by Kaylea Cross
Marcus slipped an arm around her and leaned closer to look. “Do you remember this?” he murmured.
She shook her head. It was taken at the beach. She was wearing a red swimsuit with white polka dots on it, and her mother was wearing a deep blue wrap dress that hugged her slim figure.
“I was there,” her great-aunt said. “I took this picture.”
“She was beautiful,” Kiyomi whispered, voice rough.
“So are you,” Emiko said with a fond smile.
The next two hours went way too fast. They told her the story of how her mother and Emiko had become separated. Kiyomi’s grandmother had become pregnant out of wedlock for a second time, causing a major scandal. Her father had sent her away to await the birth of her second child, and Emiko was given up for adoption weeks later. She had only found out about her half-sister when she’d turned eighteen and become curious enough to do some digging.
No one knew anything about Kiyomi’s father except that he had been a Japanese-American sailor stationed here temporarily and he was apparently the love of her mother’s life. After she lost him while carrying his child—whether because he’d left Japan or because he’d died, no one was sure—she’d never been the same. Never recovered from it.
The sadness had been too great a burden for her to bear. And one day, when Kiyomi was still a girl, her mother had finally succumbed to the heartache and taken her life.
When it was time to go, her great-aunt gave her the photograph to take with her. Kiyomi slipped her shoes on at the door and turned to face her hosts, unsure what to say. Her great-aunt and great-uncle—and her mother’s half-sister stood close together, gazing at her with a mix of fondness and sadness.
Putting her palms together, Kiyomi bowed at the waist slightly and thanked them for their hospitality. “Omotenashi ni kansha shimasu.” Her Japanese was far from perfect, but they seemed to appreciate her efforts.
They beamed and replied in Japanese. “It was our honor to meet you.”
She smiled, bowed slightly again, then backed out of the doorway. It had been a long time since she’d come to Japan, on an op that had only taken two days. She’d forgotten how polite everyone was here.
Marcus stepped back, bowed slightly and thanked them in Japanese. Her aunt and great-aunt giggled at his accent, but he merely smiled. They walked down the pathway leading to the front door, pausing at the end of it to wave. She’d promised to keep in contact, and she intended to honor that.
She sighed. Marcus arched a brow at her, his cane thudding lightly on the ancient stepping-stones leading around the side of the compact yard. Even in mid-November the garden was beautiful, full of lush green grass and artfully arranged beds of moss punctuated by Japanese maples turned fiery red for the fall.
“I thought the visit was brilliant,” he said.
“It was.” Better than she’d expected, really. “It must have been a shock for them when I reached out initially, out of the blue like that.” Hey, you don’t know me, but I’m your long-lost relative. Wanna meet up so I can ask you about the past I know nothing about?
“I liked watching you talk with them.”
“I’m so rusty compared to what I used to be. I haven’t worked in Japan since I was in my early twenties.”
He grinned at her. “There’s still so much about you I don’t know.”
“Well, I can’t give you everything all at once, can I? Need to keep the mystery there, keep you interested.”
He made a low sound and tugged her close, spinning her to face him. “No chance of me getting bored with you.”
She melted, put a hand on his bearded face. “Thank you for bringing me here. For being there for me, and not just today.”
Since Jane had died Kiyomi had done three more therapy sessions. Marcus had sat with her through them, her strong, steady rock. He’d even talked about doing some sessions on his own soon, to deal with everything he’d been through. They both wanted to move forward without the chains of the past to drag them down.
“It’s my privilege. And they were wrong, you know.” He searched her eyes. “You’re even more beautiful than your mother was.”
At that, she smiled. “I love you for saying that.”
They walked through the village hand in hand, taking in the sights. All the homes here were old and built in the traditional style, something that was lacking in the bigger cities like Tokyo.
At the top of the hill, they paused in front of a Shinto shrine with its distinctive tiled roofline and exterior timbers painted a bright, vivid red. The cherry trees were nearly bare, but in the spring she could imagine how they would look bursting with clusters of fluffy pink blossoms.
She pulled in a deep breath, gazing around. “It’s so peaceful here.” Every day she felt more at peace. Her old life was over. She finally had answers to some of the questions that had always haunted her. And she had Marcus.
“Aye.” Marcus stopped and bent down. She glanced at him, thinking something was wrong with his shoe.
But he was gazing up at her, on one knee as he set his cane aside and took her hand.
Her heart began to pound. He wasn’t going to— She was just reading this wrong, he couldn’t possibly be—
Marcus reached into his pocket and withdrew a little paper origami crane. “You know I love you.”
She nodded, speechless, heart thudding in her ears.
His eyes were so full of warmth it made her heart clench. “You already own my heart. You may as well have the rest of me too.” He held up the crane to her, nestled in the center of his palm. “Marry me, love, and be mine forever.”
Hardly able to believe this was real, she took the crane. Inside it was a diamond solitaire ring with a thin, white gold band. Simple. Stunning. And perfect for her.
