I make sure to watch Yami’s face closely. If she’s lying, I’m going to ensure I pick up on it. “I’m not in the Yakuza. I’m just a woman who fled Japan after my father joined. He was dead to me when he did. I was able to get a job as a translator for a company in Las Vegas, but I needed them to sponsor me to obtain my visa. They did that and I worked there until I was twenty-two, but over the four years I’ve been here I’ve been able to get my citizenship. I never had any desire to go back to Japan.”
“How did you go from being a translator to wanting to work in a brothel?”
Yami’s expression falters, and the first thing I recognize is shame. “I . . . I slept with one of my bosses at the company. When I ended up pregnant no one really thought anything of it, but last year the owner of the company asked me if Mari was my boss’ child. I could’ve lied, but I didn’t, and the owner ended up firing me for breaking the contract. We weren’t supposed to have relationships with other employees. I tried to get another job as a translator but . . . I couldn’t find one. Not one that would give me the option to have daycare for her like my last job did. I had little money and I couldn’t afford to work with Mari at daycare. All of my money would go to the daycare provider and I wouldn’t be able to provide for her. I . . . I lost all hope of doing well in this country. We were in a small one-bedroom apartment until a couple months ago,”
Yami looks directly to Sakura now. “Sora paid me a hefty bit of cash to become your friend, to somehow weasel my way into your life. I took the money because I didn’t have any other option. Mari needed a good life, so I took it, and I’m so sorry. But your mother didn’t like how I wasn’t getting anywhere, making progress that is. So, she took my daughter and has had her for weeks. She gave me a heads up that you had an open call for brothel workers and I tried to get in. I made it my mission actually. I needed to get the job so I could get Mari back.”
While Sakura is passionate, she’s turning red in the face with fury. “Did you even need the job in the brothel in the first place?”
Yami nods, “Yes, I have no other options at this point. The money your mother gave me will run out soon.”
“How much money did she pay you?” Amara asks the question we’re all wondering. Yami said it was hefty, so I’ll assume it’s twenty-thousand or so.
“Five-thousand dollars.”
“Fuck,” Damon mutters under his breath, shaking his head. Sora Kobayashi obviously took advantage of this woman who was in a tough spot. We already knew she was a monster, but this just makes her even worse than we’d thought.
I hate admitting this, but I see a woman who’s desperate to keep a roof over her daughter’s head and food on the table. The woman I see in front of me doesn’t seem malicious in the least bit. She’s only trying to do what’s best for her child.
“We need to come up with a plan and quickly. This little girl can’t be with my mother or her men for long. It has to be traumatizing the little one.” Sakura states, looking to Damon and Amara.
“Alright, so this is what we’re going to do . . .” Amara starts off and we all take a seat. When it comes to children, we’ll do whatever it takes. We won’t ever leave them behind.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Be enough for yourself first. The rest of the world can wait
~ FW
Sakura
We’ve agreed to meet at a location in the desert just after dusk. One where Cobra and Mouser were at a couple weeks ago to spy on Cobra’s father, Titan. They’re familiar with the place so they know the vantage points which will work.
Damon said he’d have three guys up on the hill with sniper rifles ready to take whoever down after the transfer was made. I’d be handed off to my mother or her men and Yami’s daughter, Mari would be safely with her.
Amara made it a point to tell Yami to get behind the car as soon as she had Mari, because it’s likely gunfire will be shooting off in every direction. I’m only hoping that this plan they’ve made goes off without a hitch.
Mouser told us his younger sisters were on their way out to the club and would be here within a few hours, before we go do what we have to after sunset so this is going to be the most awkward thing ever. Amara took Yami’s phone and texted a number for one of my mother’s men, instructing them to meet her there tonight because she’d be tricking me into going with her to look at a property, obviously I’m in on all this, but my mother nor her men know about it.
So, we have to act all dandy and perfect until just before we’re about to leave. Yami’s going to take me in her piece of crap car to the meeting point and the guys would already be there. Everything is going to be okay. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. There’s always the possibility this could go horribly wrong.
With every passing day this month the temperature has been fluctuating, but today we’re blessed with a relatively cool day. Mouser and I sit out front at one of the picnic tables, sipping on iced teas and trying to relax even though we know what’s coming up later tonight is scary.
“You realize you’ve never told me your name, right?” I say, trying to loosen up the mood. Or at least, I was trying to. Knowing his full name might be a good idea considering his sisters are coming to visit and will be here any minute.
“Christopher Michael Valentine,” He says, cringing his way through it. “But my Dad gave me the name Mouser, ‘cause I’m talented when it comes to trackin’ people down.”
“What’s your Dad’s road name again?” I ask, knowing I’ve heard it before but it’s slipped my mind.
“Bow, ‘cause he’s an archer and he hunts. It’s the name Fist gave him way back when.” Fist, the former National Charter Prez. He died recently protecting one of our own, Alexa, who’s Bull’s ol’ lady up at our Billings, Montana charter.
Tires rolling over the dirt and gravel colored lane down to the clubhouse cause us both to look up and I can already see two women. One’s driving and has long blonde hair, while the other’s eyes are glued to her phone in the passenger seat. The one in the passenger seat has long curly brownish hair from the looks of it.
