34 – Alex
I was on edge
Not only about this meeting, but the thought of Jory answering my question
“Alexander.”
I blinked and turned my head, looking at Yuka “Sir?”
“Lasked, are we ready to go in?”
I turned my head back to the window, looking out at the restaurant that Sota had pulled up in front of had sent in two of my men to check on things, provide details on how many were in there, and the scope of Yuka’s rival’s security
Both groups had been limited to a group of only six security personnel, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t slip in more.. disguised as kitchen staff.
“I haven’t had word back yet, sir. But I will check.” I lifted my hand and spoke into the small mir on the edge of my jacket sleeve. “What’s the holdup?”
There was a tiny bit of static before I heard hack.
“We’re just checking the back, sir. This place is fucking huge.”
I rolled my eyes and heard Sota chuckle in the front seat. He had a mic as well, because as our driver, he would be the one who
got us the fuck out of there, if things went to shit.
“Well, hurry up. Mr. Takada is getting impatient.”
“I am not.” Yuka huffed and I looked at him. “Well, maybe a little.”
“That’s because you didn’t eat this morning.” I quipped.
“If it’s not my wife’s breakfast, I don’t eat it.”
I had to admire the dedication to Ma Takada and honestly, I didn’t blame him. That woman could cook up the most amazing, traditional Japanese breakfast and I had been privy to eating it on more than one occasion. Especially when Oliver and I first joined the clan and were housed with them. Ma Takada often told Yuka to invite me back for breakfast, but I just hadn’t gotten there.
“I just want some omurice. I haven’t had a decent one in a while, and I heard this is the best place in Chicago for it, that’s why I chose it.”
“Then we will make sure you get it, sir.” I chuckled, as the all–clear came in from the pair of security inside the restaurant. “Right, it’s a go. Move in.”
I climbed out of the car and walked around to Yuka’s door and opened it. Three security guards were within arms reach, as the head of the Takada clan climbed from the sedan. I stepped up to Yuka’s side and nodded to the men on either side of us, while the third closed the door and brought up the rear.
Our two men who were already in the building, met us at the doors, opening them and stepped back, letting Yuka and I walk in. As always, when entering a room, I was behind him, but not by much. I needed to be close enough to shield him if
needed.
The restaurant was.. nice
Not as nice as the one attached to The Jade Dragon, but still nice.
On the end of the long red carpet, stood Yuka’s rival, and his security.
Bunto Mori was far from looking like he could or would be able to command a Yakuza clan, as could be. He was tiny Barely coming to his security’s shoulders, and they were barely five–ten. He was frail and leaned heavily on the cane in front of him
“Ah, Bunto–san.” Yuka prostrated, bowing to him and Bunto returned the gesture.
“Yuka–san.” Bunto’s gaze moved to me, and he smiled, a gap–filled grin, which instantly had me pursing my lips, as I was reminded of the river spirit from Hayao Miyazaki’s movie, Spirited Away. “Ah, you have bought the Chost with you”
Fuck, 1 lusted that name.
Just because I could get in and out of a rival clan’s territory without detection, and take out soldiers without being spotted, didn’t mean I was a fucking ghost. But I didn’t say anything, Ijust bowed as Yuka spoke for me.
“I do not travel without Alexander.”
I smiled softly at the ground, at the faith Yuka had in me, to say something like that. It showed how far I’d come and how much I meant to the Takada Clan.
“Now, let’s get this meeting started. I am famished.”
“Of course. This way.” Bunto and his security led us into the main hall of the restaurant, and I was glad. I didn’t think I could handle being in a closed room, with only one exit at hand.
Once I’d seated Yuka into his chair, I took the one to his left, and the meeting began.
Almost an hour later, and I was bored out of my fucking brains.
My phone had buzzed in my pocket at least half a dozen times and I had tried not to look at it, knowing who it would be. Everyone knew I would be here with Yuka and not to disturb me. My mother would be at work, she only called after 6 PM
It was Joey.
After it buzzed again, I frowned and pulled it from my pocket and looked down at it. The number was the same one, eight times. I lifted my head as the conversation quietened and I looked at Yuka, who had raised an eyebrow.
“Is everything okay, Alexander?”
“I have missed a few calls. I will call them back when I get a chance.” I slipped the phone back into my pocket and sat straighter. “Sorry, sir.”
Yuka was still staring at me, and I raised an eyebrow.
“Sir?
“Off you go. Go and make your call”
“But-
Yuka clicked his fingers and one of the other soldiers came trotting over. “Sir?”
“Come and sit here, while Alexander makes his call.” I looked at Yuka, who flapped his hand at me. “Go on. Shoo.”
I stood, and bowed, trying not to laugh out loud at him. “Sir. I won’t be long.”
I bowed to Bunto and turned, leaving the restaurant and stepping out into the sunshine. The door to our sedan opened and Sota stepped out. “It’s fine, Sota. I have a call to make.”
“Very good, sir.” He replied, sitting back in the car.
I turned, walking to the end of the restaurant building and leaned against the wall. Trying to remain calm, I dialed the number I’d missed and held the phone to my ear. It rang a couple times, before it picked up.
“Alex?
My stomach warmed and I smiled “Hey, doll.”
“Oh my god, I thought you were ignoring my calls.” She sounded stressed.
“Not on your life. I’ve just been busy.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“It’s fine.” I replied, looking up, seeing Sota staring at me through the windshield, and the asshole gave me two thumbs up, along with a massive grin. I flipped him off and he threw his head back and the whole damned car shook, as he started. laughing “I take it you’ve come to a decision?”
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and I swear, my heart wanted to leap out of my throat.
Joey!”
“Yes.
“Yes?” Hang on, had she just said yes? My hand started to shake, and I blinked, trying to calm both my nerves and my voice.
“Yes what?”
“Oh my god, you’re an insufferable ass-
34–Alex
“Jolene.” I warned. She huffed, but I didn’t care, I just wanted to hear her say it. I wanted to hear her say she chose, out of her own free will, to come with me.
“Yes. I will come to New York with you.”
I grinned, knowing Sota would be able to see it, and no doubt, the big shithead was videoing it or taking phots… but I didn’t
care.
She said yes.
Joey was coming to New York with me.
“All right. When this meeting is done, I will get Sota to come past your apartment and grab-”
“Don’t bother.”
Iblinked “Huh?”
“I live just down the street from where you are.”
I scrunched my eyebrows together. “Excuse me?”
“Oh my god, you’re thick. She giggled. “Alex, look up.”
I did, my gaze scanning the street until it fell on Joey… standing next to Sota, who was waving, a big shit–eating grin on his face. I rolled my eyes and hung up the phone and walked over to them.
“I told you we keep running into each other in the most unexpected places.”
“Yes, you did.” I replied, smiling.
“So, go on. Finish your meeting. I’ll sit with Sota. If that’s all right with him?”
Sota nodded, “Yes, it is.”
“Okay, just… don’t go anywhere.”
“She won’t. Go.” Sota said, holding open the passenger door for Joey and she smiled, climbing into the car and he did the same and soon, I could see them chatting, ignoring me,
I turned back toward the restaurant and headed back in, hoping to hell this meeting didn’t drag on any longer than it had
