The Lotus & The Dragon

AKCHIRO & FLOWER

“ T hey’ve all arrived.” A warm kiss presses again my shoulder as big arms wrap around me cupping my rounded belly. “Are you nervous?”

“I’m scared, Akchiro.” Turning into his embrace I look up into the diamond hardness of his gaze. “I know they probably hate me for everything I’ve put them through.” My throat threatens to close around the words I barely get out.

“That is all on me and I have already sat down and talked to them while you were healing. They are not angry with you. They could have left my brothers had they wished. They have not,” he assures me pressing a warm reassuring kiss to my forehead.

I want to believe him, I do but I know my friends well enough to know they wouldn’t do anything to give themselves away. I also know that his Ryu and Takashi are just as unhinged as he is and won’t let Bridget and Evangeline go if they don’t want to.

Sighing, I look up to him cupping his face, placing a kiss on his firm lips. I know he did everything he could to make amends for our actions. Inviting them as well as his cousins and their wives for Christmas is a step in that direction. We’d reached out to Tsuyoshi Tatsumoto but he refused saying Prosper’s training was not complete. I already know the cruel yakuza prince will not give her up without a fight.

“There is nothing for it, but to enter the lion’s den.” I whisper up to his stoic face.

“You mean the dragon’s den. Come, Hana it will be fine.” Quirking a sharp brow, he clasps my hand threading his long, tapered fingers through mine.

Pressing a kiss only knuckles as as he often does in reassurance, he leads me out to our Christmas guests.