Ainsley's POV

This guy, Inui, took us back to the hotel. He was pretty obedient to Soryu. One could say that he admired the guy. I, for one, was just grateful that he was comforting Mei Ling, because I was filled with rage. It wasn't to suppose to be this dangerous. I left Mei Ling on the couch, and it was clear that the other guys knew about the situation and had went to comfort Mei Ling. I knew I should too, because she felt like this was her fault. Logically, it made sense if they had kidnapped Hanh, thinking she was Mei Ling. In fact, it was perfect if you thought about how Hanh was going to take her place in the blind dates, but I was just silently enraged that my best friend was kidnapped. And I couldn't do a thing but wait here.

Then, there was the fact that I was completely relying on some mob boss that I didn't trust. Soryu Oh. I knew very simple things about the guy. One, he was the boss of the Japanese branch of the Chinese mafia, aka the triad, called the Ice Dragons. They had expanded to Japan were slowly expanding throughout Asia. He was dangerous, because he was the grandson of the previous leader of the whole Ice Dragons, and he was predicted to be the next leader. He was a key player in the market basically, and so far, he's been too clean for the police, although the rumors were very open about the power he had. They said he hated women too, so that didn't help.

I disappeared into my bedroom, before collapsing on my bed. Hanh wasn't supposed to be kidnapped like this. Even when we got sold at the black market auction, I was overjoyed that this was going to be my way into the underground world. I was overjoyed that it happened while I was on probation , because then I could finally do my own investigation. But Hanh, getting kidnapped was not part of the game play. I believed Hanh had great luck. Superior luck to anyone. The way she always came out of situations on top and okay, and that was the reason why I convinced her to join my undercover personal mission, but I don't think I could live with myself if she were to die.

I propped up one of the pillows, so that I could punch it. As I was letting out all my rage into it, I didn't notice when the door opened, or when someone walked in.

"Wow, I've never seen someone look this good while committing murder. What did that pillow do to you, so I know not to do it?" said a voice that was deep, smooth and mistakenly Baba's. I wasn't in the mood, so I finished off the murder of the pillow by throwing it at him, specifically his face. Baba caught the pillow effortlessly, like he was expecting it, and then held it to his chest dramatically.

"Ouch! Right to the Right! If you wanted to get my attention, sweetheart, there are easier ways. Though I must say, you have a great arm. Ever consider a life of crime? You'll be a great partner," he said in a sing-song voice.

I shot him a glare.

"Baba, I swear, if you're here to flirt, I will personally throw you out the window."

He grinned, completely unfazed. "Flirt? Me? No, no, I'm here for something much more important."

I folded my arms. "And that is?"

Baba took a step closer, lowering his voice like he was about to tell me some grand secret. "Making sure you don't destroy all the hotel's pillows before we find your friend."

I huffed, grabbing another pillow just to spite him, but before I could launch it, he snatched my wrist lightly. His grip wasn't forceful, but there was something steady about it. "Hey," he said, softer this time. "I know you're angry. You should be. But trust me, sitting here burning a hole in the floor with your rage won't help her."

I ripped my hand away, standing up so I was eye level with him. "And what do you suggest, Baba? That I sit around and play nice? That I pretend I'm not furious that my best friend got taken because of this mess?"

His expression shifted, just for a second. The usual playfulness was still there, but underneath it was something more serious.

"You know. I am surprised by this sudden change in attitude with you. Before, even with the 20 million dollar price tag that we bought you two at, you seem to throw your friend under the bus. Now you're mad that she's been taken? Is it because you were hoping she would pay it off and now you would have to take on the debt by yourself? Or are you really concerned for her safety and all the other stuff is a lie?"

I was taken back by the shift in his mannerism and his direct questioning. I guess both of us were hiding something, but I wasn't going to reveal anything now. I took a second to readjust and put on a smile, but I was still mad. Then I slapped him. Or I tried to, since now he was holding my wrist, only making my smile disappear.

"Sorry to disappoint, but my reflexes are pretty good."

"Probably because your flirty attitude gets you in trouble."

He shot me a dazzling smile. "Guilty as charged."

I yanked my wrist back. I looked into his eyes. Was his flirty attitude an act when he doesn't care or to get in my pants just every other woman? Or does this guy actually care? I could see something flicker in his eyes, but it wasn't enough for me, but I decided that I was going to use this to get information.

"She wasn't supposed to be here, and now I'm waiting for a man that looks like he hates women to save her. Will he actually care?"

Something flickered in his eyes again, but I could make out genuine concern—so maybe he does care for women's safety.

"Soryu has morals. He doesn't like involving women."

"A member of the mafia has morals? Don't make me laugh," I said getting annoyed again.

"I know its hard to believe, but there was a reason why none of concerned for Hanh."

I grabbed his collar to bring him down to my level. "You're saying all this crap, like two innocent women weren't just sold in your little illegal auction? That was involving women."

"If it eases your mind, he already took care of those guys. You two weren't supposed to be on the catalogue."

I scoffed. "Is that smart? Confessing that to a cop?"

"You mean a cop that has no justification here and is on probation ?"

