Smith laughed. His men were more hesitant but eventually joined in.
“You’re delusional. These are not the only men who surround your property. You’re outnumbered.”
“Am I?” Taro questioned.
“Yes!” Smith yelled and lifted his gun, pointing it directly at Taro. My hand clenched on his stomach, which he patted.
“Five,” Taro started.
“Leave,” Smith bellowed.
“Four,” Taro stated, raising his own gun. We all followed suit.
“You won’t win,” Smith said.
“And you won’t listen, will you?” Taro sighed.
“Jiro, get out here, now!” Smith screamed.
Taro chuckled. “Jiro won’t be joining you, Smith. The fool wasn’t discreet when meeting with you. We didn’t know the plan, but we knew something was coming. I made sure Jiro was watched at all times, and when he started arming himself this morning, he and his family were taken into custody. You’re on your own, Smith. Do you still want to do this?”
“You motherfucking—”
“Now!” Taro shouted. In seconds, I stepped from behind Taro, lifted my gun, and started shooting. They tried, even managed to get a few shots off—one caught Botan in the leg—but Smith underestimated Taro. Hell, I didn’t even think he had that many men under his command, but there they were, coming from all different places, demolishing the danger in front of us.
Smith hid behind his men like the coward he was, but I saw him aim at Taro. Not realising I’d moved so far from him, I opened my mouth to shout his name, but I needn’t have bothered. In the next second, Taro pulled another gun free and shot Smith square in the forehead. The man dropped to the ground, and the gunfire settled.
In the stark silence of the ceasefire, I stalked to Taro, turned him, and searched his body for any wounds. Besides the earlier scrapes, there was nothing. My heart slowed, and I relaxed my shoulders, pulling him into a hug.
He shifted back, brows drawn low, worry filling his gaze. But he shook his head and moved from the embrace to call, “Let’s get the injured to the infirmary. Ryo, call the doctor. Mark down if we lost any. We will mourn their deaths and make sure their families will be well cared for. Those who aren’t injured, help with the clean-up.” He started for the house, and Ryo fell into step beside him.
“Taro,” I called.
He didn’t look over his shoulder. He didn’t stop.
Something was fucking wrong.
I caught up with him just inside. People ran about, helping with whatever they needed. I ignored them and grabbed Taro’s arm, turning him towards me.
“What the fuck?” I bit out.
He tugged his arm free. “We’ll talk when I’m done.” I caught Ryo’s wince when Taro went to move off.
“Don’t walk away from me,” I said, hands clenching at my sides in frustration.
“I have things to do.”
“I can help,” I told him.
He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a breath. Straightening, he pointed towards a room. “Go and see if Mimi is okay for me, please. I’ll meet you in the room.”
“I want in on talkin’ to Jiro.”
“It’s a family matter.”
That cut. It cut fucking deep. I thought we had something, and we’d be partners, but I was wrong.
No. Fuck it. I wasn’t wrong.
He was stressed, and something was eating at him, but he wasn’t ready to talk. I wouldn’t take what he’d said to heart. I wouldn’t. Still, it didn’t stop the dull ache in my chest. All I could do was stare at him. If I opened my mouth, I’d say something I didn’t mean. With that in mind, I clamped my mouth shut.
Taro looked at me for a while longer before he walked off again. I didn’t follow that time. I stayed right where I was as concern twisted my gut.
When I reached Mimi’s door, I knocked, and Cowboy called, “Who is it?”
“Ruin.”
I heard the door unlock before Cowboy swung it open. I stepped in, my gaze settling on Mimi. “What happened?” she asked. “You’ve got cuts on you.”
“I’m fine. That’s nothin’. All I know is that Jiro made a deal with a rival, and it didn’t work out the way they expected it. Everyone’s safe though.”
She let out a shaky breath. “Good.” She shook her head. “Goddamn Jiro.”
“Who’s he?” Cowboy asked. I told him that and what else Jiro had been doing and saying.
Cowboy snarled, “Fuckin’ cunt.”
“Exactly.” I nodded.
“Are you okay?” Mimi asked me.
I moved over to the couch in her room and sank down onto it. Clasping my hands in front of me, I rested my elbows on my knees. “Yeah, fine.”
“Is that why you look worried and yet pissed?” she questioned.
“It’s nothin’, sweetheart.”
“Bull, it’s my brother. If he’s pushed you away, it’s because the scene would have worried him. I’m sure whatever he’s done or said, he didn’t mean it.”
“I know.” And I did, but… yeah, it fucking hurt he didn’t want me at his side after what just happened. I stood. “I’m gonna get in another shower. Probably still got glass and shit all over me.” I moved to the door.
“You can stay a while if you want,” Cowboy offered.
“I’m good, brother. Thanks, though.” I didn’t go to Taro’s room. I still had clothes in mine, so I headed there, grabbed some new gear, and showered, hoping it’d wash away the depressing thoughts.
It didn’t work.
About an hour later, a knock sounded on the door. “Yeah?” I called, standing from the bed.
It opened, and Taro stepped through. I wasn’t the only one who’d showered. He closed the door and stepped further into the room.
“Jiro been dealt with?” I asked.
“Yes. He and his sons. The rest of his family have been left with a choice—to leave or stay and follow my rules. They’ll be watched closely though.”
I nodded, crossing my arms over my chest. I didn’t like the distance between us. Why hadn’t he walked right over to me?
“I’m sorry for the way I acted before,” he started, and my gut tingled in hope.
“Yeah?” I asked since he wasn’t offering up any more.
“Yes.” He went to the windows and stared out.
“I didn’t like being pushed away, Taro,” I told him honestly. “Not sure if you were trying to protect me from things, but I need you to know I can take anythin’. I wouldn’t have been out there at your side takin’ lives if I couldn’t.”
He dropped his head. “I know.”
“Then what is this? The distance?”
His sad eyes connected with mine. “I need you to take Mimi back to Ballarat.”
My brows shot high. “Why?” I demanded.
“There could be other rivals Jiro sought out. Not that he admitted to anything more before he died, but I’m not willing to take a chance and have my family vulnerable.”
I scrubbed a hand through my hair and shook my head. “If you’re worried about Mimi, Cowboy can take her back.”