Finally, he stopped and knocked on a teal-colored door. Someone said come in and after a glance around, I followed the guy inside. Three men just like the others all dress in dark suits, sat around a mini tv watching a sports game. They didn’t bother looking up and cheered at something. I followed my guide down a few more passages before he opened a door leading me into what looked like an office slash dance lounge slash boardroom. Five men, this time older and with sterner facial expressions, sat at a roundtable.
They greeted me as I entered and the oldest judging by the full silver hair and beard gestured for me to sit.
“So, Lily,” he began, his English heavily accented and I immediately cringed at the name.
“Gianna,” I corrected, bowing my head.
“Ah, yes, you are no longer Lily.” He chuckled although his expression remained stern. “So, Gianna,” he drew out the syllables as though trying to pronounce it. “Kairi has not returned with you?” I’d learned Lotus’ correct name was Kairi but she’d preferred Lotus saying it gave her strength to push back against anything.
“Yes. I’m sorry.” My eyes immediately watered at the thought of her lying helpless in that ditch. “She was shot during our escape and forced me to go on ahead of her.” I swiped at the single tear and inhaled sharply.
He nodded. “So, you must know that because she is not here and you are asking for our help, you will have to perform a test.”
“A test?” I asked, frowning.
“Yes. When you go back to America, you will be our business associate. That was the deal. Yes?” I nodded. “Then we must test your ability as a future business associate to deliver when we ask your help.” The last sentence was spoken in Japanese.
“Okay. When?”
“In three days. Crow.” He beckoned for the guy that brought me in to come closer as he spoke to me. “Will give you all the information and files you need.”
Despite the need to go back home, I calmed myself into remembering what I’d endure over the last two years. A few more days wasn’t going to make a difference. Who knew, maybe this was what I needed to test my ability to take on Salvatore. Dino was child’s play compared to my husband. “Thank you.”
He bowed his head in response to mine. “Until then you will eat, wash, sleep. Yes.”
“Yes. Thank you.” The thought of a decent bath, good food, and a proper bed had my body perking up in anticipation.
I stood and followed Crow out of the room and down different passages this time and out into a waiting car. Ten minutes later, I was ushered into a dimly lit room. It wasn’t large or extravagant. Basic furniture to sleep, eat and bath made me happy to be anywhere other than that cell. The door opened while I stood looking out the window into busy streets that never seemed to sleep. A young woman, around my age, walked in, greeted me, and held the door open while two other women entered. One with a large tray of food and the other with piles of clothing draped over her extended arms. The woman with the food set it down on the low table to one side of the room and the one with the clothing disappeared behind a sliding door, I assumed to be the bedroom.
After they left, I sat to eat. Given my appetite wasn’t the same, the food was too much but delicious. When I sank into a bath filled with hot, sweet-smelling bubbles, an hour later, the thought of just staying there forever, crossed my mind. Heaven had nothing on the bliss I felt right now.
45
Gianna (20 years)
I stood in the office space outside the boardroom doors to Mater Corporation, a relatively successful American textile company in Japan. The Black Daggers wanted hundred percent ownership after Mater pulled back on signing and broken the biggest deal of all. Honor. In Japan, honor was mightier than the pocket.
