“I’ve killed men for less.” His words confirming the wisdom of the terror I’m feeling.
“You’re lucky I still have use for you.” An evil smirk spreads across his face at the way my eyes widen at his words.
“Riyu.” I try to move forward but a sharp look from him stops me.
“Uh-uh, little wife.” He tsks, moving back to the side of the bed nearest me.
“You rest. You’ll need your strength for the punishment to come. I have work that looking for your recalcitrant little ass took me away from.” Leaning down, he presses a chaste kiss to the crown of my head.
He watches the confusion cloud my face as he pulls back to his full height, well over six feet.
“You’re going?” I ask, sounding delusional to my own ears. Why the hell am I worried about this man when he’s so intent on disregarding my wishes and punishing me? I guess I’ve not shaken the Stockholm Syndrome plaguing me since I have been with this deranged motherfucker.
“I’ve said so.” His tone is clipped. His gaze shutters more as he regards me. He’s mentally shutting down. His heart is closed to me.
My face heats as though he’s slapped me. I wince as my body reacts to the harshness of his words. I turn my face away, not being able to stand to look at the anathema in his gaze.
Tugging my chin around his gaze chases mine. With nowhere to hide, I close my eyes.
“I’ll see you when I return from Tokyo. You are on your own. There are only a few servants here. But know this if you try to ensnare them in one of your bullshit escape plans, I will fuck you in their blood beside their dead corpse.”
I keep my eyes closed until I hear the door my new bedroom slide closed.
A month later…
Standing out on the cliff face, I look at the sea beyond, gripping the embossed letter curled in a ball in my hand.
Be ready.
R
I’m almost tempted to throw myself off the edge just to spite him. I won’t give him that satisfaction. I survived him once. I will again.
Bridget’s and my innocence in this entire situation was established a long time ago. Riyu and his equally demented brother, Takashi, know they left us with no choice.
If he thinks forcing me is the way to keep me, then he’sin for a rude fucking wakening.
“Madam.” I look over my shoulder to Aiko, the pretty attendant hovering just inside the bedroom. “Your bath is ready.”
It doesn’t matter that I didn’t ask for a bath. Riyu left them with his own set of instructions, as he has from the moment he brought me to this cliffside house in the middle of nowhere.
They follow their employer’s orders without question. My wants and needs only matter as long as they align with Riyu’s demands.
Unlike his mother’s residence, where Flower held sway and enlisted the servants to aid us in our escape, the servants here have only one loyalty — Riyu. Not that I would ever endanger their lives after his diabolical promise before he left last month for Tokyo.
“Arigato.” Plastering a smile over my face, I toss the black rice paper over the edge and follow her into the bedroom.
The vanilla rose permeates the air when I step into the bathroom. The dark teak of the floor is warm as I walk over to the sunken tub overlooking the spectacular scenery below the cliff mansion.
I still can’t help being captivated by its beauty. No matter the circumstances bringing me here, the sheer beauty and serenity of this place has brought me peace and even healing that seemed to escape me even in Hawaii.Because you know he’s close.I shove that thought away along with the clothes I discard.
I know it’s futile telling Aiko, I can put them away in the hamper. She hovers until I do Riyu’s bidding. Gathering the clothes, she leaves on quiet, slippered feet, allowing me some semblance of privacy, though as soon as I rise from the bath, I know she will appear out of nowhere to assist me.
Stepping into the water, I breathe out a sigh as I submerge my body. The suds lap around my body, making muscles I thought I’d made relax from my morning yoga.
“Yess.” The word drags out of me. Worrying over the punishment Riyu has promised is the reason tension has wracked my body. I rest my head back against the rim of the tub. Time drifts away from me like wisps of dandelion.
“I see you can be obedient.” The heavy timber of my husband’s voice has me shooting up with enough force to make water slosh over the edge of the tub.
