A Forgiving Heart - 1. Chapter 1

Life…

the most precious gift…

the most fragile…

One

“I brought you a care package.”

Hyun Lee smiled at his little sister’s words. She always brought a care package every Saturday and never missed a day.

“Your place is a mess,” Mina complained on the phone.

Hyun sat back in his seat, studying the code running on his screen. He was close, so close.

“Mina, if I cleaned up, you would be bored on Saturdays when you come over.”

“Vegging out on your couch watching movies is also work I appreciate,” Mina said. “At least throw out the ramen containers when you finish with them. Your coffee table will buckle under a week’s worth of these.”

Hyun adjusted the last few lines of the code he had dedicated three months on and hit enter. His smile widened when the final test cleared. After three months of dedicated development and debugging, he had succeeded.

“Mina,” Hyun said, elated. “Oppa will buy you anything you want to eat tonight. What do you want?”

“Why do you sound so excited?” Mina asked.

Hyun leaned over the phone on his desk, grinning wide.

“I have finished the project I told you about. We’re going to be rich, Mina. You wait. I’ll buy you anything you want.”

“I think I’ve heard that before,” Mina said. Hyun could hear water running at her end of the line. “Mina, I’ll get you a car for your twenty-first birthday.” She mimicked his voice. “Oppa, I’m twenty-two now. I have yet to see the car.”

“Patience, little sis,” Hyun said, stretching his arms above his head.

Damn, his shoulder muscles were tight. He got up from his desk and went to get a cup of coffee. He had a very important message to write to his boss.

The dungeon he called an office was quiet. He worked with four other programmers in the basement at Arocom Industries. His coworkers were all gone for the day. His job was to debug security software sent by the elitist software programmers on the sixth floor of the building. He had worked for Arocom for three years now. It was time to climb up out of the basement. The program he had written would guarantee him a place above those sixth-floor bastards. He could feel it.

Pouring dark sludge into his mug, he added enough sugar to soak the coffee and took a sip. Hyun grimaced at the bittersweet taste and dreamed of the espresso machine on the sixth floor. He had seen it on a rare visit up there. He was so going to insist on one in his new office.

“Oppa,” Mina’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Are you daydreaming again?”

Mina was his only family. She was three years younger. Their parents died six years ago, and he became her guardian at nineteen.

Hyun returned to his messy desk and picked up his phone.

“I’m here,” he said. “How was work this week?”

“I’m getting used to it,” Mina said. “Everyone still talks too fast, but I’m learning to listen. You should have pushed me to learn my English. New York is no joke.”

“You’re doing fine,” Hyun said.

They moved to New York three years ago when he got the job offer at Arocom Industries. Wanting to give Mina a good life, Hyun packed up their home in Seoul, bought two one-way tickets, and moved to New York. Mina was now an intern at an interior design firm in Lower Manhattan. She worked hard to get the position after she graduated from NYU.

Hyun hoped she would find her place soon.

***

“You always tell me I’m doing fine,” Mina said, rinsing dishes in the sink.

She worked fast, clearing the kitchen counters and throwing the ramen containers into the trash. Her big brother was absentminded when it came to housekeeping. She had long learned not to get upset with him.

“Should I take you out tonight?” Hyun asked. He sounded excited.

His project must have gone well.

“Really?” Mina grinned. She loved it when her brother took her out. “Take me to that restaurant on fifth. The one everyone gets dressed up to enter. Can you afford it?”

Hyun chuckled.

“I’ll make an exception today and break the piggy bank. Oppa is feeling lucky.”

She laughed because she loved it when Hyun was happy. He rarely got the chance to relax, always so busy.

“I—”

She broke off when the front door slammed open.

Two men came in, their faces covered with dark masks. She dropped the glass she was rinsing in the sink.

“Mina?” Hyun called. “Are you okay?”

“Oppa—,” she started, frozen in place when one of the men pointed a gun at her.

The man holding the gun pressed his index finger against his lips, indicating for her to remain silent.

“Mina?” Hyun’s voice filled the kitchen. “Did you drop the phone into the sink? Yah, you should at least tell me when you’re hanging up.”

Tears filled her eyes as the second man reached her. He held a syringe, his hand covering her mouth before she could scream.

The syringe hurt when he stuck it into her left arm. She struggled against his stronghold.

“Mina!” Hyun called again, his tone urgent.

It was the last thing she heard before she blacked out.

***

“Mina,” Hyun said, staring at his phone. The counter on his screen told him that the call was still on. He frowned and tapped on the screen.

“Did you go to the bathroom—?”

“Lee Hyun,” an unfamiliar voice said.

Hyun sat up in a panic.

