Page 30 of Secrets & Sake

I can hear Takada’s teeth grinding together. He never did like being told no. I know Takada well, and he’s as prideful as they come. Walking away now would be as good as defeat, and he was never one to go down easy.

“Very well. But he leaves once we start the meeting.” Takada points to the door.

“Whatever will give you utmost peace of mind,” Namikawa says, not sounding like he cares one way or another as he slinks over to the bath and submerges up to his shoulders into the hot water.

Hiro walks past me, camera in one hand. “I’ll wait for you.” He leaves the room.

I join the Namikawa-kai in the bath, and finally, silence falls over the room. I look everywhere but at Takada, sitting across the bath from us, flanked on either side by two big, glowering guys.

Namikawa says, “Our way of life faces an uncertain future. We can no longer afford to fight among ourselves. It’s clear both our families have harmed one another. No one here is trying to deny that. But unless we can find a way to come together, then we risk losing everything we have built to the police. Takada, name your price for peace, and we shall name ours.”

Takada’s eyes slide over me, like something wet and slimy over my skin. “I have need of a new enforcer. Noboru would do just fine.”

I expected as much. Still, my stomach twists into knots.

And Namikawa… says nothing. He wouldn’t send me to Takada, would he? Not unless he’s still pissed off that I didn’t collect the money and let Takada kill Aida. Fuck. I can’t go with Takada. I’d rather tear out my own throat than let him touch me again.

Takada slants his mouth smugly. “And what do you think, Noboru? Come on, now. We have a history, you and I. With me, you could be free of your debt to Namikawa.”

I know better than to believe a word he says. Leaning my elbows on the tiled rim of the tub, I level a glare at him. “Bullshit.”

Takada’s nostrils flare.

“Is that your price for peace?” Namikawa asks, voice giving away nothing. Sweat beads on my forehead, mixing with the steam. I have no idea what my boss is thinking of doing.

“Yes,” Takada growls.

Acid rises in my throat. Even my grandfather looks warily between me and Namikawa.

Fuck. He can’t. He wouldn’t. Would he? I fight to control my panic.

Steam rises between my pack and Takada’s.

Namikawa says, “Noboru is mine. His pack owes mine a life debt. Choose something else.”

Relief crashes over me, but it’s replaced by fury. Why the fuck would Namikawa torment me like that?

“Fine, then,” Takada says through his teeth, “I want a share of your profits, and—”

The bosses talk about dividing up the revenue from specific territories we each control, terms, and conditions. It all sort of fades to background noise. I keep thinking back on Takada’s proposal. Freedom. From Namikawa, anyway, from my pack’s debts to his clan. But not freedom from the yakuza, and especially not freedom from Takada.

I don’t know why I keep thinking there’s a way out. Why haven’t I just accepted it already?

Namikawa’s voice snaps me out of my brooding. “Very well. Here are my terms. Stop abducting people from our territory.”

Takada’s lip ticks up over his teeth. “What did you say?”

“I know you’re the one responsible for the missing people in Taito. That ends with this truce. Am I clear?”

Growling, Takada leans forward in the bath. “That’s one hell of an accusation to pin on me with no evidence, Namikawa.”

“Is that understood?” Namikawa snaps.

A muscle twitches in Takada’s jaw. “Fine.”

“Then these terms are acceptable. There will be peace between our clans. Thank you for your cooperation, Takada.” He bows his head, and Takada bows back, but his eyes remain locked on me, black with fury at being denied what he wants; his favorite toy.

This ceasefire hasn’t solved anything.

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