The Undertow (The Kuroda Yakuza Series Book 2) Read online

  “I felt jealous, you know.”

  “I'm glad. That’s healthy.”

  Kaito motions for me to sit by the window, lowering himself behind me. He holds me against him, my back pressing into his chest, his arms wrapped around me, putting his chin on my shoulder so his face is close to mine. He smells crisp and delicious and his warmth seeps into me, loosening muscles that are stiff from sweeping and dusting.

  I close my eyes, for just a moment, and try to forget the reality of what I’ve become tangled up in. I try to pretend we’re on our private little boat, rocking gently on the surface of the crystal clear waters of Koh Samui.

  We aren’t there anymore.

  We’re in Tokyo, and I’m hiding, because somehow, I’ve become a target too.

  Because of who I associate with.

  I still don’t understand this murky underworld Kaito’s a part of. I don’t think I ever will. Their society is so layered, so complex, and Kaito seems to occupy a hidden niche in that world.

  He’s their silent killer, a ghost with hidden affiliations. I get the sense he’s not part of any street gang or hierarchy. He’s a lone wolf.

  Would they even care if he lived or died?

  And how did someone like him end up with a wholesome California girl like me?

  Okay, maybe not so wholesome, but still, some mysteries in life, I don’t question.

  “You’re quiet,” I observe, leaning back against him. He holds me tighter, sliding his warm hands under the folds of my yukata. I tremble at the feel of hs bare skin on mine.

  The silence stretches between us, ripe and heavy, and I become aware of Kaito’s slow, rhythmic breathing, and the sensation of my own beating heart.

  “Why did you follow me here?” Eventually, he speaks, his voice low and resonant. His fingers caress my belly, the rough feel of his callused hands contrasting with his gentle touch.

  “Idiot,” I say slowly. “Why wouldn’t I? If I’d gone back home I’d be driving myself nuts right now, wondering where you were, wondering if you were safe.”

  “You’ve put yourself in danger. I didn’t want that for you.”

  “You don’t always get to pick and choose where I go, Kaito.” I coil my fingers around his, pulling his hand lower.

  His fingers dip between my thighs, and he growls in approval when he realises I’ve got nothing on underneath.

  “I followed you because I wanted to. I know there are things you try to hide from me, because you’re trying to protect me. But when I chose you, I knew what I was getting into. I’m not about to turn a blind eye and pretend this side of you doesn’t exist.”

  “You should be back in America, away from this madness.” Kaito traces along the soft mound of my pussy, causing me to shudder. “But I’ll admit, there’s a part of me that’s selfish. I’m angry you didn’t listen to me, but I’m also glad you came. And now, I can’t let you go anywhere. You’re mine, Adele. And the consequences of you following me are that you have to stay here, with me, and do exactly as I say. Otherwise, you’re in danger.”

  “Don’t I know it.” I guide his fingers inside, slipping deep between the silken, moist folds. As I shudder with pleasure, I feel the hard length of his cock pressing up against me.

  “Tell me you’ll do as I say,” he whispers, his warm breath tickling my ear.

  “I can’t make any promises,” I reply, my voice hoarse.

  “I know. With you, I can only try.” He then proceeds to finger fuck me, hard and slow. He slides another finger into my pussy, then another, stretching me gently, finding that exquisitely sensitive area. I groan in delight as he strokes me there, touching every single inch of aroused, tender flesh.

  I’m helpless against him. My body is like a finely tuned instrument, and he’s in control right now, playing it. He knows exactly how to turn me on.

  The more he thrusts his fingers back and forth, the more I writhe against him, surrendering to the feeling of warmth that spreads through my core.

  I close my eyes and allow waves of pleasure to course through me.

  The sensation builds, as Kaito skilfully guides me towards climax.

  This time he does it slowly, drawing it out, coaxing me closer and closer to the edge. And just as a powerful orgasm starts to build, he stops, and gently withdraws his hand, causing me to whimper in frustration.

  “Why the fuck did you stop?” It’s exquisite torture. Damn the man.

  He lets out a soft, mocking laugh. “Because I want you to do what I tell you to.”

