Diminished (Winter's Wrath Book 2)

by Bianca Sommerland

  “No. I wasn’t.” Alder took a deep breath. “And as much as I want the bastard to pay for what he did to Shiori, what he could have done to Hiro, and…and for putting his hands on Brave…” He reached over, pulling Danica’s hand to his lips. “He’s done enough damage. If Brave hadn’t stopped me, he would have done more.”

  “But it’s over. And you are going to the hospital.” Danica’s lips drew into a firm line. “It’s not up for discussion.”

  “Fine. But I’m not going in an ambulance.” He wouldn’t bother arguing with her, but no need to make this into a huge deal. Already he could see reporters pressing against the edge of the police barrier. Along with some fans. “I want to get up and show them I’m okay. Prove to you that I am.”

  Danica and Jesse exchanged a look. Both nodded.

  But it was Brave who stood and held out his hand. “Let’s show everyone how tough my little brother is.”

  Holding tightly to his brother’s hand, Alder stood. His head spun, and his stomach lurched. He sucked in air through his teeth. Then met Brave’s eyes.

  The guilt hadn’t faded, but there was something more. Protectiveness, as though Brave wanted to shield him from the world, but knew he couldn’t. Then the warm glow of pride. Like he’d realized he didn’t have to.

  “I love you, you crazy little shit.” Brave laughed and pulled him close, hugging him tight. “I don’t deserve you.”

  “Shut up.” Alder cupped the back of Brave’s head in his palm and pressed their foreheads together. “I’m a fucking mess. And this might not be over. I need you.”

  Brave nodded slowly, then lifted his head to kiss Alder’s brow. “I’m right here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

  Exactly what Alder needed to hear. And he held on to his brother’s words as the cops questioned him. As the media tried to stop the van from leaving before they headed to the hospital. As the doctor examined him and diagnosed him with a mild concussion.

  This wasn’t over, but one huge thing had changed.

  His brother was an ally.

  The band stood together as one strong unit.

  Danica and Jesse were on the same page.

  With that, he could face whatever the world threw at him from this point on.

  Chapter Thirty

  Shiori stared at her phone. Turned it off. Turned it back on and dialed the number again. The number Wendy had given her.

  The number to her grandmother’s cell phone.

  Sitting in her hotel room, on the fancy, crisp white sofa that seemed carved out of thinly padded stone, she sensed Brave’s and Malakai’s eyes on her from across the room. Could tell Wendy was holding her breath beside her.

  But Shiori couldn’t make the call. Not until she was sure she’d say the right thing. Because, if she didn’t, she might never see Hiro again.

  “Honey, listen to me.” Wendy locked her hands around Shiori’s wrists. “Your grandparents really do seem like great people. They’re just in a bad situation. I don’t know what Elizabeth told them. But they need to hear from you.”

  Inclining her head, Shiori stared at her phone. “But what do they need to hear? My stepfather is in jail. They know what he did. If I say the wrong thing, they might think—”

  “Shiori, stop. None of this is your fault.”

  “But it is. I could have reported him. Maybe I should have...” The messages on her phone from her stepfather’s lawyer shook her to the core. He’d said since she’d waited so long she clearly didn’t think he’d done anything wrong. She was a model, so she liked having pictures taken. He’d subpoena her and she’d be obligated to appear and respond to the allegations.

  Which didn’t make sense to her. Taking the pictures hadn’t been what started all this. They had evidence he’d sold them. Wendy had explained how Elizabeth found evidence on his computer to prove he was involved in child pornography. The strongest evidence involved her sister. Even if she wanted to testify on his behalf—no way in hell, not now that she knew Hiro was safe—it wouldn’t matter.

  He was guilty. The prosecutor would deal with him. The attorney had everything he needed.

  And he’d told Shiori as much when he called her.

  The call had been frightening, but the man was very nice. He answered her questions and told her she could come in if she wanted to, but he didn’t see any need to put her on the stand.

  Relief made her feel guilty.

  Which brought her back to the call she had to make now.

