Page 9 of Bound By the Yakuza

“Yes?”

Coco opened the door a crack. She was cute, small, and timid. “Excuse me for interrupting. Tatsuya-san is here to see you.”

My chest went tight. “Let him in,” I said. I smoothed my black dress over my curves. This was business, nothing more. I repeated it over and over in my head.

Tatsuya strode in and shut the door behind him. He was as cocky as ever. “Good evening,” He said with mock respect. “I trust you have the payment ready?”

I nodded towards the bag of money on my desk. “There.” All of it was there, though I knew he would likely not count it. Even with his sarcastic tone, the Japanese had a peculiar politeness about them and he wouldn’t count it in front of me.

Tatsuya didn’t go for the bag. Instead, he went to me. We were nearly touching and my legs went weak, no matter how hard I tried to stop them from trembling. He smelled faintly of good quality tobacco and cologne. I saw my face reflected in his impossibly dark brown eyes.

“I want to make something very clear, Russian girl. Karina,” He said. “I am under strict orders to monitor this area of Shibuya. So, you’d better do everything we say.”

Where was my usual strength? How could I let a man make me feel like this? He was nothing but another obstacle in my way. My mouth went dry. He was unlike any man I had ever met. He had the intensity of a dragon and I was too caught up in his allure.

I nodded. “Fine.” My words sounded stronger than I felt. “I understand, now, let me go.”

At some point he had grabbed my arm. Neither of us had noticed until then. His skin was warm but his hand was strong. He ignored me for a moment and then released me. Our lips were almost touching. I resisted the urge to lean forward. This lust had to be an illusion; I couldn’t let down my guard.

Tatsuya took a step back, looking me up and down before glancing at the bag. He seemed almost torn, but then again, how could I read the cold eyes of a man I didn’t know?

“These payments are due weekly on Fridays.” Tatsuya said and tossed me a card. It was blank except for a phone number. “If you feel threatened by any other gang members or if your business is at risk, please use this number to contact me. Voice only. Nothing in writing.”

I blinked. “You mean protection money is really for protection around here?”

Tatsuya paused like he wanted to divulge on more information that he was permitted to share. He pressed his lips together tightly before speaking again. “Just do as I say. Alright?”

I nodded, closing my hand around the card. “Understood.” I countered. “As long as you and the gang do not try to interfere with my business either.”

Tatsuya was taken aback at my response. He had clearly never met a business savvy woman before. I had every right to run my business without his interference. The agreement was cash only. Nothing else. If he respected my boundaries, then I would respect his.

“Fine, but I’ll be checking in on you. Often.” He said. Without another word, he grabbed the bag full of money and left.

I watched him out the window. He met another man on a motorcycle across the street from the parlor. After exchanging a few words, he shot off into the night with the sound of a roaring engine and a flash of red light.

I couldn’t help but smile to myself. “Oh, I look forward to it. Tatsuya.”

? ? ?

KARINA

It was Sunday morning and Shibuya was full of high schoolers and tourists. I spent the morning as I had every day since fleeing to Tokyo - exploring. It was easy enough when you’re fluent in Japanese.

I stopped to have lunch in my favorite cafe, which was only a block from my parlor. I always sat by the window so I could watch people passing by and read a book. I had immersed myself in books about the topic of the Japanese underground, currently reading Yakuza Moon. Reading autobiographies always scratched the itch that internet searches failed to satisfy.

After my meeting with Tatsuya, I opened my mind to how much gang activity was swirling around me all the time. I’d notice younger yakuza members talking to shopkeepers. The police were rarely seen and yet everything ran like clockwork. It was no doubt a well-controlled territory. But we were still in a dangerous spot, being right on the edge of two fighting clans.

I took a break from my book to sip my latte and gaze out the window. It would be a beautiful day. Sundays were often slow for customers, but I would be open nonetheless.

Shortly after returning to the book, I felt the tingle of someone watching me. I had learned to always honor this feeling. I knew it meant trouble. I slowly looked up to see that familiar yakuza bastard standing in front of my table. He was so quiet, how had I not noticed until just now?

I frowned. “How long have you been standing there?”

Tatsuya grinned and shrugged. “Long enough.” He jerked his chin towards me. “Whatcha reading?”

I shut the book and set it cover down on the table. “None of your business.”

Tatsuya squinted. “Oh, English. Fancy.” He laughed.

---