  “And what might that be?” I whisper. I will do anything right now to go back there, to find that feeling again. My body is on fire, and I’m burning with need.

  “If you want to find out, then get up,” Kaito growls, with sudden intensity.

  “What?”

  “Get up.”

  I’m quivering with desire, desperate for more. And when he uses that tone of voice, it always turns me on.

  Slowly, I rise to my feet and turn, leaving Kaito seated on the floor. He looks at me with a dark, searing gaze. “I want to see you naked.”

  His deep voice has power over me, and in turn, I have power over him. His eyes follow my hands as I untie the knot at my waist, letting the light, cotton fabric of the yukata fall open.

  I slide the garment over my shoulders, letting it drop to the floor.

  There’s a sharp intake of breath from Kaito as he takes me in, his gaze traveling over the swell of my breasts, down the flat of my belly, to the curve of my hips.

  And I’m staring at him, fascinated by the look on his face. His eyes are almost black in the fading light, his expression unreadable. The stern lines of his features are softened only by the sensual curve of his lips. I take in his broad shoulders, encased in that immaculate, tailored blue suit. The color looks good on him.

  “Undo your hair,” he orders, and I reach up to pull my dark locks out of their messy ponytail, allowing the wild strands to spill about my shoulders.

  “Where I left off just now,” he murmurs. “I want you to finish it.”

  “Why don’t you help me out with that, big boy?”

  “No. Show me how much you want me, Adele.”

  In my heightened state of arousal, I can’t help but slide my fingers between the moist folds of my pussy. I fondle my clit, bringing myself back to that place between ecstasy and release.

  Looking at Kaito while he’s looking at me like that, it’s so easy to be turned on. I walk over slowly to where he’s sitting, until I’m standing beside him, so close we’re almost touching. He puts a hand on my hip, trailing his fingers down my thigh.

  I pleasure myself, gently rocking my hips back and forth. The stirrings of an orgasm start to build in my core, and I move my fingers faster, seeking the release he denied me.

  Kaito’s eyes are smouldering black embers as he stares at me. The bulge at the front of his pants tells me he’s aroused as hell.

  “I want you to touch me,” I whisper, as waves of bliss sweep through me. “Please.”

  He cups his hands around my ass, and he turns to face me, pulling me closer. “What did you say?”

  “I need you to make me come,” I beg. Kaito strokes my bare skin as he looks up at me with a hungry, wolflike expression.

  “What?” He’s teasing me. This damn cheeky, irresistible man.

  “Please.”

  A slow smile creeps across his face. “I love when you beg for it.” He pulls me closer, and gently removes my hand from between my thighs. He shakes his head, slowly. “Someone as beautiful and pure as you, pleading with a devil like me.”

  He plants a soft kiss at the entrance to my pussy. I shudder, goosebumps appearing on my bare arms. He makes languid strokes with his tongue, finding my clit. I moan in pleasure, my legs trembling as Kaito sucks gently on my most sensitive point, sending me further into erotic bliss.

  He caresses me further, bringing me back to the edge of the cliff, and just as I’m about to come, he pulls back again, causi
ng me to gasp with frustration and need.

  “Turn around,” he whispers, as he rises to his knees. I obey wordlessly. He puts a finger to my clit and keeps it there, gently rubbing, as I hear his pants slide down.

  “Bend over.” And then suddenly his cock is there, filling my moist pussy as he takes me from behind, deep and slow at first, his hips pressed against my ass, his body moulding to mine as we fuck, doggy style. Kaito increases his rhythm as he bends over me, our bodies separated only by the smooth fabric of his suit. I’m coated in a light sheen of sweat, panting softly as he takes us higher, further, and I’m feeling pure pleasure. The sensation is amazing.

  I don’t want it to end, but Kaito’s moving faster, and he’s upright now, his strong fingers grabbing my hips, going hard and rough, letting out low, satisfied grunts. My body is being wound tighter and tighter, and just as I feel I can’t take it anymore, he thrusts deep and hard inside me and gasps, climaxing as I come, a powerful orgasm coursing through me.

  Release.

