by Zoe Dawson
She stopped when she saw him and smiled. Reaching up, she smoothed the locks of damp hair that rested on his forehead. “Eggs or oatmeal?”
“Both?” he asked as his stomach rumbled. “Someone kept me up a lot last night, and I’m starving.”
“Oh, I see, blame it on me when you’re the one who’s much too handsome and irresistible.”
“You want me to make the eggs, don’t you?”
She giggled, and he caught her around the waist and walked with her into the kitchen. “Looks and brains, wow.”
He chuckled. “You’re so transparent, Moretti.”
“Does that mean you’ll make the eggs, bacon, and toast?”
“I guess so,” he said with a heavy sigh.
He let her go and she pulled out pots and pans, butter, eggs, bread, and the bacon, setting everything on the counter, and he turned on the heat under the pans, got the bacon to frying. Adding butter to the second pan, he started cracking eggs into a bowl to scramble them.
“I wanted to ask you something.”
Stirring the egg mixture, he looked at her and nodded. Then he saw her serious expression, and he set the bowl down. “Okay, what is it?”
“Would you come with me to Ceri’s parent-teacher conference?”
That simple request touched him like little else had in this whirlwind that was Jo and Ceri. Dragon gazed down at her for a moment, then lowered his head and kissed her, her mouth pliant beneath his. Jo wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and he lost himself in the infinite gentleness of her arms. It was a long, softly searching kiss that filled him with a satisfied warmth.
He had received something from her that he had never expected. An emotional gift.
He waited for his throat to ease, then said gruffly, “Of course, I’ll go with you. We’re in this together.” And they were. He was all in. Dragon turned his face into the silky tangle of her hair, his arms tightening around her torso, the wrench of emotion so profound that he felt as if something huge had opened up inside him.
“Thank you,” she whispered, and he let her go and went back to the eggs. A wave of tangled feelings washed over him. Although he’d come home to convince his mom to come back to San Diego with him, he’d also hoped for closure where his brother was concerned. He wanted that, too, needed it to free him from nightmares, guilt, and resentment to get a grip on all those emotions.
“You all right?” Jo asked, setting her hand against his back. He let the tension in his body go. In the past, he would have shrugged off anything that smelled like support. It was what handicapped him with the team, what had led to the nightmares about Speed, and what had kept him mired in his resentment against his brother.
“Coming back here has been harder than I thought, Jo.” She looked dubious, her eyes shuttering. “No, not because of you or Ceri.” He took a heavy breath. “It’s because of Asahi.”
He turned away from the stove and set his hip against the counter, folding his arms across his chest. She waited, her face now clear of her wariness, only concern left for him.
“What about Asahi?” she asked, setting her hand on his forearm, and he let go, his guarded stance only a barrier to letting it out.
She slipped her hand into his. “He was always looking out for me. He told me he’d never get involved with a gang. He promised. After he had that last tattoo, before we hooked up, he told me to be safe in San Diego, and when I was deployed, he said he was proud of me. Then he told me he was going to join TGG. I was livid and I yelled at him that he was a huge disappointment. It was the reason I came back and tried to find you. I needed…”
“Comfort?”
“Yeah, but with you, Jo, it was more than that. I knew you’d understand. We both grew up here. We know what the streets are like. I’ve tried to dodge them all my life. The Navy was my saving grace. I could never come back here permanently. Not with the memories of how he died and the constant worry over random shootings and the danger of just walking down the street.”
She nodded. “I do understand that. But this city has more to offer than the violence.”
“For me, violence defines my job. Everywhere we go, we’re going on a mission. We all know we might not come back, but I think about these streets, and I know that I could have died here with him that day. For what? For the senselessness of being in a gang? We knew we always belonged. He had more to offer than that. I built up a lot of resentment toward him, and I want to release that. I wish I knew what was in his heart.”
