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)
Shock ripples over his face. “What?”
“After you left, they injected fillers into my face to make me look like a boy. I was trained to act like you. I was your decoy.”
He shakes his head as he moves from the kneeling position to sit flat on his ass. “Yuki…”
“Once my identity was compromised, they changed my appearance back to normal and arranged a marriage for me.”
He scrubs his palms over his face, and I notice all the tiny scars on his knuckles.
Reaching for his hand, I take hold of it and brush my fingers over his marked skin. “It looks like we’ve both been through hell.”
He shoots forward again and yanks me into another hug. “I missed you so much. I only survived so I could see your face again.”
“Me too.” I choke on a sob, clinging tightly to my brother. “You were all that kept me going.”
The van comes to a sudden stop, and we almost topple over, but Ryo catches us.
When the door rolls open, I look at the older man, not recognizing him. He’s large and bald, looking very scary, but then a broad smile stretches over his face.
“You were right, Ryo. She’s pretty,” he says, gesturing for us to hurry. “Come inside before anyone sees us.”
I’m helped out of the van, and Ryo keeps his arm wrapped around my shoulders as we rush into a building that’s seen better days.
When I’m ushered into an apartment, I glance around the empty space, only seeing two sleeping bags and a small wooden table with an empty pizza box.
“We’ll lay low for a few days before we go home,” Ryo informs me.
“Home?”
“Tokyo.” Ryo sits down on the sleeping bag and pats the space beside him. “Tell me everything. What happened after they took me away?”
“Wait.” I kneel on the thin fabric before sitting back on my haunches. “I don’t want to go back to Tokyo.”
Ryo’s expression grows grim, and his eyes fill with danger. “Why?”
“Because I’m married to Augusto.” Realizing he must be worried out of his mind, I ask, “Do you have a phone so I can call him?”
“You’re not calling that bastard!” Ryo shouts before he makes a visible effort to calm down again. Framing my face with his hands, he shakes his head. “You’re safe now, Yuki. I’m going to protect you. We’ll get the marriage annulled once we’re in Tokyo, and you can do whatever you want with the rest of your life. I’ll provide for you.”
I lift my hand and wrap my fingers around his wrist. “Thank you for coming to me, Ryo.” I tilt my head as I smile at him. “But I don’t want to divorce Augusto. I’ve fallen in love with him.”
A heartbroken expression flits over his face before it’s replaced with more anger. “It’s Stockholm syndrome. I’ll get you help.” He shakes his head as he moves onto his knees, and his tone is filled with urgency as he says, “Everything will be better once we’re back home.”
“No, Ryo.” With a pleading look, I spell it out for him. “Augusto has been nothing but kind and caring. He’s treated me with respect, and not once has he forced me to do anything I didn’t want to. I have fallen in love with my husband, and I want to stay with him.” I pause to take a deep breath before I quickly continue, “Come home with me and meet him. You’ll see he’s a good man.”
When Ryo just stares at me, my stomach sinks, and it’s only then that I think of something and ask, “Were you the person behind the attack on Augusto?”
“Yeah, but the plan didn’t work. I was hoping he’d go to Japan to kill Father, and while he was gone, I’d get you out of that house. Once Father was dead, it would’ve been easy for me to take over as the head of the Yakuza. ”
“Oh, Ryo.” I grip his hand between mine, my eyebrows drawing together. “You didn’t have to do all of that. I know if we talk with Augusto, he’ll help you take down Father.”
The man who drove the van places two cups of tea on the floor, then takes a seat on the other sleeping bag.
“Who is he?” I ask, leaving the tea untouched in case it’s spiked.
“Takeru Mashima. The monk who trained me.”
Takeru nods his head at me, once again smiling.
Turning my attention back to Ryo, I say, “We need to go back to my house. Augusto will worry about me.”
“You’re not going back to that man, Yuki,” Ryo growls.
I climb to my feet and hurry to the door, but before I can open it, Ryo grabs hold of me and drags me away from it.
“Stop!” I shout angrily, and swinging around, I shove at his chest. “I missed you, and I really wanted to see you again, but I won’t let you take me away from Augusto. I’m finally happy, Ryo!” Tears begin to trickle down my cheeks as I meet his eyes. “I’m happy, and it’s all because of my husband, who has done nothing but go out of his way to be good to me. I’m going home. You can either come with me or let me go.”