  What if her grandparents were disgusted with her? What if they looked at Hiro and imagined the danger she’d put him in? It was hard enough to look in the mirror without condemning herself.

  Kyoko had told her the pictures weren’t a big deal. Kyoko had told her to keep quiet.

  But Kyoko had been the real victim.

  A victim who’d believed what she said to survive.

  I miss her so much. I wish we’d had someone to protect us. Someone who saw we were little girls without our mother. Without anyone besides each other.

  The more she thought about it, the more she realized Kyoko hadn’t been allowed to be an innocent little girl. Their stepfather had taken that away from her.

  But he hadn’t taken that from Hiro.

  Maybe Hiro had someone else now. Someone who’d make sure he could be a kid. That he never wondered if he deserved the love he was given.

  I can’t let him go. He still needs me.

  Or…was it just that she needed him? Maybe she was being selfish again.

  “Call them.” Wendy dialed the number, without pressing send. “You need to know them too.”

  A firm nod and Shiori called. Even if Wendy was wrong, she had to know these people her little boy was with. To know that he wasn’t afraid. That he understood she’d be with him when she could.

  “Hello?” The woman had a nice voice. Calm.

  That Shiori got all that from one word showed how desperate she was. She cleared her throat. “Is this Misaki Sato?”

  “Yes. May I ask who’s calling?” Her grandmother had a thick accent, which reminded her so much of her mother. It had been a long time since she’d heard someone speak in a way that brought back those memories.

  “My name is Shiori. I’m…I’m your granddaughter.”

  Misaki released a sharp breath. “I’ve been hoping to hear from you. And Hiro has been asking about you.”

  Shiori’s throat locked and she swallowed hard as tears filled her eyes. “How is he?”

  “He was confused at first, but Elizabeth told us the games he likes. He thinks he’s on vacation. Being given so many treats. I admit, I’m spoiling him.” Misaki laughed, but the sound faded quickly. “She told me you never read my letters.”

  Shiori nodded, ready for that after Wendy’s warning. “I never got them.”

  “I expected as much. I wish I’d tried harder to reach you. Your grandfather would grumble now and then that the man our daughter chose wouldn’t do right by you. But Himari had so much faith in him. She was angry when we questioned her marrying so soon after your father died. The distance between us grew and we didn’t know how to make her believe we still loved her. I think your stepfather convinced her we didn’t. She stopped taking our calls.”

  Was anything I believed true?

  Could she trust this stranger over her mother?

  Damn it, she had no idea. But with how manipulative her stepfather was?

  Maybe I should. She inhaled slowly. “She told me you disowned her. That you wanted nothing to do with me and Kyoko.”

  Misaki cursed under her breath. “It hurts that she thought I would… Shiori, you were a baby when she married him, so you can’t possibly remember how it was before. I was still living in Japan, but I was with Himari when Kyoko was born, and within days of your birth—only because a storm delayed the flight. You took your first step when I visited again. You used to coo at me on the phone…”

  Shiori blinked fast as Misaki’s voice broke. She could hear the pain
in her tone.

  “I held you at their wedding. Fixed Kyoko’s hair and played with her when she fussed. That was the last time they let me see you. I called when I returned home and things became tense. Your mother was so distant. Weeks later, we spoke again. I asked if she was getting enough help. If her friends visited often. She said your stepfather didn’t like them, so she’d cut ties. With women she’d known for years—who’d always been there for her. I was shocked. He didn’t like a single one? Wasn’t she lonely? Her answer was no. She had him and he was all she needed. I disagreed. That conversation convinced her I would never accept the man she loved.”

  “He isolated her. She never spent time with anyone when I was little.” Shiori hugged her knees to her chest. “I thought she was lonely too, but she said her little family made her happy when she’d lost hope of ever finding happiness again. I felt special, but I was sad for her.”

  Misaki sighed. “After the love she shared with your father, I think she was desperate to fill that void. I should have seen it. I should have been more careful.”

