Page 71 of Wrathful King
My expression morphed to worry. “Maybe I should worry about leaving you and Grandma alone.”
This time, he let out a booming laugh, which made him cough into his handkerchief. When he caught his breath again, he said, “You should worry about that for her sake, not mine. I might strangle that one if she doesn’t go back. Glasgow has his hands full.”
I released a long sigh. “What happened?”
“Who knows,” he muttered. I studied his face as he spoke, taking in the wrinkles he’d amassed in the last month alone and the gleam in his eyes that was no longer as sharp. “You won’t get the truth from your grandma, that’s for sure. Are you all packed?”
“I am.” Although Amon packed most of the clothes. While I continued to reach for yoga pants and long, baggy shirts, he insisted on my old stuff.Pink, pink, and more pink.
“He’s a good man,” he said, pulling my gaze to his. “And no, it has nothing to do with learning he’s my son. The moment he opened his eyes in the hospital, he refused to slow down until he could get to you. He started calling people around the world and cashing in on the debts owed to him. He was looking for that bastard Perez, his cousin, his mother and Hiroshi, anyone who might be able to shed light on your whereabouts.” He jutted his chin toward the monitors. “He killed his cousin. He’s still looking for the last two.”
Three years ago, I couldn’t even fathom having this kind of conversation with Papà, and here we were today. I didn’t even flinch at the knowledge that Amon killed his cousin. I wished he’d ended them all.
My fingers tightened, nails digging into my flesh. “What if he never finds them?”
I didn’t think I could sleep peacefully knowing they lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike again.
“He will find them,” Papà claimed. “Now that he’s the head of the Yakuza—”
“What?”
“He told me earlier today. The Yakuza syndicate called a meeting and voted him in unanimously to replace his idiot cousin. And they didn’t even know that AmonendedItsuki.” He put his hand on his chest, rubbing it. “And he’ll take over the Romero family—our family’s seat in the Omertà. He’ll have two of the strongest organizations in the world protecting you and your sister.”
Another screech traveled through the hallways, startling me. My papà just rolled his eyes.
“Aren’t you worried about Phoenix?” I asked. I couldn’t comprehend why there was no uproar about her disappearance. Except for Dante, who was slowly growing on me. He was off searching for her and had been sending Amon short updates.
“Right now, I’m more worried about you.”
I shook my head. “Don’t be. I’m fine. I won’t let Amon’s mother hold the cards to my happiness.” I had some issues to overcome, but I planned on working through them.
“Listen, Reina. I know his mother wronged you.” I nodded hesitantly, unsure where this was going. “But keep your eyes and ears open. Hana is many things, but I don’t think a killer is one of them.” I disagreed. She’d driven my mamma to suicide. She practically handed her the weapon. “Especially when it comes to her own son. She might hate you, but she wouldn’t risk losing him just to hurt you.”
“But she did hurt us,” I rasped, keeping a tight rein on my anger. “She’s the reason Mamma killed herself. She attacked the store where we shopped that day.”
He let out another heavy sigh. Somehow I got the feeling that Papà hated drama, yet it was all he got from women in his life. Except, he missed the point that he indirectly caused it.
“Hana was jealous, yes. She did wrong by us all, including her own son. But putting Amon’s life and yours on the line…” He shook his head. “It’s not like her.” His conviction angered me, but instead of spitting out words, I pressed my lips together and remained silent. “I can see your thoughts turning over from here. Just promise me you’ll keep an open mind and learn the truth before Amon does something he might regret forever. You’re the only one he’ll listen to when he’s faced with Hana.” It almost sounded like Papà didn’t doubt Amon would kill his mother. “It’s a hard burden for anyone to carry.”
I tried not to let hate simmer in my veins, but it was hard to control it. I despised the woman, maybe even more than Amon did. She’d told her son we were half-siblings, knowing full well we weren’t. She caused the loss of my baby—although indirectly—and stood by while we endured three years of agony and pain.
The whole time I was in captivity, I’d let anger and betrayal fuel my hatred. I had no clue how to see past it.
“What if I can’t?” I whispered. Yes, there was anger in my heart, but also the longing for happiness. To live, not just exist.
“You can, baby. I believe in you.”
He gave me too much credit. Way too much credit, but I still heard myself murmuring softly, “I promise.”
“Thank you.”
I turned my attention to the painting of floating lanterns, studying it wordlessly. Releasing a long breath, I remembered that date at the racetrack. It felt like a different lifetime. God, I wished I could turn back time.
I didn’t care how stupid or naive it made me sound. I didn’twantto know how cruel the world was anymore. I wanted to forget it all and go back to the old me.
Amon interrupted my pity party. “It was my ojisan’s.”
“It’s beautiful,” I remarked, keeping my eyes trained on it. “We should definitely hang it in our permanent home.”
