Chapter Twenty

"A re you sure you don't want me to come with you? I would rather hang out with you anyway," I tell Kado as we pull up to the casino.

He parks before turning toward me. Then he frowns.

"Hey, none of that. I prefer your smile."

He rolls his eyes at me before grabbing his phone.

I thought you wanted to hang out with them. You can come with me if you want. I won't make you do something you don't want to do.

I shake my head. He's right. I wanted to hang out with Autumn, Nikita, Cleo, and Miya when we made the plans, but when I woke up this morning, I didn't like the idea of leaving Kado. He says he isn't doing anything dangerous today, but the anxiety is real.

Still, I don't want the girls to think I'm a flake.

"I do want to hang out with them. I guess I'm still nervous. When it's just me and you, everything is so easy, but I'm not good at making friends. Women can be catty. Plus, they've all been friends for a while and know each other and I'm the new girl. I guess I feel like an outsider."

He cups my cheek before kissing me. Then he types out another message.

You are not an outsider. I have seen them with others. They have accepted you. It's up to you to decide if you want to accept them too. I'll have someone watching you all day, so don't feel like you will be unsafe. I have you covered. Always.

"You gave me a guard? It's not you, is it?" I narrow my eyes at him.

He lets out that adorable puff of air as he lets out a soundless laugh. Then he shakes his head before holding a finger up. I watch as he gets out of the car, rounding it to help me out.

I slide my fingers through his as he closes the door. I'm still amazed by how natural it all feels with him. I can't even remember what life was like without him. I don't want to.

I let him lead me to the elevator and then again out of it once we reach our destination. Instead of taking me to the girls I can see waiting for me, he stops in front of another man.

Kado points to me, then to the man.

I smile at him. "You're my escort for the day, I presume?"

"Yes, ma'am," the man says, but he keeps his eyes on Kado.

"What's your name?" I ask.

Kado pulls my hand, making me look at him. He shakes his head no, but I glare right back at him.

"No way. If he is going to protect me, then I at least deserve to know his name. What if he needs to take a bullet for me? I would feel like such a jerk if I didn't even know his name."

Kado runs a hand down his face before nodding to the guy.

"Yuto, ma'am," he says, but again doesn't meet my eyes. I have a suspicion that Kado told him not to.

"Well, I hope you learn to look at me sooner or later, otherwise, how are you supposed to protect me?" I roll my eyes, turning toward Kado. "You are ridiculous, but thank you. I feel I am in good hands with Yuto."

Kado pulls something out of his pocket, placing it in my hand. I smile when I see the cell phone. It turns on easily, a picture I took of Kado and me on his cell phone as the background. There are several numbers inside, but the only one I care about is Kado's.

"Does this mean I can text you all the time now?"

He smirks as he nods.

"Good. I'll text you if I need anything."

He pulls the phone from my hand, pointing to Yuto, Kenji, and finally Kai's number. I plan to switch his name to Haruaki immediately, but look back at Kado.

He mouths the word danger to me, then points back at the phone.

"I'll call you first, but yes, then I'll call them."

He boops my nose before leaning in to kiss me. Then he grabs my hand, leading me to the girls.

"I thought he would never let you go," Miya jokes.

"I wouldn't mind that," I tell her, smiling at him.

He squeezes my hand before walking away.

Nikita comes up to my side while Autumn, Cleo, and Miya decide where we are going.

"Everything still good?" she asks.

"It really is. I know it sounds crazy, but I actually really like him," I whisper to her.

She nods. "It helps that you spend so much time together. Most people cannot imagine falling for someone so fast because, in a normal life, it is unfathomable to know someone so well in such a short amount of time, but you've been thrust together and spend nearly all your time with a person, and it speeds that process up. Makes you feel like someone you have only known a month you have for a lifetime."

I have a feeling she knows from experience.

"It's like I like him even more as I learn about him."

She nods. "That never stops. Not when you truly love them."

My heart stutters at her words. Love. I haven't been brave enough to say them out loud yet.

"Let's get lunch at that fancy place down the street. Kenji's treat." Miya holds up a card.

I laugh along with them as they start walking. I'm grateful when Nikita stays by my side.

"They are good girls. They care, even though they can be a bit much. You'll get used to it."

I smile at her. "Thank you. I was a little nervous."

She nods. "Me too. Every single time. They will make you feel at home, though. Give it time."

By the time we make it to the restaurant, I am feeling much better. Pulling out my phone, I decide to text Kado.

Me: I miss you already, but I'm glad I came.

His reply is instant.

Kado: Good. Miss you too. Enjoy your girl time. Later you will be all mine.

I blush at that as we stop next to a table. The girls wait until we are seated to pounce.

"Girl, we have got to know what turned you that pretty shade of pink," Cleo says.

