44 – Alex
As we left Aoto in the capable hands of Joey and drove away from the hospital, taking Yuka to the first of many meetings. only one thing was on my mind.
Damn Yuka
I loved the man like a father. Sometimes even more than my own. He had given Oliver and me one of the best lives anyone could ask for. He’d given us food, shelter and a purpose.. but what he had said in that hospital room, about me settling down, and practically forcing the subject of Joey and I was out of line, and I was livid.
He didn’t have the right to broach that with either of us. It was none of his business.
Joey and I weren’t a couple..
We just fucked.
All the time.
Like almost every damned day…
“Alex, I sense you are a little upset.”
Inhaling deeply, I looked at Sota, before I turned in my chair and looked to the back of the car, where Yuka was sitting, he put his phone down and looked at me, this calm, commanding man, just stared right back at me, as if nothing in the world could phase him… and that made my blood boil even more. This could end badly. but right now, I didn’t care, I was still pissed beyond belief, and I knew the words which came out of my mouth next, would not be kind
“I have all the respect for you in the world Yuka, but right now.. fuck you.”
Yuka raised an eyebrow, and I heard Sota inhale sharply in the driver’s seat
No one spoke to Yuka Takada like that and got away with it
“You had no right to bring up the relationship between Jolene and me while trying to get her to work for you. And you could have given me a heads–up about that too. Do you realize what you’re asking of her?”
To work for the clan as a doctor, Joey would literally be pledging her life to it. She wouldn’t be able to leave. She would know too much about the Takada clan and its members. Joey would become a liability if she was to ever be caught by another clan. Her freedoms would be eroded as well. She would have the same rules as I did when I traveled. Having to ask permission from another clan, to enter its territory.
Not to mention she would be on twenty–four–hour call and if someone from the clan died, while in her care.
I shuddered to think of what would happen to the beautiful woman who shared my home.
Yuka crossed his ankle over his knee and stared back at me calmly. “I didn’t know this would affect you as much as it did, Alexander.”
Inhaling, I turned back to the front of the car and crossed my arms over my chest. “She is not built for this life, Yuka. She is capable, yes, but will she be able to handle clan life! I doubt it. I just wish you had spoken to me first. I would have told you as much and then Joey would never have had to be put in the position she is in now.”
Yuka sat in silence in the back of the car for a moment, before he replied. “Alex, did you ever think she might be stronger than you’re giving her credit for? Most people don’t want to deal with the clan when they come into the hospitals. The only reason Aoto went, was because it was closer, he knew the risks, and he chose to be seen by her and not our clan doctor. Jolene is a bright, capable, strong and beautiful young woman; the clan has come to respect and love her.”
My stomach sent up a multitude of butterflies as he spoke.
I’d noticed this too.
The soldiers had learned of her empathy, her compassion, her humor and of how she had fixed my leg, and apparently “tamed‘ me. When we went to the Jade Dragon for drinks, every single soldier of the Takada clan who was there whether on duty or not, would go out of their way to say hello to her and she didn’t have to pay for a thing.
And the list of soldiers lined up to be her driver. we still hadn’t found one that would suit her, and Sota had been pulling double duties because they were all fighting over who got the honor of being her guard.
“And as for your relationship with her. Well, everyone can see it, bar you. She didn’t stay here, to make sure she could fix
your injuries. She stayed because of you in general. Jolene is in love with you.”
Those butterflies turned to lead and plummeted to the base of my stomach.
I turned and looked at Sota, who looked at me in return and raised an eyebrow, nodding
In love with met
How the fuck had I not noticed?
I thought back to all the interactions we’d had over the last two months,
The sex wasn’t the most obvious part.
There were the small
gestures.
The soft kisses. The meals were ready when I got home from work. Joey reached for me in the middle of the night. The relief on her face, when she woke up and I was still next to her.
Shit..
Tuke
your silence as understanding.” Yuka said from behind me. “I didn’t confront you, or throw your relationship at you, I just merely made you aware of her feelings. Maybe she’s been too scared of the idea you’ve been using her, and you’ll toss her to the side, like your brother did.”
That was probably exactly what the reason was
She’d already had her heart ripped out and trampled on by one Kazumi Obviously, she didn’t want the same thing to happen with another.
“I wouldn’t do that.” I muttered.
Yuka’s hand went to my shoulder, and I had to close my eyes, to stop the tears. “We know that. But she doesn’t. Maybe it’s time to have a chat with her, Alex. Because another thing everyone has noticed… you’re in love with her too.”
