Chapter 98 98
Chapter 98 98
The next morning, the brothel was quiet in the early hours, the usual loud music and voices replaced by the low hum of cleaning staff and security making rounds.
Ivy arrived wearing a sleek black outfit, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor as she walked straight to the main lounge.
She stopped in front of the heavy wooden door, knocked twice, then pushed it open and stepped inside, closing the door firmly behind her.
“Good morning boss.” Ivy said, standing tall with her hands clasped in front of her.
Stefano was sitting in a large leather chair near the window, a cup of black coffee in his hand. He didn’t look up immediately, his gaze fixed on the view outside.
“So, did she eat the food or she threw it away?” Stefano asked calmly.
She ate it. All of it.” Ivy replied.
Stefano let out a low, satisfied chuckle, the sound dark and pleased. He finally turned his head toward her, a faint smile on his lips.
“Good.” he said. “I’m leaving London tomorrow night. Back to Russia. So I’ll need you to bring Yuki to me without raising any suspicion. Can you do that?”
Ivy’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Why me? Your men can handle that easily.”
Stefano set his coffee cup down and leaned back in the chair, his cold eyes locking onto hers.
“I don’t want Yuki to suspect my plans. I don’t want Kade or Jordan getting even the smallest hint. I want her to disappear without a trace. I’d love to mess with their minds a little. So… can you do that?”
Ivy held his gaze for a moment, then gave a small nod.
“Yes. I can do that. I’ll bring Yuki to you tomorrow evening.”
“Good girl.” Stefano’s smile widened slightly.
He stood up slowly, adjusting his suit jacket. “Now go get the ladies ready for the auction. Their buyers will arrive anytime soon.”
“Yes, boss.” Ivy bowed her head slightly.
She turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Stefano remained standing by the window, staring out with a dark, calculating look on his face.
_____
Kade finished his last class and immediately headed toward Yuki’s lecture hall. She should be done in about thirty minutes.
He had already planned the rest of the day in his head — take her out somewhere nice, maybe that small café she liked, and then a sleepover at his place.
Thirty minutes later, he spotted her walking out with the crowd.
“Yuki!” he called, smiling as he waved.
She didn’t even look at him. She turned and walked the other way, faster.
“What the—” Kade muttered, confused. He hurried after her. “Yuki, wait!”
She increased her pace, but he caught up quickly and grabbed her elbow gently.
“Let go, Kade.”
“What is wrong with you? Why are you ignoring me?” he asked, his voice rising with worry.
She kept silent and tried to pull her arm away but Kade didn’t let go. He pulled her gently but firmly away from the busy hallway toward the quieter stairwell. When they were finally alone, he faced her, breathing hard.
“Are you avoiding me?”
She didn’t answer.
“Answer me, Yuki,” he said, his voice cracking slightly.
“Yes, I am,” she said sharply, finally looking at him. “And I’d appreciate it if you respected my decision.”
Kade’s face fell. “Why? What did I do?”
She looked away. “You shouldn’t act clueless.”
“Is this about Stefano?” he asked, his tone urgent.
“Yes.”
“There’s nothing to be scared of,” he said quickly, stepping closer. “I can handle it. We can handle it together.”
“Enough!” Yuki yelled, her voice breaking. “Surely you know Stefano is dangerous. The gunshot at the aquarium was him! He almost killed you because of me!”
Kade froze, shock written all over his face.
“I don’t want you to get killed because of me,” she continued, tears filling her eyes. “He already warned me. I think we should stay away from each other.”
“So you’re leaving me for him?” Kade’s voice rose, panic clear in his tone.
“No. Just for now, Kade. Stay away from me.”
“Yuki… no, Yuki,” he said desperately. He reached for her, trying to pull her into a hug. “Please don’t do this. I can protect you. I swear I can. We’ll figure this out. Don’t push me away.”
Yuki pushed him off hard, stepping back. “Stop. Just stop. You don’t understand how serious this is.”
Kade tried again, grabbing her hands. “Then let’s go back to New York. We can leave tomorrow. He won’t find us there.”
“You think he wouldn’t find us there?” She snapped, yanking her hands free. “He’s been watching me for years, Kade! He knows everything. He’ll follow us. He’ll hurt you. I can’t… I won't be able to live with myself if something bad happens to you because of me.”
Her voice broke completely. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I love you, Kade.” She whispered. “That’s why I have to do this. Stay away from me. Please.”
Kade’s eyes filled with fear and pain. He reached for her again, but she stepped back.
“Yuki… no, Yuki.”
His voice cracked, raw and broken. He stepped forward again, more aggressively this time, grabbing her arms.
“I’m not letting you go. I see what you’re trying to do. You think pushing me away will protect me? I won’t let you give yourself to him. I won’t!”
“Let go of me, Kade!” Yuki struggled against his grip, trying to pull away.
“No!” he shouted, his voice desperate. “You’re not doing this. You’re not sacrificing yourself. I can fight him. I can keep you safe. Just stay with me. Please.”
She pushed harder, tears streaming down her face. “You don’t get it! He had a gun pointed at your head! He will kill you! I’m not going to watch that happen because of me!”
Kade pulled her closer, refusing to let go, his arms wrapping around her tightly even as she fought.
Yuki shoved at his chest with all her strength, finally breaking free. Her hand flew up and slapped him hard across the face.
The sound echoed in the stairwell.
Kade stumbled back a step, holding his cheek, eyes wide with shock and hurt.
“I said stay away from me. I mean it.” Yuki was breathing heavily, tears pouring down her face.
She turned and walked away quickly, her heels clicking on the stairs as she left him standing there alone.
“Yuki… no, Yuki.”
His voice cracked, raw and broken, as he stood there watching her turn and walk away.