by Shawn Bailey
“A mess,” Edward answered. It wasn’t a lie. They had a new President and things were very confusing. Hopefully there would be no problems getting visas for Yukizumi and Dazed.
Mikuni and the other men chuckled at his answer.
“It’s a wonder you had the balls to return here after the way you left. You broke Tomahiko’s heart.”
“He cheated on me and tried to set me on fire. Or have you forgotten?”
The others laughed again.
“He is young and stupid,” Mikuni said in his nephew’s defense. “Since you’ve called off the engagement, he’s been…how can I say this…out of control?”
Edward sampled his food. “You can’t blame that on me.”
“You made him a black belt,” Mikuni argued.
“Yeah, but you made him a badass with weapons.”
Mikuni chuckled. “It’s a cruel world and he has to protect himself. I heard about your welcome home surprise.”
“It has Hikori Itome all over it,” Edward said. Hikori was Mikuni’s right-hand lieutenant and a good friend of the family. He was younger than the rest of the guys and practiced martial arts, too. “They could have hurt somebody, including themselves.”
“Nonsense,” Mikuni said. “Tomahiko and his friends were just having a little fun. You know how thrills turn him on.”
Edward grumbled. True, but inappropriate conversation at the dinner table.
Mikuni chuckled sarcastically. “What? Now you’re embarrassed? You seduced my nephew and then you left him for a flower boy in Seoul.”
“Please leave Ae-jong out of this. He didn’t break up me and Tommy. Tommy did. He cheated, got caught, and I ended the relationship. No offense, but without trust in a relationship there’s nothing.”
“It was just a small affair,” Mikuni said. “Didn’t he apologize?”
Tomahiko told him that his uncle had asked him to sleep with the guy so they could use it to blackmail him. The idea still made Edward sick to his stomach. Mikuni had used the love of his life as a decoy without a care about what it would do to their relationship. Edward broke it off with Tomahiko after he walked in and caught him on his knees servicing the guy.
“It meant nothing, Edward,” Mikuni said.
Edward didn’t see it that way. Tomahiko had tarnished their relationship. “Yes, I know that. That’s the only reason I still have anything to do with him.”
“So everything is okay between you two?” Mikuni asked.
“Yes, we’re associates.”
“Good, because I don’t like to see my nephew sad.”
It didn’t sound like a threat, but it was one. “Tomahiko’s contract has been sold and he has another manager. And he’s moving to America.”
Mikuni began choking on his food. Touno hopped up and patted him on the back. The food moved past his windpipe and Mikuni drank some of his water. Touno returned to his seat. “What?” Mikuni asked.
“Not my doing,” Edward said. “Kenji Kobayashi said it was a good career move for him and the other two in the group. Apparently, sales from Yukizumi’s records are failing. They haven’t cut a CD in a while and their fans are forgetting about them.”
“How did you let this happen, Edward?”
“Don’t blame this on me. Your nephew wanted a break and refused to go back into the studio. And if I’m not mistaken, you agreed that he needed rest. Well, rest time is over, and if he wants to continue being an entertainer, he has to get off his ass and start recording again.”
Mikuni spoke to the others and then put his attention back on him. “Did they sell your contract, too?”
Edward shook his head. “Not mine. Ki’s. Albertson Entertainment is jumping through hoops trying to get Yukizumi back on their feet. In fact, they’re supposed to perform in concert next week right here in Tokyo.”
“You said they have a new manager. Is it Ki?” Mikuni asked.
“No, his name is Luke Austin.”
“Do you know him?”
Edward nodded. “He’s an asshole, but he’s a pretty good manager.”
“Albertson Entertainment. Why does that sound familiar? Wait. Isn’t that the American company you work for?”
He couldn’t put anything over on the mafia boss. “Yes.”
“So, you’re so busy kissing up to Noel Charles that you let someone steal Yukizumi away from you.”
Edward grumbled under his breath. Is there anything this man doesn’t know?
Mikuni laughed. “You look surprised. You are in our country now, and a redhead sticks out like a sore thumb. Especially one as gorgeous as that one.”
