Redemption: AmBw Romantic Suspense

I smiled. “A plan.”

“We’ll need one, if we’re going to end this. You can’t keep running. It’s defense mode. It’s now time for you to go on offense. It’s your turn to attack. To have him running.”

We got to the house.

I thought about his words as he unlocked the front door. “I don’t want to do any of that. I just want to live my life and take care of my kids.”

“Wyatt won’t let you. You’re a single mother. When you’re at peace, the kids are too.” Yoshiro opened the door and moved away to let me walk by. “Anytime people mess with your peace, you’ve got to get rid of them. Whether by cutting them or. . .killing them.”

Those words made me uneasy. Had I been a different woman with a different life, I might’ve been terrified from what he’d said. But I’d been too close to being killed by Wyatt. I couldn’t even count the times he’d put a gun in my face or wrapped his hands around my throat and choked me until I couldn’t breathe.

Killing him had been something I’d dreamt about for a very long time. And it wasn’t my fault. It was his.

You should’ve left us alone.

“You’re right, Yoshiro. How do I do it?”

“Why don’t you let me?”

“Because it’s my problem. My poison shouldn’t taint you.” I walked inside.

He laughed.

“That’s not funny.”

“Since you’ve been here, you’ve done nothing but heal me.”

Stunned, I leaned my head to the side. “Did you need healing?”

“Yes, but I didn’t know it until you showed up.”

My heart warmed with his confession. “I hope you’re right. I hope we’re really helping you as much as your taking care of us.”

Yoshiro spread his arms out. “So what do you think?”

I scanned the spacious room, already falling in love with the house. Ideas raced through mind. I could put a couch in the back and put a nice coffee table for the center. Bookshelves would line the walls and a tv could be on the right.

“I’ll take it.”

His face brightened. “You haven’t seen anything else.”

“It’s already bigger and better than the places we’ve been staying at.”

He frowned a little but guided me forward. “Then, we’ll improve it even more.”

We entered the kitchen. Like Yoshiro had said it was massive with four stoves and three fridges. The counter space was fit for a restaurant for sure.

“We can get rid of most of the appliances, but this kitchen is state of the art. The owner put a lot of care into the place.” He gestured for me to follow him as he headed through a door. “This is sort of a den. Remember, she used the living room as the restaurant’s dining area. I think she relaxed here in between shifts.”

Another door led to stairs.

We headed up.

“There’s three bedrooms up here, but unfortunately one bathroom.”

“That’s fine.”

“There is a bathroom downstairs. I’ll show it to you, before we leave.”

“Awesome.”

“This is the master bedroom. She stocked barrels of wine in here.” He flipped the switch on the wall. Everything illuminated. “Good. I figured the electricity was connected to the main house. Even better there’s probably a generator around here somewhere. With a business, most people have one. I’ll have to check the back. I think I remember her son saying it. At the time I didn’t care, I just wanted a big place to. . .”

“What?”

“To hide.” He turned the lights off and left.

I followed. “Do you think they searched for you?”

“Probably, but there was no way they would’ve found me. Even if they figured out I was somewhere in Washington, I didn’t use a card or even my name when I purchased the house. The property is owned by a third party corporation with the sole owner being listed as private.”

“And you’re the owner of that corporation?”

“That’s right. So, if the mob couldn’t find me, I doubt Wyatt can find you.”

My nerves flared on edge. He’d said bad people, but he’d never said the mob. That all made sense now. I walked behind him into the other room, looking him over as if for the first time. He was tall and muscular. From the first time I’d seen him I figured he could hold his own in a fight. And now with the knowledge of his guns and old employment, I felt safer than I’d ever been.

“This could be the girls’ room or Jalen’s.” Yoshiro checked the lights in there too. “But, I don’t know how you’re going to do the sleeping arrangements.”

“Poppy likes to sleep with me. It would be good for Kia and Jalen to have their own rooms for a change. It’ll be the first time.”

“I like that. I want them happy.”

I gave him an odd look. “Why?”

“Because they make me happy. They make me laugh. They give me. . .” He shrugged. “I don’t know. Purpose, I guess. Something to do each day. I’m probably not making any sense.”