Page 71 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

"No, I'm my mother's son and my father's son. Hell came afterwards when you crucified my mother until she died giving birth to me. My parents could have lived a healthy, happy life with me if it wasn't for you."

"She brought shame to our family."

"You pretty much did that all on your own. Whipping a five year old child because they snuck a piece of bread because they were starving is shameful. Locking a seven year old child in a room alone for three days with no food or water is shameful. Forcing a nine year old boy to kneel in the snow for two days because you didn't think he was respectful enough is shameful. There are a lot of things you have done that are shameful." I cocked an eyebrow. "Even illegal."

"I am the head of the Kaneko family," the man snarled. "You're a disrespectful little brat. I was disciplining you for your own good. That is not illegal."

"Yes, it kind of is."

My head snapped around and I stared at the woman on the couch in disbelief. I hadn't heard her say a single word since the moment we met and now she decided to speak?

Why?

"There are laws against abuse, Mr. Kaneko, even in Japan." When she stood, she no longer seemed like the timid little woman my uncle had first introduced to me. She had more poise now, more confidence.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"My name really is Emiko Tanaka," she replied with a smile. "I work for the Ministry of Justice. Before your grandfather died, he sent us a file and asked us to investigate Mr. Kaneko and his abuse of you over the years."

My eyebrows lifted in surprise. "If you're investigating him, how did you end up as my fiancée?"

The woman smirked, which strangely enough was a good look on her. "Can you think of a better way to stay close to him during my investigation?"

Only if she was in bed with him and that was just gross.

"Technically, I am not your fiancée," she continued. "While my family is wealthy and I am sure my father wishes I would retire and provide him with numerous grandchildren, my husband understands that I like my work."

"Husband?" I asked. "You have a husband?"

"He's a section chief at one of our police prefectures. We met on the job."

"She's lying!" First Uncle snapped as he struggle to get past me.

I quickly turned and stabbed my needle into his neck. First Uncle dropped to the floor, unable to move, but his eyes spoke volumes. He wanted me dead and in the most painful way possible.

"Well, that was effective." Emiko laughed. "Maybe you can leave him that way until my people get here? I have a jet on standby to take him and his men back to Japan where they will stand trial for a great many things."

"Miko."

I turned and raced over to Jos, launching myself at him. I knew he was wounded, and I wasn't positive all of the blows had landed on his face, but I needed to feel his heartbeat against mine.

"Are you okay?" I asked after several moments.

"I'm okay, Miko, but I need to call Ken. He's bringing the cavalry, remember?"

I nodded absently. "Make sure he brings medical personnel." I glanced at my father and Mrs. Gibbons. "I don't know how injured they might be."

"Mr. Kaneko had one of his men use chloroform on them when we arrived," Emiko said. "They should be awake soon."

Before anyone could say anything else, the front door slammed open and Wade and Axel came in pushing four bound men in front of them.

"Found some critters outside, Boss." Wade pushed one of them to his knees and then another while Axel did the same for the rest. "Thought you might like have them all in one place."

"There's one in the dining room," I said. "I'd like my needle back."

I wanted all of my needles back.

"Mr. Kaneko originally came with ten men," Emiko stated. "This should be all of them."

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