  I writhe with small, wonderful aftershocks, my body shuddering.

  Completeness.

  My arms go weak, and Kaito pulls me up, pulls me close to him, planting a soft, tender kiss on my cheek. “Come,” he whispers, as he withdraws and guides me towards the futon.

  We climb into the bed, Kaito stripping off and curling up around me, enveloping me in his warmth. I twine my fingers with his, marvelling at the contrast between my bare, golden skin and his brilliantly tattooed arms.

  “I’m glad you came here,” he murmurs, holding me tight. “Without you, I’m lost.”

  That small admission sinks its little hooks into me. I’ve become important to this man, and behind his cold, hard exterior, there’s a vulnerable side, a facet he shows only to me.

  And even though he does bad things, unthinkable things, I stay with him, because I need him, and the fact that he needs me makes it all the more sublime.

  For better or worse, each day spent together brings us closer, and I know I should end it now, because his world is not for me.

  But there’s no way I can do that. I’m already in too deep.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Kaito

  I leave Adele napping in the futon, after watching her for a while. Asleep, she’s the most serene, beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I make my way downstairs to find Madoka and Ryuji sitting at the kitchen table.

  Ryuji’s trying to make small talk, but Madoka’s staring back at him with cold indifference.

  I pause at the entrance, unnoticed, taking a moment to listen as Madoka finally speaks, using casual Japanese, adopting the tone of a superior talking to a junior. Even though there’s not much of an age difference between them. “Why are you following him around?” Disdain fills her voice.

  Ryuji pauses. “I can’t talk about that,” he says quietly.

  So the kid has some sense, after all.

  “You should get a normal job. Don’t become like him.” Madoka narrows her eyes as I step into the kitchen, shooting me a cold glare. “He’s not a good person.”

  She’s still suffering the effects of whatever she’s taken. Her eyes have a glazed look, and lower lip is trembling. Her legs are crossed, and she’s tapping a staccato beat into thin air with one foot.

  She’s still wearing the trench coat.

  She’s pissing me off.

  “What would you know about me?” I ask softly. “We haven’t seen each other for years.”

  Madoka smirks. “I know a thug when I see one. You’re still just the Kuroda-kai’s errand boy, aren’t you?”

  Ryuji’s looking at both of us with wild-eyed trepidation. I take pity on him, handing him a five thousand yen note. “Go to the Seven Eleven on the corner and buy some rice. Try not to get yourself killed.”

  I’m only half joking. After what I’ve forced him to do, the Shibata-gumi will want the kid’s head.

  Relief crosses his features. Madoka rolls her eyes. Ryuji takes the money. “You know, he’s not that bad,” he says to Madoka, before edging out of the kitchen, wary like a cat. It’s not every day one gets to witness a famous J-drama actress having it out with her half-brother, who just happens to be a fucking criminal.

  The errand’s a test. If Ryuji’s stupid, he’ll take off, and the Shibata-gumi will find him eventually. If he’s smart, he’ll realise that I’m his only chance of survival right now.

  I’m surprised he defended me. I’ve pistol-whipped him, tied him up, shut him in the trunk of my car and killed a man who was supposed to introduce him to one of Tokyo’s biggest yakuza clans.

  All in a day’s work.

  Maybe the kid isn’t so smart, after all.

  I’ll wait and see if he comes back with the rice.

  After Ryuji leaves, Madoka lets out a mocking laugh. “Seems you have an apprentice in the making,” she scoffs. “He’ll be calling you aniki next.” She studies me carefully. “Since when have you started collecting lost souls? Like that American girl. Don’t tell me you’re screwing her. Does she think that ink on your body is just for fun, like you’re some fucking gai-jin? Or is she the kind of girl who finds a bad boy attractive?”

  I slam my hand down on the table, causing a half-full glass of water to jump. Madoka flinches.

  “Madoka,” I snap, my anger rising. She’s just poured petrol on the flames. “You’re in my house. So shut that precious fucking mouth of yours or I’ll do it for you. If you disrespect my woman again I’ll take you straight to Erika Goto and you can kiss goodbye to any hope of getting out of your contract.”

