With a blanket wrapped securely around her and in the warm, comforting embrace of Sebastian, Sakura watched the helicopter hovering above them. In the distance, she glimpsed Darcy lying on a stretcher and Nicolas, accompanying his brother, sitting on the seat beside him. A moment later, the chopper started flying away and then disappeared amongst the light-gray clouds.
Sakura shivered and snuggled her face against Sebastian’s chest as she heard sirens of the patrol boats approaching. She knew it was the police here to take custody of Mrs. Clark, Ray Woods, and Tara.
Suddenly, she felt exhausted and simply wanted to shut her eyes and sleep, though her mind wouldn’t let her. All she could think about was Darcy. Her beloved man had taken not one but two bullets for her. At the very thought, tears started brewing in her eyes once again.
Sebastian must have felt her body stiffen and tightened his arms around her in response. “Darcy is going to be fine,” he said softly as he kissed her forehead. “The bullets didn’t hit any vital organs or major blood vessels. It was the arm and shoulder.”
Sakura nodded. “I know,” she said weakly. “I know.”
In the cockpit, Tristan said, “Should we start heading back? The police can take over now.”
Sebastian nodded, and Tristan started the engine.
An hour later, they arrived back at St. Thomas Island, and by then, the storm had completely died down and dawn was approaching. Upon landing, Sakura found she didn’t have the strength to walk and was thankful that Sebastian picked her up and carried her without her having to ask.
Once they entered the warmth of the great house, everyone rushed over, obviously relieved, shedding tears of joy at the sight of her. When they heard of Darcy’s injury, they were silent once again, praying for him.
After Sakura had adamantly confirmed to both her mothers, Haruka and Brenda, and her adoptive father, James, that she was fine and had no serious injuries, Sebastian then carried her to her bedroom. Meanwhile, the other brothers, particularly Tristan, recounted the tale of their misadventure and heroic acts to everyone.
Upon entering her bedroom, Sakura sighed and felt extremely exhausted. Sebastian gently laid her on her bed and then kneeled in front of her. “Are you okay?” He softly stroked her face.
Sakura gave him a smile. “I’m fine, but I’m very tired.”
Sebastian nodded in understanding. “How about a warm bath and then some sleep?”
Sakura frowned. “What about Darcy? Aren’t we going back to Honolulu today to see him?”
“Yes, we are. But you need a bit of sleep first. Besides, Darcy will be in surgery, and Nicolas is with him. He’ll keep us updated. We’ll leave this afternoon. But first, you need rest.”
Sakura reluctantly nodded. Of course, she knew even if they hurried, there weren’t much they could do where Darcy was concerned.
“All right,” she said.
It was then a couple of knocks came at the door. Sebastian said, “Come in.”
The door opened, and Lady Haruka and Brenda entered the room.
“Moms,” Sakura said in surprise.
Brenda said to Sebastian, “Darling, we’ll take care of Sakura. Why don’t you get yourself cleaned up and rest?”
Sebastian observed Sakura for a moment, noting her pale face and tired eyes. He reluctantly nodded.
He was just about to walk out the door when Sakura said, “Please come back when you’re done. I…” She licked her lips nervously. “I want you with me. Please.”
Sebastian smiled gently at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back.”
Sakura nodded, and Sebastian then left the room.
After Haruka had drawn her a warm bath, Sakura gladly hopped in and took her time soaking in the lavender-scented water. When she was done and dressed in her pajamas of shorts and T-shirt, she headed back into the bedroom.
“Are you done?” Haruka asked. At Sakura’s nod, the woman said, “Have something to eat before you sleep.”
Sakura came over and noted there was a bowl of Japanese chicken soup for her. She smiled gratefully at her biological mother and said, “Thanks, Mom.”
Haruka hugged her tightly as she whispered, “I’m just glad you’re back. I thought I’d lost you for the second time.”
Sakura felt her heart ache at the woman’s words. Gosh, she was loved, wasn’t she? And that made her extremely happy.
When she drew back and Haruka released her, it was Brenda’s turn to hug her. Once the two women were satisfied Sakura had everything she needed and she’d be all right, they left her to sleep and recuperate from her exhaustion.
Alone, Sakura started eating her soup, which was delicious. When she finished and her belly was warm and full, she sighed with satisfaction and lay back in bed, her mind now on Darcy.
God, she wanted to see him, wanted to be beside him. She whispered his name softly as she closed her eyes, finding it hard to stay awake.
It was then a couple knocks came at the door, and Sakura fluttered her eyes open again. She knew it was Sebastian and said, “Come in.”
Once she saw Sebastian coming in the door, Sakura felt her heart ache. She felt this overwhelming feeling of wanting to be in his arms erupt within her. Tears started brewing in her eyes again as Sebastian closed the door and made his way toward her.
Once he sat on the bed, he chuckled with amusement as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
She sniffed and said, “What’s so funny?”
“Seeing you crying like a baby because you want to be with me so much,” he said teasingly.
She slapped his hand. “Stop teasing me. I’m not in the mood for that right now.” She threw herself into his arms then and buried her face against his chest.
Sebastian felt her slender body shaking like a leaf, and it pulled at his heartstrings. He wrapped his arms around her as he kissed her forehead.
“I love you,” he whispered. “And I won’t let that sort of thing happen to you again.”
Sakura finally raised her face to look at him. “I was so scared, Sebastian. I was so scared of losing you and Darcy. If I did, oh God, I have no idea what I’d do. I’d die. I seriously would.”
“Shh…” He stroked her hair. “Don’t think about that. I’m still here with you. And Darcy will soon join us.”
Sakura nodded. As if to confirm, she said, “Yes, Darcy will join us soon. He’ll be all right. He will.”
Sebastian said gently, “Now then, how about sleep?”
Moving back and resting against the mountain of pillows behind her, Sakura nodded. “But you’ll stay here with me, right? Sleep here with me. You need your rest, too.”
With a gentle smile on his face, Sebastian nodded.
Holding on to his hand tightly—afraid she’d lose him—she moved over to the other side as she nudged him along with her. After noting he was now fully beside her on the bed, she lay back. Once Sebastian did the same, she rolled over and buried her face against his chest.
As she was doing so, she noticed the bandage wrapped around his forearm. She gently touched the white material and whispered, “You’re injured.”
Sebastian said, “It’s only superficial. It wasn’t deep.”
She raised her eyes to him and asked, “Tara?”
He nodded.
Sakura stared at his wounded arm. Then she raised herself up. Sebastian watched as she moved her face toward his. A moment later, he felt her soft lips press against his.
She tasted and smelled wonderful, and he wanted more. Instantly, he urged her lips to part for him, and when she obliged, he plunged his tongue into her inviting mouth.
Their kiss was slow and passionate, and by the time they stopped, Sakura was breathless.
“Good night, Sebastian.”
Even though it was obviously morning and it was gloriously beautiful outside, the sun shining after the night of storms, Sebastian said in return, “Good night, Sakura. Sweet dreams.”
Sakura then moved down again and snuggled her face against his chest as she closed her eyes. Sebastian smiled as he watched her slowly drift off into a slumber. A moment later, he tightened his arms around her slender form and kissed her forehead. Then he shut his eyes.