Page 19 of Her Fearless Ronin

“Oh.” That stirred Hoka’s mind right out of my stupid admission. “We don’t have bad blood with Valdez—I’ll go even as far as to say they owe us one for not meddling when the Chinese asked.”

I twisted my mouth to the side. That was true. “I suppose so, but I’m not a yakuza anymore. I have no weight to talk to Valdez.”

“You’ll always be a yakuza, Jiro.”

“I know, but if things went south…” I trailed off. I didn’t need to add what we both knew. I would not have anylegitimacy to ask for backup.

“I’m sure this can be arranged,” he added.

I pursed my lips. Having Oda here was an added complication as a hint of jealousy started to spread into my mind.

Oda was all my good things and none of my bad. He was young and not yet broken. He was annoyingly funny and strong—someone who would be perfect for Hope if she was so adamant about sinking into this type of darkness, and yet I couldn’t accept that.

“How is she doing? Hope, is that right?”

I couldn’t help but smile at Hoka’s not-so-discreet way of fishing for information, and I could not blame him after the teenage boy hormonal outbreak he’d just witnessed.

“Yes, it’s Hope, and you know it.” I sighed. “She’s something else, you know? And I don’t think she sees it herself. She went through astaggeringamount of shit, and she’s still so brave, forgiving, and radiating goodness. It’s humbling, really.”

“Yes, they have to be particularly strong to beikigaifor men like us. It takes an impressive amount of strength, both mental and emotional, to be the soul mate of a yakuza.”

I leaned my back against the brick wall, resting my hand over my heart and the painful echo his words caused.

“She isnot. Shecan’tbe.”

Hoka sighed. “Maybe, maybe not, but I know from experience that even if it is rarely convenient, it’s worth it.”

“I—” How could I build a future on the ghosts of my past? “Let me know when Oda is on the way, okay?”

Hoka sighed again. I swear that had become hisautomatic response to me these days. “And you’ll let me know what you find out, okay? Yakuza or not, you’re my brother. I have your back.”

I nodded, even if he couldn’t see me, knowing full well that if things really went south, I would never involve him. He was the head of the yakuza, yes, but he was also a loving husband and doting father. I destroyed a family once and almost destroyed Hoka’s shot to a happy ending. I would not do it again.

“I’ll keep you posted.” I put the phone back in my pocket, and as soon as I walked out of the alley, I met the blue eyes of a furious Hope.

She was standing a few steps away, her arms crossed over her chest, one Converse-clad foot tapping on the sidewalk, and with her adorable angry frown on her face.

Why did angry Hope elate me? Why was her anger pleasing me? Because I was a sick fuck!

“Why are you following me?”

“Who says I’m following you?” I asked, closing the distance between us and standing close enough for her to kick.

Her frown deepened, and her eyes flickered to my crotch. I had to stop my smile from spreading, knowing she probably pictured kicking me in the balls.

I took a step back just in case. That kitten had claws.

“I’m not an idiot, Jiro! And you could come and talk to me like a normal person instead of following me in the shadows. Plus, you shouldn’t do that. You’re terrible at it.”

I raised my eyebrows. No, I wasn’t terrible at it. I was excellent at it—even better than trained spies. I was akageyakuza… a shadow before rising to Hoka’s right hand.

“Is that right?”

She huffed and nodded. “Yes, I knew you were there the whole time.”

I cocked my head to the side. “You saw me?” I doubted it.

She twisted her mouth, fidgeting on her feet. “No, I just knew.”

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