Julie Clark, known previously as Margaret Byrd, banged the door shut and rested her head against the frame. Her heart was still pumping loud and fast as she took in shaky breaths. She hadn’t been this scared or so pissed off since the day she’d discovered her husband with another woman. Since that night she’d victoriously escaped that disastrous orphanage on St. Joseph Island, she’d thought she had put the past behind her.After all, she deserved to enjoy her life to the fullest. Of course, she’d been doing just that for the past eighteen years. But the sight of that distasteful girl, Sakura, now fully grown and too beautiful for her liking, made her past return to haunt her.When her heart finally slowed down to its normal rhythm and her mind cleared, she gazed long and hard at the luxury that surrounded her. Her apartment was tastefully decorated with the latest fashions and designs, no expense spared. She was rich, with a prosperous business of her own. She was surrounded by men wh
Eighteen years ago, St. Joseph IslandLittle Sakura woke herself up with a soul-piercing scream that shook her wee body with the force of fright. She flashed her eyes open, praying the monster Mrs. Byrd wasn’t there in her room, about to whip her with a belt. Her eyes were dark and wild as she scanned around the cold, bare surroundings. Once she was convinced the woman wasn’t present, she clutched the thin blanket against her person and began to whimper.“I wish I had a mama to hug me,” she cried, tears flowing down her cheeks. Instead, she hugged herself into a small ball to ease the icy coldness in the room and tried to go back to sleep.The thought of that ruthless, mean Mrs. Byrd and her daughter, Tara, however, kept her awake. They were no doubt very comfortable in their warm beds right now. She had only wanted another blanket to top this thin one to keep her warm at night. When she’d asked that morning, however, what she received in turn was a slap on the face and then ten whips
Sakura woke up with a start, her heart pounding fast and furious and her head aching. Her whole body was shaking like a leaf as she sat there staring into space.The nightmare of that night had returned, and the look on Mrs. Byrd’s face was etched deep within her mind.Sakura shook her head as she willed her tears to remain at bay.“She’s not real,” she said softly to herself. “She can’t be real. I was hallucinating.” But even as she said that, she knew she wasn’t hallucinating. She knew for certain Mrs. Byrd was still alive. She’d just met the woman yesterday.Toby sensed her disquiet and awoke, his eyes large with concern. He came to her and begged to be hugged. Sakura obliged and embraced her dog tight against her chest as she lay there under the thickness and warmness of her duvet. So unlike eighteen years ago.“Thank you for being with me all these years,” she said to the pup. If it hadn’t been for Toby, it would be just like all those nights, sleeping alone and crying her heart
Sebastian wasn’t behaving like himself since yesterday afternoon, and the rest of his brothers noticed. He looked deep in thought and more than a little concerned about something that was eating at him. Naturally, the brothers wanted to know why.“You look like you’re worried you couldn’t save the world,” Tristan said across the table. “Come out with it, Superman. What’s bothering you?”Sebastian diverted his attention from his smartphone, a dark frown on his face. Still no reply from Sakura. The fact was her reaction yesterday made him feel sick with worry. She’d looked like she’d seen a ghost. God, how he wanted to protect her and make her feel safe. Above all, he wanted her to trust him. He wanted her to tell him what she was so afraid of that made her react the way she had.“It’s Sakura,” he said.“What’s wrong with her?” Darcy asked from the other side of the table.Sebastian noted the concerned look on Darcy’s face and the worried tremor in his voice.“She didn’t look well.”“Wh
Sakura woke with a start, her mind reeling with confusion. Where am I? she wondered as she stared long and hard up at the unfamiliar ceiling. She turned her head, searching about her surroundings, and then everything came back to her.There had been the appointment with Dr. Mason yesterday. Sebastian had been there with her. Then he’d taken her to the drugstore to get her prescribed medication. After that, they’d been at the hotel, intending to have lunch, and then… Mrs. Byrd.A lump formed in her throat as she recalled the cold shiver that had passed through her the moment she’d seen the woman’s face.Sakura shut her eyes for a moment as she took slow, deep breaths. She wasn’t going to let that woman scare her witless. Not anymore.She sat up, rubbing her fingers and thumb against her temples. Her headache was getting worse, and waiting patiently for it to ease wasn’t going to happen. Plus, she was very hungry. She wondered if Mom Brenda had any breakfast left.She flipped the duvet
