Page 84 of Dangerous Deceit

“You gave him your pinky. That’s an honorable expulsion. What more does he want?” Tomo chuckles and pats Ronin on the back. “Akio and I don’t get along either, but we make do, eh?”

“You have a working relationship,” Ronin says. “Akio wants me dead.”

Tomo lets out a deep sigh, and my back stiffens as I recognize the sound from him. It’s not good. Cherry straightens, her fists balled, ready to defend Tomo, and a hint of satisfaction spreads across Niko’s lips.

“If you want to prove yourself to this yakuza, then you will start acting like you belong,” Tomo says, his voice cold. “If I give you an order, you obey without question. It is yourduty,Ronin-kun.”

All of us freeze at those words. It’s not like Tomo to threaten one of us, and calling him “Ronin-kun” puts him back in his place. After all, we are the equivalent of obedient children. We are thekobun,and we serve Tomo, ouroyabun.

But Ronin, the dumb fucker, doesn’t back down. He broadens his shoulders. Does Tomo have him worked up, or does it make him nervous to face Ito Akio, the gangster who raised him? Is Ronin worried his precious little scam will be exposed?

But Ronin nods deeply, closing his eyes. He adds a deep bow for good measure.

“Ose no tori ni, chichiue,” he says.I will do as you wish, Father.

“Tell the Ito-gumi we’ll be charging higher rates now,” Tomo says. “With this deal, we won’t need their business anymore. We can exploit other regions as well. But test the waters, eh? I want Akio to know I still remember where I came from.”

Ronin’s eyes flick away, and Ialmostfeel for him. Tomo left the Ito-gumi decades ago, chopping off his own pinky, claiming he would start a new subsection of the Ito-gumiforAkio in the United States. But once Tomo settled into Las Vegas, he started hisownyakuza, completely separate from his old boss. By the time Tomo was established, their business deals were too deep. Akio had no choice but to let the Endo-kai grow and thrive. It was too profitable for both of them.

Until now.

This negotiation—or announcement—will eventually break our ties with the Ito-gumi. That’s a lot of pressure to put on Ronin’s shoulders. But that’s only if Ronin is telling the truth.

I don’t offer any support. He wants me to kill my wife, and I want him to get his ass handed back to him.

Ronin leaves to make the phone call. Tomo finishes his glass of whisky, then turns to the rest of us.

“Let’s drink!” he says.

About an hour later, Ronin returns. His mouth is pinched, a cigarette burning between his lips; he’s a chimney stack, puffing along until the bitter end.

“Tell me the good news,” Tomo says. “I’m on a roll, you know.”

Ronin holds his tongue for a moment, but then he straightens his back. “With the way it is in Tokyo right now, Akio can’t afford?—”

“Is he complaining about the laws again?” Tomo interrupts, laughing. “When have the laws ever stopped the Ito-gumi?” Tomo slaps his own chest in anger. “I want my fucking deal.”

I shift my eyes. Niko rattles a glass of ice as he watches in fascination. He’s never been one to accept orders without question either, but as Tomo’s chosenwakagashira,he gets away with a lot.

“Please,” Niko mocks Ronin. “Tell us about how bad it is for the yakuza in Tokyo right now.”

Ronin, the strong fucker that he is, ignores Niko. He keeps his eyes fixed on Tomo.

“They can’t rent an apartment, get a phone, or open a bank account. If you’re tied to the yakuza, you can’tliveanymore,” Ronin says. “We’re second-class citizens.”

“And that’s why Akio lives off of his oldest daughter,” Tomo says dismissively. “Akio should’ve known better than to think he could live like a king forever.”

“Chichiue,” Ronin says calmly, though you can tell his patience is wearing thin. He bows deeply before speaking, knowing he has to prove himself to the Endo-kai. “It’s not the same as when you left. Business is different now. They can’t afford to pay higher prices. There isn’t enough business. Guns and Shabu-8 are the last trade they have. Do you have any compassion for your old family?”

Tomo stands. He steps closer to Ronin, his walk careful and controlled. There’s barely any limp to his gait. He’s too proud to show it right now.

“I don’t care what it’s like in Tokyo,” Tomo growls. “Honor. Justice. Compassion. None of that bushido code fazes me anymore.” He snaps his teeth together. “Business is business.”

“Thehangurebelieve the same thing,” Ronin says.

Hangure.Half-gray. The new criminals ruling the streets of Japan.

“No code,” Ronin continues. “No honor. Only violence. Why should a system like that deserve the respect of thekobun?”

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