  “You couldn’t have known. I just wish things had been different.” Shiori pressed her head back against the sofa. “I want better for Hiro.”

  “He will have it. And so will you. You have a family I hope you’ll want to be part of.” Misaki’s tone grew so soft, Shiori could hardly hear her. “You have five uncles you’ve never met. Twelve cousins. Six of them live in California, close to me and your grandfather. They’re so excited to meet Hiro. To finally meet you.”

  “But…” Shiori couldn’t imagine a big family. Her mother hadn’t said anything about brothers. As far back as Shiori could remember, she’d thought her mother was an only child. She shook her head, afraid to hope she’d be accepted by these strangers. “Has Elizabeth told them…told them how I put Hiro in danger?”

  “Elizabeth is a fierce woman, and I can tell she loves our boy, but she’s in shock from what she learned. She thought your stepfather was cheating on her. That’s why she went through his files.” Misaki went quiet. “Shiori, what happened to you…I wish I could take it away. I can’t fix the past, but there’s much I can do now. For Hiro. And for you, if you’ll let me.”

  “I can see him?” Shiori blinked, tears spilling down her cheeks. That was all she wanted, but her grandmother was offering so much more. “I was afraid you wouldn’t let me.”

  “My sweet girl, that hadn’t even crossed my mind.” Her grandmother’s voice was a soothing balm on all her fears. “I know you’re working, but when you’re ready, I’ll buy you a plane ticket. There’s a room in the main house. Or the guest house. Whatever you’re comfortable with. But I expect you’ll want to be close to your nephew.”

  “Yes! I would love that!” Shiori didn’t hesitate. “You don’t have to buy the ticket. I’ve been saving money. I can come tomorrow.”

  “You will not use the money you saved. Let me give you this.” Her grandmother laughed. “I plan to spoil you too.”

  They spoke for a little longer, her grandmother catching her up on all the family drama as if they’d known one another forever. Giving her a play by play of Hiro’s day.

  In return, she told her grandmother about the tour. About dancing on stage and laughed when her grandmother found her on Facebook and twitter, exclaiming about how much she looked like her mother in the pictures.

  The sneaky woman asked where she was staying and had a car coming in the morning to take her to the airport. Had her flight booked. First class. Then asked her favorite color and told her she’d have a surprise when she and Shiori’s grandfather picked her up at the airport.

  When they finally said goodnight and hung up, Shiori couldn’t stop smiling. One call and the world didn’t look so hopeless anymore. Fine, her grandmother was still a stranger, but the old woman had kicked Hiro’s butt on Madden. Had gotten him a new Black Panther plush the second he mentioned he loved the superhero. Had managed to make the trip a fun experience for him when it could have been so traumatic.

  Setting her phone aside, Shiori smiled up at Malakai. Then Brave.

  And they were smiling back.

  Happy for her.

  By her side, Wendy flashed her ‘I told you so’ grin. Then hopped up to her feet. “I’m gonna go raid the snack machine. Want anything?”

  “No, thank you.” Shiori reached out to squeeze Wendy’s hand. “You’re the best, you know that?”

  “Damn right I do!” Wendy laughed, backing behind Brave and Malakai before wiggling her brows and mouthing. “Lucky bitch.”

  Shiori snickered as Wendy slipped out into the hall.

  Brave came over to sit on the edge of the coffee table. “Hiro is where he needs to be. That was good to hear. I was worried.”

  “I was too, but now…” She tugged her bottom lip between her teeth, reality hitting her like a block of ice in the center of her chest. “He’s okay. And I’m leaving.”

  “I wouldn’t expect you to do anything else.” Brave held up a hand when her lips parted. “This is me being selfish. I can’t go with you, but knowing you’re there…I’ll feel better.”

  “You can come…” Damn it, she wanted him to. But she also knew he shouldn’t. If Sophie and Reese wouldn’t give her a break in her contract to see Hiro, they’d have to sue her. She didn’t see that happening, but she didn’t care. The choice was obvious.

  For Brave, it was much more complicated. Reese might be sympathetic, but the record label? The fans who’d bought out tickets for his next few shows?

