Title: Where the Wild Lilies Grow (8/10)
Universes: Haru wo Daiteita & Casino Lily
Pairings: Carlo/Magira, Iwaki/Katou, Shouji/Shu Ti Fan
Rating, all over: NC-17
Warnings, all over: Explicit sex and violence. Shameless Romance. This is not an angst-fest.
Word count, this part: 5,800
Notes: List of all chapters over @ IJ here. This fic is for elfflame who wanted me to put Magira in this situation.
Summary: When Carlo comes home from a business trip only to discover that Magira has left him, he has to change the passive way he usually takes when it comes to defending his relationship with the charming, but spoiled young player. Carlo has once offered to wager his entire fortune in exchange for Magira's company. This time, Carlo has to realise that his life might be at stake as well...



Back to chapter 7


8. Swimming With the Sharks

'Oh God!'

'Wow!' The youngest of the detectives fans himself, looking quite as if he has fallen prey to Sawa's accomplished attempt at "classy, sexy and high maintenance".

'Marry me, Sawa-san!'

Approving whistling and looks are sent Sawa's way as he theatrically makes a pause before walking down the lower part of the stairs. The high-collared tight black dress he is wearing is slit up in one side so high it only stops a hair's breath before indecency. Sawa has great legs and he knows how to show them off - the four-inch stilettos don't exactly make the legs seem shorter. Even Carlo, who is used to female beauty, is impressed. Sawa makes sure his legs show as he, with a long flimsy black scarf trailing after him, almost floats down to take Shu's hand.

'Beautiful,' Shu says and studies Sawa's elaborately made hair and the large Victorian silver-and-rubies earrings. 'Sawa-san... you look fantastic!'

'Not at all,' Sawa says sultrily, 'but I am very pleased you think so.' It earns him a less than friendly glare from Shouji.

'Are you ready?' Carlo asks, dragging attention to the task in front of them - possibly to prevent yet another fight between Shouji and Shu. 'All of you?'

'The wheels are all checked and ready,' the older detective says. 'Two cars drive around, ending up on the Northern and Eastern side of the property. We have the last car going to the gates, four of us ready to go in if necessary - or help you get out if you reach the fence and need help.'

Shu nods. He doesn't look nervous at all. Maybe it is just a game to him; he might even enjoy the danger and tension.

'Weapons?' Carlo isn't fond of the decision that they have to bring them, but as it is, it is inevitable. Their opponent stops at nothing; they have to act the same.

'A few.' The former policeman pats his chest. The jacket has a bulge, probably the gun. '30 years, Mr Carlo, and I've never used it - and I won't, not unless it is a question of our survival. Today... we are just observing unless Mr Shu and Mr Sawa get an unexpected chance to help your man out.'

'Thanks,' Carlo says. He wants Magira out so badly, but he prefers to make it happen without his men getting hurt. If he had wanted a massacre, he could have asked the incompetent cops who have investigated Magira's case so very reluctantly.

'Our last man is driving Mr Sawa and Mr Shu.' The old policeman waves one of the LA detectives closer. 'Charlie has never worked in Nevada; I doubt there is any danger he'll be recognised. Good shooter, he was at the Junior Nationals. Doesn't get trigger happy. I'd like to have him with me if I were to go into the lion's den.'

The LA detective just nods. He is the calm type, and Carlo agrees with the experienced policeman's choice. 'Thanks,' Carlo just says. He, too, wants Shu and Sawa back, unharmed.

Behind him, Carlo can hear Iwaki and Katou speak with Sawa. Sawa Nagisa clearly isn't a nervous person. A man who so flamboyantly embraces his own desires and pursues what is right for him... Carlo feels slightly envious. However, Sawa-san's young lover must be a very tolerant and patient man, Carlo thinks.

It is as if Sawa senses Carlo's thoughts. 'I've done undercover work before, Carlo-san. I know how to keep us safe,' Sawa says, and rests his hand on Carlo's shoulder. 'We'll make sure Magira's safe too. If we can get him out today, we will, otherwise we'll know more after tonight, have a better chance. We'll have knowledge that'll make us able to solve this without a full-fledged war.'

'I apologise, Sawa-san. I am sure you do, we-' Carlo pauses before he speaks again, this time formally, in Japanese. 'Thank you for helping this total stranger, a foreigner unworthy of your brilliant help.' He bows to Sawa. 'I can never repay you for this, honoured Sawa-san.'

