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.
Chapter 10
Yuki
Yutaro slams a rubber shaft that resembles a man’s private part down in front of me, and another little piece of my soul dies.
“Today you will use this dildo to learn how to please a man,” my father’s vile guard dog barks. “With the wedding happening sooner, you have a lot to learn in five days.”
I don’t know what’s worse. Staying here, where I’m subjected to a grueling routine of learning how to cook and please a man, or marrying Mr. Vitale.
Maybe there won’t be any difference, and this is just how my life is now.
Yutaro slaps the side of my head. “I said pick it up!”
I do as I’m told, the rubbery feel of the dildo making me cringe with disgust.
“To please a man, you have to be patient. You need to watch his face to see if you have to suck harder or ease up.”