“Who are you? Where is my sister?”

“Safe,” the voice said. “You have something we want.”

“Where is Mina?” Hyun stood.

He pushed his chair back too fast, and it fell over.

“Safe, but only if you cooperate,” the voice said. “You have a nice apartment. You’re going to have to finish the cleanup. I’ll call you at a later date.”

The line went dead. Hyun stood in his office afraid to move. He stared at the successful tests on the screens on his desk, feeling like he was going crazy. Mina’s voice calling him oppa filled his head, and he dialed her number, hoping he was daydreaming.

“Your call cannot be completed at this time,” the telephone service woman said.

Hyun ended the call and dialed again. He tried five more times before panic truly set in.

Mina’s phone was off.

So, this was not a dream.

Hyun let out a soft gasp. He should go home. Or go to the police. Shit, what—

Hyun grabbed the flash disk on a chain on his neck and saved his work, clearing any trace of the code he had written on his workstation. He wore the chain again and grabbed up his bag, the one with his laptop.

Hyun ran out of the office, determined to get to his apartment. He half-hoped this was a prank Mina was playing on him. He hoped it was a rude joke that he would yell at her for, and things would be okay again, but that foreign voice had chilled him.

The subway took too long, and when he got off at his stop, he broke into a run heading to his building. Ignoring the elevator, he took the stairs to the fifth floor two at a time. He rushed into 507 in a mad dash, slamming the door against the wall.

“Mina,” he called, looking around his neat living room.

Hyun stopped in the kitchen when he saw the broken glass in the sink. Dropping his bag on the floor, he returned to the living room and saw Mina’s handbag on his couch. When he saw her shoes at the entrance, he knew.

Hyun understood that this was not a dream.

***

Raphael Yun was having a bad day at the office.

More of a bad six months, he thought.

Since he returned to Manhattan from Colston, Ohio, he had not had a good day. He missed his lazing-around days, or perhaps he missed keeping track of his brother-in-law, Talin.

That was always more fun than actual work.

“Seven cargo ships, six destinations,” Himura said beside him.

“Six?” Raphael studied the map on the overhead screen again. “Why do we have two ships heading into the Port of Mombasa?”

“The Helena called in with engine trouble. The Alora helped them out.”

Raphael scowled.

“Call The Helena’s Captain," Raphael said. "He has two hours to set the course for Durban. Our timetable is tight.”

“Yes, Sir,” Himura said.

Raphael studied the two red dots on the screen.

The Helena carried legitimate merchandise, his first attempt at turning the tide in the Yun Family shipping business.

Raphael paced the floor of the command room, his gaze sweeping over the team of technicians working at different workstations. They tracked cargo ships and delivery trucks moving across the world.

Raphael’s gaze returned to the two ships heading into the Port of Mombasa.

“You look concerned.” Himura came to stand beside him.

“The Helena,” Raphael’s frown deepened. “The Captain on that ship is new. He is doing his first run with us. What are the odds that The Helena would run into trouble?”

“He checked out,” Himura said.

“Recheck his details,” Raphael said.

Raphael hated discrepancy.

His cargo ships ran tight schedules. He knew his plans to turn the business legitimate were not popular. Having the one ship he assigned to start his legitimate venture in trouble raised serious alarms in his head.

Himura moved to the closest workstation.

The young woman there brought up the new Captain’s profile.

“His name is Captain Henry,” Himura read. “His family is living in Seattle. His wife is thirty-eight and a stay-at-home mom. Their daughter is in tenth grade.”

“Where are they?” Raphael asked, knowing Himura would have them tracked.

“The daughter is at school. The wife is doing grocery shopping, nothing abnormal.”

“Finances?” Raphael asked.

“Normal,” Himura said. “Captain Henry’s first payment cleared yesterday. He transferred some money to his wife, so she was out shopping. We’re holding the second installment to deposit when he docks in Durban. The wife’s finances are unstable. She sells jewelry online. She has an Etsy shop.”

Raphael scratched his jaw. His eyes were gritty, and he needed sleep, but he could not rest until The Helena was back on track.

“Connect me to Takumi,” Raphael said.

Takumi was the Captain of The Alora.

The call went through fast.

“Takumi here.”

“Your cargo manifest cannot pass inspection,” Raphael said in greeting. “Cut The Helena loose.”

“We couldn’t afford to stop, Sir,” Takumi said. “We’ve escaped a hostile scenario. Men wanted to board The Helena when it stopped. Captain Henry was nervous and would have surrendered to keep his crew alive.”

Raphael cursed under his breath. Going legitimate was going to be the death of him.

