Page 92 of Wilderness Daddy

Akari doesn’t escape for long though. As soon as the police have interviewed us and the doctor finishes his exam, the Takahashis are in the room. My parents follow, hugging us both. My mother even stands with my father’s help to reach Akari in the bed.

The Takahashis stand stiffly awaiting the doctor’s report.

“Akari will need rest, fluids, and soft foods until her throat feels better.” The doctor speaks to us all and then writes a script for pain meds and something for sleep and anxiety just in case.

Looking at me, the doctor shakes his head. “This one made a helluva fuss before he’d let me examine him, but Akari finally convinced him.” The doc winks at her as I help her up from the bed.

He jabs a thumb at me. “The big tough guy, here, has got some soft tissue injuries, bruised ribs, contusions, and will be sore as hell for a few weeks, but he’s right, he’ll be fine.” He holds up his prescription pad and waves it. “Sure you don’t want anything for pain?”

“I’m fine,” I say but both Akari and my mother protest. I hold up my hands and the doc laughs, writing another script for me, which I shove into my pocket.

“Remember, Akari, rest,” he warns.

“I’ll make sure of it, Doc. It’ll be hot baths and meals in bed. No one disturbing her for a full forty-eight hours, and then resting on the couch with continued spoiling for a few weeks,” I say, shaking the doctor’s hand. Akari’s eyes dart to mine and then to her father’s as he steps forward.

“She will rest at home where she belongs.” His curt response irritates me. I’m tired. Worried about Akari and hungry. Not to mention sore. The last thing I need is him trying to push Akari around now. I look first at him and then at Akari’s mother.

“Yes, at our home.” I meet Akari’s eyes and she smiles, biting her lip.

“No!” Mr. Takahashi’s sharp voice startles even the doctor. His wife squeaks and steadies him as he stumbles slightly taking a step forward.

Akari lowers her face, rubbing it with her hands before looking back at her father. She’s exhausted. Her eyes are heavy, and the weight reflected in them isn’t just from the physical exhaustion.

“I’m not going with you,” she replies.

Mr. Takahashi’s face tightens, but he ignores Akari. “You can go escape reality in your mountain, Landon, but my daughter is coming home with me.” He puts his hand on Akari’s arm. My brows rise as I see his fingers dimpling her skin. I point at his hand.

“Better remove that, before I do, Mr. Takahashi.” Mr. Takahashi looks at his hand and loosens his grip, but Akari yanks her arms free.

“When she feels she’s well enough, both physically and mentally, I’ll bring her over. Until then, I’ll take very good care of your daughter.” My hand settles on my hip and I dare him to say something. It’s easy to physically intimidate him and I feel a little like an ogre for doing so, but I take care of what’s mine. “I won’t let you berate and hold her back any longer. She deserves better.”

The doctor mumbles, “Nobody puts baby in the corner.” And I can’t help but smirk as Mr. Takahashi’s jaw slacks slightly.

“I was wrong about you, Landon. Very wrong. You may have impressed me with the report you sent, but after this, I’m nothing but disappointed in you.” He turns swiftly but I stop him with a hand to his shoulder.

“That report? The one you were so impressed by? Not my work.”

He cuts me off before I can finish. “I should have known. You drag my daughter off to the mountains in some attempt to thwart this merger with no conscience of how much danger you put her in. And you try winning my favor by cheating on the report.” He snorts, sounding disgusted. “Hattori is a hundred times the man you are. He’s the one that will marry my daughter.”

I chuckle; I can’t help it. Akari may be small but she looks fierce when she’s pissed off. “Just one sec, honey. I’ll let you deal with that, but first I have something to add.”

I run a thumb over Akari’s cheek and speak to her father without looking at him. “Do you know who is capable of that report? Your brilliant daughter.” I’m waiting to be sure my words have sunk in when Akari takes my hand from her face and stands.

“Landon didn’t drag me up there, Father. I followed him. To get away from you! You’ve treated me like... less... incapable, inexperienced, weak, for so long. And as for Hattori,” she pauses, her eyes going wide, her brow high, “over my dead body am I going to marry a man twice my age who I have nothing in common with because it’ll be good for business.”

I hadn’t noticed George hovering by the door but he’s suddenly in the room next to his sister. “She’s been running the business for years, Dad. Akari’s the superstar, not me.”

Akari looks at her brother and smiles, squeezing my hand.

I squeeze hers back. “And your son is the most talented sculptor I’ve ever known. One who’s going to rock the art world now that he doesn’t have you holding him back.”

They link arms and I release Akari’s hand so they can walk out of the room together. At the door, George turns back quickly.

“Oh, and by the way I’m gay and I won’t marry Hattori either.” With that the two stride out the door. I lean down to kiss my mother’s cheek, straighten and clap my father on the shoulder.

“Brunch at the club on Sunday?”

“We’d love that,” my mother says, but my father is suddenly rushing out the door after Kari.

“Akari,” he calls out. “We’ll pay you top dollar! We’ll value your talent and intelligence.”

“Your son already hired me, Mr. Steed,” Kari says from the hall and my dad pokes his head back around the door to give me a thumbs up.

I shake my head and grab my mother’s wheelchair. “Dad, she needs rest, remember?” I chuckle as I wheel my mother out of the room.

“Akari!” Mrs. Takahashi’s high-heeled shoes click swiftly as she passes my mother and me. “Your father and I are sorry. You misunderstand.” Mr. Takahashi follows, his steps slower and heavier.

“Don’t, Sara.” Everyone pauses and looks back. My mother and I catch up but don’t pass.

“Mr. Takahashi, if I may, let me offer you a bit of advice,” my father says. “Never underestimate a woman. You’re not only doing them a great disservice, but yourself as well.”

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