Sawa bows too, acknowledging Carlo's respect and gratitude, despite his horrible command of the Japanese language. 'For love I am willing to make a lot of sacrifices. Katou-kun has told me about how you met Magira-kun. I think we both know, you and I, Carlo-san, that true love is worth fighting for. Neither the true love nor the fight need to make sense to other people. As for payment, just make certain we are not doing this in vain. That's reward enough for me.' Waving a well-manicured hand; purple nail polish shimmering in the light from the chandelier, Sawa directs Carlo's attention to Shu and Shouji who are standing very close to each other. Shouji looks rather worried. 'In a crisis, most people realise what they are missing in their lives, or how they might need to fight to get it,' Sawa murmurs. 'Love is something that should be cherished, always. Many people tend to forget. Iwaki-san and Katou-kun have made me pay attention to that on several occasions, and by helping you I am merely showing my gratitude to them as well.'

Obviously, that wisdom has just recently occurred to Shu and Shouji. As Sawa lets go of Carlo's shoulder, Carlo notices that Shu's arrogant smile has turned into a softer one, and the angry glare that has been all Shouji has cared to waste on Shu is now turned into a possessive, almost jealous flare in his dark eyes. With expressions like those they would both lose spectacularly at the gaming tables, since the two otherwise controlled men seem to be wearing their hearts on their sleeves. So much for cool, experienced players.

'It's time,' Sawa interrupts the couple. 'We have to leave now, Shu-san.'

'A moment,' Shouji says, again turning to Shu. Ignoring Sawa, he cups Shu's cheek. 'Be careful,' he says, the worry almost palpable. 'Who am I going to quarrel with if you don't come back?'

'Oh, I wouldn't miss that for the world, Shouji, quarrelling with you,' Shu whispers and sends Shouji another of those Mona Lisa smiles. 'I'll come back.'

'I take that as a promise.' It's all Shouji says before he turns around and leaves the hall.

'Oh, l'amour,' Sawa laughs and hooks his arm with Shu's, maybe to get some support. Walking in those elegant heels cannot be easy.

'Be careful.' Carlo echoes Shouji's words. 'Both of you.' He hesitates. 'Play red for me, Shu. If you really need to win, play red. Magira will know what it means.'

'Colour of love and luck, hm?' Shu nods. 'I'll remember that.'



'It is time.'

Ethan slides a hand down Magira's naked back and Magira cannot stop himself from shuddering in disgust. He has changed. There was a time when any attractive male had a fair chance to end up in his bed, but those times are over. In Magira's mind, only Carlo exists. No one else. His desires, his need, are only for Carlo. Magira takes a step forward to avoid the hand. He will cry bitterly the day he welcomes Ethan's touch - or accept it because it will give him an advantage.

'And if I refuse?' Magira doesn't turn around. Ethan makes him sick. His body still remembers the sensation of waking up in a stranger's arms. Ethan has promised not to take Magira before the psychology of being kidnapped forces him to be a willing victim, and Ethan has kept his promise. Sleeping together, in the same bed, though, doesn't seem to be included in that. Magira hates himself for feeling rested and comforted by the other man's presence.

'If you refuse, we'll go after Carlo. You don't want that to happen, do you?'

Ethan is smirking, Magira is sure. He doesn't want to look at Ethan; it is almost impossible to hold back the urge to smack the guy's pretty face hard. 'No. I don't,' Magira manages. It is the truth. It is the only threat that works, and it works well. They don't have to pretend otherwise. Magira decides never to ask again. The mere idea that Carlo will pay for his resistance... no. He won't let it go that far. They can beat him and rape him and force him to play whatever game they want. For Carlo he can get through all of that.

Magira clings to the thought of Carlo; it will help him survive. Carlo is safe, and Carlo will come for him. Sooner or later, Carlo will come. Sleeping with Ethan is a small price to pay for his lover's safety. If Ethan wants him this much, there might be a way to use it - and Ethan - to get out. Magira thinks he might not be the only one affected by the relationship between kidnapper and victim. Magira is just a better player. That moment, he makes his decision. He turns around, a slight smile on his lips. 'Of course I don't want anything to happen to Carlo,' Magira repeats, and steps a bit closer to Ethan. Magira bites his lip, knowing how innocent and adorable it makes him look. 'What do you want me to do, Ethan?' he asks, careful not to look blatantly seductive. Ethan is not an idiot, although he most certainly is an arsehole.

