Oshun put her phone away and sat quietly in the passenger seat of the surveillance truck. She was fortunate the entryway to the back, where all the equipment and Heart’s other officers were hidden, was closed. At least her shame was only visible to her quasi friend.

“I know it’s been a long time since we’ve been involved in each other’s lives, but you can talk to me if you need to,” Heart offered.

It was tempting to unload everything that was sitting inside Oshun’s chest right now. The pressure was so great, her breathing felt slightly labored as a result. What Oshun wouldn’t give to confide her fears to another human being. When you were the boss, you didn’t get to do that. Letting your guard down could be perceived as a weakness. Weaknesses were to be exploited in her world, and she couldn’t leave herself open to that kind of threat.

“I appreciate it, Heart,” Oshun answered carefully. “I just can’t.”

“Because I’m a cop,” Heart replied with her signature smirk painted on her lips.

“Partly,” Oshun responded. Being on opposites sides meant their friendship could only be taken so far. They’d known each other, would always be there for one another, but their ability to bond as friends was limited for one simple reason. Oshun embraced her truth. “But mostly because we both serve a purpose in this community, and I can’t give up mine to follow yours.”

Oshun held no shame in the life she lived, and the choices she’d made. For their friendship to flourish, Oshun would have to repent. She might run counter to what the dominant culture believed was honorable, but her path had saved an entire community. A community that even Heart with her best intentions as a police officer often forgot about.

“Fair enough,” Heart replied. “But here’s some advice to take with you. I almost fucked up the good thing my husband and I have because I made decisions for us without consulting him. Not once, but on several occasions. It took a lot of work for us to get back on steady ground. I may not support what you do, Oshun, but the way you and Yamaguchi look at each other, it’s obvious what you have is worth protecting. Don’t let this life you’re leading cause you to lose your man.”

Oshun pushed her head back into the headrest and glanced over at Heart with a smile. “Sounds like you’ve gotten smarter over the years, Searlington.”

Heart nodded her head. “Of course, I have. It’s why they pay me the big bucks as Captain.”

A banging sound from the back captured their attention, breaking the levity between the two women. Heart turned around in her seat, and walked the small space that led to the back compartment of the vehicle. Oshun followed, taking a seat near the back doors where she had an unobstructed view of one of the many screens on the inner panels.

“So, once we brought Yamaguchi in, a call was placed to Stein, telling him his client had been picked up. We’ve been tracking his movements, he’s at my precinct now,” Heart stated. “The guy he’s hired to take your man out is actually an officer of mine. We just need Masaki to get Stein to admit his role in the attempt on Mrs. Yamaguchi’s life, as well as your shooting.”

That was a lot to hope for. Especially since this was a supposedly impromptu meeting. How was Masaki expected to draw all of this out of him and not make the low life suspicious?

“Let’s hope the lawyer feels chatty tonight,” Oshun replied.

Heart waved her hand dismissively through the air. It was obviously an attempt at deflection to help Oshun feel reassured about Masaki’s safety.

“He’s a lawyer, Oshun. They’re always feeling chatty.”

Oshun appreciated Heart’s attempt at diffusing her angst, but the truth was, she wouldn’t be all right until Masaki was in her arms again. Even if the only thing he did was yell at her, she didn’t care. She just wanted this ordeal over, and Masaki safe. Once he was safe, everything else would be fine.

* * *

Masaki slid into the back of Stein’s car. It was an act that felt all too normal for the current situation. He’d known this man since he was a boy. He’d served as counsel to Masaki’s father. Had been the only outsider allowed into his clan for as long as anyone could remember. How could he have been the betrayer?

“I know things seem difficult with this trumped up charge the NYPD is throwing at you,” Stein began in the reassuring tone he always used when he was attempting to comfort Masaki. “But, I promise their entire case is circumstantial. The D.A. will never move forward with so little evidence. Everything about Izzy’s death screams self-defense. They won’t be able to make this murder charge stick.”

Masaki narrowed his eyes and nodded his head. He was grateful that Stein believed his mood was a result of the fake murder charges levied against him. As long as Stein didn’t recognize the seething anger and hatred Masaki harbored for his once advocate, the plan would work fine.

“I’m sure you’ll handle everything Seth. You always do.”

The elder man patted Masaki on the shoulder, and sat back against the cushions of the seat. Knowing everything this man had in store for him, the feel of his hand against Masaki’s arm made him want to strangle Stein with his bare hands. But, he couldn’t. Not if he wanted to walk away from all of this free and clear.

Needing a distraction, Masaki turned to his window and watched as the dark streets of Brooklyn rolled by. When he noticed they were headed west on the Belt Parkway instead of east, Masaki’s senses screamed danger.

“I think your driver has missed the exit for Canarsie. We’re nearing Bay Ridge now.”

“We’re not going to Canarsie. The cops have been watching us carefully since you left with Ms. Sampson six weeks ago. We’ve relocated to a more secure location.”

Masaki watched as the Belt Parkway turned into the BQE, forcing himself to remain calm as they drove. He knew the police could hear and see his surroundings, but saying the wrong thing could tip Stein off that the cops were on to him.

Masaki continued to look out of his window as he moved his hand down to his knee and tapped out his anxiety. To most people, this movement seemed benign, an action someone absentmindedly engaged in when they were bored. For Masaki, it was really a way to direct the restless energy that arose when danger was near.

Danger. It had been a constant part of Masaki’s life since his birth. But other than the fleeting moments that he thought he might lose Oshun to that bullet, he’d never felt more aware of danger’s presence in his life than now.

He turned to glance at Stein one last time. As he committed every etched line of his betrayer’s face to memory, Masaki’s resolve bloomed inside of him.

This motherfucker will not be the end of me. He will not win.