Chapter 175

175 v. Run Away with Me

Mary felt her throat dry up as the governor leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Are you shocked I invited you to this party, young miss? It is because I have found out a dirty little secret you have been keeping from everyone. Your cargoes are not what they seemed.”

His voice was calm and lacked accusations. He continued to dance with her in the ballroom as the people looked in amazement.

He had held a banquet in honor of the businessmen who have docked in the ports of his province, but he has been dancing only with her despite the requests from ladies being thrown at him.

She tried to push him away but he was much stronger, keeping her still in his arms, “I wouldn’t suggest you struggle so much and cause a sin. We both know who is at fault here.”

“Then why are you still dancing with me? Why did you invite me here just to tell me this?” she asked him, trying to keep her cool.

“Because young miss, I do offer a solution. One I am sure you could not refuse,” he whispered in her ear, her body being pressed closer against his, enough for her to feel the growing erection he has.

She pushed him away and tried her best not to slap his face, “I said do not struggle love. You know it is not just you who will have to face the authorities. The men aboard your ship will have to face the laws as well. Moreover, the yakuza will be exposed,” he leaned closer to her, making her unable to breathe properly.

“What do you want from me?” she asked him, trembling from fear.

“Marry me. I have wanted to infiltrate yakuza for years, and now here you are giving me an opportunity to do exactly just that. I will also be of benefit to the yakuza, having me for a son-in-law is not bad. It will of course provide the yakuza its much-needed protection. Don’t you think it is time to finally have a connection with the government?” his alluring voice echoed in the air as he caressed her cheek softly, lifting her chin so he could look into her eyes.

.....

“I do not care about your protection. If you want to infiltrate the yakuza do it your own way,” she didn’t shy away from meeting his grey eyes which now darkened like the sky amidst a storm.

“Are you saying that you would rather be incarcerated than to marry me?” his voice was harsh now and there was a promise of violence in his eyes.

Before she could answer him, a shadow crept from behind. Towering above them and looking at the governor so menacingly was Dominus.

“No, none at all. I was just letting the young miss know about a profitable business opportunity,” the governor let her go instantaneously.

Dominus scowled at him, grunting a bit as he pulled Mary by his side, “I trust you have already discussed everything you needed to tell my employer, correct?”

“I have in fact relayed what I should to your employer. I trust she will make a most wise decision,” he grinned and took her hand, kissing the back of it before letting it go.

“I will be on my way then, I do need to look after my other guests as well,” the governor’s grey eyes looked at the frail woman beside the giant, and grinned.

He has already anticipated this much. He knew wherever she is, he will be likely to follow her. Like a moth to a flame, it cannot possibly resist.

This time, he knew he had the advantage. For it seems like even the knight protector never really remembered.

Without the past for them to hold on to, all they have is a shaky future that wasn’t rooted firmly in the ground. A future he can snatch away just as his victory has been snatched away from him before.

He left the young miss and her bodyguard who hurriedly left the ballroom, albeit planning what to do to get away. He laughed silently at the scampering rascals. This time, he knew that he has exactly what it takes to win.

—–

When they reached the car, Dominus pulled her closer, his hands wrapping around her shoulders protectively.

“What is the matter?” he asked her, worried as to her state of mind as she tried to even out her breath.

“Just anxiety... attack,” she tried to talk more.

“I can see that. I’ll fucking kill that bastard for this,” he grunted, caressing her shoulder blades as her breathing evened out.

“Don’t. Let us not cause further trouble,” she begged him, holding on to his arm tightly.

“What has happened to you there? You looked like you were about to faint. I swear to God if that bastard did anything, I will kill him,” he mumbled.

“Please, help me run away,” her hold tightened.

“Why? What the hell happened?” he was near furious now over the panic and fear reflected in her eyes.

Such intense emotions, he should be the only one that ever causes them. Any reaction to this extent, he couldn’t tolerate it if it was because of another.

