Page 57 of Secrets & Sake

“Was there any chance you could have taken him and run?” I ask.

“I considered it, but I knew Namikawa would never stand for such a betrayal. He would hunt us down, and I did not want Raiden to grow up living on the run. I’ve worried about him for many years,” Hideyoshi admits, a pained look on his face. “I worried he wouldn’t let anyone in to see the best of him. He has a soft heart. Always has. But he’s learned that soft hearts are easily broken.” A smile casts away the pain on his face. “But he’s different with you. He isn’t afraid to be open, to let you see that soft heart he’s guarded so fiercely all these years.” He places a warm hand on my shoulder and squeezes.

I can hardly stand to meet his gaze, shame sour in my throat.

“Thank you for taking good care of my grandson.”

Oh, god. He’s killing me here… “I care about him. A lot.”

“I can see that. Be patient with him. He wants to be loved, Hiro, but he fears it, as well. It will take time for him to truly bare his heart to you, but he will. I can see it, sure as day. So wait for him.”

There’s a lump in my throat when I croak, “I’m glad he has you.”

“As am I. He is precious to me. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t sacrifice for him.” There’s a weight to his words, the way he sort of sighs them heavily. I can sense whatever he’s sacrificed by raising Raiden; it’s been a lot. And yet, I can tell that to Hideyoshi, Raiden is worth it. How can I disagree with that? Hideyoshi guides me back to the car.

“What’s on the agenda for you today?” I ask as Hideyoshi drives me to my apartment.

“I’ve got a few debts to collect,” Raiden says.

Worry makes my stomach churn. “Be careful.”

Raiden smirks. “I will. It’s easy work. My debtors usually pay right on time. I never have trouble.”

“Call me when you’re done with your tasks. We can have dinner.”

“Sounds good.” He runs his hand along my thigh but doesn’t tease me. He touches me without the expectation of anything more. Like he just enjoys having his hands on me. “Want to meet at the Lotus?”

“Sure.”

I’m disappointed when he stops the car outside my apartment. “Have a good day,” Hideyoshi says.

Before I can get out, Raiden grabs my wrist and tugs me close. I lean over and kiss him. It’s slow and sweet, and I never want it to stop, especially not when he tugs on my hair and slips me just a bit of tongue to get my blood heating.

Raiden whispers, “Come over to my place tonight. I’ll fuck you just the way you like.”

I bite his bottom lip so I don’t moan. “I can’t wait.”

He grins. “Later, Sunshine.”

I leave the car on wobbly legs, wondering how I’ll focus for the day when all I can think about is Raiden’s hands on me, his taste, his seductive promises.

The minute I’m upstairs, I open up my laptop and continue my investigation into Yuki Katagiri. It takes some scrolling, but I eventually find the Facebook page of a woman who seems old enough to be Yuki. She isn’t very active online, but I find a photo of her taken in January during a birthday celebration. She’s 105 years old this year. Wow. She sits in a wheelchair, and beside her, one arm around the chair, is a pretty young woman. Young enough to be a granddaughter. A quick search through her friends list, and I find the woman in the birthday picture.

Ami Omeda. And I was right. She’s the granddaughter. I open up her inbox and type a message, explaining that I’m investigating the disappearances and that I’d like to hear her grandmother’s story. I hope she’ll get back to me soon.

My phone buzzes. I snatch it up, but my smile falls right off my face.

It’s not Raiden.

It’s my dad. Fuck. I completely forgot my family was flying in this week for Katsuki’s birthday.

Dad: Your mother wants to know if you are coming to Katsuki’s birthday dinner on Thursday.

Right. Mom wants to know. Dear old Dad couldn’t care less if he sees me or not. She always was trying to make us get along, but she never shielded me from his callous disapproval. She never stood up to him… then again, neither did I.

I reread the short text. Should I respond? What do I say?

My phone buzzes before I’ve made up my mind. Damn it! I hate it when people answer a text with a call.

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