Because I feel bad for not updating in a while I figure it's only fair to post another chapter!

PART 18

"Lucas would kill me if he knew where I was right now," Riley whispered, though no one was around to hear her. The words bubbled out of her mouth anyway as she crossed the street to Fudo's condominium.

Riley pressed the intercom on the panel beside the front door.

"Hello."

"Hey, Fudo. It's Riley."

"Come on up." Fudo depressed the button that would unlock the door downstairs.

Fudo stood paralyzed like a damned idiot, knowing Riley still had to wait for the elevator that would bring her to the eighth floor. His heart thumped too hard in his chest. What in hell was wrong with him? Why was he getting worked up now?

Forcing himself away from the door, he walked into the living room. He opened the shutters on all the windows overlooking the courtyard as if opening them might ease his strangled feeling, a feeling of being trapped. Opening the shutters didn't do a damned thing. Fudo practically jumped when the doorbell rang.

He went back to the door and opened it. And there she was, standing in the hallway, wearing a smile.

"Hello, Fudo," she said.

"Riley." He stepped aside and motioned for her to enter. "Come on in."

She passed in front of him and he caught the smell of her shampoo.

"Wow," she said. "Your place is wonderful."

Wide-eyed, Riley glanced around the spacious living area of his corner condo with fourteen-foot ceilings, exposed masonry and big windows that overlooked the courtyard on one side and the street on the other. It's an amazing condo as far as condo went.

"Thanks," he said. "Parking garage and a fitness center. Can't beat it. Can I get you anything?"

"I'm good, thanks."

Fudo swept past her and headed into the living room. He sat in a recliner leaving the couch for Riley.

She followed him, but didn't sit. Instead, she strolled towards the opposite wall where two katana (samurai sword) hang on display.

"These are authentic katana. How on earth did you luck into acquiring them?"

"Family inheritance, so to speak," Fudo studied her.

Riley wore another one of those fitted skirts that curved around the lines of her legs.

"Would you like to see it closely?"

"Maybe later. Thanks for inviting me over."

He shrugged. "It seemed like a good opportunity to get to know you better."

Riley cast one more glance at the katana before finally sitting on the couch. Fudo watched as she slid her purse from her arm and put it on the floor beside her. After smoothing her skirt, she finally lifted her gaze. They faced each other across the narrow expanse of the table.

"So here we are," she said.

"Here we are."

"Do you like red wine?" he asked. "I hope so. I only have red." He went in the kitchen and headed straight to a cabinet and pulled open the door.

…..

Riley moved out of the living room and narrowed her gaze on the neat desk on the corner of the room. She's no interior designer but even she can see that the desk looks out of place amid the room's decor. She quietly opened each drawer. She was flipping thru papers when she felt the quiet presence of Fudo.

Because her head was down bent, she didn't see how his eyes sharpened, nor how intently they were studying her.

Fudo broke off with a scowl. "Found what you're looking for?"

Riley opened her mouth then shut it again, seemed to be struggling for an appropriate response. She spread her hands wide and went the playing-stupid bimbo route. "I wasn't looking for anything, I was just admiring this desk."

Fudo's turn to shrug. "You sure?"

Daring a glance, Riley shifted her gaze from the locked doorway of the condo to the katana hanging on the wall. A hiss echoed through the quiet.

Fudo frowned in the direction of the sound, gaze riveting to the front door giving Riley enough time to dash toward the katana and take it out of its koshirae (sword case).

"What the hell!" Fudo growled. "I'm going to ask you nicely this one time to tell me what the hell do you think you're doing?" annoyance firing up those bright black eyes.

"Go sit on that chair." Fudo didn't move. This time Riley glared at him, silently warning him to follow before there was trouble.

"Explain to me what this is about."

"Yakuza." Riley replied. Fudo turned and made a break for the katana. Luck wasn't with him. He didn't think. He reacted and suddenly his hand was wrapped in Riley's arm.

Riley disentangled herself in one slick move.

"Unless you have an early death wish, I suggest you sit on that chair." Riley took a gratifying step backward.

"Who are you?" Fudo ground out the words.

"Doesn't matter who I am. Don't push me or I will take you down." Riley moved, a defensive one this time, but she didn't engage. That only made Fudo angrier.

Scowling, Fudo sat on the recliner. "Talk."

Riley stonewalled. Anger had started the adrenaline pumping. Instead of saying another word she arched a quizzical eyebrow.

Fudo's knee-jerk reaction was to get off the chair, grab the katana from Riley and flatten her on the floor. He hold black belts in multiple disciplines and literally can kick any man's ass making size and strength no difference whatsoever. The only thing saving her ass right now is the fact that she looked totally hot holding the katana.

He gave a short laugh, almost felt amused. This is it. Fudo had gone totally insane. The woman is pointing a two feet long, sharp sword just mere inches away from him and instead of focusing on defending himself he is actually enjoying his predicament.

Riley frowned. "You find this amusing?"

"A bit." He smiled thoughtfully. "So tell me who sent you? CIA? Interpol? NSA?"

"FBI."

Fudo nodded and slanted a glance at the katana. "I'm going to get something from my shoe and I will really appreciate it if you don't pierce me with that."

"Go ahead."

Fudo pulled a card that was tucked inside his right shoe; he lifted his dark gaze to Riley. "Here."

She eyed the card uncertainly, obviously not sure whether or not she should take it from Fudo.

"It's my badge." Once again, he handed it to Riley.

Riley eyed the badge, "Looks real. Let's say for argument sake that I believe you, so what's your story?"

Now what? It's a whole new game that's what 😎😎😎 soooo, tell me what you guys think and please, please, please don't be shy and quiet...let it all out.