“Looks like the same type of wound as the others.” One of the men examined the bodies lying on the ground. I had torn up as much flesh as possible to cover up the evidence of a vampire. To a normal human’s eye, the torn neck appeared to that of an animal attack.
“Over here!” someone called out from the woods. I knew they’d found Sone dead and impaled on the tree where I’d left him.
“I wonder what did this?” Kano Sakura pondered while taking in the scene.
“I don’t know sir, but I don’t think we want to find out.” I remained maskless, showing neither fear nor indifference.
“Something or someone is after me. I’m tightening up security. Besides the event in three days, no one leaves the property,” Kano commanded. Those around him nodded. He didn’t want Sone’s death to lead any authorities to him, so he had us clean up the mess. Two tow trucks took the cars and bodies elsewhere to make it look more like an accident. No one could suspect an attack, and he’d done a decent job covering up my other messes. All the necessary attention of deaths around him would cause major trouble for his businesses.
He told me to continue guarding Katsumi with my life, and I’d be heavily compensated. For now, my lies worked, and I hadn’t fucked myself over like I’d thought. He’d probably find another man for Katsumi before the big event, and his reputation wasn’t broken from my lack of control.
As we drove back to the property, I wondered what words I could say to Katsumi. Tonight’s events would surely haunt her, and any normal person would empathize with her. But I wasn’t a normal person; I was a vampire.
What could I do to make her feel better?
Chapter Twenty- Five
Katsumi
Romi spent the night with me, soothing my nerves. I told her what happened before the version of the attack Tatsou had devised. I’d seen him murder both vampires and humans and still I feared mere man more. Tatsou was who he was, a vampire. He didn’t try to be anyone different and didn’t apologize for it. All the men I’d been introduced to since finding out about my father had all been vipers beneath human skin. She cried with me while I tried to get the image of Daichi’s hands ripping my dress and touching my breasts out of my head. He would have surely raped me had it not been for Tatsou’s violent rescue.
The vampire had come back to the studio hours after he left with my father and went straight to the shower in my bedroom since I only had one. My hot spring would have been nice to jump in, but the blood covering him would have dirtied the water. Romi’s shocked expression over his bare torso, towel wrapped around his hips, when he walked into the living room was comical. My extra bedroom was my sewing room and that didn’t have anywhere to sleep without getting pricked by a pin. So as far as she knew, he slept in the living room.
I loved that my sister stayed with me, but I really wanted to talk with Tatsou. Something happened tonight, and I wanted to know what. He’d been ready to let Daichi lead me back to his house and sleep with me, and I know he heard everything in the car happen before he arrived. What made him snap? He said that Daichi wanted to snuff out my spark, and while I sort of understand what that meant, I wanted to know what it meant to him.
The next morning, both parents came down to check on me, and I assured them I was fine over a cup of morning tea. My father constantly praised Tatsou for his quick thinking to get me out of the situation and carry me home. I wasn’t sure if the vamp used his mind magic on him, but my dad was more in love with him than before.
We were under property arrest and could not leave the premise except for the event in a few days or until whoever was killing all the people was found and punished. Father was getting nervous. If we needed groceries or anything, he would send someone out to pick it up for us. I didn’t complain. All I wanted to do was stay inside the house and veg on my comfort foods.
For the first time in a long time, we chatted as a family, and it was actually nice. Romi and I noticed how different our parents acted today. Mother was attentive and sounded interested in what we talked about. Father laughed and brought up beautiful childhood memories. I loved having this moment with them, but it also made me hate them more. They were part of something horrible and evil. No matter how nice they were to me or Romi, I wouldn’t forget how they treated others. After they left, I sought out Tatsou and found him in the garden again. I think coming to see these flowers reminded him of his home. He found peace in nature’s beauty.
“I wish I had a greener thumb to plant more flowers. I love looking at them while I sketch.” I pulled my sweater close as a chilly breeze whipped by us. Tatsou’s long black hair whirled around his still body. We stood there, listening to leaves swish with the wind.
“I want to know why you saved me from him when before you were determined not to.” I faced him and waited.
“What do I get in return?” he asked, bringing up our deal.
“Whatever you want.” I tossed it out because as much as I wanted to deny it, I had feelings for the vampire. He may pretend like he hated me, but I felt something very different when he touched me.
I was falling for him and at this point if he wanted to have sex with me, I would do so with ultimate glee. Instead of a knight in shining armor, I got a monster in a three- piece.
“You’re mine,” he stated and I smiled.
“Not very smart of us to be in this position.” I laughed and wrapped my arms around his waist. He remained unmoved at first, then his strong arms embraced me.
“It is not.”
“What do we do now?” I watched his eyes glow brightly with what I crossed my fingers meant hope then dim.
“I am conflicted.”
I nodded and stretched up onto my tippy toes to kiss his chin. A rumble vibrated from his chest, and I kissed him again and again on the chin, then his neck.
“Maybe I can help,” I whispered and lowered my hand to grasp his. I led him into the house and to the bedroom. Tatsou felt something for me, something beyond lust. He protected me over his plan for revenge. I didn’t want to change him. If he wanted to take down all of Japan’s crime organizations, then more power to him. But when it came to us, I hoped love would prevail over retribution. He watched me curiously, as I attempted to push him onto the bed. He didn’t move, but I felt like a child trying to move a boulder. His body was so big compared to mine.
“I’m going to seduce you. Lie down, please.” I gave him what I hoped was an intimidating stare. Obviously, it wasn’t when he chuckled but did as I asked. Slowly, I crawled up the bed and settled myself over him. I vaguely wondered if it was too soon for intimacy after what happened last night, but Daichi didn’t get far besides grabbing my boob and I trusted Tatsou. I had faith he wouldn’t take advantage of me; he wouldn’t hurt me on purpose. He claimed me as his, and you don’t hurt what belongs to you. Everyone else was game though. His hands remained at his side as he relaxed into the bed. I reached down and lifted them to my hips, giving him permission to touch me. Once he was comfortably feeling my hips and the tops of my thighs, I gripped the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. He growled, and his hands moved up my torso and palmed my breasts. My hips moved over his growing member, and chills covered my skin.
I leaned down and kissed him intensely. He gripped me tighter and greedily took every emotion I fed him with my lips. I groaned into his mouth as he flexed into my sex, and I started raining kisses down his neck. I quickly worked the buttons of his shirt and exposed his corded muscles beneath soft skin to my tongue’s attention. So many ripples and bumps to explore, and all of them leading to where I wanted to go most. I slid down his body and his hands lightly ran through my long hair.
