Mob Sorcery 4 - Ch15

Eight voluminous silver fox tails nearly eclipsed the restaurant’s entrance.

Mei Suwa held an elegant stance with one leg slightly in front of the other, causing her black and gold striped kimono to slip aside and reveal one pale thigh. A metal folding fan was tucked into her red sash, and the red military flag of Japan nearly blended in.

As always, the Yakuza kumicho made a statement wherever she went, simply by existing. The doorman remained bowed, staring intently at the floor. Vince suspected the man, who would almost certainly be an American-born Japanese or someone who had left Japan for the US, wanted nothing to do with the nationalist Yakuza. The chefs and staff avoided eye contact, but remained busy.

Kiyoko stood on Mei’s right, while Kigenai on the fox’s left. Bore worth tailored black suits that clung to their every curve.

In Kigenai’s case, she possessed far more curves than her subordinate. She left her top buttons undone out of necessity, as her substantial chest threatened to pop the buttons of her collared white business shirt. A single twisted gold horn stuck out from the side of her head. It remained dim, rather than crackling with lightning as it had in past encounters. Long, silver hair flowed down her back.

A few similarly black-suited Yakuza enforcers followed behind them, but far fewer than during prior meetings. Either Mei’s resources were drying up, or she saw less reason to drag around so many guards.

Mei’s eyes scanned the room before landing on Vince. A beatific smile split her face, although Vince couldn’t help but feel it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Vince, a pleasure to see you after so long,” the kitsune said after crossing the room and giving him a short curtsy.

He stood up to greet her, while a staff member rushed up with a wooden tray contained small cups of sake. Mei barely spared the waiter a glance as she downed hers, while Kigenai and Kiyoko both whispered thanks in Japanese before drinking.

“I’d say likewise, but I don’t think you were this nice when we met in December,” Vince said.

Mei’s smile didn’t budge. “My apologies, but circumstances prevented me from being as friendly as I would have preferred. With the alliance between Knightsgate and the Lionettis cemented, I don’t need to be as…” She waved a hand, as if searching for the right word. “Guarded. Although perhaps I should still be.”

Her gaze wandered to a certain wolfgirl standing to her side, who barely hid her glower. Pola took a few steps closer upon being acknowledged.

“Mei Suwa, on behalf of Don Alessia, I welcome you,” Pola said, speaking far more stiffly than usual and adopting a posture Vince would describe as politely aggressive.

“It is quite the delight to meet the other Lionetti sister,” Mei said. “Pola Lionetti, sottocapo of the Lionetti Family, and with quite the reputation in Aulfair. I had wondered if I’d meet you at all. I understand you’ve been busy with other matters.”

Pola’s brow furrowed, and she nearly glanced back at the bar where the other Lionettis sat. But she held her ground.

“We’ve gained a lot of territory, so I’m managing that and leaving this job to Fia,” she said. “I’d like to thank you for your help over the past month keeping Houou at bay.”

Mei raised an eyebrow and glanced at Kigenai.

The Qilin shrugged. “It’s been simple enough, and you’ve done a far better job of expanding into such poorly managed territory than most Yakuza branches I’ve dealt with back in Japan. Do not let up, though. The Golden Path is about to hit back.”

Fia’s ear pricked up and she slipped away from the bar. “Sorry to interrupt, but how solid is that intel?”

“Certain,” Kiyoko said without looking at the wolfgirl. “Two separate Golden Path strike teams are being formed, and both are being led by enforcers from Houou seconded to the Golden Path.”

“What we don’t know is who they’ll hit,” Kigenai said. “Houou is surrounded by enemies and has a front on every side. They’ve got you in Albion, the cartel is gearing up for a fight in the east, they’re pissed at us down south, and Immanuel never stops chomping at them downtown. At least, usually.”

Mei sighed and placed a hand against her face. “You don’t need to explain all of this here, Kigenai.”

“We’re here to discuss the job, boss. This is about general stuff. Might as well get it out of the way before we start talking numbers and I fall asleep.” Kigenai winked and Mei’s tails fanned out as she stared forward.

Vince frowned, but wanted to know more despite the kitsune’s growing ire. “Are Immanuel and Houou forming an alliance?”

“If they were, we’d be discussing this in private,” Mei said, her tone suggesting he was a fool for even considering it. “And you’d have been warned to stay away from your usual acquiantances.”

He stared back at her expressionlessly, while she narrowed her eyes at him.

