Chapter 14
The headquarters felt different that night.
Heavier.
The news about the bounty had spread through the syndicate like wildfire.
Every guard was tense.
Every hallway was crawling with security.
And at the center of it all…
Was Yumi Sato.
She pushed open the door to Ryuji's office without knocking.
He was standing near the massive window behind his desk, looking out at the neon-lit city below.
He didn't turn when she entered.
"I heard the rumors," Yumi said.
Her voice was calm.
But there was steel in it.
"Someone put a bounty on my head."
Ryuji took a slow sip of whiskey.
"Not someone."
He finally turned.
"The Kuroda Clan."
Yumi crossed her arms.
"And you're just telling me this now?"
His expression didn't change.
"You handled yourself well at the port."
"That's not the point."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You should've told me."
Ryuji set the glass down.
"I'm telling you now."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Then he said something that made Yumi frown.
"Pack your things."
"What?"
"You're leaving the barracks tonight."
Yumi blinked.
"Why?"
Ryuji walked toward her slowly.
His footsteps were quiet against the floor.
"Because from this moment on…"
He stopped in front of her.
"…you're moving into my penthouse."
Yumi stared at him.
For a full three seconds.
Then she laughed.
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
Her smile faded.
"No."
Ryuji raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"I'm not moving in with you."
He looked mildly curious.
"Why not?"
Yumi gestured toward him.
"Because you're the head of a Yakuza syndicate and I'm one of your soldiers."
"Yes."
"And living with you would be insane."
"Yes."
"And people would talk."
"Yes."
Yumi blinked.
"You're not helping your case."
Ryuji shrugged slightly.
"I'm not trying to."
He stepped closer.
"The Kuroda Clan has placed a bounty on you."
"I know."
"That means assassins will come."
"I can handle myself."
"I know."
Yumi frowned again.
"Then why are we having this conversation?"
Ryuji leaned slightly closer.
His voice dropped.
"Because someone already tried to kill you inside my organization."
Keiko.
The name didn't need to be said.
Yumi looked away briefly.
"That's different."
"No."
His tone hardened.
"It isn't."
He straightened again.
"My penthouse has private security, biometric access, and a surveillance system stronger than this building."
Yumi raised an eyebrow.
"You're really selling the luxury lifestyle."
Ryuji ignored the comment.
"If anyone wants to kill you, they'll have to go through me first."
That sentence landed differently.
Yumi looked at him carefully.
"You're overreacting."
"No."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"I'm preventing a problem."
She sighed.
"You're the boss, but you can't order me to move into your house."
Ryuji tilted his head.
"You're challenging my authority?"
"Yes."
Silence stretched between them.
Then suddenly—
Ryuji stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.
Not violently.
But firmly.
He pulled her closer.
Close enough that she had to tilt her head slightly to look up at him.
"Yumi."
His voice was low.
Dangerously calm.
"You misunderstand something."
Her heart skipped slightly.
"What?"
"This isn't a request."
The air between them felt charged.
"You're moving into my penthouse tonight."
"And if I refuse?"
For a moment, Ryuji looked genuinely amused.
"You won't."
"You're very confident."
He leaned closer.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Because deep down…"
"…you know you're safer with me than anywhere else in this city."
Yumi hated the fact that he might be right.
She pulled her hand free.
"You're impossible."
Ryuji smiled faintly.
"I've been called worse."
She turned toward the door.
"Fine."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Fine?"
"I'll move in."
Ryuji watched her carefully.
"But," she added, turning back toward him, "this doesn't mean you get to control my life."
"Of course not."
"And if you try anything…"
Her eyes narrowed.
"…I will shoot you."
Ryuji chuckled softly.
"That would be inconvenient."
She opened the door.
"I'm serious."
"I know."
She paused before leaving.
Then glanced back at him.
"Why are you really doing this?"
Ryuji didn't answer immediately.
Because the honest answer would sound dangerously close to something he wasn't ready to admit to her.
So instead he said calmly,
"Because you're valuable to my organization."
Yumi studied him for a moment.
Then left.
The door closed.
Silence returned to the office.
Ryuji leaned against his desk slowly.
And muttered under his breath.
"That's not the real reason."
Because the truth was much simpler.
And much more dangerous.
He just wanted her close enough…
That nothing in the world could take her away from him.