“No!” The word bursts from me as I grab hold of her arm.
Kuso!
Just as quickly, I let go of her while giving her a pleading look. “Please don’t.” My voice grows hoarse as I admit, “Ryomeans everything to me, and I don’t want to do or say anything that will endanger him.”
“Okay.” Samantha rests her palm against my cheek. “Don’t worry about it.” She pulls away and glances at all the beautiful items scattered around the living room. “Where do you want to put everything?”
My teeth tug at my bottom lip. “I don’t know. Maybe we should wait to hear where Augusto wants them.”
“No. He got all of this for you so you’ll feel more at home,” she reminds me. “The tea set is too pretty to use. We can put it on the island for décor. What do you think?”
I nod, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth as I begin to relax again. When we pass by the sliding doors, I get a glimpse of the garden, and my feet come to a stop.
They finished working on the backyard two weeks ago, and from my balcony, it looks green and inviting. With spring here, flowers are starting to bloom again.
I haven’t been outside since Augusto brought me here, and I don’t have the guts to ask permission.
As Samantha walks past me, she asks, “Where do you want to hang the paintings?”
“Maybe in the foyer? Everyone has to walk through it to get to the kitchen and other living spaces,” I answer as I take a last look at the garden before I walk to the foyer that’s only decorated with a chandelier and a side table with a bowl for keys.
We set the paintings down on the floor below the spots I want to hang them, then go looking for a hammer and nails in the garage.
Not finding any, Samantha says, “I’ll ask Augusto to stop at the store on the way home.”
While she calls him, I glance around the foyer, thinking it’s time for me to start fulfilling my duties.
Except for sex. I’m avoiding that for as long as possible.
“Hi, can you buy a hammer and nails on the way home? We want to hang the paintings you got for Yuki.” My gaze returns to Samantha, and I watch as she smiles at whatever Augusto says. “Yes, she’s fine…No, I’m not pushing her…Okay…Okay…Love you too.” When she ends the call, she chuckles. “It’s cute how he worries about you.”
The only reason Augusto would worry about me is because of the deal between the Yakuza and the Cosa Nostra. If I die, it will probably end.
Realizing Augusto might come home earlier tonight because Samantha asked him to stop at the store, my teeth tug at my bottom lip again.
I should start with my duties. I would hate to get beaten up after finally being cleared by the doctor.
“I need to prepare dinner for Augusto,” I say, hoping Samantha doesn’t think I’m rude.
Luckily, she smiles at me. “I think he’d enjoy that very much. I should probably head home and feed my husband.”
The corner of my mouth lifts slightly, and when she walks to the living room to get her handbag, I follow her.
“Don’t do too much,” she tells me as she places the strap over her shoulder before digging her phone out. She types a message, then smiles at me again. “I have a hair appointment tomorrow morning, but I’ll come by afterward.”
I quickly shake my head. “That’s not necessary. I’ve taken up a lot of your time.”
“I don’t mind.” She rubs my shoulder, then walks to the front door. “But you could probably do with some alone time, so I’ll skip tomorrow.”
“Thank you for everything,” I say as she opens the door. I notice a female and a male guard waiting by the foot of the stairs.
As soon as she’s gone, I let out a deep breath. Turning around, I glance at the three paintings again before I walk to the kitchen.
The first time I was left alone in the house, I didn’t know what to do, and I just stayed in my bedroom.
Before I got married, I was never left alone. There were always guards in and around the house.
Opening the freezer, I look at the meat and fish, wondering what Augusto would like to eat. I have to remember to ask him what his favorite foods are.
