Page 30 of Fatal Temptation

“Yokota or Sato-Walsh?”

The corners of Akio’s mouth creased.

“Either will do it.”

“True.”

He lowered his head, nose finding the crook of Akio’s neck. He drew in a breath, Akio’s scent filling his nose. It was mixed with the soap he had in the shower and a pinch of his cologne. Despite the bag full of his own clothes and his washing machine, Akio was still mostly wearing Lucas’ clothes, and it drove him fucking crazy. He liked it more than he would ever be brave enough to admit.

When he pulled back, Akio was staring into his eyes with such unwavering determination he felt his heart skip a beat.

“Tell me about it?”

Akio looked so genuine. So invested. He couldn’t have kept his mouth shut if he wanted to.

“In the past few years, a new trafficking ring has sprung up. We’ve had a hell of a time trying to shut it down. We only catch a few of the lowlifes involved. Save a few girls. No matter what we do, they’re always ten steps ahead of us. We don’t know who’s at the top. No one talks.”

Akio was looking down at his hands as he spoke low, “They filled the void my father left behind.”

The guilt lacing Akio’s voice was like a sting to his heart.

He grabbed Akio’s hands, making him look up. “This isnotyour doing.”

Akio’s lips trembled.

“He’s dead because of me,” he whispered.

“No.” Lucas shook his head. “He’s dead because he was a monster. He’s dead because Diesel killed him.”

“He wouldn’t have if I?”

“No,” he snapped, cringing when Akio jerked at his harsh tone. He raised his hands to cup Akio’s face, thumbs brushing across his cheeks. “There was no way he was getting out of that situation alive. If it hadn’t been Diesel, it would’ve been Chris or me. Do you understand?”

There were tears in Akio’s eyes as he nodded slowly.

He knew the second Akio’s mind went into the past, the look in his eyes far off. It had happened a lot in the beginning when he’d still been in the hospital, just after escaping his father.

He tugged Akio toward the couch, making him sit down next to him.

“It was cold and dry,” Akio muttered.

Lucas kept his mouth shut, staring at Akio who was wringing his hands.

“My skin would get so dry and dusty, and it would get really scratchy.” Akio looked up, meeting Lucas’ gaze. “Why is that the thing I remember?”

He reached for Akio though he didn’t touch, didn’t want to cross any boundaries Akio might have as he recalled his trauma. Akio smiled softly at him and then he was crawling into Lucas’ lap, knees on either side of him, arms wrapping around the back of his neck while Akio hid his face in Lucas’ chest.

He listened to Akio’s breath as he held him tightly, not letting go until Akio pulled back. He brushed Akio’s hair out of his eyes, loving the sweet smile Akio gave him.

He knew exactly how to bring Akio out of this damaging mindset. He’d done it hundreds of times before.

“You want some chocolate?”

Akio’s smile turned almost bashful as he nodded. Lucas leaned in for a kiss, stopping a hairsbreadth from Akio’s lips to let him press their mouths together in a soft brush of their lips.

He turned to put Akio onto the couch so he could get up and headed toward the kitchen and the chocolate bundt cakes he’d bought for him.

“Maybe my father didn’t just leave a void,” Akio said, voice low.

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