Page 77 of Secrets & Sake

Ren suddenly turns. “Come on. The meeting is starting.”

Grateful to have something else to focus on, I follow her back to the tatami room. Namikawa has taken a seat at the table. At his side is Hideyoshi, and Raiden stands behind him. I come up beside Raiden and take a photo of Namikawa sitting calmly at the head of the table.

Namikawa says, “Thank you all for coming at such short notice. I have grave news to share. One of our debtors betrayed us and tried to have Raiden killed by hunters.”

I take Raiden’s hand, the memory still sharp and painful.

Concerned whispers and outraged snarls fill the room.

“Hunters haven’t troubled us in years, but this clan was brazen, eager even to try to kill Raiden. When Raiden described their crest, it was unfamiliar to me. They must be a new clan. We must remain vigilant. I have no doubt they will strike again. Now, on to other matters.”

Takada clears his throat. “I have something to say, Namikawa.”

Namikawa motions for him to go ahead. “By all means.”

Turning a heated glare on Raiden, Takada growls, “Do you want to tell me why Noboru tried to abduct one of my men?”

Raiden’s fingers clamp around mine, and the breath hitches in his chest. My own heart skips. What?

Confused whispers rise.

“What are you talking about?” Raiden growls.

“What indeed?” Takada says, a sneer curling his lip. “Kurogiri came to me and told me you’d beaten him bloody and tried to take him somewhere. When he tried to run, you damn near killed him.”

Raiden is frozen beside me.

“Explain yourself!” Takada bellows, eyes blazing with fury.

Blinking fast, Raiden parts his lips. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His hand starts to shake in mine.

“Bullshit! I thought we had settled this when you killed my men for touching that little pet of yours. Kurogiri did nothing to you! Neither did my other men! So where the hell are they?”

“O-other?” Raiden stammers, brows knit in bewilderment.

“Namikawa, where are my men?” Takada snarls. “Several others went missing the night Kurogiri was attacked!”

What the hell? Raiden isn’t the one responsible for the disappearances. He can’t be.

A furious growl erupts from one of the Namikawa-kai. “You dare accuse our boss of such cowardly tactics? Namikawa is a man of honor, unlike you!”

A Takada-kai whirls him around and snarls, “What the hell did you say? Take it back!”

“Enough!” Namikawa booms, rising swiftly. “Takada, you dare to make accusations without proof?”

“I know it’s you!” Takada roars. “You tricked me with this truce! Where are my men? I should have known better than to trust any offers of peace from you. The truce is over, Namikawa. Your pack will never know peace. You will be driven from my city. Your reign is at an end. Mark my fucking words!”

Namikawa stares him down, lips tightly pursed. “So be it.”

The tension in the room builds as both packs size each other up, fangs and claws at the ready. For a horrible moment, my heart sinks. I grip Raiden’s hand tight, ready to drag him away if a fight breaks out.

With a furious snarl, Takada storms from the room. His pack follows, shoving past people on their way out.

I exhale, heart racing. Raiden’s squeezing my hand painfully tight. Before I can catch my breath, Raiden suddenly tugs me from the room and out into the quieter hallway as the Namikawa-kai talk frantically among themselves. The front door slams, bell tinkling as we step out into the woods. Raiden yanks his hand free and leans on his car, breathing hard with his back to mine.

“Gotta drive.”

“Where?”

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