

A Haunted Love

By Lee Suilan

2016 © A Haunted Love, Lee Suilan

Cover Art, 2016 © Woo Liang

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Story also found on Gay Authors.org.

Warning: This eBook contains scenes with adult language, violence and explicit sex scenes between adult males. It is intended for mature audiences only. If you are offended by such content, please remove this eBook from your files.

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Chapter 1

Hideki Takada gripped the handles on his black Ducati, his thighs hugging the sides, head down, his gaze on the road ahead. His heart beat a thousand times a minute. Adrenaline swept through every cell in his body, filling him with the thrill of the ride.

He took a curve too fast, his left knee extended for balance, it made him feel light, like he was flying. Straightening the powerful machine, he considered ignoring the white flag ahead. Gripping the handles tighter, Hideki increased speed, the white flag waved frantically, and he chuckled.

He wasn't going to stop, that much he knew. At the flag, he lifted one hand at the flag bearer, passing with a grin, he settled in for another turn. A glint of the sun in the bleachers caught his eye for a second, he searched, but—

A loud explosion filled his head and his motorcycle lost balance.

Hideki groaned as he was thrown with force off the machine, he rolled on the tarmac, trying to get away from his damaged motorcycle. There was fire, screams...and then pain.

***

Kazuma Daiko walked into the Renegade Securities building nursing a raging hangover. The guard at the entrance nodded his head at him in greeting. Kazuma lifted his I.D. badge and swiped it over the panel next to the guard. The rods rolled open, letting him into the main lobby and he clipped the badge on his jacket lapel.

Kazuma rubbed his blood short eyes as he walked to the elevator banks.

"Morning."

Kazuma groaned when he turned to find his boss, Phillip Geneaux, standing beside him.

"Hard night?" Phillip asked.

"Don't start on me," Kazuma said, entering the elevator when the doors opened.

Phillip followed him in and stopped anyone else from entering. Kazuma's frown deepened as the doors closed. He hit the button for the fourth floor, the top floor of the building.

"How long will you live like this?" Phillip asked. "It's been a year."

"Let's not do this," Kazuma said, leaning back against the wall.

"We need to," Phillip said, his decisive tone raising Kazuma's suspicion.

"I have a client I can't turn away," Phillip said, when Kazuma didn't comment further. "Someone who needs the best in the business."

"Rui is the best," Kazuma said, referring to the other Special Forces agent who worked at Renegade Securities.

"Rui is in China, and he is clinical. He works best in situations that don't require finesse. I need you, Kazuma. This client is not someone I can push away."

"Because of money?" Kazuma asked.

Phillip shrugged. The fine line of his suit jacket framed his shoulders. Born to a French father and a Japanese mother, Phillip had pale skin, and startling blue eyes. Most people didn't believe Phillip was Japanese.

Phillip gave him a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Money is why we're in the business. Renegade Securities is doing well, but if we land this client, we're set for years, Kazuma."

Kazuma scratched his dark stubble.

He barely shaved lately. Compared to Phillip's clean cut appearance, he looked wild in faded jeans, black t-shirt and a weathered leather jacket. He tapped his left black boot on the wall, loathe to give up the comfort of his current existence. Taking an assignment would send that comfort to hell.

"You owe me," Phillip said.

Kazuma sighed.

"You just had to go there."

"You leave me no choice," Phillip said, with a matching sigh. "You belong in the field not managing supplies and logistics."

"I happen to like supplies and logistics." Kazuma folded his arms against his chest. "Who is this person?"

Phillip frowned.

"First, I need to know you're on board."

Kazuma gave Phillip a skeptical glance. When Phillip remained silent, Kazuma's interest peaked. Phillip's silence meant their client required high level privacy. This client had to be high up on the food chain. Their kind of trouble was hard to resist. It was hard to ignore the spark of excitement that raced down his back.

"I'll do it," Kazuma heard himself say. "Who is it?"

Phillip grinned.

"In my office," Phillip said, as the elevator stopped and the doors opened.

***

Renegade Securities took up the four floors of the building, but the top floor was sorely left to supplies and logistics, and security personnel. Phillip insisted on keeping personnel on the top floor to ensure privacy, and to maintain togetherness.

Kazuma figured the man just liked knowing where his assets were. After all, the security agents at Renegade were the guard dogs of the rich and privileged, if any of them went wrong, Phillip needed to know so as to decommission them before trouble started.

Staff members greeted Phillip as they made their way through a long corridor. They passed Kazuma's office in the supplies and logistics corridor. Phillip paused to greet the three others Kazuma worked with before they continued. The security agents' offices were next, and Phillip paused at each office talking to them. Kazuma followed along, his hands in his pockets.

Phillip was a born politician, Kazuma thought as they entered the heart of Renegade Securities.

This circular room in the middle of the fourth floor was where Renegade Personnel monitored the status of each of their clients. There were days the Dome, as they all liked to call it, got busy, other times, like now, only one person was needed behind the controls.

"Hi Kazu," Sora Ayaki, the Dome Administrator, said. "Good to see you out of S&L."

"Sora," Kazuma said, giving her a faint smile.

She grinned and he followed Phillip down a short hallway to a pair of fortified glass doors. Phillip's office was tucked into the corner of the building, designed for space and absolute privacy.

Phillip opened the doors and let Kazuma in before he closed them.

"How long have we known each other?" Phillip asked, following Kazuma into the conservative office.

"Ten years or so?" Kazuma dropped into a comfortable chair before Phillip's neat cherry wood desk.

"Eleven actually," Phillip corrected him, as he went around his desk to sit in his chair. "That's more years than I've lived with my wife, Kazu. You're family."

Kazuma laughed and settled in his chair."

"What's going on? Who is this client?"

"Someone I consider family too," Phillip said. "I'm sure you've heard of Riku Takada."

"The whole world has heard of Riku Takada," Kazuma joked. "Billionaire, richest man in Asia, business mogul, philanthropist with a dark past."

Phillip chuckled and lifted a hand to stop him.

"I get it. Riku is also just a man. He lives in Kita Kamakura in Kanagawa. He has a family home there, a very beautiful place."

"Wonderful," Kazuma frowned. "Why are we talking about Riku's family home?"

"Because he's our client," Phillip said. "Riku's son is in danger. There have been several kidnap attempts, and last week someone tried to assassinate Riku's son at the Tokyo Arc Club in Kamakura. Riku says he can't trust anyone working for him."

Kazuma closed his eyes.

"This is why you wanted me to commit before you told me the details."

"Yes."

Phillip got up and walked around his desk. He came to lean on the edge, his gaze on Kazuma.

"I know how hard this type of assignment will be for you, Kazu. I wouldn't insist if I didn't know you can handle it."

"How do you know I can handle this?" Kazuma asked, hating the slight tremor in his voice.

The thought of being responsible for a life again made him tremble.

"It wasn't your fault," Phillip said, as though reading his thoughts.

Kazuma met worried blue eyes.

"How can you know that? There was so much I could have done."

"Don't play that game," Phillip said. "You know where it leads. You're punishing yourself and it doesn't help either of us. I need you here, Kazu. Riku is desperate and worried for his son."

Kazuma wiped a hand down his face.

"This world's turned to shit if I'm the one a desperate father is turning to, Phillip."

"I wish you wouldn't see it that way. I've let you stay on the sidelines because you needed time, my friend. But, Riku's important to me, not just as a client. He's a good friend. I recommended the best to him."

Well, if Phillip put it that way, Kazuma thought shaking his head.

***

Hideki studied the scratches on his left thigh. They'd scabbed over. He fought the urge to itch them, though it was hard. They'd looked raw three days ago, today they looked and felt like an annoyance.

Patting a towel over them, Hideki finished wiping down after his shower and tied the towel around his hips. Taking his toothbrush from the holder at the sink, he turned it on and stood staring at the man staring back in the mirror.

There was nothing special about him. His face was too slender, his hair too straight. Months ago, he'd cut the sides, and grown out the top, courtesy of his last boyfriend. They'd hang out in Goth scenes until he'd gotten bored. He'd kept the hairstyle, and booted the boyfriend.

His eyes were his mother's or so his father said, brown with specks of gold.

Ordinary, he thought.

He bent down and spit out toothpaste foam. Rinsing his mouth, he ran the toothbrush under water and turned the tap off. Wiping his mouth with a face cloth, he dropped it on top of the sink and met his gaze.

"You're fine," he said to the man in the mirror.

The words sounded flat to his ears. He reached for his deodorant, sprayed it on, and then left the bathroom running his fingers through his damp hair.

He stopped short when he saw the man seated on his bed.

"Feel better?"

Hideki dropped his hand and glanced at the bedroom door. He would have sworn he locked it.

"What?" Haru Yasuo asked. "The door? I didn't open it. Patrick did. He's paranoid you'll run out of here without telling him."

"What's the point of having a lock then?" Hideki walked to his closet. "Where are you headed? You look dressed up."

"To see Jin," Haru said, watching Hideki look for clothes in his closet. "Want to come? You haven't gone to the club since the incident. Everyone is worried what's going on with you."

Hideki refused to think about the incident.

"Why do you want me to come with you?" Hideki dropped his towel appreciating Haru's gaze on him.

Haru was his neighbor. They'd grown up together. They were friends, sometimes lovers. Haru always needed more than he could give.

"Say hi to Jin," Hideki said, getting a pair of boxer shorts. He pulled them on, quite aware of Haru watching his every move.

"Is that what you're going to say, Hyde? Are you jealous?"

Hideki scoffed and wore a pair of fitting black jeans. Grabbing a belt from a rack, he put it on.

"I'm not jealous," Hideki said, pushing his hair away from his eyes. "You're free, Haru. We agreed on that."

"Yeah." Haru's gaze slid over Hideki's naked chest. "That agreement is for your benefit, Hyde."

Hideki got a white long sleeved t-shirt and pulled it on.

"Does it bother you?" Hideki asked.

"Should it?" Haru asked, meeting his gaze.

When Hideki remained silent, Haru scoffed and got off the bed.

"Right, that's not an answer I should expect from you. Finish dressing. Meet me downstairs if you want to come along. I don't want to turn into an idiot just yet."

"You're not, you know." Hideki felt compelled to say.

When Haru looked at him, Hideki smiled.

"An idiot," Hideki said. "You're not one."

Haru stared at him, longing filled his dark brown eyes. Hideki pretended not to see it.

"Meet you downstairs in ten," Hideki said, turning to get a hair dryer he'd left on a shelf in the closet.

The bedroom door slammed closed and he paused staring at the dryer in his hands. He was right to keep Haru at arm's length. Haru cared for him. He knew that, had seen it in the way Haru looked at him. Hideki sighed and plugged in the hair dryer.

He, on the other hand, was the bastard who took it all without giving anything of himself. He liked sex with Haru. It was sufficient, enjoyable, but he couldn't find the energy to give more to Haru.

Haru hurt every time they fell into old habits.

So, he'd decided to push Haru away.

There were days when Haru was especially kind to him and he wished his heart would wake up if only to ease Haru's longing.

In the end, the most he ever did was wish.

Turning on the hairdryer, Hideki pushed all thoughts of relationships out of his head. They tired him out.

***

Fifteen minutes later, Hideki went downstairs and stopped in the front hall of his home. He found two men in black suits waiting for him. Patrick and Daniel, foreigners: French brothers. His father had hired them to keep him safe.

"You're ready?" Hideki asked, referring to their security protocols.

"Haru is in the car. Are you sure you want to go out tonight?" Patrick, the head of security, asked. "Your father is anxious. He prefers you stay inside the estate. It is safer."

"If we're all anxious, who is living?" Hideki asked. "Come on, Patrick. I have to check on the club."

"More parties?" Daniel asked with a groan.

"Not just parties," Hideki said as they left the house. "Clients dancing and having drinks, equals to lots of money for the night. Add a sighting of me and it triples sales."

Daniel scoffed.

"Of course, money is all you think of. You are your father's son."

Hideki laughed and slid into the backseat of the black Mercedes he used.

Haru sat on the other side reading an article on his pad. Hideki was glad he looked happier. Haru was his closest friend, despite their complicated issues, he remained someone Hideki liked to have around.

"Ready?" Hideki asked Haru.

Haru leaned over and kissed his jaw.

"Ready. That's so you know we're good. I like to know where I stand with you."

Hideki nodded and settled in his seat.

"Do you think Jin is getting tired of running the club?"

"No," Haru said. "He loves that place. He runs it better than I would have, Hyde. Jin knows everyone in this city."

Hideki rubbed his left brow for a moment. Jin Takuya made the third in their circle. He and Haru had met Jin at Tokyo University.

Jin was outgoing. He knew how to talk to people, get them to do anything, Hideki thought. Sometimes that ability worried him. Jin could be manipulative. It also made him wonder why Jin opted to run his club instead of working on the finance career he'd trained for at Tokyo University.

"You've gotten a challenge," Haru said, holding out the pad to him.

Hideki took the pad and scanned Haru's Line social page.

"Who's Katya?" Hideki asked, when he saw the post Haru was talking about.

"Model from Russia, she's at Club H. She never lets anyone dance with her, not even super stars."

Jin had posted a picture of Katya and tagged Hideki with the question, 'Can Hyde kiss this?'

Manipulative, Hideki thought with a sigh.

"You have to do it," Haru said. "Though you might have to get your ego bruised."

"Whose side are you on?" Hideki asked.

"Yours, Hyde," Haru said with a wide smile. "It seems she likes red wine."

Haru took the pad from him and scrolled through it with a grim expression.

"It's all over her candid photos at home, a way in maybe? You have to do this, Hyde. Jin is smirking at you in this picture."

"Just one kiss?" Hideki looked at Haru with a grin.

"Jeez, turn that off, it's bad enough you smell so good. Yes, one kiss will do with Katya. We can then smirk back at Jin."

Hideki laughed and faced forward.

"I'll do it for you, Haru," he promised.

Out of the corner of his eye, Hideki saw Haru smile.

***

Kazuma crossed the street, headed to the Luna Plaza in downtown Kamakura. Club H was tucked into the corner of the building.

"This is insane," Kazuma murmured.

"Go with it," Sora said into his ear.

Kazuma reached up to adjust the earpiece he wore. Phillip had insisted on running this assignment with complete surveillance that included Sora watching his every move.

"Mr. Takada doesn't want to interfere with his son's lifestyle," Sora explained.

Kazuma paused at the entrance to the club. The security was lax, but it was a place of business. He noted four bouncers stationed outside the doors: two inside the door and two outside checking identification cards.

He walked in with a simple nod at the bouncers.

"My nightmare," Kazuma said, when he was inside the main club.

The place was packed with people. It was too noisy, visibility was low.

He stopped.

"Club H," Sora said into his ear, "is owned by Hideki. His father gifted him the Lunar Plaza seven years ago when he turned eighteen. Hideki opened the club a year later and placed Jin Takuya as top manager. Jin is one of Hideki's friends. The other is a Haru Yasuo. They are probably together right now."

"Financials?" Kazuma asked.

"Solid, the club makes money," Sora said. "The club's social media pictures show off a posh VIP area on the second floor. You're looking for stairs to your right."

"Thank you, Sora."

Kazuma adjusted his jacket, concealing his weapon and headed to the VIP stairs. There was a red velvet rope closing off the stairs. He reached to undo the one end, and stopped when a tall burly man in a dark suit appeared from a short corridor leading to a backroom.

"Where to?" the man asked.

"VIP," Kazuma said.

"With whose invite?" the man asked.

"Hideki Takada," Kazuma said.

"Try again."

Kazuma smiled.

Finally, some resistance, he looked up the stairs and saw a secondary man watching them from the top. Getting to Hideki was harder than he'd thought.

"Phillip is on the line with Riku," Sora said into his ear. "They should get a call in the next—

Kazuma heard the tall burly man's phone buzz.

"—minute," Sora said.

Kazuma stepped back allowing the burly man to answer his phone. Dark eyes studied him as the man spoke, then the red velvet rope was lifted from its hold.

"Kazuma-san?" the burly man asked. "New head of security?"

"Temporary arrangement," Kazuma said, he paused a step higher than the burly man. "I was a tad disturbed that I could get into the club so easily. I'm glad the VIP area is tight, but there's room for improvement."

"Yes Sir," the burly man said. "I'm Patrick. Upstairs you'll find Daniel. Master Hideki likes his freedom, Sir. We try not to make this hard on him."

"So I've heard," Kazuma said, with a short nod.

He continued up the stairs already weary and he'd barely started this assignment.

The VIP area was well lit. The dance floor packed with people. It made him cringe. Private tables lined the walls of the club.

"Do you see him?" Sora asked.

"Shouldn't you have eyes on him before me?" Kazuma teased.

"I do, I just wanted to see if you've gotten rusty," Sora said.

Kazuma's reply lodged in his throat, his gaze transfixed on Hideki Takada.

The pictures Phillip had given him were ineffective.

They missed so much...left out so much.

Hideki stood in the middle of the dance floor, a tall blond woman in his arms. She sipped wine from a glass Hideki held. Hideki whispered something in her ear, and she laughed. They danced in slow steps, despite the fast techno beat, caught up in their own world. Hideki touched the blonde woman's lips with his thumb, and she bent her head slightly.

Hot jealousy burned through Kazuma's stomach when Hideki met her lips in a kiss. His jealousy burned so hot, for a moment all he could think about was walking over to pull the woman out of Hideki's arms.

Hideki stopped moving and Kazuma stared as they kissed in the middle of the dance floor.

Kazuma let out a short breath and turned away.

What the fuck was wrong with him?

"Kazu," Sora said into his ear. "Are you there, Kazu?"

Kazuma cleared his throat and wiped a hand down his face.

"Yeah," Kazuma said gruffly. "I have eyes on Hideki."

"Quite the playboy," Sora said in amusement. "That's Katya Puchenka, Russian supermodel. I guess it's true that she only dates young billionaires, must be nice."

Kazuma cleared his throat, looking back in time to see Hideki and Katya end the kiss. They were only talking now.

"I didn't think he had a girlfriend," Kazuma said, his gaze seeking Hideki's table.

He spotted Haru, recognizing him from the pictures Phillip had passed along to him. Kazuma chose a table right behind Haru. He ordered orange juice when a waitress came hurrying to him. His gaze returned to Hideki.

"Hideki's single," Sora said. "He must have hooked up with the model today."

Kazuma watched Hideki and the model for the next half hour. They danced and kissed, each kiss annoying him more than the next. He sipped his orange juice and wondered if he shouldn't visit his ex-boyfriend. They still had an open door policy. Maybe impersonal hot sex would help him focus on guarding Hideki, instead of lusting after him.

Hideki smiled and he cursed under his breath.

Damn it, Hideki looked too good.

"Kazuma, the club is getting overcrowded downstairs," Sora said.

The variables were changing too quickly. The VIP area was secure, but an assassin for hire could get past Patrick at the stairs. The waiters and waitresses moved freely on both floors.

"Plan an alternative exit," Kazuma said. "We need four extra men downstairs."

"Alright," Sora said.

Kazuma watched Hideki and the model separate. Katya headed to the exit, and Hideki walked to his table, carrying the empty glass of wine.

"Did you have to make a spectacle?" Jin asked.

Jin had dyed his hair blonde, and wore an impeccable blue shirt and dark slacks.

"You wanted pictures," Hideki said, placing the glass on the round table before he slid next to Haru. "Were they good, Haru?"

"They got me hot," Haru said with a small chuckle.

"Do you have another challenge, Jin?" Hideki asked.

"Nope," Jin said with a laugh. "The club is full tonight. P.S. I asked for a kiss, what the hell was with the slow dancing and the hugging?"

Hideki shrugged.

"I was showing her a good time."

"Yeah right," Haru scoffed.

Hideki glanced at Haru. When Haru laughed, Hideki hit Haru's shoulder lightly with his right hand.

"She knew what we were doing. She played along because of the wine. Two, having a picture or two of me with her is a plus for her PR. She used me too."

"How hard it must be," Haru said sarcastically.

"I'm not sure I'm going to the next place you want to go, Haru," Hideki said.

Haru pouted and Hideki smiled at him, instantly the pout disappeared. Kazuma could understand Haru. There was something about Hideki's smile....he frowned.

It seemed there was something more to Hideki and Haru's relationship.

"I'm hungry," Haru complained, rubbing his stomach. "You promised.

"You guys want to leave?" Jin asked.

"I've done my duty," Hideki said, looking around the club. "I need to go somewhere less noisy, Jin. If I stay here longer things might get complicated."

Jin nodded in understanding.

"Alright, let me call Aunt Naoki for you. You like her food, and she's been asking about you."

Hideki nodded, and got up.

"I'll just go to the toilet."

Kazuma waited a few seconds before he got up too, following Hideki to the men's room.

"Who is Aunt Naoki?" Kazuma asked, pushing the men's bathroom door open.

"I can't find her anywhere," Sora said. "Give me a few minutes."

"Fuck!" Kazuma cursed when he entered the bathroom to find a man pressing a white cloth over Hideki's mouth and nose from behind.

Hideki was struggling, but the man was taller and bigger.

"I need help," Kazuma said, as he picked up the trashcan by the door and swung it at the assailant's head. He hit the man's head hard, dropping him to the ground. Throwing the trashcan to the floor, he reached for a panicked Hideki.

"Get off me," Hideki shouted, pushing him away, although he was weak.

Kazuma held on as Hideki slid to the floor, his eyes drowsy. He'd obviously breathed in some of the drug on the white cloth. Kazuma wrapped his arms around Hideki, lowering him to the ground gently.

Hideki fought to keep his eyes open.

Beautiful brown eyes filled with panic and fear, Kazuma felt his heart squeeze tight.

"You're safe. I've got you," Kazuma said. "You're okay."

Those brown eyes held his for a moment and then they closed.

***

Chapter 2

Hideki woke up to the sound of hushed tones, and the feel of a warm hand holding his. A splitting pain arced through his head, and he groaned.

"Hyde," Haru's warm voice filled his head, and he risked opening his eyes. "Oh thank God you're awake. You've been out for hours."

Hideki squeezed Haru's hand.

They were in his bedroom. Haru sat on the edge of the bed, studying him, worry lines on his smooth forehead. Hideki smiled and reached up with his free hand to rub them away.

"Haru," he chided. "Stop worrying. I'm fine."

"Someone tried to take you away again. How can you be fine?" Haru asked, shaking his head. "What do they want?"

Hideki sighed and moved to sit up.

Haru helped him arrange pillows behind his back. Moving closer, his hands shaking, Haru stroked back Hideki's hair. Touching his forehead to Hideki's, Haru closed his eyes.

"I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you," Haru said in a sad whisper.

Hideki pulled Haru into his arms, hugging him tight. He rubbed Haru's back when the younger man broke into soft sobs and buried his face into Hideki's shoulder.

It was still dark outside, the clock at his bedside table said it was ten minutes past two. Haru must have come back with him from the club.

The door opened, and he stared at the man who walked in. The rugged man who'd fought off his assailant. He stiffened, his grip on Haru tightening slightly, before he let him go.

Haru sniffed and wiped his eyes before he sat back.

"I'm sorry. It was so hard to see you passed out and not responding for hours."

"I'm fine," Hideki said, managing a slight smile for Haru, though his gaze stayed on the man standing by the door. "You should try and get some sleep, Haru."

Haru sighed and took in a deep breath.

"Can I—," Haru stopped and stared at Hideki.

Hideki dragged his gaze away from the man at the door. He managed a smile for Haru.

"Sleep here if you like. I could use the company."

Haru's answering smile was wide.

"Let me grab a shower, then I'll be right back. Don't move. You still need your rest."

Hideki chuckled as Haru rushed to his private bathroom, slamming the door closed in his excitement.

Damn his head was throbbing.

Hideki rubbed his eyes, sliding his feet over the bed, he wondered what had been put in that rug pressed against his nose and mouth. The scent had made him feel sick.

"The boy is right, you're not ready to move yet," the man at the door said, walking in slowly. "I've asked the staff to bring you a painkiller, and soup. You should eat. It will help settle your stomach."

"Who are you?" Hideki asked, though he suspected.

His father had reached out to a friend the week before, asking for help.

"Kazuma Daiko," the man said with a slight bow of his head.

Kazuma looked unkempt. He'd definitely not thought to shave for a week or so.

"Thanks for saving me," Hideki said, his tone dismissive.

He'd long accepted his way of life. Bodyguards came and went. He hoped his father wouldn't fire Patrick and Daniel. He liked them.

Kazuma didn't move to leave. He stood there watching him.

"I said thanks," Hideki said, meeting a cold dark gaze. "You can leave now."

"Did you see the man who attacked you?" Kazuma asked.

Hideki frowned.

"Why?"

"He wasn't wearing a mask. Have you seen him before?" Kazuma asked.

Hideki shook his head.

"No. I thought he was going to the bathroom. We were in a club, you know. He caught me by surprise when he suddenly grabbed me from the back. I couldn't push him off."

Kazuma nodded.

"Fine, get some rest. Make sure you eat the soup. We'll talk more in the morning. We need to make changes."

Kazuma turned then and left his bedroom without another word.

Hideki scoffed at that last remark.

Yeah right, he wasn't going to allow any changes.

What an odd man.

Haru came out of the bathroom, freshly scrubbed. He looked happier. A towel wrapped around his hips.

Hideki got to his feet using the bedside table to steady himself. He felt a tad dizzy.

Haru rushed to his side.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to change out of these clothes," Hideki said with a sigh. "Damn, I feel tired."

"Please sit down." Haru pushed him back and he sat on the edge of the bed. "I'll help you change."

"Are you sure you just don't want to see me naked?"

"I do want to see you naked but I don't think you're in a state to do anything more than sleep tonight."

Haru helped him remove his t-shirt and his jeans. Together, they pulled the white covers back, and Hideki slipped between the sheets. They felt cool against his skin, it was comforting. Lying back on the pillows, Hideki let out a soft sigh when Haru pulled the covers over him.

A knock came on the door, and the housekeeper walked in.

Aoki carried a tray with a glass of water and a bowl. She'd been part of the Takada household since Hideki was a baby. Hideki liked to imagine she was his mother.

"How are you boys doing?" she said, she came to place the tray on his bedside table.

"He's doing better now," Haru said, then went to the closet to dress.

"Oh, our Hyde," Aoki said, touching his forehead with a warm palm. "Sit up. I brought you soup, and medicine to take away the headache."

"Maybe only the medicine," Hideki said, taking the painkiller from her, he popped it into his mouth. Drinking the water, he handed her the glass and frowned when she held out the bowl too.

"The new bodyguard, Kazuma, he is right. Medicine on an empty stomach won't help you." Aoki took his hand and made him take the bowl. "I like him."

Hideki shook his head.

"You like anyone who forces me to eat."

Aoki smiled and waited.

