***
“I must admit, I was surprised by your call.”
Kenji Matsumori dips his head, smiling politely. “AsWakagashira,I’ve been tasked with overseeing our new alliance with the Cavendish Syndicate.”
We’re at one of the MacTavish clubs, a profoundly expensive establishment with membership fees starting at a hundred thousand pounds a year. On this, the highest level, it looks like the old English gentlemen’s clubs, with crystal glasses filled with expensive scotch, thick oriental rugs and leather covered wingback chairs. The difference here are the nearly naked male and female servers.
I’ve done my research. Kenji Matsumori has a deep fondness for dainty little redheads, and we’ve got our prettiest one serving the VIP section tonight.
“There’s always a great deal of transition when allying with another organization,” I agree blandly, “new discoveries, good and bad.”
He leans back, looking at me speculatively. “This is true, of course. But there is value in additional partnerships.”
I paste on a polite smile. “While I would not characterize our alliance with Cavendish as family, we are bound by loyalty, and by extension, to the Matsumori organization as well.”
“Just how deep does this loyalty run?” Kenji asks.
Time to step lightly. “I would need more information to be able to answer that.”
Fingers tapping on his glass, he seems to come to a decision. “Since you have connected your families by marrying his daughter, Cavendish has been working against you.”
“With all due respect, why are you telling me this?”
“The Matsumori Group respects loyalty and honor above all things,” he says, his expression cold. “We feel we might have miscalculated by aligning our interests with Cavendish. Should you be able to sort out your challenges, we would like to have future discussions about how our organizations could help each other. You have a traitor in your ranks.”
“What makes you think that?” My fingers tighten slightly against my glass.
Kenji rises, straightening his tie. “Thank you for the hospitality and our pretty server, but I must return home.” He holds out hishand and as we shake, he leans in briefly. “The Saito Yakuza is not the opportunity you think they are.”
He smiles blandly, “Good evening, Mason.”
Like Kenji has orchestrated it himself, my phone blows up with texts and messages.
I start with Uncle Cormac as I head for the elevators.
***
Wakagashira -Second in command in the structure of a Japanese Yakuza.
Chapter Twenty-Four
In which there is bad news, and more bad news. It’s just not Mason’s day.
Afton…
I’m going to tell Mason. As soon as he comes home. It was a mistake telling Dad anything, no matter how small.
On my sixteenth attempt to reach Sam, he finally picks up.
“What is going on?” I demand, “Why is Dad threatening Lucia with an arranged marriage? The deal was, I’m married off but she stays-”
“Things have gone to shit here,” he interrupts me. “This alliance with the Matsumori Yakuza is not going as planned. Hell, your new in-laws have been more helpful. They gave Dad the location of two private landing strips to move cargo in and out when the Feds came down on one of ours.”
“I wish you could take over.”
It bursts out of me, words that would be considered shocking, even traitorous if anyone else heard them.
There’s silence for a moment, only the faint buzz of the transatlantic call. “You shouldn’t say things like that. Even if you mean them.”
