Page 8 of Bound By the Yakuza

Kenichi nodded, but seemed lost in different thoughts. “Fine,” He said.

I stood at attention while the rest of the members listed off their reports for the night. Our leader had changed with this new responsibility; it was becoming more apparent with every passing week. The upcoming birth of his son was no doubt weighing down on him.

I tried to forgive him, knowing that his dedication to our clan had not weakened, but the battle was getting harder to manage. I knew his brother would keep him in check. My only job was to be his best soldier. It was my honor to serve him in any way that he needed.

Tadao was going over financial info now and I was getting bored. I glanced to Kaoru who returned my bored look. I needed action, not administration. I wished I could be out with the junior members of the gang roughing up landlords and collecting money - those were the good days.

Collecting money.

That reminded me. Tonight I would see Karina again. My body ached when I thought of her. I knew what I wanted to do - and it wasn’t collecting money. Of course, that was what I was commanded to do, so I would. But I wanted so much more.

“I suppose that is all,” Kenichi said as a signal to end the meeting. Everyone went their respective ways, ready to start their nightly prowls.

“Oh, Tatsuya,” Tadao called after me.

I turned on my heel and bowed quickly. “Yes, sir?”

“I want you to monitor that building you mentioned. They are right on the edge of our territory and we cannot risk any Shimazu influence in there. Especially considering the landlord conveniently forgot to tell his new tenant about us.” He paused. “And the massage parlor.”

“Yes, what about it?” I asked.

“It’s run by a woman?” Tadao asked incredulously, as if the thought of a female business owner was impossible.

“Yes.” I nodded. “A Russian foreigner.”

Kenichi tensed. “Do not let her slip from our watch,” He commanded, speaking over his younger brother. “We must keep a tight grip on our borders.”

I nodded and bowed again. “Yes, sir.”

? ? ?

KARINA

I scowled, piling up the money for that Yakuza bastard. This was ridiculous! 50,000 yen was close to 500 American dollars. It was robbery - even for “protection” money. My massage parlor was tiny and unassuming, definitely not a profit maker like a hostess bar. A small business by Tokyo standards. My hands were shaking.

Why was I nervous? Scared? Was it something else? Anticipation maybe?

I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair. No way. “Get a hold of yourself, Karina,” I muttered to myself.

No man had ever made me so much as flinch. But he had nearly set me on fire last night. When he pressed himself against me, it made my body so hot. My heart fluttered even thinking about it. His eyes, his relaxed speech combined with his soldier-like stature. He was full of contradictions - someone who laughed about murder and someone who took pleasure in extortion.

I knew better than to get involved. This crime-family bullshit was the reason I had left Russia. No smooth-talking, tattooed bastard would get the best of me now.

I glanced at the time. I wished I could talk to my brother. He was the only one who ever could understand me, anyway. We had only managed to talk twice since I left. I had a disposable cell phone that I used sparingly. I couldn’t put my position at risk now.

My brother seemed so worried last time we talked. Father was livid, but he didn’t need to tell me that. Thankfully, as far as I knew, the family had no idea where I had spirited off to. I was planning on keeping it that way for a while, at least until my dad agreed to call off the wedding.

Japan was lucrative for me so far. A girl could get used to all this cash and independence. Even if there was a yakuza gang breathing down her neck.

I shivered, remembering Tatsuya’s whisper. Oh my god, he was enough to make me melt.

I looked out the window, watching people below on the sidewalk. It was Friday, which was always a good night to make money. I’d have that 50,000 yen back in the blink of an eye, but the protection money would hurt my bottom line. I wondered if it were up to negotiation, even though I knew better. No crime boss would ever consider a bargain like that, especially when I had nothing to offer in return.

I shut the safe and locked it. Now all I had to do was wait. I checked my hair and makeup in the mirror before realizing what I was doing. I huffed and turned away from my reflection quickly.

Focus. I said to myself.

There was a knock at my office door.

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