Page 75 of Whiskey's Redemption

I pull my attention back to the wretched man in front of me. “You tried to kill your own flesh and blood.”

“You’d never understand this life. And your American lifestyle is so soft, it sickens me. Kaori was just the same. Weak and soft, always wanting to make things better for the slaves, the dirty useless trash that work in our shops. She was never going to be a good Obayun. Never,” he shouts, spitting the words like venom.

“Well, you’re right there. I don’t get your tradition and bullshit honor code, but there’s no honor in killing your family.”

Closing her phone, Kano pipes up. “The police are on the way, and one of the choppers are fueling to take her to the hospital in Osaka.”

“Thanks, Kano. How are you?”

“I’ll be fine.”

I turn to her sister. “Miori, has the bleeding stopped?”

“I can’t stop it, but I’m trying to keep pressure on it.”

“You don’t get it—” Kato starts.

“You’re right, I don’t, and I don’t intend to. So you just stay there while we wait for the police.”

Smiling darkly, moving forward, I raise the gun as Kato tries to advance on me. “Nope. You stay right there.”

With a sinister smile, he takes another step. “You won’t do anything, Jamieson. Soft, weak, spineless sad sack. You’ll do nothing.”

Clipping off a shot, straight out into the vacant air, it whizzes right by his ear. “Try me,” I say, determined to show him that I have no compunction about him living or dying.

“That was close, but,” he takes another step, “youstillwon’t do anything. I dare you, Jamieson.”

Man, I really hate this guy. “One more step and I’ll show you how cold I can be, Kato. You shot the woman I love, and both she and my child could be dying right now. Do youthink your life is worth more than theirs?”

“I think that you’re too scared to take a life, that you won’t do what’s needed.” Tempting me, taunting me, he moves to step forward once more.

So I shoot.

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