Gina Takes Bangkok (The Femme Vendettas) (18 page)

Gina giggled. “This place specializes in ménages and group sex. Check the cupboards for more bedding. I’m going to clean up a bit.”

She disappeared into the bathroom, leaving him to turn down a sex bed. He wondered what she was going to wear since her dress was ruined. She’d better have something on because he was already frustrated enough. Lying beside her, too hurt to do what should be done to a beautiful woman naked in a bed built for orgies, would kill him.

When he heard her come out of the bathroom, he was in bed covered to his neck in a pink sheet, his back to her, with lights out except for one so she’d not stumble. Another sheet and pillow was over—way over—on the other side of the bed. He’d wedged the teddy bear between them.

Teddy was swept away and hit the floor with a thud. Then, the whisper of sheets as she slipped in beside him.
Go to sleep, Gina. Turn off the light and go to sleep
.

There was the airy lift of his sheet and a single cool finger pressed to his back. “Who’s this you carry around?”

She never did what he told her to do. Did he really think she’d follow an unspoken command? “A baku.”

“A baku?”

“It’s from Japanese mythology. Kind of a creature that protects people against evil. Especially children. They call it a nightmare eater.”

Her finger glided over his upper back where the head was. “I see. And how did he come to ride around on your back?”

In an effort to block out his circumstances, he talked. “All Yakuza get tattoos. Used to be we weren’t accepted in Japan, so we’d get them as a sign that we wouldn’t bend to society’s rules and norms. But they’re more than just that. They hold a meaning or tell a story.”

“And what does this baku say about you?”

Even in the near dark, even with his back to her, he had to push hard to get out the next words. “That I was young and stupid when I got them. My father used to tell me that we Yakuza were once lordless samurai back in medieval times. That it was we who defended the cities and towns against marauders that terrorized the countryside. All lies. The truth is, we were the bandits. We’ve always been thugs and criminals. Nothing more.”

Her one finger became her hand flat and solid between his shoulder blades. “What difference does it make what people did or didn’t do centuries ago? What matters is what we do now.”

“You telling me the past doesn’t define us?”

“It doesn’t need to.”

“I think we also define one another,” he replied. “To Vincenzo, I’m a weapon. To Ryota, a teacher. To Zoe, a father. Without them I’m none of those things. In their own ways they define me, and I define them.”

With one last long glide along the center of his back, her hand withdrew and he detected the faint brush of its retreat along the sheets. The loss of her touch wasn’t the relief he thought it would be.

“Wow. I didn’t know I was dating a philosopher.”

“We haven’t gone on a date yet.”

“And yet, here we are on a bed where hundreds have had wild sex.”

“Gina, I can’t—”

The sheets rustled and sighed as she adjusted her position. “Neither can I. You’re safe from any more mauling tonight. Sleep, baku.”

He couldn’t. He listened as her breathing eased into the light and even pattern of restful sleep. First, there’d been his wife. Then, his daughter. And now, Gina Zaffini. The third person in his life he’d die for. He’d failed with his wife. So far, so good with his daughter, if only because he’d removed her from the situation. And with this one lying next to him, trusting that there’d be a morning, trusting that he’d keep her safe—he fitted his hand around the gun under the pillow beside him.

With this one, he hadn’t a clue.

JOHN WAKAI SAT out on his balcony in the sweltering night heat. The city was primed for a good storm to cool and clean the air. The forecast called for sunny days ahead but his aching legs, useless for their original purpose, messaged something different. There’d be a change. And soon.

Behind him the door slid open, and he felt his sister approach, her body draped in a light silken nightgown.

“Can’t sleep?” she murmured, resting her hand, small with taloned nails, on his shoulder.

Even after all these years, her touch still sent a charge through him. He carefully answered, “I don’t want to sleep. I’m working.”

Her nails pressed lightly into his shoulders. “Have you figured out how to get Tasanee? Is that it?”

Indirectly. The girl was the least of his concerns, what with Ek’s threats and Kannon’s relentless hunt. “I’m playing poker while they’re playing chess. That’s the key to winning.”

“What?”

Victoria was a simple creature. She wouldn’t understand. But she was also vain. This meant that she couldn’t accept her stupidity. He’d have to explain or endure a sulk. “There are levels to subterfuge. Anyone can play a game like, say, chess. Unfortunately, there’s always going to be a better chess player, so to play fairly is to invite defeat.”

Victoria’s voice brightened. “So you cheat?”

“Too many risks. You can get caught, for example, or play against someone who’s a better cheater than you. While it improves your odds, it doesn’t ensure victory.”

Victoria’s nails pressed harder, her ignorance triggering her impatience. “What does?”

“Making your opponent think he’s playing chess, when really you’re playing poker. That way it doesn’t matter how good a player he is, or how well he can cheat. He loses because he doesn’t understand the real objective until it’s too late.”

“Sure. I get it.”

John Wakai pretended that she did, too. “You always did understand me. Now how about you give me some quiet to think on my plans?”

“Okay, John. I’ll see you in the morning then.” She dipped down to him, and before he could stop her, she brought her lips to his, the kiss sending that same jolt of forbidden pleasure through him as when he’d first tasted her mouth as a boy. It was so wrong. So deeply, obscenely wrong. But he couldn’t help what he felt for his little sister. What she brought out in him. What she encouraged.

