think the father is?"
"You," Shaundra replied.
"Oh, no wonder he looked at me like he wanted to strangle me. I'm flattered, but we both know that isn't true."
"Don't be flattered. Ichiro has a black belt in several martial arts. He probably could kill both of us with one kick."
"Why would he think something like that?"
"Because of something Amaya said to him when I returned."
"Speaking of the dragon, how is she doing? Mr. Niigata told me what happened."
"She's recovering," Shaundra said.
"Do you know what happened?"
"Same story. She came over to the farmhouse and tried to pick a fight with me. Yori defended me and snapped at her.
Stupid man. So she went home and tried to commit suicide with an antidepressant and slit her wrists."
"Ouch. Talk about drama. He's still not over you yet, I see."
"That's his problem," Shaundra said. "He should get over me. It would make all our lives much easier."
Harper wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "I don't know why everyone thinks that you are a loose woman."
"I don't know why either. I just wish Ichiro would just trust me."
"Doesn't he know how dangerous it is for you to be pregnant at this time in your life?"
"No, I don't think he does. I think it's all getting to be a little too much for him. Maybe going on tour might be what's best for both of us. If the marriage can withstand another separation, things will be fine."
"You don't believe that do you?" Harper asked.
"No," Shaundra admitted.
"You know I will be there for you no matter how this turns out," Harper said.
Shaundra rested her head against his chest. "I know. If something should happen to me. You know. If I don't survive the delivery, I want you to promise me that you will take my babies and my body back to the United States."
Harper pulled away from her. "What are you saying?"
"I want my family to see to my babies. Ichiro won't be able to do it, and I sure don't want other woman raising my kids."
"Is there something wrong?" Harper asked.
"No, but we both know there is a possibility that something might happen. I want you to promise me."
"I promise," Harper said. "But I might have a fight on my hands. The babies will be Japanese citizens as soon as they're born. Ichiro won't let them go so easily."
"You have more clout than a twenty-five-year-old,"
Shaundra told him.
"And I'm probably better in bed," Harper said.
Shaundra chuckled. "No comment."
Satoshi snuck away from the front door like a common criminal. Maybe Ichiro didn't care what went on with Shaundra and Harper but he did. And boy did he just get an earful. He hurried back into the ballroom just in time to unfortunately run into Osamu.
"What are you doing here?" Satoshi asked the man.
Osamu bowed and smiled at him. "I came to see you guys perform," Osamu said straightening his very fashionable royal blue and black suit jacket down over a pair of black trousers.
"Do you have a problem with this? I got through with my scenes early and thought I'd drop by to show my support."
"No," Satoshi said. "Takumijo didn't tell me you were coming?"
"Does Tak tell you everything about us?"
"No, thankfully," Satoshi said. Some secrets he just didn't want to know about.
"Who is that lovely young woman seated beside him?"
"His date," Satoshi replied.
"Oh, he's dating again?"
"Apparently," Satoshi said. "She's some dancer he met at a club."
Osamu made a face. "He does have the most peculiar tastes in companions."
Satoshi chuckled. "Yes, he does."
Osamu stepped back and looked him over. "You're looking quite kawaii tonight. That color goes well with your complexion."
"Thanks," Satoshi said. Osamu always made him a bit nervous with the flattery.
"Are you also here with a date?"
"Not really. I've kind of left the dating scene for a while."
"Oh, why?"
"I'm too busy. We're preparing for another tour."
"Yes, Tak did mention it. Europe?"
Satoshi nodded. "We'll be gone a couple of months."
"Well, luckily Takumijo has wrapped up his part in the drama or that might have caused some problems."
"Takumijo knows what he's doing. Aomori comes first in his life before acting."
"Yes, he's made himself very clear on that," Osamu said.
"Too bad I will be busy filming in the United States for the next couple of months or I might have to drop everything I'm doing to visit him in Europe."
Satoshi frowned. "He'll be too busy to run off and go clubbing with you. He has responsibilities."
"You say clubbing like it's a bad thing. Takumijo and I are boyhood friends. We do almost