“No, nothing so serious,” Kigenai said, shaking her head. “It’s the fire in industrial district you might have seen on the news. An Immanuel overlord lost one of his businesses to an enforcer attack. Problem is, it looks like an internal feud. Overlord Sanchez has been taking the fight to the traitors, but if the demons are busy betraying each other, they are unlikely to be Houou’s target. At least, not while the traitors are pressed on other fronts.”

 “So it’s us or the cartel,” Pola said. “Or you. And if there are two hit squads…”

“It’s unlikely to be us. When the traitors struck last time, they did so openly,” Kigenai explained. “In the worst case, they will attack you and the dragon’s cartel with the Golden Path, and us with their full might.”

“But that is unlikely before we move ourselves,” Mei interrupted. “The mayor’s and police’s appetite for so much open violence is dreadfully low, especially with President Davis on the lookout for anything to distract the media from his own ineptitude. It will be their usual pathetic display. Sabotage and targeted raids, intended to weaken you while their puppets attempt to seize your territory. If Kigenai is confident in your abilities, then I am, too. Now, let us proceed.”

She pushed past them down the hallway, tails swirling behind her. Vince scratched the back of his head and looked at the other Yakuza officers. The goons remained further behind, while Kiyoko and Kigenai grimaced.

“I apologize,” Kiyoko said, bowing. “The possibility that Houou might be aware of our movements and are attempting to pre-empt us has… unsettled us.”

Was that really it? Mei had been cheerful upon entering, then suddenly exploded in anger.

Then again, it wasn’t the first time she failed at keeping up a mask.

Pola gave him a kiss on the cheek as Fia, Kiyoko, and Kigenai walked toward the meeting room. Duilio joined the other Lionettis at their bar, while the Yakuza goons occupied the one he’d been sitting at.

“See you soon,” Pola whispered.

“I hope so,” he said.

By the time he arrived, almost everyone was already seated. A long wooden table ran the length of the room, with blocky wooden stools to sit on. Fia and Lucia sat next to Alessia, and an empty seat remained between Fia and Nina. He assumed it was for him.

Only three Yakuza sat opposite the Lionettis: Mei, Kiyoko, and Kigenai.

Place settings had already been laid out, and each person had their own ceramic sake cup and carafe. They also had water, but Vince suspected the restaurant knew how much the non-humans could drink. Kigenai drank from the carafe directly, after all. He even spied a cart in the corner with far too many bottles of sake, all in Japanese and clearly imported.

“No special wards created by Wagner today?” Mei asked as she delicately poured her sake, swirled it, and sipped. “I’m not sure if I should be offended or touched.”

“Given Wagner is currently staying in Aulfair, and will be for the foreseeable future, I saw no reason to remind you of his presence,” Alessia said.

Mei frowned but said nothing.

The staff took the brief silence as an opportunity to sweep in and provide the food. Bowls of miso soup with clams still in them were doled out to everyone, along with a large wooden block laden with fresh sushi. The sushi ranged from nigiri, with various fresh slices of fish laid atop the rice, to small chopped up maki rolls.

Vince barely recognized the sushi, as he usually ate pretty cheaply. No chicken or California rolls in sight.

Finally, small plates with tuna sashimi and salad were laid out, before the staff vanished. One person did linger, hiding a handful of forks behind their back. Everyone already possessed chopsticks, laid out on ceramic chopstick rests marked with the restaurant’s name and logo. But Vince knew if he so much as glanced at the staff member, he’d have a fork beside him in a flash.

Nobody gestured for a fork. Either because they were confident in using chopsticks, would eat with their hands, or refused to embarrass themselves in front of the Yakuza.

“It’s always a delight to be able to eat truly authentic food when traveling abroad, although it does bother me that it is only a luxury experience,” Mei said after her first piece of sushi. “While the service will never quite be as good, anyone can enjoy food like this on any street corner in Tokyo.”

“And in Italy, pastas we charge fine dining prices for are lunch specials for office workers,” Alessia said. “It is a fact of life that food varies across the world. That is what makes travel luxurious. But, yes, I do understand. I am fortunate that I can enjoy the foods of any nation on Earth whenever I wish, while most may at best enjoy a facsimile, or perhaps taste them once in their life in a single vacation.”

Mei let out a hum and sipped her sake. “Perhaps. I’ll admit, there is a far greater variety of food here than in Japan. Aulfair is a clash of cultures.”

“Most would call it a melting pot,” Vince corrected.

He half expected to be glared at by half the room, but Alessia merely smiled.