'You are such a pretty little pet,' Ethan says, trailing a finger along the chain that keeps Magira shackled. 'Get dressed. Tonight we're going to play. My employer has invited a few guests, and he plans to let you strip them of every dollar they have, and then some.' Ethan's smile changes; it becomes unpleasantly cold. 'You are good at that, Magira. Playing for other people's money. And playing other people.' Ethan yanks the chain and pulls Magira into his arms. 'I have never forgotten that night...'

Magira manages to keep his panic-like disgust down. 'That is why you are doing this? A lover scorned?'

'You never left my thoughts...' Ethan is whispering, his lips close to Magira's cheek. 'It is your fault. You were driving me insane with your beauty and your body.... Magira... if you would just give in to me... I'd never leave you... I'm in love with you.'

Some love. That is all Magira manages to think before he is kissed; deeply and forcefully. He wants to fight, to push Ethan away, but doesn't. He can use this. He has to! He needs to let Ethan fall even deeper - to make him his instrument. As Magira let himself be kissed, he closes his eyes and imagines Carlo doing this, that this is Carlo's lips, Carlo's body, Carlo's warmth. All Magira has to remember is that giving in to Ethan now may gain him the small amount of goodwill that might save his life.

Or Carlo's.



The car is rented, in Shu's name. They have been careful not to leave too many traces leading to Carlo. It is almost dark as the large white limousine makes its way to Tournament Hills. 'Aren't you nervous at all,' Shu finally asks. 'What if it is a trap?'

'It isn't,' Sawa says. 'You didn't know about this when you received the invitation, and nobody knows about your connection with Carlo-san, isn't that so?' He pats Shu's hand, rather surprisingly. 'And I am nervous. It would be insane not to be. We're taking a risk, Shu-san. But that was what I did as a policeman - calculating risks. As long as you do what I tell you to, we won't get in trouble; you just need to act as you would when you are participating in a game like this.'

'Ah.' Shu feels more relaxed. Sawa-san seems to be a realist above anything. He's not going to play a hero. That is reassuring, since Shu isn't one, and has no intention to try to become one.

'I trust you in this, Shu-san.' Sawa moves, carefully, as not to wrinkle the dress or ruin the black silk stockings that emphasise his legs. 'I am your mistress, and you are an infatuated playboy, with no other thing on his mind than to satisfy my every whim. Whether they think I am a man or a woman doesn't matter as long as they believe that your brain has taken a temporary holiday in your trousers.' Sawa sends Shu a lovely smile. His white teeth flash in the streetlights, contrasting the dark purple-red lipstick.

'I don't think it will be difficult,' Shu says. 'Sawa-san is handsome, no matter what gender.' Sawa is not Shu's type, but lovely he is, that is no lie. Sawa is nothing like Shouji... Shouji with his ugly shirts and his hopeless hairdo and the unpolished, roguish behaviour. Sawa is elegant and soft and with perfect taste. Nothing like Shouji at all, no. Shu manages to disband the threatening thought of how it felt to lie under Shouji's muscular, lean body and take it, take everything Shouji gave... oh God!

'Shu-san? Are you with us?' Sawa's voice sound as if a laughter is waiting to take over his words.

Shu is glad it is dark. Nobody can see him blushing. 'Yes. Sorry. Just distracted. What did you say?'

'Kiss me.'

'Excuse me?'

'We would like it to look real, won't we?' Sawa does laugh this time, a velvet, yet feminine laughter. 'Don't worry, Shu-san. I have no intention of overcoming your virtue. I just want to look slightly dishevelled, and you to have a bit of lipstick smeared somewhere visible.'

'Oh.' It makes sense. It will never look real if they fake it. Sawa's lips won't be rosy and wet, and the lipstick will look odd. No matter where it ends up. Oh, well. Shu leans in and presses a kiss to Sawa's admittedly appetising mouth.

It isn't bad. Sawa's hand is cool and strange against the back of his neck, contrasting the warmth of his kiss. The kiss is soft. So vastly different from Shouji's hard kisses.

