten my staff?” Sylvie railed at Hiroshi the moment they got into his car. He ignored her and told his henchman to drive around.
“Where are the pills, Sylvie?” Hiroshi asked her pointedly. “Part of the footage from last night is missing from the hard drive. Your car is suddenly in the parking lot. The pills have been taken out of the box. Where are they?” His accent was more pronounced, the Rs rolling off his tongue harshly.
“I threw them in the dumpster.”
“You what?”
“The garbage truck hauled them away this morning.”
“That sounds too convenient, especially without the footage. If I find out you’re trying to sell—”
“I can’t do this anymore,” Sylvie whispered, not looking at Hiroshi, but he didn’t give her a choice anyway. He caught her chin in a painful grip and forced her to look at him.
“What did you say?”
“I think someone is on to me.”
His eyes turned glacial. “How do you know?”
“I told you. I was being followed last night.” Sylvie pushed at his forearm to free her chin.
“Is that all?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Who erased the footage?”
“I did.”
“Don’t lie to me, Sylvie! Is your assistant involved? Does he know of our arrangement?”
“No! No one does. Just me.”
Hiroshi remained silent, his gaze unwavering as if contemplating whether to believe her or not. “It might be a good time to broach the subject of marriage between us to your father again.”
Sylvie couldn’t help it. She laughed. Even when Hiroshi’s face reddened in anger, she couldn’t stop. “Oh, my God. Listen to you . . . this is America, not feudal Japan.”
“This is the only way he can keep you in line.”
“He or you? You’re in charge of East Coast operations and the only reason I agreed to this fucked up arrangement is because of Nana.”
“You are causing a lot of tension within the organization.”
“How?” Sylvie asked incredulously. “I’m a bastard daughter—”
“—and still Daichi’s blood. Yet you insist on living away from the protection I can give you. Your father has many enemies. You’re an easy target.”
“I’ve lived for years on my own and nothing has happened. You’re overstating the danger.”
“Not anymore.” Hiroshi’s tone was serious. Sylvie was tempted to ask him to clarify, but she knew she wouldn’t get the whole story. Knowing information about the Asian mafia could prove fatal.
“I don’t get you, Hiro,” Sylvie said, still baffled. “You say we need to marry, but you’re in no hurry to get to know me. Instead, you flaunt your girlfriends in front of me.”
“I’m just setting expectations.”
“What?” she exclaimed. “Are you saying you’ll keep your girlfriends even when we’re married?”
“Mistresses,” Hiroshi nodded. “Of course.”
“You’re delusional, and need to have your head examined,” Sylvie said, fighting the urge to laugh hysterically. Had she walked into an alternate universe?
“You shouldn’t talk to your future husband that way.”
“Go fuck yourself,” Sylvie shot back. “Take me—”
The side of her face exploded in pain, then her scalp burned when her hair was yanked down, and she was forced within an inch of Hiroshi’s wrathful face.
“You think I want to marry you because I’m crazy about you?” Hiroshi said softly. “Have you seen my women? Have you not noticed I prefer blondes? They’re goddesses while you are nothing but a scrawny . . . how do they call it? Ah yes . . . piece of ass. I’m grateful you’re not ugly, but there’s nothing special about you.”
Sylvie tried to pull away, still defiant, but the man’s strength overpowered her and she was forced to listen to his hurtful words that threatened to unearth her buried insecurities.
“Do you know why I call you little sparrow?” His lips twisted in a cruel smile. “Because you are as plain and ordinary as that common creature. I will fuck you until you give me a son, maybe two—”
“I am not a brood mare,” Sylvie retorted. “I doubt my father will agree to this.”
She winced. Another painful tug of her hair.
“Allegiances are important in our organization,” Hiroshi said. “I assure you, he is all for our union. After all, I am his successor. Besides, you talk to him only when I allow it.”
Sylvie didn’t volunteer that her father called her mother sometimes. The problem was, Mom didn’t know how to contact her father. But Nate would know how. She’d just have to trust him and hope she could convince her father it would be detrimental to everyone involved for her to continue funneling the pills. Why couldn’t he see this? Why was she important?
“You’re right,” she forced herself to say. Self-preservation, Sylvie! “I’m sorry if I was making things difficult for you, but I really think smuggling the pills needs to stop. You don’t want your bride to end up in prison do you?”
Hiroshi’s eyes narrowed.
Uh-oh, maybe she overdid the meek fiancée act.
His reached out and stroked the cheek he had struck. “You may learn obedience yet. That is an admirable trait in a wife.” A smirk played on his lips. “Your father will be pleased with this development.”
