Page 55
“It’s a kimono robe. They’re traditionally worn for formal events like funerals, New Year’s, even weddings.”
“Your mother’s.”
Her grandfather’s words have her shaking, but only I notice as she delicately places the robe back in the box.
“She wore that the day she stepped into this family. It was a gift from me to her as a welcome to both her… and you.”
I watch as Natalie traces the gold design on the fabric as she licks her lips.
“You knew?” she asks softly. “You knew my mother was already pregnant?”
“Yes.”
Okay, I know that’s a big hell no in this culture. At least for the old-school kind. From the way her grandfather is acting, he’s the quintessential stickler for ancient rules and traditions. And having an out-of-wedlock child is huge.
“Why did you agree to her marrying your son?” She looks at him, and I see she didn’t call the man her father. Someone she must have known in that role but never felt close to.
He squints his eyes tight, seeming troubled, but he doesn’t look away.
“I promised your grandmother that I would take care of her.”
“You knew my grandmother?” The awe in Natalie’s voice is so pure that I almost ache for her.
He nods. “Yes. It was a long time ago. But I promised her I would, and I keep my promises. I gifted your mother this kimono as a sign of family the night before her wedding to my son. Now I gift it to you.”
“Why?” I interject as I see the wheels turning in the old man’s eyes. Something is missing. Something he’s intentionally leaving out.
“Does a grandfather need a reason to give a gift to his granddaughter?” he asks with an air of superiority about him.
“Where I come from,” I say as I lean back, stretching my arm across the back of the couch, “the answer is usually a resounding yes. And I would assume so here too, since you all seemed fine letting her leave five years ago without a word from you.”
“Were we not the ones who helped in her rescue?” He seems almost appalled that I’m not kissing his feet at this. But for all this “love” for his granddaughter, he fails to note the surprise on her face.
“Were you?” I tilt my head at that and glance at Natalie to see where she’s at. She’s not panicking at the news, which is good, but I don’t know if she’ll hate him or me once I speak again.
“From what I was told”—because I was the dumbass who got shot and missed the whole thing—“some woman who one of our old ladies tracked down begrudgingly showed us the location where Natalie and a friend were being held. But when pushed on details as to how she wanted to help rescue Natalie, she made it pretty clear that her orders were only to get us in. Not to get anyone, including Natalie, out. Alive or dead, even.”
If this old man thought he could weasel himself into some kind of thanks from either her or me, he’s mistaken.
The club was looking for Ruby and Natalie everywhere. Colombia wasn’t on our radar, but I have to believe we would have found it. Eventually. The only thing this old man may or may not have done was provide intel. I’m still not sure if I trust that it was him who passed it along. It was given to the team that went in, but it only saved them a head start.
With a heavy sigh, Natalie puts the gift box on the floor and looks at her grandfather.
“I don’t have a gift for you, Grandfather. I humbly apologize. However, I would like to know what it is you requested me here for. I don’t believe it was to give me a gift that you’ve had all this time.”
“I would prefer to discuss it in private,” he says, but I grin wide.
“Ain’t going anywhere, Pops.” I raise my feet and set them on the coffee table, which is probably some piece his ancestors had for years and has been passed down through the generations.
It looks old as shit.
“Very well.” Gramps glares at me for a moment, then turns his attention to Natalie. “The time has come for you to uphold your promise.”
“And what promise is that?” she asks cautiously.
“To marry.”
She blinks. The only sign that she heard him before she speaks. “That promise was made when it was to Benji Tanaka. You told me when I left that I wouldn’t be asked to remake that promise.”