“Noel is innocent to all of this. Please leave him alone,” Edward said.
“Ah, and here I thought you still were in love with Tomahiko.”
“Tommy and I are friends.”
“Not good enough,” Mikuni said. “You’re pushing him aside for a new model.”
“That’s not true. He and Noel are the same age.” Why was he explaining shit to Mikuni?
“I want my nephew and his group back on the top of the charts by any means necessary. Do you understand?” Mikuni asked.
He could very easily break the smaller man in half, but no doubt Mikuni had someone prepared to kill Noel if something happened to him. Fucking yakuza ass. “Yes, I understand.” If they touch one red hair he’d go berserk and take Mikuni and everyone associated to hell with him.
“You have my permission to take Tomahiko out of the country, but I need to know where he’ll be staying in case I need to get in touch with him.”
“Yes, sir,” Edward said. So he had to keep an eye on the little cheating bastard even though he didn’t manage him anymore. Edward stood up. “Thank you for the meal.”
“I’ll need tickets to next week’s concert. You know the deal.”
Boy did he ever. Edward bowed and left the dining room. He didn’t need an escort out. He knew the way. His car was still at the curb where he left it. He drove out of the compound’s gate after checking for a bomb, and called Noel just as soon as he left the highway and got near the hotel. “Sorry I’m late. I ran into an old friend and I just got the chance to leave. I’ll be there shortly. I love you.” He disconnected the phone and started driving again. They would be in Asia for two months, and he would have to keep Noel safe until then.
Chapter Two
Luke was in the grand ballroom room of the hotel waiting for his three new clients to enter. They did, accompanied by Ki, their temporary assistant manager. None of them wore suits this time because Luke had told them to come ready to sing and dance. “Have a seat, gentlemen.” He had a table set up and some chairs. Tomahiko had all of that beautiful black hair pulled back in a man’s bun. And he wore glasses. Luke didn’t know if he really needed them to see or not. He suspected he did. “Gerard is on his way over here to measure you guys for your costumes. It would help if you let me know what you plan to do.”
“Do?” Akira asked.
“Yes,” Luke answered. “In terms of performance. What type of songs are you going to sing next week?”
“Our usual songs,” Tomahiko answered.
“J-Pop or your salute to the 90s female pop singers?” Luke asked.
Tomahiko frowned at him. “J-Pop. Though in the future we would like to perform something new and not so cutesy.”
Jonas entered the room. “I thought you might feel that way.” He had his guitar and his songbook with him. Jonas was the gorgeous blond guitarist of the R&B group, The Kerrys, and older brother of soul singer Frankie Kerry.
Akira and Daisuke stood up quickly and bowed.
“Come on in,” Luke said to him.
The two singers sat down.
“I think I have a song for you.”
“You do?” Tomahiko asked.
“Yes. I know this is short notice but it came to me yesterday.” He sat down and started playing and singing the song. It was a ballad…a very good one.
Akira, Daisuke, and Ki clapped and cheered
when he finished.
“So what do you think?” Jonas asked.
“I think it’s perfect for us,” Akira said. “And you performed it in Japanese.”
“I’ve been practicing the language for months,” Jonas said.
Luke waited for Tomahiko to respond. Apparently Jonas was waiting for him, too. He turned to the leader of the group. “Do you like it?”
Tomahiko nodded. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“What’s it called?” Luke asked.
“’Different Strokes’,” Jonas answered.
“I’ve written a song, too,” Tomahiko admitted. He walked over to Jonas. “May I?”
Jonas handed him the guitar and the two of them swapped seats. Tomahiko began to play and sing. It was a ballad, too. Also a very good one. Luke had no idea Tomahiko could play a musical instrument.
Jonas clapped when Tomahiko finished. “I love it. What’s it called?”
“’I Get Lonely,’” Tomahiko answered.
“Beautiful. Now you have two ballads to learn,” Jonas said.
Someone cleared their throat behind them.
Luke looked around. Frankie Kerry was standing nearby.
“It’s Frankie,” Daisuke said excitedly.
