Page 7 of Shifting Gears

“You can call me AJ,” I said as I looked back into her eyes.

There was something about them that pulled me in. She smiled, but it never reached the dark green colors swirling in her irises. They held a lot of emotions behind the unbothered exterior she showed. They reflected similar feelings I’d been working hard to keep at bay since I’d left LA. Lefther.

Not now. Come on. Be a man and don’t let your memories of Rosalie fuck up your first chance at getting with a girl here.

“AJ. Here I thought my name was short.”

I smirked at her. “It’s the only short thing about me, baby,” I said as I tilted my head toward her.

“Oh, no, I was worried that you were going to be like every other man who had sat down and bought me a drink at a bar, remember? Not doing a good job of proving me wrong.”

“Just putting it out there, in case you were concerned about details you might want to know for later,” I said as the bartender brought over her drink and set it in front of her.

“Thanks, but like I said, I’m not interested in anything you have to offer outside of a strong drink and company here. Now, if you are done trying to get me to leave with you to a love hotel, why don’t you tell me what an American like yourself is doing in Japan? Are you here for work? Pleasure?” she asked as she took a drink.

“I’m always down for pleasure, no matter where I go. But, nah, I’m here on a business opportunity. What about you, baby girl?” I asked as she glanced my way, attempting to hide the smile that threatened her lips at my response.

Before she could answer, there was a commotion at the front of the parlor that drew both of our attention.

Two men in suits walked in. But they weren’t overly formal, and they had tattoos showing on their hands and around the base of their necks. One even had one on the side of his face. I couldn’t help but notice that they had the same dragon tattoo on their right hands that disappeared up their arms. One was shorter and lean, wearing shades on his forehead. The other was brawny. Bet he could throw a mean punch. They had an air about them, like they owned the place.

Yakuza. Had to be. They scanned the room, and their gazes came to a halt on Raven sitting next to me. I glanced at her, and her whole body was rigid as she met their stares.

“Oh, great,” she muttered as she slowly lowered her drink from her lips.

They made their way through the parlor toward the bar, and people hurried to get out of their way. No one wanted toget involved with the Japanese Mafia. Hell, even I steered clear because I didn’t want the hassle.

“Friends of yours?” I said as they got closer.

“Not the word I would use. More like business associates,” she said as they rounded the bar and came to a stop behind us.

I turned and stood up, leaning against the bar and looking at them closer.

“Time for you to come with us, Raven,” the bigger man said as he folded his arms over his chest.

Our eyes met, and I flexed my muscles slightly with a smirk on my face. Couldn’t let this motherfucker think he could punk me.

“I told him I would be there tomorrow,” she said as she took another sip of her drink.

“Enough of this!” the skinny one said as he grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward, causing her to pop off the stool and drop the glass. It shattered as it fell to the ground, but the bartender kept his eyes trained on the floor behind the bar, as if he didn’t hear the commotion happening right now.

“Ouch! Let go of me this instant! If you hurt me, he won’t be happy,” Raven snapped at him as she struggled to pull her wrist away.

His grip was firm, and he chuckled. “He said we were to bring you to him now. He didn’t say in what condition. You remember, until your relationship is solidified, you have no control over what we do.”

She glared at him, but her body relaxed, like she’d given up fighting because there was no point to do so. She gave me one more passing glance as they started to walk her toward the front door.

Her eyes were full of sorrow and desperation.

I waited until they got halfway through the parlor before I made up my mind and followed them.

They made a left outside the doors and then wandered into a nearby alleyway. I took bigger steps once I heard one of them raise their voice, and flipped my hood up over my hat.

“Get in the car, bitch!”

The lean one again. Man had a mouth on him for being someone I could knock out in one punch.

I rounded the corner just in time to see him shove her down onto the back seat of a newer-looking Toyota Century with a white-and-gold exterior. She was struggling against him, but it was clear he didn’t care about what she wanted. But for some reason, I did.

---