Page 24 of Dangerous Deceit

I could’ve run away. So many times. But I’m still here.

The officiant, an older, shorter woman with stocky shoulders and salt-and-pepper hair, prattles on about the importance of loyalty in matrimony, especially in the traditional family, andI take the opportunity to study Kenzo again. A classic black tuxedo fits his muscular frame, and though he’s dashing and professional, the tattoos on his skin, ending right below his jawline, tell a different story. A fish swims up the side of his neck, going against the current, and I wonder if that’s what Kenzo is like—always going against the grain. He knocks his fingers on his waist, like he’s getting bored with the lecture on love, and runs his hand through his silky hair. It’s more groomed today than yesterday, but still long, and so different from the rest of the yakuza soldiers sitting on the benches.

The word “commitment” comes from the officiant’s mouth, and Kenzo’s brown eyes hold me still. Stubble lines his jaw, almost like he couldn’t get a close enough shave. I want to run my fingers along it and see if it’s as prickly as it looks, but I pinch myself.

I shouldn’t want a man like Kenzo. He’s a criminal.

But so am I. And I’ve got a job to do.

This is just like anything else. Uncle Jay and Patrick trust me.

I’ve got this,I coach myself. Kenzo grins, and I glance over at Uncle Jay and Patrick, my only family in this world. I nod to them, and they both give me a thumbs-up.

No,I correct myself.We’ve got this.

I follow along, and by the time we both say those two magical words, binding our union in front of a room full of strangers, my stomach is in knots.

“You may kiss the bride,” the officiant says.

Kenzo reaches for me. “Last chance to run,” he whispers.

I press my lips to his, shutting him up.

Too late.

At first, his tongue is smooth and penetrating, twisting his way into my mouth like a root taking hold in the soil, but then his hand grips my throat. My stomach tightens, and my eyes widen. His gaze is focused on me, and his pure aggression takeshold of my entire being. Heat scorches between my legs, and I slip a hand into his pants pocket, searching for something—anything to remind me this isn’t real love—it’s a job, nothing more. I find a little plastic bag and clutch it in my palm. Based on the zippered top, I know it has to be a bag for drugs. A deep, guttural moan erupts from his throat as he pushes back from me, breaking our kiss, but he keeps his hold firm on my neck, looking deep into my eyes. I can’t tell if he knows I took his drugs, or if he thinks I’m being dirty with him.

The shouts and cheers from the guests fill my ears, and I suddenly remember we’re in front of a crowd of people. Fire burns in Kenzo’s brown eyes as they rove over me. It’s like he thinks he finally has me in his trap. But I disagree.

Now, you’re mine, Kenzo.

He helps me straighten, then links his arm in mine and guides me down the aisle. Everyone is standing for us again, their cheers ringing in my ears. It’s overwhelming to think this many people dropped everything to come to a last-minute wedding for the yakuza, and it’s as if they fear what the leaders would do if they disappointed them with a lack of attendance. With everyone’s eyes on us and Kenzo holding my hand right now, the weight of his power is tangible.

Is everyone afraid of the Endo-kai?

Or just me?

CHAPTER 13

VI

Out in the lobby,a gray-haired man lifts both of his hands. “One of my kids is finally married,” he shouts as he slaps Kenzo on the back, a big smile on his face. “Marriage looks good on you, Kenzo.”

Kenzo smirks, then introduces the gray-haired man as his adoptive father and boss, Tomo. Then, the two of them break off to the side in a hushed conversation. Cherry joins them, reminding me of my menstrual mortification earlier, and I die a little inside. The man with bluish-black eyes breaks into the conversation too, and a tall boulder of a man with a shaved head and tattoos covering his neck stands beside them, like a shield.

Uncle Jay and Patrick fuss over the names of the important yakuza members in that conversation, and I clue them in on Cherry’s name, but I’m so flustered the rest of the conversation goes over my head. They smile and joke like we’re a typical family at anormalwedding, but I know better. They’re taking stock of the crowd, planning their own mini con jobs.

Uncle Jay turns to my side, a slightly sour expression on his face.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asks.

It’s not until then I realize I’m sneering. Every so often, I’ll have moments like this—remembering I was raised by a distant uncle who tricks people into giving him money, and how I find his targetsfor him—and I remember how I’m an awful human being. And this is exactly like that. Even if the Endo-kai are criminals too, it isn’trightbeing a part of this huge celebration when it’s just for show, and their family will suffer for it.

This is,by far,the stupidest, brashest decision we’ve ever made.This is the yakuza.They’re slick enough to infiltrate corporations and deadly enough to control an entire city with their drugs. We shouldn’t have even considered this job.

But I calm the nervous tension boiling inside of me by reminding myself our cons—Kenzo included—are greedy and evil. They don’t deserve their money, and Uncle Jay, Patrick, and I have worked for too long and too hard to let an opportunity like this go to waste.

Wewillget our dream house. Then, we’ll never have to do this again.

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