Hideki sighed. From experience, he knew not to cross Aoki. She didn't take no for an answer. Tipping the bowl to his lips, he sipped the warm Miso soup. She'd made it perfect as always. He drank it all fast, suddenly realizing he hadn't gotten to eat dinner.

Aoki nodded her head in approval when he handed her the empty bowl.

"Get some sleep now," she said, touching his forehead again.

The gesture wasn't one to check his temperature, but one of comfort. She must have been worried.

"I'm fine," Hideki said.

"You're always fine," Aoki said, getting to her feet. "You could fall down the stairs, and you'll say you're fine. This child..." She shook her head, taking the tray with her. "Haru-chan, watch over him. I'll see you two at breakfast in the morning."

Hideki watched her leave his bedroom.

"Feel better?" Haru asked, sliding into the bed beside him. Haru had borrowed a t-shirt and boxer shorts from Hideki's closet.

"Much," Hideki said, leaning his head back on the headboard. "Was it bad?"

He didn't need to say at the club. Haru shivered and moved to rest his head on Hideki's shoulder.

"I thought you were dead when that new guy carried you out." Haru sighed. "Jin freaked too, but Kazuma kept us all in check. He got you out of the club in record time. No one noticed what was happening. We drove here fast in these black Landrovers I've never seen before. Is your father changing his fleet of cars?"

Hideki shifted so that he could wrap his left arm around Haru. He sank his fingers into Haru's soft black hair.

"The cars probably belong to the new security company."

"Your father must be really worried to get a new security team," Haru said, his voice heavy with sleep. "Hyde, don't cut me out even if things get complicated. Promise me."

"Haru," Hideki started to protest.

"With all these kidnapping attempts, it feels like we're going to have a hard time." Haru lifted his head slightly to meet his gaze. "Don't push me away, Hideki, no matter how hard it gets. Promise me."

Hideki sighed unable to resist Haru's imploring eyes.

"Alright, I promise."

Haru nodded and pressed a light kiss on Hideki's jaw.

***

Kazuma walked into Hideki's room on silent feet. He was surprised to find Hideki deep asleep, his arms wrapped around Haru. It looked like a lover's embrace. Hope flared and he squelched it fast. Walking to the open windows, he closed them, wondering why they didn't have blinds or curtains. Stealing another glance at a sleeping Hideki, he couldn't help the flash of jealousy whipping through him.

He wondered how close the boy and Hideki were, would their relationship last?

Kazuma frowned at his thoughts. Leaving the bedroom, he closed the door and nodded at the two men posted in the corridor.

Kazuma continued to the stairs.

His phone beeped an alert. He checked it to find it was his morning alarm. He wasn't surprised to see that it was five o'clock in the morning. Going down the stairs, he headed to the security offices in the back of the house on the ground floor.

"Kazuma."

He stopped right outside the security room to see Riku Takada at the kitchen entrance.

"Sir," Kazuma said.

"Can we talk for a bit?" Riku asked, indicating for Kazuma to follow him into the kitchen.

Kazuma nodded and headed to the kitchen.

He found Riku pouring coffee into two black mugs. Riku was dressed for the office in a tailored dark blue suit.

"Milk or sugar?" Riku asked, glancing at him for confirmation.

"None thanks," Kazuma said.

He'd not had any sleep. He needed the straight caffeine to keep him awake.

Riku took both mugs and brought them to the island table in the middle of the room. Kazuma took the mug Riku extended to him, and pulled out a chair across Riku.

"Thank you for saving my son," Riku said, after they settled into quiet silence. "That man is in custody?"

"Yes. There is an inspector in charge of the case. They can only charge the assailant with assault, and interrogate him on his motives."

"He won't talk," Riku said with a sigh. "We've caught many. They prefer to go to jail than say who sent them. I have many enemies, Kazuma."

Kazuma studied Riku Takada. The man was in his early fifties. He kept fit, had taken care of his health so he looked younger than his actual years. His eyes were kind, though there was sadness in their shadows.

Riku sat upright, his shoulders straight. He was a man confident of his status in life, but when he spoke of his son, his shoulders slumped slightly.

"Hideki," Riku said, his gaze on his coffee cup. "He is not one to complain, but I know this is hard on him. Please take care of him, and don't make it too difficult for him to breathe."

"His life is in danger." Kazuma felt compelled to state that. "His lifestyle has to change, Sir."

"I know," Riku said, lifting his gaze to meet Kazuma's, "but protecting him shouldn't become stifling. It isn't his fault his father does business with crazy people."

Kazuma frowned.

Riku felt guilt. He recognized it having lived with guilt for a year.

Hideki hadn't complained once after he'd woken up from being drugged. He'd taken Kazuma's presence in stride.

The son took it as a way of life, while the father felt burdened.

"I'll do everything I can to keep your son safe," Kazuma said.

Riku smiled and nodded.

"Phillip said you took your work seriously. Do what you can, just know I'll more than likely side with Hideki in an argument."

Kazuma returned the smile.

"As you should, you're his father."

Riku chuckled and sipped his coffee for the first time.

"I feel relieved you're here."

Kazuma sipped his coffee too, a heavy weight settling on his shoulders.

The promises to the parents were hardest to keep, he thought, the most painful to bear.

***

Kazuma managed to grab a few hours of sleep after Riku left. He woke up at ten o'clock and spent the rest of his morning rechecking Hideki's schedule and making security changes. In the afternoon, Kazuma found Hideki reading in the dining room.

"Take this," Kazuma said, holding out a silver coin.

Hideki glanced up from the book he was reading.

"What is it?"

"A panic button," Kazuma said. "In case you're in trouble again."

Hideki placed his book on the table and took the coin, holding it up between his index finger and thumb.

"Saint Jude," Hideki read out. "Who is that?"

"No one special," Kazuma said. "Where is your friend?"

"He went to see his plants," Hideki answered, when Kazuma lifted his brow, Hideki chuckled. "Haru owns a flower shop and takes care of green houses. He lives next door. Please don't make it hard for him to find me."

"Is he your lover?" Kazuma asked, wanting to know.

Hideki closed his fingers over the coin and shifted in his seat to study him.

"Does that bother you?"

"Not at all," Kazuma said, his hands in his pockets.

He was jealous of Haru, but Hideki didn't need to know that.

Hideki stared at him for a moment then shrugged.

"We're not an item, if that's what you're wondering. Haru is my best friend. Our relationship is complicated. Don't try to understand it."

Kazuma wondered what that meant.

"I want to review changes in your schedule with you."

Hideki closed his book and pushed the cup of coffee he'd been drinking aside.

"I don't want to change my schedule."

"You need to," Kazuma said, pulling out a chair across Hideki. He sat down and met hostile brown eyes. "The man who attacked you last night got to you too easily."

Hideki rubbed his forehead and leaned his elbows on the table.

"I have obligations...office hours to keep, people to meet, assets to check on. My day changes a lot."

"But there are constants," Kazuma said, his tone gentle. "Every Monday, you end up at the club with Haru and Jin after hours. On Wednesday evenings, you go to the dojo to see Master Shim, and Friday evenings, you take your office workers to the Italian restaurant at the Lunar Plaza."

Hideki sat back in his seat.

"So you're saying someone has studied what I do, and is timing me."

"Yes."

"Shouldn't we use that?" Hideki asked.

"Not if we want to keep you safe."

"I don't want to be safe," Hideki said, surprising Kazuma. "I want the people who want to kidnap me caught. I can't do that by hiding so you do it."

"Do what?" Kazuma asked, wondering if Hideki wasn't a tad crazy.

Most people preferred to find the easiest way out. Hiding was the easiest thing to do.

"Keep me safe and catch these people," Hideki said, meeting Kazuma's gaze. "My father says you're the best. If that is true, I shouldn't have to change my schedule, or hide."

Well, well, Kazuma thought a tad impressed.

Hideki was challenging him.

Kazuma leaned his elbows on the dining table, holding Hideki's gaze.

"I'll only agree to this plan if you promise to do what I say without complaints."

"I don't complain," Hideki said. "If something pisses me off, I'll walk away."

"You never walk away from me, ever," Kazuma warned, his tone hard.

Hideki gaped.

"You—

"You walk away from me, and I leave," Kazuma stated.

Hideki sighed.

"Fine, no walking away from you," he said with a frown.

"Good." Kazuma smiled. "I think we'll get along fine."

Hideki studied him for a moment then picked up his book.

"I'm glad we had this talk. Are you keeping Daniel and Patrick?"

"Of course," Kazuma said, as he pushed his chair back and got up.

He saw a slight smile flash on Hideki's lips and he scoffed.

"Do you like them that much?"

Hideki opened his book to his page.

"I'm used to them."

Kazuma smiled and gave the younger man a small bow before he left the dining room.

***

Two weeks into the assignment, Kazuma found he liked watching over Hideki Takada.

Hideki worked a full day in his office at the Lunar Plaza. Kazuma was pleasantly surprised to find out that Hideki owned a thriving merchandising business. Hideki shipped in goods from around the world, and sold them in different department stores in the country. His office had ten employees, and they all liked Hideki as an individual.

Kazuma could understand why

For a rich kid, Hideki was down-to-earth, and very open-minded. Hideki's business was separate from the enterprises owned by Hideki's father. Phillip had told Kazuma that Hideki was trying his best to build his own company from scratch.

Kazuma watched the surrounding buildings using a pair of binoculars. There had been no incidences since the club. Hideki's assailant was behind bars and had refused to share anymore about why he'd tried to kidnap Hideki. The lack of information made Kazuma nervous.

Scanning the surrounding buildings again, he found nothing out of the ordinary. No snipers on the roof, no peeping toms with binoculars except him...he let out a sigh and wondered what was going on.

Five minutes later, he left the roof, and went down a flight of stairs to Hideki's floor. The office was bustling, staff on the phones answering calls: making orders...taking orders. He glanced at the front entrance. Two of his men prowled the area, their earpieces on in case of any developments.

Patrick and Daniel were downstairs. They checked the building perimeter, reporting any suspicious people.

Kazuma greeted Hideki's secretary as he walked by her desk. She blushed and gave him a quick nod indicating that Hideki was alone.

He entered Hideki's office with a swift knock.

"Checking on me," Hideki asked, when he closed the door behind him. "I'm still here."

Hideki sat behind a glass table, working at his computer.

"Are you hungry?" Kazuma asked, glancing at his watch.

It was almost one o'clock. Hideki had a habit of forgetting lunch and working straight through the day.

"Is it lunchtime already?" Hideki asked, stretching his arms over his head. "Damn, I'm stiff."

Kazuma moved around Hideki's desk. Putting his cell phone in his pocket, he placed his hands on Hideki's shoulders.

Hideki dropped his arms.

"What are you doing?"

"Relax," Kazuma said, his fingers digging into tense shoulder muscles. He had a lot of experience with stiff muscles. "You shouldn't sit for so long."

Hideki let a moan slip when Kazuma's nimble fingers worked out a knot.

"What kind of bodyguard are you?"

Kazuma kept massaging Hideki's shoulders and neck over the tailored lime-green shirt Hideki wore.

"Why do you ask?"

Hideki relaxed slightly.

"I don't know. I haven't heard of a bodyguard who offers massages, Kazuma-san. You worry about lunch. You get me out of the office on time. I'm starting to think of you as my personal assistant."

"I'm only doing my job, Master Hideki."

"Hyde," Hideki said. "Everyone calls me Hyde."

"Why?" Kazuma asked, curious about the nickname.

Hideki shrugged.

"Just 'coz, you ask a lot of questions. Do you know that?"

"It's the only way to learn," Kazuma answered, smiling when Hideki leaned into his touch.

"I suppose you're right."

Kazuma ended his massage and stepped away from Hideki's chair.

"Do you want me to order in?" Kazuma asked.

Hideki shook his head and got up.

"Let's go out for lunch."

"Where?" Kazuma asked, already thinking about the restaurants close to the Lunar Plaza.

"Within," Hideki said as he wore his suit jacket. He looked dashing in a dark suit, his hair falling over his left brow. "I'm sure you're already calculating the risks of me stepping out of this building. I hope you like Italian."

Hideki was choosing to go into the Italian restaurant inside the Lunar Plaza.

Kazuma was glad for that.

"Are you taking anyone?"

"You," Hideki said, with a small mischievous smile. Taking his wallet from the top drawer of his desk, he headed toward the door. "Come a long, strange bodyguard, I'll feed you today."

Kazuma grinned and followed his young boss out the door.

***

"Who is Aunt Naoki?" Kazuma asked.

They were seated at a secluded table in the Italian restaurant on the second floor of the building.

Hideki took a healthy bite of his fettuccine, savoring the sauce, his focus on his food.

"How do you know her?" Hideki asked, when he swallowed his food.

"Jin was going to call her for you that night you were at the club," Kazuma said.

"Were you eavesdropping?"

"It's my job," Kazuma said.

There was no hint of remorse, or guilt.

Hideki liked that about Kazuma, his absolute dedication to the job. Strange how he'd never noticed it with Patrick and Daniel. Not that they weren't dedicated to their jobs, but he'd never cared to notice it. Not the way he noticed with Kazuma.

Placing his fork down, Hideki reached for his napkin.

"Aunt Naoki to Jin and Haru," Hideki said. "She is my mother."

Lines appeared on Kazuma's smooth face and Hideki smiled.

"Worried she might be the one who is attacking me?" Hideki asked.

"Your father didn't mention that you see your mother."

"He wouldn't," Hideki said, sipping his apple juice. "My mother's topic is sensitive. It has always been since I was a child. My father doesn't like talking about her."

"Can I ask why?"

Hideki glanced at Kazuma.

"For what reason?" he asked.

"I need to know if she might know who is behind your kidnap attempts."

"She won't know," Hideki said.

When Kazuma lifted a brow at him, he sighed.

"Fine, Naoki is too involved with her other family to care about me or my father. She is married to another man, and has a daughter."

"Why don't we know this?"

Hideki sat back in his chair.

"Because she was struck out of the family registry, and her existence matters only to me."

Hideki looked around the quiet restaurant. He didn't like discussing his mother because it hurt. He'd spent five years trying to find her. When he discovered she'd remarried and started a new family, he'd been seventeen and angry. Thinking she hated him, he watched her from a far, refusing to approach her despite Haru's urging that he meet her. He finally met her face-to-face at the age of twenty.

Naoki had cried hard sobs that still shook him at the memory of them.

"Please don't look into her," Hideki said. "She's living a quiet life, a happy life. It wouldn't do to worry her about me."

"Does she own a restaurant?" Kazuma asked.

"Yes. On the outskirts of town," Hideki said, his gaze on his unfinished food. "Haru, Jin and I go there occasionally. She's a great cook."

"Will you take me sometime?" Kazuma asked.

Hideki glanced up to meet warm dark eyes. Kazuma was promising not to pry without his permission. He smiled and picked up his fork.

"And why would I do that?"

"Because, I've already met your father," Kazuma said. "You have the same built and the same dedication to your work. I would like to see what you got from your mother."

Hideki smiled.

"My eyes," he said. "Or so my father tells me."

"Does your father visit her?"

Hideki shook his head.

"I don't know. He's never mentioned it to me."

Kazuma nodded, and then took a bite of his own food.

"Mmm...this is good."

Hideki chuckled.

Kazuma glanced at him in question and Hideki shook his head.

"You pry into my life every second of every hour. The most you've given me about you is that you think the Fettuccine is good."

Kazuma swallowed his food.

"It's more than most people get," Kazuma told him.

"Why? Are you protecting your identity?"

"I don't need to," Kazuma said. "Not many people ask about me in this process. They're more concerned with whom I'm protecting."

"Would you tell me if I were to ask?"

Kazuma studied him for a moment.

"What do you want to know?"

Hideki smiled.

"Are you married?"

Kazuma shook his head.

"No."

"Girlfriend?"

"I prefer boyfriends, but I'm single."

Hideki nodded.

"Where do you come from?"

"Kobe," Kazuma said. "I have one older sister. She's married to a hardworking man. They have one daughter."

"You must care about them very much."

"I do," Kazuma said.

Hideki sipped his juice, then asked, "How many people have you guarded in your career?"

Kazuma held Hideki's gaze.

"I'll estimate it to fifteen. I didn't always work alone. Some jobs were done as a group assignment."

Hideki nodded in understanding.

"Of those fifteen, how many made it through a dangerous situation?"

"Are you asking me how many died under my care?"

Hideki stared at Kazuma unsure whether he wanted such an answer. It would be difficult to have failed someone. To have that person be dead when you'd promised to keep them alive.

"You don't have to tell me—

"One," Kazuma said in a quiet tone.

The expression on Kazuma's face made Hideki wish he hadn't asked. There was anger in Kazuma's eyes, but mostly guilt overruled all else. Guilt that he'd failed this one person.

"I think that is an achievement," Hideki said. "Out of fifteen, to have only lost one person—

"Is unacceptable," Kazuma said in a tight voice. "I failed at my job, and as a result a young woman died. Don't make light of it. It's not an easy matter."

Kazuma pushed his chair back and stood up. He glanced at his watch.

"You have an appointment in five minutes. We should head back to the office."

Hideki took his napkin and dumped it on his plate. He pushed his chair back too and got up.

"For the record, I wasn't making light of anything," he said. "I was trying to let you know that I'm not naïve. Whether you succeed or fail in protecting me, I need you to know I won't blame you. I know the stakes."

"You know nothing," Kazuma said, his gaze hostile.

Hideki swallowed hard surprised when his heart slammed against his chest. He felt paralyzed by Kazuma's gaze. His insides trembled, and he pressed a hand into his stomach wondering if the food was bad.

Looking away from Kazuma, he took in air, hoping to calm his insides.

Kazuma took his elbow, sending him out of balance.

Hideki wondered why it hurt when Kazuma kept his gaze directed forward as he led him out of the restaurant.

***

Kazuma's reaction stayed with Hideki for the rest of the afternoon. He didn't know what it was like to bear such a burden, but he imagined it was difficult. Losing someone you'd promised to keep safe...

Hideki sighed.

"Sir." The young woman leading him into the showroom at the Motorcycle Centre interrupted his thoughts.

Hideki shrugged his melancholy away and concentrated on listening to her. He wanted to buy another motorcycle since his last had blown up into pieces.

"What brand do you prefer?" she asked.

"Ducati," he said, moving to stand by a collection of them in the middle of the room.

He loved motorcycles. Loved the thrill they gave him when he was riding. Placing a hand on the seat of one, he frowned when a loud explosion filled his thoughts. He hadn't seen it coming. All he remembered was the loud bang, and sailing through the air...then trying to crawl away from the exploding motorcycle...

He jerked his hand away from the seat of the brand new machine.

"Are you alright?" the young sales woman asked.

He stared at her, forgetting why he'd walked into the shop in the first place.

"Will you give us a moment?" Kazuma asked the lady.

She smiled and nodded, walking away to give them privacy.

Hideki stuck his hand in his pockets and turned away from Kazuma.

"You didn't have to do that."

"What's wrong?" Kazuma asked.

"Nothing," Hideki said, walking to the next motorcycle. "I'm trying to purchase a new motorcycle here."

"You're not over your accident. Don't jump into it if you're not ready."

"What do you know about it?" Hideki scoffed.

"A lot," Kazuma said. "Your hands are shaking."

"So?"

"So, I doubt you can sit on a motorcycle without remembering your accident."

Hideki refused to acknowledge Kazuma's correct assumption. He needed to get back to his racing. It was the only outlet he had, the only moment of freedom in his life.

"I want a motorcycle," Hideki said, his tone stubborn.

"You'll still want one when you're ready to sit on it."

Hideki let out a frustrated sigh and met Kazuma's dark gaze.

"Why are you so bossy?"

"I'm not bossy. I'm stating facts."

"In a bossy tone," Hideki pointed out.

Kazuma smiled, the sight of it startling Hideki because he didn't think he'd seen Kazuma smile in the last two weeks. It sent funny waves rolling in his stomach.

Hideki looked away.

"I've changed my mind. I think I'll find a fast car instead."

Without another word, Hideki turned and left the showroom, leaving Kazuma to deal with the sales woman.

They got home around eight o'clock in the evening. Hideki got out of the Mercedes and hurried into the house eager for a hot shower and one of Aoki's delicious meals. Upstairs, he removed his suit jacket and started undoing buttons on his shirt. The bedroom door opened and he turned to find Kazuma walking in carrying his laptop.

"You left it in the car," Kazuma said, moving to place the laptop on the desk by the windows. "I've been meaning to ask. Why don't you have blinds or curtains in here?"

"I like the windows that way."

"It's not good for protection," Kazuma said. "If you insist on it, we have to tint the glass."

Hideki sighed.

"Do what you want."

"I'm only trying to protect you."

"So you've said."

Hideki tugged out the tails of his shirt and pulled it off. He dumped it on an armchair and started on his belt. He glanced up to look at Kazuma when the man remained standing by the windows.

"I'm not giving you a free show. You can leave now."

Kazuma shook his head and started toward him.

Hideki froze when Kazuma reached him, unsure why his heart was beating so hard in his chest. He took in a deep breath when Kazuma stopped close, very close...he could feel Kazuma's breath against his cheek. A soft gasp escaped when Kazuma leaned his head down and took his lips in a wanton kiss.

Hideki could only cling to Kazuma's arms as he lost himself for the first time under a sweet blazing assault.

****

Chapter 3

Fire ignited deep inside him. Hideki could barely think past the feel of Kazuma's lips against his. He opened his mouth to protest, but Kazuma slid his tongue in, dragging him through burning sensation. He sucked on Kazuma's tongue, needing more, wanting more...how could the man taste so good?

Kazuma tugged him closer, wrapping his arm around Hideki's waist, pulling Hideki's naked chest against his. Strong fingers sank into Hideki's hair, holding him still as the kiss continued until they were both breathless.

Hideki moaned.

The door crashed open, and a harsh gasp filled the room.

Hideki broke away from Kazuma, dazed. His gaze flying to the door, he stared at Haru, his mind numb.

Haru looked in shock. Before Hideki could gather his wits, Haru turned and ran off.

Hideki felt guilt slam through him and he started to run after Haru. Kazuma stopped him with a hand on his left arm.

"Let him go," Kazuma said gently.

"But—

"He needs time to cool off."

Hideki cursed under his breath and ran fingers through his hair.

"Why did you kiss me?"

"I've wanted to since I saw you with that model at Club H."

Hideki tugged his arm out of Kazuma's hold, his insides were still trembling. He could barely believe Kazuma had that effect on him.

Of all people, why did it have to be Kazuma?

"It can't happen again," Hideki said, turning away from Kazuma.

"I won't promise that it won't."

Hideki scoffed.

"Then I'll promise. I won't let it happen again."

Hideki stalked into the bathroom, closing the door. He leaned on it, giving in to the shakes, his hand coming up to touch his lips. Kazuma's kiss had scorched him to the bone.

****

After dinner, Kazuma followed Hideki on a cobbled path behind the Takada house. He kept his distance, watching Hideki walk with his hands in his pockets.

Kazuma couldn't believe he'd lost his mind that way. The sight of Hideki half-naked had sent all noble thoughts out of his brain. All he'd wanted to do was feel Hideki's heat against him.

God, but that kiss left him wanting more.

Too bad, Hideki was treating it like they'd committed a grave sin. Hideki was ignoring him since he'd emerged from his room. Hideki had eaten in silence, and then walked out of the house.

Hideki reached the edge of the property, and Kazuma watched him push a plank of wood on the fence. A section of the neat row of bamboo fence opened and Hideki slipped through. Kazuma followed after him, to find they'd entered the connecting property.

Hideki walked ahead, visible in a white sweater, and blue jeans, his hair a wild mess on top of his head.

Kazuma sighed wondering if he shouldn't give up this assignment before things got complicated. He followed Hideki to a set of three green houses.

Hideki paused outside the green house in the middle, taking in a bracing breath before he walked in.

Kazuma looked around the compound, glad to see no one in sight. Patrick and Daniel were behind him, and they gave him thumbs up as they went around the green houses to check on the back. Kazuma slipped into the green house after Hideki and paused at the entrance when he was greeted by a sea of flower plants.

"You didn't have to come looking for me," Haru's voice reached him. It was tinged with pain.

Kazuma winced.

He hadn't thought about Haru when he'd been kissing Hideki.

"I'm sorry." Hideki's voice sounded contrite, though the weight of it wasn't that of an apologetic lover, but an apologetic friend.

It gave Kazuma hope.

"Don't," Haru said. "It hurts to hear you apologize to me. You know, you've never once moaned in pleasure when I kissed you, not even when we had sex. I'm the one who screams in pleasure, not you."

"Haru," Hideki started.

"He must be very good, your bodyguard."

"Don't do this, Haru," Hideki said. "Forget about that kiss. It won't happen again."

"Then you're lying to yourself. I doubt you can help that kind of passion."

Kazuma stared at a Hibiscus flower, his heart skipping with joy at Haru's assessment. He too, thought the same. Hideki might deny the fire in their kiss, but nature would take its course.

"I'm jealous," Haru said, angry. "I'm so jealous. I want to hate you for igniting for him and not me."

"What do you need me to do to fix it?" Hideki asked.

Kazuma sighed and turned to head back to the exit. He didn't need to listen to Hideki promise not to care for him. He was going insane as it was with need.

Outside, he stood at the entrance into the green house and wondered if he could get Phillip to change his mind. Perhaps Rui was the better man for the job. Rui wouldn't lose it at the sight of Hideki kissing another. Rui would definitely not care who Hideki fucked.

God, the thought of Hideki moaning in pleasure under someone else drove him crazy.

"Let's go," Hideki snapped, breaking into his torturous thoughts.

Kazuma glanced at the green house entrance to find Haru watching him. He gave the young man a slight bow, and got a scowl in return. Haru turned and went back into the green house.

Hideki sighed and started back to the fence.

"You didn't have to follow me. I was safe here."

"I have to know where you are at all times."

"Good for you," Hideki said. "Were you happy listening to Haru? He's angry with me at the moment."

"He's infatuated with you." Kazuma stated. "His anger will pass."

"And what you and I did, will that pass too?" Hideki asked.

Kazuma paused behind Hideki, not too sure he wanted it to.

"I don't know."

Hideki turned to look at him.

"I'm going to make it pass. I can't lose Haru in my life. I won't let that happen."

Kazuma followed Hideki back home, a sense of foreboding settling in his chest as they entered the Takada house. He watched Hideki rush up the stairs to his bedroom. For a moment, he wished he was going with Hideki in there. For a weak moment, he longed to hear Hideki's moans of pleasures, imagining what they would sound like. Shaking his head, he reached for his phone and dialed Phillip.

***

"What's the problem?" Phillip asked, studying Kazuma. "Don't you think you're overreacting? When was the last time you got laid?"

