Page 26 of Echoes of Eternity

She chuckled but quickly schooled her features. “I mean, maybe you got the golden coochie or something. What do you plan to do? I assume his connections have a few of the po-po on the tape?”

“Yes,” I admitted, frustration creeping into my tone. “He has influence, and I don’t want to make things worse. It’s complicated. My parents never knew about his connections either. They just thought he was another troubled kid hanging around the neighborhood.”

As Chivonn’s animated hands flew through the air, I noticed a few guys at a nearby table casting curious glances our way. Their whispers and smirks made me feel exposed, like we were putting on a show for an audience.

“Seriously, Mae,” Chivonn continued, her voice a mix of concern and disbelief, “you can’t let him intimidate you like this. You deserve better. I’m sure he sees how hot you are now and just wants to put his sleazy crime lord hands all over you! Heck, I do most days. I’m really worried.”

I shifted in my seat, suddenly self-conscious under the weight of their gazes. “I’m not just sitting here,” I replied, trying to keep my tone steady. “I’m figuring things out. I just... I don’t know what my next move is. Not yet, anyway.”

She leaned in closer, her expression softening. “You have to protect yourself. Kaito might think he can control you, but you’re stronger and smarter than that, girl. You can’t let him win. Men like that take all wins to their heads, making them bolder each time.”

I glanced back at the table of guys, who were now trying to stifle their laughter. “Can we not be the center of attention right now?” I muttered, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

Chivonn rolled her eyes but didn’t miss a beat, as she turned around and addressed them. “Laugh it up because you ain’t never getting a piece of this, honey. We don’t deal with boys here, so run back to your mama’s house after you’re done with your foo-foo coffee, alright?”

She grabbed her own bosom and massaged them suggestively. I choked.

She turned toward me with a sparkle of mischief inher eye. “Ignore them. Focus on what you need to do. You’re not alone in this.”

I knew she meant well, but the looming threat of Kaito made it hard to breathe. She was probably right. Each time I let his bad behavior slide, he grew bolder.

I waved my hand, a surge of anger and helplessness bubbling up inside me. “I know, I know. I don’t want my parents to have to deal with any more trouble. They’re already disappointed with my tattoos and my job. Can you imagine if they found out I’m involved with someone from a gang, even though I’m really not?”

Chivonn’s expression softened, but her resolve didn’t waver. “It’s not about what they think, Mae. It’s about your safety. You have to prioritize yourself, even if that means making tough choices. You deserve to live without fear. You’re what, twenty? You have a whole life ahead of you!”

“Thirty-two.”

Her face blanked out. “Don’t lie to a sister, you don’t look past eighteen, I was being generous.”

I threw my head back and let out a much needed laugh. Chivonn followed suit shortly after, hailing down one of the baristas and putting in her order.

I glanced back at the guys at the nearby table, who were still watching us with a mix of amusement and curiosity. The feeling of being scrutinized only added to my annoyance. “It’s just complicated,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Normal people move on after a break up, you know?”

Her eyes locked onto mine, fierce anddetermined. “You’re not just anyone and you know it, Mae. You’re a damn catch. But you’re stronger than you think.” She reached over and grabbed my hand. “Just remember, you’re not alone in this. You’ll figure something out.”

As I took a deep breath, the weight of her words settled in. I wasn’t alone. She would back me up when I needed her too. She may have had experience with clingy men, but none like the Yakuza. The shadow of Kaito continued to loom large, and the feeling of helplessness was hard to shake.

The barista brought Chivonn’s drink and she let go of my hand to grab her cup, taking a big gulp. “Woo, that hit the spot. As messed up as all this drama is, did he tell you exactly what he wants? With what he is, I’m surprised he doesn’t have a whole line of women waiting to belong to him.”

“Beats me. I had the same thought. He’s supposedly been trying to rekindle things,” I said, shaking my head. “He said he’s not going anywhere and will be around, keeping an eye on me.”

Chivonn’s expression darkened as she took another gulp. “That’s beyond creepy. I’d want to kick his butt for you. Heck, I know Jake would. No one should have to deal with that kind of harassment. Did he say anything else?”

I took a deep breath, sensing the heaviness of our conversation. This was the part I had been dodging in my mind, shoving it into the darkest corners where I hoped it would stay hidden.

“Chivonn, don’t judge me, okay?”

She scowled. “Girl, why would I judge you? Come on now, talk some sense.”

I groaned and hung my head, shame and guilt twisting in my gut as I struggled to find the right words. I hated that he could dangle something tempting in front of me, something I had to seriously consider. I wanted nothing—absolutely nothing—to do with him and his resources. But…

“Sweet jeebus, that bad? Girl, what did he say? Oo, I better put down this drink because I know your next words are going to knock me to the floor.”

I took a deep breath and leaned in again. We really shouldn’t be doing this in a coffee shop, but it was too late now. “He offered to take care of my family financially if I came back to him. He said he’d send them a good stipend, to relieve any financial worries they had. But on principle, I don’t want to get involved with him again. I’ve made it clear I want nothing to do with him, but it’s hard to ignore the offer, especially since it could help my family and you know how I feel about taking care of my family.”

Chivonn’s eyes flashed with anger. “That’s a trap, Mae. It’s not just a generous offer—it’s a way to manipulate you and reel you back into his world. He’s using your family’s financial security as bait to get you to come back, you know this! Oh, this joka is slick. You can’t let him play you like that.”

I felt a pang of guilt and uncertainty. I shouldn’t be considering this at all. “I know it sounds that way, but I’m genuinely worried about my family’s well-being.Gah! I can’t believe I’m even saying this, Chivonn, it kills me! But I’m all they have, you know? If something happens to me, I don’t want them to struggle.”

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