Page 30 of Her Fearless Ronin

Taking a deep breath, I pushed those doubts aside and walked out of my apartment. My mother was spending the night at the center, and I had the whole night to myself—something that had not happened in a very long time.

The night air was cool against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I hailed a cab and gave the name of the club Oda had given me. As we drove, I couldn’t help but second-guess myself. What was I doing? Was this really going to work? Was I just making a fool out of myself? Was it dangerous for me to go there and ask the questions Oda suggested?

He assured me it was safe, that even if the club belonged to the cartel, it was not HQ for any of his operations. But I couldn’t help but worry I was potentially creating more trouble for Jiro, and a hint of guilt appeared, tainting my determination a little.

The thumping music greeted me as I stepped out of the cab. The club was alive with colorful lights and pulsating energy. Taking another deep breath, I walked in. The bassof the music vibrated through me as I slowly looked around, not really sure what I was looking for.

I found a spot at the dimly lit bar, the soft hum of conversations and the clinking of glasses creating a soothing background noise. The sensation of eyes on me was undeniable, and I knew it wasn’t just my imagination. Men and women alike were stealing glances, their gazes lingering on the daring dress that I had chosen. It was both empowering and unnerving, and for a moment, I felt a surge of self-consciousness. I leaned against the bar, casting a careful eye over the array of colorful cocktails on the menu. My mind raced as I considered the best way to approach the situation, the words I needed to say hovering on the tip of my tongue.

A young-looking bartender sidled up to me with a charming smile. His sandy-blond hair fell just above his bright-blue eyes, and he had that mischievous twinkle that usually accompanied flirtatious interactions. My heart fluttered—I hadn’t flirted much before, and I hoped it looked far smoother than it would feel.

“Hey there, gorgeous,” he purred, leaning in slightly. “What can I get you tonight?”

I matched his flirtatious tone, giving him a coy smile. “Surprise me. Something sweet and dangerous.”

He chuckled, his fingers deftly working as he mixed the ingredients. I couldn’t help but notice the way his gaze lingered on me, his attention clearly focused. I watched, feigning interest, as he poured the vibrant concoction into a glass, his fingers brushing against mine as he handed it over.

“Here you go, lovely,” he said with a wink, and I couldn’tdeny the flutter in my chest at his attention. Flirting might not have been my forte, but it seemed to be working—or maybe he was just good at his job.

I took a sip of the cocktail, the sweetness dancing on my taste buds. Gathering my courage, I leaned a bit closer, making sure to maintain eye contact. “I’m Hope, by the way. Do you happen to know my brother? His name’s Leo, Leo Myers.”

His confident demeanor wavered slightly, his eyes flickering with a hint of discomfort. “I’m afraid I don’t.”

I decided to push a little harder. “He works with Valdez, you know, your boss.”

The flirty look in his eyes turned serious, his smile fading. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

And with that, he walked away, leaving me alone at the bar. I let out a slow breath, both relieved and pleased with the outcome. It seemed that the connection between Valdez and my brother was known, at least on some level. My heart raced with anticipation and nervousness—I was one step closer to unraveling the mystery of my brother’s disappearance.

Now, I just needed to tackle the more challenging part of my plan—making Jiro jealous enough to reveal his true feelings. As I sipped my cocktail, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of determination. If I could bait a cartel boss, I could surely make a complicated man like Jiro Saito take notice. It was a challenge I was more than willing to accept.

The thumping music continued to fill the air around me as I sipped my drink, lost in my own thoughts. Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared by my side, swaying his hips ina way that was both hilarious and strangely enticing. Oda, with that mischievous grin on his face. His energy was infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile more genuinely now.

“Play along,” he whispered, his warm breath brushing against my neck. His proximity sent a shiver down my spine, but I nodded, ready to see where this was going. He trailed his nose along the length of my neck. “Our man is seething,” he whispered just as he reached my earlobe.

He grabbed my hand to help me off my seat and led me onto the dance floor. With his hands confidently finding their place on my hips, I couldn’t help but steal a glance toward the bar. Jiro was there, his gaze locked onto us with irritation and something else—something I couldn’t quite decipher. His drink remained untouched, his jaw clenched.

Oda’s touch was light but sure, guiding me in a playful and alluring dance. I let myself get lost in the music, in the moment, all the while aware of Jiro’s eyes on us. Oda’s hands slid lower, his touch growing more intimate as the song’s tempo increased.

Just as I was starting to wonder how much longer we could keep up this act, I felt a presence behind me. Oda’s hands disappeared as quickly as they had come, and I turned to find Jiro standing there, his gaze locked onto me with an intensity that took my breath away.

Without a word, Jiro’s hand found its place on my waist, his touch possessive and firm. He pulled me against him, his body moving in sync with mine as if he had been dancing beside me all along. The contrast between Oda’s playful approach and Jiro’s commanding hold was electrifying.

His touch was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It sent waves of heat through me, igniting a fire that had been smoldering beneath the surface and causing my panties to dampen in a way that only he could.

His fingers traced the curves of my body, leaving a trail of sensation in their wake. Every move. Every touch. Felt intentional, like he was trying to convey something that words couldn’t express.

As the music pulsed around us, our bodies moved in a primal and intimate rhythm. My heart raced, my breath hitched, and all I could focus on was Jiro—his spicy scent, his touch, the way his eyes bore into mine with a hunger that mirrored my own.

“Do you think it’s smart to tease a man like me?” he growled, his words laced with a restrained fury that sent shivers down my spine. I held his gaze, refusing to let my bravado waver despite the torrent of lust that his intense eyes ignited within me.

I met his challenge head-on. “It seemed that you didn’t care,” I retorted boldly, my heart pounding loudly in my chest. “You don’t want me. I found a man who does.”

His grip on my arm tightened, and suddenly, I was flush against his chest, his proximity sending my senses into overdrive. Heat pooled in my stomach and between my legs as my body betrayed my bravado. His nearness lit a fiery ache that I struggled to suppress.

He leaned in, his voice low and dangerous. “Do not play this game, Hope,” he growled, his words a warning of the storm that raged beneath his composed surface. “You think you can handle me? You think you can deal with theconsequences of having me?”

I took a deep breath, determined to stand my ground despite the trembling that had taken over my limbs. “Yes,” I replied, my voice unwavering, my eyes locked onto his in a challenge. “But I think you’re just too scared to let me prove it to you.”

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