He takes a seat across from me, looking comfortable. “I want to attack tonight.”
“I heard you the first time,” I grumble. “But we’re not doing shit until you tell me where your father lives. I want to send out scouts to survey the area. I’m not letting my men walk into a trap.”
Ryo gives me the address, and I open my Maps app on my phone to see where it is. Sending the location to Lorenzo, I say, “Tell Santi and John to check out the address.”
Still refusing to leave me alone, he moves to the doorway to make the call.
I turn my attention back to my brother-in-law and see a nervous expression flash over his face.
He’s only two years older than Yuki. I have years of experience on him, but I remember how daunting it was when I took over from Dad.
“You’re going to be fine. Fake it until you make it,” I give him the same advice I received.
He nods. “I’m worried that after I kill my father, the men will refuse to follow me.”
“They won’t have a choice.” My tone is low and deadly. “Either they kneel to you, or I kill them.”
“You’ll only be here a few days.”
“And I’ll make it clear, if something happens to you, I’ll come back and wipe them out. The deal is with you, Ryo, not the Yakuza.”
For the first time, his eyes fill with respect as he looks at me. “I know you’re only doing it for Yuki, but thank you.”
Knowing how difficult it must be for him to say the words, I nod. “You’re my brother-in-law. It will look bad for me if you die.” My eyes narrow on him. “And the same goes for you. In our world, family comes before everything else.”
“Santi and John just left with his friend,” Lorenzo says while gesturing at Ryo.
“His name is Takeru,” Ryo mutters.
“What’s the deal with Takeru?” I ask.
“He trained me how to fight and will be by my side when I take over the Yakuza.”
I let out a chuckle. “I thought monks were peaceful people.”
“They are. Takeru will guide me so I don’t get lost in all the greed and violence.”
Nodding, I glance around the empty space. “Do you have something against furniture?”
“Material things are impermanent and cannot provide true happiness.”
“I beg to differ,” I reply. “But to each their own.”
A monk brings us tea, and after trying a sip of the bitter liquid, I set it aside. I wait for Ryo to finish drinking his, then climb to my feet. “Show me where you trained while we wait.”
After we put on our shoes, he takes me around back, and when I see the makeshift training equipment, I ask, “You said Takeru trained you?”
“Yes.”
“He must be a good teacher.” My eyes flick to Ryo. “Your fighting skills are excellent.”
“Want to spar to kill some time?”
A grin spreads over my face as I remove my gun. I hand the weapon to Lorenzo before I roll my shoulders to loosen my muscles.
“Let’s do this,brother,” Ryo says as he swiftly bounces from one foot to another.
The second he attacks, I match his moves, and as we beat the fuck out of each other, it feels as if we’re actually bonding.