Sakura quickly showered to wash off the soapy bubbles from her body and then dried herself. She got dressed in her jeans and pullover from yesterday and then put some moisturizer on her face. A layer of lip gloss went on her lips next, and, leaving her long hair wet, she rushed out of the bathroom.She was glad the brothers weren’t there at the door when she came out. With Toby by her feet, the pair made their way along the corridor into the living area.Her adoptive parents and brothers were waiting for her patiently. She came to sit beside Brenda and James while Toby chose to jump on Darcy’s lap and made himself comfortable there.Sakura said to her parents, “Why are the brothers here?”James glanced at his sons and then turned his attention to his daughter. “Sakura, your brothers need to know what happened that night eighteen years ago.”“Why?” she asked, a guarded look on her face.Sebastian said, “Sakura. Dad said you might be in danger.”Sakura’s whole demeanor stiffened at that
Sakura and the brothers turned to see Haruka collapsing there at the door in Sosuke’s arms.Sakura shot up and headed straight to Haruka. The woman’s skin was sheet white, and it worried her sick. Akira was beside her aunt, calling Haruka’s name while the maid who had opened the door for them stood to one side, her face shocked and concerned.Sosuke easily and gently picked up Haruka and brought her into the living area, laying her on the sofa. The maid hovered about until Brenda told her to go and resume her chores. She nodded hesitantly and rushed away.Akira, who looked almost as pale as her aunt, kneeled on the floor, her hands holding on to Haruka’s tight.“Oba-chan. Please be all right. Please?” she said softly, her voice shaking.Nicolas was behind her, his hands gentle on her shoulders. Akira glanced up, her eyes teary. “She was okay on our way here and then…” She couldn’t go any further and threw herself into his arms, snuggling her face against his chest as her body shook.A
The whole day flew by after the reunion between Sakura and her biological mother, Haruka. The Princeton brothers and their father, James, went about devising plans to protect Sakura. After all, it was better to be safe than sorry. In the end, it was decided it was better for Sakura to live with the brothers and one of them had to be with her at all times, regardless of where she went. More importantly, especially when they were in Hawaii next week for the photo shoot where Tara would be around.It was decided also that the relationship between Haruka and Sakura was to be kept secret until the DNA results were received. The brothers knew if this Mrs. Clark were to find out about the two being reunited, her urge to completely annihilate Sakura would be stronger because proof of her guilt would be more damning.Now all they needed to do was tell Sakura of the plan, and James left it to his sons to take care of it. After all, they wanted more responsibility where Sakura was concerned, and
Six Months LaterWhen Sakura woke up, it was to the sound of birds chirping and morning light shining in through the windows. She blinked a couple times to get used to the brightness as she lay there feeling exhausted, as if she had just finished running a race. Once she’d gotten used to the light, she searched about her surroundings, wondering where she was. Because this certainly wasn’t her room.Her eyes lingered on the beautiful chandelier dangling in the center, the crystals exuding an array of rainbow colors about the space. A moment later, her gaze shifted to the king-size bed that she was currently in.She sat up, her mind still reeling over what had happened last night. When she moved, she realized she was naked under the sheet. She frowned for a moment, and then everything came flooding back.Instantly, she blushed and clutched the sheet against her.“Oh God,” she whispered softly. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I? With Sebastian and Darcy?”She licked her lips as she pulled t
The moment her hands were removed, the two men stared, marveling at the sight. Sure, they had seen many women’s breasts before, and in fact, to them, they were just part of the female anatomy. Nothing more. But with Sakura, her pair of exquisite beauties, the perfect-size mounds of pale, smooth flesh topped with cute pink nipples perking at just the right angle—they were something marvelous.Sebastian tittered with excitement, which drew Sakura’s attention to him. She gazed at him, wondering why he had such a passionate look in his eyes as he stared at her breasts. When he flicked his gaze to hers and their eyes met, Sakura swallowed hard at the raw passion she noted radiating from him.“Wow,” Darcy said, his voice deep and hoarse, which sent a delicious shiver down her spine. “Just wow.”Sebastian nodded. He couldn’t find words to describe how happy he was.Suddenly, Darcy cupped her breasts, one in each hand. Sakura gasped at the intimate contact as her body squirmed in his embrace.
