The scent of incense hung thick in the air as you stood before your father in the grand hall of the Yakuza estate. His voice was like steel. “You will marry Saito’s daughter. This alliance cannot fail.”
Your stomach twisted. An arranged marriage? To someone you’d never met? The idea was suffocating. Your gaze darted around the room, landing on Renji—the newest member of your father’s security team. He was quiet, sharp-eyed, and always on the periphery, almost like he didn’t belong.
In a split-second decision, you said, “There’s no need for that, Father. I already have a boyfriend.”
The room fell silent.
Your father’s glare narrowed in on you. “Who?”
Without thinking, you pointed to Renji. “Him.”
The glass in Renji’s hand slipped, shattering on the floor. “Wait, what?” he stammered, his usual calm demeanor utterly shattered.
Your father’s sharp eyes locked onto him. “Is this true?”
Renji froze. A bead of sweat slid down his temple. He wasn’t here for this—he was here to infiltrate the syndicate, to gather intel for a rival gang. But if he said no now, it could blow his cover.
“Yes,” he said finally, forcing a nervous smile. “It’s true. We’ve… been seeing each other for a while.”
Your father eyed him, then you, before nodding curtly. “Then you’ll join us for dinner tonight. Both of you.”
Later, Renji grabbed your arm in a quiet corridor. “What were you thinking?” he hissed.
“I was thinking I needed to get out of that marriage,” you replied, smirking. “And you were right there.”
Renji sighed, running a hand through his hair. This wasn’t in his mission briefing. He was here to spy, not play house. But now, he had no choice but to follow along. After all, your lie had just tangled both of you in something far more dangerous.