"I don't believe we're having this conversation." Kazuma wiped a hand down his face and paced the length of Phillip's desk. "Leave my sexual habits out of this. I'm telling you I can't be clear-headed with Hideki. Get Rui on this assignment."

"I think you're the perfect man for the job, now more than ever," Phillip said, sitting back in his seat. "You care about Hideki. He needs that."

"I'll get him killed." Kazuma shook his head. "My feelings will turn into a distraction."

"They'll make you more alert, Kazuma." Phillip glanced at his watch. "Look, it's almost nine o'clock. You should head back to the estate. I'm sure Hideki will wonder where you've ran off to."

"I highly doubt that," Kazuma said with a shrug. "Look, promise to work on getting Rui back in town."

***

Thursday, Hideki woke up bursting with unexplainable energy. He showered fast, dressed with care, choosing neat navy blue pants, a grey shirt and a matching blazer. At eight, he frowned when Kazuma didn't walk into his bedroom as he'd often done in the past two weeks.

Taking his cell phone, Hideki went downstairs to the dining room. He sat at the dining table reading the morning paper. His gaze constantly strayed to the door, as he waited for Kazuma to walk in for his coffee.

Kazuma drank his coffee black and seemed to need it every morning.

By nine o'clock, there was still no sign of Kazuma. Hideki scowled at his watch wondering what the man was up to now. He was due for a marketing conference at the Kamakura College at ten o'clock. Any more delays and he would be late.

Daniel and Patrick walked in and he placed his newspaper down.

"Where is Kazuma- _san_?" Hideki asked.

"He's gone to run an errand." Daniel smiled. "You're stuck with us this morning."

The disappointment that flooded him was not surprising. He had spent the evening before thinking about their kiss. The fires that kiss had sent coursing through him...the longing was new. He wanted to feel it again, but the cost...

Hideki got up from the table.

Patrick and Daniel followed him out of the house, and as he slid into the car, Hideki wondered what type of errand Kazuma needed to run so early in the morning.

At the conference, Hideki sat in his seat barely listening to the presentations from his fellow industrialists. His thoughts remained on Kazuma. He could still feel Kazuma's lips on his. That kiss consumed his dreams and his waking moments. He was curious to know if the heat would reduce if they kissed again. Would it increase...? If it did, they'd both burst into wild flames.

"Sir," someone touched his elbow, and he jerked back to the present.

A young man peered at him, his gaze expectant. Hideki realized it was time for his presentation.

Hideki picked up his ipad and got up. Once he was on the podium, he concentrated on breaking down part of his company's marketing strategy into simple terms for the students gathered for the conference.

***

In the afternoon, Kazuma entered Jun Studio. Adjusting his earpiece, he tugged his jacket closed to hide his gun holster.

"Kazu," Sora said into his ear. "Are you sure you want to leave Hyde to Rui?"

"Since when did you start calling him, Hyde?"

"Everyone calls him Hyde," Sora countered. "And stop changing the subject. I thought you liked working with him."

Kazuma shrugged, forgetting Sora wasn't next to him to see.

"I miss supplies and logistics."

Sora scoffed and he grinned.

"I hope you change your mind," Sora said.

He wanted to too.

Kazuma walked into a busy room where Hideki stood with three other men in the sidelines as a photographer took pictures of a couple in a camping setting.

Kazuma navigated around a moving clothes rack. Daniel nodded at him, and gave him thumbs up.

One of the men shifted, and Kazuma sighed when his heart skipped at the sight of Hideki. It seemed a standard reaction these days. Hideki was handsome in a grey blazer that hugged his shoulders to perfection. His arms were folded against his chest as he listened to the men around him.

Kazuma moved until he was standing behind Hideki. His gaze swept the room, seeking out any signs of trouble. When he found none, he watched Hideki.

"Hideki- _san_ ," the photographer said, drawing Kazuma's attention. "Why don't you wear one of the outdoor jackets? We'll take a few photos."

"No, no," Hideki said with a shy laugh. "I don't think I can be a model."

"Come on," the photographer urged, getting one of the outdoor jackets, a black one with red zippers. He brought it to Hideki with a small grin. "I'll make you look real good."

"It's not a bad idea," one of the men standing next to Hideki said. "It will increase customer confidence when they see our CEO wears our products."

Hideki sighed and looking at the outdoor jacket the photographer held out.

_Anything for the bottom line_ , Kazuma thought amused.

Kazuma stepped up close when Hideki started to remove his grey blazer. He took the black jacket from the photographer and Hideki stared at him in surprise.

Kazuma gave Hideki a small encouraging smile, and took the blazer when Hideki removed it. He handed over the black outdoor jacket, and watched Hideki fight the urge to ask him a question.

Once the jacket was on, the photographer urged Hideki to the camping scene.

Hideki looked nervous at first, joking with the photographer's staff as they worked to get him comfortable. The photo shoot took thirty minutes.

Kazuma was caught between attraction and frustration. Hideki's smile was deadly. Beautiful to look at, startling when it turned his face boyish, at times a mischievous face...irresistible mischief...Kazuma sighed.

The photographer was good, he drew out Hideki's playful side, and completely obliterated Kazuma's ability to remain objective. Kazuma found he wanted to see if he could bring out this side of Hideki too.

God, it would be wonderful to watch Hideki laugh out loud at something he said...

"Where did you go?" Hideki asked, when the shoot ended and he came for his blazer.

"Me?" Kazuma asked, moving to help Hideki wear the blazer. "What do you mean?"

"You've been gone all morning."

Kazuma hid a smile, glad that Hideki had noticed his absence.

"I was running an errand."

"What kind of errand?" Hideki asked, adjusting his blazer with an elegant shrug of his shoulders. "What type of bodyguard disappears from his duties?"

"You were safe," Kazuma assured Hideki.

Hideki scowled at him.

"That's not my point. You told me not to walk away from you. Isn't refusing to report on time walking away from me?"

"Hyde," Kazuma started.

"Forget it," Hideki said.

Hideki moved away, going to talk to his three employees.

"I guess he was worried," Sora said into his ear. "That's a good thing, Kazuma. He's accepting you in his life."

"Yeah well," Kazuma said, following Hideki out of the studio.

Hideki was busy bidding the three men goodbye. Daniel and Patrick stood by Hideki's Mercedes. Kazuma shifted, his gaze roaming the street. Two motorcycles turned into the street.

"I'll see you all next week," Hideki was saying.

Kazuma frowned when the two motorcycles increased speed. The riders were dressed in black leather, and dark helmets. They drove along the sidewalk. Daniel and Patrick moved closer to Hideki, at the ready.

Hideki waved goodbye to the three men.

Instinct had Kazuma taking Hideki's right elbow. He dragged him back to the studio, managing to push Hideki into the lobby just as the riders reached them. He slammed the lobby door closed in time to see a glass bottle hit the pavement outside and fire explode.

Hideki gasped as a second bottle exploded on top of his Mercedes.

"Don't lose them," Kazuma said to Sora, when the riders kept going, increasing their speed.

"Yes, I have two guys on them," Sora confirmed.

Kazuma turned to find Hideki on the floor, his gaze on the burning car at the curb.

"Hideki, we need to go." Kazuma glanced behind them to see the photographer and his staff watching them in shock. "This could be a distraction. We have to get to a safe zone."

When Hideki didn't move, Kazuma grabbed his arm and brought him to his feet.

"I have you, Hyde. Nothing is going to happen to you. Nod if you hear me."

Hideki forced his gaze away from the burning car to look at him.

"Do you have to go back to the office?" Kazuma asked, already leading the way to the back of the studio. Sora had a car waiting in the back.

Hideki shook his head no.

"Good, we'll get you home now. The police will come to ask you questions."

"I didn't see anything," Hideki said shaking his head. "I didn't see them coming. I was...too busy listening to my staff...why didn't I see them?"

"Because it's my job to see them," Kazuma said as they exited in the back of the building.

There was a black jeep waiting with a Renegade Securities driver at the wheel.

Kazuma ushered Hideki into the back seat. He slammed the door closed and took the front passenger seat.

The drive back to the Takada home was fast.

Kazuma watched Hideki using the rearview mirror. Hideki sat dazed in the back, his gaze unseeing. Hideki's hands were shaking on his lap. He clenched them over and over hoping to stop it, but the shaking wouldn't go away.

When they got home, Kazuma thanked the driver with a short nod, and got out. He helped Hideki out of the car and led him into the house.

Closing the front door, he watched Hideki walk to the stairs, but not make an effort to go up. Hideki stood there staring at the steps. He then turned and sat on the first stair with a tired sigh.

Kazuma glanced around the lobby. Daniel and Patrick were still at the studio, waiting on police. Three of his men moved about the house, making sure it was secure. One of them indicated one other person was in the house. Kazuma nodded, knowing it was Aoki working in the kitchen.

Hideki didn't move from the step.

The sight of him so defeated broke down the wall Kazuma was attempting to build. Moving to sit beside him, Kazuma removed his earpiece and turned it off to keep their conversation private.

"Talk to me," he said after a while.

"What do you want me to say?"

Kazuma took Hideki's left hand and held it tight.

"I know you're scared."

"I'm no—," Hideki started to protest then stopped. He let out a sigh and agreed. "I'm terrified. I'm not sure if they want to kidnap me or kill me. They threw a fire bomb on my car."

"You'll get another car," Kazuma said.

"Is that all you have to say?" Hideki glanced at him. "You could have been killed. One little hesitation and we'd both be burning right now."

"I didn't hesitate, and we're breathing fine."

"Your outlook fascinates me," Hideki mused. "You're allowed to freak out too."

"If we both freak out, trouble starts," Kazuma said.

"I'm not freaking out," Hideki protested.

"Aren't you?"

"No."

"Could have fooled me," Kazuma said with a small smile.

Hideki's responding smile did amazing things to his heart.

The front door swung open and Haru rushed in. He looked frantic.

"Haru," Hideki said getting to his feet.

"Oh thank goodness," Haru said rushing to hug Hideki. "It's all over the news. I saw your car in flames. Jeez, Hyde, what do they want?"

Hideki hugged Haru, and patted his back, as though giving comfort.

Kazuma frowned at that. He had noticed that last time too. Hideki comforted Haru as though he was the one who'd gone through the ordeal.

What was their deal?

"I'm fine, thanks to Kazuma." Hideki pressed a kiss on top of Haru's head. "I'm okay, Haru."

Haru stepped back, his gaze finding Kazuma reluctantly.

"Thank you, Kazuma- _san_."

"It's my job," Kazuma said, getting up, he stepped down the stairs, putting space between them. He needed to remember these two had a connection. "Hideki you'll have to talk to the police soon. I'll sit with you through it."

"Okay."

He held Hideki's gaze for a moment, before Haru moved between them.

Kazuma watched Haru urge Hideki up the stairs. That he went willingly was annoying, Kazuma couldn't help imagining what they'd do together in Hideki's room.

Wiping a hand down his face, Kazuma turned on his earpiece.

"Where are you, Kazu?" Sora's voice exploded in his ear.

"I'm here, damn it," he rubbed his ear. "Why so loud?"

"We got one of the riders," she said in irritation. "Warn me before you disappear again. It puts me in a bad mood."

"Yes, Mistress," he said. "Let me know what they find out from him. I have to report to Hideki's father, now."

***

"Should we go out tonight?" Haru asked.

They were in the kitchen with Aoki. Hideki sat at the island table staring into his coffee. He'd spent the past hour in the living room with Kazuma talking to the police. Hideki had come out of there out of sorts. Now he sat still, his gaze on his coffee.

Haru wished he could get into that brilliant mind and discover why Hideki was so bothered. He looked vulnerable, dressed in a light green sweater, white t-shirt and grey sweatpants. Haru had helped dry Hideki's hair earlier and tied it back in a top ponytail to keep it from going into Hideki's eyes.

Aoki gave Haru a questioning glance when Hideki didn't answer his question.

"Hyde," Haru said, hoping to break into Hideki's thoughts.

Hideki lifted his gaze then.

"What?"

"Should we go out tonight?" he asked again.

"No," Hideki shook his head. "It's easier for Kazuma if I stay home tonight. I think one attempt on my life per day is enough."

Haru wondered if Hideki worried about Kazuma. Jealousy raged inside him for a moment, and then he squashed it away.

Aoki squeezed his arm as though she sensed his feelings. She handed him a plate with a cheesecake and nodded for him to take it to Hideki.

Taking two forks from a drawer, Haru went to sit next to Hideki.

"Eat some cake," Haru urged handing one fork to Hideki. "Let's watch anime then. I have a stash of new movies on my laptop. We'll play them on the overhead in the study."

"Sounds good," Hideki answered taking the fork.

"Should I call Jin over?" Haru asked.

Hideki shook his head.

"Okay," Haru said, happy, "just us two then."

They spent the evening in the study, lights turned down, the huge screen on. Hideki stretched out on the comfortable couch, his head on Haru's lap. At around nine o'clock, Haru glanced down to find Hideki had fallen asleep. Haru smoothed back Hideki's hair, he stroked his fingers through the short ponytail, and leaned to press a kiss on Hideki's forehead.

His heart jumped happy when Hideki shifted, turning his head toward him.

Hideki breathed out in sleep and murmured, "...Kazuma."

Haru froze. He looked up and stared at Kazuma who stood at the door watching them.

_This wasn't happening,_ Haru thought.

He'd waited too long for Hideki to choose Kazuma this way.

***

Kazuma reread the logs from the Takada gate, and Hideki's office at the Lunar Plaza. The person attacking Hideki knew where to find him, somehow getting access to Hideki's schedule. Kazuma frowned. There had to be a mole inside.

_Someone close_ , he thought.

"Leave."

He glanced up to find Haru standing at the door to the security room.

"What?"

"I said leave," Haru said, entering the security office and slamming the door closed. "You're messing with Hideki's mind. He doesn't need you around."

Kazuma sat back in his seat to study the slender young man. Earlier, in the study, he'd seen love shining in Haru's eyes. The boy was madly in love with Hideki. He wasn't sure Hideki knew it, but that kind of love couldn't be hidden.

"How long?" he asked.

"What?" Haru frowned. "How long what?"

"How long have you loved Hideki?"

Haru gaped and looked away.

"What does that matter to you? I'm asking you to leave because—

"You're jealous," Kazuma finished for him. "I don't blame you. I'd be angry with me too. However, that's the extent of my understanding, Haru-san. I don't work for you."

"Fine, if you won't leave willingly, I'll talk to Riku- _san_. He listens to me."

"Do so," Kazuma said. "Let me know what he says."

Haru scoffed.

"You're so arrogant. Who do you think you are?"

"The person in charge of Hideki's safety," Kazuma said getting up. "I know you care about that."

"You don't have to be the one taking care of him. There's Daniel and Patrick, and a whole lot of other men in this compound. You can leave," Haru said, his eyes flashing with anger.

Kazuma sighed, quite sure there was no way to reason with Haru in this state.

"Alright, you go talk to Riku- _san_. Let's see what happens, maybe you'll succeed. If you do, I'll leave quietly."

"Promise?" Haru asked, his gaze too hopeful.

"Promise," Kazuma said with a smile.

"Good." Haru stared at him. "It's not that you're not good at your job. I just..."

Haru sighed and looked around the security office. He shrugged.

"I can't give him up."

Kazuma frowned at that comment.

Haru gave him a curt nod and left the security room as fast as he'd come in.

Reaching for his cell phone, Kazuma called Sora.

"Do you know what time it is?" Sora answered, her voice rough with sleep.

He glanced at his watch.

"Past midnight," he answered. "I need you to look deeper into Haru and Jin."

"What?" Sora grumbled under her breath. "I thought we cleared them."

"I know, look into it." Kazuma stared at the closed security door. His suspicions rising, "I want to cover all our bases."

"Fine," Sora said. "Get some sleep."

She ended the call and he was left to his thoughts. Haru's mad gaze filling his mind.

Was Haru obsessed enough to place Hideki in danger?

***

Chapter 4

Friday morning, Hideki sat at the dining table waiting. He sipped his coffee, swiftly sorting through his email. He answered queries, marked business opportunities, and discarded unnecessary information. All through that, his gaze constantly returned to the door...waiting.

"Who are you looking for?" Haru asked.

"Hmm..." Hideki glanced at Haru. "Eat your breakfast, Haru. Aoki won't be pleased if you leave a full plate."

Haru picked up his fork and ate a piece of his omelet.

Hideki sipped his coffee with a frown. He glanced at his watch. It was almost eight-thirty.

Where was Kazuma?

"Morning," Kazuma walked in, heading straight to the side table and the coffee pot.

Hideki felt relief flood him, a smile tugging on his lips at the sight of Kazuma.

Haru dropped his fork and Hideki glanced at him with a frown.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Haru said with a scowl.

Hideki watched Haru push back his chair and get up.

"Leaving already?" Hideki asked.

Haru was acting weird today.

"I'm not that hungry. I need to get to the green houses. There's a truck coming to get flowers for the shop." Haru glanced at Kazuma, and for a moment Hideki thought he read hostility. It disappeared too fast for him to be sure. "Be safe, Hyde."

"I will be," Hideki said, glancing at Kazuma with a smile. "Call me."

"Yeah," Haru said.

He started to leave, but then stopped and turned to Hideki.

Hideki glanced at him in question. His eyes widened when Haru leaned down and kissed him on the lips. Haru's kiss tasted of salt and eggs. Hideki was too surprised to respond. Haru ended the kiss as abruptly as he'd started it and stepped back with a satisfied smile.

"See you," Haru said, hurrying out of the dining room.

Hideki sat back in his seat, confused.

"Busy morning," Kazuma said, pulling out the chair on Hideki's right.

Hideki frowned and reached for his napkin. He wiped his mouth and shook his head.

"Haru is a bit emotional today," he said.

"I highly doubt it's a bit," Kazuma answered.

Hideki frowned, his gaze on Haru's unfinished food. He made a note to ask Haru what the kiss was about.

Turning to Kazuma, he demanded, "Where did you go yesterday?"

"I told you, I was running an errand."

"What type of errand?"

"A personal one," Kazuma said with a small grin.

"Are you going to be stubborn about this?"

"Yep," Kazuma said.

"Tell me," Hideki pushed, needing to know.

For what reason, he had no idea, but the thought of Kazuma not being around him disturbed him.

Kazuma sipped his coffee, swallowing with an appreciative moan that distracted Hideki.

"Stop that," Hideki said, when heat skated down his spine.

"What?" Kazuma asked.

Aoki came in carrying a tray for Kazuma.

"Where is Haru?"

"He left," Kazuma said, his gaze on Hideki who was frowning at him. "Aoki- _san_ , does Hyde always frown this much?"

"No," Aoki said, she placed the tray before Kazuma, her gaze going to Haru's full plate. "Why did Haru leave?"

"He said something about flowers. He looked upset," Hideki said.

Aoki walked around the dining table to Haru's uneaten breakfast.

"The only thing that would upset Haru would come from you Hideki," she said.

Hideki stared at her, confused. He couldn't remember any altercation with Haru this morning. They'd woken up their limbs tangled on his bed. He stumbled into the shower, and dressed while Haru showered. Maybe he shouldn't encourage Haru sleeping over anymore. Had something happened last night?

He couldn't remember.

"I guess I'll have to call him later to ask," Hideki said with a sigh.

"Hyde," Aoki sighed and took Haru's tray. "You're so blind sometimes. Kazuma- _san_ , please look after this child."

Kazuma smiled around a mouthful of banana pancakes.

"Yes, madam," he said, winking at Hideki.

Hideki felt heat suffuse his face and he dropped his gaze to his ipad.

Aoki grinned and left the dining room with Haru's tray.

"So, we're headed out of town today," Kazuma said into the ensuing silence. "Is there something I should know? You changed the schedule this morning."

"I have to meet someone today." Hideki closed his ipad and sat back in his seat. "I bought a warehouse full of merchandise yesterday morning. I want to go see what I got."

"You blindly bought a warehouse full of things you haven't seen." Kazuma chuckled. "What if you were tricked?"

"The person I bought the merchandise from is very reliable." Hideki smiled. "It's a good deal, I promise. However, we need to go out of the city to see it."

"Fine," Kazuma nodded. "Your father gave us one of his cars until yours can be replaced. He was worried."

"He's always worried." Hideki didn't know what to say to his father anymore. He didn't know what he could say to make the situation easier, so he never tried. "We should get going."

Kazuma glanced at his half-eaten plate of pancakes.

Hideki chuckled.

"We can wait until you finish eating."

"How kind of you," Kazuma said with a small smile.

"You like Aoki's cooking," Hideki said, leaning his elbows on the table.

"I do. I don't get home cooked meals easily."

"Is it because you live alone?" Hideki asked.

"Well, yeah," Kazuma said, sipping his coffee.

"Can't you cook?"

"It's lonely to cook for one."

"But you need to eat," Hideki said.

Kazuma glanced at him.

"You've never lived alone too long, have you?"

Hideki frowned. He had never lived alone. In his college years, he lived in Tokyo with Haru as his roommate. After college, he moved around, working for different companies, but he always had someone with him.

Kazuma chuckled.

"Don't over think it. It's not a requirement in life."

"The way you say it, it feels like it should be," Hideki said.

"Alright, forget I said it then."

"No," Hideki said.

"Why not?" Kazuma frowned.

"Because," Hideki shrugged. It seemed to matter to Kazuma. "Why is it lonely to cook for one?"

Kazuma blinked, staring at him. He dropped his gaze to his plate, and the last bite of his pancakes.

"Meal times were always loud in my family. Everyone shared what they were going to do in the morning, and in the evening, they shared what happened during the day. When you're alone, it's you and the walls, no one to share anything with."

Kazuma ate the last bite of his pancake.

Hideki wondered if Kazuma missed his family.

"Well," Hideki said. "We're sharing."

Kazuma glanced at him with a smile.

"Yes we are."

A wave of warmth swept through Hideki and he got up looking forward to the day out of the city.

"I'll go get my laptop," he said, unsure why that needed explaining. "I'll meet you outside?"

"Sure," Kazuma said with a nod.

He looked up and Hideki saw a crumb stuck to the dark stubble on Kazuma's jaw.

Hideki reached out and wiped the crumb away without much thought. Kazuma's eyes widened slightly, and Hideki dropped his hand. He left the dining room in quick strides.

***

Hideki's reliable source turned out to be a twenty-one year old girl who lived in a busy market area. She greeted Hideki with a tight hug.

"Glad to see you ditched the suit today," she teased, touching Hideki's beige shirt and the leather jacket he wore. "You've disappeared. I haven't seen you ride lately."

Kazuma didn't miss the wince that crossed Hideki's handsome features. It was obvious he missed riding his motorcycle.

Hideki stepped back, and brushed his fingers over the young woman's short hair.

"I lost my motorcycle."

"You're joking," she said, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Who would dare steal your motorcycle?

"It happens, Yui," Hideki said. "How's your mum?"

"Mum is fine," Yui said, glancing at Kazuma, her eyes wide with curiosity. "New bodyguard?"

Kazuma gave her a short bow and she returned it with a small smile.

"He's Kazuma," Hideki said, not looking at him.

"He's handsome," Yui said, "better looking than Daniel and Patrick."

"How would you know?" Hideki asked. "Stop ogling him and show me my goods."

Yui smiled at Kazuma before she turned to lead the way along a narrow path lined with warehouses. She opened the fourth door with a flourish, and allowed them into a spacious warehouse packed with goods.

For the next two hours, Kazuma watched Hideki and Yui go through a warehouse full of knick knacks. Hideki called it merchandise, but it all looked like junk. One section had over one hundred boxes of white socks. There were non-stick cooking pans in another corner and even hello kitty clocks in dozens and dozens of boxes.

Hideki moved from one pile to another like he'd come upon treasure.

"Kazuma," Hideki said, at around twelve o'clock. "Are you hungry yet?"

Kazuma shrugged. He could eat.

"Yui has invited us to lunch."

"Where?" Kazuma asked.

"The beach," Hideki said with a wide grin. "Come on, you'll love it."

Kazuma signaled Daniel and Patrick and they followed Hideki and Yui to her home.

They ended up at a house built right by the beach. Yui raced ahead, dragging Hideki with her, to an open deck with a wide roof. They disappeared into the house.

"Who lives here?" Kazuma asked Daniel and Patrick, who slid into the comfortable deck chairs as though they were home.

"Someone we don't talk about," Daniel said, stretching his arms above his head.

Before Kazuma could ask more, an older woman in a green sundress came out of the house, her hair long and around her shoulders. She smiled at them.

"Daniel, Patrick," she said, her tone warm, welcoming. She greeted both men, and turned to him. "You're new."

"Kazuma," he said, giving her a short bow.

"Very nice to meet you, Kazuma _-san_." She held out her hand. "Call me Aunt Naoki. Everyone does."

_Hideki's mother,_ Kazuma thought in shock.

The eyes should have been the clue: they similar to Hideki's, a pretty brown.

Hideki came out holding a pineapple slice. He handed it to Kazuma, and broke any awkward moment that might have arisen. Naoki seemed to take his acceptance of the fruit as a stamp of approval.

They spent the afternoon in Aunt Naoki's serene home. They ate a delicious lunch, and then moved to the beach where Hideki and Yui played along the beach like little kids.

Kazuma sat watching Hideki run along the beach with Yui. They had their shoes off, and Hideki had left his jacket with him. Yui bent down and scooped water. She splashed it at Hideki and he laughed. He pushed his hair out of his face and reciprocated making Yui run away to escape his attack.

"He looks happy."

Kazuma glanced up to find Naoki beside him. She pulled the edges of her sweater closed and sat down beside him.

"Hideki," she said, nodding to the laughing pair. "I worry about him."

Kazuma turned to study her instead.

Her gaze followed Hideki like a stalker would his obsession. There was love, and...regret in her eyes. He wondered what she regretted.

"He comes here when something has happened." Naoki glanced at him then. "Your presence means Hideki is in danger, isn't he?"

"He's safe right now," Kazuma said, returning his gaze to Hideki. They'd stopped running. Hideki and Yui were now standing watching the horizon. "Is Yui your daughter?"

"Yes," Naoki said, pride in her voice. "Hideki supports her anyway he can. I'm grateful for that."

"You don't call him Hyde," Kazuma noted.

Naoki chuckled.

"No, I don't. He won't let me."

"Why not?" Kazuma asked remembering Hideki telling him to call him Hyde.

"I don't know." Naoki sighed. "He's a strange child, won't let me visit him at home either, not that his father would allow it. Which reminds me why I came out here," she glanced at him. "Don't put this in the report you send to Riku."

Kazuma watched Hideki laugh.

"Why?"

"It causes trouble for Hideki," Naoki said. "His father and I don't see eye to eye. It's easier if he doesn't know that Hideki comes here."