Sakura grabbed Sebastian’s hands that were about to cup her breasts, stopping him. She looked from one man to the other, her mind reeling at what was going on. She licked her lips nervously and then finally managed to ask, “What are you two doing? Aren’t you going to order room service?”Sebastian’s eyes glinted with that mischievousness that Sakura found both vexing and endearing at the same time.He said, with a hint of a laughter in his deep timbre, “Oh, but you are our room service.”Sakura wasn’t accepting it. She knew they both were toying around with her. She demanded, “The dessert?”Darcy said, his voice sensual and deep, “You are our dessert. That’s why it’s the best kind, one we’ll remember for the longest time.”It was only then that she understood what they meant. She. Was. Their. Dessert. As in they were going to make love to her?That pushed her into a panic attack, and she struggled in Sebastian’s arms, desperately wanting to break free. The damn handsome man, however,
Darcy said, “Sakura, remember the night you confessed to us?”Slowly, Sakura nodded.“You told us you’d either have both of us or none at all,” Sebastian said.Sakura jumped at the sound of his voice. She didn’t realize he was standing behind her, so close to her in fact that she could feel the heat of his body warming her against the coolness of the night.She nodded again. “Yes, I did say that, and I meant it. I can’t…” She sighed, her heart now racing furiously. “I can’t live with the knowledge that I picked one of you and not the other. That I’d be living with one and not the other. That I’d be showering my love on one and not the other when I love you both. It just isn’t fair.” Her body and hands were shaking now, even her voice, quivering softly under the two men’s scrutiny.“I won’t be able to handle the guilt, the pain of not having both of you in my life. I know I’m greedy. I know… It’s weird to love two men and want both in my life…living like a family like it’s nothing.” Sh
Sakura relaxed back in her seat and then put on the safety belt. A moment later, Sebastian started the engine and then they were off.It was dark, and the city lights glittered beautifully against the backdrop of the night sky, competing with the stars. It was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, and Sakura was mesmerized.“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” Sebastian said.Sakura nodded. “After what happened…” she said, her throat feeling a little dry. “After what happened, I appreciate what’s around me more.”Sebastian reached out his free hand and cupped her face. “Nothing like that is ever going to happen to you again. I’m here with you, and Darcy, too.” He chuckled. “In fact, all of us Princetons. We’re family.”She smiled, appreciating his comforting words. “Thanks.”It was a few more minutes when Sakura realized they were heading toward the hotel. Of course, she was a little confused as to why they were going there and was about to ask Sebastian as he parked the car when he intercepte
Darcy was discharged from the hospital five days later, and, in Princeton style, a big Welcome Home party was launched at the holiday house.The moment Darcy stepped foot out of the car, he was treated and pampered like a king by everyone, especially his brothers Tristan and Logan, who acted as his butlers. Of course, being the down-to-earth person he was, Darcy didn’t want that kind of attention and found it rather tiring. Deep down, all he wanted was for Sakura to be by his side.Damn, but he wanted to kiss her and, most of all, confess his love for her properly, along with Sebastian of course. But that was not to be as the house was almost always full of people coming and going, and not one moment had he had the chance to be with her. At least not until a day later when he and Sebastian had a good talk and made arrangements for things to start moving forward to make it official.Now sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, both Sebastian and Darcy watched Sakura as she animatedly cha
Sakura and Sebastian stayed with Darcy throughout the morning, with Sakura entertaining Darcy by telling him about her family reunion and that Ned was actually her biological father and Beth her aunt. Of course, Darcy wasn’t surprised with this outcome, as he had known how much Ned loved Sakura. The same went for Beth.It was some time later when Darcy asked the question he had wanted answered since he’d seen the news on the television early that morning. It was about Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods, who had been taken into custody.Sebastian said, “Tara might get a lighter sentencing than Mrs. Clark and Ray Woods. She’s only an accomplice.”“And Mrs. Clark?” Sakura asked, her body tense.“Probably life in prison for first-degree murder or something along those lines,” Sebastian said.“For murdering Mrs. Taylor?” Sakura asked.At this, both Sebastian and Darcy turned to look at her, surprised. Sebastian asked, “How did you know she was one of the victims?”Sakura cast her eyes downwar
Sakura woke with a start, gasping and whimpering and her skin soaking with sweat. With her heart beating loudly in her chest, she stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing as tears welled in her eyes.Dream. It was only a dream. It wasn’t real. She hadn’t lost Darcy. She hadn’t lost Sebastian. Both men were still here with her.“Sebastian. Darcy,” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.Just moments ago, she had dreamed of them—she and the Princeton brothers—once again on that yacht in the middle of the ocean, the storm raging above them. Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods had been there, too, torturing her.Sakura shut her eyes as she remembered the nightmare vividly.Mrs. Clark had shot her, only to hit Darcy instead. As Darcy lay there in her arms, dying from the gunshot wounds, Tara slayed Sebastian with her knife and then pushed him off the boat into the rampant sea.The thought of losing her beloved men made her feel sick to her stomach, and she whimpered softly. She shook he
Across the distance of the sitting room, Sakura silently watched her biological mother being embraced in Ned’s arms as the woman recited her story to her first love. And Sakura had no doubt that she, too, must have played a part of that tale when she had been a baby.Once again, she still couldn’t believe the fact that she, Sakura, had been by her biological father’s side all along, since she had been seven years old in fact. Could this explain why she had always felt connected to the man deep down? Was that why she’d always felt safe and comforted when he was around? And the fact that he had always been there for her and helping her when she had needed someone like a parent the most reminded her again of how important Ned was in her life.When Haruka finally finished telling Ned her tale some fifteen minutes later, Sakura saw Ned comforting her, telling her that he didn’t blame her for what had happened and what she’d done. He told her that he understood what she’d gone through and c