“The blondie is Lennox, and the other one is Farrah.” Mouser says as he gets up to greet his sisters. They park right next to the bikes and Farrah is quick to jump out of the car and go running up to her brother. Lennox takes a bit longer and casually walks up to Mouser, hugging him as well.
I approach the group of siblings slowly, waiting for the right moment to be introduced to the two women. Mouser takes a step back and smiles wide. “Girls, this is Sakura. She’s my ol’ lady.”
Farrah rushes over to me and traps me in her embrace. However, Lennox isn’t so welcoming. She crosses her arms and looks at her brother like he’s lost his mind. “You, settling down . . . really?”
“When you find the right one, it’s all you want to do. Surely, you’d know that.” Mouser retorts, eyeing the massive rock on her left hand.
“Congratulations,” I say, and Farrah releases me. “It’s so nice to meet you both. I’ve heard such lovely things about you.” Which is a lie. I haven’t heard hardly a thing about them, but I’ll say whatever I have to make them like me.
Mouser means the world to me, so these girls approving of me means a lot. “Do you want us to show you where you’ll be staying while you two are down here?” Mouser asks them.
“That would be great. We need to catch a breather and unpack.” Farrah says.
Lennox rolls her eyes, “Farrah might need to do that, but I came here to spend time with you so I’m good.”
Farrah goes back up to the car with her brother by her side. The two of them grab their bags and take them up to one of the empty trailers. Honestly, I think the club is going to leave that one for guests. It makes the most sense, especially since they’ve built the two houses for me and then the whores. Gosh, I hate calling them that. But I have come up with the perfect name for the brothel. I’m going to call it the Bad Bunnies Brothel. It sounds cute, and sexy. Perfectly Las Vegas if you as
k me.
Lennox and I both walk back over to the picnic table and she sits directly across from me. “How did you and Mouser meet?” Oh, wow. Already diving into the questions.
“Through the club. My Uncle is a friend of Damon’s, an ally, and so we’ve known each other for a few months now.”
“Have you always been . . . you know, together?”
“No. It’s a recent thing. We were friends first,” I say.
“Okay, well, if you hurt my brother, I won’t hesitate to grab a bat and break both of your scrawny little kneecaps. Got it? I didn’t think he’d ever open his heart to another woman after the last one, so I won’t let you hurt him.”
While I don’t like being threatened, I understand why Lennox is being so protective over her brother. “I don’t want to hurt him. Mouser has . . . really enlightened my life. He makes me feel things no one else has ever been able to, and because of it, I don’t want to let go of what we have.”
“Good. It’s nice to see him so happy. He was thrilled when he came down here, but I see a different type of happiness radiating off him now. There’s only one thing that can cause it— love.”
A few weeks ago, I would’ve been terrified beyond belief at what Lennox just said. However, I’m growing to want Mouser to love me. The same way I crave to adore him in every way possible. Honestly, if he were to ask me today, I can guarantee I’d tell him how I truly feel. I’d end up confessing the man has stolen my heart, and how even though it does scare me, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Now I’ll just have to spend the next few hours with him and his sisters, before we prep to go on one of the most heart pumping expeditions of my life. But, at the end of this day Mari will be back with her mother and that’s the most important thing.
We’re reuniting a family today.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Remain calm in every situation because peace equals power
~ Joyce Meyer
Sakura
Yami’s driving her old early two-thousands Honda Accord up the interstate. Mouser gave her instructions on how to get to the destination, plus helped her put the address in her GPS. The guys left an hour ago, with Amara. I think everyone besides Kade and Cobra are coming out here for this.
It warms my heart to know so many people are determined to not only protect me but get this child back with her mother. “I’ve never been this nervous in my life,” Yami blurts out as she makes the left hand turn onto the dirt road. We’ll be there in a couple minutes and now she’s starting to freak out? This is horrible timing.
I know she’s focusing on the road, but I look right at her and speak with confidence oozing off me. She needs this right now. She needs a cheerleader to tell her everything will be okay. Am I certain it will be? No. However, I’m wishing everything turns out the way it needs to.
“Yami, you have nothing to be nervous about. You met my mother’s demands and captured me. You’re handing me off for an even trade so you can get Mari back. That is what’s happening today. And, your instincts are going to make you feel like you should get behind the vehicle. Everyone on their side will think you’re putting Mari in her car seat, so it won’t look suspicious. You’ll trade me for your little girl, and then you’ll keep her safe. That’s the only thing you need to worry about. Alright?”
“How can you be so calm right now?” She asks as we reach the dead end and she turns her car so it’s parallel just like Damon instructed her earlier today.
“Because I don’t have a choice, Yami. If you look nervous everyone is going to know something’s up. So, remember what I just said to you. You have nothing to worry about because you’ve done as my mother’s asked and you’re getting your daughter back. If anything, you should be mentally prepared to celebrate. Don’t you worry about me, because I’ll be fine. I have plenty of backup here.”
“I don’t see anyone,” Yami states, looking through the windows of her car.