Kazuma nodded, though he wondered why Riku would object to seeing his son happy.

Hideki and Yui walked up to them.

Hideki's clothes were disheveled, his hair damp, but the smile...that smile...Kazuma couldn't look away.

"Yui," Naoki said, getting up. "Let's go get towels and make tea. You two, come up to the house when you're ready."

Yui started to protest, but Naoki took her hand and led her away.

Hideki sat down beside Kazuma with a happy sigh.

"The water is cold, but refreshing," Hideki said, wiggling his toes into the sand. He leaned back on his elbows and turned his face up to the sky. "I love this place."

Kazuma shifted until he sat facing Hideki.

Daniel and Patrick were at the front of the property. Yui and Naoki went into the house.

Kazuma moved closer.

"If I kiss you again, are you going to get mad?" Kazuma asked, his gaze on Hideki's parted lips.

Hideki looked at him, but didn't move away. After a few minutes, he said, "I don't know."

Kazuma removed his earpiece and turned it off. He didn't need Sora as a witness through this.

He kissed Hideki then, a soft brush of his lips on Hideki's.

Hideki took in a short breath, holding his gaze. Kazuma remembered Haru's messy kiss in the morning, and he wondered if Hideki was going to push him away. He started to move away, but Hideki stopped him, bringing his left hand up to touch his jaw.

Glad to see invitation in Hideki's brown eyes, Kazuma cupped Hideki's cheek, kissing him again, this time without hesitation.

The afternoon sun was warm on his back. The taste of sweet fruits and sunshine on Hideki's lips was addictive. He was glad for the plant covering around the house. No one could see them at the beach.

Hideki sank back on the sand, and Kazuma followed, lying over him, never breaking their kiss. When they were both breathing hard, he ended their kiss slowly, trailing soft kisses along Hideki's jaw. He pushed damp hair back from Hideki's forehead, and pressed a kiss on his brow.

"You're destroying me," he murmured, when he looked into brown eyes. "I can't stop thinking about you."

"How am I destroying you?" Hideki asked, his hands moving over Kazuma's back.

"I'm your bodyguard."

"So?" Hideki asked.

"I can't afford to get distracted." Kazuma shook his head. "Kissing you, I forget where we are."

Hideki smiled.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"Not if I'm supposed to keep you safe," Kazuma said, tracing a finger over Hideki's lips. "Your smile however makes me forget all reason."

Hideki chuckled.

"You're such a softie, Kazu."

"Kazu?"

"Don't you like it?"

"I like it."

Hideki nodded, his hands rubbing up and down Kazuma's back, driving him insane in the process.

"We should get up," Hideki said, not making a move to shift.

"Yes, your mother might come back."

"She's curious about you." Hideki smiled. "She thinks you watch me too closely."

"Does she?"

Hideki shrugged.

"I told her it's your job to watch me."

Kazuma frowned and Hideki rubbed the lines away with his right thumb.

"I have faith in you," Hideki said then. "I know you'll protect me."

Kazuma felt a hollow dip in his stomach, as he saw the truth in Hideki's eyes. The trust there...he sat up then, moving off Hideki.

With a trembling hand, he scratched his jaw, and cursed his inability to separate his personal interests from the job at hand.

Hideki sat up beside him.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." He managed to keep his tone from betraying his anxiety. "Should we go back to the house?"

Hideki glanced at his watch.

"Yeah, it's almost four o'clock. My staff will be waiting for me later."

"Do you have to do that?" Kazuma asked, getting to his feet. He reached down to pick up Hideki's jacket. "Can't you change the venue?"

"Worried about my crazy stalker?" Hideki asked.

"You can't ask me that after yesterday's attack," Kazuma said, remembering Hideki's stricken look after the fire bomb. "Take them to Club H."

"It's Friday," Hideki said. "The club is packed tonight. Jin barely has time to breath in the VIP lounge. I can't add on a staff party."

"Then cancel the night out," Kazuma said. "You can also let them go out without you."

"I'm the boss," Hideki said.

"Collect the tab, and let them have fun without you."

"Jeez, you're no fun," Hideki said getting up. "What do you want? Me stuck at home? Is that better for you?"

"You'll be safe," Kazuma said, wishing Hideki would agree to stop placing himself in danger.

"I won't hide," Hideki said and turned to leave.

"Hideki," Kazuma started, but Hideki was already heading to the house.

Kicking the sand, Kazuma cursed under his breath and followed Hideki.

***

On the ride home, Hideki tried working on his laptop, but his thoughts kept wandering to the kiss at the beach. Kazuma was taking him over, bit by bit.

He glanced up to look at Kazuma who sat in the front passenger seat, his gaze straight ahead. No doubt plotting how he was going to handle security later.

_Maybe he could cancel_ , Hideki thought.

It wasn't like he did much at those night outs anyway. Besides, Aoki would cook at home.

He frowned.

No, he shook his head. Why should he change his routines because someone wanted...to kidnap him, maybe kill him? He couldn't tell anymore.

Hideki closed his laptop and placed it on the seat beside him. It started to slide over, and he bent to reach for it just as the car was bumped hard from behind.

His seatbelt tightened across his chest, and he bumped his head on the back of the driver's seat. Sitting back, he glanced back to see a large pickup truck tailgating them.

Kazuma cursed under his breath.

"Hideki, tighten your seatbelt."

The truck bumped them again, and his driver increased speed hoping to get away from the crazy bastard behind them.

Hideki gripped the door handle tight, his stomach in knots as they sped down a hill, the pickup truck in hot pursuit.

Daniel and Patrick's car was in front, there wasn't much they could do.

Kazuma was talking rapidly into his cell phone.

Hideki closed his eyes when the pickup truck caught up with them, and hit them hard. The driver fought to keep their car in control, weaving between lanes, the motion made Hideki sick with fear.

He glanced back to see how far the truck was just as they were hit hard...again.

The driver cursed, and Hideki turned back in time to see them get off the road, driving into trees, their speed too fast...the seat belt across his chest tightened, and a scream lodged in his throat.

***
Chapter 5

The impact of the car hitting a tree was deafening and abrupt. Hideki was glad for the seatbelt, but it tightened to the point of pain.

"Unlock your seatbelt," Kazuma ordered from the front seat.

Hideki's fingers fumbled on the push button on the seatbelt. He couldn't get it to work.

Kazuma was suddenly in the back seat, sweeping his hands away. Kazuma snapped the seatbelt open.

"We need to go into the trees," Kazuma said.

Hideki's gaze returned to the driver who was slumped over the steering wheel.

"What about him?" Hideki asked, as Kazuma pushed the back passenger open and dragged him out.

"There's nothing to do for him right now," Kazuma said, moving him fast through wild bushes.

Hideki cursed when a stray brunch scratched his jaw. He stepped wrong on a stone, and almost fell. Kazuma's grip on his right arm saved him from plunging down, face first. He gasped when Kazuma pressed him against a tree, pushing him down on the muddy ground.

"Shh..." Kazuma pressed a finger on his lips, his gaze on the bushes.

Hideki took in a deep breath, hoping to calm his speeding heartbeat. He wanted to ask 'what next' but it seemed like talking would get them into more trouble.

***

"You have three hostiles coming your way," Sora said into Kazuma's ear. "They've checked the car, left the driver alone and went running after you. Our guys are fifteen minutes out. Can you hold out?"

"Daniel and Patrick?" Kazuma asked.

"They're occupied with the other two. If they can make it through, you'll have relief faster."

"What am I working with?" Kazuma asked, dropping his gaze to Hideki. His charge crouched down, shaking hard even as he tried to stay calm.

"You're in a forest zone, government property," Sora said. "If you run north, you'll go back the way you came, and run into the main road in an hour. You go south; you'll run into the main road faster, thirty minutes tops. Our guys are coming in that way, there are chances you might run into a secondary group of hostiles as well."

Kazuma's gaze returned to Hideki. He didn't think Hideki was up to an hour's walk.

"We'll go south," Kazuma said. "I have one clip, and a knife, Sora. You have to do what you can to get these bastards off my back. Do you understand?"

"You bet your life on it," Sora answered.

Kazuma took Hideki's arm and pulled him up so that he was leaning against the tree.

"We're going to make a run for it," Kazuma said. "Are you up for it?"

Hideki met his gaze.

"Do I have a choice?"

"No." Kazuma shook his head. "We'll have to run to create a larger distance between us. You can't stop, Hyde. Do you understand?"

Hideki nodded, though he was trembling seriously.

Kazuma gave him a tentative smile. He took Hideki's right hand in his left.

"Don't let go, no matter what."

Kazuma led the way as they plunged deeper into the forest. The sun was fading fast. Hideki clutched Kazuma's hand tight and worked to keep up with him.

Kazuma was grateful Hideki had chosen to wear boots instead of his loafers. He kept up a fast pace, pushing Hideki through wild bushes, and thick trees.

Kazuma climbed over a fallen tree, and turned to help Hideki.

"Where are we going?" Hideki asked, he sounded tired, but he didn't slow down.

"If we keep going, we'll find the main road again. A team from Renegade Securities is on the way, they'll meet us there."

"What about the people following us?" Hideki asked, supporting himself on a tree trunk.

"They want you. They'll keep coming until they're stopped," Kazuma said, quite sure this wasn't about Hideki's friends now. The moment that truck had struck their car, he'd known this went deeper.

Hideki clutched at wild branches as they went up a short slope, using them to pull himself up. He missed a step, the ground was slippery. Hideki fell down with a soft gasp. Kazuma bent down, intent on helping him up, and missed a bullet. Kazuma cursed and pushed Hideki into the ground, turning to see a figure in dark clothes coming at them.

"Kazu," Hideki said, his tone heavy with fear.

"Don't move," Kazuma ordered, his gun trained on the man coming at them.

He didn't want to waste his bullets, so he waited for him to get closer and aimed straight for his chest. The bastard fell with a strangled moan, and Kazuma grabbed Hideki, pushing him up the slope, urging him to move faster.

"How much longer do we keep going?" Hideki asked after a while, the sun had disappeared in the horizon. The forest was dark, though not pitch black yet.

"As long as we can," Kazuma said, infusing strength in his voice.

Hideki was getting tired.

"Can we stop for a moment?"

Kazuma sighed.

"Sure, but only a moment, Hyde. They're not too far behind us."

Hideki leaned against the nearest tree and bend over, hands on his muddy knees.

Kazuma watched him take deep breaths.

"If you were smart, you'd let them take me," Hideki said, straightening up to face Kazuma.

"That's not my job," Kazuma said with a smile. "You father would fire me."

Hideki chuckled.

"Of course, the paycheck is important."

"It is," Kazuma said.

Hideki smiled, and then he gave a soft sigh.

"Are you sure we're going to make it?"

"We will," Kazuma said.

He took Hideki's left arm and pushed him into a fast walk.

"Your optimism is not infectious," Hideki said.

Kazuma chuckled.

"I don't mind. You just need to do what I say."

Hideki kicked broken twigs out of his way, and kept matching on.

Kazuma's respect for Hideki grew another notch. Hideki didn't complain again. He kept walking, keeping up with him, enough to cut down their journey to twenty minutes.

Kazuma was glad to hear the sound of cars racing along the main road.

"Sora," Kazuma said, when they got to the side of the road.

"Stay put," Sora said. "You should see our jeep coming at you any moment."

Hideki sucked in air, shivering in the cool evening air.

Kazuma's gaze returned to the tree line. He worried the two remaining hostiles were right behind them.

"Is that our ride?" Hideki asked, pointing to a black jeep speeding toward them.

"Yeah," Kazuma's gaze didn't move from the tree line.

It was hard to see in the dark.

"Hideki stand behind me."

"Why?"

Kazuma cursed when a muted gunshot rang through the air. The bullet bounced off a few feet from where he stood.

Hideki grabbed his arm when he started to shoot into the dark.

"They don't want to hurt me," Hideki said, moving to stand in front of him.

Kazuma wrapped his arms around Hideki and started to turn, but Hideki wouldn't let him.

The jeep reached them. The back passenger door opened, and Kazuma picked up Hideki, and shoved him into the backseat.

He climbed in after Hideki and slammed the door closed.

The jeep's driver took off, making a wide u-turn to join traffic.

Hideki sat up beside him, pushing fingers through his hair.

"What the fuck do you think you were doing back there?"

"Helping you," Hideki said. "They wouldn't have shot me."

"What if they had?" Kazuma demanded. "What if they slipped and shot you, then what?"

"They didn't," Hideki sat back and crossed his arms against his chest. "I'm really tired. Can we not argue right now?"

"This is not an argument. I'm telling you right now, you will never use your body to block bullets again, Hyde."

"I was protecting you."

"I don't need protecting, least of all from you." Kazuma cursed and sat back too. He glanced at their driver to find him watching them with interest. "What are you looking at?"

The driver smiled and returned his gaze to the road.

The drive back to Kamakura was uneventful.

Kazuma felt relieved when they reached the Takada estate and the car stopped at the front door. He jumped out of the back passenger seat, and turned to help Hideki.

Hideki pushed his hand away and got out, walking into the house without glancing at him. They found Riku pacing by the staircase.

"You're safe!" Riku said, rushing to Hideki.

Riku pulled his son into a tight hug, not caring that he would get mud on his suit.

Kazuma glanced at Phillip who stood leaning on the wall a few feet away.

"You okay?" Phillip asked.

"Fine," Kazuma said with a shrug. "I shot one of them."

"Thank you," Riku said, still holding Hideki in his arms. "I about lost my head when I heard you two were lost in the woods."

"We weren't lost," Hideki said, his voice muffled. "Kazuma was quite capable out there. He kept me safe. Dad, I need to shower, and get out of these clothes."

Riku squeezed his son tight before he let him go. They all watched Hideki rush up the stairs.

"He never complains," Riku said then, turning to look at Kazuma. "Thank you, Kazuma."

"Doing my job, Sir," Kazuma said.

"What were you doing out there? Why wasn't Hideki in his office?"

Kazuma winced.

"We went to a warehouse to check merchandise he'd purchased—

"He went to see his mother, didn't he?" Riku asked, his gaze narrowed. "I've asked him to stay away from her."

Riku shook his head.

"I know who he buys merchandise from his half-sister. He tries to hide it, but it's impossible. He's my son, after all."

"Sir," Kazuma started to defend Hideki, but Phillip stopped him with a sharp nod.

"I don't want him going to see his mother again," Riku stated. "Do you understand me, Kazuma?"

Kazuma nodded.

"Yes, Sir," he said.

"This is for his own good," Riku said. "You should go and clean up too. I'm sure you're tired. I'll expect a thorough report tomorrow morning."

Kazuma bowed his head and watched as Riku and Phillip headed to the study. Once again, Kazuma wondered why Riku didn't want his son meeting his mother.

"Home safe?" Sora asked in his ear.

"Yes, thank you."

"Good, I can take a break," Sora said. "Call me when it's absolutely necessary."

Kazuma chuckled and turned off his earpiece. Removing the gadget, he slipped it into his pocket and climbed the stairs to the room he was borrowing in the Takada house. He needed a hot shower, a shot of gin, and sleep.

***

Hideki stood under the hot spray in his shower, eyes closed. The water felt good on his skin, cleansing. He braced his hands against the wall, and let out a long sigh. His thighs burned. The run through the forest had left him tired, and exhilarated. Strange when he should be afraid.

Someone wanted him badly enough to send his car sailing off the road and into the trees. If Kazuma hadn't been there, he'd be kidnapped, or dead.

Hideki wiped a hand down his face, reached for his body wash and concentrated on washing away his latest ordeal. He was glad to see the scabs on his thigh had faded to white lines.

The scratch on his jaw was raw. He stared at it in the mirror and decided it was his newest badge. Touching it with his thumb, he left the bathroom and went to his closet to get a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt. Tugging on his t-shirt, Hideki ran a hand through his damp hair, and walked barefoot to the windows to stare at the green houses visible over the trees.

He was too tired. God, he hoped Haru wouldn't come tonight.

Hideki doubted the story would reach the news. They'd been out of the city. The accident would seem like another drunk driver losing control on the road. Hideki wondered if the driver had been saved.

A soft knock on his door had him turning. He wasn't surprised to see Kazuma step in to his bedroom.

Hideki leaned his back on the windows, his gaze on Kazuma.

"You took a shower," he said, noting Kazuma's wet hair. "Did you get hurt anywhere?"

Kazuma shook his head and kept walking toward him. Kazuma looked relaxed in a green sweater and grey sweats, his feet in sandals.

Hideki hadn't seen Kazuma dressed down this way before.

"You shaved too." Hideki noted when Kazuma stopped in front of him. He reached up to touch Kazuma's smooth jaw. Dark eyes studied him in turn.

"Did you put ointment on this?" Kazuma asked, touching the scratch on his cheek.

Hideki nodded and dropped his hand away from Kazuma's jaw.

"I feel like it was all a dream." Hideki turned to stare out the windows again. "Running through the forest, it all seems so surreal."

Kazuma placed warm hands on his shoulders and Hideki closed his eyes. Hideki leaned back against Kazuma, and was rewarded with Kazuma wrapping his arms around his shoulders.

"You're safe," Kazuma murmured.

"I'm sorry I annoyed you earlier," Hideki said, staring at their reflection in the windows.

Kazuma pressed a kiss on his shoulder.

"Are you hungry?"

Hideki smiled and turned his head slightly to look at Kazuma.

"You want to talk about food?"

"You'll be surprised how a hot meal will fix all problems."

Kazuma started to step back, and Hideki reached up to hold Kazuma's arms in place.

"Aoki-san is on her way with the food."

"She's seen worse," Hideki said.

Kazuma pressed a kiss on his jaw and let him go.

"I still don't want her to see me holding you. I'm supposed to be working."

"So?" Hideki asked.

Kazuma took his hand and led him to a couch a few feet away.

He dropped on to the comfortable cushions.

"We need to talk about this," Hideki said, when Kazuma chose to sit on the furthest side of the couch. Placing distance he didn't understand between them. "You were just hugging me a minute ago. What are you doing so far away? You blow hot and cold. I'm getting whiplash."

Kazuma chuckled, tilting his head back in amusement.

"I'm the one who should be complaining. The last time I kissed you, you told me you'd never let me near you again."

"That wasn't what I said," Hideki scoffed. "I said I wouldn't let the kiss happen again."

"Well, it happened this afternoon, didn't it?"

Hideki stared at Kazuma.

"I haven't made up my mind whether to be angry about it yet."

"Well, that's why I'm sitting over here."

"Because I won't make up my mind?" Hideki asked.

"Because," Kazuma said, settling back. "You're the one who's blowing hot and cold."

Hideki shook his head.

"You're confusing me."

"Am I?"

"Kazu," Hideki said, his tone whining.

Kazuma laughed.

Hideki found that he liked Kazuma's laugh. It made him smile.

A soft knock came, and the door opened. Aoki came in carrying a large tray. Kazuma got to his feet before Hideki could move and took the tray from her. He brought it to the coffee table in front of the couch.

Aoki studied Hideki's face as she arranged the steaming bowls of Hayashi Rice.

"I heard you were running in the forest," she said.

Hideki nodded, and touched the scratch on his cheek.

"Visiting Naoki?" she asked.

He stared at her, and then nodded.

"Your father is livid."

Hideki frowned and turned to Kazuma who'd sat down on the couch, rubbing his hands together as he stared at the food.

"Did you tell him?"

"He knows where you go out there," Aoki answered for Kazuma. "It's no secret."

Hideki scowled.

"The attack wasn't her fault."

Aoki shrugged.

Hideki ignored her and instead reached for his spoon. His stomach growled in anticipation and Kazuma chuckled beside him.

"Someone's eager," Kazuma said.

"I'll leave you two," Aoki said with a small wave.

Hideki frowned at the little smile she wore as she closed the door.

"You know, this day started with both of us at the dining table," Kazuma pointed out as Hideki took a bite of his food.

Hideki ate in silence, suddenly realizing how hungry he was. All that running in the woods, with thoughts of dying, or Kazuma getting shot, leaving him helpless...had him starving.

"Slow down," Kazuma said. "You're going to choke."

Hideki put his spoon in his bowl.

"You know what I don't get?"

"What?"

"Yesterday, they threw fire bombs on my car. Tried to burn us when we ran for safety," Hideki said, using his spoon to demonstrate his point. "Today, they all but run us off the road. We could have died you know."

"They want you," Kazuma said. "They'll do what they must to get you. I'm afraid the next time we won't get off so easy."

"The next time, shoot them all," Hideki said, digging into his rice, though he caught Kazuma's amused smile.

When they finished eating, Kazuma moved to take the dishes back.

"Stay," Hideki said afraid Kazuma would leave him alone.

"I should take the tray outside," Kazuma said.

Hideki yawned and moved to his large bed. Pushing the covers back, he slipped between the sheets. He got his cell phone from his bedside table and checked his messages. Haru was still at his shop, he was asking if it would be fine to come over late. Hideki wrote Haru a message telling him to visit in the morning instead.

Kazuma came back a few minutes later and Hideki placed his cell phone on the bedside table. He watched Kazuma lock the door and he lifted a brow in question.

"I've come in here more than once when you're sleeping," Kazuma said, taking slow steps to the bed. "You asked me to stay?"

Hideki nodded and patted the empty space beside him.

Kazuma went to the left side of the bed and sat on the edge.

Hideki watched him hesitate for a moment, before he slid his feet between the sheets, shifting until he too leaned on the headboard.

Hideki smiled and moved closer. He laid his head on Kazuma's shoulder.

"Is this okay?" Kazuma asked.

"Is what okay?" Hideki asked, getting comfortable.

"You and me, here on this bed," Kazuma said. "Haru—

"Please don't think about Haru."

Kazuma thought about the night Haru warned him away.

"Are you two...?"

"No," Hideki said then. "Haru wants to, I see it in his eyes, but I—

"You what?" Kazuma asked.

"I—," Hideki lifted his head to meet Kazuma's gaze. "It isn't easy to express what you make me feel." With a short grin, he said, "hot and cold."

Kazuma wrapped his right arm around Hideki.

"I'm tired." Hideki closed his eyes, taking in Kazuma's warm woodsy scent.

"Sleep then," Kazuma said.

"Don't leave," Hideki warned.

He was afraid Kazuma would leave him after he fell asleep.

"I promise."

Hideki sighed and slid into sleep, head resting against Kazuma's chest.

***

Chapter 6

Kazuma woke up the next morning to find Hideki snuggled against his side, much like a kitten. He rarely allowed himself the luxury of sleeping next to someone in bed. The baggage was too heavy to bother with, so his lovers left in the middle of the night, or in the morning with minimal conversation.

Kazuma couldn't remember the last time he had slept beside a man he was attracted to without it going all the way. Hideki certainly broke all his barriers.

Sweeping his fingers through the dark hair covering Hideki's face, Kazuma kissed Hideki's forehead. He extricated himself from Hideki's warmth and pulled the covers over Hideki.

Sliding out of the large bed, Kazuma went to the bathroom. He returned minutes later to find Hideki hugging his pillow. A smile tugged on his lips as he picked up his phone on the bedside table. Walking to the windows, he leaned on the wall as he sifted through the updates Sora had sent him.

Sora had compiled lists of the people Hideki worked with at the office, highlighting potential suspects. She'd included background checks on Haru and Jin, the manager at the club. Once again, he couldn't see anything that would trigger a kidnap attempt from both friends.

Rubbing his eyes, Kazuma slipped his phone into his pocket and turned to watch Hideki sleep.

This night had changed their dynamics.

Getting this close to Hideki wasn't part of the rule book, but he couldn't help wanting the younger man. Hideki got under his skin and kept digging himself deeper with every moment. The deeper he cared for Hideki, the more uneasy Kazuma got. One mistake, one misstep on his part, and Hideki would land in trouble.

Kazuma sighed.

A year ago, this uncertainty had not plagued him. He had been sure of his skills as a protector, good at his job, never known doubt in his decisions, until his last assignment: until Josephine Wood.

_Josephine_ , Kazuma thought guilt raring its ugly head.

Josephine was an eighteen year old socialite right out of high school. Her parents were industrialists who lived in Tokyo. They hired him to protect her after a kidnap and ransom threat right as she prepared to enter college.

Kazuma had run a tight ship with Josephine. Tight enough to frustrate Josephine. She had complained daily when she couldn't meet her friends, or leave the house as she pleased.

One night, tired of fighting with Josephine, Kazuma agreed to compromise with her, and allowed her to go to a pool party in a hotel in Shinjuku. He had felt confident that his security team would manage to keep track of Josephine. However, once they reached the hotel, they found the place packed with college students. Kazuma had a rough time keeping up with an excited Josephine.

He remembered her jumping into the pool to join friends in the water, one minute he had eyes on her, and the next he lost her. She disappeared in the crowd of people.

Kazuma wiped a hand down his face at the memory. The panic he felt as he realized the situation was out of control. Josephine's kidnappers grabbed her in the water, got her out of the pool before he could realize she was lost. By the time Kazuma managed to empty the pool to confirm her missing, Josephine's kidnappers had already taken her out using the service wing of the hotel.

There started a chase he would never forget. A chase that ended in a bleak warehouse by the docks, and a metal box holding Josephine's lifeless body.

Kazuma had not slept for months after that.

Blinking away the nasty memories, Kazuma's gaze focused on Hideki.

He would not lose Hideki.

***

"Move your office here," Riku told Hideki later that morning.

Hideki paced the length of his father's desk.

"I don't want to."

"You need to," Riku said. "Your security is only effective if you make life easier on them. Gallivanting around—

"I'm not going on lockdown because of one incident."

"Two," Riku corrected. "We have two incidents with Kazuma beside you, Hideki."

"I've had plenty more before he joined the team," Hideki said. "Don't do this to me. You know I hate it when you try to keep me away from the world."

"Someone wants you bad enough to run you off the road. How much luck do you think you have? I don't see you surviving another attack."

"Dad."

"Son," Riku countered with a small smile.

"Don't make fun," Hideki said, shaking his head. "This is not our agreement. You're supposed to let me do what I want—

"Not when your life is in danger," Riku said. "I'm not losing you, Hideki. Move your operations to the house. Your staff can manage the office without you."

"How long will this lockdown last?" Hideki asked.

"Until the culprit is caught," Riku stated.

"That could take ages."

"Then ages it will be," Riku said.

Hideki stared at his father in disbelief. Knowing there was nothing he could say that would change Riku's mind, Hideki stormed out of the study. He ignored Kazuma who stood outside the door waiting his turn to see Riku.

"Hyde," Kazuma called.

Hideki kept walking needing to work out the frustration building inside him. He couldn't blame his father for worrying about him. Hell, he was worried. However, once a lockdown started, it didn't end easily. The last time his father had insisted on a lockdown, he'd ended up stuck in the estate for almost a year.

