Scorpion

Chapter 22 - Kazuo

I stroked my fingers across Yuzuki's back. With him sprawled across my chest and both of us relaxing after another round of wonderful morning sex, I couldn't have been happier. All worries were washed away and I simply bathed in his presence and the semi cool air of my bedroom. If Yuzuki was sleeping, I didn't know it and I didn't move either to find out. Rather, I simply wished to spend the rest of that morning the way we were. Hugging my lover closer to me.

My phone rang from the desk. I paused in stroking his back and cast my gaze over to the offending device that had broken our silence. I groaned and for a half a moment I wanted to ignore my cell phone. I shifted slightly, gently moving Yuzuki off my chest. I got up once I was free of him and made my way fully naked over to the cell phone that buzzed on the desk.

I picked it up and answered, noting the caller id as Lan Qiao. "Yes?" I tried to speak quietly.

On the other side, I heard Lan Qiao groan and huff into the receiver. "Kazuo... we need you."

My heart lurched and I was immediately on edge. "What happened?" My softer tone was gone and I was certain I'd woken Yuzuki with how loudly I'd spoken. I yanked the top drawer of my desk open and pulled out the handgun I kept there.

"I can't fucking believe this," Lan Qiao growled and I wasn't sure if he was speaking to me or someone else. A loud sound filled the background of our call. I knew immediately it was gun fire.

"How many?"

"Six. Maybe seven," Lan Qiao answered. "You, go to the back, get the fucking car ready. Just in case."

The car? Lan Qiao never ran from a fight. What the hell was going on? "I'll call Masao-"

"That's not going to help, I promise. I need you and Kitane if he's available. Deo too."

"We're on our way," I promised him. "Call me if things change. I'll send Detective Toriko out ahead of us."

"Already called him, boss. He'll be here soon."

I nodded then replied a quick confirmation to him before hanging up the phone. I put the device on the desk to gather my clothes.

Yuzuki moved around on the bed behind me, "What happened?" He asked as I heard him move again. I could hear his footsteps as he had gotten up from the bed. I glanced briefly at him. For a moment, I simply wished that our quiet morning would have remained. I shook my head as I dragged out a handful of clothes.

"Lan Qiao's club is being attacked. He called, wanting me to head there with Deo and Kitane. If you come with me, I want you to stay in the car until it's safe. There's a lot of gunfire going on. Can you promise me that? Detective Toriko is on his way too. Likely with a group of officers as well."

"Wait, what? Do you think it might be Taiken? And did you really think I was just going to stay here? Yeah, I'll stay in the car," he answered me as he gathered up his own clothes and started pulling them on.

"I knew you would come with, which is why I asked you to stay in the car for me. Thank you, love," I answered. I began buttoning the shirt I'd pulled from the closet. After that I retrieved the pants and put them on. In just a few minutes I was dressed, and so was Yuzuki. I pocketed my phone and grabbed my gun from the table. From a different drawer, I withdrew the shoulder holster that it belonged to.

I was strapping it on as I made my way to the door, the gun precariously tucked into the back of my pants while I did so. Once it was on, and my weapon holstered properly, I took my phone from my pocket and dialed Kitane's number.

Kitane answered his phone on the second ring. I wasted no time in explaining what was going on as I made my way to the front of the manor. After asking Kitane to inform Deo of the situation, I hung up and opened the front door. Unfortunately, Deo would still have to remain at the hospital watching over Jiya. Leaving that man vulnerable for even a second was not an idea I was willing to entertain. Especially with Taiken's track record of playing awful schemes.