“Because you don’t have a fucking choice,” Augusto growls, his voice carrying so much danger that the tiny hairs on the back of my neck rise.
Suddenly, they both move at the same time. Augusto pushes me behind him in a protective move, and lunging forward, his fist slams into Ryo’s jaw.
I let out a shriek as Augusto and Ryo go into full-blown fighting mode, and desperate to make them stop, I dart forward.
“Yuki!” I hear Mr. Vitale shout, and as he grabs hold of my arm, Ryo’s fist slams into the side of my head while Augusto’s elbow connects with my throat.
I’m lifted from my feet and swung away from danger, while Mr. Vitale snaps, “That’s enough! You’re hurting Yuki with this pissing contest.”
I press my fingers to my temple, where a throbbing starts, while gagging from the blow to my throat.
When both men rush toward me, Mr. Vitale barks, “Look what you’ve done!”
My father-in-law ushers me into the kitchen, and grabbing a pack of frozen corn from the freezer, he gently holds it to the side of my head and leans down to look into my eyes.
“Are you okay?”
I nod, and glancing at Augusto and Ryo, it upsets the crap out of me when I see the bruises on their faces.
I shake my head, my breaths bursting over my lips. “Yesterday, I got to go on my first date, and I had an amazing night.” I gasp to get air into my lungs. “And today my brother returns after eleven long years. This is supposed to be the happiest time of my life, and all you two want to do is fight.” When it looks like Augusto is going to say something, I silence him with a glare. “My whole life, I’ve had to do what others want. Today, that changes. You will make peace because it’s what I want. I don’t care how. Suck it up and deal with your anger.”
Guilt settles over their faces as they both stare at me.
I scowl at Ryo. “Augusto married me so he could give me a better life, and he has been the most wonderful husband to me.”My expression darkens as I look at Augusto. “I told you how much I miss Ryo. He didn’t know I was happy. He heard I was forced to get married and came to rescue me.” A frustrated and tired sigh leaves me, and my shoulders sag. “You’re the two most important men in my life, and watching you rip each other apart is breaking my heart.”
Silence falls heavy over the kitchen as I catch my breath, but then they side-eye each other as if they’re enemies, and I scream, “Make peace right now!”
Reluctantly, they look at each other before they shake hands.
I know it’s not as easy as that, but it’s a start.
Augusto moves closer to me, and brushing his fingers over my throat, he shakes his head before he pulls me into a gentle hug. “I’m sorry, my love.”
I burrow closer to his chest and close my eyes, taking a minute so my chaotic emotions can settle.
His hand rubs up and down my back while he presses soft kisses to the side of my head. “Are you okay? How’s your head and throat?”
“Fine,” I mumble. “I just need a moment.”
“Sorry, Yuki,” I hear Ryo say. “I didn’t mean to hit you.”
I don’t leave the safety of Augusto’s arms as I glance at my brother. “It’s okay. I jumped in the way.”
Augusto looks at his dad from over my head. “I think everything is under control. I’ll handle the rest. Thanks for coming, Dad.”
“Just call if you need me.” As Mr. Vitale leaves the kitchen, I hear him say, “Lorenzo, pour them a drink and make sure Yuki doesn’t get hurt if they go at each other again.”
“Will do, Uncle Franco.”
When it’s just the three of us, I pull away from Augusto and gesture at the island. “Sit so we can talk.”
While the men take seats on opposite sides of the island, I begin making coffee. After I tasted whiskey last night, I’m never touching it again. It tasted like gasoline.
Soon, Lorenzo comes in with three drinks, and I tell him, “You can have mine. I’m having coffee.”
He hands a tumbler to each of the men and goes to stand by the window, so he can be nearby in case things get out of hand again.
Once I have my coffee, I take a seat between the men and sip on the warm beverage.
