Bad Boy Obession

Chapter 1: Going Undercover-2

I shook his hand away. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He gestured to the mark. “I’m talking about that. Him. You’re flirting with him right in front of me. What’s wrong with you?”

I sank into the chair, embarrassed by his outburst. “Calm down,” I hissed. “It was nothing. I bumped against his chair and I just apologized. Nothing more.”

“I saw the way you were looking at him. I’m not stupid.” Charles sat down across from me, his back to the mark. “Is he looking?” he whispered so that only I could hear.

I nodded slightly. “I’m sorry,” I said, reaching over to touch his hand. “Come on. We are here to have a good time.”

Charles pulled away from me, leaning back in his chair. We chatted and the drinks flowed though neither of us were drinking much. We had to stay on our toes should the mark make a move.

Suddenly, a ripple seemed to go through the air and I saw the men stand up. I followed their gaze as a small entourage moved towards the table where the mark stood with his boys. An older man in an equally expensive gray suit approached them. Every man there immediately bowed low. The gentleman returned the gesture and the mark gestured to the seat he’d just occupied. The gray suit patted the younger man on the shoulder and sat down. The other men followed suit. The mark took up the chair next to the older man, putting him right in my line of sight.

“Who’s that?” I asked Charles, keeping an eye on the man.

Charles took a leisurely sip of his drink. “That’s his father. We’ve been trying for months to get something on him. Either he’s clean or he knows how to clean up after himself. Somehow I just don’t believe that he’s ignorant of his son’s activities. He may not have initiated them, but he damn sure reaps the benefits from them.”

I nodded. “Yeah.” I looked back at the group seated at the table. A waitress brought a tray to the table and proceeded to pour sake for everyone. She was careful to serve my mark’s father first, then him before pouring for two of the other men sitting with them. He lifted the glass and took a sip, his eyes finding mine.

The breath caught in my throat as we stared at each other. God, he was handsome! Get it together! I commanded myself. You can’t let him get to you like that. He’s a mark to be brought down. Nothing more. I looked away from him, pretending to fiddle with my napkin.

“Excuse me please.”

I looked up to see the same woman that had been serving the men standing next to our table. “Yes?” I said to her.

She bowed slightly and set a tray with an ornate porcelain cup and matching bottle with what I assumed was sake on the table.

“What’s this?” I asked.

The woman poured some of the clear liquid into the cup and set it in front of me. “Mr. Kobayashi sends this as a gift,” she explained.

Charles snorted. “Why is he sending ‘gifts’ to my lady?” he asked angrily.

The woman suddenly seemed uncomfortable as if she wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Then she looked at me. “He say you are a beautiful woman and deserve something lovely.”

I glanced at the man. “That was nice of him. But I can’t accept.”

“Please. He will be insulted if you do not accept.”

I pretended to think about it. “Alright,” I finally said. “Tell him thank you.”

She bowed again and hurried away. Charles looked over at me. “You’re not really going to drink that, are you?”

I reached for the cup, well aware that Kobayashi was watching me. “Yeah. Only a sip.”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

I tossed my hair back. “I have to. It’s rude not to.”

“I said don’t,” Charles said loudly.

From across the room, I saw Kobayashi raise an eyebrow. Charles’ outburst had gotten his attention. Just like we wanted.

“You’re being ridiculous,” I said. “It’s only a drink not a marriage proposal.”

“Isn’t that what you’re after? I told you I didn’t want to be tied to you or anyone else.”

“You’re just pissed because another man paid me a bit of attention. Not like you do.”

“I’m a busy man. I don’t have time for games.”

“All you think about is business. Business and how much money you can stack.”

“And there it is. That’s why you’re with me. You want a piece of the pie.” He suddenly reaches across the table and snatched the porcelain cup from my hand. He swirled the liquid in the cup, eying it thoughtfully. To the average onlooker, he was admiring the wine. But I knew he was looking for any visible trace of poison. “You women are all the same. Bloodsucking bitches.”

I gasped aloud at the insult. Had it been any other situation, I would have laughed. But both of us knew many pairs of eyes were on us. I stood.

Charles grabbed my arm. “Where are you going? To see him?”

I shook free. “There is no him. I don’t know why he sent the wine over. I don’t know him. I didn’t ask him to.”

“I asked you where you’re going.”

“To get some air. You need to cool off.”

“So you can meet him?”

