Page 62 of Ruin

“Wait,” I called softly. “Can I shoot them?”

His eyes widened before a soft chuckle dropped from his mouth. A mouth I wouldn’t mind kissing, except it wasn’t the right moment. He shook his head. “Wait until I speak to him, and then we’ll see if we need to shoot them.”

I winked. “Got it.” We crawled out the kitchen and stood in the hallway, heading towards the external door which would lead out to where the stand-off took place.

Before Taro could step outside, I tugged on his arm and moved in front of him, quickly walking outside before him, gun raised.

“Josh,” he clipped low.

At least twenty men were facing off against Taro’s men, and there were about fifteen of those. Ryo and Botan stood at the front of the group. Taro’s men parted, and I led Taro through, shifting the gun to my side with the safety off. I was ready, and if any of the motherfuckers twitched in Taro’s direction, I’d shoot even before they talked. I stopped at the front, and Taro stepped up beside me. He held his own gun pointed to the ground.

“Ah, Wolf, it’s so good of you to join us. I thought you would have stayed hiding behind your people.”

“It’s not I who usually does that, Smith. How did you get beyond the gates?” Taro asked.

Smith laughed. “Easily. You should really check who you have within your walls.”

“What has Jiro promised you?” Taro demanded.

Anger shot to my gut and warmed me. If Jiro was behind all of this, I’d kill him with my bare fucking hands.

The smirk on Smith’s face dimmed a little. The reaction told me enough: that goddamn Jiro was behind this. Smith replaced the smirk and shrugged. “I do not know this Jiro person.”

Taro snorted. “You were never good at lying. Tell me what you demand, Smith. I bore of this.”

Smith narrowed his eyes. “Do you honestly think you have the upper hand here?”

“I don’t think, I know. Hurry up and tell me.” It probably wasn’t appropriate, but the confidence Taro showed turned me on. He was a good leader, seeming calm and collected. Unlike this Smith guy, whose expression showed every thought.

“Leave this house with your family and no harm will come to you,” Smith said.

Taro grinned. “Really?”

“Yes,” Smith hissed.

“Now?” I asked.

Ignoring Smith, Taro shot his grin to me. He turned his back on Smith and stepped in front of me. I looked at him but kept notice of what went on behind him. Taro cupped the side of my face before leaning in to press his lips to mine. “Soon, pet,” he whispered before pulling back. “So eager to kill. I love it.” He patted my chest and faced Smith again, who looked about ready to pop a blood vessel. I rested my free hand on Taro’s waist, tugging his body back into mine.

“You disgust me,” Smith snarled.

“It wouldn’t be the first time, and I’m certain it won’t be the last…. Then again, it just might be.”

“What do you mean?” he clipped.

“I have my own demand, Smith, before I deal with Jiro.”

“What?”

“It’s simple, really.”

Smith’s upper lip raised in a silent snarl. “Tell me then.”

“Leave or die. You have five seconds to rethink whatever Jiro has promised you and run before you and your men lose their lives.”

Smith laughed. His men were more hesitant but eventually joined in.

“You’re delusional. These are not the only men who surround your property. You’re outnumbered.”

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