Crossing the Line

by Naomi Aoki

  Brain swivelled on his seat and glanced at the group. They needed to find the instigators of the recent violence before it escalated any further. These men appeared to fit the bill, or at least the descriptions Brian had gotten from his father’s men. But he needed to get closer.

  “I’m going to head to the john.” His colleagues nodded as Brian slipped from his stool.

  Heading for the bathrooms to the right of the group, Brian stumbled his way through the crowded pub. Bumping into people, pretending to trip on chair legs and swayed on his feet whenever he stopped. He’d had nowhere near enough booze to get himself that drunk, but the target group did know that as Brian crashed into their table. Beer sloshed over it and the men seated.

  “What they fuck?” Angry voices growled, jumping to their feet and ready to take a swing at him.

  Palming his phone, Brian raised his hands and uttered slurred apologies while stumbling back from their table. He tried not to look any of them in the eye as he moved, managing to snap a few pictures that Brian hoped wouldn’t turn out blurry. Keeping up the charade he stumbled into the bathrooms, banging against the door frame before ducking into a stall. He leaned against the door, took a few deep breaths as he tried to calm his heart rate and listened for the sounds of someone following him in. Satisfied they hadn’t he pulled up the images he’d captured trying to see if he recognised anyone. Instead of a familiar face, Brian found in the centre of the group an Asian man whose stare sent a chill down his spine. A man with only four fingers on one hand.

  Brian pocketed his phone, exited the bathroom and stumbled his way back to his seat. He would send the image to Kennosuke later to see if he recognised the dangerous man in the photo.

  “Recognise anyone?”

  He slumped on the bar stool, leaning heavily on the table, keeping up the pretence for a few moments longer. “Nope. Not local, but they gave off a dangerous vibe.”

  “We’ll report it back to the others at the station... or sooner if they start something tonight.”

  “Yeah, but it won’t be our problem to deal with. Right now, we drink, and get laid.” He raised his beer and clinked it against his colleagues raised drinks. Brian turned back to the crowd and ran an appreciative gaze over all those present. Maybe he’d get lucky tonight, noticing several people were returning his heated looks.

  Maybe he could find someone who reminded him of Kennosuke.

  KENNOSUKE STOOD IN front of the large window overlooking the dancefloor of his uncle’s favourite club. It had always been popular with Gou, becoming even more so in recent years because this had been where he’d decided to make Jamie his. A story Kennosuke had gotten sick of hearing, wishing it really was that easy to get the one your heart was set on.

  Glancing back over his shoulder, the three men – his uncle, father and Jamie- stood talking animatedly as they poured over the plans for their business venture in New Zealand. They hadn’t even noticed Kennosuke had moved away, which suited him fine. The nitty gritty details of the venture like the construction and design process bored him tears, much preferring to look over the financial accounts. It would be months before they saw anything coming in that would require his attention, not that they expected the milk powder arm of the venture to make a profit, better if it didn’t so they could disguise the money coming in from the true money-making product. The manufacturing of high quality meth for the Japanese market of much greater importance to their coffers.

  Thankfully they’d stopped asking for his input on how the plant should be orientated - like why the hell should he care if it was facing east or west on the vacant plot of land – leaving him free to concentrate on the men dancing below. He was desperate to find one who’d kick start his lagging libido which had frustratingly gone missing since he’d returned from New Zealand. Kennosuke gripped the glass in his hand tight, half expecting it to break as his anger grew. The men below were all gorgeous Japanese men with the odd foreigner thrown into the mix and yet not one sparked arousal. Fucking Brian. He wished the damned man would leave his mind and hand back the heart he had no intention of cherishing. Kennosuke wanted to be free of him.

  It didn’t surprise him that at the same time as he had that thought his phone buzzed. Pulling it from his pocket, Kennosuke stared at the screen, Brian’s name flashing. He should block his number. Take one step toward moving on from the man and yet, Kennosuke couldn’t do it. He didn’t read the message, ignoring it and shoved the phone back in his pants. Kennosuke knew what the message contained, what it always contained, a picture of Brian with or without clothes on.