I snatched the pretty bottle and tossed the wine in Charles’ face. Several people near us gasped and I kept my gaze on Charles, knowing he was watching the mark. He tensed and I moved protectively in front of him. I snuck a look over to the man’s table. He started to stand but his father’s hand on his arm stopped him. Good.

Charles wiped the wine from his face, smiling. Quick as a flash, be tossed the contents of the cup at me, sending drops of rice wine dribbling down my chest and soaking the front of my dress.

I gasped, gaping at the dress. “Oh my God! Look what you did, you bastard! It’s ruined.”

Charles shrugged. “So tell your daddy to buy you a new one. Or tell him. I’m sure he’d get you anything you asked for.”

I drew my hand back and slapped him. I always hated to do that to him. He was such a sweet guy. But he understood this was business and I had to make things look real to lure the mark.

“You’re drunk,” I said loudly. “I’ll find my way home.”

He shrugged his shoulders, picking up his drink again. I stormed away, heading out to the terrace. I leaned over the stone railing looking out over the city. I hoped our little performance had been enough to get the mark’s attention. He’d been watching me since I’d brushed against him. Then again, his father had stopped him from intervening, so out of respect for him, the mark may not approach me tonight and we’d have to start again tomorrow.

I jumped startled as someone reached around me to put another ornate porcelain cup beside me. I turned and looked into the face of my mark. Dear God he was handsome! His inky black hair was thick and worn a bit longer than most businessmen wore theirs. The wind whipped it around his face. Up close, I could see that while he favored his dad, it was easy to see his mother in his face as well. High cheekbones, full lips and the almond shaped eyes. Damn the man oozed s*x. I felt my body responding to him being so close to me and I had to rein myself back in lest I forget who he was and what I was here for.

“I brought you another drink since you didn’t get to enjoy the first one,” he said quietly.

I was amazed that someone so big would have a voice so light and I wanted to hear it again. But I couldn’t seem to find my voice to respond to him so I could hear it.

“Are you alright?”

I nodded. “Yes,” I answered finally. “I’m alright.” I looked down at my wet dress. “A little wet.” I noticed him watching me from beneath my lashes and I decided to push further. “My dress is ruined.”

“So I’ll buy you a new one.”

I was taken aback by his generosity towards someone he didn’t know. Especially someone that was trying to destroy him. But then again, he didn’t know that.

“That’s not necessary. Thank you.”

He held out the cup. “Will you accept the drink?”

I nodded and slowly reached for the cup. He inclined his head to me and held up his own. Praying that he wasn’t trying to poison me like Charles had hinted at, I took a small sip of the wine. I tried not to grimace as it burned a path down my throat to my belly. He didn’t seem affected by it. But then he probably grew up drinking it.

“Are you alright now?” he asked, setting his empty cup on a tray held by the same waitress that had originally given me the drink.

I felt my heart leap into my throat. I must be slipping, I thought. I always noticed when people came around me. That sixth sense had saved my bacon several times. So why had I not heard her this time? I’d only had a sip of the wine so I knew it couldn’t have affected my senses that quickly. Stop staring at Mr. Dimples-san and keep your mind on the task at hand, I commanded myself.

“What do you mean?”

He gestured to my still wet dress. ”I saw what he did to you. I apologize for his rude behavior.”

I raised an eyebrow. Either he was good at being sincere or he really meant it. He looked harmless enough, but I knew I couldn’t allow him to get to me. He was a gangster and even if he hadn’t personally killed anyone, he’d definitely ordered hits. I couldn’t afford to forget that.

“Well thank you,” I said, turning back to the railing and the city below. I knew that men like him didn’t care much for being dismissed.

“What is your name?”

I looked over my shoulder at him. “Reiko.”

He nodded. “A good strong name. And your father’s name?”

“Urieta.”

One eyebrow lifted. “Reiko Urieta,” he repeated, trying my name on his tongue. “An interesting combination. But it suits you.”

“Thank you. I think.”

He c****d his head to one side, regarding me with those dark eyes. “I’m going to take you to dinner tomorrow night,” he stated. “You like sushi?”

“Sure. But why-”

“Because I want to get to know you. I know a place where the food is fresh and delicious. You will love it.”

I must admit that it sounded nice. But I couldn’t let myself get too comfortable. “I don’t know. My boyfriend-”

“Obviously doesn’t know how to treat a lady from what I saw.” He stepped closer to me. “I can give you the world, Reiko. The world and everything in it.”

