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)
Yuki
(Twenty minutes earlier…)
After checking the fridge and pantry, I place an order for a delivery before going outside to do some pottery.
I’ve been making a variety of sizes of pots, and once they're all ready, I plan to give one to each of the women in the Cosa Nostra when I host a brunch.
Last week, Samantha said it’s a good idea, and she’ll help me organize the get-together.
I sit down, and pushing my foot down on the pedal, the wheel begins to spin as I gather some water to wet the clay.
My thoughts turn to last night, and I smile as I relive the romantic date and intimate moments I shared with Augusto.
Our marriage is now consummated. All the worry about having sex for the first time has rolled off my shoulders.
I remember the way Augusto looked at me. I can still feel his hands on my body, and I’m tender between my legs.
A happy sigh escapes me as I sit and daydream about the most unbelievable night of my life.
The doorbell rings, pulling me out of my deep thoughts. I quickly wipe my hands on a rag I keep nearby and call out, “Rocco! My food delivery is here.”
Getting up, I walk into the house, and when I hear footsteps behind me, I glance over my shoulder and smile at Aldo.
“Rocco is using the restroom,” he explains. “I’ll get the delivery for you.”
“Thank you.”
I wait to the side as Aldo checks through the peephole. He keeps his hand on his weapon as he opens the door, but the next second, shopping bags are thrown at him. As he brings his weapon up, a man performs a move I’ve only seen in movies and practically flies over my guard.
Before I can even think to scream, he disarms Aldo and slams the gun against his head.
As Aldo drops to the floor, my eyes widen in shock. I’m grabbed by my arm, then my body goes airborne as I’m hauled over the man’s shoulder.
“Rocco!!!” I finally manage to scream at the top of my lungs while trying to free myself from the man’s tight hold. “No! Let me go!”
The man carries me out of the house as if I weigh nothing, and no amount of slamming my fists against his back deters him from running to a van and tossing me inside.
NoNoNoNoNo!
My kidnapper gets into the van and pulls the door shut behind him, then shouts in Japanese, “GoGoGo!”
The tires squeal as the van shoots forward, and scared out of my mind, I get my first good look at the man who’s dressed in a delivery uniform.
My breathing speeds up as we stare at each other, and even though he looks familiar, his features have changed too much for me to be sure it’s him.
“Hi, Yuki,” he says, a smile tugging at his mouth. “I told you I’d find you again.”
Intense goose bumps spread over my body, and I’m inundated with such a strong emotion, I forget to breathe. “Ryo?”
When he nods, I dart forward, throwing my arms around my brother’s neck. He engulfs me in a tight hug, his body so much bigger since we last got to hold each other.
“Yuki.” He lets out a sigh that sounds like it comes all the way from his soul. “I’m so sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner.”
We pull apart and stare at each other.
For eleven years, I hoped and prayed to be reunited with my brother, but now that the moment is here, I’m too overwhelmed to think straight.
I take in all the ways he has changed from a boy into a man. There’s a scar that runs through his right eyebrow and a bigger one across his cheek. I also see ink peeking out from the collar of his shirt, and there are more scars on his forearms.
My brother is all muscle and reminds me too much of a seasoned Yakuza soldier.
Sadness creeps into my heart as I ask, “What did they do to you?”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” Ryo’s eyes begin to burn with anger as they drift over my face. “I heard about what happened to you.” Lifting his hand, he cups my cheek. “After I left the monastery to join the Yakuza, you were already gone. I overheard Yutaro laughing with some of the men.”
He pauses for a moment while he shakes his head, and when he speaks again, his voice is filled with hatred. “I heard they gave you to a Sicilian after he almost killed you.”
When I see the promise of death in Ryo’s eyes, I quickly shake my head, but before I can say anything, he growls, “I’m going to kill him for daring to touch you.”
“No!” I scoot closer to Ryo, giving him a pleading look. “It was a misunderstanding. Augusto thought I was a man because Father made me pretend to be you.”