Interesting. They figured that out, but this was turning out well. Baba leaned in to whisper next to my ear. "But don't worry. I don't care about that," he said as he twirled a strand of my hair.

I shoved him away. "Then what do you care about?"

Baba chuckled, unfazed. "You."

I was so sick of his flirtatious façade. And I was annoyed that I had zero information on this guy that was surrounded by high profile people. I made a mental note to hack into the Japanese police database later. Mitsunari Baba. The most annoying man on this planet right now. I still had Eisuke's credit card that I stole sitting in my purse. Then, a plan came into my mind.

I went and smoothed out Baba's collar that was ruffled by me.

"You know. This whole thing is stressing me out. I want a drink. If you mean what you said, take me out."

Baba raised an eyebrow, but kept the smile on his face. "Your wish is my command, sweetheart."

He lead me out of the penthouse, mentioning to me that Mei Ling had gone to bed, but I wasn't concerned. She was gong to be fine. I couldn't say the same for Hanh, and after tonight, I'm not sure if I would be too. He actually brought me to the same bar that I was supposed to be working. I sat down at a random table as he got the drinks. This time I was happy that the bar was on the first floor. I watched him get the drinks, and I was happy that there was also a long line, so he had to wait. This was going to be perfect.

I took a napkin and a pen from my purse, and wrote that I was going to the bathroom. Keeping my eye on him, I left the bar and then the hotel. I waved down a taxi and told him to take me to the closest shopping district. Once we got there, I went to the nearest clothing stores to buy a black hoodie and wore it right out the store, pulling the hood up.

Then I made my way to the nearest electronics store, splurging on the an expensive laptop with the highest specs. I also decided to get a book bag as well, happy that they sold them. Overpriced, but that was not my problem. I walked out, and made my way towards an ATM, withdrawing a good chuck of cash. I also bought myself a cup of tripled-up cold brew, before I hailed another taxi to 24 internet café that was across the city. I wanted to lose my tail of using Eisuke's credit card. Once I got there, I powered on the laptop and hacked into the database. Soryu can do his own thing, but I don't trust a man known to hate women and is part of another world basically. Although, my curiosity was heightened, and I searched up Mitsunari Baba. Nothing. I thought about it, and then typed in Mamoru Kishi. It brought up his profile, but for some reason there was another name that kept drawing my attention that appearing when I was looking through Mamoru's profile. Koji Ayase.

I clicked, and it was the jackpot. This guy looked like he was out to get Baba. Almost all his reports included a guy that fit Baba's description. Baba was a thief, and it looked like a pretty big art thief too. I was just ashamed for the Japanese police, that if they had a description, Baba should be locked up. Although, that could be due to Mamoru's influence, but I had satisfied my own curiosity now, I turned my attention towards finding Hanh. I remembered that security footage of the two men wearing those ugly fedoras, and decided to look into the city's traffic feeds to see if they would pop up. They had left in a dark sedan—basic, forgettable, but not impossible to trace. I switched through camera angles, following the car as it weaved through the city, heading toward the docks. I leaned in closer, my pulse picking up. Gotcha*.* Then a shadow fell over my screen.

"Well, well, sweetheart. You sure like running off, don't you?"

I froze. My stomach twisted, and I slowly looked up. Mitsunari Baba. He was lounging in the seat across from me like he belonged there, smiling in that easy, charming way of his. But something was off. His grin wasn't as flirty as usual—it was sharper. Knowing. I forced myself to relax, leaning back in my chair. "Funny, I don't remember inviting you."

Baba rested his chin on his hand. "You didn't. But you did leave such a sweet little note behind."

I kept my face neutral. "I needed some air."

"Uh-huh. And a brand-new laptop? And a sudden interest in traffic cameras?" His eyes flicked toward my screen.

I clicked the tab shut. "You wouldn't believe the kind of hobbies I pick up when I'm stressed."

Baba sighed dramatically, leaning back. "Ainsley. You're smart. I'll give you that. But did you really think you could slip away and do all this without anyone noticing?"

"Did you come all this way just to babysit me?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Nah." He tilted his head, watching me. "Came to stop you from wasting your time."

My stomach dropped. "Excuse me?"

Baba lazily pointed at the laptop. "Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but you're a little late to the party. Soryu's already on his way to get your friend."

I stared at him, not believing. "You're lying."

He just smirked. "Am I?".

I swallowed the frustration clawing up my throat. I was almost mad. Mad that it seemed I went through this trouble, and Hanh's luck had come in clutch as usual. But I was a little happy. I found out that what made Baba fit in with those rich people was his fantastic skills as an art thief. And all I had to do was tip off the one detective that wanted him locked up. Koji Ayase. But I wasn't going to let him know that.

I exhaled slowly through my nose, then snapped the laptop shut. "Fine," I muttered, standing up. "But I'm keeping the laptop."

Baba grinned, rising with me. "Fair enough. Though, if I were you, I'd be a little more worried about the guy who actually paid for it."

I rolled my eyes, grabbing my bag. Whatever. I'd deal with Eisuke later. It wasn't going to give up this laptop anyways. I had finally hacked into a system where I could finally get answers. I had enough leverage against Baba for myself, and now I also had something—something that would lead me closer to real mission here.