"Cleo, have some decency," Autumn starts, but then turns to me. "Your aura is the color of love. I am so happy for you."

"You guys are embarrassing her," Nikita drawls as she looks at the menu.

"We want to make sure Kado is treating her right. She's our friend now. Kado is the sweetest guy, but we worry he might not know how to treat a woman," Miya admits.

Not wanting them to think poorly of Kado, I relent.

"He treats me very well. Let's just say that the man takes direction. He's an overachiever, but I will never complain about it."

My face is burning, but I feel proud when the other girls smile as if they are proud. They really do care about both me and Kado. I like that we have that. It feels like we have a little family. One we have made for ourselves.

"I'll be honest, I can't believe you are with Haruaki, Cleo," I say, changing the subject.

She gets this dreamy look on her face. "Most people can't. Kai is a dangerous man to anyone he doesn't care about. I'm lucky he decided to care about me. Especially when I was the daughter of his enemy."

Miya chimes in, "He's the lucky one. He got you, babe. You make that man's life easy as hell."

"Understatement of the year coming from the woman who likes to be a brat to her man. Tell me, how long did Kenji punish you for all those years he missed out on because you are stubborn as hell?" Cleo quips.

"Touché." Miya laughs before looking at me. "Kenji was my boss. I had some issues to work through before I could be with a man again."

I nod. "I get it. It's hard out there."

The server comes, taking our order. After they leave, Autumn continues the conversation.

"Callum and I were a surprise. He found me when I needed him most and took me in for a week. That week resulted in our little girl, and I wouldn't have it any other way. We found our way back to one another. The universe has a way of working everything out."

Nikita sighs. "I suppose you should know about me and Declan. I was a prisoner of Kai's. My father fucked up and left me in his care as collateral. Declan, in an effort to save my life, offered to marry me. I didn't say yes at first, but eventually agreed. We learned to love one another."

"Wow. I wonder if that is why I was drawn to you. The similarities in our situations is amazing," I tell her, then turn to the others. "Not that I don't like you guys, but I felt a connection to her right away."

"Kindred spirits. Actually, I can totally see you guys being twin souls. I'll look into it for you." Autumn opens her phone to jot something down.

I don't understand half the stuff that comes out of Autumn's mouth, but I go with it. I'm sure eventually I'll be comfortable enough with her that I'll ask questions.

Our food comes then. The girls keep talking as we eat, but all of a sudden I feel uneasy.

I glance around the restaurant, but I don't see anything. It's not until I get up to go to the restroom that I see him.

Ben. The man who was at the store the last time Miya and I went out. I swear he is at the end of the bar, but when someone steps between us, he's gone.

Rushing to the bathroom, I do my business. I'm happy when everyone at the table is finished.

"I think I want to get back to Kado," I tell them, not ready to admit what I saw. I might be crazy. I keep my eyes out for him, though.

"Of course you do. Call your man then, and we can walk back."

As they pay the check, I text Kado.

Me: Come get me? I'm ready to go home.

The relief settles inside me when he replies.

Kado: Already on my way.

I'm back at the warehouse, waiting for any signs of movement. I'm starting to think the guy was bullshitting me. Maybe I should have kept him alive longer.

Maybe having Lucy along was a bad idea. I was so worried about her that I didn't spend as much time as I usually would with the man.

I wouldn't change it, though. It was the first time she truly saw all of me. I had been showing her the side I wanted her to know of me, but the darker side I was hoping she'd never meet.

It was inevitable, though. If I wanted to keep her, then she deserved to know exactly who I am and what I do.

I never, in a million years, dreamed that she would be okay with it. More than that, she embraced it. She wants to be part of it.

My perfect woman.

Movement at the warehouse has me sitting up straighter.

Finally.

I watch as a man walks to the door. He enters a code, then goes inside. I slide out of the car and move closer. I find a good hiding spot, then wait for him to come out. When he does, I snap a quick picture of his face.

He drives off, looking ready for a fancy meal more than kidnapping women. Still, I don't doubt that the man is involved. I shoot his picture over to one of our tech guys, asking for a full workup.

I wait until he leaves before going up to the door. Pulling out my little kit, I brush powder on the buttons. I smile when his prints shine bright.

I had tried this before, but it was always wiped clean. Seems the guy was in a rush this time.

Closing my eyes, I go through the number combination options in my head. I try a couple, but they don't work. Finally, on my sixth try, the door opens.

Criminals are so dumb sometimes. There are no alarms out here. I could have sat there and tried a million combos, and it wouldn't have done a thing. You think they'd be smarter.

The warehouse is dingy and dark, but I didn't expect anything different. The man said that they kept merchandise here before moving onto the next city. It should be empty right now. They would be on their NYC route, but they would be preparing to hit us next.

