Fire & Ice Read Free Page A

standstill—they would both freeze to the ground before either of them blinked.
    And then, to his shock, his grandfather lifted his hand and beckoned him closer.
    For a moment Reno didn't move. Kobayashi would never catch him if he ran—maybe Ojiisan was bringing him closer to give his sumo bodyguard a clear shot. But pride demanded he approach, and if his grandfather had decided to dispense with him, in the end there wasn't much he could do about it.
    He stopped just in front of the frail old man. “The girl arrived earlier today. She hasn't checked into any of the hotels—either she's gone to Taka's house or she found herself a ryokan. And I don't think a gaijin would appreciate the beauty of a traditional Japanese inn.”
    He wasn't about to protest. He had no idea what Jilly Lovitz would appreciate or not. And why the hell did her name have so many fucking L's in it? She'd probably done it on purpose, just to annoy him.
    “Three Russian nationals with ties to the old KGB also landed in Japan, at Kansai airport a few days ago. We haven't tracked them yet, but unless they had information as to where Taka and Su-chan went, they'd head to Tokyo. Putting your little gaijin in danger.”
    “Not so little,” Reno said. “She's as tall as I am. And not mine.”
    “You've claimed responsibility for her. She's yours now, at least until you get her home safely. After that you will concentrate on your new work with the Committee until I call for you.”
    Reno blinked. His grandfather was giving in—he'd expected more of a battle from the stubborn old man. He'd even been prepared to escape if Kobayashi hustled him into the limo and back to the compound against his will.
    But the old man had accepted his choice. “Are you sick?” Reno demanded, suddenly worried. “Dying?”
    His grandfather made a face. “You've only been gone six weeks, Hiroma-sa-chan. And if I were dying, you'd be the first to know, and you'd be back here, taking your proper place in the family, not playing spy like your cousin Taka-chan. You say Jillian is your responsibility and you refuse my help—so be it. I would suggest that you don't fail. If you think I'm difficult, then you have forgotten how ruthless your cousin can be. He wouldn't like the sister of his wife to be in any danger, and he wouldn't hesitate to express his displeasure if you let anything happen to her.”
    “I'm not going to let anything happen to her. That's why I'm back here, against your instructions. I'll find her and send her back home, and then I'll return to England and continue my new work.”
    If his grandfather didn't find that a pleasing prospect, he didn't say so. “Don't take too long, Hiromasa-chan.”
    “I expect I'll find her at Taka-chan's house and we'll be out of the country by tomorrow.”
    “I wasn't talking about the girl. I have no doubt you'll find her quickly. I'm talking about something else entirely. I'm not going to live forever.”
    He looked down at the little old man who had always scared the hell out of him. “Yes, you will, Ojiisan,” he said softly. “You're too old and mean to die.”
    “Disrespectful,” his grandfather sniffed, looking pleased. “Go find the girl and keep her safe. And whatever you do, do not fall in love with her. We've already had too many gaijin in the family. You need a nice Japanese girl to marry. I'll make the arrangements myself.”
    “I don't want to marry anyone. At least not right now. And I don't believe in falling in love.”
    “Just remember that,” his grandfather said. He reached up and put a hand on Reno's shoulder, and his grip was still powerful. “And cut your hair,” he added, peevish.
    To hug his grandfather would have been very bad form, particularly with his men watching. Reno had to make do with a deep bow, moving back as the old man climbed into the limo.
    He waited until his grandfather's army left before he went back to his Harley. It started with the guttural roar that was one of his