Her voice was rough with emotion, her tone soft with kindness and solemn counsel. “He put himself in the line of fire to save your life.” Her hand squeezed his. “I think you know what was in his heart.”
With a rush of pain, he let go of his guilt for his brother, and the grief he’d banked roared back with a vengeance. He let himself feel it as his vision blurred, his anguish open and exposed. She made a soft sound and wrapped her arms around him. He’d thought this kind of grief couldn’t be shared. It was for him alone, but in that moment, he realized that wasn’t true.
Jo, his mom, they were with him. Feeling raw to the bone, Dragon surrendered as she gathered him against her, startled when his mom’s arms came around them both. She must have heard what he said. They stood like that until Ceri’s bright voice broke their reverie.
“Okay, are we doing forgiveness hugs now?” She set her hands on her hips with a stern face, then waggled her finger. “Who said a bad word?”
Through his heartache, he chuckled, reached out, and hauled her into the embrace. She took one look at his face and kissed him on the cheek. He was the luckiest man alive, and a fierce protectiveness washed through him. He would do anything for this little girl and these women. With one trip to New York City, a city he hated, he’d found everything he’d ever needed.
14
“How did you get in here?”
“I’m a Navy SEAL sniper. I know how to be invisible.”
“Do you have a death wish, senshi?”
After he’d dropped Ceri off at school, Dragon realized that to get answers, he had to go into the belly of the beast. He stood in front of one of the men who had been arrested for Asahi’s death, the leader of the Tanken-gumi gang, Jason Sato.
“I’m here to talk about my brother. I’m not here for anything else.”
Dragon was sure Sato had a gun tucked into his waistband, even if he couldn’t see it. They were in a room alone, but it wouldn’t take much for Sato to call out, and Dragon would be completely outnumbered and without a weapon.
Didn’t mean he was helpless.
Sato tilted his head and smiled thoughtfully. “What do you want to know about Asahi?”
“You remember his name.”
“I was falsely accused of his death. I won’t soon forget about him.” He sat down in one of the worn armchairs and crossed his legs.
“We wanted him in the gang,” Brendan Nakamura said as he came up behind Dragon. Passing him, he glanced at his boss. “You were the one being a nuisance.” He sat down next to Sato. “Neither one of us wanted him dead. Just you on your way back to the Navy.”
Sato fist bumped Nakamura. “Asahi was very good at getting us jobs that were lucrative and went off without a hitch. But it wasn’t until we pushed on you that he stated there was a uragirimono amongst us.”
“Betrayer?”
“That’s right. I wanted to know who, and he bargained your life for the name. He was going to give it to us when he was killed. Then someone framed us, and we were arrested.”
“The only words my brother said before he died were private.”
“What is it you want to know about your brother?”
“Did he want out?”
Sato uncrossed his legs and rose. “Before you came, yeah, he did, but afterwards, he pledged to us that he would stay. As soon as you got on a plane, he would tell us the name of the traitor. Of course, that never happened. We don’t know if it’s true about the betrayer or your brother was lying. We do know
a cop’s name came up during our inquiries when we were being hunted for his death. Tim Gavin. Maybe he has more answers for you.”
“Why are you being so cooperative?”
Sato smiled and glanced at Nakamura. “You are a Navy SEAL, and we don’t need NCIS in our shit again. Once was enough.”
“I have one more question. There was a guy outside my mom’s apartment complex, tatted, and he came at me. Did you send him?”
Sato’s brows rose and Nakamura stood. Dragon could tell they were interested, but then his face shuttered. “Like I said. We don’t have a beef with you man.”
Dragon turned to go, but when he got to the door, Sato said, “You’ve got guts to come here alone and unarmed.”
Dragon looked over his shoulder. “Who says I was unarmed?”
He slipped out, and word must have gotten out about him, because he wasn’t stopped. When he reached the curb, he hailed a cab and headed over to the precinct. Inside, he asked for Tim Gavin.
