29. Chapter 29

Chapter 29

The control room is bustling with activity as the doors open and hundreds of important guests head into the building. Chai is glued to the massive screen with twenty camera views, barking out instructions and check-ins through a headset. Before we came to Bangkok, I'd assumed Chai's role in this would be more supervisory, but he's quite hands-on. It makes sense, I suppose, given the importance of this to the Akiyama Group, but I bet it also has to do with him proving himself to his father.

If I'm being honest, although the conference isn't even over yet, I'm impressed. Chai knows what he's doing not just from a business perspective. He understands a lot of the tools and equipment, offering feedback and suggestions that help make this whole thing a lot more efficient not only when it comes to optimizing the monitoring systems.

Like how he's tweaking the patrol routes right now, so we don't have any blind spots .

I bring him a coffee and leave him to it. Since I don't have much to do until lunch break when he'll be chatting to some of the visitors, I sit on a chair and just observe the room. I recognize a few faces, and I even exchange some words with a couple of the men in bad Japanese, but overall, I try to stay out of the way.

"Ready to put your intimidating scowl on?" Chai says just after twelve-thirty.

I raise one eyebrow and hop up from the chair, holding my elbow and stretching my arm in a way that makes my muscles bulge. His eyes narrow, but the look on his face as my sleeve rides down my forearm is more appreciative than apprehensive.

"You bet. Kinda got bored sitting on my ass and just watching you be all bossy and sexy."

He chuckles, following me out the door into the gray corridor with fluorescent lights. "You wouldn't have been bored if I wasn't bossy and sexy?"

I purse my lips, giving him a slow roll of my eyes. "Okay, I worded that badly. You being all hot and bossy and me not being able to do something about it was sucky."

"Is that why you looked like you were sulking?"

"I did not."

We take the stairs to the event floor just below. "I pay attention to you, Leo. Even if I make it look otherwise. You were bouncing your leg the entire time and frowning whenever I leaned over a techie to explain something."

I pause, my fingers clasping the door handle as I turn around and show him just how good I have become at scowling. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Otherwise, why would he have pushed his ass out like that every single time as if daring me to go grope it or slap it or munch on it or something ?

Chai makes a sound of agreement and steps in, hooking a finger under my chin. Tipping it up, he barely brushes his lips against mine in the most chaste of chastest kisses that ever kissed. "Perhaps. But only after I realized you were paying particular attention to how well my tailor-made slacks fit me."

I do give his ass a grope then, groaning when I realize he's wearing some of his sexy underwear again. If I knew he'd be such an impish fox today, I'd have made him wear that butt plug too. The one with the vibrator slot, so I can turn it on remotely.

"You are thinking about something naughty," he remarks, straightening up and smoothing out his muted blue tie.

I swat his hands away and prevent him from making an even bigger mess of it. Despite his impeccable appearance and the high-and-mighty attitude he's so good at exuding when he needs to, he sucks at doing his ties. The knots are passable most of the time, but we were in a bit of a rush this morning because I may or may not have turned our alarm off by mistake. We did make it to the control room on time in the end, so Chai didn't hold it against me.

"Chai. I'm always thinking about something naughty."

"Because of me?" he asks, his expression all serious and inquisitive.

I finish fixing his tie and shake my head. "No. The neighbor. What do you think, smartass?"

Drinking in his proud smile, I open the heavy door and let him go in front of me. I trail behind as we head down the corridor to the banquet hall at the end where lunch is being held, keeping as close as possible without invading his personal space .

"I think it's only fair considering I want to rip my and your clothes off whenever you are around. You are incredibly attractive, Leo. I don't think you realize that."

I don't think I'm anything special if I'm being honest. I mean, I don't consider myself ugly, and I know I have a nice smile and objectively pretty eyes and agreeable facial structure, but the way he said it with so much reverence in his voice touches me. He's talking about more than my looks, I can tell. Hell, I can feel it, every time we occupy the same space. I like being around him. I like his company, his voice, our chats. Even just sitting in the same room as him while I'm doing my own thing and he's doing his.