He ordered his driver to return to Sapporo Ramen.
They rode in silence. This was a good thing since Sylvie’s skin was crawling in revulsion and any further gloating by Hiroshi might make her lose restraint.
When the sedan stopped behind the restaurant, the back door opened and Hiroshi’s henchman who was keeping Kato
company stepped out.
Her throat constricted from worry for her assistant. Hand fumbling on the door handle, she couldn’t wait to get out of the vehicle.
“Wait,” Hiroshi ordered. Closing her eyes briefly, Sylvie held her breath and turned to her tormentor. Her eyes widened when he handed her a small wooden box. Nana’s serum.
“A show of goodwill,” Hiroshi said. “I am not promising a shift of plans regarding the movement of the GDE pills. I will need to confer with my associates. If you are right and the feds or the DEA are on to you, it wouldn’t be prudent to continue. Your Nana shouldn’t suffer the consequences.”
Sylvie gave him a weak smile, nodded, and made to leave the car a second time.
“But if I find out you’re playing me, Sylvie,” Hiroshi added ominously, “the price will be more than you can bear.”
She was playing him. Her insides screamed in alarm and she couldn’t wait to exit the car fast enough. She stumbled out. The ACS was as ruthless as the organizations from which it had arisen. Sylvie didn’t doubt Hiroshi’s threat.
She found Kato secured to a chair in the office. The young man’s eyes lightened in relief. He had a cut above his brow and the ruddy color splotched on his jaw promised bruising later.
“Oh, Kato,” she mumbled. She grabbed the switchblade she kept in her drawer and started to cut through the duct tape. “Do I need to take you to the hospital?”
“I’m fine, chef,” he snorted in disgust. “The bastard took the money.”
Sylvie’s heart dropped as her gaze veered to her office safe. It stood open and empty. Kato looked dejected and wouldn’t look at her. Freeing him from his bonds, she ruffled his hair. “It’s just money, Kato. We’ll be fine. I’m just thankful they didn’t hurt you any more than this.”
“I couldn’t even protect you.”
Ah, the idealism and heroism of youth.
“They are dangerous men. I’m sorry you got caught in my problems.”
“What do they want with you, anyway?”
“I can’t tell you, Kato. Believe me when I say, ignorance is bliss.”
Her phone vibrated on her desk.
“You better get that,” Kato said. “It had been going off for the last twenty minutes.”
“Where were you?” Nate barked in her ear. “I’ve tried calling you five times and texted you twice as much.”
“I’m at the restaurant.”
“Good. I’m in the parking lot. I passed a black sedan on my way here and with you not answering your phone, I was tempted to tail them.”
Nate saw Hiroshi?
“I’m fine.”
“How about letting me in, Sylvs?” Nate ordered and hung up.
“You should put a butterfly bandage over your brow,” Sylvie told Kato. Her assistant waved her off and got up to walk over to the first aid cabinet on the left wall of her office. She took a few seconds to compose herself before heading to open the backdoor.
Nate stood right outside with his gaze trained on the parking lot. When he heard the door open, he turned. The mild irritation on his face changed into furious disbelief.
*****
“What the fuck happened to your face?”
Nate moved quickly inside the building as he shut and locked the door behind him. Ushering Sylvie into her office, he noted the open office safe and returned his attention to her. Did she get robbed or something? He gently tilted her chin to study the redness and slight dissymmetry on her cheek. His jaw clenched. “What happened?”
“They came for the . . . stuff.” She wouldn’t look at him.
“Damn it, Sylvie,” Nate muttered, raking his fingers through his hair. “You said they wouldn’t hurt you.”
“I . . . miscalculated.” She took a deep breath and shuddered on the exhale. Footsteps approached the office, causing Nate to grow rigid beside her. “It’s Kato,” she whispered just as her assistant appeared at the doorway. “They hurt him, too.”
Impotent with rage, the feeling gripped every sinew of muscle in his body as he took in the swelling on the young man’s face and the cut on his brow. Nate should have been here. He failed to protect his woman.
“Nate?” Sylvie said softly.
He turned to look at her.
“I need your help. I don’t think I can do this alone.” Her voice was so small and unsure, he hated seeing her scared. Not his Sylvie. She was fierce, and seeing her eyes dulled with defeat, ripped his chest wide open.
He reached for her, hugging her close. “You got me, babe.” He rested his chin on the crown of her head, squeezing her tighter as if doing so would shield her from the distress haunting her. “You got me, but I need to know who did this. You have to tell me everything.” Nate pulled away slightly so he could look into her eyes. “Can you do that? No more secrets.”
