Page 62 of Secrets & Sake

I’m dying. I’m going to die.

And really, what does that matter? The world will be a better place without me. The Wolf of Asakusa caused nothing but pain to all who knew and feared him and lived his life in servitude to a man he despised. What does it matter if I die?

The realization threatens to drag me down to the depths of despair.

And absurdly, all I can think about… is Hiro.

Damn it. I was looking forward to seeing him.

I want to see him again. I have to.

There’s a light in the darkness around me, and I fight to keep my eyes open, fight not to pass out and die in the front seat of my own car. Not before I’ve held him one last time.

I’m dying, and Hiro is the only person on my mind. Not my grandfather. Not my best friend. Hiro.

As my life’s blood flows down my arm, I realize that I’ve wasted so much time lying to myself.

No more.

If this is my last hour alive on this earth, then I want to spend it with him.

I step on the gas and drive toward where my heart is telling me to go.

To Hiro.

To my mate.

Chapter 17

I’ve just gotten out of the train when my phone vibrates in my bag. It’s Raiden. After the day I’ve had, I’m craving his company, even if it's just the sound of his voice.

“Hey, Raiden. What’s up?”

“H-hey, Sunshine.”

Immediately, I know something is wrong. His voice, usually so cocky and sexy, is weak and strained. Like he’s in pain. “Raiden? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“’M in a bad way. Not gonna lie.”

My hands start to shake. I’ve never heard so much pain in his voice before. “Are you hurt?”

He grunts. “Y-yeah. It’s… it’s not looking good. Got shot.”

Sour acid burns my throat. “Then go to a hospital!”

“No,” he snaps. “Might as well walk into a p-police station.”

“Call someone who can fix you up!”

“Too far away. Just need… to get the bullet out. Need somewhere safe to do it.” He groans, and the sound cleaves right through my chest.

Listening to him hurting feels like I’m dying, too. Is he dying? Will he be okay? Hasn’t he been hurt enough by life, by his shitty family?

“Where are you? Tell me. I’m coming to get you.”

It occurs to me he might be in the middle of a fight or something gangster related, a situation where I’d be of no use whatsoever. I don’t care. I’m ready to run into a damn war zone for him.

“C-can I crash at your place?”

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