Laina didn't know what to expect the next morning as she went about making tons of food. There was no way one person would eat so much. Ryo had convinced her to get a ton of food for Shu and his family. She had started making some of the dishes last night, but she was a bit tired and decided to finish the rest after breakfast. She could hear Ryo in the other room watching TV. With everything that had been going on these past few days Wyatt was far from her mind. This was probably good for her. She didn't feel any fear for her life around Ryo or White Blaze. The tiger took to her quite nicely, and she actually enjoyed the tiger's company.
She heard a car pull up and had the feeling that company had arrived. With a frown she hoped this pasta would hurry up and finish! She heard the door fling open and thud against the wall. Someone shouted for someone to wait, and then in a whirlwind came through the house. Two young boys came running into the kitchen, chasing each other, and grabbing a bag of chips from the counter. The actually started arguing over the chips and were wrestling.
Laina grabbed the bag before it could explode as Shu yelled for them to stop fighting. White Blaze growled and the boys froze. Shu carried in a car seat with one hand and held a toddler with his other arm.
"Mochi! Wagashi! No fighting! Uncle Ryo has plenty of food! Oh, you must be Laina! The goddess of cleanliness! Thank you so much for making this pigsty habitable for us to visit!" Shu shouted above the noise of the children.
"No problem," Laina replied opening the bag of chips and pouring them into a bowl. She set it down on the table and the boys both dug in.
"This is Monaka, and the baby is Daifuku," She said with a smile.
Laina tilted her head and scratched it, "Daifuku? I thought Ryo said it was Sakura…"
"Oh, it is! But I call her Daifuku, because it tastes better and I like to eat these kids up!" Shu said pretending to eat Monaka's belly.
"You know, they aren't going to answer to their real names when you keep calling them by your favorite desserts," Ryo said crossing his arms. Laina laughed shaking her head. She pulled little Daifuku out of the car seat and the infant stared at her with wide blue eyes.
"Daifuku, you are so pretty!" Laina said, holding the infant.
"And tasty! What are you making?" Shu asked sniffing the air.
"Just some pasta for later," Laina replied glancing at Ryo.
"I wanted to send you home with some meals that you can warm up. I know Akane has her hands full. I thought it would give her a little break," Ryo said ruffling Wagashi's hair. Wagashi smiled at him with a mouth full of chips.
Shu got quiet and looked down, "Thanks, man. I appreciate it. Every little bit helps."
"But for now, let's have some lunch!" Laina said with a smile, putting macaroni and cheese on the table with some small sandwiches and fresh fruit. The kids dug right into the meal. Laina was surprised as they ate everything. Shu fed the baby some of the mac and cheese, and also some baby food that he had brought. Monaka fell asleep in Laina's arms, and Daifuku slept peacefully in Shu's.
"Uncle Ryo! Uncle Seiji taught me how to use a sword! Want to see?" Mochi asked excitedly.
"No! Uncle Ryo would rather watch me play soccer!" Wagashi said hitting his brother. They started yelling again.
"Why don't we all go outside and play soccer?" Shu asked setting the baby down in the car seat.
"You don't mind watching the girls, do you?" Shu asked Laina.
"No, that's okay, you guys go have fun," Laina said, setting Monaka down on the couch. The guys would be outside, so the little girl could nap there, while Laina tried to make some headway on the dishes that were suddenly piling up and empty. Did this guy have two stomachs or something? Ryo had been right about the amount they ate. Their afternoon passed so quickly with Laina barely getting a chance to sit down. Shu's children were adorable, but very rambunctious.
The boy's kept wrestling and Laina found herself in charge of the group of kids while Ryo and Shu went for a walk. They played, wrestled, and finally calmed down because their favorite show was on and they couldn't miss it. Laina almost fell asleep sitting with them, but then she looked at the time and had to get dinner started. By the time they left Laina looked at the new mountain of dishes that were in the sink and shook her head.
"How does Akane do it?" Laina asked plopping down next to Ryo on the couch.
"Honestly, I don't know. They are all way too much like Shu. That poor woman. You gave her a much-needed break today, you know?" Ryo said, putting his arm around Laina and pulling her against him.
"I hope it helps, and that food we sent should help for like half a day," Laina said, "I thought it was going to be too much."
"No, they all have a high metabolism. I told you," Ryo said with a smirk. Laina sighed, resting her head on his arm. Ryo touched her cheek, and the next thing she knew his soft lips were touching hers, his tongue brushed her lips sensually, before he kissed them again.
"Go take a bath and relax. I'll take care of the dishes," Ryo said, pulling away from her. Laina was about to protest, but then decided against it. After all, when has any other man she dated suggested she relax while he took care of her for a change? For her, never. She quickly rushed up the stairs before he changed his mind. Laina was relaxing in the bubble bath listening to the sound of dishes being washed and smiled to herself. She never would have imagined this moment happening with Wyatt. She washed up and got out, putting on a comfortable pair of shorts and a cami for bed. She didn't mind wearing pajamas around Ryo because she knew he couldn't see.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Laina's brow furrowed as she threw on a robe and hopped down the steps. She heard the water stop and saw Ryo quickly make his way to the door first. He opened the door and she heard that familiar voice that sent shivers down her spine, and set all her nerves on end. She froze in horror.
