“Well, I don’t know. Is there a way to make sure she is safe? You know what. Never mind.”
“We can keep guards watching her. She would never know.”
“But. . .is that a part of your job? I’m not trying to get you in trouble with Reo.”
“His expressed instructions were to protect you and your sister. All needs that you require are only a request away.” Ali typed some more, put his phone up, pulled out a card, and handed it to me. “Call me anytime.”
I took it. “Thank you.”
Ali gestured at the man next to him and then my apartment. “And now for the contract, gifts, and servants.”
“Gifts and servants?”
“Yes.” He pointed behind me.
A white van pulled up. Two guys held huge boxes in their arms and walked toward my apartment. Next, two women left the vehicle, wearing simple white dresses.
“The gifts are romantic gestures—expensive chocolates and exotic flowers. Your servants are only here to meet you today so you won’t be uncomfortable when they wash you.”
“Hold on.” I held up my hand. “I don’t need anyone to wash me.”
“All will be explained so that you are comfortable with the process.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“Shall we discuss this?”
I sighed. “I guess so.”
6
A Special Feast
Reo
P
issed, I tightened my grip on the phone. “And did you find her sister?”
Nervousness laced Ali’s words. “Yes, sir. She’s in an alley right now. Our men took the purse and keys from her. She was too out of it to notice. Do you want us to grab her too?”
With all that she’s put Layla through, she should rot in the alley.
“Take her to the rehab I just paid for her.” I gritted my teeth. “She’ll wake up there. Hopefully, that will help.”
“Additionally, I don’t know how much was in Layla’s purse, but there’s no money in it now.”
“Put a few thousand dollars in the wallet. Have no one mention it to Layla. She’s a proud woman and may try not to take it.”
“Yes, sir.” Ali cleared his throat. “We may have another problem.”
“What?”
“Coincidentally, I was there during this emergency. However, I didn’t disclose that our people are watching her.”
“Maintain the silence on that. She’s not used to me yet. My guards surrounding her may make her uneasy.”
“Okay, sir. I just wanted to be careful with this matter.”
I eyed him. “Why?”
“You seem to like her.”
“Unfortunately, I think this will be more than a situation of like.”
“Why unfortunately?”
“I doubt Layla will return with me to Tokyo.”
“Interesting. You never want to bring a woman home.”
“I have a new next task for you.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Figure out a way to get Layla to Tokyo. Perhaps, commission Mr. Meade to throw his parties there. Regardless, I haven’t even sampled her yet, but I know that I will be aggravated if she’s not in Japan upon my return.”
“I’ll talk to Mr. Meade after we hang up.”
“Make it a face-to-face meeting with a lot of cash in a briefcase.” I hung up and put the phone in my pocket.
Annoyance ruffled me.
I touched the red string on my wrists, needing the small comfort it brought.
Damn trouble-making siblings.
Still touching the string, I headed downstairs to the torture chamber.
My four men followed.
I shouldn’t talk to Layla now, not while I’m in the zone to hurt someone, but. . .
My mind worried about what Layla must’ve been through. We’d just had an enjoyable afternoon and then she had to return home to toxic chaos.
Fucking family.
For some connections, love hurts. For some people, love coincided with pain. Even worse, our most intimate relationships—family and friends—could inflict the most damage.
And in this moment, I hurt for Layla. My heart broke for her and all she was going through, because I’d dealt with this myself.
I let go of the string and stopped in the center of the staircase. My guards paused behind me. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number.
Layla’s voice came on. “Hello?”
“I heard what happened.”
A nervous chuckle left her. “I was going to ask how you even got my number, but I shouldn’t be surprised when it comes to you.”
“You shouldn’t. When I want something that badly, I’ll exhaust all resources at my disposal to have it.” I knew she was blushing from my truth.
“Thank you for your men. They helped me out with my sister. It’s embarrassing that it happened.”
“Don’t be embarrassed.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“And how do you feel about your sister?”
She let out a long breath. “I hate to say it, but. . .”
“You’ll have to let her go?”
“I’m scared to do so.” Her voice cracked a little. “What if. . .what if she’s hurt? What if my cutting ties causes her demise? What if. . .what if I never see her again?”
“Those are all logical questions based in fear. You’re right to wonder.” I gestured for my men to go on without me. They hurried down the stairs. I leaned against the wall. “However, when it comes to an addict or even a toxic person draining your soul and breaking your heart, you must slice away at the binds.”