Their lips parted, Victoria’s face flushed in that loving, hungry way that was uniquely hers. He watched her pad back into the penthouse, and no sooner did she slide the balcony door shut then his smartphone rang, the number blocked.

He let it ring till it was about to go to voicemail. “Hello?”

“Kannon hit us at Triple 9,” Ek growled.

Why didn’t that surprise him? “Odd. I would have thought your magic would have kept him at bay,” Wakai said, making zero efforts to hide his sarcasm. “Anyone hurt?”

“He nearly busted my arm,” spat Ek.

“Perhaps your sorcery does work. I’m amazed he didn’t kill you.”

“You think this is funny? The week is up, and I’m all out of patience.”

Wakai’s mouth tightened into a thin smile. “Then find more.”

There was a moment of silence. Wakai could practically feel Ek’s anger pulsing down the line, and it made his smile widen.

“What did you say?” Ek exploded.

Wakai moved his phone away from his ear and dialed down the volume before proceeding. “I said that you need to be patient. Without me you’ll lose this city in a week, and you and your people will be lucky to scurry back across the border alive. If tonight didn’t prove that to you, then you’re even dumber than you look.”

“When I get my hands on you I’ll—”

“You’re not doing anything without Mr. Montri,” Wakai cut in.

Again silence. The sweet pause as his words sunk in.

“What have you done?” Ek’s voice was thick with murderous rage.

“He’s been transferred to somewhere where only I can reach him,” Wakai said in a deliberately lecturing tone, as if to a particularly stupid child. “And if anything happens to me he’ll be freed. Under him the Bangkok gangs will unite to crush you. I suggest that you and I establish a more cooperative working relationship.”

There was a roar of anger, a burst of static and the line went dead—probably Ek crushing the phone in that vice grip of his.

Wakai disconnected and returned to his panoramic view. So far his plan was unfolding as anticipated. The Cambodian gorilla had been put in his place, and Kannon the bulldog was playing right into his hands. Soon enough, Tasanee would be captured, and all the city stretched out before him would be his.

Gina woke slowly, blinking the sleep from her eyes, her hand reaching for her baku. Nothing but slippery sheets, though Kannon hadn’t moved far. He was sitting cross-legged on the floor, back straight, his right hand resting in the palm of his left, thumbs touching, eyes closed.

Holey moley. Kannon meditated.

Gina flipped onto her belly and gorged her eyes on some real-live man candy. Well, candy that had gotten dropped once or twice. His neck and stomach were dark purple, and the cut on his head made him a bit like Frankenstein. Never mind. She’d still pop him in her mouth.

His eyelids fluttered open and his dark eyes focused on her. She suddenly felt a little lightheaded, and not because she lacked her morning coffee.

“Gina.” And nothing more. He sat there, gazing upon her with an expression both serious and amused.

“Ooookay. Give me back the big mean Kannon because this one’s freaking me out.”

“You’ve been the focus of my meditation.”

“Didn’t know I was so complex. What did you need to figure out?”

“The problem I’m having, Gina,” he said, uncoiling himself, “is that I need to focus. I have to focus with you around me all day and all night, when all I want to do is make love to you until neither of us can move.”

Really, really lightheaded now. “But you can’t because you need to focus.”

“Mmhmm.”

“And did your meditation give you a solution?”

He was at the edge of the bed, standing right in front of her so her head was level with his boxers. “No. All thinking about you did is make me horny as hell.”

She looked straight ahead. “So I see.” She flashed up a smile at him to encounter his solemn expression.

“Gina, I need you to stop driving me crazy with your flirting, with your clothes, with your…your everything. I told you we’ll make this happen. But I need you to put it on a leash.”

“What do you mean? I’m acting the way I always do.” She remembered something. “Okay, that time with Pensri was a little deliberate, I admit.”

“Mmhmm. That thing with Pensri was the tip of the iceberg. How about I give you a little demonstration?”

From the look in his eyes, she liked the sounds of that.

“On your back, girl.”

She was there. She took in how super sexy they looked in the mirrored ceiling, her in the little thigh-high red robe the girls wore, though with her height, it rode up nearly pussy high. And Kannon standing there with his muscled back, his hard butt, his head bent over her…his hand waving in annoyance over her? She switched her focus to the real Kannon, who was scowling down at her.

“See what I mean?” he growled. “Look at that thing you’re wearing. I’ve seen more material in a bandage.”

“There was nothing else to wear! I didn’t think you wanted me coming to bed naked like I usually do, and this was the only alternative. Out of respect for you, I put something on and you still say I’m coming on to you.”

“What’s a girl to do?” he sympathized, getting on the bed. He leaned the thick columns of his arms on either side of her.

He was going to kiss her. He was, wasn’t he? She closed her eyes, tilting her face up to help Kannon along.

“Only one rule.” His breath feathered her cheek.

“What’s that?”

“You’re not to touch me.”

Her eyes snapped open. “What do you mean, not touch you? How can I not not touch you? That’d be like eating ice cream without my tongue.”

“We both know that if you get your hands on me, we’ll have sex. And there’s no way my first time with you is going to be in some seedy massage parlor.”

“Seems this place is perfect for sex. And for the record it’s gaudy, not seedy.”

“Not good enough”—he brought his lips a shade above hers—“for what’ll happen between us.” His voice had dropped. “Now, hands flat on the bed. Keep your head and bottom there, too.”