Crown and Anchor Series: Book 1-4

by Kerri Ann

  “A coconut?”

  “Yeah. By the time he grows up, he’ll have a bad hairstyle that resembles Donald Trump on a windy day.” Waving her hand on top, we all get the same picture of fifteen-inch hair waving in the wind. It causes us to all break into belly rolling laughs. It hurts.

  Damn side splitting giggles hurt.

  Gathering our composure again, we attack the men with a fervor. “This one looks like a porcupine,” Hallette’s squeak has upped an octave as she fake gags about the next guy in our list.

  Now that each of us have had about ten drinks, we decided to up the ante about the guys on Cupid’s Arrow. It’s kind of like when Hallee and Har gave those with flaws at the courthouse points. Now, though, it’s based on quirks, missing appendages, haircuts, lack of hair, teeth in bad need of veneers, or that their bank account states they’re just above par to be a part of the inclusive app. To make it better, we streamed it to the TV in the lounge. Grading these lovely contestants is our new sport.

  Spitting my drink through my nostrils, I laugh as I take in the next one. “God damn! That burns.” Now that I have the controller for the moment, we all check out ‘Doug.’ He has a hairlip smile, cross-eyed stare, and he’s in desperate need of an in-law apartment within his parents’ home, for life. We all confirm he’s a frontrunner for the worst.

  “Regardless of coin, nothing could make us choose that gem.”

  “He’d be dead on Game of Thrones.” Harlow and Hallee snort and giggles before falling to the floor in a heaping mess. “Cut off. You, Miss Townsend, are cut off.”

  Hallette’s bottom lip protrudes, her grin fades, and her giggles subside. “Not nice, Harlot.” As she’s rising off the floor in mock harm, Cathryne jumps up and down like an excited child.

  “He wouldn’t be dead. He’d be king!” Of which we all laugh because it’s true.

  “Which means, he’d be dead soon,” Cassidy chimes in. She’s brought us in snacks. We’ve been weeding our way through the hand cut nachos, the lovely cheese and chip dip, and an assortment of veggies. Drinking, none of us think of things like figures, and how junk food will make us look in ten years. We’re still young, and it means shit. It damn well tastes good.

  Pulling a chip up off the tray, Catty takes the phone back and scrolls. Passing by further mismatched and inappropriate men, we take our bets, placing wagers on the next one’s flaws before advancing. Whoever’s closest in their guess gets a bye. The rest of us drink a shot. At this rate, we’ll have Mom and Dad’s stash drained and dried up, but who’s here to care? They’re dead, and it’s mine to enjoy.

  We’re so oblivious to the world around us that none of us even notice the uninvited guests that appear.

  And that’s when today got worse.

  RISEN

  “You’re totally right.”

  “What am I right about, Trev?”

  “This place is total shit. I mean, honestly, with all of this, how are they missing the best thing on the planet? Don’t get me wrong, it’s off the hook, but I can see how you’re bored.”

  I’m totally confused. “What is this place possibly missing?”

  “No bowling alley! How does someone live in a house this big and fuckin’ stocked survive without a bowling alley?”

  “You’re so backwoods.” I shake my head. I honestly can’t think of what else to say. “Come on, I’ll intro you to Cassidy. She should be in the kitchen.”

  Trevor arrived about an hour ago, showing off his hick side with “God damn! You could fit a whole country bar in here. Bull ride and all.” Laughing it off, I showed him around the joint. He’s impressed by the grand total of nine rooms on this end, the work out gym, the pool, and the full size Nascar track outside. But he’s still disappointed that there’s no bowling alley. Really?

  As we pass through from my side of the house toward the other, I hear I Got Mine from the Black Keys, pumping through the speakers. As the base bounces off the walls, rattling the windows, it’s not hard to figure out where China is. She hasn’t come out of her end of the house for almost two weeks, and now here she is, attempting to shatter the breakables in the great room.

  Walking toward the noise, danger lurks in the neat packages of Harlow, Hallette and Cathryne, China’s cohorts in crime. Dancing around the room, the four friends are giggling, swinging around wildly, and splashing drinks all over the hardwood floors. I think they’ve been at it for quite a while, judging by the three empty bottles of Patron, Fireball Whiskey, and Bahamian Rum.