She opened her mouth to speak, but only a tiny sob came out.
Kiyomi dropped to her knees in front of him and flung her arms around his neck, burying her face in his throat. “Yes,” she choked out, then laughed in pure joy. “A million freaking times, yes.”
Epilogue
Christmas Eve
“How’s it coming in here?”
Kiyomi looked up at Trinity standing in the bedroom doorway. “It’s…I dunno.” She switched to Japanese and spoke to her aunt and great-aunt, who were both muttering to each other as they fussed with the obi tied around Kiyomi’s waist. “This sucker is a lot harder to put on than you might think,” she said in English to Trinity.
“Oh, but the results are more than worth it.” Trin beamed at her as she came forward in her plum-colored maid of honor gown. She stood behind them, meeting Kiyomi’s gaze in the antique full-length mirror placed in the corner of the room. “You look so gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” She smiled at her reflection. Her hair was pinned up with little wisps escaping to frame her neck and face, and her makeup was subtle. “I wasn’t sure about this design initially, but now I’m glad I went for it.”
As a nod to her mother and Japanese heritage, her wedding dress was kimono-inspired. The head seamstress at the bridal shop in town had custom made it for her. The main part of the gown was an ivory satin, with wide kimono-style sleeves.
Kiyomi had commissioned her to make the obi out of the same plum-floral fabric of the robe she’d worn the first night she’d gone to Marcus. That night would always signify the moment when she’d fallen in love with him, and she’d wanted to incorporate it into their special day.
“Is everyone else ready?” she asked Trinity.
“Yep, all present and accounted for.” She folded her arms and leaned against the wall, watching Kiyomi, her wedding band gleaming on her finger. She and Brody had tied the knot at his family’s horse farm in the Shenandoah Valley two weeks earlier, with all the Valkyries and their partners in attendance. Now everyone had reunited once again here at Laidlaw Hall to celebrate another wedding. “You nervous?”
“Not even a little.” She tugged at one layer of the obi, trying to line it up with the
others, and got her hand smacked for her trouble. Her aunt reprimanded her in Japanese, now gathering the folds of the obi together to form the bow.
She grinned at Trinity in the mirror. Her Japanese family still had no inkling of what she was, or anything about her former life as an assassin. When she’d invited them, they’d jumped at the chance to fly here for the wedding, even before Kiyomi had insisted on paying for their trip. “Guess I’ll just stand here and let them do their thing.”
“I think that’s a wise decision.”
Finally, her aunt and great-aunt stood, turned her a few times to inspect everything, then smiled their approval and deemed her ready. Her aunt took her by the arms to give her a wobbly smile. “Your mother would have been so proud of you,” she said in Japanese.
Kiyomi bowed slightly, touched. The picture of her and her mother was sitting in a frame in the master bedroom up on the top floor. “Thank you, aunt.” Both women kissed her cheek and left to go take their seats for the start of the ceremony.
Trinity walked up and put her chin on the top of Kiyomi’s shoulder, looking into her eyes in the mirror. “Look at you.”
“I know. Hard to believe, right? I’ve come a long way, baby.”
Trin laughed. “I’ll say.” She wrapped her arms around Kiyomi’s waist from behind. “How’s the shoulder holding up?”
“Still attached.” The swelling in her left arm and hand was finally gone. Everything was healing well but she had radial nerve damage that meant the back of her arm and hand ached constantly. Her range of motion was slowly improving, but it would never be one-hundred-percent.
A small price to pay for her freedom, and the chance to marry the man she loved.
They both turned when Eden appeared in the mirror, carrying two bouquets she’d made for the occasion. “Ready in the nick of time,” she said, handing Kiyomi hers.
“Just gorgeous, thank you.” Kiyomi raised the bouquet to her nose and inhaled. “Mmmm.” She recognized the white flowers. “Gardenia?”
“Yes. They represent joy. The pink peonies represent a happy marriage. And irises, to symbolize faith, valor and wisdom. I thought that represented you the best.”
Aww. “And there’s something poisonous in here too, right? I’d be disappointed if there wasn’t.”
Eden grinned. She was a new bride herself, since she and Zack had eloped when they’d gone back to meet his dad and stepmom. “Well, maybe just a couple things.”
“That’s my girl.” Kiyomi hooked an arm around her neck and pulled her in for a hug. “It’s gorgeous and I love it. Thank you for being here.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”
Chatter came from the hallway as a group of people approached. Kiyomi picked out Chloe’s voice long before she came into view.
The blonde stopped short in the doorway, staring at Kiyomi, her diamond engagement ring sparkling on her finger. Heath had proposed back in the States after he’d taken her rock climbing. “Holy shit. Now that’s a wedding dress.”
“You like?” Kiyomi did a slow circle as the other Valkyries spilled into the room amongst oohs and aahs.
“I brought the ring bearer,” Megan said, grinning as Karas trotted past her. The dog came right up to Kiyomi and sat, ears cocked. She was still daddy’s girl, but Karas was completely devoted to Kiyomi now as well. “She’s got this down by heart, since it’s her second time.”