“Do not leave international waters,” Raphael ordered. “Make it to your designated coordinates, Takumi. We’ll send The Helena support in the next hour.”

“Sir—”

“Himura, who can we call in that region?” Raphael asked, cutting off communication with Takumi.

“Getti is close. He is in Dar,” Himura said.

“The Helena’s engines are new. One of the crew may have caused any engine trouble,” Raphael said. “Tell Getti we’ll double his compensation. Get him and his team to the Helena, and ask him to include serious security gear.”

Himura reached for his cell phone to make the call, and Raphael reconnected with Takumi.

“Sir, we’ve stopped. The Helena’s crew is antsy,” Takumi said.

“Getti is on his way. He’ll reach you in,” Raphael glanced at Himura, who lifted three fingers. “Thirty minutes. Keep The Helena’s crew busy with a safety drill. Once you see Getti’s copter, get your Alora back on course. Your cargo is late, Captain.”

“Yes, Sir,” Takumi said. “I’m sorry—”

“We’ll talk more when you’re on land,” Raphael said. “Don’t drop your guard with Captain Henry.”

“Yes, Sir,” Takumi ended the call.

Raphael turned to Himura.

“Getti knows what to do,” Himura said.

Raphael wiped a hand down his face and frowned at Himura.

“Find out why The Helena would get engine trouble so soon after maintenance.”

Himura gave Raphael a short nod as Raphael turned and left the command room in quick strides.

***

Himura watched Raphael leave, his gaze speculative. Reaching for his phone, he made a call to Hong Kong. The call rang once, and then it was answered.

“The Helena is in trouble,” Himura said. “They have started, as you said. Best keep me in the loop.”

***

Raphael rubbed his shoulders as he walked up the stairs. Unbuttoning his shirt as he reached the third floor, he headed to his bedroom for a hot shower and bed.

Under the heavy spray, Raphael closed his eyes, hoping to ease the ache between his shoulders. Lately, he felt as though he was not getting enough rest.

Raphael wondered if he missed the quiet life he adopted the past few years. He had lived in Colston for four years, looking after his brother-in-law…

Well, he watched over Talin from afar.

Talin thought Raphael was a nuisance, but Raphael had not been able to stay away from Talin.

Raphael pushed his hair back, allowing the hot water to sweep over his face. Perhaps he missed seeing Talin, even from a distance.

Six months away, and he still worried about the man.

Raphael turned off the water, reached for a towel from the rail, and wrapped it around his hips. Stepping out of the shower stall, he grabbed a second towel and used it to dry his dark long hair.

His motions were negligent as he walked into his bedroom, stopping by his bed.

Raphael dropped both towels in an armchair. Turning down the lights, he slid between cool white sheets and sighed softly when he rested his head on the pillows.

***

“You’re the good one,” Raphael said, smiling at his identical twin brother. “I’m the dark one. That’s why it’s so easy for me to accept our father’s world.”

Gabriel reached out and poked Raphael’s upper arm.

“I’ve told you to make a stand with Father.”

“What if I don’t want to?” Raphael asked. “You have Talin. You’ve built Pan Limited together. Your company is flourishing. I have chosen the burden of our Yun Family. If I don’t start liking it, the weight will consume me. Besides, Father threatens to come after you whenever I think of leaving.”

Gabriel sighed, pulling Raphael into a tight hug.

“You’re not alone,” Gabriel said. “You’ll always have me supporting your decisions, Rafa.”

Raphael closed his eyes, breathing in his brother’s scent, holding Gabriel tight. When he opened his eyes, Gabriel was gone, and all Raphael stared at was a white pillow. The alarm beeped on his bedside table, and his phone buzzed an alert after the alarm.

Raphael sighed and pushed the hair out of his eyes.

Gabriel was gone. That truth greeted him every morning.

He sat up with a groan.

He turned off the alarm and picked up his phone. There was a message. He slid his thumb over the lock screen.

“You awake? I’ll see you on the hill. Don’t forget -T.”

Raphael smiled.

Talin was in New York.

The day was starting on an exquisite note.

***

Raphael whistled on his way to the dining room, an unfinished melody that fit his mood. He sat at the head of the table, thanking the young man who brought his breakfast of mixed fruit salad, a fried egg, and cinnamon oatmeal. Taking his spoon, he glanced up to find Himura watching him with interest.

“What?” Raphael touched his jaw. “Do I have shaving cream on my face?”

Himura shook his head.

“You look impeccable as always, Sir. May I ask why you’re so happy this morning?”

Raphael took a bite of his oatmeal.

“Can’t I be happy?”

Himura gaped.