The kitsune laughed. “That is a term I have heard, but what does it mean? In a hot pot, you add so many distinct vegetables and spices, only for them to all blend together. Even meats lose everything but their texture, making it best for cheap cuts. Is that what people mean when they say ‘melting pot?’ That all your differences are being reduced to a single, common mass? And that only the lowest common denominator thrives?”

Alessia narrowed her eyes, but said nothing.

Leaving it to Fia to respond. “I could describe democracy that way. Why give detailed policy when soundbites matter? Why be authentic when you can lie? Why try to appeal to the intelligent when you rile up the ignorant masses? Aulfair’s no different to anywhere else. Except that we have a lot of non-humans.”

“True. But that is the difference that matters. A city-state that doesn’t bend to the whims of humans,” Mei said.

Kiyoko lifted up her miso soup, which was still half-full, and tipped it so that it covered her expression. Vince saw her throat rapidly moving as she gulped down the soup.

Yeah, Mei’s words crossed a line for the tengu. Knightsgate served the Japanese government, including its emperor. Houou had supposedly been banished and branded traitors for assassinating the previous emperor, after all.

Vince wondered when they’d get to business. Last time, Mei had jumped right to the heart of the matter.

Hell, Mei hadn’t even let Kiyoko and Kigenai sit down when she’d met Alessia at her estate. That meeting had been between two hostile entities.

By contrast, this felt more like two partners who were at odd over politics. A complete one-eighty in the space of a month and a single meeting.

After eating a little more, Alessia and Mei did begin to discuss the drier affairs. Vince finally tried his sake.

As a mere human incapable of downing a bottle of whiskey and remain capable of walking, he wanted to keep his faculties. Unfortunately, Fia noticed he hadn’t poured any sake, scowled, and filled his cup.

Kigenai smirked at him. She’d already tried to grab a bottle from the cart, only for a staff member to appear from nowhere and refill her carafe. As refined as the Qilin’s speech tended to be, her drinking was anything but.

Vince sipped his sake, then blinked. It was cold, unlike the warm stuff he got when out with Nina, so he’d expected it to be harsh. Instead, the sake went down like slightly dry and fruity water, with an oddly delicate flavor he struggled to describe.

“I’m not sure I want to know how much this costs,” he mumbled, trying to make sure only Fia heard.

Mei’s ears twitched, and she turned to him, ignoring Alessia for a moment. “I believe it’s well over a hundred dollars a bottle here. Maybe forty dollars in Japan, but Junmai Daiginjo sake goes for absurd premiums internationally.”

“The retail costs may be over a hundred, but the restaurant price is significantly more,” Alessia said drily. “Don’t worry, Vince. The cost of booking the restaurant for two hours dwarfs the price of the food and drink.”

He could imagine it would, yes. Even outside of peak lunch hours, the restaurant would charge an absurd amount to keep everyone else out.

“As I was saying,” Mei said, returning to the conversation, “I’m happy to foot the cost of any magic tools, infusions, or additional hiring costs. Kiyoko has provided me with a rough assessment of what she believes we will require, but I expect you will have significant expenses on your end given you will be providing the bulk of the labor.”

Alessia tried and failed to school her expression, allowing a frown to slip through. “I had expected you to apply more pressure. I have an itemized list of expected expenses.”

“There is no need. Although I will require one later.” Mei laughed, then sipped her sake. “So long as you don’t spend the month eating and drinking here day and night then try to bill me for it, it should be within expectations. Even if you did, it probably will be.”

When the kitsune’s expression darkened, Alessia steepled her fingers.

“This is about far more than money for you, isn’t it?” the wolfgirl don asked.

“Indeed.” Mei dangled a piece of tuna sashimi in her chopsticks. “Countries spend billions—hundreds of billions—on armies, spies, and fancy weapons. Merely establishing a presence for Knightsgate here took an absurd sum of cash in bribes and investment capital to make those opposed to Japanese expansion turn a blind eye. When Japanese zaibatsu are agreeing to invest billions, a few million siphoned off to destroy a traitor vanishes in a spreadsheet. Kigenai has overseen money laundering operations that require more care than this.”

“Then I’ll make our challenges clear. We can acquire the tools through the right channels, especially with a blank check and an entire month, but battling Houou is no mean feat. You’re leaving that to us?”

The two criminal leaders met one another’s gaze. Mei downed her sake, dropping her cup with a soft clink against the carafe. A staff member shot in and topped it up, before vanishing.

“We’ve stretched our resources to protect you against Houou, as it is. If I had enough Yakuza enforcers to conduct the heist myself, I would,” Mei said. “But I don’t. With the traitors summoning their strength to attack us, I must be wary of not losing everything I’ve been trusted to build. If the heist fails and Houou destroys the Yakuza branch once again, I’ll be disgraced.”

