Page 26 of Bound By the Yakuza

Kaoru and Tadao both tried to stop me. I wouldn’t let them. I could not let any harm befall Karina. If the landlord was arrested, it would only be a matter of time before the line of fire turned to her.

? ? ?

KARINA

“Yes, I promise, everything is ok,” I insisted.

I heard Tatsuya sigh on the other end of the line. “Alright. You’re sure the Bratva doesn’t know you’re here.”

“My brother took extra precautions when traveling,” I said. I gripped my cell phone tightly in my hand. “This will all blow over soon enough. My father’s anger is growing weaker. Soon I should have some peace.”

“I hope you’re right. The last thing my gang needs now is Bratva in our territory.”

“If it ever came to that, I’d take care of it myself.”

Tatsuya chuckled. “You are one hell of a woman, Karina.” There was a pause as if he wanted to say something more. He cleared his throat. “I need to get back to work. I’ll see you tonight when I’m done my rounds?”

“Sure, see you then.” I tapped the END CALL button and sighed. I pushed the worries out of my mind. It was time for work; the bars would be empty soon and the clients would come calling.

Coco-chan was waiting for me in the common area of the small parlor. She reminded me of a doll; even in heels she only came up to my shoulder, and I was slighter taller than average height. I could see why she was the favorite here.

“No customers yet?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No, but Monday nights are hit and miss.”

I nodded. “So, how are you doing?”

Coco looked down shyly. She twisted a lock of her long brown hair around her finger. “I’m ok,” She said. She paused and then smiled. “I’m going to finish my diploma. I got accepted into an online college.”

I beamed. ‘That’s great, Coco-chan.”

“It’s all because of you,” She said with a bow of her head. “You saved me and gave me hope. You reminded me of what I’m worth. I will graduate college and then open a daycare. It was always my dream.”

“That’s amazing. I’m so happy,” I said. It made me feel good knowing that this simple little cash business was literally changing lives.

There was a loud knock at the door. The wall rattled under the force of the pounding.

“POLICE! Open up!”

Coco gasped and hid behind me. The other two girls came out of the massage rooms with curious expressions.

“Open up!” The voice shouted again.

I swallowed hard. A police raid? No, not now. I was just getting comfortable.

“Last warning!” The voice shouted and then with a bang, the door was kicked down.

Splinters of wood shot everywhere and the girls screamed. I ushered them inside my office so I could face the police myself. I stood straight and strong.

The cop strode into the lobby and looked down at me. “Karina Nikolaev, you are under arrest.”

-

I sat in the dim cell, waiting. I didn’t even know what I was waiting for. I had been unceremoniously thrown into the holding cell without a word. How long would I have to wait until I could speak to a cop, a lawyer, anyone?

The walls were brick, painted a beige that reflected the fluorescent lights with an eerie glow. The heavy metal door that separated me from the world only had one tiny window. I could see shadows as people passed in the hall, but none stopped at my door.

I slumped against the wall and let out a sigh. My throat went tight and I fought off tears. I could not cry. I could not be weak. I trained for more than this. I was a Bratva, no matter how hard I tried to escape the pressures of being in a crime family. Was I destined for this?

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