Hideki stalked downstairs to the basement where there was a swimming pool and changing rooms. He changed into swimming shorts he had left in the changing room the last time he'd gone swimming. Putting on swimming goggles, he dove into the water and swam under water for a full lap before he came up for air.

***

"Hideki is not happy with me." Riku stood staring out the windows in his study. He turned to Kazuma. "I can't help but worry. I don't think these people are playing around anymore. Yesterday was serious."

"It was," Kazuma agreed. "Sir, I know you've allowed our agency to look into your business dealings. So far, we've found none that would lead to the attempts on Hideki's life. Do you have anyone you suspect?"

"I suspect everyone I do business with," Riku said, shaking his head. "It doesn't matter that there is no evidence. I don't trust anyone right now."

"Which is good, but you must have someone you suspect."

"You met her yesterday," Riku said with a scoff.

"Hideki's mother?" Kazuma frowned.

"Yes."

Kazuma shook his head.

"She doesn't look like someone who'd want to hurt Hideki. In fact, she worried about him—

"That's news to me. Kazuma, I've never told Hideki the reason why we divorced."

Riku moved to sit: pulling out his large chair, he sank into it with a heavy sigh.

"Why did you divorce?"

"Because," Riku stared at him, then shook his head. "When Hideki was one year old, I came home to find Naoki drowning him in his bath. The doctors said she was depressed, but it wasn't the first time she'd done something like that. I was terrified she'd succeed when I wasn't around. So, I ended the marriage, and send her faraway from Hideki."

"She has changed," Kazuma said, though he doubted it would convince Riku. The past was hard to forget. He was sure Riku would never see Naoki in another light. "She has a daughter now."

Riku shrugged.

"It doesn't matter. Naoki's heart is damaged. She might try to take Hideki from me as revenge for taking him away from her."

Kazuma sighed. "I'll check into her."

"That's wise," Riku said. "Allow Hideki anything he wishes within the estate. His lockdown is never easy."

"Does it have to be a full lockdown?" Kazuma asked.

"What are you suggesting?"

"Hideki can work from home, but allow him time to go out and meet his friends."

"Haru and Jin may visit."

"Yes, but Hideki might want to go out with them." Kazuma wondered why he was fighting for Haru at all. That punk needed to be smacked. "Allow him the choice; it makes it easier for him to stay without complaint."

Riku sighed and leaned back in his seat.

"Hideki doesn't really complain. When he's unhappy, he'll turn cold."

"I know that." Kazuma smiled.

"Very well, as long as he's safe, Kazuma-san. I can't lose my son."

"Yes sir," Kazuma got up and left the study.

***

Hideki swam until the point of exhaustion. He came up for air after his last lap and leaned on the wall, tugging off his swimming goggles, he pushed his hair back, wiping water out of his eyes with his hand.

"Feeling better?" Kazuma asked above him.

Hideki glanced up to find Kazuma squatting on the side of the pool. He held a large towel, and wore a handsome grin.

"You should join me," Hideki said, standing to his full height.

"Perhaps another time," Kazuma said, holding out his hand to help him get out of the pool.

Hideki took the strong hand, and smiled when Kazuma pulled him out in one swift motion. The warm towel Kazuma wrapped around him was welcome. He buried his face into the cotton with a sigh. He had no idea how he was going to survive in this estate without leaving.

Kazuma took another towel from a table set right by the pool, and used it to rub Hideki's hair dry.

"You're not stuck here," Kazuma said, as though reading his thoughts.

Hideki met his gaze with a frown.

"What does that mean?"

"I talked with your father. You can work here, but if you want to go out with Haru and Jin, you can. Of course in a controlled setting."

"You did that for me?"

Kazuma smiled, giving him a short nod.

"You looked so upset."

Hideki leaned up and kissed Kazuma.

"Thank you."

Kazuma wrapped his arms around him and deepened their kiss.

Hideki clung to Kazuma's pale blue shirt and lost himself in their kiss. He loved Kazuma's kisses. No one had ever kissed him the way Kazuma did.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

Haru's voice penetrated the sensual haze enveloping him, making him stiffen in Kazuma's arms.

Hideki started to step back, but Kazuma wouldn't let go of him. There was no guilt this time, instead a wave of annoyance swept through him. He was annoyed that Haru had interrupted their kiss.

"Hi Haru," Kazuma said, brushing a kiss on Hideki's jaw, rubbing his shoulders over the towel. "You should have called."

"I've never called before," Haru said in defiance. His tone irritated Hideki. "Hyde, tell him."

Hideki sighed and Kazuma allowed him to step back.

"I'm on lockdown." Hideki told Haru, dragging the towel on his head off. He threw it on a lounge chair and met Haru's gaze. "You know how that goes."

"What happened?" Haru asked, following him to the changing rooms. "Why didn't you call me?"

"I had a hard night." Hideki said, going to the shower. "I had no time to call."

"Caught up in Kazuma's arms?" Haru asked, bitterness in his tone.

Hideki stepped under the hot water with a sigh.

"So what if I was?"

"That's nice," Haru said with a scoff. "Hyde, you don't ever stop to think about me, do you? Do you think this is easy for me?"

Hideki closed his eyes and let the water run over him, praying Haru would walk away without arguing. He didn't know what he could say that wouldn't hurt Haru.

Turning off the water, Hideki concentrated on drying and getting dressed.

Haru sat on a bench by the wall, his arms crossed against his chest. When Hideki was done dressing, he chose the bench across, and stared at his oldest friend.

Haru looked handsome as ever. In a white v-neck tee and dark slacks, Haru looked as though he had come straight from home, instead of his green houses. His eyes were bright with emotion.

"I don't know what to say to make this easy."

"Why him?" Haru asked.

"What?"

"Why do you respond to him?"

Hideki stared at Haru confused.

"I don't understand."

"I've tried everything," Haru said with a sigh. "You've remained this closed-off iceberg. Never making an effort to even look my way. He comes along, and you're moaning with the first kiss, clinging to him and melting away. How does that happen?"

"It just does," Hideki said.

He didn't know why Kazuma made him feel like he was going to explode with need but he liked it.

"Yeah," Haru said looking away. "What happened last night?"

Hideki stared at his hands.

"There was an incident on our way back from seeing Naoki."

"You introduced Kazuma to Aunt Naoki?" Haru asked, making Hideki glance up.

"I had a consignment to check."

"Oh how convenient," Haru scoffed.

"I don't need this." Hideki got to his feet. "I'm trying to meet you half-way but you're making it difficult. I don't owe you anything, Haru."

"Don't you?" Haru asked, getting up too.

Hideki stared at Haru then cursed under his breath.

"I don't think we should talk right now."

"Hyde."

"Go home, Haru."

Hideki started out the door.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to remind—

Hideki stopped to look at Haru.

"You meant to remind me. I'm in a bad mood today. I don't want to fight, so go home, we'll talk later."

"Hyde."

"It's getting harder to breathe, Haru. Give me a fucking break."

Hideki left the changing rooms to find Kazuma waiting for him outside. Hideki didn't pause to check whether Haru followed him. Instead, he led the way upstairs.

He didn't like fighting with Haru.

Their past was too tangled. Hard feelings tended to crop up during any fights, and he hated it. Haru being his best friend and ex-boyfriend, he didn't want to regret any of those relationships.

Hideki started for the second floor of the house. Whenever he worked at home, he used the library because it was the most comfortable room for work. The library was also equipped with all office equipment needed to ensure a smooth transition.

"What do you want done about Haru?" Kazuma asked, once he was seated behind an old mahogany desk by the windows.

Hideki swung his chair from side to side, frowning at the windows.

"Did you tint all the windows in this house?"

"They're also bullet proof," Kazuma answered with pride.

"When do you sleep?" Hideki asked, amazed. "Leave Haru alone, he's upset."

"What is going on with you two?"

The library windows had an excellent view of the front of the house. Hideki frowned when he saw Haru appear in the front drive. Haru walked to his car slowly, his gaze returning to the windows on the second floor. Haru knew he was in the library.

Hideki got up and moved to stand by the windows.

Haru stood by his car for a moment, hand braced on the top of his car as he stared at the library windows. A moment passed, and then Haru got in his car, and drove off.

"Hyde," Kazuma said behind him.

Hideki moved away from the windows.

"What?"

"Why do you care if Haru's upset? You're the one in danger."

"I've told you before, don't try to understand my relationship with Haru."

"I need to," Kazuma said. "I'm tempted to ban him if all he does is act up."

"Don't even dare," Hideki warned.

"Why?" Kazuma asked.

"Because," Hideki frowned. "I—

"Tell me."

"I owe him."

Now it was Kazuma's turn to frown.

"What do you owe him?"

"Haru lost someone important because of me." Hideki moved his chair closer to the desk. "Don't stop him from coming to see me if he wants. Ignore our fights. It's always been that way between us. We sort it out."

Kazuma's frown only deepened.

Hideki pointed to the stack of documents his assistant had brought over.

"I need to get to work. I'm sure you have things to do too."

Kazuma sighed and left the library.

Alone, Hideki sat back and rolled the chair around to the windows. His gaze on the spot where Haru had stood, his thoughts filled with the memory of Haru's first love.

Keijo Takuya.

They'd been in high school. Hideki remembered Keijo following him and Haru everywhere they went. It wasn't easy for him to make friends, but Haru and Keijo had hit it off right away. Hideki had accepted Keijo because of Haru. They went to see movies, played baseball and video games after school...messed around doing nothing, Hideki smiled. The only thing he never allowed was bringing Keijo to the estate.

One afternoon after baseball at school, Hideki walked into the locker room at school to find Haru and Keijo kissing. The sight of them wrapped in each other's arms made Hideki jealous. He had thought Haru his and the sight of Keijo kissing Haru pissed him off. From there, his relationship with Keijo turned into a push and pull: Keijo pushing the boundaries with Haru, and Hideki pulling Haru out of Keijo's grasp.

_It didn't end well_ ...Hideki thought.

His jealousy turned Keijo crazy.

The night Keijo died, he and Haru were attending a benefit gala hosted by his father. Keijo sneaked into the hotel disguised as a waiter and asked Hideki to meet him on the roof of the building. Bored, Hideki escaped the gala and hurried upstairs only to have Keijo grab him and threaten to throw him over the building.

They struggled. Hideki got the upper hand pushing Keijo off him. Keijo's footing was imbalanced, he slipped and fell over the wall. Hideki remembered holding on to Keijo's arms with all his might. When Haru ran into the scene, he screamed in surprise and tried to come up to the railing to help Hideki. Hideki ordered Haru to go get help.

Hideki closed his eyes remembering Keijo's smile when he stopped holding on to Hideki's arm. Essentially letting go, so Hideki was holding Keijo's dead weight, fighting to pull him up alone...his arms burning, it had felt like he was going to fall over too. Then Keijo's hands slid out of his grasp....damnit...

Hideki opened his eyes escaping that horrible moment. Haru had loved Keijo. Keijo died because Hideki hadn't been strong enough to pull him up.

And so, Haru blamed him for it.

***

"Hideki says he made Haru lose someone important," Kazuma said, his gaze on the overhead screen in the security room. "Who was important to Haru?"

"Haru's parents are both alive," Sora said into his ear. "Haru has no siblings. He owns the green houses, they supply his flower shop downtown. His relationships are tied into Jin and Hyde. I've combed through work colleagues, and schoolmates he still talks to, but there is no one suspicious. Jin and Hyde are his primary friends. There are no major incidences that really stand out."

"Alright, maybe we shouldn't look at incidences in Haru's life," Kazuma said. "No one has documented them as they do Hideki's."

He closed Haru's file on the screen and opened the dossier Renegade Securities had on Hideki's life. It was a thick file. Riku had documented incidences in Hideki's life as though he were cataloguing birthdays and graduations.

"You want us to look at the security files we got from Riku- _san_?"

"It's the way Hideki said it," Kazuma said. "Haru _lost_ someone because of him. Don't you think it would be caused by a kidnap attempt, or a raid...?"

"I get it," Sora said. "Hmm...good thinking, there are four major incidences in Hideki's file before Riku got formal security companies involved. First one starts with a trip to the hospital, at age one, a near drowning."

Kazuma refused to elaborate on that. Riku hadn't included the reason for the near drowning in the report, but now that he knew, Kazuma understood Riku's reluctance when it came to Naoki.

Why would a mother try to drown her child?

"The records on the drowning are sparse. I assume it was settled right away. The next incident, Hideki is eight. He went missing for three hours, and was found in an abandoned building downtown. He was kidnapped by one of Riku's ex-employees in an attempted blackmail. The culprit is serving out his term in a maximum prison."

Kazuma wished he didn't know the details to that attempt, but he'd read the file. It pained him what Hideki had to live through at age eight. The fear eight year old Hideki must have felt, all alone...Kazuma sighed.

"Third incident happened at age fifteen. He was threatened by—,"

Sora broke off.

"What's going on Sora?"

"The name on these files..." Sora sighed. "It says Keijo Takuya, but I've seen that name..."

"Please stop thinking to yourself, I can't hear it."

"Haha," Sora said. "I got it. Keijo was a schoolmate, went to high school with Haru and Hideki. This Keijo attacked Hideki at a gala at the Samsa Hotel. Details again are unclear."

Kazuma pulled up the file Sora was reading and went through the details of the hostage crisis on top of a ten-floor building.

"Keijo is dead." Sora read the conclusion. "Fell off the building. Rescue found Hideki screaming because he couldn't save Keijo."

"Strange when Keijo is the one who did the attacking." Kazuma studied the file for a moment. "Find out everything about this Keijo. Maybe he has family who want revenge."

"You got it."

Kazuma stared at the picture of Keijo curiosity burning as he wondered what Haru meant when he'd told Hideki he owed him.

***

"Where are we going?" Hideki asked, later that afternoon.

Kazuma had walked into the library and dragged him out, urging him to his room. Kazuma cajoled him into wearing outdoor shoes. Now they were trudging in the meadow behind the house heading to the tree line.

"We're getting air," Kazuma said with a grin.

"I was breathing fine in the house."

"Well, out here, you get fresh air not regulated air."

"I like regulated air, all those bad particles taken out."

"Live a little," Kazuma answered as they reached the tree line.

They walked a few more minutes before they reached a small clearing Hideki recognized. He had liked playing here when he was young. No one to interfere with what he was doing, Aoki had shown it to him.

Hideki smiled when he saw a blanket with a wicker basket set in the middle.

It looked like Aoki had told Kazuma about the clearing too.

"I thought I would treat you to lunch." Kazuma kissed his jaw. "What do you think?"

"Depends on what you have in the basket."

"I don't know what's in the basket. Aoki prepared it for me. I will love her forever if she's included strawberry cake."

Hideki grinned.

"You have a sweet tooth."

"Oh yeah," Kazuma removed his shoes and stepped on the blanket. He sat down with his legs crossed and hands braced behind him, his gaze on Hideki...waiting.

And this was why he liked Kazuma...his patience with him.

How had Kazuma known to bring him here?

How had he known to drag him out here to let him escape the confines of his father's house and a lockdown.

Hideki removed his shoes too and stepped on the blanket. He got to his knees before Kazuma and touched his unshaven jaw.

"I was worried you would start shaving this off." He rubbed his fingers on the dark stubble on Kazuma's jaw. "This look of yours has grown on me."

"Does disheveled and unkempt turn you on?"

Hideki touched Kazuma's lower lip with his thumb and sat back on his haunches.

"It seems so."

Kazuma shifted moving close enough that there was only a small space left between their lips. Hideki took in a breath, bringing in Kazuma's woodsy scent. Kazuma smelled so good, he wanted to keep taking him in.

Kazuma's gaze was on his lips.

"Kiss me," Kazuma whispered.

Hideki closed his eyes and kissed Kazuma without hesitation. He cupped Kazuma's face, tasting his lips, savoring coffee and Kazuma's heat. He moaned and came up on his knees letting the kiss take on a life of its own.

God, he loved kissing Kazuma.

Kazuma wrapped his arms around Hideki's waist, holding him close.

The surge of heat was expected, the need to be closer was consuming...so consuming Hideki found himself straddling Kazuma's legs, his arms wrapped around Kazuma's shoulders. A soft gasp escaping when Kazuma tugged the tails of his shirt out of his trousers, Hideki gave in to the overwhelming passion Kazuma fanned inside him.

***

Chapter 7

"The sun is shining..." Hideki studied Kazuma's face. There was a faded scar on the corner of Kazuma's right eye. Kazuma's eyes were closed, which was the only reason he could see the scar.

Kazuma opened his eyes, his hands behind his head.

"You're not looking at the sun."

Hideki smiled.

"I'm watching you," Hideki said, tracing Kazuma's jaw.

Kazuma shifted, bringing his right hand to push hair out of Hideki's eyes.

"You're the only one," Hideki said.

"The only one?"

Hideki felt his face flush with heat. He started to look down but Kazuma stopped him with a finger under his chin.

"Tell me," Kazuma said in a gentle tone.

Hideki met dark eyes.

"I have a flaw."

"Just one?" Kazuma asked.

Hideki grinned.

"Well, of course I have many flaws, in many areas. But, when it comes to relationships, I have one flaw."

"What flaw?" Kazuma asked.

"I don't feel the same as my partner does."

"Pleasure?" Kazuma asked, his hand sliding between them to where Hideki's trousers were unzipped.

Hideki's cock hardened eager for Kazuma's touch, aching need sweeping through his body when Kazuma wrapped warm fingers on him.

"You seem to feel that fine," Kazuma said with a wicked smile.

Hideki blushed and buried his face in Kazuma's chest.

"That's not what I meant. I don't worry about a person I'm with. I don't—"

Hideki broke off and closed his eyes when Kazuma withdrew his hand and rolled to the side, moving Hideki until he was on his back. He trembled at Kazuma's touch, at Kazuma's kisses, deep inside it felt as though he were standing on unstable ground.

"Look at me," Kazuma said.

Hideki opened his eyes and met Kazuma's gaze.

"What are you trying to tell me?"

Hideki bit his lip. Letting out a soft sigh, he dropped his gaze to Kazuma's lips.

"I've dated before," Hideki said. "Had sex with dozens of partners, I've hurt Haru doing it. He has feelings for me, and I know it, but I don't...care."

"Hyde," Kazuma started.

"It's different with you," Hideki said quickly. "You're different somehow. I feel like I'm going to go insane when you kiss me. I—don't want to care, yet I do...it's confusing."

Kazuma shifted over him, until their lips were a breath away.

"I like you confused."

"Do you?" Hideki asked. "Coz I don't know what I'm doing. I don't want to resist you. I don't want to fight this, I don't want—

Kazuma kissed him cutting off his tirade.

Hideki closed his eyes with a soft moan, allowing Kazuma to take him over. Kazuma's tongue swept into his mouth, exploring, igniting passion until Hideki could only cling to Kazuma's broad shoulders. Kazuma helped him pull off his shirt, dragging it off with unrestrained need. Hideki undid his trousers, lifting his hips to help Kazuma take them off. Meeting Kazuma's gaze, Hideki unzipped Kazuma's trousers, and let out a breath when Kazuma took his lips in another searing kiss. They lay on a blanket in the middle of the woods making love without a care for what lay beyond or in the future.

***

Haru watched Hideki come apart in Kazuma's arms, eyes closed in pleasure, fingers digging into Kazuma's back, clinging and moaning. Their passion so hot, it aroused him even from this distance. Hideki wrapped his arms around Kazuma, his legs wrapped around Kazuma's waist, as he let that bodyguard take him. In the woods, with wild abandon...jealousy burned so deep inside him, hot tears spilled down his cheeks, yet he couldn't look away.

He kept holding his binoculars, eyes glued to Hideki's handsome face as he came apart in another man's arms.

_What a beautiful face_ , Haru sighed.

He'd hoped to see Hideki come undone for him that way, but it seemed as though that wouldn't happen.

Haru watched Hideki and Kazuma kiss amid smiles, and soft chuckles...pain stabbed him deep in the heart, and he lowered his hand, afraid he'd go mad with jealousy.

Haru barely paid attention on his walk back to his family's property. All he could think about was Hideki coming apart in Kazuma's arms.

Eyes closed, that sensual mouth open in a silent scream, hair damp with sweat...Hideki's beauty undid him. Haru wanted to own it, see Hideki that way forever, in their bed...

The path blurred and Haru wiped his tears with his sleeves. Reaching the property line, he moved two pieces of wood to the side, and slipped through the fence fast. The Takadas' security had never discovered his secret entrance into their property, but with that Kazuma around, he needed to be more careful. He closed the space, making sure the wood was even with the rest before he started walking back to the main house.

Once inside the house, he went to his study to call Jin.

"I want the bodyguard gone," Haru said in greeting when Jin answered. "Do something, Jin."

"Did you spy on Hyde again?" Jin asked.

"They're tangled in the woods. It's like he doesn't care who comes upon him having sex anymore."

Jin chuckled on the other end.

"Haru, you're the only one who goes to the woods to spy on Hyde. The security team knows to leave him be when he's there."

"Whose side are you on?"

"The side that won't get me yelled at?"

Haru scoffed. "You promised me it would end soon. Why is that Kazuma still here?"

Jin paused on the other end then said, "This was never going to be easy, Haru. You knew that from the beginning. Kazuma is a variable we didn't expect."

"Then let's stop it," Haru said with a sigh. "If Hyde is safe, we'll go back to the way it was and I can figure out something else."

"What?"

"I said we stop it," Haru said.

"That's impossible, we've come too far."

"Jin."

"You don't understand the situation."

"What don't I understand?" Haru asked. "This was great when it started. Hyde and I, we were getting closer. When he got in trouble, he'd call me. We stayed together but now...it's working against me. So, stop it Jin."

"You're an idiot if you think we got into this because of your obsession."

Jin sighed.

"What are you saying?"

"I'll see if we can get the bodyguard out of the picture, but know this, Haru," Jin said. "We're no longer in control."

"Jin," Haru started, but then the line went dead.

***

"Idiot," Jin said dropping his phone on his desk. "His obsession with Hideki is useful, but it's becoming a hindrance."

Jin stared at the woman seated across his desk. He had known her all his life. The anger in her dark eyes was familiar, almost assuring.

"We need to find a way around the bodyguard," Jin said. "This Kazuma, he's thorough, and persistent. We need to end this soon."

"I had hoped to play with Haru longer, but you're right, I'm getting bored," the woman said. "Alright, make arrangements. Send Riku the file on Kazuma. The part about a dead client in a box should make for interesting reading."

Jin smiled. "I wonder if that will be enough."

"Trust me," the woman said. "Riku is obsessive about his son's safety. He won't want Kazuma around Hideki when he learns the truth."

***

"Do you want to go out?" Kazuma asked Hideki on Saturday morning.

They lay naked on Hideki's bed, tangled in each other's arms. It was Kazuma's favorite position since the afternoon in the woods. He loved having Hideki's responsive body, listening to needy moans, and their intoxicating kisses. He combed through Hideki's hair.

"Do we have to go out?" Hideki asked, kissing Kazuma's bare chest. "We can stay here and forget the trouble outside. This is easier for you anyway."

Kazuma sighed.

"You shouldn't do what's easier for me, Hyde. If you want to go out, then you should. You're hiding away here."

Hideki shifted, propping his head up on Kazuma's chest.

"Don't you like us staying here?" Hideki asked.

Kazuma grinned and swept hair out of Hideki's eyes.

"Do you need to ask?"

Hideki smiled, and Kazuma felt the impact deep in his soul. Hideki's smile had that effect on him, as a light would have on darkness.

"If you want, I can take you out," Kazuma said. "We can go get that motorcycle you left at the store."

"I don't want to ride," Hideki said.

"Fine, then we'll go on a simple date."

"Simple?" Hideki asked.

"Yes, simple," Kazuma said, urging Hideki to get up. Hideki's naked body was gorgeous in the morning sun. Kazuma traced his fingers down Hideki's flat stomach and brushed Hideki's lips with his. "You and me, exploring the city."

"What about security?"

"I'll handle it," Kazuma said with a small smile.

Hideki stared at his smile for a moment, and then kissed him. Kazuma sunk his fingers into Hideki's hair, an appreciative moan escaping. He loved kissing Hideki, loved it when Hideki initiated it. Then when the kiss ended, Hideki gave him the world.

"I trust you," Hideki said without hesitation.

Kazuma took Hideki out to the main town, walking along the streets, talking about nothing and everything. They argued about eating red sweet potatoes and ice cream. When he bought the sweet potatoes for Hideki, Kazuma laughed as Hideki ate them with gusto. Hideki bought the ice cream, and shared his potion when Kazuma finished his first.

Hideki dragged Kazuma into an arcade and they played video games, with Hideki winning each time. Kazuma wasn't proud of his competitive side, because it annoyed him when Hideki won. When he lost a game the third time, he grabbed Hideki's arm and dragged him out of the arcade not sure he could take another loss.

When they got tired of walking, they sort refuge at a charming restaurant called Minna Café housed in a very old wooden building surrounded by trees. Hideki chose a table by a large window. Kazuma sat across him marveling at how easy it would be to remain by Hideki's side.

His phone buzzed, and Kazuma checked the alert. It was Sora clearing the immediate area.

"Something wrong?" Hideki asked.

"No." Kazuma smiled. "All clear, no one following us."

"How does that work?" Hideki asked. "That time we ran through the forest, someone was helping us. Who was it?"

"Her name is Sora," Kazuma said. He held out his left arm and pointed at the small bump on his inner wrist. "This is a tracking device, she knows where I am at all times, which goes for you."

Kazuma removed the earplug he had in his pocket, and showed it to Hideki.

"She lets me know what's going on through this."

Hideki took the earplug and studied it.

"Can she hear us talking?"

"I have it off," Kazuma said. "She'll send me messages with my phone for now."

Hideki nodded and handed the earplug back.

"And the coin you gave me?"

"Do you have it with you?" Kazuma asked.

Hideki tugged a chain he wore around his neck and held up the coin clipped to a small hook.

"Good," Kazuma said. "She can track that too. In case I lose sight of you...which I'm not planning to do, Hyde."

"About Haru," Hideki started.

Kazuma frowned.

"We don't need to discuss him right now."

Hideki smiled.

"Jealous?"

"I don't like how possessive he is with you," Kazuma said, his frown deepening. "It's disturbing."

"Don't blame him," Hideki said. "It's my fault. I made him lose someone he cared about."

When Kazuma didn't comment, Hideki met his gaze.

"In high school, Haru loved a boy in our class..." Hideki sighed. "His name was Takuya."

"Keijo Takuya," Kazuma said, and Hideki's gaze widened. "I know every bad incident that has ever happened to you."

Hideki sat back in his seat.

"You know how Keijo died?"

Kazuma nodded.

"Fell over a building."

"I killed him," Hideki said then.

