I stare at the texts with my lips parted and my jaw practically hitting the floor.
When I went to my father’s house this morning, I didn’t check my messages or my phone, because my entire focus has been on outsmarting my father and Akira.
But now, when I’m about to call Nate, I noticed the series of texts Sebastian sent me.
Or more like, Akira.
The nerdy pen pal that I always pictured to be quiet and introverted with some sort of a behavioral problem isn’t my husband. He’s not the man I married, distrusting every word he said in his letters because of his elusive nature.
Akira is none other than Sebastian.
I read and re-read his words, thinking I’ve missed something or that it’s a figment of my imagination. Maybe I’m so worried about Sebastian’s state that I’m starting to see things.
But the words in front of me don’t lie. Every confession aligns with what I’ve known about Akira all along. And it’s not only his way of talking, but also the little things that have stood out over the years for me when it came to Akira—my husband—and I brushed them off as unimportant.
Such as his lack of a sense of humor. My husband is cold and calculated, and no one can accuse him of being playful. There’s also the age part and how he’s not from Tokyo, and lately, I discovered he’s into knife play, not breath play like Akira from the letters—Sebastian.
All of those things should’ve been signs, but I wouldn’t have suspected him, not when he was being judgmental over my fantasies that he himself triggered. Asshole.
And yet, a smile breaks on my lips and my nose tingles as moisture gathers in my lids.
Akira from the letters is Sebastian.
He’s not my unfeeling husband. When I thought he was, I mourned the friendship we could’ve had but didn’t.
Turns out, it’s been an entirely different person all along.
I’m mad about the whole double identity thing, but at the same time, I can’t help the giddiness at knowing he was there for me from the beginning. Even before we were officially together.
“Something good?”
I lift my head from my phone to stare at Kai. He’s driving the car after he insisted on escorting me to wherever I wished to go.
There’s a chance he’s doing this to spy on me for my father, but there’s a reason I’m risking having him with me.
I drop the phone in my bag and stare at him. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
His lips twitch slightly as if he’s well aware of everything going on and is just watching it unfold. “If you say so.”
“Why are you here, Kai? Shouldn’t you be torturing Sebastian, per your boss’s orders?”
“Do you want me to torture him?”
“That’s not what I meant.” The mere thought of him being hurt causes my stomach to cramp.
“Then what do you mean?”
“You shouldn’t be helping me.”
“Too late for that. Besides, I’m along for the ride and to see what you’ll do.”
“You heard me talking to Ren, didn’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“Are you going to tattle?”
“Tattling is Ren’s characteristic, not mine.”
“Are you mad at him for selling out Akira and, therefore, endangering your alliance?”
“I don’t get mad, Ojou-sama. You should know that about me by now.”
“You must feel something for what Ren did.”
“Hmm.” He taps his finger against the steering wheel as he takes a sharp turn to the left that surprisingly doesn’t jolt me from my seat. He drives like he lives, always on the edge but without actually making a fatal mistake.
“What does ‘hmm’ mean?”
“The only feeling I have about Ren’s actions is curiosity. He’s dug himself into deep holes on all fronts and it’ll be nearly impossible for him to escape them all with his head in place, no matter how otherworldly he thinks he is. It’ll be fun to watch.”
“That’s all?”
“That’s all.”
“Are you telling me you wouldn’t punish him?”
“If Abe orders it, of course I’ll cut him limb from limb and feed him to my dogs.”
“So much for loyalty.”
“I’m loyal to principles, not to people, as Ren should’ve been.” He brings the car to an abrupt halt. “We’re here.”
My insides knot as I stare through the window at the grandiose mansion sitting on a large piece of land. I’ve been here before, but it was under different circumstances.
I suck in a sharp breath, then step out of the car. Kai accompanies me as I stand in front of the large metal gate and retrieve my phone.
My hand trembles when I dial Nate’s number. I called him as soon as I found out about Sebastian’s captivity and convinced him to be the meditator between me and his parents.
I could tell Sebastian’s uncle doesn’t like to be in debt to his parents, but since it’s about his nephew, he agreed.
Nate picks up after one ring. “Are you here?”
“Yeah.”
“Come inside.”
The line goes dead as the gate opens with a creaking sound. I hesitate and Kai watches me closely as if ready to catch me if I fall, even though both his hands are inert by his sides. He’s armed, though. He always is.
“I can go on my own,” I say.
“Nonsense.”
I lift my chin. “You don’t think I can do this alone?”
“Of course I do, but you’ll do it faster if they think you could pose a threat.”
“This isn’t the Yakuza, Kai. Brian Weaver is a politician.”
“Which is another word for a mobster.” He motions inside. “Come on.”
We walk from the gate to the entrance, and although it’s not really far, it feels like it takes forever.
A petite woman with a guarded expression opens the door and welcomes us inside.
As soon as we step in, Nate appears in the entrance. He’s aged like fine wine and is heading in the silver fox category with flying colors. I’ll always respect and adore him for the role he played and continues to do so in Sebastian’s life.
He stares at Kai for a beat with his critical gaze, then directs it at me. “Remember what I told you on the phone. Don’t try to play on their sympathy. Just their pride.”