“What are you doing here?” Luke asked. Frankie Kerry was also a blond, but with curly hair and big blue eyes. Jonas’s eyes were brown and his hair was straighter. Other than that, the two of them could have passed for twins.
“Contributing a song, I hope,” Frankie answered as he came toward them. “May I?”
Tomahiko handed the guitar and got out of the chair. Frankie sat down and sang a song for them.
Honestly, Luke liked this one better.
“That was beautiful,” Daisuke said to Frankie.
“Good, because I wrote ‘Guard your Heart,’ with you in mind.”
“But Tomahiko is our lead singer,” Daisuke said.
“This is our group, not mine,” Tomahiko said. “Now is your chance to shine.”
“And we want America to get to know all of you, not just Tommy,” Frankie said. “By the way Tommy, your impression of Taylor Dane deserves a Grammy.”
Tomahiko chuckled. “You really think so?”
Both Frankie and Jonas nodded.
“I like the Britney Spears, too,” Jonas said. “You and Frankie should collab on a song so the world can see just how hot guys can be singing a song like that.”
“Okay you divas, we have to get back to business,” Luke said. “You have three songs, all ballads. This means tuxedoes.”
Gerard showed up just as the words came out of his mouth. “Did someone say tuxedoes?” The third member of The Kerrys appeared. He and Frankie were about the same height, a little shorter than Jonas, but Gerard had curly hair like Frankie. Sometimes Luke felt like he was drowning in cupids. Gerard came in with measuring tape, his sketchbook, and a step stool. He plopped his stuff down on the table close to Luke.
Luke’s cock moved a little in his briefs. He guessed he still wasn’t over Gerard. Frankie and Jonas decided to leave. “We’ll get back with you shortly with the sheet music,” Jonas said.
“What will they be performing?” Gerard asked.
“Ballads,” Luke said, checking out how much Gerard had changed since their breakup. He had matured into manhood, giving up wearing tight jeans and striped T-shirts for elegant suits, Italian leather shoes, and expensive jewelry. “Damn, Gerry, you smell nice.”
Gerard put his finger to his lips to try and silence him.
“You do smell good,” Daisuke said, coming up next to Gerard.
“Thanks,” Gerard said. “You’re up first.”
“Hey, stop sniffing him,” Luke said.
Both Tomahiko and Akira looked at him.
Ki chuckled weakly. “Ah, that answers a lot of questions. No wonder Tomahiko has been climbing the walls lately.”
Luke ignored him.
“What’s your favorite color?” Gerard asked Daisuke as he measured his inseam.
“Green, like your eyes,” Daisuke answered as he tried to hide an erection he suddenly sprouted. It was hard not to see from where he sat.
“Hey, stop flirting with the pretty,” Luke warned.
Tomahiko stared at Luke.
“Don’t listen to him,” Gerard said. “I like compliments.”
Another chuckle. This time from Tomahiko, who had taken Daisuke’s place. “My favorite color is black, like Luke’s hair.”
To be fair, everyone in the room had black hair except Akira, and his hair was probably dyed brown.
“Oh, okay,” Gerard said.
Luke didn’t like the way that sounded. Apparently Tomahiko must have figured out that Gerard was special to him and was fucking with him.
“You have long legs and a big butt. Try not to get fat,” Gerard said.
Tomahiko walked away from him laughing.
Akira was up next. Gerard measured him without speaking. “I like blue, but our signature colors are red, black and gray.” He sniffed. “You do smell good.”
“Thanks,” Gerard said. “For the compliment and the information. Red, black, gray, green, black and blue. Got it. I’ll see what I can do. Shoe size?”
All three guys had easy to find sizes.
“Jewelry?” Gerard asked.
All three liked earrings and bracelets. Daisuke and Akira liked chains.
“Do you guys prefer suits or casual clothing?” Gerard asked.
“Suits,” they answered.
“They’re trying to upgrade their image, and for Pete’s sake, Gerry, no flowers or stripes,” Luke said. “That was okay when they were kiddies, but not now.”
“No flowers or strips,” Gerard said, writing it down.
“I need a stylist,” Tomahiko said, shaking out his long black hair.