"He held you hostage," Kazuma protested. "That isn't your fault."

"I drove him to that roof," Hideki said, guilt coloring his words. He folded his arms against his chest and shook his head. "I knew how Haru felt. I also knew that Keijo cared about Haru, in an almost obsessive infatuation. I was lonely, and Haru was my only friend. I couldn't let him go. So...I played with Keijo's emotions. It drove him over the edge."

"Hyde—

"Keijo is the one who came up with that nickname," Hideki said with a slight smile. "In our happier moments, we would sit on the roof at school and eat lunch together. Haru was happy then. Keijo made him laugh."

"You're not responsible for Keijo's death," Kazuma said then. "Keijo made the decision to see you that night."

"Yes, because he wanted me to stop interfering with Haru." Hideki's gaze shifted to the windows. "When Keijo fell, I thought it was a dream. It didn't seem possible I'd been the one to drop him."

"They said you were screaming when security came to find you," Kazuma said.

Hideki sighed.

"I—the only thing I remember is Haru's expression that night."

Hideki glanced at him, his brown eyes sad.

"Defeat, pain, I had put it there," Hideki shook his head. "Haru didn't talk for weeks. When he did, he made me promise never to leave him."

Hideki leaned forward, elbows on the table.

"That's why you have to stop being so hard with him. He's—

"Punishing you for something that you couldn't control," Kazuma cut in, remembering Haru warning him away. "Haru is in love with you."

"I know that too," Hideki said.

"And?" Kazuma asked.

"I think I'm in love with you," Hideki said. "Which complicates things a lot more."

"You're what?" Kazuma stared at Hideki's clear brown eyes, so beautiful he was tempted to kiss him in this very public place.

Hideki smiled and Kazuma caught his breath.

"I'm in love with you, Kazuma."

"Why would you say that to me here?" Kazuma asked, well aware of the old couple seated at the table behind Hideki.

The dozens of customers seated around the restaurant, talking, laughing...he wanted to kiss Hideki senseless and that would get them thrown out in a minute.

Hideki laughed.

"Because, I'm still the manipulative bastard I was in high school. Your reaction is enough answer for me, Kazu." Leaning across the table, Hideki whispered into his ear. "I can't wait to get home, so you can show me exactly how you feel. I'm hard just thinking about it."

Kazuma clenched his fists and closed his eyes when Hideki blew into his ear and sat back in his seat with a sly smile. Their server appeared at their table and Hideki ordered for both of them.

"I'm going to get back at you for that," Kazuma said later as they walked back to Hideki's home. "I wanted to lay you down on that table and kiss you senseless, grandmas and grandpas be darned. I'd have given them a show like no other."

"You have mad restrain," Hideki said, holding Kazuma's hand tight as they entered the gates.

"Tease," Kazuma accused.

"You love it," Hideki said.

They teased each other on the walk up the driveway to the front door. Kazuma opened the door for Hideki. He closed the door and bumped into Hideki who had stopped. Placing his hands on Hideki's shoulders, he too stopped when he saw Riku, Phillip and Rui.

"Dad," Hideki said, his tone filled with pleasure. "You're home early."

"And you're not where you're supposed to be," Riku said, his tone hard. "You're on lockdown, Hideki."

"I was with him," Kazuma said. "We were within the city, he was perfectly safe."

"You're not someone who can assure me of my son's safety, Mr. Daiko," Riku said, his tone forbidding. "You're no longer in charge of Hideki's security."

"What?" Hideki took a step forward. "Why are you doing this?"

"Don't fight me, Hideki," Riku said. "We'll talk about this later."

"How about now," Hideki said. "This is my life too, right? I feel safe with Kazuma. What has he done that would make you change your mind? You said he was the best in the industry."

Riku ignored his son's arguments and instead held Kazuma's gaze.

"Does Josephine mean anything to you?" Riku asked. "The eighteen year old girl found dead in a warehouse off the coast in Hong Kong. She was under your care, wasn't she?"

Kazuma's hands dropped away from Hideki's shoulders to his sides. He took a step back from Hideki, his gaze on Phillip.

"I'm sorry," Phillip said, worry in his eyes.

"You might be the best but I can't entrust you to my son, Mr. Daiko," Riku said.

"What is he talking about?" Hideki turned to look at him. "Kazu—

"Josephine was Kazuma's last assignment," Riku told Hideki. "She was kidnapped and ransomed for ten million dollars. Her parents paid the price, but Kazuma didn't make it in time to save her. She suffocated to death in an icebox."

The truth sounded so harsh in the light of day.

Kazuma couldn't escape the memory of Josephine curled up in that awful box he'd found her in, her eyes closed as though she were sleeping. For a second, he saw Hideki that way, and fear arced through his stomach, paralyzing him.

"I'll hand over to Rui, right away," Kazuma said, breaking the ensuing silence. "I'll be out of the estate in ten minutes."

Riku gave him a sharp nod, and before Hideki could speak, Kazuma hurried down the corridor to the security room followed by Rui.

***

Chapter 8

Hideki stared at the files on his desk. Josephine Wood smiled back at him in the photograph on top of the pile of papers. She was a beautiful brunette, with a wide smile, and cheerful eyes. She was young, too young.

_She haunted Kazuma_ , he thought.

The one Kazuma had failed to protect. She was the reason Kazuma had left without a single word to him.

He closed the file. There was no way to convince his father that Kazuma was important to him. Riku Takada was stubborn.

_More stubborn than a mule_ , Hideki scowled.

He had spent two days trying to change his father's mind about Kazuma. The man refused to listen to him.

The library door opened and in walked Haru with a small grin.

"Hey, your father called me said you needed company."

Hideki frowned. He didn't want company. He wanted to find a way to get Kazuma back in his life.

"What's in the file?" Haru asked.

"Shouldn't you be at your flower shop?" Hideki asked, irritated by Haru's cheerful attitude.

"I was," Haru said, sitting in the armchair across Hideki's desk. "When Riku- _san_ called, I left the staff to handle everything."

"How lucky for me," Hideki said, sitting back in his seat, he stared up at the ceiling feeling at a loss.

Haru got up and came around the desk, leaning on the edge.

"I didn't see Kazuma out there. There's a new man. He looks clean cut."

"Kazuma is gone," Hideki said, pain slashing through him at the small admittance.

That Kazuma was gone from his life still shocked him. He kept thinking of their day out on Saturday. How he'd boasted in that quaint little restaurant of his feelings, and falling in love with Kazuma. He had thought he knew what was in Kazuma's heart then. Had thought it matched his own...he closed his eyes. He had hoped Kazuma would talk to him first before he had cleared out his belongings so fast.

How could the man leave the estate without finding him?

"Hyde—

"Let's go out," Hideki cut in. "Call Jin, we can make a party of it."

"It's Tuesday," Haru said. "The club will be packed with strangers. Jin won't have time to keep the VIP area to a minimum—

"I don't care," Hideki said getting up. "My father has given me one freedom, and that is going out with you and Jin. I'm taking full advantage."

"Hyde—

"You're here to distract me. Do it, Haru," Hideki said with a glare. "Otherwise, I might go do something stupid."

Haru nodded and got his phone, already calling Jin.

Hideki stared at the file on his desk. Josephine Wood's story was tragic but he couldn't help disliking her. She filled Kazuma's thoughts, guiding his actions a year after her death.

_She made Kazuma unsure,_ Hideki thought with a grimace.

His gaze shifted to the St. Jude silver coin on the desk. He hadn't told Rui, his new bodyguard, about the coin Kazuma gave him. Taking the chain, he wrapped it around his fingers and stared at the coin for a moment.

"Jin says it's fine to show up," Haru interrupted his thoughts.

Hideki put the coin in his pocket.

"Let's go tell Rui we're leaving," Hideki said.

Haru smiled and took his left arm leading him out of the library.

***

At Club H, Jin and Haru sat with Hideki talking and joking as before. Hideki smiled when Haru made jokes, or when Jin teased. He answered when asked a direct question, and offered observation when Haru prodded for his opinion.

Mostly, he drank. Urging their waiter to keep the liquor flowing, Hideki sat back in the comfortable couch and drank.

His gaze tracked Rui who prowled the VIP section. Rui's gaze was vigilant, not a smile in sight. Hideki thought him cold. Kazuma hadn't worn stifling suits, preferring a weathered leather jacket and jeans. This Rui was all wrong in his neat black suit, and stiff collar.

Rui was clean-shaven. He looked a year older than Hideki. His orders when given were terse. Kazuma hadn't needed to use words. One glance and everyone around him knew what he wanted done.

Hideki reached for his glass and tossed back his whiskey.

Kazuma would have interfered with the flow of drinks by now.

' _It's time to go home, Hyde._ ' Kazuma's voice filled his head and he closed his eyes. ' _You have an early morning tomorrow._ '

He scoffed.

"Hyde?" Jin touched his arm and he looked at him. "Are you okay?"

A soft laugh escaped.

_No, he wasn't okay,_ he thought.

"I'm going to the bathroom. Should we order another bottle?" Hideki asked, his gaze going to the empty one on the table. "I don't have to go to the office in the morning."

"It's almost one o'clock at night," Jin said. "I need to check on the club—

"Oh yes, Jin manager," Hideki said with a smile. "You love this job, don't you?"

Jin frowned, staring at him.

"You make me wonder about you, Jin," Hideki said, his words slurred. "Why you prefer this life to that your parents would have wanted. I wonder—

"I'm happy working for you, Hyde." Jin smiled at him. "The club is my life."

Hideki nodded, wondering why Jin's smile seemed strained to him.

Damn it, he was losing his mind. Jin was his friend. They'd known each other forever.

"I'm sorry," Hideki said, shaking his head. "I'm drunk. I should go home."

"I think so too," Jin said.

Hideki started to get up. The whiskey was very good, he was beyond a buzz, and he was flying higher than a hawk. Holding on to Jin's shoulder, he waited for the world to stop dancing. Grabbing his belt, a different urgency took precedence in his brain.

"I need the bathroom," Hideki said with a chuckle.

"Haru will take you," Jin said. "Hyde, stop worrying and go home, get some sleep, we'll talk tomorrow. I'll come over."

"Yeah sure," Hideki slurred out, allowing Haru to lead him to the bathroom.

In the bathroom, Hideki stopped in the middle of the elegant space to stare at the trashcan. The last time he had been here, a man had tried to grab him and Kazuma saved him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the St. Jude coin and stared at it.

'In case you're in trouble again,' Kazuma had said.

Would he show up?

Hideki studied the surface of the coin for a second, and then because he really wanted to know, he swiped his finger over the little lever on the edge of coin. It shifted to the left fast, and he glanced to the doors expectant.

His heart broke when Rui ran into the bathroom half a minute later.

"Sir?" Rui asked, already doing a sweep in the bathroom stalls. "Are you alright?"

Hideki closed his fingers over the coin.

"My mistake," he said, realizing Kazuma must have told Rui about the coin.

How stupid of him to imagine the coin was anything special.

Haru moved closer to Hideki, wrapping an arm around Hideki's waist to steady him.

"I'm sorry, Rui. He's a lot tipsy."

"Clear," Rui said speaking to the unseen person Kazuma called Sora. "Sir, if you finish here, we can get you back home."

Hideki nodded and waited until Rui left the bathroom.

"Hyde?"

"I'm fine," Hideki said, dropping the coin into his pocket. "I'm fine, Haru. I'm fine."

***

Phillip paced the length of the conference room, his gaze on Kazuma who sat on a couch by the wall staring out the windows.

"The question we need to ask is who delivered the file to Riku Takada. Sora, investigations are slow. Bring in more staff. The Takada case is now priority. I want the Dome buzzing with activity. Someone wanted Kazuma out of the picture."

"Maybe it is for the best. Rui is doing a good job," Kazuma said in a quiet tone. "I'd like to remain on the outside."

"Bullshit," Phillip glared at him. "Hideki can barely look at Rui. That's not helpful, you know that as well as I. Hideki is in danger if he can't trust Rui."

"Are you forgetting I asked you to bring in Rui?" Kazuma asked. "This worked in my favor, Phillip. Riku was right about me. He can't leave Hideki under my care."

"You could have changed Riku's mind," Phillip said. "I kept silent because you agreed with him."

Kazuma scratched his jaw, his fingers combing through the week old beard. Hideki had said he liked it.

"I made many mistakes with Josephine," Kazuma said, dropping his hand to his lap. "Riku is right to be wary."

"Enough," Sora said, drawing his attention to the conference table where she sat. "Regardless of your insecurities, Kazu, someone knew about your past, and knew how Riku would react. Our main priority is discovering who that is."

Kazuma sighed.

"There is Haru."

"Haru is clean," Sora said. "I have checked him out a million times. I can't find anything on him."

"Not even his relationship with Keijo?" Phillip asked.

Sora shook her head.

"What about Jin?" Kazuma asked. "Those two are closest to the family. Of course there is Aoki, but she's like a mother to Hyde."

"Aoki lives on the estate. She has no other family," Sora said. "Jin has blanks in his past. His relationship with Hideki started at Tokyo University. He's very clean on the surface. I have people out there tracing his background."

"There's a red flag," Phillip said.

"Jin has been on my mind as well," Kazuma said with a frown. "However, I still haven't ruled out Hideki's mother. Her past with Hideki is enough to cause worry."

"She doesn't have the funding," Phillip said. "Her restaurant makes enough money to run her family life."

"She doesn't need to fund the kidnap attempts," Sora suggested. "Hideki's kidnap and ransom insurance is enough to pay off a twenty man team, and still live in comfort. If I didn't have a conscience, I'd get into the business myself."

Kazuma glared at her though he understood what she meant.

Hideki was worth a cool sixty million pounds through the Takada Group, and twenty million through his father's insurance. Sometimes Kazuma wondered if that didn't make Hideki a target for extremist groups. However, not having the insurance placed Hideki in a more vulnerable position. Those same extremist groups would take Hideki's life the moment they realized he was worth nothing. It was a double-edged sword.

"Okay," Phillip said. "We're going to focus our efforts on two people: Jin and Naoki. Naoki understands Riku enough to know he'd kick Kazuma out in light of his past. Jin knows Hideki's habits through and through."

"And Haru?" Kazuma asked, remembering Haru's warning to leave the estate.

Phillip studied Kazuma for a moment.

"We don't have much on him to suspect foul play. All right, let's get back to work. Daiko, grab a shower first, you look done in."

Phillip left the conference room in quick strides.

Kazuma stared after him with a frown. He hadn't slept much since he left Hideki's estate. He had opted to help Sora sort her research, working day and night.

"Boss is right," Sora said, getting up from her seat. "You need to take care of yourself if you're going to be of any use to Hyde."

"How is he?" Kazuma asked.

Three days away, and he wanted to get in his jeep and drive to the Takada estate for a glimpse.

"Drank himself to oblivion last night," Sora said. "He triggered the alarm on the silver coin when he went to the bathroom. Rui went rushing to the rescue only to find Haru and Hideki standing in the middle of the bathroom."

Kazuma sat up.

"Did he really?"

"You never told him the coin was standard issue," Sora accused. "I don't think he was triggering that alarm to see Rui's handsome face."

Kazuma closed his eyes.

"I didn't think things would end up this way."

"Get yourself together," Sora said. "Wallowing in the past is not helping you or him, Kazu."

She left without another word, and he sat back on the couch with a sigh.

_Hideki,_ he thought.

The club's bathroom was where they first met.

' _I'm in love with you, Kazuma.'_

He couldn't forget how carefree Hideki had looked in that charming restaurant. It pained him that he hadn't replied to those words. Hadn't told Hideki what he felt...because he'd been afraid.

Since Riku's confrontation, the image of Josephine turning to Hideki hadn't left him. Wiping a hand down his face, Kazuma tried to take away the picture of Hideki curled up in a metal ice box.

It haunted him in his dreams, his waking hours...he sighed.

Hideki was better off with Rui by his side.

The best he could do for Hideki now was find out who wanted to harm him.

***

Hideki woke up to soft kisses skating along his back, his neck then to his ear. He pressed back into the heat with a moan. He loved Kazuma waking him up. He knew if he turned into Kazuma's embrace, Kazuma would reward him with a searing good morning kiss.

Hideki smiled as he turned, his eyes opening eager to see Kazuma.

Disappointment slammed through him when he saw Haru lying in Kazuma's place. Sitting up with a gasp, Hideki rubbed sleep out of his eyes.

"Hyde."

"What are you doing here?" Hideki asked.

"We came back late," Haru said, stroking his left arm. "It's only six in the morning, Hyde. Sleep some more."

"I don't think you should have stayed," Hideki said, pushing the covers aside. He was naked. He didn't remember removing his clothes. "Did you undress me last night?"

"I have done it before," Haru said with a pleased laugh. "You were so drunk, you clung to me the whole time."

Hideki shifted to the side of the bed, shaking his head. He hadn't cared before, now it annoyed him. This familiarity Haru had with him. He didn't want it. He craved Kazuma's touch, his heat, and his kisses. He didn't want Haru's misplaced kindness.

Hideki closed his eyes when Haru pressed up behind him, wrapping his arms around Hideki.

"I'm here," Haru said in a whisper.

Hideki sighed.

"We need to talk, Haru."

"About what?" Haru asked, pressing a kiss on Hideki's naked shoulder.

Hideki extricated himself from Haru's hold and got up. He grabbed his robe and wore it fast, needing to cover himself. Running fingers through his hair, he walked around the large bed to the windows Kazuma had changed. He pressed his hand against the tinted glass with a sigh.

"Hyde—

Hideki turned to lean on the glass, his gaze on Haru who sat in the middle of the bed. Haru stared at him, and then pulled the covers over his naked body.

"I'm sure you're thinking about Kazuma." Haru spoke with resignation. "But...Kazuma is gone. If your father has anything to say about it, you're never going to see him again."

Hideki wished those words didn't hurt but they did. Haru wanted him to forget Kazuma.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" Haru asked.

"Giving you hope," Hideki said, realizing he should have done this years ago.

Haru stared at him then dropped his gaze to his lap.

"You're going to tell me you don't want a relationship with me."

"We are friends," Hideki said. "That's all, Haru."

"We haven't been just friends in a long time, Hyde."

Haru's fingers clutched the covers on his lap.

"You—

"Don't bring Keijo into this," Hideki warned. "We're beyond that. I've let you hold it over my head for years, but now...we should stop hurting each other."

"I can't stop," Haru said, looking at him, his gaze full of love Hideki would never return. "Don't ask me to stop, anything but that."

Hideki fought the urge to look away from Haru's pain.

"Haru, it's never going to be you."

His harsh words hit Haru hard. Those dark eyes filled with tears, and Hideki added this to the list of sins he'd committed against his best friend.

Haru flung the covers away and got off the bed. For a moment, Hideki thought Haru might come to him, but then he ran to the bathroom and slammed the door closed. Hideki closed his eyes when he heard a muffled harsh sob.

Hideki leaned against the windows and listened to Haru cry his heart out in the bathroom.

***

Downstairs, Hideki sat at the breakfast table beside his father. He stared into his coffee listening to Riku talk about stock options.

"I need you at the event this evening," Riku said. "My business associates are bringing their families, and they haven't met you in a while."

Hideki pushed his coffee away.

"What about security?"

"Phillip has everyone on deck for the night. You remember Kenichi's home, don't you? You're expected there at seven o'clock."

Hideki nodded.

"You may bring Haru and Jin with you," Riku added.

"Haru is busy," Hideki said, thinking Haru didn't want to be near him right now. "Jin has the club."

"Hideki—" Riku started then stopped. "I don't mean for your life to be this lonely."

"It can't be helped," Hideki said. "Though I wish you'd reconsider your thoughts on Kazuma."

Riku shook his head.

"His track record does not inspire confidence."

"Did you read that file?" Hideki scoffed. "Josephine's case was special, Dad. I'm not her. I listen to him when he asks me to do something. He got me through a forest at night. Why can't you give him a break?"

"Your unusual devotion to this man makes me worry." Riku studied his son. "What aren't you telling me?"

Words lodged in his throat. His gaze dropped to the table.

"I like Kazuma."

"You like Daniel and Patrick too," Riku commented.

"This life you're making me live is manageable with Kazuma around," Hideki said. "I can breathe with Kazuma."

Riku got up.

"I'll think about it."

"Do more than think about it," Hideki said, his tone harsher than he meant it to be. "Please, Father."

Riku studied him for a moment, then he turned and left the dining room.

Rui came in soon after carrying Hideki's laptop.

"Are you ready for the day?" Rui asked, standing a few feet away.

Kazuma would have chosen to sit at the dining table with him having coffee.

_Did Rui even eat?_ Hideki scowled in irritation. Rui reminded him of a robot.

***

At six-thirty that evening, Kazuma parked a Renegade Security jeep at Kenichi Itada's villa. His job was to ensure safety before Hideki and his father arrived at seven. Three men followed him into the house.

He spent the next thirty minutes familiarizing himself with the Villa's layout.

"I know you're secretly happy Phillip ordered you to do this," Sora said into his ear when he walked out the terrace doors to the pool area.

Kazuma hid a smile, walking along the pool to the short fence on the other side of the pool. There was no entrance there, but a determined intruder would jump over the fence.

"The east side of the property needs extra men," he said. "There is an open field leading to the adjoining property."

"Noted, come on, Kazu," Sora said, her tone teasing. "At least admit you're excited to see him again."

Kazuma's smile widened and he started back to the main house. He glanced at his watch, noting it was five minutes past seven.

"Kazu," Sora prompted.

She sent feedback through his earpiece and he cursed under his breath, rubbing his ear.

"You minx," he cursed, when he could think again. "Fine, yes, I'm happy."

Sora chuckled.

"See, that wasn't so hard. He's arrived. Hurry on out there."

Kazuma couldn't help increasing his pace, hurrying past a group of laughing women to reach the front doors. He slowed down when he reached the stairs, and saw Riku walking up the steps talking to Kenichi.

Kazuma adjusted his suit jacket and gave Riku a formal bow as he passed him. Lifting his head, his gaze met a brown-eyed cool gaze.

Hideki stood tall, his slender figure clean-cut in a tailored suit. Images of Hideki in the throes of passion, his beautiful body arched into him filled his brain, until all he wanted was to kiss Hideki. Kazuma cleared his throat as Hideki approached him, Rui a step behind Hideki.

Kazuma took a step toward him, then remembering where they were, he stepped back and gave Hideki a short bow as Hideki passed him.

"You could say hi," Sora said in his ear.

"He's no longer my responsibility," Kazuma said, his gaze roaming the area, taking in the cars arriving and leaving.

"Your loss," Sora said in amusement.

The party was a bore: formal dinner, business talk—politics and economics. Kazuma swiped a glass of water from a passing waiter when the party loosened up two hours later and stepped outside in the patio. His suit chafed. Kazuma reached up and loosened his tie, unbuttoning his shirt collar. Sipping his sparkling water, he wished Hideki would step out for a moment.

The glass doors opened behind him and he turned to find Hideki sneaking out. Placing his glass on a stone ledge, Kazuma smiled when Hideki took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Hideki took a step closer to the stone ledge only to stop when he saw Kazuma.

"Hi," Kazuma said.

Hideki remained still brown eyes staring at him.

"Hi," Hideki said after a moment. He cleared his throat and came to stand by the stone ledge. "You are here."

Kazuma nodded.

"All hands on deck," he said, repeating Phillip's order.

"You wore a suit."

Kazuma touched the black suit jacket he wore.

"I own two or three."

Hideki clenched his fingers at his side.

"It looks good on you."

"Hyde—

"Rui is probably looking for me," Hideki said, turning to the patio doors. "I was just—

"Don't run," Kazuma said, placing his hand on Hideki's shoulder to stop him from leaving. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Hideki's shoulders were stiff, his fists still clenched.

"Leaving without talking to you," Kazuma said. "I should have looked for you."

Hideki turned then, his eyes flashing with anger.

"You should have, you know. I worried. You have my number and you haven't even call me."

"I don't know what to say." Kazuma's hand dropped away. "I didn't mean for you to find out the truth that way."

"You're an idiot."

"What?"

"I said you're an idiot," Hideki said.

"If I'm an idiot, what does that make you?" Kazuma scoffed.

"The fool who loves the idiot," Hideki said.

Kazuma couldn't stop his smile at Hideki's soft admittance. Kazuma closed the distance between them, pulling Hideki into his arms. When Hideki remained stiff, Kazuma buried his face into Hideki's shoulder.

"I love you," he said, not about to let it pass this time. "I love you too, Hideki Takada."

***

Chapter 9

Hideki froze, the feel of Kazuma's warmth surrounding him overwhelmed his senses. Kazuma started to move away. Hideki brought his arms up, holding on to Kazuma to keep him in place. He took in a deep breath, filled up with Kazuma's scent...gods, he'd missed him.

"Don't leave me again," Hideki said, his voice muffled in Kazuma's shoulder.

"Hyde."

"I can't—," Hideki broke off. "You can't leave me."

Kazuma sighed against his neck, his breath sending thrills through him. Hideki clung to Kazuma.

"I'm here," Kazuma whispered in his ear.

Hideki closed his eyes.

Kazuma pulled back and kissed him, and a joyful moan escaped. He felt starved for Kazuma's taste, pressing closer, his arms locking around Kazuma's neck, they kissed with ravenous delight. They held each other as though they didn't have enough time in the world.

"I missed you," Hideki said a while later.

Kazuma smiled at the soft confession.

"I want you to come back." Hideki met Kazuma's dark gaze, hopeful.

His fingers bunched the front of Kazuma's shirt, when Kazuma winced.

"Hyde," Kazuma started.

"Don't say no," Hideki said.

He was afraid Kazuma would reject his attempts to get him back to the estate. If only his father had handled Kazuma's past better. This wouldn't be so hard.

"I—

"I want the same thing, Hyde," Kazuma cut in before he could continue. "I want to sleep next to you, wake up to you, but we have to be realistic."

Hideki forced his fingers to release Kazuma's shirt. Smoothing the soft fabric, he swallowed down his disappointment.

"I—," Hideki choked on his words.

Was this how Haru felt with him? This desperate need to have Kazuma's attention, have him close, hold him...it hurt to think Kazuma didn't want to be with him.

Kazuma kissed him, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"I hate being away from you," Kazuma said, when he ended their kiss. "There is nothing I want more than to stay with you, but I want to do it without obligation. I want us to be on equal grounds."

"We are," Hideki protested.

"We are not."

Holding Kazuma's gaze, Hideki tried not to panic. There was love in Kazuma's eyes, amid the shadows of doubt.

"We need to find out who is trying to kidnap you. I joined the investigating team working your case." Kazuma stroked Hideki's chin with his thumb. "I can't be in charge of your safety, Hyde. I'm going to entrust you to Rui."

"He's like a robot," Hideki burst out in frustration. "He doesn't understand me."