"I'm looking for Laina," he said, snuffing a cigarette on the rail of the porch before throwing the butt into the grass.
"Who are you?" Ryo asked holding the door so her view was blocked.
"I'm her brother, Matt," he said with a smirk, "Just came to check up on her."
"Laina?" Ryo asked. Laina walked over, but Ryo didn't move from the door way.
"What are you doing here, Wyatt? How did you find me?" Laina asked feeling tears come to her eyes. It was like her feeling of peace shattered into a million pieces. Would she ever be able to escape? Wyatt smirked.
"Baby, I missed you. Why did you leave so suddenly?" Wyatt asked, "Was it really necessary to hit me with that chair?"
"Wyatt, you were trying to kill me," Laina said. She heard a low growl as the large white tiger sauntered into the room. White Blaze pushed her back with her weight.
"Listen, douchebag. Laina wants nothing to do with you. Honestly, she can cook really well, so I'm not giving her up, sorry," Ryo said with a shrug, closing the door. Wyatt put his foot in the way and pushed it back open.
"That bitch is mine. Mine to do with as I please. Mine to fuck whenever I want-," Wyatt said stepping into the room, before Ryo grabbed his arm.
"First of all, she is a person so no one owns her. Second, she has a brain and a voice so she can speak for herself. And third, if anyone is going to fuck her, it's going to be me," Ryo said shoving him back outside. Wyatt gave a wild look of fury as he stared at Ryo. He gave a few furious breaths before pulling a knife out of his belt.
"Ryo! Wyatt don't!" Laina screamed as Wyatt flew at Ryo. Laina watched as time seemed to slow down. She tried to move, but the tiger stood her ground, protecting Laina from the assault. Ryo stepped to the side, his hand grabbing Wyatt's wrist and he twisted him around so Wyatt's arm was pulled painfully up his back. Then he slammed Wyatt into the doorjamb, blood flinging from his mouth. Wyatt dropped the knife, his eyes wild with a mixture of fury and fear.
"I hear you like to hit women. Well, I like to hit men who like to hit women," Ryo said pulling him back and pushing Wyatt out. Wyatt fell into the railing on the porch. He spit blood, his face twisted in anger. He yelled as he ran towards Ryo. Ryo did a spinning heel kick right into Wyatt's chest and Wyatt flew over the rail landing hard in the dirt, with a sickening thud.
Ryo slammed the door shut and locked it. He pulled out his phone, "Siri, call 9-1-1. Laina, are you all right?"
"Yes," Laina whispered, feeling her eyes burn with unshed tears. She heard Ryo talk to the operator but had a hard time concentrating. Wyatt found her already… What if he came back while they slept? It sounded like he got hurt, but she was sure he was still alive and would keep hunting her down. Would Ryo be there to protect her then? She was putting him in danger. What would she do if anything had happened to him? He can't even see to protect himself… Then she remembered that first morning when he had forgotten she was still there. She looked up at him with his strong arms and remembered the way he stood up for her, remembering what he said about her being a person and him not being able to own her.
The tightness in her chest seemed to relax then. She hadn't even realized she had fallen to her knees. Getting up she touched white blaze as she wrapped her shaking arms around Ryo's strong middle. His arm came around her shoulders and she could hear the rumble of his voice in his chest as he spoke. It took a few hours for the police to come, and the ambulance to take him away. Laina stood by the window watching the last of the policemen leave.
"Are you worried about him?" Ryo asked quietly, beside her.
"I'm worried he'll come back," Laina replied, leaning into him. Ryo put an arm around her and kissed her forehead.
"Well he's certainly not coming back tonight… he couldn't even get up," Ryo said with a chuckle. He nudged her to go up the stairs.
Laina closed the window and felt her body shiver as she climbed into the bed. It had been a long night and she was exhausted, but for some reason she couldn't stop shaking. Every time she closed her eyes she saw Wyatt's sadistic brown eyes, and wild black hair as he brandished a knife. She lay there wide awake for hours, watching the shadows, and shivering. At this rate she was going to get no sleep! She was so tired… Forget it! Ryo would probably let her sleep in there… maybe…
Laina crept down the dark hallway, to Ryo's room. The house was so dark and quiet, she nearly jumped out of her skin as she stepped on a squeaky board. Shivering she gently pushed the door open, blue moonlight bathed Ryo's tan skin as he lay sprawled across his big bed, a sheet, barely covering his boxers. He lightly snored as she crept across the room. White Blaze growled behind her, making her yelp.
"Laina? What's up?" Ryo asked, his eyes still closed.
"Can I sleep with you?" Laina whispered, "Well not sleep with you… you know what I mean… can I sleep in the bed with you?"
Ryo smirked and pulled the sheet back for her to get in. She wondered if she should grab a blanket, but it was dark and she couldn't see any around. With a resigned sigh she climbed in next to him. His warm arm draped over her and the shivering slowed down as her body absorbed the heat from him. It was like laying in a warm bath, her body relaxed and her eyelids drifted shut.