My chest squeezes tight and the fluttery feeling in my stomach returns at full force. I like him. A lot. We already decided we were officially going out, but for some reason, it finally hits me now. I want to stay by his side even when I am not on duty. I want to hold his hand. To kiss him. I want to see how good he is at sparring. I want to take him on a date and tell everyone he is mine.

I went to Japan to escape my problems. I was going to lay low, see if I could figure out a way to stay, and if not, try to go somewhere else and make an attempt there. I never imagined I would meet my person there. Because that's what Chai is. I haven't known him for long, but I can just feel it, the way he fits with me like we are two puzzle parts meant to be together.

It's fucking scary. I've never had someone like that. It's always been just me, even when I had Cindy. We were together, but we weren't together, not like this. This is different. All-encompassing, uplifting and horrifying and I have no idea what to do with how good it makes me feel or how terrified I am that I might lose it.

"Leo? "

Chai stops and I crash into his back.

"Shit, sorry. I was—"

In a quick, fluid motion, he turns around and presses me against the wall, just out of sight of the open door and all the people milling about on its other side. "What's on your mind? Tell me."

Damn, why is he so good at reading me?

"I just… It's embarrassing."

"I don't think anything pertaining to you is that. Endearing, charming, adorable, sexy. Never embarrassing." He nuzzles his nose along my cheek, his breath hot and a little shaky.

"Gee, you are such a smooth talker."

"It's never intentional. You just… make it easy to say and do things I normally wouldn't. I don't really have to pretend around you."

Oh. It's the same for him, isn't it? We are in this together.

I take a deep inhale and squeeze my hands into fists. "Chai. I think I really really like you."

He purrs in satisfaction, a fond chuckle leaving his kissable lips. "I would be worried if you didn't when I've already fallen in love with you."

My heart bangs madly against my ribcage. He places his hand on my chest and pulls back, his eyes finding mine as an affectionate smile slides across his face. It transforms, slipping out of that perfected authority into something raw and vulnerable that shows me the truth in his words.

He's breathtaking and so I find his mouth, letting him know it. Our kiss is a little different this time, carrying those internalized confessions along with the sweetness of mutual want that runs just as deep in me as it does in him .

"Was it not obvious? How smitten I am by you?" he says, glancing toward the banquet hall to make sure no one has seen us making out in the corridor.

"No. I mean. I knew you like me. I just… hadn't realized how much I like you and then I wasn't sure if it wasn't too much and then I was worried I might have to kidnap you and lock you away if you wanted to bail on me, because I don't think I can let you go anymore?"

"Ah. That's good. I think we are on the same page since I was already secretly planning a wedding for next year."

I gape at him, my brain not braining. His expression is stern and serious, but his eyes are smiling and full of amusement. I burst out laughing, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him in for a quick peck on the lips.

"You are such a dork."

"I was only half-joking."

My heart skips a beat. I school my expression and clear my throat. "I know. But you're gonna have to court me first all the same. I'm not that easy."

"Didn't think you were. Unless you are taking my cock. You were very agreeable then."

I huff, steering him toward the banquet hall while maintaining my bodyguard distance. "Who says it wasn't a one-time thing, huh?"

"You seemed really into it, if memory serves right. You were moaning and begging me for more and whining that I wasn't ‘fucking you hard enough'."

My dick positively jumps in my pants, weeping for attention. Holy shit. What's with Chai dirty talking at the most inappropriate times and places? And fuck, why is it so stupidly hot?

"You are misremembering. At most, you were so-so," I counter, keeping my voice low as we enter the hall.

He stops abruptly and turns around, flaring his nostrils and smirking at me. "Is that why you are hard? I can smell your arousal, Leo."

I'm gonna die. He's too much. Pretending I am talking into my earphone mic, I pinch my eyebrows together. "The fuck are you even saying? What are you, a dog? Also." I adjust myself, making sure no one is looking. "Stop saying such stuff and let me do my job, okay? You've got people to meet."

He shrugs, schooling his goofy expression. "I got a text from a friend earlier. He was one of the pilots on our flight. He's free and invited me over for dinner. I'd like you to come."

