Whiskey's Redemption (Crown and Anchor)

by Kerri Ann

  “Done,” she says gleefully as she turns back toward us.

  “What’s done, Car?” Circe asks in that kind of ‘what the fuck did you do’ tone. I’m starting to see these things about my sister-in-law to be. Shit, that still seems weird. Wyatt is going to marry this woman before I get a chance to beat him down the aisle.

  “I cancelled your reservations because it’s owned by a rival family, and I’ve cleared out one of my hotels for everyone.”

  “We’re just fine to—” China tries to protest, but she’s halted by Carli with a quick no.

  “Look. You know LA gangs, and you know US customs, but you can’t even fathom the insanity that is Yakuza in Japan. Trust me on this one. Even Risen would pee his former gang ass in this instance.”

  “That, I’d pay to see,” China quips. Bumping her on the shoulder, Risen smacks her ass and she squeals.

  “Risen. Sister.” I remind him, but his smirk just says it all.

  Ignoring the sexual tension, Carli chirps off nonchalantly, “They’re prepping the helicopters. And as soon as my sisters arrive with their entourage, we’ll head off.”

  “She said helicopters, right? I heard that right, right?” Circe whispers to Wyatt with a wicked grin. Nodding, he tucks her close, and I feel like the odd man out. I’m not jealous. I just want to pull Carli close and caveman that shit.

  But I don’t.

  China has to have her two cents too. “And I thought we had money.”

  “Yeah, not here, sister. This is my domain and I’m queen.”

  “We’re obviously in the wrong family business.”

  Pulling her phone out again, she looks over a few texts. “This is not one you want, trust me. Now, I need to get clothing sent to the hotel, arrange the guest rooms, and prepare the exits of those there. Excuse me.” Trotting off to a back room, Carli leaves us all standing around like gaping fools.

  “Is there anything I can get you as you wait? I’m Kato, Obayun’s…assistant.” He looks at everyone before zeroing in on me, and I find myself shocked when he says, “Mr. Crown, how pleasant it is to see you again.”

  Yeah, not sure he means that as I’m the baby daddy, but I’ll take it at face value for now. “Nice to see you again.”

  “What does Obayun mean?” China asks. Thankfully she did or I would have.

  “It is a term we use for the head of the family, the boss,” he states.

  Wide-eyed, China smirks. “And Carli is the head of the family? She’s the boss? Your boss?”

  “Yes. Kaori is head of Ryu. I am her second.”

  “Well fuck,” Risen remarks.

  Nodding, Kato doesn’t say another word. He walks off, leaving us all in awe. Well, all but me and Circe, as we already knew. We’re alone in the private airport with nothing to do until they say.

  Pulling up a seat on one of the couches, reclining as much as I can without taking up too much room, I make myself comfortable. As the rest follow suit, we wait for Carli to return.

  Carli

  For fuck! Keeping them at the Ritz would be suicide. I’d have to install more security guards than staff just to make sure they’d be kept alive, or worse, not kidnapped for ransom. Moving them to Amanemu was the only logical choice. It’s secluded, quiet, and fucking gorgeous. And my sisters won’t mind. Fuck, they only left there a couple weeks ago.

  Texting Muki to wrangle up my sisters was easy. Informing Kato to do what I needed? Not so easy. He hates my ass. After figuring out Chen’s gayness, my never overlooked or forgotten vibrator Jai, and that I’m not the hard-ass my father was, it hasn’t won me any points with Kato. Fuck you, asshole. I figured out Chen Chow when their liberal minds couldn’t.

  Informing me that my move to hide out with friends for a staycation is wrong at a time like this, I honestly lost my shit on him. I’m head until they remove it from my shoulders. And until that time, I’m going to act like the wheels of industry still turn.

  So I don’t want to kill others. So I don’t like the opium, heroin, and fentanyl trafficking. So I hate the young girls sold or stolen to keep our factories going. I’d be a heartless bitch if I didn’t. Plus, the knock-offs aren’t that good. Kids don’t have an eye for detail in fashion. I voiced that during a meeting of the family, and it went over as well as fish to a panda, but I didn’t ask for this job in the first place.