“The governor knows about the cargoes,” she whispered, her fingers now clinging to his collar.

“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

“Yes. He wanted me to enter into an arrangement with him so he wouldn’t surrender us to the government,” her words were barely audible, as if she was afraid anyone can hear them.

“What fucking arrangement?” his voice was particularly vicious as he gripped her waist fiercely.

“He wants me to marry him, in exchange he will provide the yakuza his protection,” she whispered, her breathing becoming fast once again.

“I will not allow that to happen. Do you understand?” his deep voice became menacing as he looked intently at her.

“We won’t be returning back to the ship. I’ll take you away from here, whether you want it or not. So don’t even try to escape?” his threat made her knees weak.

She embraced him tightly as she whispered, “That is exactly what I wanted you to do. Help me escape from here. I am sure my father will back me up in this. We only need to hurry.”

He kept silent, unable to tell her exactly what was on his mind. Knowing the yakuza leader, he doubts he will not be tempted to readily agree to the governor’s offer of marriage.

After all, it is extremely beneficial to the clan. Even if the leader does love his daughter... he loves the yakuza more.

Because this organization has given the old man everything he truly desired... riches and power, and the authority and respect he couldn’t seem to live without.

Knowing the leader’s priorities, he doubts even his familial love for his own daughter will really matter. The marriage to the governor does not come with any negative consequences for the group or its leader, these are enough considerations for the leader to part with his own child.

“You do not think my father will approve of me running away? You think he will agree to this marriage?” her voice broke as she sobbed.

It was a heartwrenching cry which he tried hard to ignore. Getting away is a priority. He drove until they were far enough, parking in an abandoned lot, he finally looked at her.

She looks so helpless, a sight that broke his heart, “Don’t cry. There is nothing we could do about the situation. You want to run away, yes?”

She nodded, “Yes. Even if my father is not going to support my decision. It is my wish to run away.”

“You understand we are running away from the government and the yakuza itself?” his voice was serious even when he has lead her outside.

“I understand it. It is what I wish. But it will be troublesome for you, it might even cause your life. So you don’t have to help me. I’ll do this myself,” she whispered.

He ignored her words and princess- carried her conveniently in his arm, “It is pitch black darkness in here. I am sure you will rather be carried than to stumble your way into the night.”

She pouted and blushed, thankful for the cover of the night, “I am saying you have nothing to gain from helping me except enemies. The yakuza will never forgive you for helping me run away from them.”

“Believe me, I am gaining more than you can imagine by helping you,” he silently whispered, leading her to what seemed like an alley.

The couple of drunk men whom they passed upon seemed to hurriedly evaporate from their side, obviously because of the menacing man carrying her.

He stopped in front of a small apartment in a slum area, “They won’t look right away in here. They will never imagine you living in a place such as this.”

She pressed her cheek on his neck as he continued to carry her upstairs, stopping only in front of the door as he fumbled with his keys.

She tried to stop herself from laughing out loud from the cute scene of Dominus trying and continually failing to find the key to his own apartment.

When they were finally inside and the lights flooded the room, she realized all the crap about it being in a slum neighborhood is far from the truth.

Inside was a luxurious and modern apartment she never expected to see from the state of disrepair the apartment has from the outside.

“Hideout,” he explained curtly, making her giggle.

“And do you have clothes for your lady guests?” she asked, this time making him blush.

“I have,” he assured her. Those are dresses he kept on buying for her even at that time when they never even spoke.

Every year he would discard the clothes and accessories he bought for her and buy her new ones. That is foolishness, he knows.

“From whom?” she asked him.

He kept silent. How was he to explain to her that this place has never been visited by anyone before?

That this place has always been built with her in mind. Far from the watchful stare of the yakuza, he wanted a love nest for his fantasies of her.

Only now, she is here in the flesh. Not some ghosts of her he couldn’t even smell in the air. She is here right now, and by gods, he is never letting her go.