Gilded Cage

Brandon turned to Donahue.

“Normally, travel by train is the best way to go, but I’m not recommending out of town public transportations. The Yakuza have flagged all exits from Tokyo. They believe you’re still in the city and they want to round you up by any means necessary. Car would be the best option. I need several hours to get you one. Five p.m. is the soonest.” Donahue paused. “Perhaps sooner.”

Brandon turned back to MacCunnen. “Tonight, sir?”

MacCunnen frowned for a moment. “Godspeed, Shea. I’ll have my men waiting for you at Kitty Hawk.” He closed the connection.

Brandon remained in Donahue’s recliner, his mind racing, trying to figure everything out. So many questions still unanswered. “What the hell have I gotten myself into this time?”

“Relax, pal.” Donahue slapped his meaty hand on Brandon’s shoulder. “When you kidnap someone like Lillian, you should expect a bunch of big shots demanding your ass on a platter.”

Chapter Six

Brandon came back a little after twelve.

Lillian climbed off the bed when she saw him open the door. She padded across the room and jumped into his arms, giving him a big, wet kiss. “I missed you.”

“Already? I’ve only been gone for a couple of hours.”

“Yes.” Her gaze slid to the package he’d brought. “What have you got in there?”

“Guess.”

Lillian grabbed the brown bag and opened it. It was their lunch. A delicious aroma wafted from it. Something meaty and mouth watering. Lillian opened it and squealed. “Burgers? You’ve got me burgers?”

“Babe, it’s only burgers.”

“I’ve never tasted one. Oh my God, I’ve got to eat a burger.”

“You’re so easy to please.” Brandon took a seat on the sofa and helped her with the bag. He had bought a couple of burgers and fries, with ketchup and mustards in tiny packages. “Go ahead. Dig in.”

Lillian snatched one and unwrapped the foil. The burger was from an American fast food chain. It looked just like the ones on the commercials. She took a bite. Oh God. So delicious. Lillian savoured each morsel of delight—the salty, tangy, char-grilled meat with onions and ketchup—the scrumptious orgy of flavours exploded in her mouth.

Brandon didn’t eat. He only watched her eat, looking concerned. “I’m not hungry. You can have mine.”

Normally, Lillian would have refused because it was impolite. But having indulged in the sweet taste of her freedom for the last twenty-four hours, where she had gotten to taste her first kiss, her first fuck, and her first fast-food craving, she gladly jumped on his offer. “You sure? Have you eaten?”

“I had coffee with Donahue. Besides, I’m not in the mood for lunch.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve no appetite when I have so much going on in my mind.”

“Your loss.” Lillian devoured bite every bite of her meal. “You met with Mr. Donahue? What’s our next plan?”

Brandon told her about the meeting with his former boss, a two-star general in the Army who would help them get out of Japan through the American military naval base. He also told her about the asylum offer from the US government and that he’d agreed to take it. They’d drive taking a scenic route later this evening to Yokosuka.

“Why would your country want to give asylum to me? Is that a common thing?”

“To be honest, I have no clue. I have some theories, though.”

“Do you trust them?”

“I trust MacCunnen with my life.”

“And I trust you with mine.” Lillian unwrapped the second burger, Brandon’s burger, and took a big bite. It was very unladylike, but she didn’t care. The burger was too damn good. “America sounds fantastic. I want to see Tennessee.”

Last night, Brandon had told her about his past. He didn’t have a big family, only a brother and his mom, who he swore made the best mac and cheese in the world. She learned about Charlene and his plight, too. The more Lillian discovered about Brandon, the more she admired him. Not all men would take his cheating, estranged ex-wife back and stay with her throughout her illness and difficult times. Then face the hardship when he lost everything he had because of his ex’s medical bills. And not all men would help somebody like her, a mere stranger, risking his life without expecting anything in return.