Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 96404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Naomi sits on the chair across from him, but instead of taking the other available chair, I sit on the armrest and wrap an arm around her slender shoulder. Her breathing slows for a bit and she flashes me a small smile.
“We would’ve if you’d left,” I tell Akira.
“So it appears I cockblocked you just like my wife did not so long ago. Now, where was I? Right. Naomi. Have you forgotten our deal?”
“No, but I also don’t want to do this anymore. I won’t be accompanying you at public events either.”
I stroke her shoulder but remain silent. I understand her need to personally do this, so I just support her through it.
Akira leans forward in his seat, intertwining his fingers. “The point of keeping an image is to appear in public together.”
“We won’t need to, because you’ll divorce me.”
“And if I say no?”
“I already made my threat. I won’t repeat it.”
“You don’t want to stand in the way of my plans, Naomi. I can and will crush you both. It wouldn’t feel so great if Weaver here dies of an accident similar to his parents, would it?”
I stiffen. “How the fuck do you know about that?”
“Because I have connections. Don’t make me use them.”
Naomi lifts her chin. “Don’t make me use what I know either.”
“Is this your final decision?”
“Yes.” She doesn’t hesitate.
“I hope you’re ready for the consequences.”
I jerk up, march over to him, and grab him by the collar. “Threaten her again and I will fucking kill you.”
He merely smirks as he shoves me away, then looks at her. “Making an enemy out of me is a grave mistake and you know it, my dear wife.”
“Get the fuck out.” I motion at the door.
He nods at her and leaves, walking as slowly as physically possible.
After the door closes behind him, Naomi slumps in her chair, holding her head in her hands.
I go to her and gather her in my arms. She doesn’t fight as her trembling body snuggles against my chest. “It’s going to be okay, baby.”
“No, it won’t. There’s also Mio. I can’t let her pay the price for my actions.”
“She won’t.”
“You don’t know my father, she most definitely will. I…I have to talk to Akira. He’s the only one who can help.”
“I will not send you back his way.”
“It’s not like that. I just need to use his weakness against him.”
“And what’s that?”
“His interest in Ren. He was looking at his pictures just now.”
My brows furrow. “The same Ren who abducted us?”
“Yeah. He’s one of my father’s men.”
“And Akira is interested in him?”
“More than interested. He’s no longer asexual because of him.”
“Why didn’t you use it before?”
“Because I only just found out about it. They’ve met a few times before this year, but this is the first time Akira has acted on his sexual desires. As far as I know.”
“I still don’t like this.”
“It’ll be fine. I promise. Just give me a few days.”
“One day.”
“Sebastian!”
“One. I can’t stay away from you more than that. Not after I finally have you again.”
She rolls her eyes but drops her head on my chest and absentmindedly strokes my arm. I breathe her in, reveling in the peaceful moment.
It took us so long to get to this point and I’ll do everything in my power to protect our new beginning.
It’s still fragile, but it’s ours. Mine and Naomi’s.
My phone vibrates and I retrieve it, thinking it’s work.
But it’s a text from an unknown number.
This is Akira. I forgot to share something earlier. Fine, I didn’t forget. I just enjoy playing with you. Here’s the thing. Naomi thinks I’m the one who sent her those letters. The ones you used to send through your old Japanese address. See, my family owns that building and I was curious when I learned someone from the United States had rented a PO box with my first name on it and made a request that his letters be sent from that Japanese address back to the States. I thought to myself, there must be a story there. And what a story it was. I read your letters, then put them back into the envelopes and personally handled the shipping. Aren’t I a good cupid? But then I thought it would be a beautiful twist of fate if I was the one to have her. As it happened, her father was seeking my alliance and I found the golden opportunity to use her for my own benefit. Don’t you think it’s a wonderful coincidence that your middle name and my first name are the same, Sebastian Akira Weaver?
39
Sebastian
Though letting Naomi go is the last thing I want, I do it anyway.
We parted ways as soon as we got to Brooklyn and I might have made out with her for long minutes in public and gave people a show they don’t need.