Kazuma chuckled.

"You're not giving him a chance. He's very good at his job."

"Will I get to see you?" Hideki asked.

Kazuma nodded.

"I have to make peace with your father first."

Hideki sighed.

"You're breaking your own rule."

"What rule?"

"You told me never to walk away from you." Hideki held Kazuma's gaze. "Now you're walking away from me."

"I'm not walking away from you."

"You even told Rui about the coin you gave me." Hideki reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the silver chain. "I pressed it the other day..."

Kazuma stared at the coin on Hideki's palm. He took the coin and put it in Hideki's pocket.

"Keep it on you."

"Sir," Rui interrupted them from the terrace doors.

Hideki tensed and started to step away from Kazuma.

"Give us a moment," Kazuma said, meeting Rui's keen gaze.

"Riku- _san_ is waiting."

"I understand, one minute," Kazuma insisted.

Rui stepped back into the house, closing the terrace doors but he didn't walk away.

No doubt keeping his charge in sight, Kazuma sighed.

"Are you coming back with me?" Hideki asked again.

Hideki sighed when he didn't respond.

"My father is stubborn, but I will convince him to let you come back."

"Don't," Kazuma said. "I want to stay on the investigation team."

"Kazu," Hideki started.

"I want to come back on equal grounds."

"That again," Hideki said. "Don't you want to be with me?"

Kazuma kissed Hideki then, not caring that Rui was watching them: a demanding, wanton kiss designed to obliterate Hideki's doubt. Hideki clung to his shoulders, moaning a protest when Kazuma ended their kiss.

"Don't ever have doubts," Kazuma said, his voice a whisper. "I want you, Hideki."

"Then why?"

"I want to keep you safe too," Kazuma said. "When I come back, both of us will be sure it's what we want."

"I'm sure," Hideki said. "I even settled things with Haru."

Kazuma couldn't help the smile. A small part of him was still jealous of Haru. He was glad to know Hideki had made a stand with the brat.

"Good," Kazuma said and frowned when Rui knocked on the window. "You have to go."

"No, I don't," Hideki said, wrapping his arms around Kazuma's waist. "Can't I stay with you. We can escape to your place."

"It's dangerous for you," Kazuma closed his eyes, fighting the urge to give in.

Having Hideki in his arms was so tempting.

Rui opened the terrace doors.

"Riku- _san_ insists on your presence, Sir," Rui said.

Hideki growled into Kazuma's chest and stepped back.

"See, he's no fun," Hideki complained. "Kazu."

Kazuma smiled. "I'm here."

"Answer my calls," Hideki said.

Kazuma watched Hideki turn and enter the house, a small smile teasing his lips.

***

Hideki caught glimpses of Kazuma, never quite seeing him, only his profile. He half listened to the discussion his father was having with the host of the party, Kenichi.

"Hideki," Riku touched his shoulder, drawing his attention back. "Who are you looking for?"

"No one," Hideki said, clearing his throat.

"Kenichi- _san_ wants his people to meet your sales team tomorrow."

"Of course," Hideki said, he'd need to ask his father what product Kenichi wanted.

"You look distracted," Riku said, once they were alone again.

"Have you changed your mind about Kazuma?"

"Here?" Riku asked, looking around the busy room.

"It's important to me," Hideki said, "more important than business."

"Hideki."

"I don't complain when you drag me to these parties. I don't fight you when you insist on locking me down at home. Or refuse me to meet my mother."

"Instead, you choose to fight over a bodyguard."

"I've told you he's important to me."

"More than Haru and Jin?" Riku asked, holding his gaze.

Hideki hesitated, thinking about his fight with Haru. Knowing Kazuma had forced him to take a stand with Haru.

"Yes, more important than them."

Hideki looked away, and finally saw Kazuma standing by the doors watching them. Riku followed his gaze.

"I'm not saying no because I don't like him," Riku said. "Kazuma is quite competent."

"Then what's the problem?"

"I would have listened had Kazuma decided to argue my judgment and given me assurances," Riku said.

Hideki dragged his gaze away from Kazuma to look at his father.

"What?"

"Your bodyguard needs confidence," Riku said, still watching Kazuma. "It doesn't matter how many times you tell me he's good. If he doesn't believe it, I can't trust him."

"Father," Hideki said in surprise.

Riku smiled at him.

"You're also the most important to me, Hideki."

Hideki chuckled and looked at Kazuma.

"Will you let him visit at least?"

Riku studied him for a moment, and then nodded.

"Sure, I don't see why not."

"Thanks," Hideki said.

Riku started to walk away and then paused.

"Kenichi- _san_ wants the outdoor jackets you modeled for his shopping malls. Can you manage to remember that?"

Hideki grinned. "I'll text my team right now."

"Good idea," Riku winked.

The party ended at around eleven o'clock. Hideki didn't get a chance to talk to Kazuma as Rui hurried him into the waiting vehicles fast. Scowling at his bodyguard, Hideki sat in the back seat holding his cell phone. It was late. Kazuma was probably headed home too.

Hideki sighed, disappointed.

Then his phone beeped a message. Checking his Line account, Hideki smiled when he saw Kazuma's message.

' _Make sure you go straight to bed. You looked tired.'_

Hideki smiled and answered: _'Don't refuse to answer my calls.'_

' _You haven't called me yet.'_

Hideki grinned.

' _Did you eat?'_

Kazuma replied: _'Yes, though it wasn't as good as Aoki's.'_

' _Come for breakfast in the morning.'_

' _Should I?'_

' _Don't refuse.'_

Hideki waited for Kazuma's reply, worried Kazuma would refuse, and then his phone buzzed.

' _I'll be there at eight.'_

Hideki smiled wide, and for the rest of the ride home, he stared at the message on his phone.

***

Hideki woke up too early. He showered and dressed, then went to the library to work, his gaze on the clock, nervous. It was only six-thirty in the morning. He hoped Kazuma would make it to breakfast. He had missed seeing Kazuma at the breakfast table. Hideki tried to concentrate on answering emails, but gave up and turned his chair to watch the sunrise instead.

The library had an excellent view of the property. At around seven-thirty, he sat up when he saw a black Renegade Securities jeep drive up to the front of the house. Kazuma got out of the passenger seat, back to his usual jeans, white t-shirt and brown leather jacket. He'd neglected to shave again. Hideki felt his heart skip when Kazuma glanced up to the library windows. He stood there for a few minutes before he started for the front door. Hideki got up and ran out of the library, reaching the stairs just as Kazuma entered the house.

Their gazes held for a moment, then Kazuma continued down the hall to Riku's study and Hideki exhaled. He came down the stairs slowly and sat down on the last step, waiting.

***

Kazuma stood before Riku's desk, nervous energy coursing through his veins. Seeing Hideki had relieved it somewhat, but still he couldn't stop being nervous.

"You wanted to talk to me," Riku said, his tone hard, his gaze unfriendly.

Kazuma bowed his head.

"I'm sorry for not telling you the truth about my last assignment."

He raised his head when Riku didn't comment.

"I should have disclosed the circumstances of Josephine's death. There was no excuse—

"Have a seat, Kazuma-san," Riku interrupted his apology. "Don't make an old man look up at you."

Kazuma stopped and chose the leather armchair closest to him.

"Sir—

"Before you launch into an apology, let's get something straight. Do you believe you are capable of protecting my son?"

Kazuma held Riku's gaze. "Yes."

"Then why didn't you tell me that the day you left?"

Kazuma looked down at his lap then, the shame that haunted him over Josephine's death rising.

"You blame yourself," Riku said then, making him look up again. "Josephine, you blame yourself for her death."

Kazuma took in a deep breath and nodded.

"I should never have let her go for the party."

Riku sighed.

"I doubt you could have stopped her. Phillip told me that you did your best to find her when she disappeared. You're the one who found the warehouse when the authorities couldn't. You just didn't make it in time."

Kazuma forced the image of Josephine's dead body in a box out of his thoughts.

"Why did you want to see me today?" Riku asked.

"I want your permission to visit Hideki. I am working on the investigation team," Kazuma said. "I can help Rui with support and—

"Fine," Riku said with a small smile.

Kazuma breathed out in relief.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Maybe you'll lift his spirits," Riku said. "Hideki has been moping around since you left. Yesterday, he could barely concentrate on important business matters. Perhaps that will change now?"

Kazuma grinned.

"I hope so."

"Find out who wants to take my son from me, Kazuma- _san_. I'll be grateful for that too."

Kazuma left Riku's office at five minutes past eight.

He walked down the corridor and paused when he found Hideki pacing at the stairs.

Hideki stopped when he saw him, his striking brown gaze searching. Kazuma smiled. Hideki let out a relieved sigh then.

"You're late," Hideki said, glancing at his watch. "Breakfast is at eight."

Kazuma chuckled and closed the distance between them. Hideki wrapped his arms around him, and in the next moment, Kazuma felt contentment fill him as they kissed in sweet celebration.

***

Chapter 10

"Kazuma Daiko is back in the fold," Jin said, studying the photographs in his tablet. "He drove up yesterday morning and hasn't left."

Jin looked at the woman he both loved and feared. She stood by the windows in his office at Club H. Her slender frame wrapped in a long fitting black dress. Her long hair dark as midnight, and slick, he loved sifting his fingers through the soft strands...when she let him. He couldn't remember a day when he hadn't loved her. She glanced at him now, and his heart squeezed when he saw cold determination in her eyes. He wished she would forget the past, and choose to live in the future.

"Do you think Kazuma is in charge of security again?"

She gave him a small smile.

"Riku is cautious," she said. "He won't let Kazuma run the show yet. The opening is still good."

"You mean Haru's house," Jin said.

"Yes," she nodded, walking to his desk, she came to lean on the desk right beside him. "Kazuma is discerning. He is a better bodyguard than the current one because he connects fast. I'm sure by now he is suspicious of Haru. That is why we need to move fast."

"If Kazuma is suspicious of Haru, I wonder what he thinks of me," Jin said with a sigh.

"You made your choice, Jin," she said. She sunk her fingers into his hair, her caress gentle, stroking through his hair. "Thanks to you, I am about to repay back the pain the Takada family dished out on me and mine. You're very important to me."

Jin placed the pad on the desk and sighed.

"I moved the money two days ago. We're set to go."

"Good job," she said, using her gentle hold in his hair, she tilted his head up and leaned to kiss him. Jin closed his eyes in bliss, ready to pull her into his arms. However, the kiss was short, too short.

She broke away as fast as she'd initiated contact. She caressed his jaw and smiled.

"I need to go meet the other three. Find Haru and get him to invite Hideki to his house, although with those two, there's no need. Hideki will go looking for Haru on his own," she said. "After this is over, we'll have more time, Jin. Loads of time to do whatever you want."

She pushed off the desk and walked around his desk.

"Be careful," Jin said.

"Always," she said.

Jin watched her leave his office without a backward glance, and wondered if his choice was really the right one.

***

Kazuma was happy to be back in the security room at the Takada estate, though it annoyed him that he wasn't in his original position. Rui was out with Hideki for the afternoon. Hideki had a meeting he couldn't avoid with a supplier.

Shifting his seat, Kazuma studied the picture of Hideki, Haru and Jin on the overhead screen. Turning on the connection to Sora, he brought up Club H's accounting records on the overhead too.

"Sora, perhaps we have been looking at this the wrong way."

"I was about to call you," Sora said, her tone light. "Phillip asked me to check Naoki's whereabouts on the days Hideki had his accidents. There is nothing connecting her to the kidnap attempts: no phone calls, no emails, and no messages. She is cleared, Kazuma."

"Yes, I figured," Kazuma said. "I have been thinking about Hideki's schedule."

"What about it?"

"We've been so involved with Hideki's past, all the people who would want to hurt him, or his father, and we've forgotten to look at this case as we would every other."

"Kazu, I haven't had a decent meal in days. I'm running on strong coffee. Can you please talk sense?"

"Following evidence," Kazuma said.

"I thought that's what we were doing?"

"How many people know Hideki's schedule in advance?" Kazuma asked.

"Three?" Sora said. "Sometimes four, depending on where he is going."

"His father, the secretary at the office, and his main bodyguard," Kazuma said. "Everyone else gets a call ten minutes before he has to show up at whatever location."

"Yes, I know all that," Sora said. "What about it?"

"The first accident Hideki had was at the race track in the Tokyo Arc Club," Kazuma said, his gaze back to the picture on the screen. "The club is exclusive. Jin and Haru have membership through Hideki."

"According to the schedule logged by Daniel and Patrick, Hideki was supposed to have a meeting at his offices that day. He changed it last minute, and ended up at the club," Sora said.

"Who was at the club with him?" Kazuma asked.

"Daniel and Patrick of course," Sora said, and then with a soft sigh of realization, she murmured. "Haru was there too. What are you saying?"

"I think we're casting the net too wide, when we need to be looking closer to home." Kazuma shook his head. "Haru and Jin—

"You're fixated on them," Sora said.

"I'm going with my gut feeling," Kazuma said. "Have your team check on Club H's finances. This time, you're looking for accounting discrepancies."

"Money?" Sora asked. "Something so basic?

"Why are you so shocked?" Kazuma asked, getting up from his seat. He stretched his arms above his head, stretching his muscles. "Money is always behind everything, the second reason is always love, and both are at play here. Let me know what you find, Sora."

"Yeah, yeah," Sora said. "I'm disappointed. I was looking forward to a fight against revenge wielding maniacs."

"You need sleep," Kazuma said. "Your dark side is showing, Sora."

"I need food," Sora said. "I'll call you."

The connection ended abruptly and Kazuma started printing out the accounting documents she sent him. Hideki was out of the estate, having a meeting with a supplier. He missed seeing him. He hated the hours apart. Might as well spent his time reading through numbers.

***

"I want to go on a trip with you," Hideki said, late in the afternoon when he got home.

He had found Kazuma in the living room. Kazuma sat on the couch surrounded by documents. A surge of happiness filled him when Kazuma glanced up from his reading to look at him. He loved the way Kazuma looked at him. It made him feel like he belonged. This feeling...belonging to someone, he loved it, didn't want to lose it.

"Where would we go?" Kazuma asked.

Hideki sat in an armchair, touching the papers closest to him on the coffee table with a smile.

"I know it looks like I rely on my father, but I'm not without means of my own."

Kazuma chuckled.

"I don't doubt that, Hyde."

Hideki nodded.

"With all the security trouble, it's easy to forget the little joys. I bought a little house a year ago, off the coast of Malaysia, a sort of hideaway. I haven't been able to go check it out. We can...go together."

"That sounds like a vacation," Kazuma said, studying him. "Are you planning to dazzle me?"

"I want to entice you to stay with me," Hideki said, his fear that Kazuma might disappear after his problems were solved real. "I want you to stay with me, Kazuma."

"I'm here, Hyde."

Hideki held his gaze for a moment, wishing he could express to Kazuma how much that meant to him. When he couldn't find the words, he looked away and sat back in the armchair.

"Should we get something to eat?" Hideki asked, looking at the papers surrounding Kazuma.

"Aoki will bring a tray in here," Kazuma said. "Why are you so worried about me staying?"

"Shouldn't I be?" Hideki asked, getting up, he went around the coffee table to sit next to Kazuma. "When this is over—

"I want you to show me your hideaway," Kazuma cut in, shifting on the couch to face him.

Hideki grinned. "Do you mean that?"

"Yes," Kazuma leaned closer and gave Hideki a light kiss. "I'll even bring my swimming gear."

"The property is private. You won't need any," Hideki teased, his breath hitching with excitement.

Kazuma kissed his chin, stroking a finger down Hideki's jaw.

"That sounds enticing enough," he said. "Stop worrying."

Hideki smiled, his gaze shifting to the papers around them.

"What are you doing?" Hideki picked up the pile of papers closest to him. He scanned the contents, a frown creasing his brow. "These are Club H's finances. Why do you have these?"

"Hyde," Kazuma started.

"You suspect Jin, again. This is getting tiring, Kazuma. Jin and Haru are my friends. They'd never—

Kazuma took his hand.

"I have investigated everyone close to you, including your mother. I want this to end as much as you do. This is not a mistake."

"I don't understand." Hideki dropped the papers he held on the coffee table. "You cleared them. Why are you back to Jin? Kazu—

"Do you remember your first accident?" Kazuma asked him.

Hideki got up from the couch. He ran fingers through his hair, looking around the bright living room. Moving away from the couch, he paced around the coffee table. He couldn't forget the day he lost his motorcycle. He'd thought he was going to die that day, all that fire.

"What does that have to do with this?"

"I have run your schedule. Security keeps it tight, even before I showed up, no one outside the team knew where you were unless you made an exception."

Hideki glanced at Kazuma, afraid of what Kazuma was going to say. He'd suspected it, but hoped he was wrong. Somehow, someone in his team was leaking his schedule, otherwise how would his assailants know where he was.

"Your personal schedule is revealed to three people. Your driver, your head of security and your father," Kazuma continued. "Even Aoki who cooks your meals doesn't know what time you're coming home until ten minutes before."

"What are you telling me?" Hideki asked in a whisper, the hollow feeling inside him growing.

"That day you went to ride your motorcycle," Kazuma said, "Who outside of Daniel, Patrick and your father knew you'd be there?"

Hideki took in deep breath.

"I don't know. I—I cancelled a meeting. I was tired of work. I left the office wanting to head home, but I changed my mind on the way. I wanted to ride my motorcycle, get rid of stress...I called Haru because he likes the gym at the Tokyo Arc."

Hideki met Kazuma's gaze.

"The exception," Kazuma said in a gentle tone.

Hideki shook his head.

"I trust Haru."

"I know," Kazuma said.

Hideki closed his eyes remembering the sight of Haru in the middle of his bed. Heartbroken, betrayed...he had hurt Haru that morning, and hadn't gone to check on him. Hideki opened his eyes and moved to the armchair. He sat down and met Kazuma's gaze.

"Explain what you are doing with Club H's finances?"

"Hyde," Kazuma started to protest.

"It's better if I know," Hideki said. "It will make it easier to take, please. I need to know every detail."

Kazuma reached for a stack of papers on his left. He held them out to Hideki.

"Those are the club's expense accounts. They go back three years. Our team noticed a recurring account called Maintenance and Refurbishment."

"I created that account," Hideki said. "I asked Jin to be responsible for keeping up the building."

"I understand, and all the suppliers in that account check out, except for one. Tara P Wholesalers. Your manager pays Tara P every month like clockwork. The amount started at thirty thousand dollars three years ago, but it has increased steadily over the following years. The total tallies to about 2.5 million."

Hideki placed the papers he held on the coffee table.

"Jin is embezzling money from my club."

"Tara P Wholesalers is a ghost company. It doesn't exist."

"He's not the first one to steal from me," Hideki said, though deep inside, betrayal grew. He trusted Jin, loved him as he would a brother. "Stealing money is no reason for him to want to hurt me. I hope you have a stronger motive."

"Hyde." Kazuma started to get up.

"Don't stop," Hideki said. "Continue."

Kazuma sighed.

"I believe that someone discovered Jin's little hobby and is using it against him to get to you."

"Why would anyone look at my club's finances?" Hideki scoffed.

"You don't think serious kidnappers would seek out weaknesses around you? Your friends, your employees, your family...anyone can have a weakness that a kidnapper could exploit—

"Enough," Hideki snapped getting to his feet. "What you're saying is that everyone close to me can be coerced into betraying me."

"Not all," Kazuma said.

Hideki shook his head.

"I want to talk to Haru."

"You shouldn't," Kazuma said.

"It's not a request," Hideki said, meeting Kazuma's gaze. "I need to talk to him, Kazu."

Kazuma got up.

"I'll come with you."

"The sight of you will annoy him."

"I don't care." Kazuma grabbed his arm, stopping him. "You might trust Haru, but I don't. I don't trust anyone with you. It's killing me watching you leave with Rui."

Hideki turned to face Kazuma. "Then come back to the team, no one will stop you."

Kazuma wrapped his arms around Hideki.

"Not yet," he said. "We're close to finding these bastards. When we're this close, we need to be vigilant, and careful. That means not doing everything we want."

"Are you sure about Jin?"

"I'd be relieved if I was wrong. They are your friends, and if I'm right it will hurt you," Kazuma said, stroking his fingers through Hideki's hair. "Worse, whoever is doing this is using Jin, Hideki. Jin and Haru could get hurt."

Hideki closed his eyes and held on to Kazuma, afraid.

"I don't know that I can do this."

"You can," Kazuma said, kissing his temple. "You have no choice, Hyde."

***

Chapter 11

"Hideki- _kun_ ," Haru's mother said when she saw him. "It's been so long since I saw you. Why haven't you come over?"

Hideki smiled in greeting, taking her right hand.

"I'm sorry I have been so busy, Auntie."

"I know how hard you work, but you should take time off too. Come visit us and we can have lunch out in the garden," Haru's mother said.

Hideki nodded.

"I will, Auntie. Is Haru home? Can I see him?"

She smiled.

"Haru has been sleeping all day lately. He hasn't visited the green houses either. I wonder what has gotten into him. Maybe you can pull him out of his mood?"

Hideki winced, knowing he was the reason Haru was hiding away.

"I will do my best."

"That son of mine is moody," Haru's mum said with a sigh. "Go on up to his room, he won't come down."

Hideki nodded and started up the stairs. Haru's door was the second to his right on the second floor. He paused outside the door afraid of seeing his best friend after their last conversation. Kazuma's suspicions made him wary too. He didn't want to imagine Haru would have anything to do with his assailants.

"I'll wait here," Rui said behind him.

"That would be best," Hideki said.

He knocked once on the door and opened it without waiting for an answer. Entering Haru's bedroom, he closed the door, his gaze sweeping the large bedroom.

Haru sat in the middle of his bed, his sheets rumpled around him. Soft music filled the room, and the curtains were drawn tight. The television was on, though the sound was muted.

Hideki took two steps into the room, before Haru glanced up from the book he was reading.

Hideki shrugged his jacket off, and draped it over the nearest armchair. He put his hands in his pocket and looked around the neat room.

"Do you know it's only six in the evening?" Hideki asked. "What are you doing in bed, Haru? Are you ill?"

"That's not your business anymore, is it?" Haru scoffed closing the book on his lap. "I'm surprised you remembered the way to my house, Hideki."

"Regardless of what's happened between us," Hideki said. "You're still my best friend, Haru."

"Am I?" Haru glanced at him, his eyes filled with pain.

Hideki wished he could avoid this conversation, and return to their comfortable days. Haru's love had always felt like a burden to him. Now that he knew what it felt like to long for someone, to wish they would look at you the same way...

Hideki looked away from Haru. He couldn't run away from Haru's pain. Not when he'd caused it.

"I'm sorry," Hideki said, moving closer to the large bed.

He removed his hands from his pockets and turned to perch on the foot of the bed, his back to Haru.

"I—

Hideki broke off because he didn't have the right words. Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath.

"I wish it could be different between us, Haru. You're someone I cherish and I can't imagine losing you."

"As a friend," Haru said in a whisper behind him.

Hideki opened his eyes and stared at the blue Turkish carpet on the floor.

"Yes, you're my oldest friend, Haru. My most precious one," Hideki said.

They sat in silence for almost five minutes. Hideki stared at the floor wondering how to broach the subject that had driven him to Haru's house in the first place. His heart ached at the idea of Haru betraying him. He could barely breathe thinking about it.

"I have something to tell you," Haru said, breaking the silence.

Hideki shifted on the bed, so that he could look at Haru.

"It's surreal," Haru said, meeting his gaze. "I have imagined you sitting there with a different expression. The number of times I have wished for you, Hideki. I wonder if you understand."

Hideki didn't look away this time. He took in Haru's pain, understanding that the fact that he couldn't love Haru as he loved Kazuma had changed their relationship. His heart ached at the thought that all he could do was apologize.

"Don't say you're sorry," Haru said when he started to talk. "It makes it worse."

"What do you want me to do?" Hideki asked. "Tell me what to do to fix this."

"Love me," Haru said. "I want you to love me instead of Kazuma. Can you do that?"

"I love you as my friend, Haru."

"Then, you can't fix this," Haru said. "Don't try."

Hideki got up from the bed unable to ask Haru about his schedule, and his would be assailants. Kazuma would have to find another way.

This pain, he pressed his hand against his chest, his gaze on Haru, he didn't think he could handle it.

"I'll leave then," Hideki said.

"Wait," Haru pushed the sheet away and slid his feet over the bed. He got to his feet adjusting his t-shirt over his pajama pants. "I have something to tell you and you're not going to like it."

Hideki took a step back, the fear that had started when he realized Kazuma was going through his club accounts grew.

"I'm sorry," Haru said, facing him. "I didn't think it would escalate, but in my desperation, I pushed Jin into a bad decision."

"I don't understand."

"Hyde," Haru said. "I have loved you so long I don't remember a time when I didn't. I was happiest when you clung to me. Sadly, the only time you clung was when something bad happened to you out there. It was the only time I was the first call you made, and we could spend unlimited time together."

"Haru, we can still hang out," Hideki said. "That won't change. You're my friend."

"Yes, that's true, but for a while I saw hope for more, especially when you were dating the Goth boyfriend. God, I hated that guy. He was an idiot, Hyde. If I could, I'd have shot him, but you liked him, you even allowed him to change your style. Then you had that accident with the car in Tokyo, remember? You were so shaken; you had me flown to meet you. It was the first time you let me sleep the night with you. Days later you were back with that stupid guy, it pissed me off me so much."

Haru chuckled, the sound of it bitter.

"Then I realized I had found a solution to getting that guy to go away for good. I got Jin to help me put you in trouble again so you could call me back," Haru confessed.

Hideki took another step back. The Haru standing by the side of the bed looked like a stranger. No sense of recognition in those eyes...Hideki wished Kazuma had come along.

"It started out as a prank, but the plan escalated too fast," Haru said, shaking his head. "I'm sorry about your motorcycle. I know how much you loved it—

"What are you telling me?" Hideki asked. "Haru?"

"They weren't meant to make your motorcycle explode," Haru said. "We did it to scare you—

"Take it back, Haru."

He'd been wrong, the betrayal hurt worse than physical pain.

"I'm sorry," Haru said. "I just wanted you to love me, Hyde."

"So you plotted to have me killed?" Hideki asked, a deep hole gaping where his heart used to be. He pressed his hand in to his chest at a loss. "You and Jin...what am I supposed to do with this?"

"The accidents after that day had nothing to do with me, Hyde," Haru said, his eyes wide as he tried to exonerate himself. "Jin...I don't know what game he's playing, but I told him to stop when they brought in Kazuma. The burning motorcycle was dangerous, then you started falling for Kazuma. I wanted to stop it, but Jin wouldn't stop, he said he couldn't—

Hideki turned away then, unable to listen to anymore. He needed to see Kazuma. Kazuma would know how to solve this. Flinging the door open, Hideki ran past Rui, racing for the stairs.