  His phone buzzed again. Brian rarely messaged him twice in one day and never this close together. He huffed, pulled his phone back out and swiped the message open.

  Do you know him?

  Kennosuke stared at the message in confusion, before scrolling up to the first message he’d received. An image appeared on the screen, one that didn’t feature any part of Brian in it and instead the shaky picture showed a group of men gathered at a bar, one of whom did look familiar. Too familiar, zooming in on the man in question.

  “Fuck. No way. No fucking way.”

  “Ken?” Someone called out to him, but Kennosuke couldn’t have said who and didn’t bother answering them too focused on the troubling image in front of him.

  “This can’t be happening. No fucking way HE can be there.”

  “Who can’t be where?”

  Kennosuke jumped, not expecting Jamie to be standing right beside him. He waved his friend off unable to find the words to explain the dangerous situation unfolding nine thousand kilometres away. How could he when he struggled to believe it himself. Kennosuke turned his back on Jamie and made a call.

  “Where the fuck, are you right now?”

  “Fuck. Ken. It’s like two in the morning over here.”

  “Like I care. You messaged first.”

  “Only so I didn’t forget to do it later, like after I had fucking slept. So, did you recognise him? He didn’t look like an ordinary Japanese tourist, not with the company he was keeping. He’s possibly been stirring up trouble between the gangs here... not that I expect you to know every damned Japanese thug.”

  Kennosuke ignored the thug comment, not taking the bait Brian had laid down because he was pissy. “Definitely not a tourist, not with a finger missing,” Kennosuke spat. “So, of course I’d fucking know him.”

  “Shit. I wasn’t sure if I’d seen that or not. Didn’t show up in the photo I managed to take. So, who is it.”

  Kennosuke cursed, the voices around him falling silent as he talked to Brian. A quick look in their direction and he could see the anger creeping onto their faces and there would be a lot of questions needing answered. But he had many of his own, like how the hell did this man leave Japan without them knowing and why the fuck had he shown up in Invercargill.

  “Who is it, Ken?” Brian hissed. “Who the fuck is this man walking the streets of my city?”

  He took a deep breath. “Takeshi.”

  The utterance of the man’s name saw anger being unleashed on all sides of Kennosuke, including through the phone.

  “The bastard who paid for you to be stabbed? The same one who wants you and Jamie dead?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m going to fucking kill him.”

  “Don’t go near him. I mean it Brian... stay the fuck away from him. He’s dangerous and you don’t want him to set his sights on you... he may not realise the connection between us.” Kennosuke found it hard to believe his own words. There was no reason for Takeshi to be in New Zealand, and especially Invercargill unless he knew everything.

  Brian snorted. “Not like I plan on hunting him down... but-”

  “No don’t even think it. Don’t even joke about it,” Kennosuke interrupted whatever suggestion Brian planned to make in jest or not. Images crowded his mind of what might happen if Takeshi and Brian met. Brian might be strong – uniformed or not – but Kennosuke knew Takeshi would still win. The ex-y
akuza had nothing to lose.

  Silence fell down the phone and if it weren’t for the sound of Brian’s heavy breaths, Kennosuke might have thought the man had hung up. His mind drifted over the statements Brian had made, the anger at knowing Takeshi was close at hand, a desire to kill because of what he’d done to Kennosuke. Maybe it was a sign the man did care for him. He quickly dismissed the thoughts from his mind, it was too dangerous to hope for something that could never be.

  “Brian, promise you’ll stay away from him.”

  “Fine. Fine. But I don’t like it. Any of it.

  Three more weeks at least before he could return to New Zealand and he prayed Takeshi stayed away from Brian. Hell, he hoped the bastard gave up whatever he was doing over there and returned to Japan. Safer for him and Jamie too, they could deal with any threat Takeshi threw at them so much easier here in Kyoto. In New Zealand, he and Jamie would have only Brian backing them up.

