Hello lovely readers, here's a new chapter for you guys. I received a few questions about this story and I'm not ignoring you guys I just can't give you an answer because if I do I will ruin things for you, I promise that if you hold on for a little longer your questions will be answered...just stick with me 😁

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PART 19

What's his story? Good question. "Technically I'm under cover."

"But?" she asked.

"How well do you know the Kempei Tai?"

"They were the military police arm forces of the Imperial Japanese Army."

"Not were but are; after all I am here." He couldn't keep out the sarcasm no matter how hard he tried.

"Who are you after?"

"The one standing on the very top of the food chain. But we both know it's a bit impossible. You can put my katana down now, but if it makes you feel safer hold on to it."

Riley met his gaze. Then she lowered the sword to her side. Fudo nodded, but didn't say a word.

"Riley go home. This is bigger than all of us combined. Every Agency is out there, it's so damned crowded you can barely tell who's who and what's what. Someone screwed up and started talking."

She gave a huff and shook her head as if she couldn't believe he just told her to go home. "So what are you, some kind of Junshikan (warrant officer)?"

Fudo smiled. "No. I'm a Shosa for the Tokumu han."

"Major Miyagi of the Japanese Army Special Squad posing as a saiko komon (senior advisor) for the Yakuza?"

His feature darkened. "I'm not posing as anything."

The immediate change in his mood caught Riley off guard.

"It's complicated."

"It always is. Answer me this, why are you here?"

Fudo was about to answer when they heard the soft knock on the door. "We'll continue this some other time."

Without thinking he pulled Riley gently and gave her a chaste kiss on the lip. Startled she dropped the sword she was holding. She was about to slap Fudo when she heard a man's voice.

"Gomen nasai."

Fudo gave the man a thunderous glare. Frightened the man hastily left the room. "I'm sorry about."

"No need to apologise. You needed to do that."

"It's best that you leave now."

Riley nodded. "When can we meet again?"

He's starting to get to know the woman in front of him and he has a strong feeling that she will not stop digging; it's best to keep her close to him. If only to keep her safe. "I'll call you."

"Okay. I'll be seeing you then."

Fudo picked up the katana and place it back in its koshirae. "Here take this."

"Thank you but I can't."

"Please take it. It's my gift to you."

"Arigatoo gozaimasu."

…..

Lucas let himself into his condo. Once inside he can tell that Riley is not home. He went to the kitchen to grab a drink and that's when he saw it, a note on the bar.

He read the words:

Important business meeting. Will be back late.

Riley.

He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefingers, caught between exasperation and amusement. The woman was a menace. He checked his watch; 7:45pm. He crumpled the note in his hand. Swearing, he flung the note toward the wastebasket and dialled Riley's number.

Lucas heard a rap on the door.

"Where is she?" Thor asked, as soon as Lucas opened the door.

"I want to know that myself." Lucas folded his arms across his chest, a gesture that signalled he wasn't happy.

"Son of a ..." Thor swore as he paced around the room.

Lucas snorted. "I'm guessing you have no idea where Riles is?"

Thor sighed. How could he been so wrong? "No. I don't know where she is, but I have an idea who she's with and for her sake I hope I'm wrong."

Lucas rubbed at his temples and squeezed his eyes tightly shut. "Riley is with Fudo Miyagi isn't she?"

Thor looked at the guy in front of him. He felt the same headache when his snitch told him that he lost track of Riley. They'd had a word for this in the SEALS, but Thor kept it to himself as he turned, thinking about Riley' safety.

Dammit. Thor should have personally kept an eye on Riley. He was trying to remain emotionally disengaged that's why he had someone else do it.

"She is not answering her phone."

Thor turned around and looked at Lucas. "She must have turned her phone off or she left it."

…..

The sound of the door opening brought the men's eyes to it. Riley stood by the door looking as if she'd stepped off a fashion shoot. Five feet eight inches of gloss and curves in black pencil skirt and soft pink lace shirt that clung to her.

"Thor? What are you doing here?" Her voice was husky and melodious, but authoritative.

"Where the hell have you been and where do you stash your gun in that get-up?" Thor asked.

Riley was dumbfounded to say a word.

At her silence, Thor continued, "What were you thinking running off with Miyagi without consulting me? What the hell is that you're holding?"

She raised her chin and said, "You can come down a notch or two Thor."

Riley gave Lucas a look that made him stand up straighter. "Yes, I was with Fudo and this here is a katana and it was a gift."

Thor shook his head and Lucas looked disapproving. "What were you thinking? May I remind you that Fudo Miyagi is a Yakuza? He could have hurt you. Or worse killed you."

Riley smirked, "Oh please..."

Thor walked up to her and bent to look her in the eyes. "Matthews this is serious."

"I know." Riley raised her chin, her gaze never wavering, and a quiet challenge for Thor to argue with her.

Thor's lip tightened, but he said nothing. Before Thor moved away from Riley, he sent his hand over her shoulder and down her arm. "I'll call you tomorrow."

As soon as Thor left Riley turned to face Lucas. He'd been quiet the whole time. Looking at him now, she can tell that he has a few words to say to her.

"I need to step out. We'll talk later." Lucas headed towards the door, his steps beating hard along with his heart.