Again there was silence, as if no one could believe this matter could get any worse, but the more disclosed, the worse it seemed to be.

“I believe whoever took Ryuu is behind the attacks on me personally and my family. They have money. Mercenaries aren’t cheap. To find Ryuu before he kills him – and he will – we have to find who is behind all of this.”

“Do you believe any other family is in danger?” a rider from England asked.

Stefano shrugged. “No one else has reported any trouble, let alone anyone making a concentrated hit on their family members. We drew the short straw on this one.”

“Tell us what you need from us,” the rider from Russia said. “We’ll help in any way we can. If you need more guards for your family, you have only to ask.”

Everyone nodded, including Kichiro. Stefano regarded the riders around the large conference table. They’d come from all over the world out of respect for a rider’s fallen husband.

“I appreciate what everyone is offering, and it might be necessary to call on you at some point before this is over, but for now, my cousins are handling it. We know we’re under attack and we’re taking the necessary precautions.”

Marcellus stood up, signaling to the others. “We need to leave this family to their grief. You will all be informed of the outcome of our investigation.”

The riders stood and each gave their condolences to the Ferraro family before filing out.

Kichiro hesitated in front of Mariko. “I didn’t mean my proposal as it sounded. I was always interested in you, but my family objected when I told them I wanted to court you. I was elated when Marcellus said you were a Tanaka because, although your mother wasn’t one of us, your family is legendary and would be a huge asset. It was you I wanted, the woman, not the rider.”

The entire time Kichiro spoke, Ricco was coiled and ready to strike. He didn’t understand that Kichiro was paying her a compliment. She put her hand very gently on Ricco’s knee beneath the table, trying to send him the message to remain silent. She inclined her head to Kichiro, indicating she understood. She gave him a serene smile. “I understand, Kichiro.”

He studiously avoided looking at Ricco. “You aren’t wearing his ring and I know that is important in his family. If you aren’t certain, please consider my offer. It is a sincere one.”

Despite the hand on his thigh, Ricco surged to his feet. Since the attack on his family, he had been smoldering for a physical outlet. “You pretentious prick. Get the fuck away from my woman. You insult her and then you insult me. You’re lucky I don’t throw you out on your fucking ear.”

Kichiro drew himself up for the first time, his calm mask slipping. Before he could say anything, Alfieri Ferraro stepped between them. “This is a sad day, gentlemen, and we’re all upset. Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to leave now, Kichiro. Thank you for coming. Our family certainly appreciates it.”

It was a clear dismissal from one of the members of the International Council. Ricco subsided into his chair, no longer even looking at Kichiro. The Japanese rider nodded his head at Alfieri and then whispered to Mariko, “I hope you will be happy.” He turned on his heel and left.

Ricco tightened his arm around her, drawing her beneath his shoulder. “That man doesn’t deserve you. I might not, but at least I appreciate you.”

Eloisa shot him a glare. “You’re a Ferraro,” she reminded.

“I’m a Ferraro, a damned good rider, Eloisa,” he agreed. “But she’s taking a huge leap of faith when it comes to judging what kind of man I am.” He brushed a kiss along Mariko’s knuckles. “I appreciate it, farfallina mia. I swear, you won’t regret taking me on.”

Mariko had no idea what to do or say. It was all a farce, to save her from Kichiro. Now he had to lie in front of his family – his mother. Worse, he was very, very good at lying. She couldn’t hear the lie, and she was very good at it as a rule. Either that, or he believed every word he was saying and his offer was sincere – right at that moment. Moments didn’t last.

“I realize this is a terrible situation for you and your family, Ricco,” Marcellus said. “But unfortunately, time is of the essence. We would like to interview you and then Mariko.”

“His father was just brutally murdered,” Eloisa objected.

For the first time, Mariko heard the unrestrained fury in the woman’s voice and realized Ricco and his brothers came by their tempers honestly. Eloisa was on the very edge of her control.

“It’s all right, Eloisa. We must find out who is behind this. The sooner the council realizes I’m telling the truth, the sooner they’ll look at the members conspiring against us.” Ricco stood and looked at the council members. “We can use the smaller office right off this room. Mariko was not even three. What she remembers is mostly from nightmares. Her life has been hell, and if you want to talk to her, you’ll do it with me in the room.”

“Ricco…” Marcellus began.

“That’s nonnegotiable.”

To her shock, Marcellus nodded. “That doesn’t seem unreasonable, although you have to know we all would be gentle with her.”

“You’ll be gentle with her with me present,” Ricco declared, not giving an inch.

She couldn’t believe he would talk to a council member like that and, more, they’d give in to his demands. She had confidence in herself as a rider, knew she was respected as one, but she wouldn’t have had the nerve to speak to a council member so directly, let alone giving them what amounted to an ultimatum.

Ricco nodded toward his brother Stefano. “I’d appreciate you watching out for her while I do this.”

“I will be going into the interview with you. As head of the family, that is my right.” Stefano was decisive, coming to his feet, his expression grim. “Taviano, Vittorio and Emme will keep her company.”

Eloisa glared at him. “I’m still quite capable of defending my family.”

Stefano bowed toward his mother. “Of course. Forgive me.”

Mariko didn’t understand the dynamics of the Ferraro family. Clearly the siblings were close. They all seemed to almost revere Stefano, but their mother, Eloisa, they treated as an outsider – and it wasn’t because she was a woman. She watched Ricco and Stefano head toward the small office with the members of the council.

For some reason, her heart beat far too fast as she watched him go. She realized she didn’t want him to have to relive the horrors of that day or the subsequent two years that followed in the homes of the families whose children he’d killed. He would have to tell them about how he didn’t sleep for years, that instead he guarded the homes of his siblings. He would have to tell them about that terrible night when her family had been massacred by four disturbed boys. She knew the interviewers would question him closely over and over and it would be an ordeal. She realized she wanted to be there with him when he had to go through it all again.