Capitolo 17 :: 17

Pubblicato: 15-04-06 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 15-04-06

Commenti: Something's budging...

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He stared at the cloud-laden sky, wishing he was one of those clouds. Wishing he’d be able to get away from everything and everyone.  

Wishing he’d be able to get away from these feeling inside him.  

Wishing he’d be able to get away from her. Wishing to be rid of her, of her constant presence in his mind… in his heart.  

Taking the last drag of his cigarette, he flicked the butt away, folding both his arms under his head, sighing tiredly. How he wished he’d be able to forget her.  

Bending his knee, Ryo leaned his foot against the hood of his Mini, enjoying the hard, cold feel of the windshield under his back and shoulders. He didn’t want to be comfortable. He wanted to lie on this hard surface, hoping it would ease the suffering in his heart.  

She was marrying Mick. She was definitely marrying his best friend. And there was nothing he could do about it. Even if he talked to her. Even if he managed to gather his courage and confess what he felt for her, pour his heart and soul out for her, it still wouldn’t do any good. She has decided. She has chosen.  

She has chosen Mick.  

It was over. It was all over…  

She sat on the low bench in front of her brother’s grave, fiddling with her engagement ring.  

This time she didn’t feel her brother’s calming presence in the air around her. She didn’t feel her brother’s fingers on her cheeks. She was alone. Completely and utterly alone.  

Did she make the right decision? Was it right to marry Mick, while she still had second thoughts? Was it right to trap him in a union that was probably doomed? Was it right to marry Mick, while she loved someone else?  

At that thought, her head snapped up, her eyes round and frightened. Where did this come from? She loved someone else… Shouldn’t there have been a ‘too’ attached? She loved Mick, too… Right?  

What has she done? What was she thinking? What was she to do now?  

»Big brother, « she whimpered. »What is wrong with me? «  

All was silent, just the sky above her groaned ominously.  

»I’d really appreciate some help, here, Yuki. «  

The black clouds above her were pierced by a lightning and rain started pouring down.  

Kaori grimaced, jumping to her feet. »Gee, thanks! « She lifted one foot. »These are Gucci boots, FYI. «  

The rain started falling harder and the wind picked up, howling and slamming the water against her.  

Glaring up at the sky, she yelled: »I’m gonna get you for this! Couldn’t you have sent a memo or something?! «  

The sky was pierced by lightning again and thunder roared directly above her.  

Kaori yelped and ran off the cemetery, growling curses through her teeth.  

Mick was sitting on the sofa; calmly sipping his orange juice as the door slammed open and his fiancée came cursing in, wet as a drowned rat.  

»What happened? « As soon as the words left his mouth, he wished he’d keep quiet. If looks could kill, he’d already be minced meet.  

»What happened? « Kaori moved her wet hair out of her eyes. »What happened?! If you haven’t noticed there’s a storm raging outside! «  

»Where have you been? «  

»Cemetery. « She moved to the bedroom, tugging her wet shirt off her shoulders. »I needed to talk to my brother. «  

»Aha. « Mick followed her, swallowing as she was left only in her bra. »What did he say? «  

She turned, hands on hips. What did her brother say? Nothing. He clearly showed her, he thought her stupid by sending this storm from hell on her head. Cocking her head, she watched Mick gaze longingly at her breasts. Maybe if they…  

Lightning struck fast and furious, the thunder rattled the windowpanes.  

Oh, screw yourself, Yuki! Striding purposefully toward Mick, she grabbed his head, pulling him closer. »Make love to me, « she murmured, before kissing him.  

Mick tensed as another lightning struck, blowing the power off. What was she doing? She was trying to forget about everything – about Ryo – by sleeping with him.  

Her small tongue stroked against his and Mick was lost. Groaning into her mouth, he grabbed her waist, pulling her flush against him as his tongue delved deep.  

Mewling, Kaori pressed herself against him, keeping her eyes open. She so didn’t want to let her imagination take advantage of the situation. She knew who she’d see if she closed her eyes.  

Mick was beyond reason as he lifted her so she could cross her ankles behind his back. It’s been more than a week since he last felt her naked against him. And right now, he didn’t want to think about her reasons for this sudden passion. He just wanted to drive himself into her, feel her squeeze around him…  

As he lowered her onto the bed, a loud rap sounded at the door.  

Mick shot upright, rubbing his hands over his face. What the hell was he doing?!  