“That’s the point. You don’t see them, but they’re here.” Now I’m looking through the windows and I see the cliff that’s up a couple hundred feet. I’d put my money on it that’s where the snipers are. Widow, Damon and Hawk are the best shots in the club or at least that’s what Mouser told me, so fingers crossed we don’t run into much trouble. Chaz, Mouser and Amara must be around here somewhere but I won’t keep looking around. It’ll make things look weird if my mother and her men show up soon.
Tires rolling over rocks cause both Yami and myself to look to the right. The passenger side of the car is facing the other vehicle coming up the way and the blacked-out SUV is a sure signal this is one of my mother’s vehicles. It stops about a hundred meters away from us with the lights on and three people step out of the vehicle.
“Come here Yami, we’ve got an even trade for you.” A man’s voice calls out into the darkness, walking slowly into the light. A small shape appears next to the man, looking more like a silhouette.
“It’s go time. Let’s get your girl.” I encourage Yami. She needs to show nothing but strength right now. She exits her side of the vehicle and walks around to the front, opening the door to my side and I play the part.
“What are you doing!? Who is that?!” I yell at her, trying to sell this. If I were to say nothing and act like this isn’t shocking . . . well, everything would go down the drain.
“Get out of my car right now,” Yami snarls, grabbing ahold of my forearm, she throws me down onto the dirt below us. Damn, she’s selling this shit. She slams the car door and looks down at me. “Go over to that man right now.”
“Why in the hell would I do that?” I snap back at her, cocking a brow, looking at her like I hate her entire existence.
“Mama,” A small voice cries out, “Let me go!” The mere sound of her shriek causes every blood cell in my body to freeze. Glancing up, I see the man still has a stern grip on Mari’s arm.
“I’ll be right there baby. Just give Mama a minute, okay?” Yami hollers back, grabbing me by the back of the hair. “Get the fuck up right now, Sakura. I’m done playing games, and don’t act like you don’t know what this is. You’re going back where you belong, with your mother.”
She begins to yank my hair until I’m standing up and for a split second I’m wondering if everything she said to us was the truth or a big fucking lie. Hell, she could just be an amazing actress. Yami pushes me forward and I’m forced to continue forward until we reach the halfway mark. The man stands there and we make the exchange at the exact same moment. I’m pushed forward into his chest while he hands Mari over to Yami.
The sound of feet slamming against the ground is what gives me the impression Yami is running back to her car with her daughter. My back is turned, so I can’t see if they’ve made it.
“Did my mother send one of her errand boys to come fetch me?” I snarl, deciding to antagonize the man.
“Bosu!” He calls, calling the term boss in my native tongue. The SUV door opens again and I see her sandals before I can see her face. She stands ahead of me and shakes her head.
“Sakura, how could you do this to us . . . tsk. Now we’ll have to teach you a lesson like we taught Asami. I wonder if when she burned . . . she thought about the horrible choices she made against her own family.”
Something in my mother’s voice makes me feel like something isn’t adding up. She said she taught my sister a lesson. “Wait. Did . . .” Everything that’s happened over the last year floods through my mind. Every memory, every reaction, every single moment. “Did you do that to her?” I ask, feeling as if I finally know the truth regarding the situation.
Out of nowhere I hear a round of shots being fired and the man standing next to my mother drops to the ground. My mother on the other hand pulls out a gun and points it right at my face.
Her true colors finally being shown.
“You did, didn’t you? You killed your own daughter?!” I scream out, angrier than I’ve ever been before.
She snickers, “I didn’t kill her. No,
the Bears MC did that for me. She needed to be punished for everything she did, how she betrayed our family— her family.”
“You . . . you acted like it was such a shock. Both of you did! Was he in on it with you? Did father know!?” I snarl, taking a step forward but I hear the click of the safety being pulled and know this woman, the one who birthed me, might be as heartless as they come.
“Your father is a feeble fool. I’m the real brains behind both of our successes, Sakura. Surely you understand that. Now, say hello to your sister for me.” She giggles, and I hear another shot ring out, instantly closing my eyes, waiting for it all to stop. For everything to go black and never to feel another thing ever again.
Only, nothing comes.
Instead, another thud hits the ground and I see my mother lying against the dirt with a hole in her head. Blood oozing out of her wound and the men who were with her on the ground in different locations.
I don’t know if I can believe what just unfolded before my eyes. It feels like a dream, like it was a figment of my imagination and in no way reality. Although, I’ve been on this Earth long enough to know true evil. After experiencing it firsthand I can only wish my mother’s foul nature was caused by an evil spirit. My religion can’t even convince me of that, even though I want everyone to be good and pure. Some people just aren’t. Some individuals are just like my mother, miserable and ready to wreak havoc wherever they go.
Rumbling bikes come flying down the road and Mouser’s form comes into the shining lights of the SUV and crashes into my body. His arms wrap around mine, holding me close and he whispers that everything is going to be okay.
“S-she killed my sister. It w-wasn’t the Bears MC. Our m-mother put the order in.” I cry out, every feeling of betrayal and heartache pouring through me. I still can’t grasp why she would do something like this. How it would be even remotely acceptable to end your child’s life when you were the one who brought them into this world.
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