Chapter 16
The sound was faint.
But Yumi heard it.
A soft creak.
The kind old floors make when someone steps on them carefully.
She slowly sat up in bed.
Her instincts sharpened instantly.
Someone was inside the penthouse.
And it wasn't Ryuji.
Yumi slid quietly out of bed and reached for the small knife hidden under her pillow.
The hallway light suddenly flickered under the door.
A shadow moved.
Her pulse quickened.
Then—
The door handle turned.
Slowly.
Yumi moved.
The moment the door cracked open, she lunged forward and slammed the attacker against the wall.
A masked man stumbled into the room.
He reacted quickly, grabbing her arm and twisting hard.
They crashed into the dresser.
Wood splintered.
The assassin pulled a knife.
Yumi blocked the strike just as the blade flashed toward her throat.
"Damn it," she hissed.
The man was strong.
Trained.
But Yumi was faster.
She kicked his knee.
The attacker staggered back—
And then the bedroom door burst open.
Ryuji Takeda entered the room like a storm.
His gun was already raised.
The assassin saw him and reacted instantly, throwing a chair toward him.
The chair smashed against the wall.
Ryuji barely flinched.
He fired.
The gunshot exploded through the room.
The assassin dove behind the bed, narrowly avoiding the bullet.
"Move!" Ryuji barked.
Yumi dropped low and rolled across the floor just as another knife flew through the air where her head had been.
Glass shattered as the intruder kicked the window.
Trying to escape.
But Yumi was already on him.
She tackled the man before he could climb out.
The two crashed onto the floor.
The assassin punched her hard in the ribs.
Yumi gasped.
But she didn't let go.
She slammed her elbow into his jaw.
The man's mask slipped slightly.
And for a split second…
Yumi saw his face.
Not just a random killer.
A trained clan soldier.
Kuroda Clan.
The assassin tried to reach for another blade—
But suddenly Ryuji grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the wall.
Hard enough to crack the plaster.
The man groaned.
Ryuji's gun pressed against his forehead.
The room fell silent.
Only the sound of heavy breathing remained.
Yumi slowly stood.
Her ribs hurt.
But she was still standing.
Ryuji's eyes were dark.
Cold.
Terrifying.
"Who sent you?" he asked quietly.
The assassin laughed weakly.
"You already know."
Ryuji's expression didn't change.
"Say it."
The man smirked.
"Kuroda Clan."
Ryuji's jaw tightened slightly.
"Of course."
Then something even worse happened.
The assassin looked directly at Yumi.
And smiled.
"You're causing quite a war, princess."
Yumi's eyes narrowed.
"Shut up."
The man chuckled.
"You really don't know, do you?"
Ryuji's gaze sharpened.
"Know what?"
The assassin leaned his head back against the wall.
Still smiling.
"Our boss is very interested in you."
The room grew colder.
Yumi felt something uncomfortable twist in her chest.
"Why?" Ryuji asked.
The man's smile widened.
"Because of what happened to your family."
Yumi froze.
Her heart skipped.
Ryuji noticed immediately.
"What does that mean?"
But the assassin only laughed again.
"You'll find out soon enough."
And before anyone could stop him—
He bit down on something hidden between his teeth.
Poison.
Within seconds, his body went limp.
Dead.
Silence swallowed the room.
Yumi stared at the body.
Her chest rising and falling quickly.
Ryuji slowly lowered his gun.
Then turned to look at her.
Really look at her.
"You're shaking again," he said quietly.
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
He stepped closer.
Checking her ribs.
His hand brushed her side carefully.
"Bruised," he muttered.
"I've had worse."
Ryuji didn't look reassured.
His eyes moved toward the dead assassin.
Then back to her.
And something dangerous flickered in his expression.
Because the attack meant one thing.
The war with the Kuroda Clan had officially begun.
And they weren't just targeting the Takeda Syndicate anymore.
They were targeting Yumi.
Which meant anyone who came after her…
Would now have to face Ryuji Takeda.
And that was a mistake most people didn't survive.