Alessia nodded, face like stone. “I understand.”

“Yes, but you don’t like it.”

“A lot of enforcers are likely to die in this heist. Houou’s defenses will be strong.”

Mei leaned back in her chair and crossed her hands over her cleavage. Her eyes narrowed. She appeared thoughtful for close to a minute.

“Then allow me to provide motivation,” Mei said. “I’m assuming you are paying already substantial amounts to your enforcers, but I know the mafia are a profit-driven entity. One always if when you operate for so long. I am here to win, however. So I’ll double or even triple whatever you’re paying your best enforcers.” She waved a hand at Vince and Nina.

Nina’s eyes nearly exploded out of her head. She let her sushi drop from her chopsticks and let out a muffled swear.

Alessia grimaced. “I can’t tell you what we’re paying out enforcers. That’s privileged information.”

“Then I’ll make my offer unconditional,” Mei said. She opened her mouth, then frowned. She turned to Kigenai. “What’s a high market rate for a job like this?”

“Three hundred thousand each for Mister Keys and Miss Hayes,” Kigenai said. “Their actual rate is likely much lower, but this is what I budgeted if I needed to hire them myself for the job.”

Fia and Alessia’s eyebrows shot up. As did Nina’s. Vince kept his cool.

So, Kigenai had been thinking about hiring him directly at some point. He suspected this was when they first met. No wonder she’d buttered him up.

“Done,” Mei said with a clap. “I’ll throw in a hundred thousand for any high profile enforcer you add to the job, like Miss Ascani here.” She nodded at Fia. “And I’m assuming the older gentleman aside. I don’t recognize him, but that magic tool he was wearing looked expensive and I recognize talent when I see it.”

“He’ll be assisting me with enforcer handling during the heist, given we’ll have so many enforcers and be taking care of the most sensitive part,” Fia said.

A lie, but a good one. Mei merely nodded, while Kiyoko dutifully kept eating her sushi in silence. She’d been given another platter by now and two refills of miso soup. If the tengu didn’t know about Duilio, she kept it to herself.

Vince abruptly realized from watching Kiyoko he could get more of the delicious clam miso soup, finished his, and watched as a server switched his bowl out for another. They didn’t  top it up, but brought in a new one.

This place definitely cost several hundred per head to eat at ordinarily.

Nina leaned forward. “If you’re being so generous, why not make it an even million to split between me and Vince. After all, millions are cheap, right?”

Annoyance flashed across Mei’s face as she stared at Nina. Vince suspected the fox wished she was taller and could look down at the lioness.

“In a perfect world, I’d offer you both a mansion, a holiday home in Japan, free flights, and all manner of other niceties for your service to crushing these pathetic foxes who once called themselves kitsune,” Mei said, voice ice cold. “But success doesn’t guarantee Houou will collapse. And you may still perish. So allow me to target your concerns directly.”

Nina raised an eyebrow.

“This is a risky undertaking, and death may occur. But it is also unlikely to be covered by your insurance, as I believe life insurance policies for independent enforcers in Aulfair typically exclude dying in the normal course of work,” Mei said. “I will correct that. Should you suffer die, you will be covered by either my personal funds or my enforcers’ insurance. Five million, plus all incidental expenses. That should be plenty for your parents, and allow them to rest easy, instead of laboring away in a restaurant, hmm?”

Nina’s expression vanished. She sat up straight, and Vince saw her fists clench beneath the table.

“There is no need,” Alessia said. Her blue eyes were like ice, even as her expression remained utterly calm. “Both Vince and Nina are already covered in the worst case scenario under their contracts. I appreciate the offer, but the Lionetti Family is more than capable of covering the finances of its employees and associates.” A fake smile appeared that did nothing to break the ice in her eyes. “I do appreciate that you will bear the burden of the heist, given the vast majority of its benefits flow to you.”

Mei’s tails vanished, presumably lowering against the ground behind her. “It is no problem. I merely wish to ensure you are not financially troubled. If it is within my power to help, I will, in order to ensure this heist succeeds. The benefits cannot be calculated with mere dollars.”

Silence followed.

Finally, Mei raised her sake vessel. After a few seconds, Alessia clinked hers against the fox’s.

“To our partnership,” Mei said. “I look forward to a long future of the Yakuza and the Lionettis working together to better Aulfair.”

Vince frowned, even as the atmosphere lightened.

