I just needed some of them gone to even the game.
Now there’s one against one.
I like those odds.
I inhale and hear my judo instructor’s feeble voice in my head.Control the conflict, Finn. Not the opponent.
Deep breaths.
One.
I crouch low.
Two.
In a running leap, I spring from my hiding place and launch into a roundhouse kick. My foot slams into the guard’s neck. He smashes into the wall, the noise thudding much louder than I expected. I wince when he crumples to the floor, on his hands and knees.
I caught him off-guard but didn’t knock him unconscious. He swings around, his eyes narrowed in fury.
For a split second, I remain in place, stunned.
The inaction costs me. As I rush to the meeting room, the guard is already on his feet and firing words at me in Japanese.
Desperately, I barrel inside. Five lieutenants seated around a low table whip around. Kurosaki is at the head of the table, dressed in his usual uniform of a long black shirt and wide-legged trousers.
His dark, knowing eyes land on me with not a hint of surprise.Did he know I was coming?
My jaw tightens.
A sound from behind tears my attention away from Kurosaki. I hear the grunt of the security detail and dodge his hand as he lunges to grab my shoulder.
While the other man fumbles, I stare at the yakuza boss. “Where?” I growl. “Are. They?”
Kurosaki calmly lifts his tea to his lips.
But his men aren’t so calm. The lieutenants draw to their feet menacingly. I back up as they approach and surround me, locking me in a circle. Their expressions are smug, as if they already think they’ve won.
I open my phone and tap another button.
Without fanfare…
Without warning…
All the lights dip off.
The lieutenants shout in surprise, but I don’t make the same mistake of hesitating twice. Pulling the night vision goggles out of my pocket, I snap them on, and the entire room blinks into focus.
I run past the lieutenants, noting their confusion. The men are loud, yelling at each other in Japanese. They’re so disoriented, they’re bumping into each other, grabbing and feeling each other up to check who they have in their grip.
If I wasn’t so occupied with making it to Kurosaki, I’d stop to watch their comical attempts to catch me.
Sensei would be proud.
When strength clashes with strength, power prevails — but when one bends with wisdom, even power can be turned aside.
The lights flash on, power restored.
But it’s too late.
