Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“I wrote you letters but didn’t have anywhere to send them.” She lifts the lid, and I lean forward, seeing stacks of letters written in their language. She takes two sticks out, and the expression on her face turns nostalgic. “This was the bamboo stick you used as a sword the last day we played together in the forest.”
Jesus.
Emotion washes over Ryo’s face as he takes one half, looking at it as if it’s a rare artifact worth billions of dollars.
For the first time, I feel a glimmer of pity for the guy. I might be pissed off with him for taking Yuki, but I understand why he did it. I’d do the same for my sisters.
“Can I keep this?” Ryo asks. “And the letters?”
“Yes. They’re yours.” She takes the other half of the stick, holding it to her chest. “I wanted to show you that I never forgot about you. Not for a single day.”
Ryo yanks her into a hug, the emotion exploding from them hits me square in the heart.
Watching them reunite, I realize how strong their bond has to be to have survived eleven years of separation. It will kill Yuki if anything happens to Ryo.
Fuck. I’m going to have to protect him and make sure nothing goes wrong.
My eyes settle on Yuki’s face as she wipes a tear from her cheek, and seeing how happy she is, I get up and walk to Ryo.
This time, when I hold out my hand, I mean it. “Peace. For Yuki.”
He rises to his feet and shakes my hand, then says, “Thank you for giving my sister a good life.”
I nod as we let go, then I walk out the sliding doors and join Lorenzo where he’s having a cigarette.
“How are things?”
“Better.” I shake my head as I glance over the garden. “We’re going back to Tokyo to help Ryo take over the Yakuza.”
My friend nods. “I knew it was only a matter of time before we’d head back to Japan to kill Tanaka and his guard dog.”
“The sooner the better.”
“Will you take time off afterward?” he asks.
“Yes.” I glance over my shoulder, and the corner of my mouth lifts when I see how happy Yuki is. “I’ll take a couple of weeks to spend time with my wife.”
He lets out a chuckle. “I think the whole Cosa Nostra will be happy to hear that.”
Chapter 27
Yuki
What a day!
While I’m loading the dishwasher, I think about how close I came to losing everything. If Augusto and Ryo hadn’t made peace, I don’t know what I would’ve done.
Crisis averted. Don’t think about what could’ve happened.
Even though I told Ryo he could spend the night here, he declined, saying he’d be back first thing in the morning.
After the men shook hands for the second time, things didn’t feel as tense anymore, and I could focus on catching up with my brother.
Pressing the start button, I shut the door and let out a sigh as the machine begins to clean the dishes.
When I walk back to the living room, I hear Augusto say, “Thanks, Christiano. I’ll keep you updated as things progress.”
He comes into the foyer, and noticing me, he gives me a comforting smile. “How are you holding up, my love?”
“I’m okay.” I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around his waist, taking a deep breath of his scent. “It’s a lot to process, but I’m happy.” I tilt my head up so I can meet his eyes. “Thank you for not killing Ryo and agreeing to help him. I know I’m asking a lot of you.”
He cups my cheeks, his gaze softening on me. “You’re welcome, my little shapeshifter.” Bending down, he gives me a quick kiss. “I’m going to shower. Get ready for bed.” He pulls away and walks toward the stairs, but then stops to add, “My bed. I want you to move all your clothes over to the third floor. No separate rooms anymore.”
A grin spreads over my face as I follow him up the stairs. “Okay. I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”
When I turn to go to my bedroom, Augusto grabs hold of my hand, and I have no choice but to go up to the third floor with him.
I let out a chuckle as I ask, “What about getting ready for bed?”
“All you have to do is strip naked, my wife. Don’t think for one moment you’re going to get any sleep tonight.”
Ohhhh…
After we walk into Augusto’s bedroom, he lets go of my hand and heads to the bathroom. I hear the shower turn on while I take a good look around me.
Where my bedroom is all light colors, his is dark.
“Yuki,” he calls from the bathroom, and I walk to the door, giving him a questioning look.
He unbuttons his shirt, his expression filled with dominance, which makes my core clench and my stomach erupt with flutters.