“Wait . . . Am I going to become a vampire like you now?” I realized what his bite could mean. Everyone else he drank from had died, but I was still alive. I didn’t know how this all worked.
“I can’t turn into a vampire. I want to get older and celebrate my years. Get married, have kids, and be seen in the limelight with my fashion. Oh God, if I become immortal, I would have to hide in the shadows.” I paced the bathroom, my hands running through my silky hair vigorously. Tatsou watched me and sighed.
“I did not turn you.”
I stopped and almost marched up to him to slap his beautiful face but kept my distance. I didn’t want to feel that pain of his bite ever again.
“Well, I don’t know how this all works. Someone won’t indulge the information so excuse me for freaking out,” I yelled and the vampire simply walked out of the room. He was done with this conversation and me. Good riddance. I shed my blood-covered shirt and pants, then hopped into the shower. My neck ached as the warm water rushed over it, but at least it was whole. I took my time cleaning myself, allowing the water to soothe my anxiety. Once I dried off and dressed, I didn’t bother looking for Tatsou. He could rot in hell for all I cared.
“Your father alerted your phone. We are going with him on a trip. Change into something appropriate,” he announced as I walked into the room in a long-sleeve shirt and sweatpants. Gone was the blood from his lips as he stood dressing in black slacks and an off-white button-up shirt with rolled sleeves to his elbow. His long hair was pulled back into a half bun behind his head.
I grabbed my phone to confirm his words, then groaned and proceeded to reluctantly marched to change into more of a daughter-of-an-organized-crime look. A burgundy dress, knee-high tan boots, and my hair in a half updo like the monster outside my room. I wanted to relax in my sewing room and sketch today, but I think that part of my life was over. After Tatsou flexed his vampire fangs today, I knew he would kill me if he wanted to. Whatever dumb safety net I thought I had with him fled like the blood he stole. It was just gone. I knew my place as the useful tool in his revenge plan. So when we walked together to the main house, I kept quiet and did as I was told. My father greeted Tatsou then me and announced we would be taking a ride to Osaka to meet two of his clients. Unless they needed me to sketch a suit for them, I had no idea why I was brought along for the ride.
I climbed into the SUV with the men and ignored the gleeful stare of my father. A pit settled in my stomach, and the closer we drove to the city the more uncomfortable with this situation I became.
Chapter Fourteen
Katsumi
I’m not sure which monster was worse, the vampire or my father.
After spending the day meeting colleagues in the underworld, each of them gushing of Tatsou’s strong build and dangerous demeanor, I’d had enough. I never wanted to think of my father as being a monster. He’d always been a traditional businessman and wanted his daughters married into a luxurious life and bearing sons. I’d lived my twenty-seven years without a husband or babies, and I was happy. He didn’t push the issue, and I left it alone as well.
Now, I understood why Romi tried to keep me away from this world. Father wanted to use me to strengthen his business as a bride to some rich and powerful man because to him that’s all I had to offer. I wasn’t a tech genius like my sister. I made pretty clothes for a living, a career I could easily do at home while being the arm candy of my husband. He didn’t say it, but he pushed me to serve five men’s every whim. There is no way he’d let me near them unless it was because he wanted to show off how wonderful a wife I’d be. Serve them tea, smile when appropriate but stay a reserved beauty until spoken to. The men found my job a cute hobby, and I wanted to stick them with a sewing needle.
Tatsou stood against the wall, face impassive while I was forced to strut like a show chicken at a fair in America. He didn’t care what happened to me, so I didn’t look for him to step in to save me. Only Romi had tried to protect me from this future. They talked about business, money, and the upcoming gathering of Japan’s elite bureaucrats. Hints of the prime minister and Emperor of Japan stopping by had the men excited. My family always went to these sorts of gatherings, and I made sure everyone looked appropriate but fashionable. Hopefully, I’d have the chance to make such an outfit soon; time was running out. On the ride home, my father asked for my thoughts on the gentlemen, and I offered a quick response. “They seemed nice.”
“Mr. Sone is quite young and strong. His family has ties to the Emperor, although they do not know about his more profitable business.” My father smiled and I nodded, unsure what to say. The man he talked about was young and muscular, but he also watched my every move, and he fisted his hands every time any of the others talked to me. He was the overly jealous type. No thank you.
“You did well today, Kitty. I am pleased with your quick acceptance of our world.” He reached over and patted my knee. He wasn’t overly affectionate with me, so his kindness was appreciated. I just wish it wasn’t within these circumstances. Tatsou watched me and gestured to father with his head.
“I am happy to have pleased you, Father.” I bowed my head, and then looked out the window while my stomach growled. We’d eaten multiple meals, but I was given child-size portions. One of the businessmen thought I looked a little round in the midsection, and no one, including my father, disagreed. The rest of the ride, I dreamed of the cup of noodles with shrimp in my fridge, and the chocolate snacks I kept for rough days. Today totally counted as a rough day.
Father hugged me goodbye and Tatsou kept a distance as we walked to the studio. He’d been complimented many times over the night, and I wanted to out his secret every time. He played the perfect stoic guard, and only talked when spoken to. No one suspected he was the most dangerous man in the room.
“You should eat something,” he growled after we walked inside and closed the door.
“I plan to. I’m starving.” I groaned, gently took off my shoes, and headed straight for the goods in the kitchen.
“You are not round. Your body is perfect for a man’s touch.” He followed me into the kitchen, and I paused before grabbing my noodles.
“My body is my—”
“Your own, you’ve made that clear. What I’m saying is, a man of worth would see your body and fight wars in its honor.” He leaned against the wall. His face appeared cold but his words were not. I seized my food and cautiously thought my words before speaking.
“Are you complimenting me?” I waited for his answer, but he remained silent for the thirty seconds it took to heat my food.
“I have honor in truth. Those weak men lied to you to make you feel inferior.” He moved from the wall and strode toward me. He leaned his head down, and I sucked in a breath.
“As you mentioned, you are no use to me with a broken mind. Thinking yourself inferior is not a strong mind.” His eyes searched my face, maybe for signs that I would have a breakdown. He then slowly headed outside.
Most of my garden was in its dormant stage with winter on the way. My chrysanthemums and winter peonies were blooming, and I loved to look at the colors from my sewing room. The leaves in the forest started changing, reminding me how change could be beautiful. “I love this time of year.” I sighed to myself and brought my food to my table. From the solace of my home, I watched as Tatsou watered my plants with the bright blue watering can. He looked at peace, calm in the woods with the flowers. Maybe he had been a farmer or gardener in his many years of life. Part of me hated witnessing this softer side to him. It gave me hope that the good portion of him could be reasoned with—saved even.
“Kat, you are crazy. He is a freaking vampire. Stop thinking about him,” I scolded myself and looked away from the vampire outside the glass panel. I made it thirty seconds before curiosity lifted my head toward him again. He had a smirk on his face, and I groaned. He had heard me. I shoved food in my mouth, and this time I successfully kept my eyes somewhere else.
After eating, I needed something to take my mind off life. I snagged my sketch pad and sat on the couch. Since I wasn’t sure when Tatsou planned on killing my family, I wanted my possibly last fashion design to be amazing. I’d be bold and push the limits with a dress for the gathering with Japan’s elites.
I’d shifted into a meditative state while sketching and hadn’t heard Tatsou sneak back inside. When I lifted my head, I saw he sat against the window, watching me.
