Page 79 of Cunning Lies
“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. 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 that 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 that 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 because there isn’t enough business. Guns and Shabu Eight are the last trade that 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.
“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.”
“The hangure believe 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 the kobun?”
A small chuckle comes from Niko, but Cherry shoots a look at him, and he gives her a cocky grin. And me? I’m fixed on Tomo and Ronin. I’m surprised that no one has thrown any punches, but from what I know about Akio, he ruled with violence. Tomo is probably avoiding that kind of response to prove a point. And I have to give Ronin credit for calling out our boss like that. It takes fucking balls, especially when he’s still earning his way into our group.
Dice curls his fists and Cherry steps forward. I crack my neck, finding my gun. But Tomo lifts a hand, and we take a step back.
“He’s right,” Tomo says to us. “But the funny thing is, the hangure are taking over the crime world, aren’t they?” Tomo narrows his eyes, leaning in closer to Ronin. “This is Vegas. You can’t live on honor out here, Ronin. If you don’t thrive on violence, you die.” Tomo bares his teeth, showing the first hint of aggression I’ve seen from him in years. He punctuates each word of his final order: “Make. My. Deal. Happen.”
Cherry guards Tomo as they both walk back to the private elevators. Once they’re gone, Niko pops up beside Ronin.
“Didn’t know you had it in you,” Niko says. Ronin lights a new cigarette and Niko smacks him on the back. “Good luck with Ito-gumi. Seems like a lot of fucked-up history you’re dealing with. If you need help, let me know,” he jokes. “You know where to find me.”
For once, Niko is completely amused, a smile on his face, almost like he’shappyto watch the Ito-gumi and the Endo-kai go head-to-head. But as second-in-command, all he has to do is make sure that the orders are carried out, no matter what that means. And yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nikowantsto see Ronin fail. After all, if Ronin is older than Niko, then he’s threatening Niko’s position as the next kumicho.
Niko slips off, disappearing into the casino, leaving Dice, Ronin, and me alone.
As for me, I’m more sympathetic. I’m not jealous of Ronin’s position. Dealing with Akio like that must be a pain in the ass. I shake hands with Dice, then turn to Ronin.
“Ganbare,” I say as we shake hands.Good luck.He’s going to need it.
I head out, relieved that this problem with the Ito-gumi emerged. Ronin’s got bigger shit to deal with than my love life, and that gets him off of my back. Vi and her lies are a secondary issue now.
The urge to see Vi grows in my chest, but even the thought of her innocent blue eyes makes my brain mush.
How the hell am I going to ‘take care’ of her?
‘Take care’ only means one thing to the Endo-kai. I know what my duty is, and it makes me sick.
Ganbare,I had said to Ronin. As if he’s the unlucky bastard who needs that extra push of strength.
I’m the one who needs it.
CHAPTER25
