Page 130 of Beast: Part Two

“We still need to figure out a plan,” Beast says. “I can take this one.”

Maksim shakes his head. “Not a smart move. Micah won’t be alone and if him or his men spot you, it’s game over.”

Word got out that we killed Adam in that robbery. Phoenix told us that Corbyn is pissed, but still doesn’t suspect anything. Thanks to Phoenix, we now know that Corbyn is getting a little more desperate. He’s been asking around about finding our location. He’s finally scared.

“Welp,” I say, shrugging as I take my feet off the table and place them on the ground. “I guess this one is mine.”

“We will play it the same way we did with Nolan,” Kimi goes on to explain. She’s stepped right into the shoes of Priest as far as leading these meetings and directing us. “Many and Seth will go as backup just in case things go left. The rest of us will stay here and guide you. It will be easy to get in and out of Ace’s and Pearls. Let’s not make this one too complicated.”

I dip my chin, agreeing with the plan.

“Fuck,” Lucien says, getting our attention. He looks up at us. “He just made reservations for Red Dragon.”

“Dang it,” Kimi swears or at least her version of swearing. “That changes everything. Lucien, how fast can you make up a criminal profile for Zel?”

Maksim shakes his head. “The type of clout he will need to get into Red Dragon can’t be on a resume. It has to be by word of mouth. His name must ring bells before they will allow him in.” He scrubs a hand down his face. “I might have to bite the bullet and make an appearance.”

“That’s too risky,” Hawk says. “By now your name is out there as being a traitor. They will either kill you on site or notify Corbyn and all this is for nothing.”

Although I hear them talking, my head is swimming.

“You belong to us, Kenji. For the rest of your life, you will belong to us.”The memory comes charging back to me.

I’ve spent all my life running from my past. Trying to distance myself from the woman that birthed me, and the man she recruited to raise me. They say you can never outrun your past. I guess it’s true, because it has finally caught up to me.

“I can do it,” I say, cutting into the debate that was going on around me.

The room becomes quiet.

“You’re missing the point, Zel. You don’t have a name in the underworld. We can’t get you in.”

I turn to glare at Lucien. “Tell them Kenjiro Isamu is coming.”

“Who?” Hawk asks.

“Isamu?” Maksim says, leaning up in his seat. “As in Isamu-Kai the fifth largest Yakuza clan in Japan?”

This is part of my life I was hoping I could take to my grave. I always assumed this would never see the light of day. I guess once Priest was gone, I should have known it would come out.

“Yes,” I sigh. “And I promise to tell you all about it, but if we’re going to get into the Red Dragon we need to move fast.”

“He’s right,” Lucien says, going back to his computer.

“You know that if you’re going in as a member of the Yakuza, you will have to prove yourself. You can’t just toss that name around,” Kimi states.

Running my fingers through my overgrown bangs, I sigh. “I know.”

Kimi looks at me skeptically. I wonder why Priest never told her the truth about me.

“You never have to worry, Kid. No one will ever know,”Priest’s promised words play back in my mind. I guess he meant what he said.

Kimi shakes her head. I assuming she’s figured out I have this under control.

“Alright, you’ll need bodyguards. Seth, Hawk, and Many you go in with him. Maksim, and Beast, will be your trail. If it goes left, you two will need to intercede. I’ll stay here and be your eyes in the sky.”

I nod as I stand from my seat. In order to don the persona of my old life, I need to clear my head and become someone I haven’t seen since I was eight years old.

“Zel,” Kimi calls out, getting my attention again. I turn back to face her. “There are rules in the Red Dragon. You’re going to need to follow them. All of them.”

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