I let air out of my nostrils, guiding Chai toward the Thai Minister of Health and his group of cronies. I memorized the faces of all attendees, including the ones Chai needs to introduce himself to. Despite the fact that Herald Security is handling the safety of everyone here, the actual topic of the conference is confidential even to us. The workshops are closed-doors and all I know is that the event has something to do with some medical advancement that a bunch of governments want to test-run.

"I don't think I need an invitation. I go where you go to make sure you don't get stabbed or kidnapped or shot. It's literally my job description."

"I meant that I want you to accompany me as my partner."

"I'd still be your bodyguard though?" I point out, slightly amused when he frowns as if he didn't consider that tiny detail .

I don't mind it though. Not one bit. It's been fun and I get to be around him when I wouldn't normally be able to if I was just his partner. Is it a massive gray area dating your boss? Hell yeah, but gray just so happens to be my favorite color.

"I guess. But you can drop the scowl and the suit and put something more comfortable and less stuffy on."

"Sure, but only if I can pick what you are wearing." I wink, satisfaction flooding me when his eyes darken with heat.

I really want to kiss him right now, but I square my shoulders, grunt in dissatisfaction when he smirks subtly, and restrain myself. We join the Minister by the buffet tables with the chocolate fountain, the arrangement of fancy bites and foods that I can't even begin to name reminding me I haven't eaten anything yet.

"Leon. Grab me a couple of those sandwiches, will you? And make sure you taste-test them beforehand. I don't want anything that's not fresh," Chai says suddenly, nudging his chin at the table.

Oh snap. Did he notice me ogling them? Fuck, he's the best.

The Minister and his companions turn their attention to us, having heard Chai speak. I busy myself trying sandwiches and placing the ones I think he will enjoy on a small plate, not straying too far away from him.

"Ah, I finally get to meet you, Mr. Akiyama," the Minister says in a squeaky voice, plastering on a politician's smile. "I hear you came from Japan to personally oversee the security arrangements in place of your father?"

They shake hands, the Minister picking a glass of wine and handing it to Chai .

"Yes, I did." Chai refuses the glass with a business smile. "I'm afraid I can't enjoy the wine. I just stopped by to check how things are going and grab something to eat. I don't drink while I'm working."

"Commendable, but also a waste. This wine is exquisite. I personally insisted for this particular brand and year."

Chai is more of a whiskey and gin guy, though even then, he doesn't always drink. I kind of like that about him.

"I will take your word for it, Minister Kasem. Perhaps I'll grab a bottle as a gift to my father on the way back," Chai says smoothly, impressing me with the way he knows how to butter up to people when needed.

The Minister nods, swirling the wine before he takes a sip. He smacks his lips and makes an appreciative sound. "So rich. You are truly missing out. But, well, appreciating wine is not why you approached me, is it?"

Chai smiles one of those charming ones he uses when he wants to get on the good side of a client. "You see right through me. I wanted to extend Herald Security's gratitude and offer you our services at a discounted rate for any size event you might hold in the coming months. I heard your vote tipped the auction in our favor."

I don't really know much about how the Akiyama Group landed the job, but Chai makes it sound like it was close.

"It might've been my vote that won you the contract, but I don't back anything I'm not confident in, Mr. Akiyama." The Minister pats Chai on the shoulder, humming to himself as his smile grows. He's clearly amused by whatever is going through his balding head, his eyes crinkling in the corners as he studies Chai's face. "Besides… Let's say that I've been looking to update my security arrangements and thought this might be a good test-run. I have to say that I'm impressed with what I've seen and very keen to work with you on a more personal level."

Something in his tone doesn't sit right with me. I can't pinpoint what it is, but it gives me the creeps. When I peek at Chai, he's maintaining his professional mask, but there is a spark of apprehension in his gaze that matches the way his shoulder tense a little when the Minister's hand lingers there.

Just as I am about to pretend trip and drop the plate with food on the Minister's suit so he can get his hands off my man , Chai steps away and dips his chin. "I am grateful for your kind words and looking forward to discussing this in more detail once the conference is over. Perhaps I can arrange for you to visit the Herald Security headquarters in Nagoya? I'm sure my father wouldn't want to miss the chance to meet you in person."

