Page 25 of Secrets & Sake

It’s boring as shit. I haven’t had to go into hiding for a while. Namikawa received a tip-off from one of the police on our payroll, and he warned us that the cops were going to be raiding our hideouts throughout the city.

There were arrests, quite a few, but nothing to lose sleep over. Still, we haven’t had the cops come down this hard on us for a long time. Not until Takada started fucking shit up for us.

At the end of the week, Namikawa goes on national TV and to viewers all over the city, Namikawa bows low and long in shame and says, “To the citizens of Tokyo, I extend to you my sincere apology. On my honor, there will be peace between the Namikawa-kai and the Takada-kai.”

My stomach goes sour. Peace? Takada deserves to be wiped out for the shit he pulled this past week. But fighting back hadn’t done anything good for our image, and the cops are still breathing down our necks.

When Namikawa calls me on Saturday, he says, “Noboru. Are you safe?”

“Bored stiff.” Currently, I’m tucked away in one of our hideouts in an apartment near Senso-ji Temple. “But otherwise, I’m fine.”

“This feud with the Takada-kai must end.”

I sit up straighter, mouth going dry. “What’s the plan, boss?”

“I have reached out to Takada. The police have cracked down upon his gang, as well. He has agreed to meet and discuss terms for a truce.”

Dread settles heavily in my stomach. “You know what he’ll ask for. Don’t you?”

Who he’ll ask for.

“We will see.”

I squeeze my phone so hard I hear the screen crack. What does that mean? Surely Namikawa wouldn’t… he wouldn’t…

“Until then, we must work on repairing our public image. The photographer you met with. Are his pictures any good?”

I’d completely forgotten to talk to Namikawa about Hiro’s photos. “Yes.”

“Call him. I want to put out a story in the upcoming issue, and we’ll need pictures for the article.”

I agree, and we hang up.

My stomach churns in the sudden silence that hangs over me.

A truce with the Takada-kai. I know exactly what at least one of Takada’s terms will be.

He’ll want me. Would Namikawa give me to Takada if he felt that was the only way to achieve peace between our packs?

Chapter 7

It’s been a shitty week, but as Hiro comes out of his building, my day suddenly feels a lot better. He looks adorable in a bright white top layered with a striped sky-blue shirt. And the way those beige chinos hug his sexy thighs? Damn delectable.

My wolf gives a pleased rumble. Sweet Hiro. Our Hiro.

I roll down the window and wave. “Hey.”

Hiro’s enthusiastic grin ambushes me, making my heart leap. “Hey.” He sounds amused for some reason.

“What?” I ask, unlocking the door so he can climb into my car.

“Nothing, just… it’s been a while.”

“Sorry.”

“Yakuza stuff?”

I blow out my cheeks. “Yeah.”

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