  And yeah, I’m glad that Circe is here. It’s odd she brought the whole gang when they should have been at home dealing with a funeral for Marca Crown, but I’ll get the story on that soon enough, I’m sure.

  Then there’s him, Jamieson. Did I think after I told Circe I was pregnant that I’d make a clean break? No. Not after the story he told me of his sister, Petra. Family means too much to Jamieson.

  Go figure. For a guy whose family left him to his own devices and literally avoided him, he’s the first to try to make sure they stay together.

  And his kiss.

  Fuck!

  Damn, did I ever miss that. His commanding lips, that rough, yet soft beard…

  Oh, lovely.

  It’s been months and I still melt into his touch at the drop of a hat. I’m hotter than a boiled pot, and wetter than a cup a tea.

  What the hell is with the analogies? I swear I’ll break out in rhyme soon. If that happens, someone shoot me.

  Laying my hands on my chin, leaning on the countertop, I watch from the one-way glass. Staring at Jamieson, checking out every angle of that sweet ass, his strong legs that held me upright so well, and just about anything else I can remember from that day, I start muttering, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.”

  Running my hands through my hair, yanking hard on it, I’m trying to settle my nerves about Jamieson. Unfortunately, all it does is make me want to have him pulling it instead. I have no idea how long they all planned to stay, as I really didn’t talk to Circe about it, but from the baggage, it seems like they all came pretty light.

  Like it matters. They have tons of money. They can buy new clothes and trash it all the same day without losing a second of sleep over it. And if I want to know their plans, I need to stop hiding out in here like a pussy.

  Groaning at the pussy I’ve been, I push the door open and walk back in where they’re all relaxing around the room. All but him. As soon as I walk back in, his eyes lock on me, heated and soulful. I’m wondering what he’s thinking, but at the same time, I’m afraid to hear the truth of it.

  Deciding my big girl panties—which I didn’t wear today—need to be hiked the fuck up, I hold my head high and give him the same stern look back. “I hope you weren’t looking for a marriage proposal or anything, Crown. I’m not about to ask to keep you.”

  Taken aback, smirking behind that beard, Jamieson’s eyes showcase his mirth at my comment. “Katana, nothing of the sort crossed my mind. We already have one wedding to plan.” He motions to Circe and Wyatt. “And a second runner-up in the making.” Rolling his eyes, he then looks at his beaming sister. Risen isn’t quite as pleased.

  “Really? Whiskey, we talked about this on the way here. China is not getting a ring off me for a very long fucking time,” Risen pipes up, grinning. But I can see the truth of it. That big tough bastard is holding out until she’s ready to crack from all the torment he’ll put her through.

  Pinching his arm, China chirps, “If I said yes to you, which I probably won’t. Until you can beat me on the track, there’s no one holding this girl hostage, Mr. Mason.”

  I swear my head is spinning from all the fucking antics I see in my future. This is going to be a shitshow. The staff at Amanemu have no idea what they’re up against with this family and mine in the same building. Clearing my head of that thought, I look at my watch. It’s four-fifteen. Muki should be here any minute with Kano, Miori, and Hiro. The choppers should be ready to go shortly after and I can relax. I need to relax. This shit is stressful.

  Walking over to the only blank chair in the joint, Jamieson follows me. I hold up a hand to him. “Oh no you
don’t. I don’t need question period to start yet. You want to ask me questions you make an appointment. I’m not ready for you at all, Mr. Crown.” Sitting down, picking up one of the newer entertainment magazines, I try to ignore him.

  His shadow looms. He’s not saying a word, but it’s like a solar eclipse as he blocks out the sun. Finally exasperated, pulling out earphones from my bag, I flip through the pages of a magazine to find anything of interest.

  “Carli,” he says quietly. “Look, we’re going to—”

  “Yeah, Jamieson, we are. But not now, not here, and not with all of them around. Understood, dearie? Now please, I’m gonna bust out into tears if you make me deal with this right now.” Inserting the buds, tuning in to one of my favorite playlists, I drown out the room. Nodding his head, he man pouts as he strides over to the other side of the room. Thankfully, it worked. The inevitable has been delayed.

