Akira parked the car at the curb, and the two of them got out and walked through the side entrance of the restaurant, which was actually the front for the casino. Most of the gaming machines now lay on their sides. Paper receipts were scattered all over the floors. Tomio headed for the kitchen to make sure that all of the appliances had been turned off. The last thing he needed was for the place to burn down.
“Everything still looks operational,” Akira said as he followed Tomio around. They had been friends since elementary school, and he was closer to Tomio than his own brothers. “Every jet, hot plate, and wok has been turned off.”
Tomio headed to the manager’s office with Akira right on his heels. The place had been destroyed and the safe looked like it had been ripped from the wall.
Akira stooped down and moved a floorboard aside. This was where the real money was kept. The money in the wall safe was from the sale of food, but the big money came from all the gambling that took place there. Akira removed the money and put it inside the leather bank deposit bag he carried. He would deposit it tomorrow, as soon as the bank opened.
“Let’s get out of here,” Tomio said after they had taken everything valuable, just in case the place got looted.
“When do you suppose we can get this place back on its feet again?” Akira asked after they were back inside the car.
“One week,” Tomio answered. “Find someone to clean it up, and hire a new manager and cook.” He didn’t know how long the current employees would be in jail, but time was money. They could sort out the rest of the shit later. Trapps would have to go back to just being a restaurant until things cooled off.
Akira drove straight to his father’s home when they left the red light district.
* * * *
Hajime Nakamura had a lot of things on his mind after meeting with Tomio earlier that evening, one being who had blown the whistle on Trapps and, two, how he was going to get his family to accept Tomio’s new wife. He sighed. Finding the snitch would be easier than trying to convince his wife to welcome Ebony into the fold. He, too, was a little upset when he found out that Tomio had secretly married, but not for the same reason as his wife. He’d always planned to have a big wedding for his eldest son. Now it wasn’t going to happen unless he could get his family on board with the idea. He also had to convince Tomio and Ebony to renew their vows in traditional Japanese fashion. But, first, he had to find out about Ebony’s family while trying to get to know her. Maybe he could invite them to dinner. He wouldn’t be surprised, though, if the young woman never wanted to step foot in the house again after the way she had been treated by Setsuko.
Hajime tossed and turned on the futon while his wife slept peacefully beside him. He bet he could get his daughters-in-law to agree if he asked them nicely. Setsuko would never agree though. She was just too set in her ways. But he had to try since there was now a child to consider. The baby would be the next generation, and a possible leader of the Nakamura organization. Hajime hoped he would still be around to see this. But eighteen years was a long way off, and the police were starting to crack down on the yakuza, trying to put them out of business. Even if that would happen to them, Hajime was sure his family would survive because of his son’s careful financial planning. No one would be out on the street, and they would have a business to run to start their lives over again. As for him, he would just retire and live out the rest of his days with Setsuko and their family.
Setsuko moved in her sleep. Hajime looked down at her. It was hard to believe that they had been married for thirty-two years. It seemed like just yesterday that their parents had arranged their marriage. Hajime still felt he got the better end of the deal. Setsuko had been young and pretty, and her father, Kunio, had been a powerful yakuza boss on his own side of town. And she made the finest wife from the very beginning because she had been trained properly by her mother. Setsuko had stuck by him through thick and thin, giving him four wonderful sons and running an efficient household. Even in her fifties, she still was very petite, but unfortunately, she still had set old-world ideas about what the world should be like. Setsuko wasn’t very good with change. An African-American daughter-in-law was a big change in Setsuko’s orderly life. He had faith that Setsuko would eventually accept the path Tomio had chosen. He knew his son better than anyone. He would not make a decision rashly, and he must have some reason behind selecting Ebony as a wife. Tomio was an important businessman who needed a strong woman at his side. Hajime hadn’t gotten a very good look at his new daughter-in-law, but he had seen the determined will power in her stance after being reprimanded by Setsuko. She earned brownie points for not striking Setsuko back as Haruka had done once. Kazuhiko had to be restrained that day, and there was no doubt in Hajime’s mind that his younger son would have beaten his wife to death for disrespecting his mother had his hands been freed.
Haruka had eventually apologized to Setsuko, and that was the only reason she was still a part of the Nakamura family. His two youngest sons had not chosen well when it came to their mates. Both Haruka and Takara were pretty, but useless to the yakuza. He blamed their mothers for not teaching them how to be proper wives. Neither young woman could cook or keep house.
Now Eiji’s wife, Gina, was a different story. She was pretty and smart, and knew her way around a kitchen. Setsuko had taken to her instantly, and they were bonded like mother and daughter. Gina literally ran the house now, freeing up Setsuko’s time to finally get the chance to enjoy life. Maybe this was another reason Setsuko didn’t like Ebony. Maybe she saw her as a threat to Gina’s position. He didn’t think Setsuko or Gina had anything to worry about. Ebony was now the queen bee in her own castle. Earlier, Tomio had expressed a wish to buy a big home for her and the baby. Hajime had given him his blessing. He said his woman could cook and clean, and she was fertile. That was good enough for him.
“Why are you still up, old man?” Setsuko asked him.
When did she awaken?
“I was just thinking about the future.”
“What about it?” Setsuko asked.
“I think it’s going to be okay.”
Setsuko turned her back to him and dozed off again.
Hajime closed his eyes. He would speak to Tomio tomorrow and see if he could arrange a meeting between him and his new wife.
Ebony was nervous as Tomio helped her out of the car in front of the Japanese restaurant where they were meeting his father for lunch. She didn’t want to go at first until Tomio assured her that his mother wouldn’t be attending.
