𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐓𝐄𝐃

XIII - terms of release

"Give her back?" Tatsumi mused. "You speak as if she was ever yours in the first place. Surely you realize she still has a will of her own?"

"She is mine," Ryu growled, so loudly that you felt goosebumps form across your skin. He wasn't even in the same room as you right now, and yet you couldn't help but feel apprehensive. Claustrophobic, even. As if you were being suffocated in his unyielding grip.

Tatsumi, however, looked completely unfazed. "Judging by the hostility in your tone, I think it's safe to say I've struck gold here. Since I'm the one with a hostage, I'd watch your tone while you talk to me. I may end up doing something I'll regret. You do want [Name] alive, don't you?"

You tensed up at the threat, but Tatsumi merely winked at you as if to say that everything was going according to plan. He kept insisting that he had no intention of killing you even if Ryu didn't buy your freedom, but you knew better than to take the words of a criminal for granted. Everything he'd said just a few moments ago, about how he would help you leave the country and live on somewhere safe... it could all just be a big farce.

At the end of the day, he wanted money. It was as simple as that. And if Ryu didn't pay that money, then...

Well, you were fucked.

"Ryu, please," you whimpered, clearly enough that you were certain he could hear you. You glanced towards Tatsumi, searching for some sort of reaction, but he just looked more amused than anything else. He even leaned closer so that you speak directly into the phone's mic. "I'm scared," you said, hoping that you sounded convincing. "I know I haven't even come close to putting a dent in all that money I owe you, but I promise if you give me the opportunity, I'll make everything right by you."

The thing is, you weren't entirely pretending. You were scared. Tatsumi had treated you well enough so far, but clinging to his words would be idealistic and naive. Even if you would have to work for decades in order to pay off your debt, like Tatsumi had said, you reasoned that it was better than being killed. You weren't that desperate. At least, not yet.

But still, having to beg a spiteful man like Ryu was immensely shameful. You weren't even sure if it would work. He had his moments when he seemed like he wanted you to be fonder of him, but what were the odds that he would actually forsake his greed in order to save you?

You didn't know, and the only thing that was really keeping you going was the fact that you could hear his anger through the phone.

For a moment, the room was completely silent, but then you heard Ryu inhaling through his teeth. You imagined him clenching his jaw, those pitch-black eyes of his narrowed into slits.

"You will not touch a hair on her head," Ryu rasped. "If you hurt her in any way, I can guarantee that even you won't be prepared for what comes next."

Tatsumi outright laughed. "Oh, that's incredible! What are you getting so worked up for? I had an inkling that she meant something to you, but you're just making it way too obvious now. Relax. There's no need to get upset. If you pay me what you owe, all of this can be resolved peacefully."

"And remind me, what exactly do I owe you?"

"Dealing rights," Tatsumi said. "Your father was a far more flexible man than you. Doing business with him was manageable. You, on the other hand, insist on living in some fantasy world where everything is yours for the taking, but you are unwilling to ever give back in return."

"My father is dead," Ryu snapped. "With how often you bring him up, I would argue that you're the one living in a fantasy."

"Well, all of that is besides the point. That was then, this is now. I will give you twenty-four hours to gather up the sum I expect you to pay for [Name]'s release. In the meantime, I will draft up a contract that we will both fill out upon your arrival. That way, we can have our agreement in writing."