  If Takeshi remained in New Zealand, his and Jamie’s biggest problem would be how to make it back to Japan. Alive.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Brian winced as his fingers brushed over the gash hidden in his hairline; knuckles bruised from colliding with the prick’s face when he returned the favour. He broke the man’s nose, split his lip and blackened his eye, not that Brian thought it was at all adequate payback for the punches the prick landed on him. He grinned - despite the bruises on his face or the ones stretching down his rib cage – knowing the arsehole would get his comeuppance. A nice warm welcome would be waiting for him once he hit jail; one the shithead wouldn’t see coming after being charged with assaulting a police officer.

  Cuts and bruises weren’t all Brian walked away from the incident with; his superiors none too pleased with his over exuberant handling of the suspect and promptly stood him down. One week’s suspension for excessive use of force, plus a date with the Independent Police Conduct Authority. Brian chuckled to himself, of course he’d used too much force, he just hadn’t expected there being someone to witness it. He wouldn’t own up to it, planning to put on the same contrite act that he always did and hope those conducting the hearing bought into it. There was one upside to his suspension, Brian could immerse himself in his father’s business, with Jamie and Kennosuke arriving back in Invercargill today.

  Car doors banged, feet tread heavily up the stairs to the front door. He could hear the rumbling curses of Kennosuke, not happy about staying here again rather than at a motel. He was only going to get angrier once he learned Brian was off work and the argument over who was sleeping where included a bed with Brian in it. Honestly, Brian looked forward to the man’s fury, the sultry glare that never hesitated to spark arousal in his veins.

  But Brian was also nervous.

  Six months ago, he and Kennosuke had parted ways after an argument. A spite filled, jealous induced argument that had done nothing to ease the tension between them. Hell, Brian half-expected Kennosuke to hate him, what with all the annoying teasing texts he’d continued to send. And the emotions that swirled through their most recent conversation – a moment of concern, a flicker of panicked anger – while giving him hope, Brian knew he couldn’t cling to it and believe Kennosuke would easily forgive him. Because, yeah, he’d fucked up last time.

  Fucked it all up the time before that too.

  Brian could admit it, now. Own up to the accusations Kennosuke had laid on him about running hot and cold and recognise that his actions hadn’t been fair on Kennosuke or to himself. Brian still couldn’t see how a relationship between them would work – they lived on the opposite sides of the world and both had responsibilities they couldn’t abandon – he just knew the idea of fucking anyone else no longer appealed. Hell, he hadn’t fucked anyone since Melissa, and it wasn’t for the lack of trying. Not even his regular fuck buddies could stir him up as much as a single thought of Kennosuke.

  “Hey, Brian! We’re here.”

  “Not that some of us want to be.” Kennosuke’s complaint didn’t surprise Brian, but it still hurt.

  “In the kitchen,” he yelled back, listening to their feet pad down the hallway as he leaned into the fridge and grabbed three beers. Brian wanted to press the cold bottles too the bruises on his face. He straightened up, pushed the fridge door shut with his foot and turned to face his guests. Brian watched as their expressions changed from confusion to anger as they took in his appearance.

  “Tough day at work?” Jamie asked, taking a bottle and twisting the cap off.

  “Yeah. Something like that.” Brian passed a bottle to Kennosuke and opened his own, taking a swig. “Got suspended for it too.”

  “You what? Why?”

  Brian smirked. “Might have gotten a tad bit too enthusiastic about taking a shithead high on meth down.”

  “You know... once I wouldn’t have thought you capable of it... but now-” Jamie moved as he talked and sat down on the Laze-boy. He popped the leg rest and grinned at Brian’s scowl. “-I’m guessing this isn’t the first time?”

  “Nope. First time I got suspended though. Fucker will pay for that... there’s going to be a real friendly greeting for him when his arse lands in jail.”

  Brain took another swig of his beer and flicked his gaze in Kennosuke’s direction. A strange expression stared back at him and Brian didn’t know what to make of it. Angry? Worried?

  “It wasn’t Takeshi, was it?”

