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Sebastian saw the dark look in Darcy's features and nodded. "Let me get my wallet first." He walked out of the living area, his mind on Sakura. He just couldn't believe it. Finally, they found out where Sakura was living, and oddly enough, he felt relieved. Soon, very soon, he'd see her again and then... And then what?
He turned the knob, opened the door slightly, and slid in. He headed straight to the sleek desk facing the large window that overlooked the exotic garden outside. If he were to look up, he would have seen the beautiful cherry blossoms dancing in the breeze. If he were to look up, he would have seen the woman he was desperately searching for across the garden, gazing at the cherry blossoms falling. But he didn't. He was too consumed with his own hurt, confusion, and relief that they had finally found the whereabouts of Sakura, the woman he desperately loved and cherished.
Sebastian released a deep sigh, a hint of a smile on his face. "Sakura," he whispered between his lips. "Sweetheart."
He grabbed the keys and his wallet and then lifted his head. It was then he saw a glimpse of Jane and another female on the other side, leaving. He didn't quite see who the other woman was and quickly dismissed them from his mind.
Three sleek Mercedes-benz arrived in front of Tanaka Gallery some twenty minutes later. Of course, this drew a lot of attention from the streets as the seven hot residents got out of the cars.
Tristan raised his head to look at the sign above as he drew away his sunglasses. He whistled and said, "My darling sister is doing pretty well for herself."
Conrad shoved him to the side and headed straight to the door.
"What a hotheaded young buck," Tristan said, shaking his head.
One by one, the brothers came in through the double doors into the gallery. Melissa, who was at the counter, busy inspecting her painted nails, looked up and nearly fainted with joy. The delight in her eyes was immeasurable, and she shot up, grinning from ear to ear. From her spot, she watched as the men entered. The one leading was blond and wearing glasses. He was tall and very good-looking. But the one to his left was even hotter, with pale-blond hair and a body to die for. She shivered at the thought of seeing his naked body. The one to the right was Darcy Princeton, the dreamy one she hadn't been able to stop thinking about. Then there were the other four behind them, and they all were simply eye-candy to her.
They came up to the counter, and Melissa prepared herself to greet them properly. She tucked down her pencil skirt and pulled her blouse about her person so it sat just right on her to show her curves.
"Sakura Tanaka," Nicolas asked, his voice firm and hard. "Is she in?"
At the commanding voice, Melissa suddenly lost her mojo and shrank back with a little bit of fright. Holy Shit! These guys looked like they were here for serious business. So she straightened herself and said, "I'm afraid not, sir. She's out."
Darcy frowned at her. "Where did she go?"
At Melissa's hesitance, Tristan made his way to her and leaned on the counter with ease. He gave her a devilish grin and said, "Listen, sweetheart."
Melissa was indeed listening. She licked her lips and returned the smile with eagerness.
"We're here on a mission. So I'd be very grateful if you'd tell us"--he paused--"or find out for us where Sakura went."
"Well, I don't know, sir," Melissa said. "I just saw her leaving this morning with a friend."
Logan decided to help out and came to lean on the other side. "Well then, how about you take us up? We have all day to wait for Sakura to return." He winked at her.
Melissa blushed. "Of course. I'm sure she won't be too long." She licked her lips again and then made her way from the counter to stand before them. "This way, please," she said. "I'll take you to the back and then I'll give Miss Tanaka a call. May I have your names?"
"No names," Sebastian said abruptly as they turned the corner. "Just tell her she has guests waiting."
Nicolas said, "And do it quickly."
"Of course," Melissa replied timidly. A few moments later, she showed them to the private waiting room where Sakura frequently received her guests, mainly her clients, and of course, Jane and Luke when they came to visit for a cup of coffee.
The brothers made themselves comfortable on the few sofas and chairs. Hayden couldn't help being drawn to the smell of coffee that was still brewing in the pot on the counter.
"It smells nice," he said loudly.
Conrad perked up in his chair. "Give me a cup."
Logan rushed up to stand beside his brother and stare at the dark liquid. He sniffed, his eyes closed. "It's Sakura's all right. No one can brew such a wonderful smelling coffee."