“Sweetheart, you look stunning,” Kiyomi told Karas, reaching down to ruffle her ears. Eden had even put a mini bouquet in her collar with flowers to match Kiyomi’s bouquet.
Trinity clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “I’m still team leader, whether you bitches like it or not.”
“Bitchilantes,” Chloe corrected with a frown.
“So all of you march your butts down to the conservatory. Sync your watches, because this operation’s starting exactly on time.”
“Wait.” Everyone stopped to look at Kiyomi. She’d sworn she wouldn’t get all mushy and emotional, but having all her fellow Valkyries here to support her on this special day meant the world to her. She held out her arms. “Group hug?”
Chloe led the charge. In under three seconds flat she was engulfed by her sisters. One last hug, and it was time to go. Trinity herded everyone out of the room, went down to make sure the coast was clear, then came back up for her. “They’re ready for you.”
Kiyomi reached for her hand. She’d been thinking of what to say to her for weeks now. “I need to tell you… This wouldn’t have been possible without you. I was…broken when I came here. You helped me put the pieces back together again. You’ve been there for me at every turn, good and bad, and I just want you to know I love you for it.”
Trinity flushed a little and smiled. “I love you too, sweetie. But you put yourself back together. Because you’re the strongest one of us all.” She squeezed Kiyomi’s hand, excitement brimming in her dark blue eyes. “Now let’s get you down to your sexy husband.”
Marcus was about to become her husband. What an incredible thought.
It felt like she was dreaming as she followed Trinity down the stairs to the main floor. As it was Christmas Eve the manor was done up in all its holiday splendor, the air smelling of evergreen boughs.
Her heart started to beat faster as they passed the library where the largest of the Christmas trees stood, glittering with lights and ornaments in front of the tall windows.
Trinity led the way out the back door to the conservatory. She paused at the door to look back at Kiyomi. “Ready?”
“Yes.” There were no nerves. No little whispers of doubt or fear in the back of her mind, that she was making a mistake, that he would be in continual danger because of her.
She was ready to claim her man once and for all in front of everyone she cared about.
Trin winked. “See you on the other side.” She swept into the conservatory and walked up the aisle.
Kiyomi waited until the music changed. No one was escorting her up the aisle. She was giving herself away, and that was as deliberate as the flowers Eden had chosen for her bouquet.
Everyone turned to face her as she stepped over the threshold. She didn’t even notice any of the others, her gaze finding and locking on Marcus. He stood waiting for her at the same spot where Megan and Ty had married a few short months ago, stunningly handsome in his tux, and—
He shaved off his beard.
Showing her that he no longer felt the need to hide his scars from her or anyone else. She was so damn proud of him.
A wide smile spread across his face as he locked gazes with her. She smiled back, her heart aflutter as she walked toward him.
She’d never imagined loving anyone this much. Hadn’t realized herself even capable of it until him. Now everything had come full circle for her and the family gathered in this room.
It was because of Marcus that they had been brought together here initially. Laidlaw Hall had started out as their headquarters, and become her refuge.
But the man waiting at the end of the aisle for her would always be her home.
—The End—
MARCUS’S YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS
(Makes 6 large puddings, or 12 small ones)
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup flour, sifted
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold milk
½ cup cold water
4 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or roast drippings for the batter, plus a small, additional amount for the bottom of each muffin tin
METHOD:
-Either by hand or in a blender, beat eggs and oil, water and milk
-Add flour and salt and blend/beat until smooth and frothy
-Let the batter sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour or more (tip: store in a measuring cup for ease of pouring into tins later)
-Preheat oven to 500 degrees
-Put a small amount of oil or drippings into the bottom of each section of your muffin tin (12 for a re
gular muffin tin, or 6 for a large one), then heat the tin in the hot oven for 1 minute
-Stir batter one last time, pull tin out of oven and immediately pour batter evenly into tins
-Bake until puffed and beginning to brown (depending on what size you are making, it could take anywhere from 8-20 minutes), then turn oven down to 400 degrees WITHOUT OPENING OVEN, and continue to bake until golden brown and crisp
-Do NOT open oven door while the puddings are baking, or they will collapse
-Serve with lots of gravy!
Dear reader,
Thank you for reading Beautiful Vengeance. I hope you enjoyed the finale to this series. If you’d like to stay in touch with me and be the first to learn about new releases you can:
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Happy reading,
Kaylea
Excerpt from Broken Bonds
Crimson Point Series
By Kaylea Cross
Copyright © 2020 Kaylea Cross
Chapter One
Aidan shut the bedroom door behind him quietly and headed for the kitchen. Ella looked up from where she was sitting at the island in the fading afternoon light, devouring her allotted amount of leftover Halloween candy for the afternoon. “Don’t spoil your supper.”
“I won’t.” She shoved a miniature chocolate bar into her mouth, then frowned. “Mom’s sleeping again?”