I keep seeing the woman’s chest covered in a myriad of ugly bruises, and no matter how much I try to think of something else, the image keeps popping up.
Setting the plate of food down, I pick up my phone and scroll through my contacts list. I stare at Mom’s number for a minute or so, trying to build up the courage to call her.
A heavy sigh escapes me as I press dial, and bringing the device to my ear, I close my eyes.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Mom’s loving voice comes over the line, sounding surprised to hear from me. “I thought you were on your way home with Riccardo?”
“No. I stayed behind to deal with the Yakuza. Riccardo should be home in a couple of hours.” I clear my throat as I open my eyes, and climbing to my feet, I walk to the window in the hotel room and stare out over the foreign city. “Something happened.”
Worry thickens her voice as she asks, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I lower my head as shame coils around my heart. “We found the group responsible for hurting Riccardo and thought we had Tanaka’s son.” Mom keeps quiet, listening patiently. “I tried to get information out of him, but earlier today I…”
“Shit. Did you accidentally kill Tanaka’s son?” Mom asks.
“No. I never had his son. It was a body double.”
“Oh.” I can hear her confusion in the word. “What happened?”
It takes a lot for me to force the words over my lips. “It was a woman.”
Mom’s quiet for a few seconds. “What are you telling me, Augusto?”
I suck in a deep breath and close my eyes again. “I tortured a woman.”
Mom lets out a quivering breath that’s like a knife to my heart. “B-but why?”
“She was disguised as a man. She started having breathing problems and took off her hoodie. That’s when I saw the padded shirt, and after I helped her take it off, I discovered she’s a woman. We took her straight to the hospital.”
“Oh. Well, that changes things, doesn’t it? You didn’t intentionally hit a woman? Right?”
“Right,” I agree. “But I still feel like shit.”
“I’d be worried if you didn’t feel bad,” Mom says.
Nodding, I glance out the window again. “I wanted you to be the first to know, but don’t tell anyone else. I still need to talk with Enzo.”
“Okay.” Mom lets out a soft sigh. “Do you think the woman will be okay?”
I have no idea. Even if she heals physically, I’m certain I scarred her mentally.
“I hope so,” I answer. “I keep thinking there’s no way Bianca or Sienna would’ve survived what I did to the woman.”
“What’s her name?”
“I don’t know. No matter how much we hurt her, she wouldn’t give us any information.” My throat feels scratchy, and I clear it before adding, “She only spoke to us once we found out she’s a woman, and it was to beg us not to rape her.”
“Jesus,” Mom gasps. “Augusto.”
“Mom,” remorse thickens my voice, “I’m so fucking sorry. I know I deserve it, but please don’t be disappointed in me.”
“Oh, baby,” Mom coos. “You didn’t mean to hurt her. I understand what happened was outside of your control.”
My voice is hoarse as I say, “I need to hear the words from you.”
“I’m not disappointed in you, Augusto. I’m worried about the poor woman, though. Can you check up on her? Just to give my heart some peace.”
“I’ll have Rosie hack the hospital.”