  “No. I haven’t seen him in the last three weeks... and I avoided him just as you asked.” Brian walked to the couch as he talked but didn’t take his eyes off Kennosuke. The man didn’t look reassured by his words at all. “I got these from a shithead high on meth. Aggressive little fucker threw the first punch and I was happy to return the sentiment... just didn’t notice his mate hiding in the shadows.”

  This time Kennosuke relaxed, a little and Brian pushed aside the urge to pull him closer and hold Kennosuke until his fear disappeared.

  Kennosuke dropped onto the couch next to him. “Don’t start thinking it will earn you any sympathy. “You’re sleeping on the couch.”

  “Hey? What?” Brian spluttered. “I’m not letting you kick me out of my own bed. Though... I’m more than willing to share.”

  SLEEPING IN BRIAN’S bed was dangerous enough without having to share it with Brian himself. Every damned night of his stay.

  Tempting.

  Devastating.

  And Kennosuke knew he shouldn’t. Understood what he risked if he chose to do it and it made Kennosuke more determined to make Brian take the couch. Except Kennosuke’s determination was wavering. He knew how uncomfortable the couch was. Reckoned it had gotten worse since his last visit. He squirmed, trying to find a comfy position that didn’t result in being jabbed in the arse by a wayward spring. It did strengthen his resolve to not be the one sleeping on it. Why couldn’t Brian have a bigger house or at least a better couch, one that pulled out into a halfway decent bed.

  “Share with you? Fuck off.”

  Kennosuke hoped his words came off bitchy, spiteful and they might have too. Not that it mattered. Brian enjoyed angry banter as much as he did going a few rounds with his fists first – it was why they fitted together so well. Brian shifted closer and Kennosuke tensed at the heat bleeding through the man’s jeans and the subtle change in Brian’s breathing. Because yes, he could tell even the slightest change in the way Brian breathed, spoke and looked at him. What Kennosuke was seeing didn’t bode well for their ability to share a bed in any platonic sense.

  Except Kennosuke didn’t want platonic. This time if Brian suggested having a ‘little fun’ he wouldn’t say no, tired of fighting his attraction. Brain wasn’t good for him and falling into the man’s bed would only destroy him in the end. But Kennosuke no longer cared.

  “Shit Kennosuke! Give me some fucking credit. I can keep my hands to myself... I mean sure, I like to fuck, but I’m not going to chase after tail that doesn’t want to be caught.”

  Tension pulled tight between them and not the nice k
ind that hinted at a promise of explosive sex later. Kennosuke averted his gaze, not wanting to see the pity in his Jamie’s eyes.

  Jamie coughed. “So, you’ve already ordered?”

  “Yeah. Pizza. Should be here soon,” Brian replied shifting away from Kennosuke.

  Brian had only moved one cushion space away, but as the cold air rushed in, it felt wider. It felt as though someone had stacked blocks of ice up until it formed an impenetrable wall between them. Kennosuke didn’t know if he could break through it to reach Brian. Didn’t know if it was worth trying.

  “I’ll grab the pizza.” He jumped up from the couch, before anyone else could offer to answer the knock at the door, needing a break from the strained tension in the room.

  Kennosuke hurried down the hallway and paused before opening the door to steady his breath. Holding the door wide-open, Kennosuke stared at the person on the other side and the distinct lack of pizza boxes in their hands. Instead he was greeted by a petite woman. No, not petite. Short yes, but even Kennosuke could see the strength she hid beneath the workout clothes she wore. The no nonsense attitude she exuded made her appear bigger and Kennosuke could admit she looked stunning, though he had no idea who she was.

  “You’re not the pizza guy.”

  “No. And you’re not Brian. Is he in?”

  “Who’s asking?”

  “That... that is none of your business,” she snapped, not hesitating to elbow her way past him. It was clear with her determined steps down the hall, that she was no stranger to Brian’s house. “Brian, sweetie, are you home?”

  Kennosuke closed the door and hurried after her. He arrived in the living area in time to see Brian wrap his arms around her; a hug far too intimate for Kennosuke’s liking. The name Brian uttered as he greeted this bolshie woman sent a chill down Kennosuke’s spine and stirred anger in his stomach.