“You already read the information I gave, and no other is needed. If you need me, you will call for Katsumi.” I willed him to believe me and was back to where I originally stood as he blinked.
“I forgot I already read your information, and nothing else is needed.” He repeated what I had said, which cleared up any loose ends. A slight furrow appeared between his brows.
“You may go.” He shooed me away, and I bowed again before turning on my heels.
“Wait, Tatsou.” I suppressed the growl in my throat. If I stayed around him much longer, I’d be tempted to end his life sooner than planned.
“Do not touch my daughter. She is under your care, but I’ve promised her to someone else. Now that she is officially in my world, I will have her groomed to be a bride. If you mess with my plans and touch her, your head will meet the sharp end of my blade.”
I nodded my agreement. I had no plans of bedding the girl. He could groom her all he wanted, but he will most likely take his last breath before any transactions occurred.
“Now go, protect my victorious beauty.” He dismissed me once more, and I quickly progressed to the studio.
Chapter Eleven
Katsumi
That son of a vampire bitch!
He went on a killing spree just so my father would tighten up security. He could have simply went up to the man and worked his mind magic and poof, he’d be whoever he wanted to be in my father’s eyes. Instead, he kicked a bunch of men’s asses to show off how dangerous he was. My father practically salivated over the display of frightening control and skill. Tatsou moved like air around the trees. No one could touch him unless he wanted them to. It was equal parts terrifying and stimulating to watch. Of course, my obviously damaged thoughts watched the vamp take on all those men and think of how strong he was, and how badass he’d be in the bedroom. I couldn’t help myself. Both my mother and Romi were thinking the same thing, if the blushed cheeks were anything to go by. He was a magnet for sensual desire. You wanted to get close, to see what pleasurable hell he could give you. Then he’d rip your throat out.
Rei escorted me back to my studio while Takeo and my father’s guard took my sister and mother back inside the house. The entire walk home, Rei expressed his concern about my new bodyguard. He’s too dangerous, Rei didn’t like him, didn’t trust him, he’s only trying to get in my pants, he should have been the one to guard me. I was tired from the day and didn’t want to hear him speak.
“You should talk to your father and request a change for me. I’m perfect for you.” He grabbed my hand before I opened the door. I saw the desperation in his eyes and the love and need to be with me. He didn’t say it out loud, but it radiated from him like heat waves.
“He won’t listen to me.” I finally spoke and tried to pry my hand away from his.
“Try. Try for me, Kat. You know I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I’ll take care of you.” He leaned closer. His gaze dropped to my lips and froze there.
“Goodnight, Rei.” I peeled away from him, and he let me go. I walked inside the studio and headed for my futon. My hands grabbed the nearest pillow and smashed it against my face while I screamed into the lavender scent sprayed on the pillowcase. Why couldn’t I have a moment to find my footing in this life? Rei was upping his advances toward me, and I had a feeling he would make his true move soon. Tatsou was making my life hell, and now my father would join in on my suffering. I heard the door open, and I groaned into the pillow.
“Well done, Little Kitten.” Tatsou stood against the sliding panel to the living room with a smug grin.
“I hate you.” I sat up and threw the pillow at him. “You didn’t have to kill those men. You don’t have to do anything of this,” I yelled, and my throat ached from the pitch. I was nonconfrontational ninety-eight percent of the time, but this man made me so angry, I couldn’t help but raise my voice.
“I’m a vampire.”
“Thank you, Captain Obvious. I’ve read books where vampires eat small animals instead of people and sparkle. Can you try doing that? You might like it.”
His eyebrows pinched together while his lips pursed into a fine line.
“I do not sparkle.”
“Maybe because you aren’t as powerful as you think you are. Did you think of that? If you can’t do simple magic like sparkling, then you are not a cool vamp. Vamps like that are hot. I’d probably suck a sparkly vamp off in a heartbeat.” I hated myself as the words poured from my lips. I hated this whole situation I stood in, and my mind cut ties with my mouth. Tatsou winced and crossed his arms over his chest.
“The words you use sound like that of a whore.”
Is it possible to mentally kill a vampire? Because I was throwing a hundred daggers at him with my mind. I jumped up and rushed over to the killer.
“I sound like a woman who is confident in her looks and sexuality. I sound like a woman who knows what she likes and isn’t afraid of it. I sound like a woman who can make decisions for herself about what she does with her body. I sound like a woman who likes pleasure and knows how to give it. If you’re going to stay in this era for a while, you better get used to this. Women like sex just as much as men do, and we aren’t afraid to show it. That doesn’t make us whores, and if you think so then you are a sad little insecure man.” I stood two feet from him and glared into his eyes. My heart thundered in my chest, and my breaths rapidly escaped my lungs. I was fired up, and this dude needed a reality check. Tatsou watched me lose my temper and remained silent. Where were his asshole comments now? I was ready for this fight.
“Your claws are showing, Little Kitten.” His teasing voice had me screaming.
“I’m making something to eat and watching a movie. Unless you want your tool or weapon or whatever the fuck I am to have a mental breakdown, then you need to leave me be for a few hours.” I stomped into the kitchen and started making myself some rice and shrimp. Maybe a rice ball that looked like a cat would make me feel more like myself. I’d watch a movie and go mindless.
Tatsou watched me as I paced around the studio and then finally settled to watch TV on my giant mint-green floor sofa. I clicked on the zombie version ofPride and Prejudiceand started eating. I put blinders on to the rest of the world and the vampire walking toward me. Even as he slowly sat beside me on the sofa, I focused on the beautiful costume designs on the screen and the badass Mr. Darcy cutting heads off with a wine glass.
My eyes fluttered and I shook myself to stay awake. But no matter what I tried, the exhaustion eventually dragged me to sleep. In my dreams, I felt a weightlessness and warmth that I eagerly craved more of. I conjured the lemony hints of Hinoki cypress and sweet wisteria scents snuggling me in. Peace laced within my blood, and I wished I could stay in the dream forever. Thoughts of beautiful fabric and dresses flowed around in a dance from the movie.
