Chapter Seventeen

Theo

Robbie had taken off to see Maggie, and I was left alone to dwell. The only thing keeping me from utterly ruining Edna Ramsayi was I had made an overt promise to Robbie, Maggie, and Abi that I wouldn’t. They had “punished” the woman by taking her Command ability and making an example of her, but the horror stories that I had caught snippets of caused me to grind my teeth in frustration.

In order to distract myself, I dove back into the work I had been doing for Yamato. One word: flexible. I cocked my head, watching my incredibly hot friend serenely enjoying the art of shibari as a very aroused Aoki hoisted him off the ground in a curious hog tie; the intricate ropework highlighting each of Yamato’s masculine curves. There were hours of footage that had accumulated from their obvious relationship that went on for about eight months. It wasn’t all bondage. And it was pretty clear that Yamato didn’t know any of it was being recorded considering the positioning of the cameras.

Ensconced in the Interface, I magically flicked through the files, located the final video, and hit Play. The scene started as many of them did. The motion-sensing camera started recording with Yamato and Aoki entering the immaculate though minimalist bedroom with its traditional low bed, black comforter, and closet I knew Aoki kept ropes and such in. Only this time they were having a heated discussion. I shifted perception to allow for the translation program to run.

“Please,” Yamato pled. “I cannot bear this any longer. I do not want to go on hiding.”

“Do not be daft. We have been over this,” Aoki responded with annoyance.

“So you’re fine with sneaking around? Hiding forever? There is no future for us in Japan. I have friends in the United States who could help.” I wondered if he meant me.

Aoki had removed his jacket and tie and stripped out of his shirt, displaying an intricately woven pattern of colorful tattoos covering his back and shoulders. “We will not be leaving to another country. Now take your clothes off.”

“No! You’re not listening. I don’t want this any longer.” Yamato turned away and stared sullenly out the window. “I want a boyfriend.”

I flinched when Aoki’s fist met the side of Yamato’s head, knocking him to the floor. Yamato was dazed but tried to roll to a fighting stance only to have Aoki come down again. This time his elbow impacted the other side of Yamato’s head with a loud thwack.

Aoki set about binding my unconscious friend, but when he started stripping him, I fast-forwarded to the end. The video ended with a battered crying Yamato alone and curled up on the bed. The rest of the files included photographs of Yamato in public, each timestamped since that last video. The pattern revealed Aoki’s stalking prowess with long-range cameras. Ones for the last couple of months included pictures of Yamato and another young man. They were discreet, but I could tell they were a couple and I’m pretty sure that Aoki could, too, considering the file they were saved under was labeled “Exterminate.”

I checked the time: 3:00 p.m. It would be morning in Japan. Using the secured line, I called.

He answered on the second ring. “Serpent?”

“Oyabun, I have learned who has infiltrated your system and I believe I know why,” I started.

“Tell me,” he said, his tone tinged with concern.

“First, I need you to know that I’m gay. I tell you this because I know that you are too and don’t want you to feel dishonored by the news I’m about to impart,” I threw out. I’ve always been blunt and tactless, but I knew that the message I was about to deliver would be tough for Yamato to hear.

I was met by silence on the other line and shifted one of my satellite feeds to Yamato so that I could view his reaction. The irony that this was sort of what Aoki had done was not lost on me, and as a result, a ripple of guilt tensed my shoulders. Yamato was sitting, rigid and bowed, his head resting in one hand, phone gripped tightly in the other.

“I have deposited videos that he has of your time together in your personal cloud.” I winced at his sharp intake of breath, though his posture did not change. Of course he would have to know that I had his full identity. I went on. “Your ex-lover is ruthless. I can delete the videos and photos he has of you from his accounts, if you’d like. But…”

I paused because Yamato suddenly lurched from his sitting position to scramble across the room to his desk and laptop, which he wrenched open. I was already in his system in the Interface and saw the videos being opened. A desire to comfort my friend was strong, but that would give me away and I definitely didn’t want him to know it was me that he had hired.

“Oyabun, are you there?” I asked, realizing I had paused talking because I was watching him.

“Yes, yes,” he choked out, his eyes bugging at the screen as he frantically moved from one video to another.

“I did not watch the videos, sir. Only enough to understand the contents and gather them for you. It is this man who has been stalking you. In addition to these videos, he has been following you. And knows about your new friend.”

Yamato quickly shifted screens, releasing payment of Bitcoin to my account. “Thank you, Serpent. I trust that you will be discreet with your knowledge.” Though he tried to sound in control and business-like, the tremble in his voice betrayed his fear.

“Of course,” I quickly responded and added, “You and your new boyfriend need to get out of Japan. I have the means to get you out. Set up with new identities. Start over…”

He was quiet for a long time staring at the ceiling with a myriad of emotions. “Thank you, Serpent. I will keep that in mind.”

His disconnect was abrupt, and I was left annoyed and frustrated. I wanted to do so much more for him, but knew that if he did get on WoW, it wouldn’t be before midnight my time. I made a mental note to watch for him online and in the meantime set a satellite to follow and track him. It was a drain on energy to set it up, but I wanted to be alerted if he was in danger.