  They’re tanked.

  Standing to the side, watching it with a grin, Trev and I take it in as they let loose. It’s nice to see them expressing their true selves. I had an unnatural expectation of China being a wild and loose soul, yet every time we’ve been slammed together, she’s been stiff. Well, with the exception of the attitude I pulled from her today. It’s nice to see. Apparently, so does my cock. Watching her be herself is wildly erotic. I have to remind myself that I’m here to do a job. We’re not friends. We’re not even acquaintances. We might be from the same vicinity, but we’re still from different worlds. Touching my scars through the T-shirt, I’m reminded of that.

  Harlow, Cathryne, and Hallette have all seen the ink that covers my tainted skin, but it seems they never let on to China. She’s never even made a peep about it.

  “Holy fuck!” Trevor belts out above the music. Tossing death stares our way, the girls stop dead in their tracks.

  Technically, we’re invaders in their affairs, and I have to remind myself that constantly. I’m here for my job and only my job. Trevor’s only here for a few drinks. This can cause problems. His brain filter being a very minimal membrane on the best of days, will fall away completely with this room full of gorgeous women.

  Slapping me on the shoulder with a grin, Trev steps toward the lowered bowl of the living room, boisterously. “Hello, ladies. I’m Trevor. Just visitin’ my friend here. You look like you’re having fun. May I join in?”

  He’s a good-looking guy, so I doubt he’ll be denied. One by one, they check him out from toe to tip, inspecting the goods placed before them. They grin. Trevor’s six-six, like me, and built like a brick shithouse. With a clean face devoid of marks, a wide grin and bright eyes, he’ll have no issue here. China looks at me and that same glare she presented on the drive home of shock and disdain coats her features.

  The firecracker, Harlow, is the first to pipe up. “Well hello, lover. Where were you hiding this gem, Officer?”

  “Actually, I’m an officer too.”

  “Well, you can arrest me,” she purrs, patting the spot on the couch nearest her. I don’t think my friend realizes he’s walking into a den of lionesses. That one alone would chop off his balls and feed them back to him as steak tartare. He’ll eat them graciously too, I’ll bet.

  “Harlot, be a good girl.” The straight-laced, matronly Cathryne half-heartedly admonishes her. As Harlow tosses her hands in the air in defeat, I can tell tonight’s been filled with a great deal of liquid courage.

  “I promise to not eat him whole.” She looks around, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Isn’t that magnanimous of me?”

  “Fine, but leave the bone. I want it too,” the Amazonian chuckles, while staring wide-eyed at Trevor’s groin. It’s the first time I’ve heard her say something completely inappropriate, and it’s funny.

  The voice, though, that has me stilled in my boots isn’t the firecracker or the Amazonian. “Do we have a problem, Officer? Have we done something illegal? Oh, dear me, underage drinking.” China sardonically snaps with a look that could fry eggs in seconds. Sucking all the humor out of the room, she turns from me while the others look on apologetically.

  “Now, now. Do I have to tell you to be nice, evil witch?” Cathryne tosses a crumpled napkin as she glares at her friend. “Don’t mind her, Officer Mason. She’s bitter, it seems.”

  “Not much I can do about that now. Is there, princess?” Not looking at China, and still not entering the room, I
stay to the back, away from the fiery pit of insanity they’ve built. I don’t want to make her any more uncomfortable in her own house than I have already, but I also won’t accept the nasty remarks.

  “China! Your mother would be rolling over in her grave for the way you’re being. Don’t be rude to Officer Risen.” Without turning to see where the comment came from, I know who’s defending me.

  “It’s fine, Cassidy. I’m a big boy.”

  “That you are, darlin’.” Harlow points to the couch, indicating I should come over and recline with the rest of them. Shaking it off, I turn, leaving Trevor to his inevitable death.

  I know when I’m not wanted. “I’m gonna go grab a few more beers. Be nice,” I tell Trevor as I walk off. I’ve pissed in China’s cornflakes too much for her liking. Even good deeds haven’t redeemed me.