I have to force myself not to gawk like a fanboy. Chai is good at this and just like everything else that he excels at, it's a massive turn on for me. I don't let myself get carried away however; I know when to take my job seriously and when I can allow myself to get distracted. The former is in effect until the event is over.

The two men exchange a few more words, and I can tell Chai is fishing for something. I've absolutely zero idea why, but I'll find out the first chance I get.

"I'll leave you to have lunch in peace," Chai says, placing the plate I handed him on the trolley with dirty silverware. "Though I was hoping you'd humor one last question."

"Of course, Mr. Akiyama. We're practically friends already. "

Yeah, no. This guy ain't no friend to Chai, and won't be one either. I don't like him and his vibe and the way he keeps looking at Chai in that calculating manner as if Chai is some chess piece he needs to get to a specific part of the board. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who noticed it since Chai has kept his distance. Their relationship will definitely remain strictly professional.

Folding his arms, Chai casts his gaze around the room. "I realize it's none of my business, but I was wondering what exactly these workshops are about. All Herald Security was told is that it has to do with some kind of medical development?"

"Hmm… I'm afraid I can't disclose any details just yet other than the fact that it's a new drug we believe will help a lot of people, but there will be a press announcement in the coming months. Maybe when I drop by for that visit to Nagoya, we could discuss more. I'm confident what I have to say will be of further interest to the Akiyama Group. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Once we are alone and I've lost the Minister among the crowd of important people, we head for the next person Chai has to talk to. "The guy was suspicious. And what the hell did he mean further interest? I thought your father hasn't met him yet?"

"He hasn't." Chai takes out his phone, shooting a message to someone. The reply comes a few seconds later. "Aran's looking into him."

"Didn't he do that already? I thought he's the one that put together the document with people you must talk to?"

"That was based on the assumption that the Minister didn't know who we are. He clearly does. "

The rest of the conference brings no surprises. When lunch is over, we begin our rounds, checking all the floors where workshops are held to make sure there are no issues. We could technically do it from the control room, but I also get why Chai prefers to check in on things himself.

It's not until the event finishes and people begin leaving that we hear back from Aran. We've claimed a couch at one of the open lounges on the upper floors, the glass layout allowing us to observe the line of people trickling out the building through the main entrance.

"What have you got?" Chai asks, putting Aran on speakers.

I walk over and lean against the armrest, glancing at the screen where their chat from earlier is loaded.

"It took me a lot of digging, but it seems like Minister Kasem unofficially visited Kobe six months ago. At first glance, it looks like a personal trip, at least until I dug up his dinner reservation on the last day." A screenshot of a booking displaces the last few messages.

"Isn't that one of Goro's izakayas?" Chai asks, frowning at his phone.

Goro, the asshole that's begging to get punched? What's he got to do with this?

"Yes," Aran confirms. "I tried to pull the surveillance, but it was missing. The staff logged a technical issue. It didn't get fixed until the next evening."

"That's definitely fishy," I offer helpfully, making Chai crack a smile.

"Anyway," Aran cuts in, sounding not at all impressed with my valuable insight, "I contacted the staff and gave them the description. They said Minister Kasem met with Goro. "

Why would a minister meet with one of the Akiyama Group's lieutenants? And why so obviously in secret?

"Do we know what they discussed?" Chai asks, his tone hard. I think he's wondering the same thing.

"No. They were in the private VIP area." There is a short pause, the silence heavy as it settles around us. "This is concerning."

Chai looks at me. I can practically feel the gears of his brain spinning in some direction, but I have no clue what he's thinking. "Aran. You said this was six months ago?"

"Yes. But there is no guarantee they haven't met before."

"Which means this has been going on for at least half a year and my father doesn't know about it." Chai drums his fingers against the couch's leather seat. "I can confront the Minister."

"I'm not sure that's wise. I'll speak to Daichi first. Don't do anything. Both of you."

Whoa, did Aran really need to add that last bit? I'm not as bad as Chai at following instructions.

"We're flying back tomorrow, Aran. I don't like this. Something is going on. If I don't talk to him now, we might not get another chance," Chai insists, frown lines appearing across his forehead.

"No. Stay put. Whatever this is, we need to be careful."