I nod, even though I have no clue how I would do that. One would think that when they realize their grandson is in danger, the most logical thing would be to try to save him, regardless of the price.
Apparently, that doesn’t apply to the Weavers.
Nate leads me and Kai to what appears to be a reception area. Brian Weaver, who’s wearing khaki pants with a white shirt, sits on a chair and is reading from a newspaper. His wife, Debra, is glowing in a designer skirt suit. Pearls surround her neck and dangle from her ears and her golden hair is gathered in a sophisticated bun.
She’s sipping from a cup of tea that she places on the table next to her upon our arrival. Brian stares at us from over the top of his newspaper, but he doesn’t put it down.
“Hello there,” Debra says in a honeyed voice, with a smile that is so fake yet she doesn’t attempt to hide. “After your audacious appearance in the charity event, I didn’t believe we’d meet again under these circumstances, or any circumstances, really. Don’t you think you have some nerve to show up here?”
Nate stands in the middle of the room between us and his parents, his jaw flexing. “Naomi is here because Sebastian has been abducted again, and she knows of a way to save him.”
“Save him, then.” Brian pierces me with his gaze. “You’re obviously the reason he’s in this predicament, and the least you can do is get him out of it.”
I grind my teeth to hold on to my patience. “If it were that easy, I wouldn’t have shown up at your door.”
“Why have you, then?” Debra clicks her tongue as she takes a sip of her tea and mutters under her breath, “I told Sebastian a seamstress’s daughter isn’t fit for him, but he never listens.”
“Tsk.” Kai shakes his head at them. “Don’t talk to her that way or disrespect her again, or you won’t live to see the headlines written about you.”
Brian folds the newspaper as a red mist crawls up his skin. “Are you threatening me and my wife in my own house?”
“I’m merely relaying ground rules. Naomi has a family behind her, one that is a lot more powerful than your little senate. If you and your wife wish to escape our wrath, do not speak to her in a holier-than-thou tone.”
I elbow Kai. I know where he’s coming from, but threatening the people whose help I need isn’t how I planned to go about this.
Surprisingly, though, Brian straightens and Debra clears her throat. Nate smiles a little, seeming to be enjoying their discomfort a bit too much.
“What do you want?” Brian asks me.
“I know of a way to help Sebastian, and that can be done by blocking my husband’s business ventures. You’re the only one with enough power to do it fast and efficiently.”
“Why should we do that?” It’s Debra who asks, her voice hardening with every word. “From what Nathaniel told us, it’s your father’s doing. The same man who not only murdered my eldest son but has also been threatening my only grandson’s life.”
“You’re not doing this for me, you’re doing it for your grandson. Your own flesh and blood whom you gloat about all the time. You owe him that.”
“Do not lecture us, young lady.” Brian stands up, his shoulders crowding with tension.
“I’m not lecturing you. I’m asking you to do the right thing and help Sebastian.”
“And then what?” Debra takes a sip of her tea. “Say we do as you suggest, will you leave this time?”
“Mom…” Nate warns.
“What? Her father killed Nicholas!”
“After you sent him away. After you disowned him because of your foolish pride. You’re as guilty as the killer.”
Her lips tremble. “Blame me all you like, but the murderer’s daughter doesn’t get to be with my grandson. Surely even you can see how messed up this whole thing is.”
“That’s for her and Sebastian to decide, not you. Stop meddling, stop trying to make your word law, and stop being an unpleasant presence. Just stop.”
Debra’s hand shakes and some tea spills over the rim of the cup she is holding as she places the saucer on the table. She stares at Nate as if he’s grown three heads. “Nathaniel! Did you call my presence unpleasant?”
“Do the right thing.” Nate’s gaze flits between his parents. “For once in your self-indulgent lives, do something for someone other than yourselves.”
The tension in the air could be cut with a knife. Both Brian and Debra seem like they want to hit Nate for his insolence and he appears to be waiting for any move just so he can hit back.
“I know you care about Sebastian,” I say quietly as they keep glaring at each other. “And while I can’t promise to stay away from him, I promise to get your grandson back. So please help me help him.”
It’s late when Kai and I leave the Weaver mansion. Brian and Debra are still making calls and pulling strings, and while I’d rather stay there and make sure everything’s going according to plan, it’s obvious that our presence isn’t appreciated.
As a compromise, Nate remained behind to keep an eye on his parents and will send us updates when everything’s done.
At this rate, Sebastian will spend the night in the cell, all alone and cold, just like seven years ago.
The thought of what my father—and Akira—would do to him just to prove a point drops my blood pressure and makes me feel faint.
“Do you think they’re torturing him?” I ask Kai as he drives down a deserted road.
“Could be.”
The world closes in on me from all sides. My stomach churns and nausea assaults me in blinding waves. “Stop the car.”
Kai hits the brakes and I struggle with the handle before I nearly throw myself out. I use the door for balance to keep myself standing and suck in long intakes of fresh air.
It manages to chase away the nausea, but it doesn’t erase the constant ache in my stomach.