"Hyde," Haru called.

Hideki didn't stop, needing to get as far away from Haru as possible. How could Haru do this to him? The men with the guns in the forest, the exploding car, the bastard who had tried to kidnap him at the club—

Tears filled his eyes. He could barely see where he was going. Hideki ran in the direction of his family property. He wanted to keep running and never stop.

How was he to look at Haru and Jin again? Those two, the trust he'd given them, it hurt...his chest hurt thinking about them. He had defended them to his father, and Kazuma. He loved them both like family and they had betrayed him.

Hideki wiped his eyes with his sleeve, a sob escaping. He ran past a pair of trees, and a sharp pain exploded in the back of his head.

He lost his footing and blacked out.

***

"Where is Hideki?" Kazuma demanded of Haru two hours later. "What did you do with him?"

"Nothing," Haru wailed his eyes red from crying. "I told him the truth, and he ran out of the house, that new bodyguard behind him. I thought they were headed home. I'm sorry, I didn't think—

"Fucking idiot, you deserve a beating. You're going to pay for this," Kazuma said, walking away from the stupid punk before he killed him.

God, if anything happened to Hideki. He should have come with them as Hideki had asked instead of going over Club H's accounts. It had taken him an hour to realize Rui hadn't called in. Thinking they were delayed at Haru's house, Kazuma had called Hideki with no answer. That was when he raised alarm and raced to Haru's house.

"Kazu," Sora said into his ear. "Rui's tracker is dead."

"What about Hyde?" Kazuma asked, afraid of the truth.

Outside, Renegade Security officers prowled Haru's property and the Takada estate looking for Hideki. No one had found any trace of them yet.

"The coin, can you activate it? Hyde had it on a chain around his neck. He knows not to take it off."

"I'm doing the best I can," Sora said. "You understand the fact that I can't get—

"I know," Kazuma cut her off.

He understood that Hideki was probably in the hands of his kidnappers. They would take measures to destroy the trackers, including extracting any internal trackers in Hideki.

His worst fear realized. Another charge in the hands of his kidnappers.

Kazuma stood in the middle of Haru's front lawn, his fingers digging into his hair.

_Hideki,_ he whispered.

"We'll find him," Sora said into his ear. "Keep it together, Kazuma. We need you."

Kazuma let out a harsh breath.

"Kazuma," Sora said into his ear. "Are you with me?"

"Yeah," he said.

"Focus," Sora said, her tone calming. "What do we do next?"

Kazuma dropped his hands, his gaze on the security men with dogs hurrying toward the edge of the property.

"Check the satellite feed," Kazuma said, clearing his throat. "Go back two hours from now. If we can figure out who took him, then we'll have a fighting chance. Alert local police, they'll help us lock down the city. As long as they can't get him out, we'll find him."

"Should we alert the press?"

"Absolutely not," Kazuma said. "I need to talk to Jin."

"I've sent men to get him," Sora said.

"We have a starting point. Jin and Haru," Kazuma turned to Haru's house again. "I'm not losing this one, Sora. Not Hideki."

***

Hideki woke to a throbbing headache. He tried to bring his hand up to touch the back of his head, but his hands wouldn't move. Opening his eyes, he blinked in the dim light. Closing his eyes again, he took in a deep breath and tested his limbs.

His arms were tied behind him, his feet were free, and his knees stung. Opening his eyes again, he shifted slightly, groaning because his whole body ached.

"Don't struggle. Sit up, and lean against the wall if you can. Your cuffs are chained to the wall."

Hideki sat up fast at the sound of Jin's voice. The light in the room was too dim. He could only make out the shape of a man across the small room.

"I'm sorry," Jin said. "It wasn't supposed to end this way."

Hideki bit his lip, remembering Haru's confession. The gaping hole in his chest yawned wide, this betrayal beyond anything he had ever felt in his life.

"Why?" Hideki asked.

"The money," Jin said after a minute passed. "You've always had it. You'd never understand living without, Hyde."

Hideki closed his eyes.

"How much?"

"Hyde—

"How much was our friendship worth, Jin?" Hideki demanded.

Jin sighed.

"Three million dollars," Jin said in a quiet voice.

"I hope it makes you happy."

Jin scoffed.

"That's funny, since I won't be seeing a dime of it. She betrayed me too. Stuck me in here with you the moment I transferred the money."

"What do you want? Sympathy?" Hideki asked, anger so hot racing through him. The anger preferable to the pain. "Who is she anyway? Your lover?"

"Not really," Jin said with a sigh, "though she knows your family."

"Of course," Hideki scoffed. "Idiot."

"She has a grudge against your family."

"There's someone with a grudge against my family on every block in this country." Hideki scoffed. "You've always known that."

"Not like her," Jin said. "She says you killed her brother. You have to believe I didn't want anything to happen to you, Hideki."

"Revenge, money laundering...betrayal, it's all the same to me," Hideki said, leaning his head back on the wall.

He closed his eyes unable to look at Jin any longer. Now that he was here in this discolored room, all he could do was hope Kazuma would find him.

***

"The city is locked down tight. They moved too fast, boss."

Tina Keijo cursed under her breath, bringing her right hand up to rub her brow.

Damn that Kazuma. He was too smart for his own good. She had hoped Kazuma would be the one with Hideki when they caught him. Instead, it had been the one in the suit. One shot to his chest, and he'd fallen without much fight. She was still disappointed that Rui shadowed Hideki instead of Kazuma.

Now, they were stuck in the middle of a small city, with an eighty million payout pending in the storage room. If she couldn't get them out of the city to the docks where a boat waited to take them into International waters, the men she'd hired would kill her too.

"Tina."

She turned to look at the man standing a few feet away.

"I'm thinking of a way out, Kota."

"This gets too hot, and we're going to have to dump him, and run," Kota said. "It's the best option."

"No," Tina shook her head. "I'm not letting him go without payback."

"And I'm not getting shot down because of a botched plan," Kota snapped. "We have two hours to get to the ship. If we don't get there, they'll leave, and we'll be left without a way out."

Tina cursed at him and stalked out of the messy living area. They were in an abandoned house she had found blocks away from Hideki Takada's club. The place was perfect as a hideout. She walked to the end of a short corridor and pushed the door to the storage room open.

She couldn't help the smile when she saw Hideki was awake.

Oh, how she had waited. How long she had waited to make him hurt.

This man who murdered her brother.

"Glad to see you awake," she said, ignoring Jin in the corner. "Welcome to a new world, Hideki Takada."

"You only get the money with proof of life," Hideki answered in a bored tone. "You'll need a newspaper in the morning, if you can hold out until then."

"Your confidence is annoying me," Tina said, moving to crouch next to him.

Hideki was right, but did he have to rub it in?

Touching Hideki's jaw, she smiled when he jerked away. She trailed her finger to the back of his right ear. There was dried blood in his hair. She had hit him good with a block of wood.

Tina pressed a finger into the wound there, and Hideki moaned, biting his lip to cut the sound off.

"Do you remember Keijo Takuya?" she asked, leaning closer to him, so that she could look into his eyes. "Do you, Hideki?"

"Barely," Hideki said, his gaze cold.

"Do you remember how you killed him?" Tina asked, allowing old hatred to color her voice. "How you let him fall to the ground. Do you remember that?"

Hideki held her gaze, barely showing any sense of remorse.

"I don't," he said.

Tina stared into those honeyed eyes and sneered.

"Well...don't worry, by the time this is over, you will remember."

"What will you do?" Hideki asked. "Hurt me?"

She poked her finger into his wound again and got to her feet. Getting to her feet, she got the gun she had slipped into her boot and turned to Jin. She aimed for Jin's heart, and shot him without a word.

Hideki broke into a wild scream, so loud she thought it would be heard for blocks.

Kicking Jin's boot, she left the store room and locked the door behind her. She didn't care if she lived through this. She was getting her revenge against the Takada family. Fuck the plan, they were on her schedule now.

***

"Jin?"

Hideki stared at his best friend. His voice sounded hoarse to his ears. Clearing it, he shifted, hoping to get closer to Jin, but the chain behind him stopped his movement.

Jin was so still.

"Jin," Hideki tried again, this time his voice was stronger.

Jin wouldn't lift his head. Hideki's gaze dropped to the red stain on Jin's green t-shirt, and he looked away almost as quickly. His brain couldn't handle the truth right now.

He wanted to go home. He wanted to be in Kazuma's arms.

He wanted not to be a Takada right then.

Tears filled his eyes.

"Kazuma, please find me already."

***

"Jin is missing," Sora reported to Kazuma.

They were at the Renegade securities office. The Dome was alive with activity. Sora had a whole team combing through street cameras, and satellite feeds.

"No one at the club has seen him since this morning. His apartment is empty."

"Follow the money he was laundering," Kazuma ordered.

"Rui was found at the edge of Haru's property, the bullet in his chest missed his heart by five inches. He's in surgery," Phillip said. "We're dealing with someone who is not afraid of pulling the trigger."

"They need proof of life to get the insurance money," Kazuma said. Hideki would be unharmed until they could take a clear video to show him alive. "Alright, forget tracing their exit strategy. It was solid. We need to find out where they planned on hiding."

"The city is locked down, including the docks," Phillip said. "We are combing through Jin's life, but we need a clue. A starting point, we still don't know who is involved here."

Kazuma dumped his phone on Sora's desk and headed to the door.

"Where are you going?" Phillip asked.

"To talk to Haru," Kazuma said through gritted teeth.

"Kazuma—" Phillip started after him.

"I need five minutes with him, uninterrupted," Kazuma said, turning to look at his boss.

Phillip stopped in his tracks, and then gave him a nod of approval.

Kazuma walked to the holding rooms Renegade Securities used for suspects. He stopped outside room four. Haru was inside.

Riku had asked him to get Hideki back using any means necessary. Kazuma was grateful for the backing. He had no qualms extracting Haru from his house and bringing him here.

Closing his eyes, Kazuma wore his earpiece, fighting to control his panic. It was almost ten o'clock at night. Hideki had been missing since seven in the evening. He wanted to tear down the city, but he couldn't, because he had to think through every decision. He needed to find the culprit before the bastard had a reason to shoot Hideki.

Kazuma took in another deep breath.

He opened his eyes, swiped his ID card over the pad on the wall, and opened the door into the holding room. Haru paced the length of the small table, stopping when he saw Kazuma.

Kazuma didn't give him a chance to speak.

He grabbed Haru by his neck, slamming him down on the table, his fingers wrapping around Haru's neck, he let his anger free. This man, this bastard, was the reason why Hideki was missing.

"Kazuma, you're killing him," Sora said into his ear. "Kazu—

Kazuma ignored Sora's whisper, though he eased his tight hold on Haru's neck. Leaning over the younger man, he asked.

"Are you scared?"

Haru gasped, his eyes filling with tears, as Kazuma tightened his hold again.

"Good," Kazuma said. "Hideki is going through worse. You put him there. I want to kill you for doing that to him. I doubt anyone here would stop me, Haru. Do you know that?"

Haru closed his eyes, gasping for air.

Kazuma leaned even closer.

"You're going to tell me everything you know about Jin, and the club. If I don't find Hideki by dawn, I'm going to make your life a living hell, Haru. Do you understand?"

Haru nodded, and Kazuma let go, stepping back, his anger momentarily sated. Haru fell on the floor, his hand going to his neck, tears tracking down his cheeks. He stared at Kazuma with wide eyes filled with fear.

***

"I have watched you for years," Tina told Hideki at around one o'clock at night.

She had dragged him out of the storage room and brought him to the living room. His arms and legs were tied to the chair. Tina sat across him on top of a table, her legs folded under her.

"In and out of the Takada estate you went, enjoying your father's money, living it up with Haru, and that," Tina scoffed, pointing in the direction of the storage room. "Jin. Did you know he was robbing you blind?"

Hideki watched her refusing to answer her questions. Afraid of what she would do if he spoke. The last time he tried answering her questions, she had punched his stomach like a crazy woman. Tied to a chair, unable to deflect her blows, the pain in his ribs was unbearable.

Tina scoffed and picked up a pack of cigarettes from the table beside her. She lighted one with a sigh and took a long drag.

"I can't believe I'm all alone now. Those stupid bastards I hired ran away when we couldn't get a ride out of here to the dock. Your father has made it impossible to leave the city. He's using his money to pay off the police to help find you." Tina shook her head, her expression full of disgust. "That's what I hate about your family, Hideki."

"Money," Tina said, cocking her head to the side to study him. "You used it to hide the truth when my brother died. Didn't you?"

"No." Hideki held her gaze. "I didn't kill your brother, he let go of my hand and fell."

"You pushed him over the edge," Tina accused. "You did it! You did it!"

Hideki whispered. "I did not kill Keijo."

"Yes you did," Tina got her gun and pointed it at him. "Admit that you did it, or I'm going to kill you right here."

Hideki waited to see if she would pull the trigger. He couldn't get a read on the woman. He wondered if a promise of money would work with her. But then, she'd already stolen Jin's millions, so—

"I want your father to suffer," Tina said, taking a drag on her cigarette. "I want you to suffer. I want you to think about me and my brother everyday for the rest of your life. I've been wondering what I should do with you. Should I shoot you, kill you? Mm...maybe disfigure your handsome face...." She chuckled. "Haru told me you like kissing boys...if I make you ugly, those boys won't want to kiss you. That should hurt...

She went on for hours.

Hideki wished he could turn her off, beg her to shut up, but she seemed caught up in her madness. The older the night got, the worse she got, threatening to cut him open...

His head hurt, his limbs were numb, fear grew...fear that Kazuma wouldn't find him in time. At some point, Tina got an alert on her phone. She screamed in anger and directed the screen to him. He stared at his own face.

Tina hit his temple with the butt of her gun. He blacked out for the second time that night.

He woke up to loud shouts. Bright lights filled the living room, Tina looming over him, her expression wild, her gun trained at him. Then she was falling to the ground.

"Hyde."

Kazuma came into his line of vision. Gentle hands touched his face, a kiss on his lips. Hideki buried his face into Kazuma's shoulder in relief.

"Baby, I'm sorry I'm late."

Hideki closed his eyes when Kazuma wrapped his arms around him, allowing oblivion to recapture him again.

***

"Her name is Tina Keijo," Kazuma reported to Riku at around six in the morning.

They stood in Hideki's bedroom, both of them unable to leave him alone, none of them willing to step outside to talk. Hideki was asleep on the large bed. The family doctor had come in and checked on him, prescribing pain medicine and rest.

"She was Takuya Keijo's younger sister. Her mad scheme of revenge was corrupted by a budding kidnapping gang. They bailed on her when we locked down the city. This Tina approached Jin months ago and blackmailed him about the funds he was stealing from the club. Together, they used Haru to get information on Hideki's daily life."

Kazuma folded his arms against his chest.

"Yesterday, Haru allowed Tina into his compound, giving her access to Hideki. That's how they were able to get him out so quickly. We found Jin dead in a storage room at the abandoned house where she was holding Hideki."

"I heard you went beyond the necessary to find my son. Is that true?" Riku asked, turning to look at him.

Kazuma held Riku's gaze.

"I wasn't going to lose him."

"You were afraid of losing another charge under your care," Riku noted.

Kazuma nodded.

"Nothing could have stopped me from finding him, sir."

Riku studied him for a moment.

"You care for my son."

Kazuma's gaze returned to Hideki, lying exhausted on the bed.

"I—," Kazuma swallowed hard and met Riku's gaze. "I love him."

Riku smiled.

"I love him too."

Kazuma chuckled and wiped a hand down his face in embarrassment.

"I will handle the legal issues that will arise with Haru's family," Riku said. "I think it's time my son took a small vacation. It will be good for him to forget this unpleasantness. What do you think?"

Kazuma nodded.

"I agree."

Riku moved to the bed. He leaned down to kiss Hideki's forehead.

"I'll be back to check on him later." Riku straightened, touching Hideki's chin gently, before he left the room.

Kazuma waited for the door to close, and then walked to the bed too. He lay down on Hideki's right side, careful not to disturb Hideki. He slid his left arm under Hideki. Closing his eyes, he pressed a soft kiss on Hideki's forehead too, and finally took a deep breath in relief. He'd been terrified he wouldn't find Hideki.

Terrified.

Hideki shifted and settled his head on Kazuma's shoulder.

"I love you," Hideki said, his voice bereft of sleep.

"You're awake," Kazuma said in surprise.

"Can barely sleep with you two prowling my room." Hideki looking up to meet Kazuma's gaze. "I knew you would find me."

Kazuma touched Hideki's left temple where a bruise had formed.

"I almost choked Haru to death in the process."

Hideki frowned and shadows filled his gaze.

"Jin is dead. Tina shot him."

"I know."

"I—I—" Hideki looked away, his fingers bunching Kazuma's shirt.

Kazuma pulled Hideki into his arms, holding him tight.

"It's okay to cry."

"Kazu," Hideki said, in a whisper. "I don't know that I can forgive them. But now Jin is dead, and I can't—"

Hideki buried his face into Kazuma's shoulder. Kazuma closed his eyes when Hideki broke into hard sobs. All he could do was hold on as Hideki fell apart in his arms.

***

Chapter 12

Two days later, Hideki sat in his office at the Lunar Plaza his gaze on his left wrist. He rubbed the fading bruise there, his thoughts on Haru. They hadn't seen each other since the evening he'd been kidnapped by Tina. Haru's parents were in shock at the news that their son had worked with Hideki's attackers. To avoid irreparable damage, Haru's parents had agreed to come to a settlement.

Haru was relocating to London. Hideki's father had helped expedite the process. The deal was that Haru would never reach out to Hideki, ever. If he did, the Takada lawyers would pursue charges against Haru.

The second deal was permanently separating the Takada's Estate from Haru's home. The wooden fence was now turning into a high stone wall, construction was already underway. Kazuma called it purging the last weakness in the estate. When the wall was finished, if an intruder climbed over it, he was more likely to be rewarded for effort.

"Those will fade away," Kazuma said, coming up behind him. "You should be at home resting."

"I'm tired of being stuck at home."

Hideki leaned his head back on his seat so that he could look at Kazuma.

"What are you doing here?" Kazuma asked.

"Setting the office up so I can take a few weeks off," Hideki said.

"Want to go out later?" Kazuma asked.

Hideki grinned. "Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, unless you want to stay—

"Nope," Hideki said getting up fast. He grabbed up his phone and pad. "I can work from anywhere."

Kazuma laughed.

Hideki pushed his chair back and stepped closer to Kazuma. He leaned up and kissed Kazuma. A soft kiss, meant to distract him, but then Kazuma slipped an arm around his waist and pulled him in, deepening their kiss. They pulled apart only because a knock came on the door.

Kazuma gave an exasperated sighed and let him go. Hideki grinned and turned to his desk.

"Yes, come in," he called.

He froze when Haru walked in to his office.

Kazuma placed a reassuring hand on his left shoulder.

"Your father cleared it this morning. I didn't want to tell you in case he didn't show up."

Hideki tightened his hold on his phone.

"What do you want?" he asked Haru.

Haru looked tired. His face haggard, like he hadn't slept in days. Haru gave him a short bow, and then straightened to his full height.

"I wanted to apologize for what has happened between us," Haru said. "And to thank you."

"Thank me?" Hideki asked.

"You could have pressed charges, insisted on having me arrested," Haru said, then looked away, dropping his gaze to the carpet. "You didn't, and I'm grateful for that."

Hideki was glad when Kazuma stepped closer, his closeness lending him support.

"I want to apologize too," Hideki said, making Haru look up in surprise. "I hurt you in the past. Mistreated you as a friend, with Keijo...with us...I was insensitive."

"Hyde."

"We hurt each other," Hideki continued. "Now, the only solution is for both of us to live with what's happened, Haru."

Haru looked at Kazuma.

"I'm flying out today," Haru said. "You're the better man, it seems. Please take care of Hideki."

Kazuma didn't respond to Haru.

Haru gave them a short nod, and turned to leave.

"Haru," Hideki said, when Haru got to the door. Haru paused but didn't turn to look at him. "I did love you...in my own way."

Haru left then, leaving the door wide open.

Hideki let out a sigh, glad for Kazuma's presence. He might have lost his mind had he had to face Haru alone.

"Come on," Kazuma said, taking his left hand. "We were going out."

Hideki allowed Kazuma to drag him out of his office. They were on the road in minutes. Hideki sat in the back passenger seat of his father's car, happy that for once, Kazuma sat beside him instead of in the front.

He gaped when they pulled into the Tokyo Arc Club.

"Why are we here?" Hideki complained. "I don't want to work out."

"It's a wonderful surprise." Kazuma cajoled, taking his hand again and pulling him out of the car. "Do you know the best solution for a bad experience?"

"I'm sure you're going to tell me," Hideki said as they entered the club.

"Getting right back on the saddle," Kazuma said.

"I think you're not getting that right," Hideki pointed out. "There is a horse mentioned in there, something about falling off the saddle. I haven't ridden any horse lately. Unless we count you as a horse, then we can count the three times last night."

Kazuma glanced at him.

"Very funny, Hyde, love the dirty jokes."

"How dirty can they be when I loved it so much," Hideki asked as they made their way to the pit.

The club wasn't busy in the morning. There were two motorcycle racers working on their bikes. They waved at him in recognition and he let go of Kazuma's hand returning their greeting.

"What are we doing here?" Hideki asked, when they stepped out into the open air.

The race track so beautifully planned out ahead. Then he saw the beautiful red Ducati 1199 Superleggera. The same exact motorcycle he'd had before, though this one was red, his had been black.

Hideki smiled despite the sudden urge to run.

"You're so sneaky," he said, glancing at Kazuma.

Kazuma stepped up close.

"As much as I love watching you ride me, how about trying the motorcycle today. I heard you loved it just as much."

"Can't say as much," Hideki said with a laugh.

He walked up to the bike and placed his palm on the seat. The need to bolt didn't flood him as it had before. He figured going through an ordeal with Tina had cured his anxieties.

Kazuma picked up the helmet resting on the front of the motorcycle and held it out.

"What do you say?" Kazuma asked.

Hideki took the helmet, wiping the top with his sleeve. He glanced at the track, a shiver racing down his back.

The thrill was back.

Zipping up his black leather jacket, Hideki wore the helmet and swung his leg over the motorcycle. Settling on the seat, he turned on the powerful machine and smiled when it purred to life. The sound sexier than he remembered.

Hideki kept the smile as he leaned over the motorcycle, loving how powerful the engine felt under him. He sped along the track, loving the feel of absolute freedom, his speed too high. Goodness it felt as though he were flying. When he reached the end of the first round, he saw a white flag waving ahead. Hideki braked, decreasing his speed, coming to a stop right by Kazuma. He took the flag, and threw it on the ground. Tagging Kazuma's hand, he urged him onto the motorcycle behind him.

Content when Kazuma wrapped his arms around him, reveling in Kazuma's solid warmth against his back. Hideki increased his speed, careful with his turns now that they were two. He didn't want anything to happen to Kazuma, this man who now owned his heart.

***

"So, you're quitting?" Phillip asked.

Kazuma chuckled, leaning against the windows in Phillip's office.

"Not quitting, simply taking on a lifetime assignment," he said. "I'll run Hideki's security from now on."

"That leaves me without my best asset," Phillip complained. "What am I going to do?"

"Riku is sending all his friends to you for their security needs," Kazuma said. "That's more money being thrown at you. And Rui is here, he'll be back in shape in no time."

"Promise to take one or two assignments," Phillip pushed. "Come on, Hideki- _kun_ can live without you for a day or two."

"Maybe it's me who can't live without him for a day or two," Kazuma pointed out.

Phillip studied him, then gave a short nod, swiveling his chair from side to side.

"I will give him one thing. He's managed to dispel that haunted look you always wore when you came to work." Phillip winked. "Being in love looks good on you, Kazuma."

"Yeah, yeah," Kazuma pushed off the windows. "I'll help with research, and investigations, Phillip. I can't do fieldwork anymore. I have someone who will worry now."

"I fully understand," Phillip said. "I'm disappointed, but I guess that gives me an excuse to recruit new assets."

Kazuma nodded.

"I'll come back to hear all about it."

"Come back?" Phillip asked. "Where are you going?"

Kazuma winked.

"Vacation."

***

Two weeks later, in a sunny kitchen, Hideki cut mangoes with expert precision, putting them in two glass bowls. Adding a dash of red pepper into each bowl, he got forks and placed the bowls on a tray. Hurrying to the fridge, he got two bottles of cold beer, took the tray and went out the backdoor. Removing his sandals when he got off the deck, his bare feet sunk into cool sand as he walked down to a huge umbrella planted on the beach.

Kazuma sat on a lounge chair in swimming shorts, dark glasses covering his face. Hideki took one bottle of beer and pressed it to Kazuma's bare shoulder. Kazuma sat up fast, reaching for his hand, his fingers gently cuffing Hideki's right wrist.

"I brought you fruit," Hideki said, balancing the tray.

Kazuma took the tray from him and placed it on the sand. He pulled Hideki to sit on his lap.

Hideki reached for the magazine he'd been reading on his lounge chair and covered the mangoes. He turned to Kazuma, accepting a heated kiss that left him breathless.

"I like it here," Kazuma said, when they broke apart.

"Should we stay?" Hideki asked, tracing Kazuma's stubble. "Hardly anyone knows me here, the only danger I face is from you."

This was their second week in the little hideaway off the coast of Malaysia. The locals were nice, the weather the best. Hideki could imagine living here forever.

"It certainly is perfect," Kazuma said, taking Hideki's finger, he brought it to his mouth and bit the tip gently.

"Hmm..."

Hideki closed his eyes, loving the feel of Kazuma's mouth sucking on his finger.

"Very private," Hideki said, wondering if he could get Kazuma to suck on a more needy part of his body.

Kazuma bit his finger then, and he scowled, opening his eyes to meet Kazuma's amused gaze.

"If you let me," Kazuma said, his gaze suddenly too serious. "I'll protect you forever."

Hideki's heartbeat sped up, the promise in Kazuma's gaze filling him with joy.

"Promise?" Hideki asked. "Will you always stay with me?"

Kazuma kissed Hideki's forehead, his lips trailing kisses down to the tip of Hideki's nose. Hideki's breath hitched when Kazuma stopped a breath away from his lips.

"I promise," Kazuma said. "I'll always stay with you, Hyde."

Hideki closed the distance, kissing Kazuma, sure of one thing, he had found the place he felt safest in the world. And, that was in Kazuma's arms.

Oh, how blissful he was here.

***

Fin

###

Love is the hardest thing to come by, the easiest thing to break, and the most delicate of emotions. Love is beautiful, even when it gets deadly –Sui

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