  I don’t want to be a harbinger of unhappiness, but I don’t have the patience for his broodiness today.

  Circe

  “If I thought the air was thick with tension with the two of us, ohhh, my big brother is in for a typhoon of trouble. This shit is about to be cray cray.”

  China, in her odd way, is right. I’m watching my best friend try to shut out the world. I’ve never seen Carli like this.

  And him? Oh, I may not know Jamieson well, but history has shown what one Crown is like, the rest seem to all be. Cut from the same Crown. Possessive, dangerously loyal, drunk on love, and family oriented to the point of scary.

  Talking low, Risen cuts into our conversation. “What do you mean? Those two are not as bad as we were, China. And I’ll prove it.” Pulling out his phone, he starts to dial.

  Smacking her hand over the screen before he can hit send, China hops up. “Oh, no you don’t. No calling her. How do men not see when to pump the brakes?” Plunking herself across his legs, she fights for the phone, kissing him for distraction. The distraction eventually turns to moans and murmurs.

  Turning away from their TMI, I look over at Wyatt, my Casper, my epically crazy love interest. His smile is miles wide, and he knows the truth. We were all a fucking mess, and still are.

  “Don’t you start, Mister. This is fucked up enough without you deciding you need to get your funk on. Dr. Callie’s instructions were explicit, no sex for at least another week.”

  “No, Siren, that’s not true. It was no intercourse. Nothing was said about me tonguing that sweet—”

  Rising up fast, breaking away from Risen, China shouts out, “Yeah, no. You are not about to say that right now, Casper. Keep that trap shut.”

  “But—”

  “No.”

  “There’s no buts, Ghostman. I’m not taking a flight across the world to hear how you get your jollies with my sister-in-law to be. No, Casper. No.”

  Laughs are heard from the boys as they try to now outdo each other in antics to piss us off. I walk over to Carli. She’s so quiet, which is horribly out of character.

  “Car?”

  Looking up from the magazine she was trying to engross herself in, she pulls out her headphones. I can hear the loud music squealing. “Yeah, lover? What’s up?”

  “You okay? I mean, I know it’s a big surprise to see all of us here, but you looked off, even when you just saw it was me. You’d tell me if there were problems, right?”

  Waving me off, acting like it’s nothing, her smile is the fakest I’ve ever seen. “I’m good. Really. Once the choppers are ready, and my psycho sisters get here with their bodyguards, we’ll take off. Easy peasy. All will be fantastic.”

  “Are you trying to convince me, or you?” I ask.

  She quirks her eyebrow. “A bit of both, I guess. It’s just so—”

  “Much?”

  “Yeah.” Seeing she’s close to cracking, I lean in to give her a hug.

  “I love you. You know that, right?”

  “Of course. But if that Crown comes over here again, like he looks to be attempting right now, I’m hanging his balls like fuzzy dice from the chopper’s rearview mirror.”

  Hugging me back tightly, I can feel when she’s ready to let go. And by let go, I mean the floodgates will open up and she’ll attempt murder on one Jamieson Crown. “I’ll keep him at a distance for today. But tomorrow, all bets are off. I can’t hold him back indefinitely.”

  “Yeah, that I know. I have to sing his tune soon. I’m just afraid to do it.”

  “Kaori!”

  “Jesus, my sisters are here. Get ready.” As I step back, Carli sets the magazine down, places her earbuds back in her bag, and rises out of the chair.

  Walking in are two, drop dead gorgeous, runway model perfect, Dolce and Gabbana specimens. On their heels are what I assume are their bodyguards. Though the one looks more interested in his charge than just that of employer / employee.

  “Kaori, who are all these people? And why the fuck was I dragged away from a fitting? I had plans to go out tonight at Shishu with friends, and the Incredible Bulk here tells me we’re going back to Amanemu. Why?”

  “Miori, I’m still head of this house, and you’ll do as you’re told.” Then Carli flips to Japanese in essence, shouting to her sister. Miori is defiant looking, whereas Kano seems more interested in checking us all out.

