Page 47 of Her Fearless Ronin

“I do,” I muttered, my jaw tightening as Hoka made his way to the counter to order a drink. “It’s amarriedman. And remember when I told you I’d be the only yakuza you’ll ever have? I meant that,” I added, my tone laced with irritation, throwing her a glare for emphasis.

A pink hue tinted her cheeks as she smiled, her eyes dancing with mischief. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re jealous. And I believe you’re not a yakuza anymore, are you?”

I grunted, my irritation turning into something that felt dangerously close to jealousy. “Keep testing me, Hope Myers, and you’ll end up over my knees, butt naked, with my handprint across that tempting ass of yours.”

She twisted on her seat, capturing her plump bottom lip between her teeth, and a jolt of desire shot through me. The way she looked at me, the challenge in her eyes—she wanted to push my buttons, to see how far she could take it.

My little vixen… Shit, she’d be the death of me.

Hoka walked over to us, his coffee in hand and a knowing glint in his eyes, and somehow I knew karma was going to hit me like a freight train for all the shit I gave him about his relationship with Violet, and I knew I deserved it.

“Jiro,” he said with a nod before turning his attention toward Hope, a smile that was almost blinding forming on his lips. “Hope Myers…” he trailed off, his voice smoothlike silk. “I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Hoka Nishimura. I’m sure Jiro must have shared a lot about me.” He practically purred the words.

Oh, give me a fucking break!

Her reaction was like a train wreck I couldn’t look away from. Wide-eyed and agape, she opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water.

“Close your mouth, sweetheart,” I snapped, my irritation obvious but also knowing that I was just adding fuel to Hoka’s smugness. “You’re drooling over a married father.”

“I…” She blinked a few times, her face turning a shade of crimson. Irritation surged within me at her reaction. Her blushing was mine. “Yes, hi, sorry, sir. Hoka and baby. It’s just… hello,” she finished with a huff, clearly flustered.

I scowled at the table. Was this what I was reduced to? Maybe Oda was right—I was becoming the damn caveman he claimed I was.

Oda!I narrowed my eyes and looked back at Hoka, who just sat down.

“How did you find me?”

Hoka laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Nice to see you too after all this time. You look well.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oda?” I ventured.

Hoka nodded, the grin on his face growing even wider. “Yes, I came to see you at your hotel, got a key card, and found our boy seething. You locked him in the bathroom.”

I didn’t even bother asking him how he managed to get a key to my room. But I could feel Hope’s curious eyes on me, and it made the skin at the back of my neck prickle withembarrassment. I reached up to rub my neck, a reflexive response that only seemed to amuse Hoka even more, his grin bordering on triumphant.

“You locked him in the bathroom?” Hope’s gasp pulled my attention back to her.

I shrugged, not willing to get into the details. “He wasn’t listening,” I mumbled, not sure whether I wanted to murder Hoka or Oda first.

The baby’s cooing interrupted the tension, and he stretched his arms toward Hope, diverting everyone’s attention to him—a welcome respite for me.

“What’s your name, handsome?” Hope’s voice was soft, her smile gentle as she extended a finger toward Yuko.

The baby cooed again, his tiny fingers grasping hers.

“Yuko,” Hoka replied, his gaze never leaving her face. I could practically see the assessment happening, even if she appeared oblivious. Hoka Nishimura was sizing up my woman.

She’s not your woman, Jiro. She deserves better.My conscience’s reminder stung.

“He’s so beautiful,” Hope breathed, her fingers gently brushing against Yuko’s cheek. Her excitement was palpable, and it was utterly endearing.

“Yes, he is,” Hoka agreed, his pride evident. “Do you want to hold him?”

“Oh!” Hope’s eyes lit up with awe and eagerness, her hands finding their way to her chest. She looked absolutely radiant. “Can I?”

Hoka nodded, skillfully loosening the straps that held Yuko. I wasn’t sure if she fully grasped the significance of Hoka’s gesture.Allowing someone to hold his son, whom he cherished deeply, was not a trivial matter. It was bigger than even I could understand.

“Oh, who’s the cutest boy in the whole world?!” Hope beamed, gently bouncing Yuko on her knees. At that moment, she was completely lost to the world, absorbed in the joy of playing with the heir of the yakuza.

---