Chapter 9
Yuki
My heart is thundering against my ribs, and every muscle in my body is wound so tightly, I’m a trembling mess.
Over the past three months, I’ve been forced to endure pain unlike anything I’ve felt before. Having my teeth fixed. The hunger cramps.
But what’s hurt the most is the shame and dishonor. Especially today.
As I stare into Mr. Vitale’s eyes while everyone waits for him to make up his mind, the last of my hope hangs by a tattered thread.
Mr. Vitale's green gaze flicks to my father, and then he answers, “Fine, but the wedding will be held in New York.”
“As you wish,” Father says, triumph written all over his face.
I’m going to be forced to marry Mr. Vitale. The last time I saw him, he almost broke me. How will I survive him a second time?
There’s no burst of shock, but instead, the last mustard seed of hope dies. Melancholy fills my soul, and it feels as if the strength that’s kept me going drains from my body.
Mr. Vitale’s eyes lock on me again, and I bristle, my body too familiar with the brutal pain his fists can inflict. He moves closer to me, and I can’t stop myself from stumbling two steps backward.
“Yuki!” Father snaps.
Mr. Vitale crouches in front of me and picks up my dress, then holds it out to me. “Get dressed in the bedroom. I need my jacket.”
I grab the fabric from him, and desperate for a few seconds of privacy, I run to the ensuite bathroom in the bedroom.
I place Mr. Vitale’s jacket on the counter, and after I quickly put on my dress again, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror.
For so many years, I wondered what it would be like to dress like a woman. To wear pretty clothes and makeup. To have a man look at me with desire.
Now I know. It’s terrifying, especially when the man is the one who almost killed me.
In a month, I’ll be handed over to Mr. Vitale.
A forlorn feeling has my eyes drifting shut.
Hold out for Ryo. He’ll take over one day, and he’ll come to save you wherever you are.
I don’t know how I’ll survive until then, but I have to.
“Yuki!” I hear Yutaro snap from the bedroom, and I quickly grab Mr. Vitale’s jacket. When I rush out of the bathroom, his palm connects with the side of my head, while he rips the jacket from my hands. “Stay here.”
As Yutaro returns to the sitting room, I fold my arms around my middle and fight to keep the tears from falling.
The urge to destroy everything in sight before throwing myself out the window shoots through me, but one thought keeps me rooted to the spot.
Ryo.
Once my brother finds me, this will become nothing more than bad memories. One day, I will be happy again with my brother.
When I hear voices, I move closer to the door so I can eavesdrop.
“Seeing as you want the wedding to take place in New York, will you make all the arrangements?” Father asks.
“Yes,” Mr. Vitale answers. “It won’t be a big ceremony. I don’t trust you and your men around my family.”
“It doesn’t matter to me. Let me know the date, and Yuki will be there.”
Only then does it sink in that I’m being sent to a foreign country to marry a violent man.
I close my eyes at the intense wave of terror pouring through my veins. Unable to keep the tears back, one slips free and rolls over my cheek.
Suddenly, I hear movement, and as my eyes pop open, I see Mr. Vitale come into the room.
I stagger a few steps backward, and when he comes toward me, I flinch and duck my head while bracing for a punch.
“Yuki!” Yutaro growls. “Stop misbehaving.”
“Can you give me a minute alone with my fiancée?” Mr. Vitale asks, a world of impatience and anger in his deep voice.
“No. I’m here to guard her innocence,” Yutaro replies curtly.
Tension explodes around me, making the air tremble, and when Mr. Vitale places his hand on my shoulder, my body jerks as if I’ve been shocked with a high current of electricity.
He leans down, and as wave after wave of fear encircle my body and soul, he whispers near my ear, “Asking forgiveness would be a waste of time. Actions speak louder than words. That’s why I agreed to this marriage.”
The tremble that shudders through me makes me feel lightheaded.
He’s not accepting my apology and will make me suffer more for what happened to his brother.
Another tear trickles slowly down my cheek, and as Mr. Vitale pulls back, he sees it. His features turn grimmer, and when he lifts a hand to my face, I let out a whimper and dart backward while bringing my right arm up to block the blow.
He freezes, his gaze turning to stone as he stares at me.
Deep in my bones, I know if we were alone, he’d beat me to pulp for the way I reacted. For once, I’m thankful for Yutaro’s presence.
The next instant, Mr. Vitale turns around and leaves the room. Yutaro shoots me a glare, telling me he’ll deal with me once the guests leave, before he heads down the hallway.
With the cruel fate of marrying Augusto Vitale hanging over my head like a sharp-edged sword, everything I’ve been through since I was separated from Ryo overwhelms me.
Not caring that I’m weak, I begin to sob, tears spilling from my eyes.
When Yutaro returns and removes his belt, punishing me for what feels like the millionth time, I crumble to the floor and pray for death.
Maybe I should give up on this life.
Maybe the universe will take pity on me and reunite me with Ryo once we’re reborn.
Augusto
“Are you sure about marrying Tanaka’s daughter?” Georgi asks during the flight home.
