Page 83 of Dangerous Deceit

“And what will you do when you find out she’s been lying to you this entire time?” Ronin asks. The fucking eavesdropper. I clench my fists and laugh in his face. Oh, the irony. I don’t trust his ass any more than I trust Vi. None of us do.

“What will you do when we find outyou’rea fucking rat?” I growl. “You cut off your finger to prove you’ve left the Ito-gumi, but it’s just frosting on top of the cake. Gives yourealauthenticity, doesn’t it?” My vision turns red. “No one buys that shit. You’re just another double-crosser.”

I bare my teeth and raise my fist, but Dice quickly steps in front of me, facing Ronin, and I punch the back of Dice’s shoulder instead. He’s backing me up, respecting my decision to watch over my wife, but he’s also keeping me in my place when it comes to the yakuza.

My chest fills with a heavy weight. Dice won’t let me hurt Ronin.

“You’re protecting this motherfucker?” I ask Dice. “Who is he to you?”

“He’s our brother,” Dice says. “And what he’s asking you is valid.”

My brain screeches to a halt. Dice is taking sides with the outsider? With Ronin? I scowl, but Dice faces me, and I can’t avoid him or Ronin any longer.

“Answer the question,” Dice says.

“What will you do with Vi?” Ronin repeats.

I grit my teeth, staring daggers at both of them. They expect me to say I’ll kill her, and I know that’s what I should do. If you’re stupid enough to betray a mafia organization, whether it’s the yakuza, the bratva, or the cartel, you don’t deserve to live.

But I can’t wrap my mind around killing her. She’s a devious little bitch, but all she wants is to make candles and adopt children. She wants a home. I can’t blame her for that.

“I’ll take care of it,” I say. It’s the only thing that sounds right. Besides, I’m not lying. Iwilltake care of it, even if I don’t know what that means. Even if I know it won’t involve me killing her.

I straighten my dress shirt, then I correct myself: “I’ll take care of her.”

“Good,” Ronin says.

I curl my fists, ready to strike again, but Dice gestures for Ronin to follow him. My throat tightens. I’m about to start arguing with them again, when Ronin says, “Tomo called. You should follow us.”

I check my phone. A text from Tomo reads:Samurai Castle, 2 PM.I don’t have time for anything else, so I caravan with Dice and Ronin back to the Strip. At least it keeps them away from Vi.

For now.

CHAPTER 36

KENZO

In the VIP Lounge of Samurai Castle,Tomo sips whisky, and there’s an open bottle of Yamazaki sitting next to him. It’s his favorite brand, which means it’s a celebration. That’s good. Cherry’s even sipping on her own glass, and Niko sits beside them. Niko isn’t smiling, but he’s not scowling either, which means he’s in a good mood.

Dice nods at Tomo. And though I’d usually give Tomo a hug, I can’t do that right now. My mind is at war.

“Chichiue?” Ronin asks.

Just call him ‘boss,’ for fuck’s sake! Calling him “Father” like he’s a goddamn idol is straight brown nosing. Sometimes, I use the title too, but when it comes from Ronin, it grates on me. The fucking suck-up.

Tomo pours three more glasses of whisky. “Golden Honor Firearms agreed to a soft deal,” he says. “No contract yet, but we met with Hayes, and all we need is a few signatures.”

A bolt of heat runs through me. That’s a huge win.

I shake Tomo’s hand. “Congratulations,” I say.

He wrinkles his brows at me; it’s not my typical response, but we clink glasses anyway.

“Kanpai,” Ronin says.

Once we sip our drinks, Tomo turns to Ronin. “We’re going to have you work on correspondence with the Ito-gumi,” Tomo says. “You know the Ito-gumi best, and your language skills are better than the rest of us.” He chuckles. “Even mine.”

“Akio and I don’t get along,” Ronin says, his jaw set.

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