Kiki’s face lit up. “Oh, I’ve been asking my Papa for one. He said maybe for my birthday.” She pouted.
“Well, how would you like to come play with my little girl? She’s about your age. I think you would be good friends.”
Kiki bit her lip. “Can my sister come?”
The passenger glanced down the street. “Manny, come on,” A sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead as he tensed, and something in the air changed. An aluminum bat sat next to Kat, propped up against the house. She wrapped her fingers around it, and her eyes locked on the man in front of her sister.
He was losing his patience, and he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his brow as his eyes darted down the street. “No, honey, your sister can’t come. If you wanna play with the Dreamhouse, we gotta go. Now. Come on.” He reached for her, and Kiki shrank away from him.
“Sorry, honey, I didn’t want to have to do this.” He shook his head and reached for her, and Kiki screamed when he picked her up and turned for the car.
Kat didn’t have time to think. She ran out from the side of the house and slammed the bat into the man’s knees, the sick crack followed by his scream. He fell to the ground and dropped Kiki, who scrambled away from him and behind Kat.
Tires squealed down the street. Kat cranked her bat back, ready to take another swing as he picked himself up, and he sneered at her and growled. His meaty hand reached out for her, but he swung his head around when the passenger slapped the roof of the car with his eyes locked on a point down the street. “Manny, they’re comin’. We gotta go. Now!”
“Goddamn it,” he muttered and ran his hand through his hair as he looked behind him, hurrying to the car. He slammed the door shut and peeled out, just as another black car pulled up.
Two Japanese enforcers stepped out of the backseat, and the car sped away when the doors thumped closed, its tires chirping as it took off after the men who had tried to take Kiki. Their faces were tight as one scooped up Kiki and carried her inside. The other pried the bat from Kat’s fingers and walked her into the house.
Grace sat on the couch, white as a sheet as she held Kiki. She opened an arm to Kat, her hands shaking, and rocked the girls while one enforcer told her what happened. The other stood in a corner on a cell phone, his voice hushed.
A half-hour later, Kim burst in through the front door, her eyes red and swollen, and gathered the girls up in her arms. Katsu walked in behind her and stood still and calm near the door.
The four enforcers walked in, their eyes on the ground as Katsu spoke to them in Japanese, his tone nothing that she had heard before. She picked up words here and there, but when he said the word ‘yubitsume,’ every hair on her arms stood on end.
Even at nine, she knew what that was. Finger cutting. Some of the enforcers were missing fingers, an atonement sacrifice they carried out when they had disgraced their boss.
Kim heard it too. Her eyes darted to the men, but her face was comforting as she wrapped her arms around the girls.
“Come on, babies. Want to take a bath in Mommy’s tub?”
Kiki sniffled and nodded, and Kim moved the girls to her room where they took a bath in her big jet soaker tub. They watched movies all afternoon and night, lying in their mother’s bed eating popcorn. Kat didn’t remember falling asleep, just waking up the next morning in her own bed.
She heard voices and threw off her covers, then crept out into the hallway in the still, quiet morning. She peeked around the corner to see Katsu leaning against the counter. His naked arms and chest were covered in tattoos; dragon scales and snakes, clouds and water, so many tattoos that she could only see a sliver of bare skin that cut through the center of his chest. Kim stood at the sink, scrubbing a pot furiously.
“I know we keep talking about everything, Katsu, but I just can’t get over it.” She put the pot down in the sink and turned to him, her eyes full of tears. “They almost took our baby. From our front yard. From our own house.”
He pushed off the counter and crossed the few feet between them to wrap his arms around her. She buried her face in his chest, and his hand slipped into her hair as he muttered to her.
“What are we going to do?” Kim asked.
“Kim, you are safe here. That should never have happened, and it will not happen again. Next time, no one will have that much time to get close to any of you. I promise.”
A shudder rolled through Kim that Kat saw from across the room. “I don’t want to know, Katsu.”