I couldn’t leave Japan fast enough. Once I’m back in New York, I plan to sleep for a couple of days.
Before I can answer him, Christiano replies, “It doesn’t matter. Augusto agreed to the deal.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “There’s been enough blood spilled. It’s time things returned to normal. We have other business to attend to.”
“Christiano is right,” I add my two cents.
Rosie’s been quiet, working on her tablet in the seat beside mine. Still looking upset, she mumbles, “I’ll never complain about my family and you guys again. Holy shit, I feel bad for Yuki.”
“Sorry, Rosie. If I had known that would happen, I wouldn’t have forced you to come along,” Christiano says, his tone soft with remorse. His expression grows serious. “Have you thought about assigning a second-in-charge to fill your shoes during meetings?”
“Yeah, but who?” She glances at the four of us.
With Rosie being twenty-one and practically living in her office, she hasn’t been able to form relationships like the rest of us.
“Who do you trust most?” Christiano asks.
She waves a hand at us.
“What about Raffaele?” I mention. “I’m going to start training Riccardo to be my underboss.”
Everyone’s attention turns to me, and Christiano nods his head. “That’s an excellent idea.”
“Are you sure?” Rosie asks. “It would solve a lot of problems for me.”
“I don’t want to demote Raffaele after all he’s done for the family, but it’s time for Riccardo to take his rightful place. You’d be doing me a favor,” I tell Rosie.
“Thank you,” she says, a beautiful smile stretching over her face.
Getting up from my seat, I look to the front of the plane, and catching Raffaele’s eye, I signal for him to come to the back.
I sit down again, and when he joins us, I say, “You’ve always known Riccardo would become my underboss.”
He nods, folding his hands in front of me.
I gesture at Rosie, and it has her saying, “How do you feel about becoming my second-in-charge?”
The corner of his mouth lifts as he says, “I’d be honored, Rosie.”
She lets out a breath of relief and grins at him. “Oh, thank God. Now you can do all the dirty work.”
We all chuckle while Raffaele shakes Rosie’s hand, saying, “I won’t disappoint the La Rosa family.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done for me,” I tell him.
He pats my shoulder, giving me a grateful smile before he returns to his seat.
Rosie resumes working on her tablet, and while Georgi and Adriano talk about their clubs and restaurants, Christiano stares out the oval window beside him.
My thoughts turn to Yuki Tanaka and the shit that went down at the meeting.
When I spoke to her in the bedroom under Yutaro’s watchful eye, none of my words offered her any comfort. Instead, they seem to make her fear me even more.
Seeing her tears was a crushing blow to my heart, and I know I’m in for a rough period until I manage to gain Yuki’s forgiveness and trust.
If that’s even possible.
Just as I start to doubt my decision to marry Yuki, I’m struck with flashes of what happened in the hangar.
On day two, Raffaele had to hold her up while I beat her until I was out of breath and she was unconscious.
I shake my head to rid myself of the memory, regret and a profound loss of self-respect burning in my gut.
Trying to flee from what I’ve done to Yuki, I focus on how I can make things up to her.
She’s been tortured, degraded, and God knows what else.
Maybe the best thing for her will be a peaceful environment where she can heal.
I latch onto the thought and make the decision to prepare my house for her arrival. I’ll import everything Asian to make her feel more at home.
One step at a time will win the race.
Even if it takes me years.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I begin to search for Asian décor and food.
“Oooh are you shopping?” Rosie asks, leaning into me.
“I want to make Yuki feel at home.” My gaze moves to her. “Want to help?”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” She begins to type on her tablet, and for the next few hours, Rosie and I buy every beautiful piece of pottery and artwork we can find. We also import bamboo and find a landscape architect who will be able to convert my garden into a Zen-like paradise.
“I think this is really nice of you, Augusto,” Rosie says.
“I just want to give her a peaceful home.” My eyes meet Rosie’s. “I have a lot to make up for where Yuki is concerned. Especially if I want to make this marriage work.”
Keeping her voice soft, she asks, “Why did you agree?”
I let out a sigh. “I hope it will give me the chance to repent for the unforgivable sin I committed against Yuki.”
“Oh, Augusto.” Rosie does her best to hug me while remaining in her seat. “You didn’t know she was a woman.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “Yuki has been traumatized by my actions.” I swallow hard on the ever-present guilt. “She’s fucking terrified of me, and the only way I can help her heal is by showing her I’m not the monster she thinks I am.”
“You can do it, Augusto. You’re an amazing person.”
Leaning closer, I press a kiss to Rosie’s temple. “Thanks, princess.”
She rests her head against my shoulder and pats my forearm.
While Rosie uses me for a pillow and gets some sleep, I keep thinking about my terrified fiancée, wondering what else she’ll endure while I make arrangements for the wedding.
A month is a long time if you’re being abused on a daily basis, and from what I saw today, I’m dead sure Kano and Tanaka treat her like shit every chance they get.
Looking at Christiano, I say, “Tell Tanaka the wedding will be held in a week. I think the sooner we seal the deal, the better. A lot can go wrong in a month.”
He nods, and pulling out his phone, he sends the head of the Yakuza the message.