“You...you know my father?” I stuttered, my eyes alertly transfixed on the tired gaze of Nanamin-san as he gingerly took a sip from his small cup of sake.

  “Yes, Miss Starr...or should I say Miss Hart?” He gently placed the cup to the table, while I looked on in fear, my eyes glazing over with anxiety. “Worry not, I have no intentions with this little meeting beyond conversation. Though I can assure you that your...disguise...will not fool many. Perhaps Yanni and the others, but those who have been seeking you...certainly not.”

  “Just do it then,” my face twitched as I breathed heavily, “kill me.”

  Nanamin-san snorted out a brief exultation in laughter. “That is not the reason we've been trying to reach you.”

  “Huh?” My brow furrowed. “What about the hitman?”

  Nanamin-San's eyes narrowed. “You speak of things I know not about.”

  Everything jumbled in my mind, rattling around wildly. “I was told--”

  “Yes, that certain groups had nefarious aspirations with your livelihood,” he nodded slowly. “Would a charity be involved in such activities?”

  “It was involved with The Don,” I shot back.

  “I can't pretend to know the ins and outs of this organization. Although I may be a chair, my work revolves around a a different organization. In fact, your Father and I once worked together, under the same banner. “ Nanmin-san sighed heavily. “He was a good man.”

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  “Was?” I skewered him with my eyes.

  “Well, once he became an ambassador, things slowly changed. He became influenced. Easily. Dangerously. He's not the same man you...nor I...once knew.” Nanamin-san raised the sake cup to his lips, a frown draped across their cracked facade.

  “Like what?” I crossed my arms. “What has he done?”

  Nanamin-san gulped down the rest of his cup and clattered it on the table, before grabbing the large container and and draining it into his own. “There is a group...” he spoke in hushed tones, “that deals in violence, trafficking, and arms dealing, amongst more unsavory activities. EXODUS.”

  “Exodus?” I whispered to myself.

  “He's gotten in with some dangerous people. Even threatened to expose them and their operation...but at what cost?” He motioned to me. “As someone who once was a friend to your Father, I wouldn't want to see him go down that path.”

  “So you're a part of this group? Huh? Not a good sell for such a smart man.”

  “That's where you're wrong, my dear. An old associate came to my company, Kenin Industries, and warned me of your Father's reckless actions. I've been trying to reach you ever since. Others appear to be seeking you as well though. Perhaps you can speak to him, set him on the right path. Show him a safer way. For you...your Mother...your--”

  “And why should I trust any of this?” I cut in.

  “Ask your Father the truth, then speak to me on trust.”

  “I''m done here,” I climbed to my feet, “you got your evening.”

  “So it seems,” Nanamin-san took another sip, the steam barely obscuring his ominously glaring eyes. “Be safe then, child. And a word of caution," he added, "do not blindly trust those handlers of yours. They may not be all they seem.”

  “Hmph.” I grunted, storming out of the room, trying to wipe away the tears that were no running down my face and ruining my mascara. None of it was true...was it?

  Bounding down halls, I ran into a stern body. SLAM.

  “Ugh.,” I uttered, before looking up at the strong frame.

  “Must have been a pretty bad date, huh?” Jack said, offering a warm smile.

  I lunged forward and held him tight. I felt his arms wrap around me as I stifled sobs into his chest.

  “Hey,” he said, pulling me out and wiping a tear from my cheek. “The night is still young,” he grinned, “Why don't I show you what a real date looks like?”