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I run through the list of my men in my head. “Alright, but take heed. Although I trust my men’s abilities, I’m not willing to risk your or your wife’s safety. I’m assigning you five men each.”
“One.”
“Four.”
“One.”
“Oyassan, my men are loyal, but none will come close to me and Shinji. One won’t do.”
“Keishi has a point oyassan. Think of ane-san. Are you willing to risk her security?” Shinji sidles beside me.
“Two,” Katsuo grits with a glare directed at me and my husband.
“Done,” I say, having expected this battle and accepting that he won’t budge further.
“For me, two. Assign five to Portia. I’ll explain the new circumstances to her.”
I nod, hiding my surprise.
Katsuo’s phone chirps with an alert. “My office is clean. Hurry and assign your replacements. I’m sure your houseguest is impatient for you to fulfill your promise to her.”
CHAPTER 15
Lakeshia
I settle into the back seat of a luxurious private car while Riu hands my packages to another guard. More will arrive at the house later.
“Where would you like to go next?” Riu asks as he joins me.
“My errands are over, but I don’t want to return to the house yet. What’s there to do in Serenidad at this time of day?”
He frowns. “Without knowing the extent of the threat on your life, I?—”
“You know what, walking is good for me.” I cut him off, unwilling to hear him curb the small freedom I have.
Before he can react, I exit the car.
Danger exists whether or not I hide from view. But anyone looking at me won’t automatically recognize me as the madam running a brothel in Hawaii or any of my other identities. With my high ponytail pulled through the top of a baseball cap, I pull the brim low and cover my eyes with sunglasses. I leave my breezy, oversized shirt unbuttoned over a cute crop top that exposes the top of my midriff. A pair of denim jeans and flip-flops round out the outfit, painting me as a relaxed California girl going about her day.
I blend into the crowd in this mixed-use neighborhood where custom shops like the one I nearly bought out rest beside brunch restaurants and boho-chic stores. Riu and his men, also in casual attire, rush to surround me without being too close or obvious.
As we stroll, the strains of live music thrum in the atmosphere, causing my blood to flow in excitement. The familiar upbeat vocals lead me to a farmer’s market. I always meant to go to one while living in Oahu but often missed them because of my odd schedule.
Parents sit rapt with attention on blankets with their pets and food purchases while their kids create friends and play. A cover band for Liquid Obsession performs the band’s latest hits. The lead singer is a dead ringer for the real one, replicating her intricate makeup and the exact sound of her voice.
As much as I enjoy the music, the children’s shrieking cries of excitement, and parents’ indulgent nodding and swaying to the music, the amazing variety of food available reminds me I only had an apple for breakfast.
With my promise to Takeshi in mind, I turn to Riu. “I’m going to explore some more.” I proceed to the local farm stalls to sample their goods.
While listening to a farmer relay stories about his family-run farm and the quality produce he grows, a voice behind me says, “Quality he says! Sis, if you don’t want to find yourself camping out here every day for this man’s carrots and corn, step aside. Save yourself the heartache for when he’s a no-show.”
A huge grin grows on the farmer’s face. “I can’t sell what I don’t have. You know this, Kori.”
“Hi, Sylas. I see you’re up to your usual, selling your too-good-for-humankind foods to us plebes.”
“Damn right, I am.”
I spin around to find my new favorite girl crush, at least my stomach’s new fave, grinning. Today she’s more relaxed than she was at the Kimura house.