He cupped her cheek and kissed her. “No one will harm you. No one will harm our daughters.”
Kim looked up at him, and when Kat shifted, Kim’s eyes darted to her. “Kat, come here, baby. You hungry?”
Kat nodded and walked to her mother, nestling into her side as Kim held her close.
“How about pancakes? With chocolate chips?”
Kat’s fear dissipated a bit. “And whipped cream?”
“Extra whipped cream.” She smoothed Kat’s hair and walked to the pantry, laying a kiss on Katsu’s shoulder as she walked by.
When Kat sat down at the table, Katsu walked over and sat next to her. He leaned forward, his eyes searching her face. “Katsumi, do you know who those men were? The men that tried to take Keiko?”
“Bad guys?”
“Yes, they were bad guys. You were very smart and brave to protect your sister.”
Kat’s lips pinched. “They were gonna take her, Papa.”
“They were going to try. But you protected her. We always protect our family. Even when it is hard. Even when it is scary. Even when we think we cannot. When you are older, I will teach you ways to protect yourself, and your mama and Keiko.” He lowered his head to look in her eyes, his own soft as he brushed his knuckles on her cheek. “You are strong, my Katsumi, and I am proud that you are mine.”
Her phone rang in her hand, startling her. Dillon. She took a deep breath and answered.
“Hey.”
Dillon was silent for a moment before he asked, “Is everything okay?”
“No, it’s not okay, Dillon. I’m sorry.” She took a deep breath, not knowing how to handle him.
“What’s wrong? Please, tell me.”
“That’s the thing. I can’t. We have to put this on hold. You and me. I can’t do this right now.”
“Why?” He was angry or frustrated. She wasn’t sure which, but she could hear the tension in that one simple word.
“I can’t tell you,” she said.
“Kat, you’re acting crazy. What the fuck is going on? Why can’t you tell me?”
She was hurt and sad and angry. Her emotions fought to break out of her, and her heart skipped and thunked against her chest.
“Don’t fucking call me crazy, Dillon. Can’t you trust me? This isn’t about you and me. It’s bigger than that.”
“Trust you? How can I trust you when you won’t give me anything? You have to tell me.”
Her anger flashed hot. “I don’t have to tell you shit. You know, maybe last night was a mistake after all.”
“Yeah, maybe it was,” he snapped, and her heart broke.
She swallowed hard, but her voice still cracked. “You know what? Fuck you.”
“Kat—”
She hung up and threw her phone into the passenger seat, then rested her forehead on the steering wheel. Kat couldn’t have what she wanted, the one thing that she wanted. She wanted Dillon. But she couldn’t do it.
Her sadness burned in her chest until it melted into resentment.
It was all because of Kiki. If it wasn’t for the bullshit with Eric, if Kiki would just call Katsu, Kat could have him. Kiki should have just let her kill Eric when she had the chance. But instead, everything was fucked up, and she was caught in the middle.
Family is everything.
She loved her sister more than anything, and she’d do what she had to do. But that didn’t mean she had to be happy about it.
Dillon stared at his phone in disbelief.
He’d don
e it again. She said he was a mistake, and then he threw it right back at her. He pushed her, and they were right back where they started. The difference was that he knew that he wanted her. After so many years he was finally ready, and she said he was a mistake. He was ashamed, betrayed, humiliated. Heartbroken.
He buried his face in his hands as he tried to wrap his head around what she had just said.
Had he been so wrong about her? Maybe she was just like all of the other girls he knew after all. Maybe she had seen him fight and fed off the high. He thought she was different. But she was just the same as the rest.
Dillon stood, his hands shaking as he shot a text to Owen, then threw on sweats and sneakers and ran down the stairs, his anger rolling inside of him. He slammed the door behind him and took off at a dead sprint toward the gym.
Kat pushed her car door shut and stormed across her patio. She tossed her keys on the bar with a clank and stomped up the stairs, into the living room where Kiki sat on the couch with a cup of coffee.