Shu feels a deep throbbing inside. Briefly - before he pushes the thought away - he wonders how this competent former policeman is in bed. His lover is a lucky man, Shu decides. The strong Sawa-san seems to transform into a pliant, lovely submissive, very different from the no-nonsense, hands-on man. Not bad at all. But nothing, of course, like Shouji's rough, uncomplicated, demanding kisses. Oh, damned, Shouji! Shu breaks the kiss, rather abruptly. Kissing Sawa-san just makes it even more clear that the thing with Shouji is not a thing. Kissing Shouji is nothing like this. With Shouji, Shu feels as if he is standing precisely at the edge of a cliff, and if he jumps into that abyss, he is done for. If he doesn't find a way to resist Shouji's lure, he is going to fall, hard. Pulling out a handkerchief from his pocket, he wipes his mouth, making sure some of Sawa-san's lipstick stays. It is no good. All Shu can think of is how much he wants to kiss Shouji. Again and again and again.

'If it helps, think of him,' Sawa says calmly, maybe he is actually able to read Shu's mind. 'Just be prepared that we might need to do this, or more, to be convincing. We don't know if they are going to suspect that I am something else than your lover, and we better not give them reason to. I need to know now if you have a problem with that.'

'No. I don't. And you are still beautiful, Sawa-san. It is not a fate worse than death. Not even close.'

'But I am not Shouji-san.'

'You're not.' Shu sighs as he for the first time gives his thoughts about Shouji voice. 'He's one of a kind.'

'I've noticed,' Sawa teases. 'The only man for you, hm?'

'Sawa-san!' Shu tries to be at least a little shocked that he is so easy to read, but can't manage to get the least worried. More than anything it shows him that he is in trouble. Maybe that is how it is: Shouji... that rude, hopeless, utterly misbehaved low-life arsehole is going to be the bane of Shu's existence!

'We're here,' Sawa says as the driver stops the car in front of a tall gate. The iron bars are wrought in an intricate pattern. The gates are not opened, but a guard steps out from a small sentry box, signalling for the chauffeur to roll down the window. An exchange of polite greetings and a thorough check of the invitation and the heavy cream-coloured paper it is printed on allows them entrance. Finally.

'Ready?' Sawa fondles the dress sleeve. A tiny chip is hidden in the seam. What a relief it is that they'll be found if somebody decides to shoot them and dump them somewhere desolate.

'Ready.' Shu takes a deep breath. It is time to seek the lion in its den. Shu hopes none of them are going to be eaten alive.



The candles make the diamonds glitter. Beautiful women in soft silk and deep velvet, in brocade and chiffon, flutter like straying butterflies between the gaming tables. In crimson and pink, in grass green and purple, in black and white, they make the large rooms seem like flowerbeds: multicoloured and scented with the most expensive of expensive perfumes. The men are mostly clad in suits; Italian tailors seem to have done some of their best work to dress the wealthy businessmen who are gathered here.

Nobody really notices Sawa-san. He is neither tall enough, nor beautiful enough to make a lasting impression, not compared to some of the model-slender, picture perfect women. Shu, on the other hand, definitely makes an impression. His confident, handsome face and the air he carries himself with attracts attention. He is the only man who is not wearing some kind of boring black variation of the shirt, tie and jacket theme. In his high-collared Chinese silk jacket, he sticks out; a dark rose between common weed.

Sawa and Shu stroll casually from room to room, from gaming table to gaming table. There is no trace of Magira. Shu cannot concentrate and his winnings at the various tables are meagre. He huffs and lets go of the hopeless hand. Not even the cards are with him tonight.

Sawa wraps himself around Shu, close enough to whisper in his ear. 'What are we going to do? Should we try some of the rooms upstairs?'

Shu turns and kisses Sawa on the cheek. 'No, darling, not yet,' he laughs, pretending Sawa has just suggested something indecent. 'Later. I still want to win back what I've lost.' He pulls Sawa closer, his lips brushing over Sawa's ear. 'Too many guards. Nothing we can do now.' It feels so deeply disappointing. Shu can barely stomach it. He can't go back to Shouji and Carlo-san and tell them that they weren't able to find Magira. There is, of course, the distinctly logic conclusion to the missing Magira: that Magira isn't here at all.

'Shu... please?' Sawa is able to almost purr the words. 'You are more interested in money than me!'

Shu is no longer surprised that Sawa is such an acclaimed actor. 'I'll do anything for you, love,' he purrs back. 'Just let me stay a little.' Shu signals that he is still into the game. Unfortunately, the next hand isn't much better. 'Then I'll give you what you want,' he adds, loudly enough to let the other players hear.



