Page 76 of Who Said Mobsters Were Scary?
This probably has to do with this new drug he mentioned. It must be worth a lot of money, especially if it’s made available on the black market via a controlled supplier. Like the Akiyama Group, for example.
I probe a bit more, but they keep giving me vague answers. It becomes clear I won’t get much more out of them.
“You’re the one who’s been leaking our information to other organizations. Why?” I ask Goro. I don’t see howdoing so would help with this, so he must’ve had some other reason.
“Ah, yes. Your little nosy investigation was really annoying, honestly. Couldn’t you just let it go? Friction between organizations happens all the time and things get stolen.”
“Except they got stolen from within.”
Goro places his glass on the counter and shrugs. “Our American associates are very… careful when it comes to new business ventures. And a sign of goodwill here and there goes a long way. I’m sure you understand.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I wouldn’t recommend that.” He tips his chin at the guards.
“You won’t get away with something like this.”
“I will. I’ve been telling your father that the gaijin is no good as a bodyguard. It will be unfortunate, but no surprise if he failed to do his job and got you both killed while on the way to the airport.”
With how resourceful Goro has been so far, I have no doubt he could make it work. He’s one of my father’s first lieutenants, but his ideas never really saw the light of day no matter how hard he lobbied for us to expand into drugs and prostitution. I wonder if that’s what drove him to do this. He should’ve been let go a long time ago, but my father is a stubborn mule where loyalty and tenure are concerned.
I do hope he’ll listen more to what I have to say from now on.
“Dai—”
I don’t even get to finish before Leo busts in, guns blazing. He shoots the four guards down as I lunge for Goro. He tries to dodge me, but he’s too slow, so I pin him againstthe counter. The Minister darts for the door, so I take out my gun and send a bullet to his leg, preventing him from escaping.
Leo rushes over and secures him, taunting and making fun of him like some anime villain. I chuckle at how dramatic he’s being, smiling as I point my gun to Goro’s head.
“Order your men to standby at the emergency stairs.”
“You will regre—”
“Do it.” Goro winces as I press the barrel to his skull, but complies. “Now tell me where the jamming device is.”
“Ah. Chai, don’t worry about that. I slipped out real quick and let the guys in the control room know. Sent Aran a message, too,” Leo says, bunching his eyebrows. “He sounded extremely pissed off when he called.”
I’m never going to hear the end of it. “What did he say?”
“Not much other than he’s on the way here. I had to hang up because you chose that moment to summon me to save you from the bad guys.”
“You are ridiculous. I didn’t need saving.”
“I mean, if you didn’tneedsaving, you wouldn’t havesaidthe special word… You had enough bullets.”
Minister Kesam mumbles something, getting a kick to his wounded leg for his troubles. “Shut it, asshole. I’m still mad you had your hands onmyman.”
“Kwanchai. You are making a mistake. You’ve let your father tell you what to do for too long. An opportunity like this won’t come again!” Goro whines, glaring daggers at Leo, who’s doing the same.
“Can I punch him, please?” Leo chirps, giving me the puppy eyes.
I fight off a smile and gesture him over with my chin. He’s just too irresistible when he’s trying to be cute. The thwack sends Goro to sleep.
“Satisfied?” I preen, happy that I’ve given him what he wants.
Leo flashes me a sheepish smile. “Almost.” He leans in, kissing me deep and dirty. “Adrenaline rush makes me horny. I really wanna bang on top of the pool table. You up for a quickie?”
“As much as I’d love to say yes, I think we missed our chance,” I point out as some of our men enter the lounge. The techies must’ve summoned them back. “There are about a dozen men waiting at the emergency stairs down the right corridor,” I instruct the security personnel.