“You don’t waste time, do you?”

A smile curved one corner of his mouth. “Not when I see something that I want.”

“And you want me?”

This time, he grinned broadly. My heart skipped a beat. Dear God he was sexy! “I wanted you the moment you walked by.” He winked at me. “You must have wanted my attention too since you made a point to touch me.”

A jolt went through me. Damn, had I been that obvious? Crap. I was going to have to watch myself with this one. He was far too observant. But I played it off.

“I didn’t mean to bump into you. High heels aren’t the best for trying to get away.”

The man nodded. “I guess not. So about dinner tomorrow. I’ll send my car for you about 3:00.”

I held up a hand. “Wait a minute. I didn’t accept the invitation.”

He lifted a shoulder. “3:30.”

Part of me was turned on by his masterful handling of the situation. “And what about my boyfriend?”

The man shrugged again. “He can come too. He’ll have to get his own table though. I want to have all of your attention for myself.”

I smiled. It might be nice to be wined and dined for a change and have someone pay attention to me. Even if it was just a ruse.

I started to say something but was interrupted by Charles storming out onto the terrace. He glared at the mark before facing me.

“What are you doing?”

It was my turn to shrug. “Making friends.”

The mark spoke up. “Actually, I’m making plans to take your lady to dinner tomorrow night since you don’t seem to know how to treat such a beautiful creature.”

Charles stared at him a moment. I knew he was considering the best way to go about the plan without getting us and our partners killed. Kobayashi’s men blended into the shadows but I was fairly certain they were armed.

“She’s my girlfriend and she won’t be going out to dinner with anyone but me. Got that, pal?”

The mark seemed unaffected by Charles’ false bluster. Was he that keen that he recognized Charles’ bluff? I figured I’d better step in.

“It’s just business,” I assured him. “Besides, it could be good for the company.”

“We don’t need help from the likes of him. And especially if you have to ‘go out with him’ to get it.”

“Be careful,” the mark warned softly. His smile never wavered but I could feel the air around him tense. A couple of his men moved closer.

“Maybe we should just go,” Eric said quietly to Charles. “You can discuss this tomorrow when you’re more clear-headed. And sober.”

Charles shook him off. “I know what I’m doing. She isn’t going anywhere with you.”

The mark shrugged and looked at me. “3:30. My car will pick you up.”

Charles’ mouth dropped open. “You’re not seriously considering this are you?” He grabbed my arm to pull me with him. “Let’s go.”

I tried to pull away. “Stop it! You’re embarrassing me.”

“I said let’s go.”

“Let her go.”

Both Charles and I looked over to the mark. He hadn’t moved or even changed expressions but his men moved to form a ring around us. I looked over at the man. “I’d better go with him.”

“You don’t have to. My men can teach him to have a little more respect for women.”

I held up a hand. “Thank you but no. He’s drunk. And he can be a hothead when he drinks.”

The mark shrugged. “Your choice.” He extended his hand and I took it. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Reiko. And I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

“3:30.”

He smiled again and bowed slightly to me. “3:30.” He turned to go back inside the club and his men filed in behind him.

“Wait.”

The mark turned back to look at me.

“What’s your name? Who should I ask for?”

That smile appeared on his handsome face again. “My name is Markus Takahiro Kobayashi. You may call me Taka.” He bowed. “At your service.”

I couldn’t help but smile back at his formality. “Nice to meet you,” I said, offering him a bow in return.

“Until tomorrow,” he said and turned to leave.

I nodded to the men around me and they took hold of Charles and led him out. He was still argumentative with me and telling me what he was going to do to me when we got home. I pretended to be upset and worried. But that was more for Taka’s benefit than anything else. We kept it up even after we were outside of the club.

“Let’s meet at the apartment for a quick briefing,” I said. They nodded and Charles and I got into our car.

“You’re not serious about going to meet him tomorrow, are you?” he asked.

I nodded, glancing at him. “Why not? It’s the break we’ve been looking for.”

“I don’t trust him. There’s something about him that makes me uneasy. And I don’t think you should go alone.”

“And just how am I supposed to get any intel if I have my drunk boyfriend tagging along?”

He grinned. He knew I was right. “Okay, okay. Just make sure you have an out and some protection.”

I patted him on the arm. “Don’t worry. I never leave home without it.”