Luke watched it as it cascaded down Tomahiko’s back. When he looked up, Gerard was rolling his eyes at him.
“Jonas has the best one when it comes to dealing with long hair. Her name is Regina.”
“A girl?” Akira asked.
Gerard nodded. “We do have male stylists, William and Henry. And another female named Ellen. They’re all professionals and great with their clients.”
“Which one do you use?” Daisuke asked.
“Regina,” Gerard answered. She’s great with curly hair, too. Most of the managers use William, and the younger guys prefer Henry.”
“Then I want William,” Daisuke said. “I like Luke’s hair.”
“Me, too,” Ki and Akira said simultaneously.
“Okay, I’ll make appointments for you guys,” Gerard said. “Can you recommend someplace for massages and facials?”
Everyone looked at Tomahiko.
“Kitty’s Place,” Tomahiko answered. “They treat by appointments only.” He took out his wallet, pulled out a card, and handed it to Gerard.
“Thank you,” Gerard said to him.
“You like massages?” Tomahiko asked.
Gerard nodded. “It helps loosen me up. Mr. Tory treats us all to a spa the day before each concert.”
“I’m starting to like him,” Tomahiko said. “I like deep tissue massages.”
“Check and see if they do milk baths,” Luke said.
Gerard stared at him again. “For you?”
Luke shook his head. “No.”
“They do,” Tomahiko answered. “I like those. Makes my skin silky smooth.”
Luke cleared his throat as Gerard glared at him. Luke ignored that, too. What did he care if he had it hot and heavy for the Japanese cutie? They weren’t a couple anymore. In fact, Gerard was married to French designer Giovanni Bassett.
“I like the steam room,” Akira said.
“I like the milk bath,” Daisuke said.
Luke was still trying to figure that one out. His guessed that Daisuke was a top.
“Two milk baths and one steam room,” Gerard said as he wrote the information
down. “Costume fittings will be next Wednesday. I’ll get back to your manager with the time. Please don’t gain any weight or be late.” He collected his things. “I better get these measurements and my sketches to the tailors, and call the stylists about your hair.” He bowed. “Have a nice day.” Gerard left.
“He’s cute,” Tomahiko said to Luke.
“Yes, but more importantly he’s good with fashion. You guys won’t be disappointed. He pulled some sheets out of his briefcase and passed them around.
“What are these?” Tomahiko asked.
“Your schedules.”
Tomahiko squinted at the paper. “Is this six a.m. exercise?”
“Yes, we start our days early, and then we all have breakfast. Do either of you have any dietary constraints or allergies that I should know about?”
Tomahiko raised his hand. “I’m allergic to six a.m. exercises.”
Akira and Daisuke laughed at his joke.
“Very funny, you guys. The nice-smelling, curly haired guy and his equally cute blond curly-haired bandmate will be there.”
“Count me in,” Daisuke said.
“Will Cinnamon be there?” Akira asked.
Luke nodded.
“Count me in,” Akira said.
“Will we get a Japanese chef when we move to America?” Daisuke asked.
“If that’s what you want,” Luke said. “Rumor has it that you’re a good cook. Frankie’s a good cook, too.”
The blond returned right on cue. “These are the sheet music,” Frankie said to everyone. He passed them out.
“It’s all in Japanese,” Akira said.
“Complements of Jonas,” Luke said.
“He did my song, too,” Tomahiko said. “He only heard it once and he has all the words and the music down perfectly.”
“Better get used to that,” Frankie said. “My brother is freaky talented that way.”
“Don’t give your brother all of the credit,” Luke said to Frankie. “You’re freaky talented too when it comes to songwriting.”
Frankie bowed and left.
“I wondered which of these songs will get us that Grammy,” Daisuke asked.
Luke laughed. “You are up on your Kerry information. But remember, they wrote the songs, but you guys will be performing them.” His cell phone rang. “Excuse me. Hello, Luke speaking. Oh, hey, Adam. Okay.” He hung up. “That was Adam. Breakfast is being served. Meeting is over. Rehearsal begins right after we eat. I have a music room all set up for you.” The five of them left the room and headed down to the hotel restaurant.