“That’s not what I meant, Sir. I mean—”

“Relax, Himura,” Raphael said. “I don’t want to spoil a good morning. Please, eat your breakfast.”

Raphael ate in silence after that enjoying his meal and his thoughts on Talin. He wondered if Talin had brought Dimitri along with him.

Dimitri was Talin’s new partner. They had not had their wedding yet. If Raphael saw even a hint of unhappiness in Talin, he would ensure Himura gave it to Dimitri.

Dimitri was a brute of a man, too strong for him, but-

Raphael glanced at Himura.

Himura could take Dimitri. They were well-matched in a fight.

“Sir,” Himura said, meeting his gaze.

Raphael winked.

“Schedule a trip to the cemetery today. I need a white rose.”

“Yes, Sir,” Himura said. “I wanted to tell you that your father has sent word. He wants to see you.”

Raphael dropped his fork in his bowl of fruits.

“I told you I want a good morning. Why do you need to bring up my father?”

“Because,” Himura said, his tone gentle. “You asked me to discover how The Helena would have engine trouble.”

Raphael sat back in his seat. A frown creasing his forehead, he shook his head as his appetite disappeared. He did not need Himura to elaborate on his statement. His father was against any legitimization plans. His father would have The Helena sunk before he let Raphael drive the family toward the straight and narrow. There were too many connections to sever.

Raphael sighed, his good mood evaporating.

“What does father want?” Raphael asked.

“Arocom Industries,” Himura said. “Your father has been busy. When you were in Colston a year ago, you and Talin bought out Pajari Industries. You worked to stop Vlad from harming Talin, Dimitri, and his family. Your father acquired the company around the same time you and Talin transferred the Pajari Industries shares to deplete Vlad’s accounts. Your father thought your plan genius and thought he should pull you to acquisitions.”

Raphael frowned.

“I don’t want to handle the acquisition. Talin’s problem was unique. I helped because Talin was going to get himself killed. I’m strictly shipping and retrieval. So, why is Father looking for me?”

“Arocom Industries develops security software. They have recently attempted a foray into the financial market.” Himura passed him a folder. “They’ve developed security software used by several major banks worldwide.”

Raphael opened the folder and stared at the picture of a young Asian man who looked Korean.

“Who is this?”

“Lee Hyun,” Himura said. “He is a talented programmer who works for Arocom Industries. He’s gone missing.”

“What does he have to do with father?” Raphael asked, putting the folder aside. “More to the point, why does father think it concerns me?”

“Your father believes Lee Hyun is working for a competitor. His co-workers claim he was developing a program that could jeopardize the integrity of Arocom’s security software. However, there is no proof, and no one knows where Lee Hyun has gone.”

“Father wants me to find this Lee Hyun,” Raphael said. “I’m trying to take a step away from this business.”

“Can you?” Himura asked. “You’re practically the Yun Family Heir. You’ve lived in your family’s world too long, Sir. I understand you’re trying to change because of Master Talin and how he’s managed to keep his life separate—”

“Leave him out of this,” Raphael snapped.

“I can't help it,” Himura said, his tone unapologetic. “Master Talin changed your brother in many ways, and in some ways, Talin’s struggle in Colston changed you too, Sir. However, you can’t run away from what you are too long. It is a part of you, deep to the bone.”

“I can try,” Raphael said, taking his napkin from his lap and dropping it on his unfinished food.

He pushed back his chair and got to his feet.

“If you do this, Sir,” Himura continued. “You might end up falling over a cliff with no net to stop you from hitting the bottom. Your father is worried about you.”

“Fuck cliffs, Himura,” Raphael said with a scowl. “I’m going to push you down the stairs if you don’t stop ruining my morning with your stupid philosophy. Come on, I need to understand everything about Arocom Industries before I meet my father. We have to get this done quickly. I’m going to meet Talin today.”

***

The weak afternoon sun turned Green Wood Cemetery into a stunning landscape.

Quiet and beautiful, Gabriel would approve of this place, Raphael Yun thought.

Talin had chosen Gabriel’s resting place well.

A cold wind swept by, the chill piercing. It felt like he would never be warm again. Winter was here. Buttoning his coat, Raphael continued over a small hill, his steps slowing when he saw the lone figure standing at his destination.

Talin.

He smiled.

Raphael paused a few feet away and watched Talin place a red rose on the marble gravestone they had chosen together. Well, he had chosen. Talin had not been much of a decision-maker at the time.

Talin looked up and saw him. The warmth in Talin’s beautiful brown eyes always managed to disperse the darkness inside him.

Raphael closed the distance between them, closing his eyes when Talin wrapped him in a tight hug.

“You look good, li’l brother,” Raphael said in greeting.