Sylvie looked at Kato. “I can’t afford secrets. Innocent people are getting hurt.”
“Kato, could you get me some ice for Sylvie’s cheek?” Nate asked. He brushed the bruise forming on her face with the back of his fingers. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”
She shook her head. Nate nodded, not trusting himself to say anything else until he could rein in the anger coursing through his veins. The audacity of someone daring to lay a finger on his girl made him want to smash things.
Kato returned with ice wrapped in a towel.
“I need to talk to your boss alone,” Nate said when the young man hovered uncertainly. “We’ll be outside.” He marched Sylvie to the back exit.
Nate put away his phone and turned to Sylvie who was leaning against her Cherokee.
“You need a new car,” he said.
She smiled weakly. “Tell me about it. It’s at the top of my list since it’s getting more costly to maintain than a simple monthly payment.”
Or he could buy her a damned car. Nate wanted nothing more than to take care of her, but even if she denied it, she had the independent streak of her mother. She really did. She was stubborn, feisty, and courageous in so many ways. Opening her own business to follow a lifelong dream and yet now willing to risk everything because of family. Nate had hovered in her orbit for so long, he now wanted to be in the center with her and be her partner in everything that mattered to her.
“Sam Harper is coming in to sweep for listening devices,” Nate said. Or he could simply ask Cade where he’d planted them. He was sure Lassiter would raise hell.
“I don’t think I’ve met him before.”
“You haven’t. Harper is a new recruit.”
“I’m so proud of you, Nate,” Sylvie said. “You and Travis have done so much in such a short time.”
“Travis has good business sense and connections.” Nate shrugged.
Sylvie punched him lightly on the shoulder. “You don’t wear humble well.”
“And you give me too much credit,” Nate muttered. He wasn’t a glory-hog. He didn’t need recognition. He just wanted to get the job done, which was why clandestine work with the CIA suited him well. “You know we’re getting sidetracked again. So let’s get back on point, Sylvs. Tell me everything.”
“My ACS contact is Hiroshi Mori,” she stated flatly. “He’s my father’s second-in-command and runs the East Coast operation. I’m not sure of the extent of the business he’s handling, but I’m sure my smuggling of the GDE is just a blip on their profits.”
“What is this all about then?”
Sylvie was hesitant; Nate’s gaze pierced into her.
“I think he just wants to exert some level of control over me.”
“Why?”
“He said the ACS is nervous about my father having a bastard daughter who can easily be targeted by the organization’s enemies.”
Ever since he had found out about Sylvie’s father, Nate had set parameters in various agency databases that would alert him of any threats to her. So far, nothing had reared its ugly head, but he probably needed to adjust the search criteria. “Has he mentioned any specific threat?”
“
No. Not really.”
“Can you tell me more about him? Is he originally from the Yakuza?”
“No. His parents were killed by the Yakuza around the time the ACS was formed. Our fathers were best friends. My father took him in, and he’d shown interest in becoming one of the ACS leaders one day.” Sylvie’s eyes wavered from his.
“I thought the ACS leadership is dynastic. They are still the original thirteen families. Six ex-Triad and seven ex-Yakuza. ”
“It’s a young organization, rules can change.” She stared at a spot on the ground. She was hiding something from him.
“Sylvie,” Nate called her eyes to his. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“It’s not gonna happen.”
“What’s not gonna happen?”
“The reason Hiroshi is hanging around me?”
“Yes?” Nate prodded, his body stilled, but he’d already put the puzzle pieces of Hiroshi Mori together in his head.
“He wants me to marry him.”
The fucker.
“You’re right. It’s not gonna happen,” Nate said tersely. “Jesus Christ, Sylvs, couldn’t you have mentioned this last night?” He started pacing in front of her. “Something’s changed. He’s getting desperate. Why did he hit you?”
“He took issue to the way I spoke to him. I told him to fuck off.”
Nate’s brows drew together. “You tell me to fuck off all the time. He struck you for that?”
Sylvie exhaled on a weary breath. “He wants obedience.”
Nate thought his head would explode. Could this guy get any more despicable? Without a doubt, Hiroshi Mori was an egotistical motherfucker who needed to beat down on women to feel superior. “He’s probably compensating for a small dick.”
Sylvie puffed a short laugh before turning serious. “He gave me Nana’s serum.”
“Fuck,” Nate muttered. “Let me guess. He told you it’s a gesture of goodwill.”
“Know it all,” she quipped.
“He’s desperate all right. He knows with the DEA on to you, there’s no way he can force you to continue this. I doubt your father will risk it.”
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