  I had all the parts of her bike stuffed in my ‘Cuda that it could fit. Duke is bringing the rest up to the mansion tomorrow. She was adamant to have the frame, the tank, and the throttle system in her hands immediately, though. Without intention, the whole drive back here, she spun the throttle methodically. I know she hasn’t been on the track since we’ve been locked in here, and she must miss it.

  I would.

  As I leave the room, I hear the quibbling between them as they argue over Doll’s comments. If she wants to drink herself into oblivion, then so be it. I don’t give a shit anymore. It’s only for a few more weeks, and I need to get through the rest of the time left as best I can. If leaving her alone will make it better for us both, then so be it.

  CHINA

  The cute cop scruffs up his hair, then guzzles the remnants of his beer before speaking. “Ladies, and I use that term loosely, I’m going to join my friend.” Trevor rises from his seat beside Harlow and follows after Risen.

  “That was a cunt move,” Harlow huffs.

  “Harlot! That was uncalled for,” Catty scolded.

  “What? It’s true. And it’s not like you would’ve said it, Cathryne.” Snapping her fingers, Harlow tries to garner my full attention. “You were being an over the top bitch to the guy, Doll. What the fuck was it for?”

  Rationalizing it in my own mind before I speak up, everything I come up with only justifies her comment. “Don’t be mad at her, Catty. I was.” Grasping my sweating drink off the coaster, I suck back the remaining liquid.

  “You crushed that guy in a one fell swoop,” Hallee says softly, and yet at the same time, in a way that’s able to cut me to the quick. Hallette is very controlled in her conversations, and is the one that thinks before speaking at all times. She’s not known for being harsh with her words.

  Did I deserve it? Hell yeah.

  “Fine.” Rising off the chair, I set the cup on the table and chase after Risen. There’s not one word of protest from any of my friends, or Cassidy. The liquid sloshing its way around my stomach as I walk an uneven pattern makes me feel even worse for my attitude. Stomping out of the room with my head hung low, and a wiggly step in my stride, I know I deserve the attitude from the girls. Expecting I’ll have to dole out a massive amount of groveling to the good officer and his friend for my poorly directed temper tantrum, I set out in search. I have no idea where he or his friend traipsed off to, so I start with the most probable places for a guy to hide with his buddy as they drink on this side of the house.

  Checking the pool, the gym, the audio/video room, the track, the mechanical shed and the porch, they’re nowhere to be found. Knowing that Risen has pretty much stayed to the west wing, I pass by the girls, who all turn their heads, glaring without a word.

  Keeping my drunk addled brain on track, I head up the stairs to check in his rooms where the door is partially ajar.

  “Hello?” I call in, receiving no response. Walking through, both the room and the sitting area are devoid of him and his friend, Trevor. I’m totally surprised, though. Both rooms are neat and clean; almost regimented in the way things are lined up on the counter. I had an expectation of things tossed across the chair, spilling onto the floor, and stains on the sinks with man mess everywhere. Instead, I find it neat and tidy. Not my first thing to be surprised about when it comes to Risen Mason, but certainly a shock.

  Partially closing the door back up, I head to the ground floor. The doors to the libraries are open, but devoid as well. Heading back toward the track, I must have just missed him somewhere along the way. That’s when I hear it. Deep rumbling voices.

  Why am I hearing them there? He wouldn’t do that, would he? I mean, honestly, he wasn’t given any explicit or direct instructions to avoid that room, but you’d think he’d notice it’s not a place that he’d be invited to check out. Quickening my pace, I start off toward their droning tones with a renewed fire in my purpose.

  With the door slightly ajar, I push it open and stop dead. Lying on the floor, surrounded by books are Risen and his buddy. All the nice words I was going to recite to him have escaped. Stirred up by the hurt and pain that resides inside me now, I almost scream.

  “What the hell are you doing in here?” The shocked looks remind me that I’ve rushed in like a banshee on a mission, but I don’t give a shit. He has no business here.

  “Doll, we’re—”

  Grabbing a book off the floor that houses the most intimate parts of our family, I lose it. “Don’t call me that! I told you, you haven’t earned that privilege.” I’m over the top right now with rage, finding him in my father’s study. I’m fuming.