'You look beautiful,' Ethan looks Magira over, clearly appreciating the sight. 'Again, I remind you of the consequences if you in any way try to reveal why you are here. If you make trouble, we'll hurt Anthony Monte Carlo. If you don't play properly, we'll hurt Anthony Monte Carlo. If you try to escape, we'll hurt Anthony Monte Carlo. If you refuse to obey-'

'Yeah, yeah, yeah,' Magira snaps. 'You'll hurt Carlo. I think I get it now.' Magira is livid at the mere thought. If at least Carlo knew that he would be targeted, Magira would be free to do what he wanted. But Carlo doesn't know. An attack will come as a surprise, and there might be a real risk that Carlo actually will be hurt.

'I am so happy you understand,' Ethan says. 'Now, your owner will invite a small group of very rich players to this private room, and you will go strip them of whatever they are ready to spend here. And preferably more. The room will be guarded, so don't get any ideas.' Once more, he lets his eyes slide hungrily over Magira. 'You really do look good. Although I don't understand why you insist on wearing that red jacket when you don't have trousers to go with it.'

'It's my lucky jacket.' Magira ignores Ethan and walks over to the door. 'Let's go.' What he means is let us get it over with. Magira hopes he will get a chance, the slightest chance, to get a message to Carlo, to let someone know that he is here. He wonders briefly if Carlo believes the set up the kidnappers left: that Magira should have left the man he loves, just like that, leaving only empty hangers and an empty house for Carlo's broken heart. When he searches deep inside his own heart, he doesn't think so. They have come so far from the time Magira was a spoiled brat who didn't thought Carlo cared enough. The love they share now is different.

Magira trusts Carlo explicitly. That trust and Carlo's love are the two things that keep him from breaking. Carlo will come, that is all he needs to know to survive this. Carlo will come.



'Mr Shu?'

Shu turns and looks over his shoulder. A fair-haired man in a stylish black suit stands behind him. Shu doesn't know who the man is. Then again, Shu knows close to none of the assembled players. A few of them he has seen before, but not this one.

'My employer, your host, asks if you would like to join us for a game with slightly higher stakes. For the select few, of course.' The man's voice is low. He clearly doesn't want anybody else to hear.

'Baccarat?' Shu asks. Not that he cares, all he cares about that this might be what they have been looking for: the reason why Magira was taken.

'Baccarat, punto banco,' the man agrees.

Nodding as if to agree, Shu is pleased. Not only will this probably get them closer to Magira, but punto banco is the version of Baccarat that is played in Macao, and Shu is familiar with it. It means that he has a slight possibility to use the game to turn out the way he wants it - winning or losing - depending on what will help them get to Magira. Shu is not at all in doubt now that Magira is kept here. What baffles him is the extreme arrogance with which Magira's prisoners are willing to flaunt their treasure. Thy must feel very secure. Good. Over-confidence equals stupidity, in Shu's opinion.

'Please, follow me,' the man says, and leaves the table.

Shu and Sawa walks with him, out of the large, well-lit rooms, down the stairs, through a well-stocked kitchen: steel stoves and copper pans shine, as if the kitchen has never been used. Down through a narrow corridor, they go, to a long line of heavy cupboards. The man stops in front of a door and opens it. The polished mahogany swings back easily, no creaking, as if the door is used frequently.

'Through here. My apologies for the unconventional entrance,' the man says. 'As I said, this is for the select few.'

Shu doesn't reply. The man is nothing but an underling, and they owe him no respect. In fact they owe none of the men involved in the kidnapping anything but to execute Carlo's revenge on them.

The basement is high-ceilinged, compared to basements in general. Not that Shu has ever had any inclination to develop any interest in that direction - basement architecture - until now. Their guide presses a few keys on a electronic device on the wall, and a door to another room opens. Over the man's shoulder, Shu can see the warm lustre of gilded French rococo furniture, the white flashes of polished silver candle holders, and the dark shine of the ebony gaming table. A small roulette is standing next to it. So Baccarat will not be the only game they are playing.

Several men are gathered there, and quite a few women. Shu nods politely. He knows two of the men, and one of the ladies: gamblers all, and rich enough not to care whether they win or lose. In the back of the room, a red jacket attracts Shu's attention. Magira. Shu puts his arm around Sawa's waist and steps closer, awaiting the moment Magira realises they are here. Hopefully, the boy is clever enough to wait for an explanation before he expresses any kind of surprise or anger. Shu plays with his own earlobe, distractedly.