I take photos of cages that likely hold women and children as I walk around the place. It smells musty. Even a bit like something is rotting.

It disgusts me.

By the time I've done my walk-through, I feel my phone vibrate. I smile when I see it's Lucy.

Lucy: Come get me? I'm ready to go home.

Me: Already on my way.

I make sure to leave the door as I left it, running back to my car. I leave as inconspicuously as I came. Not that anyone out here would notice a random car driving down the street. I'm sure they chose this place for a reason.

I'm almost to Lucy when I get a text from Isamu.

Isamu: Sending the full file over, but I'm tracking the man now through his phone. He's not far from you.

Indecision weighs on me. Part of me wants to get Lucy and take her home, but I don't want to lose this man. If we can track him now, then we need to.

As soon as I pull into the casino parking lot, I'm out of the car, rushing for my girl.

The way she lights up as I step off the elevator does things to my soul. I never thought I would be into PDA. I often shy away from it, but when Lucy runs up to me, I pick her up, kissing her deeply.

I missed you too.

Setting her on her feet, I bow my head slightly to the other women.

"Get it, Kado," Miya teases.

She's lucky I like her.

"I'll see you guys later," Lucy tells them.

"I'll call you about hanging out," Nikita calls out.

Lucy smiles, nodding to her before turning back to the elevator.

She's silent all the way down to the car, but I can tell something is bothering her. As soon as she is settled in the car, I round the hood, getting into the driver's seat. Then I turn to her, caressing her cheek.

"I'm okay," she promises me.

I'm still not sure, but I know what will cheer her up.

I tap her nose twice to get her attention. She rolls her head my way, smiling.

I mouth the word "work" to her.

"We have a job?"

I nod.

If I thought she lit up before, she is beaming now. She can barely sit still in her seat as I pull out of the parking space. She is quiet the entire ride, but there is an energy humming within her.

When we pull out to the old dive bar, she looks over at me.

"A bar?"

I shrug, pointing to my phone. The message from Isamu is there, telling me where the man is currently.

Her face grows serious. "We found him?"

I nod.

"Let's go then."

I get out, coming to her side of the car. I love how she knows I want her to wait for me. It's best I make sure it's safe before she gets out. Once I scan the area, I help her out. Then I pin her to the car as I pull out my phone. I type her a message.

This is dangerous. So many unknowns inside there. Stay by my side. If anything bad happens, you come to the car and leave.

I turn the phone her way. She nods as I push the keys into her hand.

"I've got this. You won't let anything happen to me. Let's go catch a predator."

I wrap my arm around her as we go inside. It's a dark place. Clusters of people in groups, but no one who stands out.

Leading her to an empty booth, I sit her on one side with me on the other. I make sure I can see all the exits, though.

I point to her eyes then around the room.

"Keep an eye out. Got it."

A server comes over, asking for drink orders. I'm surprised when she orders two beers.

When she catches me staring, she whispers, "Appearances. We won't drink them."

It's smart. Not something I would have done. I would have waved the woman off.

I'm good at my job. The best, really. It's why I get so many contracts outside the Yakuza, but she brings a fresh perspective to it all. Having her with me makes me better.

She makes a small gasp, catching my attention.

I reach across and grab her hand. Her eyes aren't focused on me, though. Glancing in the direction she is staring, I see the man from the warehouse laughing with some guys by the pool table.

Now why would my gorgeous girl know a dirty man like that?

I tap her wrist until she looks at me.

"That first time I went out with Miya, I ran into that man. He said his name was Ben. I swear I saw him earlier at the restaurant too, but when I looked back, he was gone. I thought I was losing it. It's why I wanted to come home so quick. I needed to be with you where I feel safest."

My heart wants to cling to her words, but I focus on the man instead. He hasn't seen us. He likely wouldn't expect to see her here anyway. Still, he knows her face.

All of a sudden, this little recon mission has turned into something more. I need to get her out of here as quickly as possible.

Moving quickly, I slide in next to her. Her eyes widen as I pull her hair tie out, ruffling her hair. Then I kiss her hard. I move my lips against hers in a sloppy kiss.

It has the desired effect. The little bit of lipstick she had on is smeared. She looks unkempt now. As if we were having a tryst. She would fit right in at a place like this now. Well, that's not true. She is so much higher class than them, but it's good enough.

Tossing some money on the table, I pull her up and under my arm. I keep her sheltered by my body as I escort her out of the bar.

It's not until we are on the road that she speaks.

"It's not a good thing that he singled me out, is it?"

I clench her thigh a little tighter.

"I didn't think so."

Now I need to find out how this man knew to target Lucy. Their reach is further than we could have imagined for him to figure out who she was before I even had her that long.

There's an inside source. That's all I can think of.

We are going to find out who it is, and I'm going to end them.

There are no honorable deaths for traitors.