As he waited, he remembered being here the night of Asahi’s death, blood still on his clothes and hands. Instead of the resentment and the pain, there was only gratitude that his brother had saved his life. Dragon had no idea if he was going to get out of the gang like he’d promised, but Asahi had been there for him, and now that was all that mattered.
A big blond man in jeans and a blue open-collar button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up over his large forearms, stopped in front of him. “I was wondering when you were going to show up. Come on back.”
Dragon followed him to two tightly placed desks and across from him, an empty seat where most likely his partner usually sat. The desk was cluttered with folders and a computer monitor. Other cops moved around, some with suspects, others with victims. There was a din in the room, phones ringing, people talking, and the smell of coffee. Gavin indicated the seat beside his desk as he sat down in his chair.
“What can I do for you, Petty Officer Shannon?”
“You knew my brother?”
“I did. I was on the task force that had targeted the TGG. Your brother came to us and offered to go undercover to get us evidence that we could use to put them all away. He wanted to join the Academy and become a cop. He was an upstanding guy and risked his life. Someone in that gang killed him. We’re sure of that, but we don’t know who. He told us there was a member of that gang who was stealing from them. But before he could name anyone, he was killed. He wanted you out of town. Out of danger before he talked.”
Ever since Asahi’s death, Dragon had felt like someone punched a hole in his gut and there was nothing but a hollow feeling left. The full meaning of his words stunned Dragon. Talking to Jo had helped with closing up that wound, but the remnant that remained was all up to him. His brother had been protecting him every step of the way. With that knowledge churning inside him, the last of that hollow feeling dissipated as he understood the depth of his brother’s bravery, his determination to keep his promise, and his sacrifice to keep Dragon safe. All that remained was how proud Dragon was of him.
“I’m sorry for your loss. I truly am.” He picked up the mug on his desk and took a sip. Tapping a folder, he said, “I saw your name pop up the other night in relation to some two-bit punk you caught near your apartment.”
“Yeah.” Pulling his thoughts away from Asahi and focusing on the detective, Dragon asked, “Is he part of the TGG?”
“According to the report, he denies it, and I have no evidence that he is part of that gang.”
Dragon rose, satisfied about the answers he’d gotten, except for the punk who had attacked him. Dragon’s intuition told him it was more than some mugging. “Thank you for letting me know about my brother. It really helps to put my past to rest.”
“Glad to help.” He pulled out a card and handed it to Dragon. “If you think of anything in relation to your brother’s death that could help, or you need assistance in any matter, don’t hesitate to call me.”
It was close to noon when he walked out of the precinct into the warm sunshine. His brother and his own guilt and resentment had been laid to rest. It was more than he could have hoped for. The relief was like a breath of fresh air. Needing to talk to Jo, he hailed a cab and got dropped off in front of her shop, Soho Ink.
As he was entering, two guys were leaving, and that sixth sense for danger kicked in. They were shady looking, both tatted Asians, and both eyed him like he was their worst enemy. One had a long face, a very small mouth, and a shaved head. The other one’s hair was long, black and straight, touching his shoulders. He had killer black eyes with Japanese characters on his neck Dragon couldn’t quite make out.
They held the door for him and with insolent looks, they headed to the curb. He watched them get into a tricked-out muscle car and drive away.
He couldn’t shake the uneasy vibe he got off them. Approaching the desk, a pretty blond woman looked up and her eyes sparked with interest. Her tone was soft when she said, “Hello, there. What can I do for you?”
“Who were those guys?”
She looked puzzled, then said, “Oh, them? Just some gangbangers looking for tats. No biggie. You a cop?”
“No, he’s Ceri’s father,” Jo interrupted as a customer followed her to the front desk.
“Thanks, Jo. You’re the best. I’ll be back next week.”
Jo nodded, giving Dragon a soft smile as the customer paid, then left.
“He’s your baby daddy? The Navy SEAL?”
“That’s right.”