Kiki’s eyebrows raised. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Where’s Owen?”
“He just left.”
Kat was relieved to not have to confront Owen, but it didn’t stop her rage as she stood in the living room, waiting for Kiki to say something, ready to fight. Neither sister spoke.
“So,” Kiki broke the silence, “what happened?”
“What do you think happened?”
“Well, apparently what I think happened is wrong. What are you so bent about?”
Kat fumed, not sure of how honest to be as she thought about the texts from Vegas, the phone calls she would have to make later. Every part of her wanted to tell Kiki the truth, but she was too mad to know whether or not that was a good idea. She didn’t want to worry Kiki, and she needed time to figure out what happened, so she lied. “I wasn’t thinking last night. Dillon’s great and all, but I’m not interested.”
“I think you’re just freaking out, Kat.”
“Don’t act like you know what I’m thinking.” Kat shot at her. “You have no idea what I’m thinking.”
“I’d be willing to bet that you don’t either.”
Kat’s body tensed, and then she blew up. “I’m thinking about you,” she yelled. “That’s all I ever do is think about you. It’s my job to keep you safe, but you don’t give a shit about that. All you want to do is hang around with yet another guy, which is beyond stupid after what we’ve gone through with Eric. The part where you conspired to get me to fuck his brother is new, though. Wish granted. How does the backfire feel?”
“Jesus Christ, Kat.”
“What, Kiki? What?” Kat threw her hands up in the air.
Kiki set her coffee down and stood, glaring at her sister. “I’m sick and fucking tired of you using me as an excuse not to live your life.”
“I’m living my life.”
“No, you’re not. You’re running from your life.”
“Fuck you, Kiki,” Kat said and turned, heading for the stairs.
Kiki followed her. “Don’t fucking blame me because you’re too afraid to go after something you want.”
Kat turned on her sister, her hands in fists. “I’m not afraid of anything. Who’s going to be responsible if Eric comes for you?”
“Fuck, Kat. He’s not coming. Are you ever going to move on?”
“Move on, Kiki? Are you serious?” Her eyes were narrow as her voice dropped. “You should have let me kill that fucker. But no. You wanted him to live, so I’ve got to look out for you.” She pointed to her own chest. “And until he’s dead, I’ll always wonder if he’s going to show up. Because if he does, you’re not getting out of it with a heartbeat. Not if he has anything to do with it.”
Kat ranted on. “You wanted Eric alive? Fine. But I have to take responsibility. I have to watch him, and I have to protect you. I have to hide it from Dad, because if he finds out, Eric’s going to end up deader than dead. And you know it.” Kat folded her arms across her chest. “I mean, I don’t give a shit. Part of me would love to see that prick in fifty pieces and two trash bags. Should I go ahead and call Dad then? Or should I just go back to Vegas and kill him myself?”
Kiki seethed, but said nothing.
Kat turned again and stalked toward the stairs. “Yeah, I didn’t think so.” She marched up the stairs and slammed the door to her bathroom, throwing the curtain back to turn on the water. She peeled off her clothes and stepped into the steaming stream, closing her eyes as the water pounded against her face, her thoughts colliding in her head, smashing together like atom bombs.
Owen pulled up to the curb in front of the gym and killed the engine. He glanced through the glass, scanning the empty ring to find Dillon, shirtless and sweaty as he beat the shit out of a punching bag. Owen shook his head and stepped out of the car.
He opened the door and spotted Brian behind the ring, who jerked his chin toward Dillon. Owen nodded back and made his way over to a stool near the punching bag his brother was punishing. He sat down and made himself comfortable, leaning back against the wall of the base of the ring, not knowing how long it would be until Dillon had burned his anger down. He zoned out while he waited, his eyes tracking an ‘x’ of duct tape stuck to the bag, the smiley face on it swinging in time to Dillon’s pounding.
