You can’t remember how you got involved with the Shibas.

Maybe it was when you realized Hakkai had bruises littering his back, or that Yuzuha didn’t speak as much as she used to. As a simple lounge singer, there wasn’t much you could do for Yuzuha or Hakkai, but you tried. You tried to give them a safe place to retreat to, one where they wouldn’t worry about being beaten or abused for simple mishaps, but not even your home was safe.

The last thing you could’ve ever imagined was that their older brother, Taiju, was a gang leader.

The leader of one of the most formidable and dangerous gangs, that is.

You only realize it when you notice that you’re being followed one night— men dressed in black uniforms —and though it scared you, you continue being a safe place for the younger Shiba siblings. You surmised that, maybe they were following you to make sure you weren’t a threat or an enemy to their operations.

All you did was sing and occasionally dance for money; a simple and safe occupation.

Until it wasn’t.

You flinch as the door is slammed shut behind you, your lips drawn into a thin, straight line as you stare at the man in front of you.

Taiju Shiba.

Of all the places, the last thing you expected was for him to pay for your services, and to all but trap you in your workplace.

“I’ve heard about you. You’re the one helping Hakkai and Yuzuha.” There’s almost a sneer in his voice that makes you swallow thickly as if you didn’t know what to do. He was larger than any man you had ever seen before— like some sort of behemoth —and it was terrifying.

“Don’t look so scared! I’m just here to get a dance and see what’s so special about you.”

The last thing you wanted to do was dance for him, but considering there were Black Dragon members outside the room, you doubted you would get far if you tried to run.