He’s shorter, stockier, and he leans in to murmur something in Japanese.
Kenji’s expression shifts instantly.
His spine straightens, his voice sharp as he snaps something back in the same language.
Then he turns to me, his eyes cool again. “It seems I am needed elsewhere.” He steps toward the door, pausing only to give me one last look. “Try not to do anything stupid before I return, Stephanie. I might be a generous host now, but do anything to cross me, and you’ll find out howunpleasantyour stay can get.”
Then he’s gone, the door clicking shut behind him.
The second the lock turns, I crouch down in front of Jackson. His eyes are still blazing from what he said, but I can see the fear beneath it.
“You can’t talk to him like that,” I whisper, brushing his cheek. “You don’t know what he’s capable of.”
“Yes, I do,” he says fiercely. “But I also know Gio’s going to find us. And if that guy’s so worried about it that the only way he can trick Gio is to use us as bait, then he should be scared of what’s coming.”
I stare at Jackson, my heart twisting in a hundred different directions.
My brave, stubborn, beautiful boy.
I just hope to God he’s right.
35
GIO
The night air is heavy with heat and the silty smell of a fish pond as we crouch in the shadows of the Tanaka home.
The earthy ground rustles softly beneath my boots as I watch Miko and Sandro work.
They’re artists, really, as they stealthily sneak up to the two armed men posted near the entrance to the sprawling estate.
They don’t waste time.
The two guards at the front gate never see it coming—one’s throat is cut before he even finishes his cigarette.
The other’s jaw is shattered with a single hook from Sandro’s fist.
They go down fast, but they’re not dead. Not yet.
That’s the point.
Sandro and Miko drag them by their collars like trash bags, dumping their limp, bleeding bodies in front of the security cameras aimed at the main drive.
It’s bait, plain and simple—an invitation for Kenji to come play hero in his own backyard.
Raf stretches out on the ground beside me, as calm as anything, eyes locked on the front of the compound through the scope of his sniper rifle.
He’s already loading a fresh mag, each movement smooth and deliberate as he watches the goings-on without having to pay attention to his hands.
I can hear his voice in my head before he even says it.Wait for the opening. Don’t get sloppy.I want to ignore the advice. Every second I wait could be Stephanie or Jackson’s last.
“It’s a good plan,” Raf promises. “Kenji will come. His pride won’t allow him to let something like this slide.”
My fingers tighten on the grip of my gun. “Good. The sooner he comes out, the sooner I can get her out.”
Raf doesn’t look at me, but I catch the faintest nod.
Floodlights blaze to life above the gate posts, sweeping over the driveway like stage spotlights.