Chai rubs his temples. "You need to bring Goro in ASAP."

"I intend to. I'm on the way to the office. I'll speak to Daichi and call you. Don't do anything stupid," Aran warns again and hangs up, leaving us staring at each other in confusion .

I didn't like Goro the moment I saw him, but I didn't necessarily think he might be up to no good. "Okay… That escalated quickly. I knew to trust my gut, but that's some next level premonition shit."

"Your lack of filter is truly refreshing, Leo," Chai says, the smile in his voice palpable. "Even if inappropriate sometimes."

He stands up and paces over to the window. I join him and we watch the guests as they leave, the crowd shrinking until it's just the venue staff that remains. They start putting away the banners and signs.

"Are we really not going to do anything?" I ask, leaning my head on his shoulder.

His hand comes up and starts stroking my hair. "I don't like it, same as you. But Aran is right. We can't let on we are onto them. Not until we know what we are really dealing with."

"Damn. Who knew you could be so responsible?" I chuckle, feeling the vibrations of his laugh as he joins in. "Now, are you going to tell me what you think it might be or do I have to use any means necessary to make you tell me?"

He makes a thoughtful noise when I slide my hand down his ass and rub along his crease. "I don't suspect anything per se. It's just that the hits on our warehouses and the leaks about our business dealings started around the same time. They didn't happen that often, not now or before, but I'd get intercepted sometimes, like they knew where and when I'd be going."

"That's why you were in trouble the night we met, right?"

He nods, sighing. "Yes. But my father refuses to listen. He's very… stuck to his beliefs. Traditional? To him it's impossible that someone working for him might do such a thing. And with the convenient way in which the Tokyo incident was resolved, he won't even let me bring it up again."

"Well, good thing you have me on your side, isn't it? So, if you think that what we discovered today has anything to do with it, then I'm going to help you prove it."

He laughs, but I think he knows I mean every word despite my light tone. Chai is smart and observant. He's also ambitious and wants to make his father proud. So, if he thinks there is some fishy business going on, I am inclined to trust him, even if his father chooses to remain blind to it.

"Let's drop by the control room and head back. We need to change. The dinner with Phat is in an hour," he says eventually, leading me back.

The security guards have already gone home, leaving just the techies to sort out the equipment. Chai gives them a set of concise instructions after secretly ordering pizza for them, and we make our way to the elevators. I wrap my arm around his waist since it's just the two of us and there is no one around.

"So… Do you wanna do that thing ?" I whisper, keeping my voice intentionally low.

He presses the button. "Which thing are you referring to?"

The number on the display shows one, telling me the elevator will arrive here to the tenth floor in approximately fifteen seconds. That's plenty of time to get him in the mood.

Leaning in as I start kneading his ass, I whisper, "Getting you plugged and stretched for me, so you can take my big cock when we are done hanging out with your friend?"

He shivers, my words having the desired effect. I know he's been thinking about it even if he hasn't said anything, but we were just too busy making sure today would go as planned, so I didn't press. Now that the important conference is over, I'm ready to fully embrace my horny teenager self.

Chai's lips quirk in a suppressed sexy smile, his eyes traveling down my body to my already bulging front. "You'd like that, Leo?"

"Don't play innocent, you devil."

The elevator dings and I'm just preparing myself to push him inside and pillage his mouth when voices down the left corridor freeze me in place. We stare at each other and then at the open elevator.

"I thought everyone left…" I say, looking over his shoulder in the direction of the voices. Other than the techies, who I know for a fact won't leave that room until they get the call for the pizza, no one should even be on this floor.

Chai's Adam's apple bobs on a swallow, his eyes narrowing. "Let's check it out."

He grabs my hand and leads me toward the source of the noise, my erotic fantasy which was about to become reality put on a temporary hold. It turns out the voices are coming from the stairwell. Nodding at each other, we push the propped open door and emerge on the landing. I heighten my hearing, listening carefully while I keep to the wall just like Chai so whoever is out there doesn't notice us eavesdropping.

Among the three distinct voices, two sound familiar, a squeaky one I was subjugated to just earlier in the afternoon and a deeper one that makes me want to punch a wall. My heart rate kicks up a notch as they keep talking, my hackles following suit as adrenaline slowly makes it through my system.