Owen sat in silence, knowing Dillon wasn’t even aware that he was there. When Dillon was in fight mode, nothing else existed. He watched his brother, wondering what the fuck had happened to work him up so badly.
Dillon’s eyes were out of focus, his breath hissing out in time to each punch, his body strung tight as sweat dripped from his hair down his chest and back. The snake around his bicep coiled and sprang with every swing of his fist. He stood with his feet rooted to the ground as his abs twisted, the thump of his gloves on the bag a heavy sound in the otherwise quiet gym.
He slowed, then stopped and rested his forehead against the bag. He laid his arm across the top of it and closed his eyes as his chest heaved.
Owen picked up a towel off of the stack in a corner of the ring and walked to Dillon. He touched Dillon’s arm, and his eyes opened, then widened in surprise to see his brother there. He took the towel silently and ran it over his face as Owen sat back down, crossing his ankles in front of him and his arms across his chest.
Dillon sounded exhausted. “Thanks for all of your uninvited ‘help’ last night. Are you happy?”
“No. I’m sorry, Dillon.”
Dillon reached for his water and took a long pull, then rubbed his eyes with the pads of his fingers, his voice full of defeat. “I thought she was different, Owe.”
“Maybe she’s just afraid.”
And just like that, he was riled again. “She said she didn’t want me, Owen. I’m not going to chase her down. If she doesn’t want me, then she doesn’t get me.” He fumed with his hands on his hips, and Owen thought he looked like a child.
“Did she say that?”
“She didn’t have to.”
“If she didn’t say it, then you don’t know for sure. Are you going to let that stop you?”
Dillon bit back. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to stalk her down after she called me a mistake? I have a feeling she wouldn’t take to that real well.”
Owen sighed. “No, you’re probably right about that.”
Dillon ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sure it’s for the best. She’s fucking with me. Why should I take a chance on her? She hasn’t really proven herself to be somebody who’s worth it.”
“Why? Because she’s a loner? Protective? Independent? Fiercely loyal? Gee, I can’t think of anyone else I know like that.”
Dillon narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Fuck off, Owen.”
Owen was quiet for a moment, not taking the insult personally, giving Dillon time to take a breath. Owen knew how to handle his brother better than anyone in the world.
He uncrossed his ankles and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “So, what ar
e you going to do?”
“Nothing.” Dillon pulled off his gloves. “I’m not going to play games. And, after the way she’s acted, I’m not sure enough about her to risk getting involved.”
He stood, knowing there was no arguing. Dillon would figure it out, he was sure, but he just hoped Kat would eventually come around, too. “Come on, want to drive?” He dangled the keys out.
Dillon shook his head. “I’m going to run. See you at home?”
He closed his hand around the keys and dropped his fist. “Sure.” He took one last long look at his brother as he unwrapped his wrists before turning to go.
Brian raised an eyebrow at him, but Owen shook his head as he pushed the door open and stepped onto the sidewalk. He slid into the car and pulled out his phone, then tapped Kiki’s number.
The phone rang, and she sighed in his ear. “Hey.”
“Hi. Did she make it home?”
“Yeah. She’s in the shower, and she’s pissed.”
“So is Dillon.” Owen played with Dillon’s keychain. “I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him get so upset about a girl before.”
“Kat either. We just got in a huge fight.”
“What?”
Kiki sighed again. “She said she wasn’t into Dillon. I tried to get her to admit that she was being ridiculous, but she threw a bunch of excuses at me. Really, I’m the ultimate excuse, and I’m getting tired of it.”
“You think Kat will come around?”
“Not on your life. She’ll just shove it all down into the dark recesses of her heart and pretend like it never happened.”
“God, they’re so much alike.” They sat in silence for a moment before Owen continued. “Dillon has sacrificed everything for me, Kiki. I owe it to him to try to help. We can’t let them end it like this.”
“What should we do?”
He pressed his head back into the headrest. “I think once he cools off, he would hear her out, but she’s going to need to make the first move. He’s playing the wounded animal.”