  She steps over to me. “Hey, I’m Kano. You have to be Circe. Kaori has told us all about you.” Turning her head, she shouts over her shoulder in English. “Miori, she’s going to win, so just give up.” Turning back to me with a sweet smile, she says, “Sorry about that. We’re a pretty heated bunch.”

  “No worries. You haven’t seen this bunch lose their shit yet. Trust me, you have nothing on the Crowns.” Quirking her head, looking around me, her eyes bug out. Blinking a few times, she grins wildly. Her expression when she comes back to me is gleeful and fangirlish.

  “That’s them, isn’t it?”

  “Who?”

  “Like, Casper, Doll, and Whiskey, right? Holy shit!” She’s so excited, I think she might pee. “Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit! I can’t believe it!”

  Stepping around me like I’m a traffic cone, she traipses straight to Casper first. “When I saw your crash on TV, you know the narrow miss one with the guy on the track? I was like, whoa! Then everything that’s happened to you all…” She stares up at Whiskey, like he’s a monument to beauty. “I feel horrible for you, really. I mean, our mom died a long time ago because of rival shit, but that’s in the past. And with Dad just dying, and Kaori taking over, it’s been chaotic. But you! Oh my God, you!” Walking up to China, she hugs her around the middle. I swear Kano’s about to explode. “Seeing you race is so awesome. Like, awesome, awesome. To see a girl like you doing so much for the sport, it’s amazing. Really, just amazing. I like bikes. Maybe we can go for a ride—”

  “Kano! Cool your fucking jets, woman.” Miori, her twin, shouts across the room.

  Closing her mouth, relaxing to excitable, yet controlled, Kano nervously giggles and steps away. Walking back over to Carli, I look at the others. I can’t help but laugh, because it’s funny as fuck. Their expressions are more shell shocked than anything.

  “Oh, I’m keeping her,” I say between giggles.

  Wyatt slaps my ass. “Be good, Siren.” He doesn’t mean it, but it’s nice to see his lightheartedness.

  “Jesus, that was some first class spewage,” China quips off, flopping down on Risen again.

  “I feel sullied. I need a drink,” Jamieson says as he heads off to the vending machine in the corner.

  Watching the three sisters interact, in Japanese, no less, is comical. I don’t know how much longer Carli is going to keep her shit together, because she looks ready to lose it any moment now.

  Looking out the window, I not only see, but hear two helicopters landing.

  “Thank fuck,” Wyatt whispers in my ear. “I want to get to this place and strip you naked. I even brought you toys.”

  “When the hell did you have time to buy toys? You just le
ft the hospital?”

  “I have ways. Even you can’t know all my secrets.” Nipping my ear, I lean into his chest.

  “You used Dr. Callie, didn’t you?”

  He steps back and smirks, giving me that dimple grin. “I will take it to my grave, Siren.”

  “You are incorrigible.”

  “Yep,” he says, popping the ‘p.’ He doesn’t smack my ass this time, but instead, he grips it tightly. This is going to be a long few days, weeks, or even hours as I try to avoid him. Dr. Callie gave me instructions, and I’ll do everything I can to keep his ass at a distance.

  “Carli,” I call out, loud enough for her to hear me over her sister’s high-pitched yelling.

  “Yeah?”

  “Those the things we’re waiting on?” I point outside.

  She smiles. “’Bout damn time.”

  Jamieson

  We landed about an hour ago at the hotel, as Carli called it. Her overly excited sister that sat beside me, drooling with anticipation, asking a million questions, called it a hotel. I don’t believe either of them. It’s a resort. Abracadabra, or whatever it was she called it, is spectacular. It’s set on the edge of a lake, overlooking mountain passes. Gorgeous terrain, that if it were snow covered, I’d be on in seconds, and a building I’d kill for. It’s phenomenal.

  This is the best scenario I could have dreamed up on the way here. Boarding the plane from LA, I thought for sure we’d be stuck in the concrete jungle of Osaka, just like where we left. But I’m surprised. Carli may not have done this with me in mind, or on purpose, but she’s given me a place to be comfortable. And when she said she was having the building cleared, she wasn’t kidding. Only the staff are seen, not one guest is in the halls as I check out the space, and no one seems to care that we’re the only people here. I wonder how often they do this? I mean, clear it out on a whim.