‘The ship was attacked.’
‘Reuben’s team fended off the intruders.’
Not in our favor?
The Queen’s Diamond is nowhere to be found.
And everything officially goes to shit from that moment.
Chapter 12
Reuben
I walk into my father’s office to see him pacing furiously.
Mother is rigid at his desk, and Aster and Baal hover quietly in a corner of the room, whileBaachansips her tea by the couch in front of the fireplace.
All eyes are on me the moment I enter.
Father is the first to reach me, scanning his eyes up and down as he holds me by my shoulders. I have a good three inches on him, yet his grip is like steel, a quiet show of his control and a silent reminder of his strength. A white-collared shirt clings to his build, tucked into black slacks, and his slanted dark eyes are a mirror of mine, framed by short, black hair.
“I’m fine, Father,” I assure him.
“No, you’ve lost your bloody mind.” His glare would surely makeBaachan’sspirits run for the hills, but I could swear I feel a tremor in his hold, the barest hint of his fear for me. Yet it’s useless for him to try to hide it, because I can see it in his energy—his panic and worry finally subsiding now that he has me in his hands… It makes me feel just a little bit guilty.
“You know I can handle myself,” I speak clearly but his eyes only narrow, his grip tightening and making me wince.
“I know you can handle yourself around men three times your size and five times your number,” He agrees. “But theoceanis something completely different, Reuben.”
… Fair point.
“What the hell were you thinking?” Father hisses.
“Reuben’s not one for thinking, Shou,”Baachananswers for him with a dismissive sigh, before turning to me. “Come sit by the fire,crazy child,” the last words are spoken in Japanese and my response slips into her tongue.
“I’m fine, Baachan.”
One pointed stare from her and I’m shooting Baal and Aster a look for help, but their eyes are all but saying this one’s the grave I dug myself.
Petty fucks. They’re just happy to see me being the one on the ropes for a rare moment.
I sit by the fire before she can drag me by my ears, grateful enough that I didn’t bring my team in to see this.
“You could imagine our surprise when we received the call from Aster,”Mama’svoice when she finally speaks is icy, watching me from her spot by Father’s desk. Her feet are lapped, tall blue heels strapped to her ankles beneath a blue pencil skirt and her white shirt creases at her elbows where her arms are folded. “But I’m sure you can’t imagine what it was like to be toldour sonjumped overboard in a completely sane state of mind.”
“Not sane,amor,” Father interrupts, “I’m telling you he lost his mind.”
“I haven’t lost it, Father,” my nose wrinkles. “I had to retrieve one of my men.”
“We’ll talk about the competence of your team separately,”Mama’svoice remains cold.
I have to grit my teeth to hold back the retort, holding it tensely on my tongue as my mother and I glare at each other without a word. Even when seated, she’s a tall woman with icy brown eyes, high cheekbones and olive skin. Her hair is so blonde it looks white, falling in a single plait that travels to her waist, and accented by escaping curls.
I release my irritation with a sigh, “What was the diamond doing there?”
Mama’seyes narrow as I change the subject but Father places a hand on her shoulder and she relaxes visibly.
“The boy took it without notifying his family,” Father’s voice is grave.
