“Hi, how is Yuki doing?” she asks.
“As I’ve told, Mr. Vitale, we need to watch Yuki closely. Tomorrow, we’ll start slowly with low-calorie amounts of food, and every two days, we’ll increase the amount she gets to eat until she’s able to handle a normal meal. Simone and I will monitor everything she eats and drinks for the next few weeks. Either we move Yuki to the hospital, or Simone will stay here for the next three days to keep an eye on our patient.”
“Simone can stay here,” I say. “She can take the other guestroom on the second floor.”
“I’ll tell her.”
“Can we see Yuki?” Mom asks. “I brought her comfortable clothes.”
“Yes, but she’s in no state to bathe or shower. Simone can give her a sponge bath if it’s needed.”
When Mom follows Dr. Milazzo and I don’t move, she stops to give me a questioning look. “Aren’t you coming?”
“I need to make a call.”
Nodding, she leaves me alone in the kitchen with the intense rage burning like a wildfire through me.
I bring up Christiano’s number, and the instant he answers, I growl, “I’m going to kill Tanaka. This is me giving you a heads up.”
“Why?”
“Right now, his daughter is fighting for her fucking life because he starved her.”
“Christ, Augusto,” he snaps. “Are you at the hospital?”
“No, Dr. Milazzo is treating her at my house. He says it will be touch-and-go for a couple of days.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Do you want me to come over?”
I shake my head. “No. My mom’s here. I just wanted to give you a heads up. As soon as Yuki is better and settled in some kind of healthy routine, I’m going to Tokyo to kill that bastard. Not only did he endanger her life, but it’s a fucking insult to give me a wife in such a state.”
“I hear you.” He lets out a heavy breath. “We’ll deal with Tanaka once Yuki is back on her feet. Focus on your wife for the time being. I’ll check in with you tomorrow.”
“I’d appreciate it.”
We end the call, and needing something stronger than coffee, I stalk to the living room and pour myself a tumbler of whiskey.
Downing the alcohol, I work on controlling my anger.
I’m also going to kill Tanaka’s guard dog.
Yuki
My body feels stiff as I start to wake up, and when I try to turn onto my side to get more comfortable, a hand brushes over my temple.
“It’s okay, sweetie. You’re going to get better soon.”
I pry my eyes open, and seeing Samantha looking at me with something akin to affection, my tears instantly start to flow.
Moving carefully, she leans over me and gives me a gentle hug. “Shh…it’s okay. I’m here now, and we’re going to get you healthy again. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
I’ve never had a hug from a woman. It feels so good and safe, I want to beg Samantha to stay with me, but before I can get the words out, I’m dragged back into a dreamless sleep.
I lose all sense of time, and whenever I wake up, Samantha is there. At some point, I grip hold of her hand, and when I finally manage to wake up fully, the room is warm from the sun shining across the carpet.
“Hi, sweetie. How do you feel?” Samantha asks, giving my fingers a squeeze.
It feels like I’ve slept for a week. Every muscle in my body is tight, and my skin is sticky.
