The Yakuza's flower

Dangerous streets

Ume's POV

My whole body locked up.

It was like the air had been sucked from my lungs.

That voice—smooth. Familiar.

Slowly, I turned.

And there he was.

Mateo.

Older. Sharper. That same dark gaze pinning me in place, drinking me in like something he'd finally caught.

No. No no

A chill spread through me, crawling up my spine like ice.

I took a step back on instinct—but he was faster.

His hand snapped out, grabbing my arm and yanking me forward. I stumbled, pressed against him.

Not hard enough to hurt.

Just firm enough to keep me from making a scene.

My breath hitched.

His lips curled into a smirk. "Long time no see, florecita," he said in Spanish, his voice wrapping around the words like silk.

My stomach twisted.

I hadn't heard that name in years.

Not since the night he hurt me.

My chest tightened. My heartbeat thundered in my ears.

I swallowed hard.

"What... what are you doing here?"

His smirk deepened like he'd been waiting for that question. "I came for you, beautiful."

Every nerve in my body screamed—Run. Fight. Move.

But I couldn't.

My body betrayed me.

The trembling started slow. Barely there.

But he noticed.

His fingers tightened just slightly around my arm. His eyes darkened.

"Nothing to say?" he murmured, his tone mocking. "You used to be so talkative."

I flinched as his other hand rose—his fingertips brushing my cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

Soft. Gentle.

Like this was normal.

Like he hadn't ruined me.

Like he hadn't taken something I could never get back.

My nails dug into my palms, anger bleeding through the fear.

But I couldn't let him see it.

I had to be smart.

I had to get away.

My mind raced.

The crowd. If I could just—

Before I could finish the thought, his grip tightened.

I barely had time to react before his breath was hot against my ear.

"I see that little glow in your eyes," he whispered. Amused. Dangerous.

"Don't do anything stupid."

His fingers brushed against my wrist. A warning.

"Be a good girl," he murmured, "and listen to me."

I forced my breathing to steady, my gaze flicking to the flow of people around us.