Page 120 of Emperor of Havoc

Kolya hesitates, but then he shakes his head. “It’s impossible.”

“And why the fuck is that?” I snarl, leaning forward. “Why?—”

Kolya cuts me off, his voice firm. “Jin hasn’t left his apartment in almost a decade.”

My mouth opens, but no words come out.

Kolya exhales heavily, shaking his head. “Jin is ahikikomori—a hermit. The fact that he hasn’t once in ten years left the apartment I bought him ishisdecision. He has food and suppliesdelivered whenever he wants. He has my number. He can always come out. He just chooses not to.”

The car slows and pulls up to the curb. Kolya’s face is grim as he turns and glances out the window.

“We’re here.”

“Kolya-sama.”

At the front door, a man in a dark suit bows low to Kolya.

“Has anyone been to see him?”

The man frowns. “Sir, he…” He clears his throat and shakes his head. “He never has visitors.”

Kolya grunts. “We’re going up. Stay here.”

The guard steps aside and we move into the building. A second guard is stationed by the elevator, his posture rigid, his hand resting gently near the hilt of a katana under his suit jacket. Kolya doesn’t so much as glance at him as we pass, but the tension in his bearing is palpable.

The elevator ride up is silent. Kolya stares straight ahead, his face reflected in the polished steel doors grim and unyielding. I want to ask him more about Akira—aboutJin.

All I can think about is Katarina.

“We’re here for a reason, Takeshi,” Kolya growls. “Believe me, I want to be out there looking for her as much as you do. But?—”

“But there’s a thread here that needs pulling,” I finish, my voice edged.

Kolya nods as the elevator door opens. “In ten years, Jin has never once called me, or sent a text, or a letter, even a simple note.” He turns to me. “But he’s sent notes to Katarina before. Small ones, just saying hello, or that he was thinking of her. But those two in the white envelopes?” He grimaces. “Those are…”

“Not the sort of notes an uncle sends his niece,” I murmur.

“No, Mr. Mori,” Kolya says darkly. “No, they’re not.”

Another of Kolya’s men bows formally as we exit the elevator. Another stands at the far end, positioned outside the apartment door. His gaze flicks to Kolya, then to me, as we approach.

“Leave us,” Kolya growls.

The guard bows and retreats down the hall to join the man by the elevators.

Kolya exhales slowly, then raps his knuckles on the door. “Jin,” he says, his tone surprisingly gentle. “It’s me. I know it’s been a long, long time, but we need to talk about something.”

Silence.

Kolya knocks again, harder this time. “Jin. I know you’re in there. I’m not angry, we just need to talk about Katarina.”

Still nothing.

Kolya’s hand clenches into a tight fist. “She’s in trouble, brother,” he presses, his voice strained. “I need your help. Please.”

The seconds stretch into an unbearable eternity. My pulse pounds in my ears, a steady drumbeat of dread. Finally, Kolya steps back, his face hardening to stone.

“Enough fucking around,” he growls, pulling a gun from his holster.

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