Ebony was familiar with the restaurant. Tomio had taken her there for dinner a couple of times when they were dating. It had a homey feel to it with lots of smiling waiters and waitresses. It was also a place where a lot of families came together to eat and unwind. Though her, Tomio, and Hajime were technically family, she didn’t think this would be a memorable occasion. The hostess led them to the table where the elder Nakamura sat flanked by his bodyguards. She and Tomio stopped before them and bowed respectfully.
“Konnichiwa chichi…father.”
“Konnichiwa,” Hajime replied. “Please be seated.”
Tomio helped her into a chair, then sat down next to her.
“Father, this is my wife, Ebony,” Tomio began.
“It is very nice to finally meet you,” Hajime said in English.
“Thank you. It is very nice to finally meet you too,” Ebony replied.
“You don’t have to speak English,” Tomio said to his father. “She is fluent in Japanese.”
“But I want to speak English,” Hajime said. “I don’t get to use it very often anymore.”
Ebony smiled. Hajime Nakamura was every bit the charmer as his son.
“Tell me a little about yourself and your family,” Hajime began.
“I have no family except Tomio, Father. My parents were Odell and Aretha Taylor. They were killed in a terrible hurricane over ten years ago. I was thirteen at the time and visiting my grandmother in a place called Baton Rouge. My grandmother was my only living relative, but she died shortly after I turned eighteen.”
“Oh, I see,” Hajime said.
The waitress arrived and began bringing food to the table. The conversation ended until she left again.
“Why did you come to Japan?” Hajime asked.
“Because it is a wonderful place,” Ebony answered truthfully. “I have always wanted to visit, so after I graduated from college, I came here on a teaching visa. Unfortunately, that lasted about two years. After that, I took a job as a hostess in Kazuhiko’s club. It was either that, or be out on the streets. I think I made the wise choice because it was through him that I met Tomio.” Ebony began serving the food to the two men, then finally herself.
“Has Tomio explained to you about the family business?”
Ebony shook her head. “No, sir. I’ve heard bits and pieces of gossip.”
“I understand. But you fell in love with him anyway?”
Ebony nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid so. I took one look at that handsome face and I couldn’t resist.”
Tomio chuckled. “You don’t have to lie to my father. You fell in love with my body, and then my mind.”
Ebony tried not to laugh. This was a serious time and Tomio was being silly.
“Tomio explained to us that you are pregnant. Did you know you were before you left Japan?”
“Yes, sir. I had just found out. At the time, I thought it was for the best. I didn’t want to become a burden to Tomio.”
Hajime chuckled. “I’ve never seen my son so happy. You, my dear, are not a burden. I just wish my wife could understand.”
“I hold no grudge toward her, Father. I understand the culture and what my place is in it. I am sorry for bringing shame to her and to the family.” In her mind, she knew she had to say these words to Tomio’s father to make peace. But in her heart, she hated his wife and her foolish beliefs. “In the future, I will try not to be such a coward.”
“You aren’t a coward,” Hajime said. “You have a baby to protect…Tomio’s baby. To be a part of the yakuza family is considered by some to be the worst thing in the world. I was born into it, just as my children were. We know no other life. But if you would allow us, we would like to make you a part of our family. This means we will protect you and the baby with our lives. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir. I understand. It also means that your enemies will be my enemies.”
Hajime chuckled again. “Smart and beautiful. I like you, Ebony. Welcome to the family.” He introduced the bodyguards. “This is Ueda Onoe and Daiki Asaoka. Gents, this is Ebony Nakamura, your new
nee-san
. Please take care of her.”
“Yes, boss,” the two big men said.
Ebony relaxed a little. Hajime was now her ally, but she still didn’t trust him as far as she could throw him. The only thing in his favor, so far, was that he resembled Tomio and was her child’s grandfather. Other than that, he was still a stranger to her.
After lunch, Tomio took her shopping for maternity clothing. The man never listened to her. He’d bought her many beautiful outfits, slippers, and even underwear, and made Akira carry all of it inside.
“You better not try to flee again,” the chauffeur said to her when he was about to leave for the evening. “I will have my eye on you.”
“Same here,” Ebony said to him. “You just better keep my man safe, or I’ll come gunning for your ass.”
“Ouch,” Tomio said as he walked in on their conversation. “Don’t mess with her, Akira. I heard pregnant women were ferocious.”
Akira smirked. “You’ve picked a mean one, Tomio. Maybe you should start dating guys. We are a lot less trouble.”
“No way,” Tomio answered. “I’ll leave all the men to you.”
Ebony smirked this time. She knew it. No man could be that pretty and be straight.
* * * *
“What do you mean you had lunch with Tomio and his wife?” Setsuko asked as the family sat around the table eating dinner.
“Just what I said,” Hajime answered. “I invited her and Tomio to join me, and we had a very lovely conversation.”
“How could you when you know how I feel about her?” Setsuko asked.
“She’s a very nice young woman,” Hajime asked. “And you don’t have to worry about her moving in and taking over the household. Tomio is buying a house for them, and she will have her hands full when the baby arrives.”
Setsuko mumbled something under her breath.
“What is she like?” Makoto asked. “She came in and out of here so fast I didn’t get a good look at her.”
“She’s very pretty,” Hajime said. “Your brother has excellent tastes in women.”
“But she’s not Japanese,” Haruka said. “How can he stand to be with her?”
Hajime sighed. He had given up on that one a long time ago. “Do you think she had a choice? She came to this country and stayed because she fell in love with it. She has embraced our culture and is just trying to fit in.”
“What does her family have to say about all of this?” Takara asked.
“Ebony doesn’t have a family,” Kazuhiko answered for him. “Her parents died in a hurricane, and she was their only child.”
“So she came here to live off of us,” Setsuko said sarcastically.