Saint for Hire: The Yakuza (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798258609328)

Saint for Hire: The Yakuza is a historical romantic epic set at the turn of the 20th century, blending supernatural mystery with the gritty reality of international crime. The story follows Benjamin Myers, a man gifted-and cursed-with the dual ability to heal the sick or drain the life from the living.

Following the death of his parents, Benjamin is raised in the isolation of a Colorado cabin alongside Caroline Belle, the daughter of his family's former housemaid. Their bond transcends their upbringing, blossoming into a deep romance. However, when the catastrophic Great Blizzard of 1899 threatens their survival, the couple flees the United States for Europe, seeking scientific answers for Benjamin's abilities through the study of neurology.

Their quest for truth takes them from the laboratories of London to the medical archives of Calcutta, where they discover ancient texts pointing toward Eastern origins of Benjamin's power. Unbeknownst to them, they are being hunted. Yuki, a nurse and Yakuza spy, and her partner Kenji, infiltrate their lives by posing as a friendly couple.

After staging a violent encounter to confirm Benjamin's gifts, the Yakuza operatives kidnap the pair and transport them to a secluded island in Southern Japan. There, Benjamin is forced into service as a supernatural interrogator, intended to replace the organization's dying "healer," Hisako.

In captivity, the moral lines of the story blur. Caroline forms an unexpected and intimate bond with Yuki, discovering that the spy is a victim of the Yakuza's debt-slavery. This connection leads to a polyamorous dynamic between Benjamin, Caroline, and Yuki, fueled by shared trauma and a desire for freedom.

When a rival gang raids the island, Yuki sacrifices her life to ensure Benjamin and Caroline's escape. In the heat of the battle, Benjamin's powers evolve, allowing him to subdue mercenaries without physical contact-a feat that leaves him physically shattered.

Escaping to Korea, the couple meets Master Ji-hoon, who reveals the legend of Agartha, a subterranean kingdom for those with extraordinary power. This revelation gives their flight a new purpose: they are no longer just running; they are searching for a home.

Their peace in Wanning, China, is short-lived when a vengeful, scarred Kenji tracks them down. In a final confrontation, Benjamin fully embraces his darker potential, draining Kenji until nothing remains but ash. Realizing they are still within the Yakuza's reach, Benjamin and Caroline set their sights on the mountains of Tibet, hoping the Dalai Lama can provide the final key to Agartha and the peace they have sought since leaving the Colorado woods.