HONOR AND BETRAYAL

kuza territory. She had to meet h

xed on her father and the elders seated at the

returned," she sai

eyes narrowed,

're the onl

her eyes sti

e made a change of plan at the last minute and ambushed them at the crossroads, I lost my team, but I manag

mselves, their faces grave. K

l me, did you complete it? Did you bring back those artif

ian's life, and he had saved hers. But she couldn'

ama," she s

We have secured the artifacts. And we

axed, a hint of

have proven yourself

to keep her encounter with Jian hidden, at least for now. But th

had put himself in harm's way for her. The questio

ders congratulating Akira on her success. But she couldn't

his head bowed in respect. Victor Li lo

am were ambushed by the Yakuz

happ

breath, choosing h

anned failed. They were too smart. Akira Nakamura

i's face

ent up a notch. He couldn't beli

be outgunned and lose to a bunch of Japane

knowing he couldn

ther. Akira is a skilled figh

eyes flashed

h of sword-wielding Japanese took down my son and

w he had to

Yakuza had set a trap for

expression

s, Jian. I pay you to get resul

s head, knowing

ather. I won'

i's eyes

e your next mission is si

she had saved his life. And he had saved hers.

began, but Victo

l do as I say. Or you will

. He nodded, his heart heavy

eling with the weight of his mission. Kill Akira Nakam

abandoned shack. Akira had spared his life, and he had save

e couldn't confide in anyone, not even his closest friends. His father's words stil

was a small room, sparsely furnished, but it was his sanctuary. He

deserve such a fate? Jian Li knew he couldn't ask que

e surface. It was a familiar sight, one that brought him comfort

, his voice barely audible. "I'm

ts and fears. He had a mission to complete

e would track down Akira, and he would kill her. It w

lf. He couldn't kill Akira, not after what they had shared. He was tr

ocated him. He felt like he was drowning in

oving forward. He had to complete

rack down Akira, and he would... he would what? He didn't know anym