Toru’s right. This is the nail in the coffin for the Itos. Even so, I never would’ve used Hideo as bait. Especially not now that he’s going to be my father-in-law.
“We have to bring him back alive. I won’t let Mei down.”
Toru shrugs. “You know how Hideo is. He might’ve killed them all already.”
That brings a wry smile to my lips. “Like grabbing a tiger by the tail.”
“Pretty much.”
We roll up to a chain link fence with a single guard shack. As soon as the Ito security personnel file out, the soldiers behind me start firing. I hit the gas, busting the gate down as I speed forward. Only one of the large storage and unloading facilities has cars around it. The Itos always were a bunch of obvious motherfuckers.
“There.” I jerk my chin, then screech to a halt by one of the loading docks. “Let’s go.” I grab my pistols and make sure my knives are concealed but ready.
The line of SUVs behind me spread out, blocking the road for anyone coming or going.
Toru and I get out, the heat of battle already warming our veins. I motion for him to move around to the right with a contingent of soldiers while I enter through the open loading bays.
The gunfire is immediate, shots shattering the glass in our vehicles and whizzing past. Plastering myself to the side of the building, I motion for my soldiers to throw grenades. The first round is flash bangs, so I close my eyes. Once they explode, the shooting from inside stops, and then I toss two percussion grenades in at once.
“Down!” I yell to my men. We all hit the deck as the explosions destroy whatever resistance remains.
As soon as the debris stops flying, I’m on my feet and leading them inside. I fire two rounds into each enemy soldier I see, dead or alive, to ensure they don’t rise again. My men fan out, checking rooms and behind crates for more soldiers. A few shots tell me they found some. But I’m not interested in cleanup. I have to get to Hideo.
A staircase to my right leads to the upper level. Right as I reach it, someone yells as gunshots rain down on us.
“Back up!” I sling one of my men against a crate, saving him from the onslaught as slugs embed into the concrete at our feet. The rest of my soldiers dive for cover and return fire.
“He’s up top.” Once again, I have Ito cornered. He’s got nowhere to go. I just have to get past his goons at the top of the stairs.
I fire around the corner, doing my best to take them out from below. But I can’t get a good angle. Given the never-ending return fire, I can tell my men can’t either. Fuck.
Just as I’m considering more grenades, I hear screams and even more shots. I peek around the corner to see Toru and his guys busting out the windows along the top of the building and mowing down Ito’s guards.
Fucking hell, it’s a beautiful sight.
“Now!” I rush the stairs, my men right behind me as I dodge a falling body and then shoot my way through a few more.
Once I get to the landing, Toru jumps from one of the windows and tackles a soldier, then pistol whips him with a fucking vengeance. I’d stop to admire his work, but I have bigger concerns.
There’s only one door up here that leads to the offices. Rearing back, I kick it down, then hit the deck as gunshots roar past. On my back, I aim up, dropping man after man. My soldiers pour in, finishing the work as I get to my feet and push all the way through to the back. When I get there, only Hideo, Isamu, and Rai remain at a long conference table.
I wipe the blood splatter from my eyes and give Hideo a bow. “Sensei.”
“About time.” He glances at Rai, who’s holding a gun to his head. “These idiots didn’t even offer me tea.”
Isamu, looking far more tired than I’ve ever seen him, sinks down into one of the leather chairs. “Rai, it’s over.”
“It’s not over. I have what he wants.” He shakes his gun at Hideo.
“You intend to marry my daughter, and this is the welcome I get?” Hideo completely ignores Rai as he upbraids me. “I expected better.”
“My apologies, Hideo. I didn’t intend for this detour. After all, who would be foolish enough to kidnap you?”
He nods slowly. “This is true. I suppose you have a point there. This was rather unexpected, though I admit, seeing all this bloodshed reminds me of my old days.”
I meet Rai’s gaze. “Do you even know who you’re pointing your gun at?”
“I know he’s a dead man if you don’t back the fuck up.”
Hideo sighs heavily, boredom written all over his face.