Kai appears in front of me, one hand in his pocket and the other offering me a handkerchief. That’s when I realize tears are sliding down my cheeks.
I wipe them away fast, not wanting him to see me this weak and out of sorts.
“You care about him that much?”
I bunch the handkerchief in a fist. “Why else would I sacrifice seven years of my life?”
“I figured it was because of Mio.”
“She’s not the only reason.”
“Why him? His family thinks so little of you, and not only that, your father was the reason he was orphaned.”
“We don’t really get to choose who. It just happens. Like it just happened that you saved me nineteen years ago.”
“That was neither coincidence nor fate. I decided to take action.”
“Then take it again.” I release a long breath, trying not to sound helpless or like I planned this all along when I allowed him to come. “Help me, Kai.”
His features remain unchanged, though he tilts his head to the side slightly as if that will allow him a better view of me. “With what?”
“I have something on Akira, an image I can threaten him with for the rest of his life, but I don’t have anything on my father. In fact, he has Mio to hold over my head. Even if I get Sebastian out this time, there’s no guarantee that he won’t kill him just to put me in my place. And I can’t…” I gulp past the lump that’s gathered in my throat. “I can’t live in that type of fear anymore.”
“I don’t see where I come into this.”
“You can give me something to use against him.”
“Let’s say I do have that something. Why would I hand my boss’s weakness over to you?”
“Because you care about me.”
“You flatter yourself, Ojou-sama. I care about no one. I’m merely curious.”
“You do care. It might not be conventional or normal, but you always have since that day you killed Sam to save me. It was your first kill and you told me yourself that act holds a special place in everyone’s lives. Yours included.”
“Let’s presume I do. That doesn’t give me a reason to divulge Abe’s secret.”
“Is my life reason enough?”
He narrows his eyes and a gust of air causes his long hair that’s tied at his nape to fly in the wind. “Your life?”
“The same life you’ve taken pride in saving all these years like you do with your hard-earned swords. I know you see me as some sort of an accomplishment, Kai. Probably the first thing you ever considered to have value. And I hate to end that just to force your hand.”
“Is that a threat, Ojou-sama?”
“No, I’m merely telling you how it will go if I don’t live with Sebastian. I love him, Kai, and you might not understand what that means, but for me, that love is what makes my life wholesome. I can no longer live away from him or be content with watching him from afar. So if you’re scheming with my father to shove me back with Akira, then I’ll kill myself and finish the life you take so much pride in.”
I’m breathing harshly, my limbs shaking due to the force of my words. Kai remains inert, unmoving, as if I hadn’t said anything.
“Well played, Ojou-sama. I knew I saw something in you even when you were nine.”
“Does that mean you’ll help me?”
He reaches into his jacket and I think he’ll retrieve a gun and shoot me for thinking I could threaten him, but he produces a small black leather notebook and slips it into my bag.
“What’s…that?”
“Abe’s little black book.”
“What?”
“Your father has a system of scamming his most important clients. Once every few years, he’ll sell them a forgery among many genuine paintings. They’re used to the best quality from him, so they never suspect it. Even when the paintings are found out to be fake, they blame their own people, not Abe. It’s a fine line so he can’t scam the same person twice or the same group of people within a close timeframe. When he was younger, he used to do this proficiently and even kept us, his closest circle, out of it so he could reap all the profits. I only found out about this practice when he started to keep a record due to his faulty memory a few years ago. That little black book contains the names of the paintings, the people he’s scammed, and the years it happened. He’s been agitated since he lost it and stopped the whole scamming business altogether. That’s why he’s desperate about the alliance with Akira. It’s for protection more than anything because even though he stopped, he’s still in grave danger if that ledger comes to light. We’re talking about other powerful crime organization leaders and influential figures who wouldn’t hesitate to torture and kill him.”
My mouth falls open, then closes. “And you’re giving it to me?”
“You asked for something to use against your father. That’s his biggest weakness.”
“But you could’ve used it to push him out of power and then become the leader.”
“I’m not interested in being on the front line, Ojou-sama. Real leadership is done from the background.”
Why am I not surprised that he’d rather be the one to pull the strings without showing his face? Kai is a strategist, after all, and even though my father is the head of the Yakuza, Kai might’ve been the power behind it all along.
“Don’t speak a word about having the ledger,” he continues. “Let me do the talking with Abe. I’ll tell him Akira somehow got hold of it and gave it to you. That way, Abe will always be wary of both of you and wouldn’t dare to threaten you again.”
“Thank you, Kai.”
“You’ll only be holding it for me. When I want it back, you’ll give it.”
“And when will that be?”
He lifts a shoulder. “When I’m sick of using Abe as a front.”
“You’ll kill him?”
“Why? You don’t want that?”
“I don’t care as long as Sebastian, Mio, and I are out of this.”
“You and Sebastian are debatable. Mio isn’t. She wants the marriage and no one will stop her.”
“Not even you?”
“Not even me.” He stares at his watch. “But shouldn’t you be worrying about Sebastian?”
My upset stomach tightens at the mention of him and the thought of what he must be going through.
The unknown awaits us, but this time, I won’t let it rip us apart.