  “I see what you’re doing, I’m not blind! This is my father’s room. My. Dead. Father! Is it bad enough you’re here taking over everything? Eating our food, taking in our hospitality, and now I find you looking at personal things that don’t concern you.”

  The look of shock on his face totally shows the new lines I’ve just crossed in spades. Like a whirling dervish, I spin. Picking up untold treasures of my broken family before settling them into boxes that lay in partial completion. I’m seething. Moving from one to another, and another, until I must look like a hoarding queen. I clutch mementos to my chest, crying. I’m completely broken. I’d made a promise to myself that there’d be no more tears, and nothing would break me, but this is an unusual circumstance.

  As they stream in rivulets down my cheeks, staining my makeup, I continue cleaning the space. As both Risen and Trevor gather up books and their half drank beers to leave me in my state of insanity, I glower at them both. “This isn’t over.”

  Hearing his beer slam down on the credenza, Risen stomps across the room. “Over? Is this what you think this is? Do you think anything that’s happened constitutes over? Do you think I’d leave you to have another fucking breakdown, Miss Crown?”

  “Oh, this is so going to go wrong,” Trevor moans.

  “Fuck off, Trev. If you honestly think I can keep this pretence up…”

  I turn with my arms full of various knickknacks to see a look I know well--confrontation, and it’s staring me down. Risen takes two large steps, stopping short of my personal, very emotional space, to stare me down.

  “Miss Crown, or whatever it is you wish me to call you. I’ve had just about enough. I’ve been nice, fucking nicer than you’ve deserved. I’ve avoided you out of courtesy as it’s your house, and today was a very enlightening time with you. But I’m here, and while you obviously haven’t dealt with the loss of your family, your friends have given you all the necessary space to deal with it. They’ve avoided the eggshells you walk along, and they’ve tried their best to do whatever it is they can to have you come out the other side the same. But this is bullshit.”

  Rising off the floor, I open my mouth in protest, but he presses a finger to my lips. “I’m done. I can’t keep lying to myself and you shouldn’t either. You’re falling to pieces, China,” Dragging a finger down the tears that still flow across my face, Risen brushes the edge of my chin with a soft move that’s not lost on my addled thoughts.

  Stepping even closer, I feel his breath on my face. “Stop trying to be something y
ou’re not.” Taking the few things out of my grip and setting them down gently on a box, he rises to his fully gorgeous, and completely fantastic self.

  “Let it go, China. They’re not coming back.”

  Rattled by his response, I’m afraid, confused, disappointed, and shocked that he’s seeing what is clearly wrong.

  “It’s not your job to tell me what to do, Officer.” It comes out on a whisper.

  “No,” he says, touching stray strands of hair. “But it’s yours. Let go, Doll. They’re gone.” It’s said softly, and dangerously sweet.

  The words that escape are hiccupped, broken, and sad. “What if I don’t know how to let go?”

  Stroking his hand down, fanning it along my jawline, he captures my chin in his palm. “I’m here if you need me.” For some reason that I can’t explain, I find major comfort in that. Whether it’s that the officer is someone who sees more of me than anyone else has, or that he’s exposing a flaw, Risen has seen the real me.

  RISEN

  “Ah, did we miss something here?” Cathryne asks.

  “Do I need to cut his balls off?” Harlow chirps.

  Not daring to move away from China, nor have I turned around to address the audience surrounding us, I answer, “No, Harlow. Your girl here just had a bit of a freak out. It’s my fault.”

  “And while we’re on that topic, why are you here?” she asks sarcastically.

  “I don’t have an answer that will make sense to you,” I say, staring directly at the lioness that’s ready to tear my throat out. And no, I’m not answering Harlow. My comment is directed straight into the open eyes that are imploring me. This is the first time I can say I’m speechless. If I thought China’s eyes were incredible when I arrested her, I was totally and irrevocably wrong. They’re immeasurable in their beauty.

  When you were a child, the astronomy tower on the school trip was spectacular. To see the universe as a 3D interactive picture as it flows around you, it feels as if the planets are within reach as they sparkle and twinkle in the vastness of space. Right now, I’m lost in the universe that floats within her gaze. The gold, the yellow, and canary hues, swim within the teal and emerald. There are caramels, and a softness that could only be compared to the sea and sand on a bright, sunny day.