Then Magira turns. Shu will give him that: the boy has grown. Not as much as a raised eyebrow, just sharp eyes with a questioning glitter. Magira is an experienced player, and it shows. Neutrally, he lets his eyes hesitate, as if asking for an answer. Shu casually holds a finger over his lip, as if beg for Magira's silence. A nod, nothing more than a weak movement of his head, tells Shu what he needs to know: Magira understands. Carlo has come in the shape of a Chinese man who is now paying Magira back for what he once did to him.

'We're good,' Shu whispers to Sawa, making it look as if he is complimenting his woman. 'Let's see what happens, but we're not getting him out tonight, not from this. Too well guarded. Too many people.'

'No,' Sawa agrees. 'Too dangerous.' He sways, balancing on the high heels, and almost melts into Shu's arms. 'We need to find a way to talk to him.'

'Mr Shu! Pleased to see that you and your lovely companion have chosen to join us. Upstairs is nothing but children's games.' Their host welcomes them warmly. Unfortunately his eyes are as alive as a dead fish, and just as cold.

'Of course,' Shu replies, sending the American casino tycoon a smile that could make a hungry shark envious. 'It is a pleasure. Lead the way, I have the feeling this is a challenge.'

At the Baccarat table, the game is intense. Shu feels at home, not at all nervous in this situation. It is familiar, and something he does well. The bets are sky high. No, this is not a game for sissies. As Shu plays, Sawa turns out to be an invaluable help. Shu is good at reading the other players, but Sawa is better, despite not being a player at all. Police work, probably. Shu is both lucky and clever and his bets turn out to his advantage. Shu is in a winning streak in this odd game of cards and bets in one. He doesn't even dare guess how much he has won, but the way the casino owner looks at him, it is more than the house has counted on losing. Behind them, Magira is busy at the roulette: a young man keeps close to him all the time - it is clear that the casino owner doesn't want to take any risks regarding his prisoner.

Shu decides to take a chance. A risk. He is a player after all, and money, stakes, bets, can blind. It seems his opponent is becoming slightly short-sighted. If the man is willing to commit such a serious crime as kidnapping, he might not be against the temptation of a huge wager, despite it includes Magira, or rather Magira's body. 'The young man over there,' Shu says, 'is he yours?' He nods in Magira's direction. 'He is very attractive.'

The reply is nothing but a raised eyebrow.

Shu pokes with a finger at the mountain of chips in front of him. Each represents 5,000 dollars. 'My lady seems to be interested in him,' Shu says, caressing Sawa's hip. 'What my woman asks, she gets,' he continues. 'But of course, if you are not interested in slightly higher stakes than this...' Shu has hooked the bait, now he just needs to wait and see if the casino owner bites. Shu mirrors the raised eyebrow, calmly anticipating a reply - whether it is going to be accept or a gun in the back. He hopes he has not underestimated the tycoon.

Their host looks over his shoulder, obviously studying Magira and the young man next to him. Then he looks at Shu, as if to assess what is going on. The pile of coloured chips seems to push the tycoon's choice in the right direction. Close to a million dollars is still a small fortune, or maybe it is a question of not letting Shu win after all.

'All right. What is it you suggest, Mr Shu?'

'A night with the beauty over there if I win, or this,' Shu waves at the chip-mountain, 'if I lose.'

It earns Shu an appreciative glance. 'You play hard, Shu,' the tycoon says and nods. 'I agree. But we'll let Magira play for himself. It is fair, after all. At the roulette. Winner takes all. Shall we?' He holds out a hand as if to ask Shu to stand and walk with him.

Or you think Magira's charm and luck will work, since he is playing for your money, Shu thinks and follows the man to the roulette table. It suits him, this game. Roulette is quick and the outcome fair. No matter if he wins or loses, he needs to be able to use it to his advantage - Shu has money enough to play and lose many nights without even worrying, and he's prepared to use quite a bit of his considerable fortune to be able to talk to Magira privately.

'I'd like you to take this round for me, Magira,' the kidnapper tells his victim. 'I am sure you'll do your best. Mr Shu has just offered me a wager I cannot resist.'

'I see,' Magira says and tilts his head. 'Well. You are an honoured guest, Shu-san. Please make your choice.'

Shu remembers Carlo's advice. 'Red,' he says, not hesitating for a moment. 'I'll take red.'

