Page 38 of Her Fearless Ronin

My face heated up, and I spluttered, nearly choking on my coffee. “What? How the hell do you know about that?”

He leaned in, his voice low and conspiratorial. “Let’s just say I wanted to make sure you were prepared for the night.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “You’re the one who put those condoms in my pocket?”

He winked. “Guilty as charged.”

Ishook my head, still trying to wrap my mind around it. “You planned this whole evening, didn’t you? You wanted me to snap.”

Oda shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, let’s just say I nudged fate a bit. Had a hunch you needed a push.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “And what about you? What was your game?”

He leaned back, his expression turning more serious. “Jiro, my friend, you’re a true yakuza. You’re so steeped in your own code and sense of duty that you can’t see happiness even when it smacks you in the face.”

I frowned, his words hitting closer to home than I cared to admit. “What are you talking about?”

He leaned in, his voice low and sincere. “You care about Hope, don’t you? Maybe more than you’re willing to admit. But you’ve built this wall around yourself, thinking you’re protecting her by staying away. I just thought it was time to remind you that sometimes, it’s okay to let go of the warrior facade and let happiness in.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. Oda had a way of seeing through my defenses, and it was both infuriating and oddly comforting. “You meddled in my personal life, Oda. You had no right.”

He chuckled, not the least bit apologetic. “Ah, but sometimes friends need to meddle, especially when they see a stubborn idiot like you getting in his own way. And with the way you’re getting your panties in a bunch, I guess you used about three of those condoms.”

I should have been the bigger person and just ignored his comment. After all, he was just a kid, and I had ten yearson him. Yet, my male ego took over once more. “Five,” I muttered.

“Five?” He slammed his hand on the table, his eyebrows raised. “Shit, man, that’s impressive. Now you’re putting my own record to shame.”

I couldn’t help but crack a smile at that. Oda was a pain in the ass, but he was also one of the few people who kept his easygoing nature despite our dark world. “Fine, you win. But next time you want to meddle, at least warn me.”

He raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “What fun would that be?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “You’re unbelievable.”

He grinned. “That’s why you love me, Saito.”

I rolled my eyes, unable to hide my smirk. “Yeah, yeah, keep dreaming. I tolerate you at best.” I sighed, looking back at the bar across the street and tapping my fingers on the table.

“What’s up?” he asked more seriously now.

“When do you have to get back?”

He shrugged. “You have me as long as you need me. I suspect Alessandro was quite relieved to get rid of me for a while.”

I threw him a side look and snorted. “You don’t say.”

“What? I’m adorable!” he gasped in mock offense, resting his hand on his chest.

“And how much shit are you allowed to stir?”

Oda leaned back, his face more serious now. “I’m here to follow your lead, Jiro. Alessandro didn’t forbid me anything.”

I nodded, appreciating Oda’s loyalty. “Good. We’llneed all the help we can get.”

Oda tilted his head slightly, sensing something more. “There’s something else, isn’t there?”

I sighed, leaning forward. “After Hope’s questioning yesterday at the club, her brother called her out of the blue. Not a caring sibling chat, but more like an order to stop poking around.”

Oda raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like a charmer.”

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