The woman looked disappointed, and Jo patted her arm.
“This is Morgan.”
“Nice to meet you,” he said to get the pleasantries out of the way. “Jo, can you go to lunch?”
“She can. She’s free for the next two hours.” Morgan smiled at him with a sigh, then murmured something he couldn’t hear to Jo. “Have fun.”
He waited while Jo grabbed her purse, and they walked down the street to a deli. Dragon remained vigilant as he scanned the street for any threat. “What did she say to you?”
“That you were yummy, and I have all the luck.”
That made him smile. “Yummy, huh?”
“Yes.” She slipped her arm through his. “She’s absolutely right.”
They entered the deli, and he ordered a sandwich and water, and she got soup and coffee. Just before the deli filled with people trying to get their food during the lunch rush, they snagged one of the last small tables.
She spooned up a mouthful of soup and eyed him. “You look agitated. What’s wrong?”
“I went to see the leader of the TGG this morning.”
She spit out her soup, coughing and reached for a napkin. He offered her his water and she took it, her eyes wide and distressed. She drank some of the water and coughed some more. “Are you out of your mind? That was crazy dangerous. Whatever possessed you to go talk to him?”
“I needed to ask some questions about Asahi. After you and I talked, I wanted closure. I need it, Jo, to move on, to heal.”
She sat back. “I completely get that, but God, Dragon, I’m so glad you’re all right.” She handed him back his water. “Did you get the answers you needed?”
“Yes.” He told her everything, including his meeting with Detective Gavin.
She reached out and clasped his hand, squeezing it. “Has that given you closure? Peace?”
He closed his eyes and nodded. She rose and wrapped her arms around him for a few seconds, then sat down. “Any other bombs you want to lob at me, demolition man?”
“Only one other one.”
“I’m bracing myself.”
“Did you know those men who were in your shop right before I arrived?”
“What men?”
“Tats, steely eyes, twitchy. I didn’t like the looks of them.”
She huffed out a breath. “That’s my clientele, Dragon.” She took a sip of her coffee and gave him a narrow look. “Who do you think they were?”
“TGG. Maybe. I go see Sato in the morni
ng and they show up to your shop hours later. I don’t like it.”
“You’re the honed warrior. If you think they were part of that gang, I have to take that into consideration. But just keep in mind, I get gangbangers in my shop a lot. It’s part of the city. It’s not fun at all.”
His pulse hammering in his ears, Dragon curled his hands into fists, his lungs suddenly tight. “All the more reason to get out of here and away from the danger they pose.”
She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself. “I’m considering it. But there’s a lot to think about before I make my final decision.” She huddled in her arms, a terrible anguish lining her face. “I don’t want to lose you…us,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I don’t, but this isn’t about just us.”
He made his muscles relax. Resting his elbows on the table, he hunched forward, forcing a calm, reasonable tone. “Of course it’s not just about us. I’m sorry. I vowed not to pressure you, but I’m feeling damned protective of you, my mom, and Ceri. I can’t help it. It’s hard-wired into me.”
“Let’s get out of here,” she said, and they took care of their trash and left the deli.
Walking back down the street, she took his hand in hers and he clasped it. “I’m going to have to go back to San Diego next week, Jo. I can’t change that. I’m not expecting you to make a snap decision.” He stopped and turned to her in the midst of the people traveling at a clip along the sidewalk. He pulled her into the shadows of one of the buildings. “I know it’s going to take time for you to decide, especially with how fast this is going, the stakes we have between us because we have a child together. It’s been six years, and I’ve been absent. I know all that, but it doesn’t feel like we’ve been apart that long. It all feels—”
“Good and right,” she whispered, cupping his cheek. “I know. I feel the same way.”
He nodded. “I love Ceri, and I don’t want to lose touch with her. This is so damn hard,” he whispered.
“For now,” she whispered back and kissed his mouth with a soft, quick brush. “We’ll work it out.”