'As you wish,' Magira says and watches as the croupier spins the wheel. 'I suppose I'll take black, then.'

Around them the voices fade and only the sound of the ball click-clacking its way down to the circle of numbers and colours before it finally comes to rest. The wheel slows. The small silver-coloured ball lies there, precisely where Shu wanted it - on 23, red. Not that the number matters, only the lovely, brilliant red colour that has made sure they will get time alone with Magira to plan and plot. It is evidently clear they won't be able to get him out tonight.

'Tomorrow evening?' Shu asks, triumphantly. 'I look forward to it,' he says, looking Magira in the eye.

'If you promise me a chance for a return match,' the tycoon says, 'after.'

'That'll be the morning after,' Shu says, pursing his mouth arrogantly, as if to say that being in bed with him is not over after half an hour's desperate panting. 'To me, making love is an art form.'

'Excuse me,' Magira interrupts. 'Exactly what is it you have won?' His voice is calm, neutral.

'My lover wanted a night with the prettiest boy in this room, and that is what I got her,' Shu says. 'Since I never leave her side, that means a night with me as well.'

Next to Magira the man who seems to be his guard pales visibly. 'And... the prettiest boy... is...' he manages, sounding as if he is choking. His eyes are angry. 'Does that mean... Magira?'

Unable to resist the possibility to sow discord between the men who took Magira, Shu sends the angry young man a haughty grin. 'If that is what my handsome opponent is called, then yes. Magira.' Shu decides to push it a bit further. 'Jealous it isn't your win? Maybe you should get a job and earn money enough to play with the real men, then?' It is extremely satisfying to see the man's eyes widen in surprise and rage. Only the tycoon's hand on his shoulder prevents Magira's guard from exploding.

Good, Shu thinks and watches with glee as the young man turns to the casino owner.

'Stop it, Ethan, or...' the threat hangs in the air. Obviously, the tycoon doesn't want the young Ethan to play any games.

'But,' Ethan protests, loudly. 'You promised me... Magira's mine!' Ethan's face is flushed with anger. 'You gave him to me!' he shouts, clenching the rim of the roulette so hard his knuckles turn white. 'He's-'

'Enough, Ethan!' Magira's kidnapper cuts Ethan off. The older man signals to the one of the large bodyguards. 'Mr Hughes is leaving now.'

Sawa laughs, a hand fluttering as if to brush off Ethan's anger. 'Young love,' Sawa purrs and walks around the table, flashing long legs. 'So fickle.' Sawa leans against Magira, ruffling his hair. 'Of course such a beautiful young man attracts this kind of jealous attention. You don't mind the outcome of our little bet, I take it?'

On the other side of Magira Shu slips an arm around the slender waist. For a moment, all Shu can think of is how Shouji might have looked when he was younger. Probably precisely like this adult, grown up Magira. Shu pulls himself together. He, too, leans closer, pretending to blatantly admire Magira's handsome face. Shu lets his lips brush over Magira' cheek.

Magira seems to be holding his breath, as if he is not sure what Shu and Sawa are playing at. 'Please play along. We're here for Carlo,' Shu whispers as he cups Magira's arse and pretends to be licking the ear in which he is whispering the only thing Magira might wish to hear. 'We'll get you out, we just need time to do it safely. 'It'll help if we can use this to separate you from your kidnappers.'

Magira laughs, as if Shu has said something particularly sweet or arousing. 'You really know how to seduce a man, Shu-san,' Magira purrs, playing this game so well. 'And your lovely companion?' he asks.

'Sawa-san. A former policeman,' Shu whispers and smiles, sending Magira a burning look. Loudly, he declares, 'Sawa-chan is the one who begged me to ask for you. She likes more men in her bed.' Shu sends Sawa a seductive look. 'She won't disappoint you,' he says, smiling.

'Well, then I won't mind,' Magira says. 'I like men better in bed, but she is very sexy.'

Shu has managed to get a hold of the tiny electronic chip he has brought with him. 'Isn't she?' he laughs and kisses Magira's hand. 'I find that attraction never applies to gender,' he adds and let go of Magira's hand, leaving the chip pressed between two of Magira's fingers. 'So you can be traced,' he whispers and lets go of Magira. 'I can barely wait until tomorrow, but tonight is the night for other games,' Shu smiles. 'It will be a pleasure to play with you. Magira-kun, was it?'

'Yes. Likewise,' Magira says. This time his smile is honest.


On to Chapter 9