“Fine.” I stand back and give him a once-over, noticing how much he’s changed. There’s a new scar on the side of his neck, and the lines on his face seem more brutal than when I last saw him.
“How have you been?” I ask.
“Busy as always, but I had to make time to come meet my nephew and congratulate you. I can only stay a week.”
“I’ll take it.” Grabbing hold of his arm, I drag him toward the stairs, but as Augusto comes down, I stop.
I watch my husband hand our son to Ryo, and as my brother’s lips part and a look of wonder settles on his face, I begin to feel emotional.
With my hormones still settling after being pregnant, the tears come fast, and there’s no stopping them.
“Fuck, Yuki.” Ryo looks at me, pride tightening his features. “You’re a mother.”
I let out a sob and wipe my tears away with my fingers. “I am.”
Augusto rubs his hand up and down my back and says, “Let’s move to the living room so we can sit.”
Just as we turn around, Mom comes in from the direction of the sliding doors. “Ryo! What a pleasant surprise.” She hurries closer and presses a kiss to his cheek, then shoots us a glare. “No one told me you were coming to visit.”
I don’t hesitate to point a finger at Augusto. “I’m innocent. I was also kept in the dark.”
“So much for through thick and thin,” he mutters, his tone carrying no bite. “I wanted to surprise Yuki.”
“I can keep a secret,” Mom says while she adjusts Kai’s blanket.
“No, you can’t. You and Yuki are thick as thieves.”
Letting out a burst of laughter, I shrug. “He’s right. You would’ve told me.”
Over the past decade, Mom has become my best friend. The only thing I don’t share with her is details about my sex life.”
“Where do you want the bags?” I hear Dad ask, and glancing over my shoulder, I see him come in with more baby stuff.
“We’re running out of space to put it all,” Augusto complains.
“It’s for our grandchild,” Mom chastises him. “I’ll make space.”
We finally move to the living room, and once we’re all seated, Ryo presses a kiss to Kai’s forehead.
When he takes a breath, I say, “Careful, you’re going to get addicted to his scent.”
“Too late,” my brother murmurs, his eyes not leaving his nephew. “He’s perfect.”
Just like my life since I married Augusto.
Augusto
With my parents and Ryo visiting, I decided to fire up the grill, and as the steaks sizzle and the mouthwatering aroma fills the air, I listen to Dad and Ryo talking about work.
“How are things with the other group that’s trying to move into your territory?” Dad asks, his arms crossed over his chest and his expression serious.
“I have it under control,” Ryo replies before taking a sip of his drink.
Right after he took over the Yakuza, a few of the men formed their own organization and tried to oppose him. As soon as Ryo dealt with them, another group popped up. It’s become an endless cycle that I don’t think will ever end. It’s just how things are in our world. There’s always a new enemy to deal with.
Ryo’s eyes meet mine. “I have new transport routes, so things are running smoothly on that front.”
“Good.”
