The minion almost choked. “Hey lady, you should be a little more—”
“Careful?” Mai smiled wickedly. “Careful’s for the weak and the powerless. And believe me, I’m neither.”
By now her target was taking more of an interest, clearly wondering what was being said. He stood up and beckoned her over. Mai thought about her parents, about Gyuki, about Hibiki and Chika. She thought about the clan master and all the dreadful things she had witnessed as a child growing up in his community. There really was no option here.
Her target, a man called Hikaru, called to her. “Are you a cosplay girl? I thought I knew them all. Are you new to the circuit?”
Mai felt six pairs of eyes watching her as she walked up to him. “Freelancer. Thought I would give it a try this year.”
“Are you alone? You look a little familiar.”
“Don’t you recognize me? I’m a movie star.” Mai let out a little giggle. “And no — my boyfriend’s around somewhere playing his games.” She rolled her eyes on the last word, showing her distaste.
“Ah I see. So you were dragged to the show were you? And you want to what… teach him a lesson by playing a little game of your own on the side?”
Mai shrugged. “Why not? I’ve already decided this is going to be my year of firsts.”
Hikaru grinned. “I could think of a few ‘firsts’ right now.”
Mai let the giggle out again. “How would you know?”
“There’s a restroom just over there. I’m guessing that’d be your first ‘first’. Wanna try?”
“Only if you have a little stamina. I’m sick and tired of the nightly five-minute desperate Hail Mary passes.”
Hikaru exhaled. “Jesus, you’re fuckin’ hot. C’mon. Ichiro, Kyo, watch the doors. No one gets in, you hear me? No one. Hey, girl, what’s your name?”
“Maggie.” She giggled and took his hand, giving him the full fantasy. The look in his eyes told her he had totally bought it, as had every one of his cohorts. Were guys really so easy? she wondered. A pair of leather pants, a giggle, and a bit of sex-talk. Was Drake that easy?
Or was it just the bad guys and their raging, repressed hormones?
Hikaru led her toward the restroom, crossing a short length of blue carpet. The orange symbol for the gents glowed above the door. Mai slowed and looked around, feigning sudden doubt, but actually scouting the area. Hikaru pulled her hand hard, leaving no doubt as to his intentions and chivalry, and she let herself be dragged through the door. Inside, everything was stark white, bright and relatively clean. Hikaru turned her around and forced her against the wall, hands first.
“Stick your ass out, Maggie. You’re gonna experience a first your geek boyfriend wouldn’t dare ask you for.”
Mai wiggled. “Do it. I’m nothin’ if I’m not a dirty freak.”
“And when you’re snuggling up to him tonight.” Hikaru shifted his pants down. “Remember this!”
It was the moment she had been waiting for. In her past experience as an undercover agent for the Japanese agency, she had learned that a man never fought the same with his tackle hanging out. She whirled, slamming an elbow into his ear. Before he could utter a screech, her hand gripped his voice box so hard his face instantly turned white.
Mai grabbed the only thing about him that wasn’t hanging as limp as a wet rag and pulled him close. She whispered in his ear. “Little Hikaru,” she said. “That was so easy. I have been sent to kill you. Do you know me now, I wonder?”
Pure terror suddenly lit the Yakuza boss’s eyes. He knew. At last, the old legends were starting to come back to him. The searing humiliation, the outrageous memories.
“Mai Kitano,” she said. “A name that’s whispered with some reverence around these parts, or so I’m told.”
The man didn’t move a muscle. He was hers to control. “So,” she whispered into his bleeding ear. “Still think I’m hot?”
Despite the situation, Hikaru nodded.
Mai stepped away. “Well, I guess I am pretty.” She laughed. “One squeak, Hikaru. One squeak and I’ll end you.”
The Yakuza boss motioned at his pants.
“Oh, put it away, Hikaru. I couldn’t even scratch my nose with that thing.”
Mai pulled him to the far wall. “Now listen. Like I said, I have been sent to kill you. The Tsugarai sent me. I’m willing to give you a pass this time… but I need your help in return.”
“What?” Now that Hikaru was fully clothed again, part of the swagger had returned. “What could I do for you?”
“Pretend to be dead,” Mai said. “For about three hours.”
“Pretend…” Hikaru shook his head in disbelief. “How would I do that?”
“The Yakuza are a close-knit gang,” Mai said. “It’s possible and believable that they would not want your death broadcast around immediately. Just disappear, Hikaru. For a little while.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I’ll come back for you one night. And that twig dick will be the least of your worries.”
Hikaru remained silent as he weighed his options. His next words proved there was at least a little intelligence behind the ever-present red haze of lust and brutality. “The Tsugarai. I know they own you. This is your homecoming, yes?”
“They do not own me,” Mai hissed. “Nobody owns me.”
“I’m just saying… we don’t exactly love the Tsugarai either.”
Mai stared. “You’re offering to help?” The idea hadn’t occurred to her.
“Rock ‘n’ roll.” Hikaru grinned.
“I have all the help I need,” Mai told him. “But one day… maybe one day. Another time.”
“Just come around wearin’ those pants and I’ll know you need me.” Hikaru touched his finger to his nose like a conspirator. “I’ll know.”
Mai nodded. “Agreed. But Hikaru, listen. Don’t fuck me on this. You will regret it.”
“When you say it like that,” the Yakuza boss said. “I’m just putty in your hands.”
“More like a pussy in my hands.” Mai doubled him over with a hard blow to the solar plexus. “That’s for being a gang-rat piece of shit. Now, stay here and do as you’re told.”
She exited the restroom swiftly, inviting both of Hikaru’s guards over with a saucy little wink and closing the outer door after them.
“We voted,” one said haughtily. “I’m first.”
Mai smiled. “Oh, alright then.”
His scream followed her all the way back to the game stations, but she barely heard. She was trying to force an ominous new thought from her mind — the one whispering on eldritch wings that whilst she had killed the mostly innocent money launderer, she had spared the totally guilty Yakuza boss’s life. A worrying reflection, but not one she could allow to confuse her now. This was the hour she had been waiting for. Everything had led to this. It was time. All her life she had been waiting, training and fighting toward this very moment.
It was time.
CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN
Drake saw Smyth overcome a ragged bunch of mercenaries below and silently thanked Alicia for her ingenious foresight. Thanks to her, they now had only half as many enemies to deal with. He lingered by the back of the burning chopper, easing the Delta man’s passage with a few well-placed shots. Men twisted and fell before him. The raging fire licked at the buildings all the way up to the roof. The scream of officers giving orders and men shouting in agony sounded little different in the chaos. When Smyth barreled past Drake and rejoined the group, Alicia grabbed him and planted her lips on his.
“Beautiful one,” she shouted. “Very well done, Smythy, ya mad, angry, little bastard.”