Shit. Is this really who I think it is? But I need to make sure.

Meeting Chai's gaze, I nod and approach the railing. Slowly and carefully, I pop my head over as he does the same, so I can confirm that I'm not wrong.

I can't see anything. A door thuds as it shuts two or three floors below.

"Damn, I think they got off the stairs."

Chai nods. We look at each other again and bolt, taking the stairs two at a time. It's not the floor below or the one after, but we catch the voices again when we reach the next one. They've gone toward the offices down the corridor, so we follow the sound until we locate an open door and a room with the lights on.

Heart banging and goosebumps covering all of me, I snuffle over first, peeking inside. A few computers occupy the three desks, with extra monitors and some type of scanning devices. There is another door at the other end of the room with a blue light spilling out of it. We jog over as quietly as we can, checking for cameras. Fortunately, there are none. Following the blue-tinted corridor that most definitely shouldn't be there , we climb down a set of stairs at its end and emerge into a part of the building that I am sure wasn't in the blueprints supplied to Herald Security.

"What is this place?" I whisper, scanning our surroundings as we approach a glassed off room.

It's a lounge, with a bar, tables, couches, and TV screens. There are more than a dozen men alongside about as many skimpy-dressed women, and among them, I recognize the owners of the two voices I thought were familiar.

Dread fills my stomach as that asshole Goro squeezes the ass of one girl and holds her while Minister Kesam rams an injection in her shoulder. Heroin, if I had to guess.

"Chai," I hiss, waving to get his attention. He's on the other side of the door, eyes wide and lips pressed in a line. "What is Goro doing here? Isn't he supposed to be in Osaka?"

He looks at me and shakes his head. "He is. My father didn't say anything about him accompanying me here."

I take my phone out, my genius brain deciding that the best thing we can do is take photos. That way we have concrete proof that something suspicious is happening in the Akiyama Group and Chai's dad won't be able to just dismiss him.

I line up the shot, pressing the camera button in quick succession. Just then, two bulky blond men walk into the room from the balcony off the pool table, yanking the heavy burgundy drapes out of their way.

"How long before we see results?" the one holding an electronic cigarette says in a southern accent.

My blood freezes. I've heard his voice somewhere. And that somewhere is back home in New York. He's the ass Cindy's direct boss takes orders from. Shit, shit, shit. What the fuck is he doing here?

Panic spears through me. I feel like I'm suffocating. Have they found me? Fuck, I need to get out of here or I'm a dead man.

"Chai," I whisper, unable to tear my eyes away as the two Americans grab a glass each from the bar. I order my legs to move, but they don't cooperate, rooted in place as fear floods my entire being. "I recognize the two Americans. I think one of them is the regional boss of the gang I was involved with. We need to leave. Now. This is beyon—"

Chai yelps, then grunts. I snap my head to him, pinpricks covering every inch of me. Someone grabs me by the hair, pulling so hard my scalp feels like it's on fire. I hear angry shouting in Thai and then I'm tossed to the floor alongside Chai, causing the entire room to go completely still.

Goro and the Minister pause what they are doing, staring right at us in shock and confusion.

Oh fuck.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

The Minister seems to recuperate the quickest, masking his shock with a fake smile as he lets go of the woman and faces us. The two Americans glare at Chai, then at me, their blue eyes mostly disinterested.

Hold on. Do they not recognize me? Aren't they here looking for me so they can drag my sorry ass back to American and off me?

"Mr. Akiyama, what are you doing lurking around in the building like some hungry rat?" the Minister chides, tapping two fingers against his chin.

I do not like his tone. At all. And if anything, he needs to work on his comparisons. I'm the one who's like a pest. I mean, has he seen the way Chai moves? It's all elegance and fluidity. He is more like a cat stalking around in the shadows than a rat.

At any rate, and as much as I'd love to hear Chai's response to the shitty comment, I don't give him the chance to say anything. Nah, that's kind of beyond me right now as a single imperative displaces all other thoughts in my head and springs my body into action.

I need to get us both out of here or we'll end up in body bags.