  Without making the whole thing public, he’d be risking his career.

  “We’re booked solid for three weeks. Then we have a week off before we head to Europe.” Brave lowered his gaze. “If it was just me, I’d say fuck it. Alder would agree. None of the guys would blame us.”

  “You’re in charge, Brave.” Malakai stepped up behind him. “Say the word and the tour is canceled. I’ll stand by you.”

  Brave’s lips curved slightly. “That means more than I can say. But…I’m not sure the band would recover from this. We’ve canceled shows in the past. We’ve got a good momentum going.”

  She pressed her hand to his cheek. “Look at you, being all responsible.”

  He laughed. “It fucking sucks. I want to go with you.”

  “But you need to stay.” Her chest hurt, thinking about leaving both him and Malakai so soon after they’d found a way to be together. But life wasn’t always fair. “Hiro looks up to you. He’ll be watching all your shows on YouTube. Make sure he can find them.”

  “I can do that.”

  “Good. I think…this will work. He’ll love knowing you’re visiting in a few weeks. I’ll be there to help him adjust to his new life. To see if it’s really what’s best for him.”

  “You think it will be?”

  “I really do.” She didn’t have much to go on, but she never had. Now, at least there was a family who seemed to want to give Hiro everything any of them could want for him. And she had a chance to find out if that was true. “This is hard. But I have to go. We both know it. Tell me again I should.”

  “You should.” Brave delved his fingers into her hair. “Little moon, go. And call me every day. Show me how you’ve accomplished everything you fought so hard for. Because it’s what I want too. For that little boy to have what we never did.”

  “That’s what really matters, isn’t it?” Her fingers curled against his cheek. “Kyoko’s baby. Valor’s son. It’s up to us to make sure he never goes through what they did.”

  Brave’s brow furrowed. “Valor was—”

  “Your brother. And you hate him and I get it.” She probably shouldn’t bring this up, but time was closing in on her. “One of the songs you sang to me, the one you didn’t finish. It was about him. About the brother you loved. The one Kyoko probably fell in love with. And…and I think it’s okay to be angry with him for what he did to you. But that song is one you needed to write for a reason. He was someone else to you once.”

>   His jaw hardened. He nodded slowly. “Maybe.”

  Malakai placed his hand on Brave’s shoulder. “We’ll finish that song together. With Alder. And one day, Hiro will hear it and know what it means.”

  “But it’s fucking…cold.” Brave rubbed his face with one hand, leaving the other tangled in Shiori’s hair. “Hiro doesn’t need to hear that.”

  “That’s not what I heard.” Shiori wrapped her arms around his neck. “The song can mean so many things, to so many people. I heard pain. Regret. It’s…real. I don’t know what other word to use. Even when Hiro’s old enough to be told what happened to Valor, I don’t believe he’ll think of his father when he listens to it.”

  Brave’s brow furrowed. “But the song is about Valor.”

  “No. It’s about you.” Shiori shook her head when Brave’s brow furrowed. “I’m sorry. Forget about it for now. I don’t want to ruin the rest of our time together—”

  “You’re right about the song.” Brave eased away from her, crossing the room to open his luggage—which he’d brought to her room earlier—and pulled out his notebook.

  Sitting on the floor, he braced it against his knees. He drew a pencil from the spiral binding and began to write. His breath sped up, his skin growing pale. As though each word was stealing the air from the room. Draining him with each stroke of black graphite on the page.

  When he was finished, he stood and handed the book to Malakai, without a word.

  Malakai read the song, his voice growing tighter with every word. He slowed with the last few lines.

  “Let me pretend,

  Make it a new game.

  You were the man I looked up to,

  So alone.

  Never found,

  But I’ll never stop searching.

  For you in my reflection.”

  He set the notebook aside. Held out his arms. “Come here.”

  Brave went to him, pressing his face into the crook of Malakai’s neck. He didn’t cry. Didn’t tremble. He didn’t move at all.

  He simply let Malakai hold him.