  She raises her eyebrows in surprise. “Oh my, it looks like I’ve hit a nerve. With you of all people. Who would have thought it? But you’re going to take me to the boss lady anyway, so why bother with all this bullshit?”

  “I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with you yet.”

  “I should just leave. This is a waste of time.”

  “You’re not going anywhere. You want to go back to that set? To film soft porn?”

  “It’s not soft porn.” Madoka becomes indignant. “It was just one sex scene. But the male lead’s a filthy pig.” She shudders.

  Suddenly, the frosty demeanour is gone, and I’m sitting across from a small, vulnerable young woman. My anger starts to evaporate.

  “Madoka,” I say gently. “Go upstairs, have a cold bath and find something civilized to wear. When that shabu or whatever is out of your system, we’ll talk.”

  “There’s nothing more to talk about,” she mutters, as she rises to her feet. “Even you can’t help me, aniki.”

  Adele

  We eat dinner around the low table Kaito fucked me on, sitting cross legged in awkward silence. I made sure to wipe the table down before Kaito and the guy named Ryuji brought out steaming bowls of rice and some kind of chicken and egg stew.

  Kaito’s sister isn’t here. She’s disappeared into a room upstairs, leaving just the three of us. To my surprise and slight amusement, Kaito supervised the cooking, Ryuji appearing somewhat sullen at the prospect of chopping onions and preparing the rice.

  The food is absolutely delicious. I shoot Kaito a sidelong glance. “You didn’t tell me you knew how to cook.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “I have a few skills.” He’s deadpan, as always. But there’s a trace of amusement in his eyes.

  “Really?” I shovel rice into my mouth.

  Kaito looks pointedly at Ryuji. “Being yakuza isn’t like the movies. You start off as an errand boy, cleaning, cooking, driving, standing on guard duty in the rain and snow.” He says something to Ryuji in Japanese. The kid offers him a guttural reply.

  “Baka,” Kaito responds, slapping Ryuji behind the head, causing him to choke on his rice. But there’s no malice in it. It’s a rough, playful gesture.

  Ryuji looks at me and points to Kaito with his chopsticks. “He is asshole,” he says in heavily-accented English. He flinches a little, as if anticipating another slap to the head.

  “Fucking chinpir
a,” Kaito fires back.

  I blink. Since when have these two been on such good terms?

  Suddenly, the air doesn’t seem as tense; the silence doesn’t seem so oppressive. We finish our meals in almost companionable stillness. It seems Ryuji doesn’t speak much English, so I don’t mind the quiet.

  After dinner, Kaito has Ryuji cleaning and doing the dishes. I put some leftovers into a bowl and arrange it on a tray with some chopsticks and a cup of green tea. “I’m going to take something to Madoka,” I tell Kaito.

  “Why bother?” he snaps. “She can take care of herself.”

  “Kaito. Why are you so harsh when it comes to her?”

  “I don’t have time for drama queens,” he shrugs. “Go up if you want.”

  I roll my eyes at him and take the food upstairs. Madoka’s shut herself in one of the bedrooms. I knock on the door. “Madoka-san,” I say gently. “I’ve brought you dinner.”

  I’m not sure how good her English is. Silence.

  “Madoka?” I knock again. Still, nothing.

  Sighing, I set the tray down outside her door, wondering what could have caused such a rift between brother and sister. We all have our uncomfortable secrets, especially when it comes to family.

  But this is no ordinary family.

  Before he met me, Kaito wrapped himself in solitude. The way he talks about Madoka tells me his instinct is to push her away, to treat her with indifference.

  And she’s the same with him.

  “Leave the tray outside when you’re done,” I call over my shoulder, as I walk away.

  She’ll come around, eventually. They always do.

  Adele

  In the middle of the night, I wake to the sound of a dull thud downstairs. I roll over to find Kaito’s side of the futon empty.

  What the hell was that noise?

  My senses are stretched taut, and my heart hammers in my chest.

  I pull on the yukata, tying it clumsily about my waist. On silent feet, I creep through the darkness, guided by the faint wash of moonlight filtering through the windows.