Hadn’t Kiyoko been talking as if it were a sure thing that Mei and Kigenai would return to Japan?

Thanks to Mei’s oddly generous nature today, the lunch ended early. Kiyoko left a message on his phone, letting him know not to worry about Zaira.

Once the Yakuza left, Alessia told them they could stay until the end of the booking and that all food and drink was included. The chefs and servers became their original selves, and far more open.

Vince sat between Pola and Fia and drank a little more sake while the chef served individual pieces of sushi using rare fishes and fancy garnishes to the bar. He joked with the girls, explained where each fish came from and what it should taste like, and even took some requests.

But the day came to an end. He considered trying to visit Ally, but knew he’d drunk too much. Nicki definitely had, leaning against the wall and slumbering away. Lucia ensured they all got home.

The next day, he made it a mission to visit Ally’s shop.

“I kind of want to come with, but the blank check we got means Fia needs to start teeing up purchases,” Nina said while getting dressed. “We need to start putting in orders for magic tools if we want to avoid paying insane amounts, or tipping our hand to the conglomerates for rush orders.”

“I’d rather pull off the heist than have you come along and tease Ally,” Vince said drily.

Nina’s tail lashed the back of the couch and she glared at him.

Nicki snickered, then grimaced when he looked at her. “Uh, I have a lunch shift. Should be my last one. I can drop you off near her shop, but I’ll need to head off right after.”

“That’s fine. I expect I’ll be busy for a lot longer than usual,” he said.

He owed Ally a brushing session, after all.

Once he got dressed, Nicki flew him downtown. She dropped him off near the fast food joint they’d first visited together.

He’d skipped breakfast, so grabbed a bite to eat there. No sign of Daryl, which made sense given the time. After ignoring a wolfgirl trying to give him her number when he ordered, he ate, then found the nearby laneway.

With the shopping season behind them, the many magic stores near Ally’s store suffered from a significant drop in foot traffic. Although it remained busy enough with all the tourists and people spending their Christmas cash.

As always, nobody went near Ally’s store. At least it appeared open.

He stepped inside. Last time he’d been here, it had been stripped clean so thieves couldn’t steal anything. The stock had returned, once again making it hard to move around. Shelves filled with magic tools and foci lined one wall, while racks of enchanted clothing blocked off half the store. Racks of jewelry glittered from all sides, and there were even statues staring down on him.

Magic exuded from everything. As always, Ally’s store felt different to all the others he went to. She should have some fancy up-market workshop with a secretary turning away all but the best customers, but instead she struggled to get any attention here. On the other hand, he’d never had found here if that were the case.

The red-tailed fox bustled away at a rack of necklaces near the counter, facing away from him. Her many tails bounced around, and she hummed as she worked. The little bell that had announced his arrival apparently went unnoticed.

Sensing an opportunity, he crept up behind her. Grabbing her might be crossing a line, but the thought of seeing a red-faced Ally squeaking when she spun to find him right behind her would be a cherished memory.

Ally abruptly froze when he took a few steps. Damn, she’d heard him. But he’d gotten pretty close. He could reach out and stroke her tails if he wanted to.

Her tails stopped moving, and he noticed something odd.

Did she usually have this many tails? Ally was a young, four-tailed fox.

Maybe she’d gained one or two over Christmas. Did that happen to mystic foxes?

Ally spun in a blur, her many tails deftly avoiding the many objects around her. Magic swirled in them, and Vince felt his breath hitch. He’d never felt such danger from the innocent shopkeeper before.

Vince stared at the woman facing him, who stared back, magic carefully held within her arms and tails.

She looked identical to Ally in almost every respect. More cute than sexy, short, big red fox tails, big green eyes, a lovely sundress that revealed luscious thighs.

But there were two glaring differences. For one, she had six tails, not four.

For another…

“Wow, Ally. You really worked on worked on your illusions in New York,” he said, staring pointedly at the huge tits this fox woman possessed. “But you didn’t need to go this far.”

The woman stared back for a second, then struck a cutesy pose and smiled at him. She even smiled like Ally. He had a terrifying idea of who exactly stood before him.

“Oh, Vince, these aren’t illusions,” the woman said in a fake voice that tried and failed to imitate Ally’s. Mostly because she lacked the real New York accent, and her Japanese one slipped through. “Why don’t you brush out my tails and I can show you how real they are?”

Silence filled the shop. Both of them stared at each other.

Then he leaned forward. The fake Ally matched him, and he placed his mouth close to her ear.

“You’re Ally’s mom, right?” he asked.