Hayden picked up the pot and poured the black brew into a cup. He quickly took a sip and sighed with pleasure. "Oh, brother! Do I miss this."
Conrad was impatient. He headed to the counter as well. He poured himself a cup before returning to his seat. It wasn't long before every one of the brothers had a cup of steamy hot coffee in hand and were sipping pleasantly.
It was then Melissa returned. "Oh, you all liked the coffee?"
"Have you made the call?" Nicolas asked as if Melissa were one of his staff.
And Melissa did behave like one by saying, "Yes, sir. She said she'd be back soon. She told me to make you comfortable. She just has a short meeting to go to."
"With whom? Do you know?" Logan asked curiously. He also gave her a handsome smile to please her.
Melissa was stoked. "I'm not sure, sir, but I saw a wrapped gown with her when she left with her friend."
Darcy and Sebastian looked at each other. They knew where Sakura was heading.
"Anything else I can get for you?" Melissa asked pleasantly.
"We're good," Conrad said, dismissing her.
"Are you sure?" She wanted to be their amazingly wonderful hostess. In fact, she wanted to serve all seven of them all the way into bed, of course. It was then that a bell rang, indicating the entry of customers, and Melissa, annoyed, headed back to the main gallery.
Sebastian turned to Nicolas. "Mr. Tachibana?"
"I'm on it," Nicolas replied and dialed the number.
The brothers waited patiently while Nicolas listened to the phone ringing. After a few rounds, Mr. Tachibana's voice came over and said, "Konnichiwa, this is Tachibana. I am unavailable right now. Please leave a message and I will reply as soon as I can. Sayonara, and have a nice day." A long, merry laugh followed.
"Shit!" Nicolas snapped. "He's not picking up." He tried again and waited. It was the same. Mr. Tachibana didn't pick up.
"Oh shit!" Hayden said. "He can't be that busy."
"Try again later," Logan suggested.
It was then that Conrad perked his ears. "I think I hear a dog barking."
"Are you hearing things?" Logan teased.
"Shut up," Conrad snapped. He got up from his seat as his brothers watched him curiously. He disappeared out the door, and a few moments later, he said loudly, "Holy shit! It's Toby!"
Sebastian and Darcy came rushing out the door to see Conrad cradling the Westie in his arms. The dog was licking Conrad's face whilst Conrad was laughing like he'd never laughed before.
"It's Toby," he said again.
Toby stopped licking Conrad and then jumped out from the young man's arms. He raced to Darcy and jumped about him a few moments, wagging his tail in excitement. Darcy got down to his knees and stroked the dog's head, smiling. "Where's your master, Toby?"
"She's out and won't like it if she finds out you boys are here," came the reply. The brothers turned to see Ned coming up the stairs, a smile on his face. "Didn't take you long to find out where she lives, did it?"
Toby was so excited at seeing the brothers again that he barked loudly and then rushed over to Sebastian and then Tristan. Before Tristan could pick him up, however, he rushed over to Logan and let the man pat him. He wasn't satisfied with just that either and raced over to Hayden and then to Nicolas. Finally, he settled by going back to Sebastian and let the man pick him up. He barked loud
ly again and begged the man to pet him, which Sebastian happily obliged.
Ned said, "I've never seen the little bugger that excited since we left St. Joseph Island." Then he laughed.
Sebastian and Darcy looked at each other. So they had been right. Sakura had Ned helping her all along.
"Come on," he said. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions to ask. And here I thought that wouldn't happen until Sunday." He led them upstairs to the loft. The brothers followed, and a few moments later, they came to a much more homey area, with wooden floor laid with warm rugs and odd carpets, a bright, warm tone paint on the walls that were covered with Sakura's paintings and photographs.
Ned led them into the living area and told the brothers to make themselves comfortable. The brothers took their preferred seats: Sebastian and Nicolas on the sofa near the window, Conrad and Darcy on the other one diagonal to that, Logan and Hayden on one cozy chair each, and Tristan leaning by the window.
Ned closed the door. "That should be private enough."
Toby chose that moment to change his cozy couch by rushing out of Sebastian's arms and into Logan's. Logan petted him as Toby made himself comfortable.
"How long have you and Sakura been here?" Conrad asked.