Kaori stared up at him with clear eyes. »What is it? «  

He stared down at her. She didn’t look like a woman who has just been interrupted in the throes of passion. She looked completely calm. Detached even.  

»I… « He cleared his throat. »I’d better go see who it is. «  

She sat up, tugging at his belt loops. »It’s probably someone from the personnel. It can wait. «  

He stepped back, out of her reach. If she touched him, he knew he’d be lost. »It might be important. «  

Kaori sighed heavily, watching him hurry out of the bedroom. There went her chance for oblivion. Slipping off the bed, she went to join him.  

She found him in front of the closed door, a piece of paper in his hand. He didn’t look good.  

»What is it? «  

Mick was silent, staring at the note with a strange expression.  

»Mick? « She walked to him. »What is it? «  

»Pack up, « he said hoarsely.  

»What? «  

»I need to get you out of here. «  

She stared at him in utter incomprehension. »What in the world are you talking about? «  

He shoved the note under her nose. »Read! «  

Her eyes flew wide. »What the hell?! «  

Ryo sat on the windowsill, staring out in the darkness of the storm. He felt just like that. Desolate, gloomy, furious…  

He slammed his fist against the window. He really should stop thinking about her. He should at least try to forget her and live on. Move on.  

He chuckled. He’s been living with memories of her for the past four years. How could he even think it would be easy to forget her now? Now that he knew, she was alive and well. Now that he knew, she was even more beautiful than his stupid mind remembered… Now that he knew, she was with his best friend.  

»Damn it, Saeba, « he snarled at his reflection in the window. »Get a grip, man. Think about something else! «  

The doorbell rang.  

Thanking whomever it was – at least he’d be able not to think about her for a while – he went to open the door… and his jaw crashed to the floor.  

Kaori, arms akimbo, stared at him mutely.  

He blinked, his gaze moving to Mick behind her. His friend was grim. »What’s going on? «  

Mick pushed Kaori inside, dropping a bag at her feet. »I need a favor. «  

Ryo shook his head to get rid of the buzzing in his ears, softly closing the door. »Okay. You know you just have to ask. «  

»I need you to keep Kaori with you for a couple of days. «  

Kaori growled.  

Ryo had to pick his jaw from the floor again, before he could go: »Huh? «  

Mick rolled his eyes, dragging Kaori to the couch and pushing her down, so she would sit. »Look, man. I need a place to stash her. «  

Kaori scowled furiously.  

Ryo knew he was being repetitive, but he just couldn’t help himself. »Huh? «  

»You’re the only one who can protect her. «  

Ryo went into sweeper mode in a blink of an eye. »What happened? «  

Kaori rolled her eyes. Sheesh!  

»And what do you mean I’m the only one who can protect her. You can protect her just as well. «  

Mick shook his head. »No. I have to draw him away. «  

»Why? «  

»Someone wants her dead. And we have to make sure that doesn’t happen. «  

Ryo’s heart stilled. Under Mick’s gaze, his face darkened, turning into a mask of fury. »Who’s the bastard?! « He growled.  

Kaori shot to her feet. »I don’t need to stay here! I can take care of myself! «  

»Someone you know quite well, « Mick murmured.  

»Who?! «  

»Hello! « Kaori stuck two fingers in her mouth, whistling. »Am I invisible here?! I said… «  

»Shut up, Kaori! « Mick’s words cut like a whip.  

She closed her mouth, staring at him with a hurt expression.  

»Thank you. « Mick turned back to Ryo, showing him the note.  

The sweeper started cursing in three different languages.  

Mick smiled humorlessly. »Now you see? «  

»I see. «  

»Will you help me? «  

Ryo’s gaze promised death. »I’ll help you. «  

Mick put a hand on his shoulder. »Thanks. «  

Ryo just nodded as Mick turned and walked to the door.  

»Mick… « Kaori ran after him, grabbing his sleeve.  

He turned, staring at her in silence.  

»Be careful. «  

He smiled. »You’ll be safe here. Ryo will protect you. «  

»I will, « Ryo murmured behind them. With my life.  

»Goodbye, Kaori. « Mick kissed her forehead, walking out of the apartment, and softly closed the door behind him.  

Kaori slowly turned.  

Their eyes met.  

Lightning illuminated the darkened room, highlighting the crumpled white note on the floor.  

In a week, your fiancée will be dead. Don’t try to run. You will just shorten her sentence.  

You can try to stop me, but you won’t succeed. She’s as good as dead.  

Silver Fox 

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