Talin stepped back.

“You too, Raphael,” Talin said.

Raphael turned to the gravestone. His gaze on the red rose resting on the top.

“How is Dimitri?”

“Good,” Talin said, his tone light, happy. “He’s waiting for me at the car.”

“He could have come with you.”

“I wanted time alone. There were things I needed to say to Gabriel.”

Talin put his hands in his leather jacket, his gaze lingering on Gabriel’s headstone.

Raphael had seen how much Talin loved Gabriel and had seen how losing Gabriel affected Talin. It was a miracle to see him smile at all. Much of that he owed to Dimitri.

“I hope Dimitri’s looking after you.”

“We look after each other,” Talin said, his tone happy.

“As it should be,” Raphael said, glancing at Talin. “He would want you to be happy.”

Talin looked at him then.

“Gabriel,” Raphael said. “He would love it if you laughed and lived again, Talin. I know because it’s what I want for you.”

Talin bit his bottom lip hard.

“I won’t ever forget him.”

“I know,” Raphael said, reaching out to squeeze Talin’s left shoulder. “You were the best part of him.”

“Raphael.”

Talin shivered, and Raphael removed the scarf around his neck. He stepped closer to Talin and wrapped the warm black scarf around Talin’s neck.

“It’s getting cold. Go back to Dimitri now,” Raphael said. “I’ll visit you two once in a while. See how happy you are.”

“What about you?” Talin asked, a frown dancing on his forehead. “Where will you be?”

Raphael pressed a chaste kiss on Talin’s forehead.

“Around,” he said. “Never too far for you, Talin. You are my precious little brother.”

Talin studied him for a moment and then nodded. He gave Gabriel’s gravestone one last glance before he turned to leave. He took two steps and then stopped and looked at Raphael.

“You once said that I had not forgiven you for Gabriel’s death. I want you to know that I don’t blame you for what happened to Gabriel,” Talin said, his voice steady.

“Vlad is responsible for Gabriel’s death. She paid the price of her crime when Dimitri shot her, and that’s enough for me. Gabriel loved you very much, Raphael. So, forgive yourself soon. He would want to see you happy too, as do I.”

Talin’s words should have relieved the ache in Raphael’s heart. Instead, the ache yawned larger, heavier.

Raphael gave Talin a short nod and watched him walk away.

Raphael had held off his grief for ages, focusing on protecting Talin.

He turned back to Gabriel’s gravestone when Talin disappeared over the hill.

“I envy you, Gabe. Talin is one in a lifetime,” he said to his brother.

He placed the white rose he had brought with him on the gravestone beside Talin’s red one.

“Talin’s happy again. I’m sure that makes you smile.”

Raphael let a heavy sigh escape, closing his eyes when the wind picked up. He took in a deep breath and stared up at the cloudy sky. He had been born one-half of a whole. Gabriel, his mirror image, the other half of the whole, and the one person he could trust in this world. Sometimes, it didn’t seem real that his twin brother was gone.

Yet, here he stood.

Alone, one-half, and despite Talin’s soothing words, he was to blame for Gabriel’s death.

He opened his eyes and stared at Gabriel’s name on the cold marble gravestone.

“I miss you,” he whispered.

***

Raphael walked back to the road ten minutes later. Clearing the small hill, he wasn’t surprised when a figure came from behind one of the more elaborate tombstones.

“Himura, lurking is creepy.”

“Talin is headed back to Colston.” Himura matched his step. “Are you going to leave them alone? It’s not safe.”

“You must not know me at all,” Raphael said.

“I’m not too sure these days. That little city made you soft, boss.”

“Who says this?” Raphael asked, pausing to look at Himura. “My men?”

“Relax. Where is your sense of humor?”

“Keep joking, and you will become a permanent resident in this scenic place.”

“No sense of humor,” Himura scoffed.

They continued walking to the black car parked on the right-hand side of the road.

“Use our permanent assets,” Raphael said when his driver opened the back-passenger door. “A couple is perfect. Please send them to Colson. They should find a place close to Talin. I want weekly reports, Himura, especially now. I feel uneasy. Do you understand?”

Himura gave him a sharp nod.

“Consider it done.”

Raphael got into the car.

Himura closed the door before hurrying around to the front passenger seat.

“Where to Sir?” Himura asked then.

Raphael gave the cemetery one last glance. Now that his brother’s matters were settled it was time to deal with the next crisis. Glancing at the time on his watch, he settled back in his seat.

“JFK, international departures,” Raphael said.

Taking the leather-bound folder on the seat next to him, Raphael opened it to look at the first-class ticket to Hong Kong.

He had an overdue meeting with his father.

***