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It was a long shot, and risky to even ask without drawing the old man’s ire. But she was worth the risk.
His grandfather’s voice was sharp. “What commitment?”
“A personal one.”
A heavy silence fell over the line before Ichiro answered. “As much as it pains me to say, I need the best. I will not ask you again. Do not disappoint me.”
Gritting my teeth, I knew arguing would be futile. “As you wish.”
“I’ll have Akio send you the details. And, boy?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Don’t fuck this up.”
The line went dead.
Replacing the receiver, I laughed humorlessly. I couldn’t afford to fuck anything up. Unlike Kenzo and my other cousins, the old man wouldn’t hesitate to kill me for one wrong move.
I returned my gaze to my friends’ knowing faces on the monitor. “I’ll have to postpone the date.”
“Call him back and tell him no.” Keiko sat up and glared into the camera. “He treats you like shit. I mean, way more than the rest of us.”
Frustration and disappointment rolled through my thoughts and emotions like thunder, but my determination to win Bree over didn’t waver. I wouldn’t let this setback discourage me. “This is important for the plan, but I will make this date happen sooner rather than later.”
We’d spent years putting our plan into action, ensuring no one could take over the Sato businesses except me. I couldn’t rock the boat now with the end almost in sight. But once Ichiro officially named me as heir, I’d sink that ship faster than the Titanic.
As I wrapped up the call with my friends, I couldn’t shake the feeling that winning Bree’s heart had become more than just a challenge. It was as if fate had set us on a collision course, destined to change both our lives forever.
CHAPTER 13
Bree
Everyone around me was in danger. Dodging pedestrians and cars as though their lives depended on it—because they did—I didn’t stop running until I reached the river. My lungs burned as much from the run as from holding back my magic, and my ragged gasps did little to ease the pain.
Fully clothed, I dove into the murky river without hesitation. The cool water embraced me, wrapping around my body like a protective shell and soothing my frayed nerves. It wasn’t the salty ocean water my skin craved, but it would suffice for now.
When I was deep enough beneath the surface and sure no passing boats would see me, I released my pent-up wail. The blast of magic surged out and away from me with the force of a tsunami. The massive explosion served as a stark reminder of the burden I carried.
The fear of killing someone again would haunt me forever.
Immediately, I sucked the water’s force back toward me, halting an actual tsunami from forming on the surface. With any luck, boaters and sightseers wouldn’t notice anything but a minor disturbance.
My siren scream was deadly to human ears, which meant I could only release it in places like this where the sound would be muffled, or in the mountains where no one was around. It was also the reason my mother was dead.
My heart continued to race, reeling from the adrenaline and confusion that led me to this point—now and in life in general. Closing my eyes and heart against the torrent of memories and emotions, I gave myself another minute to calm down. I couldn’t breathe underwater in this form, but I could hold my breath longer than any human.
As I relaxed and floated beneath the river’s surface, my mind drifted back to the fight. I couldn’t believe I’d just fought the Red Dragon. Fought and won. Sure, I’d caught him off guard with my unique type of magic, which is the real reason I won, but still. I’d won.
But as much as I wanted to be thrilled, I was more disappointed than anything. Maybe it was proof I’d gone mad, but I didn’t want him to leave me alone. Not truly. Except dating anyone, let alone a playboy and lethal fighter like Dominic Sato, wasn’t feasible in my life.
Not now, maybe never.
I’d accepted that fate when I’d made my deal with the sea witch, and for the most part, I’d never regretted it.
Until now.
I groaned and a stream of bubbles rose in front of me. I gripped the amulet around my neck tight, its edges digging into my palm painfully. The magical charm that kept me looking human also meant I could only stay under for another few moments unless I removed it.
