Page 50 of Who Said Mobsters Were Scary?

Chapter 23

Chai does not looklike a zombie in the morning. He’s already up when my alarm goes off, dressed and wearing an expression that makes it impossible to tell he was moaning and panting while my hand drove him crazy until three in the morning.

I watch him flick through his phone while mine keeps ringing until he throws a glance my way and notices I’m awake. Raising an eyebrow, he tilts his chin toward the bathroom.

I get up, letting the blanket slide down my body. His eyes fill with heat, roaming me.

“No dirty thoughts so early in the morning,” I tease, grabbing the towel he’s left at the foot of the bed. I wrap it around my waist, but low enough so it looks sexy and showcases the V I am sporting.

He adjusts the collar of his shirt, the desire in his dark eyes not disappearing. “What do you want for breakfast? I’ll arrange for someone to bring it to the shooting range.”

I pause, staring at him. Oh right. Aran was going to give me a crash course in guns before we left. That explains why we needed to get up this early.

“I don’t normally eat until noon.”

Chai smiles. “Me, too. We can grab something in Tokyo.” He walks over to me and drags his fingers along my exposed back. “Go take a shower and meet me in the conference room down the hall. I’ll keep the briefing short, so Aran can teach you to shoot.”

I do as I’m told. Apparently, we’ll be investigating a warehouse hit and assessing damage. Chai doesn’t think shooting will be required, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Besides, I’m a little excited. I’ve never had or used a gun.

To my disappointment, most of the crash course with Aran is explanations and gun handling. I get to shoot a couple of times, hitting parts of the target. The recoil is worse than I imagined, but that only makes the rush of adrenaline as the firearm discharges stronger. By the time we are heading out, I’m buzzing. The little sleep I caught makes me even more hyperactive, but I deem that’s for the better, considering I need to be alert and on top of my game since I oversee Chai’s safety.

I thought we would be going by car to Tokyo, but we take theshinkansentrain. First class is as packed as the rest of the train. We sit near the front, claiming two of the three seats in our row. The one on the other side of the aisle remains empty as the train starts to move.

“You know, I was expecting first class to be more… class-y,” I say, watching out the window as we leave Nagoya Station. Buildings blur by, and as we pick up speed, I realize just how massive the city is. I knew it in theory, but the bits I’ve seen of it really don’t do it justice.

Chai hums, leaning his shoulder against mine. The contact is pleasant, but it’s the way he does it so casually that gets my heart beating faster. “It’s a train, Leo. Not a plane. Though I suppose you’ll get to experience that, too.”

I whip my head at him. “We’re flying first class when we go to Bangkok?” I’ve never flown first class. Or ridden a train. But I mean, of course Chai wouldn’t fly economy. “What’s the deal with that, exactly?”

“The Thai government is holding a conference. Herald Security, which is part of the Akiyama Group, won the bid for security. A couple events have been organized prior to the original date, which is why I need to go earlier.”

My eyes go a little wide. “You work with governments?”

“This is our first major deal. It’s why it’s so important that I handle it personally.”

I guess that makes sense. “Your father couldn’t send Aran?” From what I gather, Chai’s ex-bodyguard is involved with a lot of the Security side of things and has more experience than Chai. If the deal is so important, wouldn’t it be better if he was involved?

Chai shrugs, dragging his fingers down the side of my arm. “I’m on the board and Aran’s overseeing another project. Plus, I’ve been taking on more responsibilities lately. It’s a good way to show I’m ready to take over.”

His words give me pause. I scan his face as his eyes settle on mine, finding no tension there. I haven’t really thought about it, but I half-expected he would be opposed to it. It’s kind of how these things are always portrayed in movies and books.

“And you want that?”

He puts his head on my shoulder and sighs. “Yeah. There are a couple of things I’d like to change once myfather steps down. He’s kind of stuck in his ways, so he doesn’t always listen to me, even if my ideas are good.”

The door opens and a stewardess walks into the carriage with one of those trolleys with food and drinks. Chai lifts his head so abruptly from my shoulder, he almost headbutts me in the chin. He places his hands in his lap and schools his expression into that authoritative glare as the woman approaches us and says something in Japanese.

It takes my tired brain a few seconds to comprehend what happened. Or to remember that we are in public and that I am his bodyguard. I do look the part, what with my suit, slicked back hair and the sunglasses I’ve currently stashed away, but my boss getting comfortable on my shoulder while stroking my arm certainly ruins the vibe we are going for.

Clearing my throat as she glances at me, I plaster on a threatening scowl. I’m suddenly very aware of the gun in the holster on my left side. I do hope I won’t need to use it today.

Two coffees are handed to us, and the stewardess moves on. We don’t really talk for the rest of the train journey, arriving in Tokyo just after nine-thirty. If I thought Nagoya Station was packed, the one here is beyond crowded. It’s bigger too, and it takes us twenty minutes to get to our exit. I walk closely behind Chai, my eyes on the lookout. Aran gave me a few pointers on what to watch out for, the kinds of telltales attackers have, but fortunately we don’t run into anyone who seems intent on messing with us.

We board a taxi outside. Our destination is the docks in the Minato Ward. A black SUV is waiting for us when we arrive, so we switch from the taxi to it, then make our wayto the warehouse in question. Four suited men are standing at the entrance, looking like they want to be anywhere but here.

“Akiyama-san,”they say in unison, dipping their heads. They scowl the moment our eyes meet.

“Kono gaijin wa dare desu ka?”one of them adds.

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