Crown and Anchor Series: Book 1-4

by Kerri Ann

  Bending down, I lift a roof tile that’s loose and curse loudly. I’m sure they can hear me inside, as well as the adjacent buildings, too.

  “Fucking money pit.”

  Yeah, that’s what I bought. Now I either suck it up and fix it, then turn a profit after insurance covers all the damage, or sell the sinking ship and run like hell. Problem is, I have a hard time giving up when there’s a chance I can see the potential and worth of something. There’s a profit to be made here. I know it.

  Backing down the stairs and coming to the bottom, Gru is waiting for me. “Saw it, did ya?”

  I nod, unhappy at the result. “Yeah. Not much worth saving. We’ll need a whole new roof. Get a contractor out and get it appraised. I’ll contact insurance.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  Pulling out my phone, I say, “I’m off to do a few things for family. You need me, you call.”

  “Got it, Boss.”

  Fuck..

  CARLI

  Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

  Fuckity-fuck-fuck! Fucking pogo stick and a cock in your mouth!

  Shit.

  Riding up the elevator to Circe’s room with her now soggy sandwich, I cuss internally. What the ever-loving fuck?

  Really, Kato?

  Why come find me? I’ve been hiding from my family for years. Yeah, I told Circe I’d been in town dealing with family stuff while she was getting ready to see her racer again, but it was a big fat fucking lie. I’ve been flying back on the red eye to work for the governor every couple days. He didn’t care as long as I made him look like a gem in the media. And Chris, the Governor of Indiana, doesn’t make it easy. It never helps that he has a proclivity for young men—not illegal, but young. Turning him into a polished family man was awkward, but doable.

  And telling Circe I was off dealing with family shit was easier than lying to her. I haven’t had sleep in weeks, other than some shut eye on the planes, but who’s counting a nap here or there on cross-country flights?

  Seeing Kato? Now? That sucked. Hearing him tell me to shut up so harshly was awful. It actually shut me up for a second, which was a miracle in its own right.

  Fuckity-fuck-fuck!

  Damn, I’m cursing a lot, and this elevator ride seems to be taking hours. Counting down the floors as it ascends, I think of the last time I was in here with Jamieson Crown.

  Goddamn Crown. His roaming hands, his talented tongue—it was hot. With the rough touches and heavy breaths, I fell into his spell. I was so aroused when I left. Fuck, what I wouldn’t let him do to me. To actually find out what could happen between Crown and I would be scrumptious. Even envisioning it now, I might hit the restroom just down from Circe’s closet sized room before I join her.

  “Jai is getting a big workout today, that’s for damn sure.” I knew I should have charged it last night. It’s only been a day since I was here, but I feel unsafe in this hospital now. I haven’t seen Kato in years, and as usual, everything about him screamed danger. It always had. Yep, way better to think of that momentary lapse in control than to think of Kato and his sudden appearance.

  With a ding from the elevator chiming my arrival, I straighten to my full height, standing a touch taller in my Louis’. If my family wants the princess, I’ll play the part. If they think I’ll just bow and accept my fate, though, they’re fucking wrong.

  But.

  He hung my sisters over the coals if I don’t do as told. Can I do that to Miori and Kano? The last time I saw them they were cute pre-teens. Now they’re young women. Either way, my sweet twin sisters don’t deserve the position any more than I do. Could they tackle it? No. It would break them. Can I roll with it and mold it to my whims? Do I want to?

  Fuck no.

  Stepping out of the elevator, I walk toward the private security that awaits outside. “Miss Katana,” the first sentry says in greeting me. He’s a fresh recruit, and as green as they come. I’d break him. He’d be crying in the corner within twenty minutes.

  Sweet and adorable, the big lug is not my type. “Charlie,” I say, smiling at him.

  “Miss,” the second says. Gregor is ex-Marine, and he scares me a little. I might just pee a tiny bit if he ever talked to me harshly. Yes, he’s sexy in a rugged, damaged way, but the scars on his face gives me nightmares. The skin that puckers around his left eye and runs down his cheek has me wondering what happened. I might be forward and inquisitive, but I’d never ask that particular question of a veteran. Passing him with head nod, I continue on to Circe’s room.

  Walking in, I find China and Circe deep in conversation. Hurt feelings still? You betcha. As Circe’s gaze meets mine, that sweet, innocent grin courses across her face. My sweet, lovely friend as always. Turning, China attempts a smile, but it’s so fake, it’s like a newly minted forty-five-dollar bill.

  Pulling in my ‘poor me’ attitude and advancing on her with my ‘fuck you, I have bigger balls’ demeanor, my tightly contained resting bitch face is in attendance. No way will you get the better of me, Miss Crown.

  “China. Lovely, as always.”

  “Always a pleasure, Candi.”

  Are you fucking kidding me?

  Injecting as much sugar as I can, I grit my teeth and correct her. “Carli. It’s Carli.”

  “Right.” She quirks her head sideways, as if she’s amiss with the correction. “Carli.”

  Ignoring the need to stab her sweet green eyes out, I advance to the bed and raise the bag. “Fab’s was busy, but I got you the triple cheese deluxe veggie pressed.”

  “With a pickle, right?”

  Shaking my head, I hand her the bag. “Of course. I know you.” I glare at young China Crown. “Better than most.”

  Stealing the bag at the speed of light, Circe has it opened and is shaking out the sandwich into her lap. Watching her do things one-handed is still hilarious, but I’m glad she’s doing better now. It’s like she had to see her racer before her body would allow itself to repair.

  Wyatt and her were in a horrific car wreck that took the life of his mother, and nearly cost him his own. The two of them have only been reunited for a few days, but it’s been crucial to them both. I wish it could have happened earlier. The way that China wanted the information held back from Circe, keeping them separated, was cruel. The non-disclosure paperwork that made me stay silent and not tell Circe what state Casper was in made it hard to keep it from her.

  Every time I visited, Circe would use everything in her arsenal to worm answers from me. Answers I couldn’t give. China kept Circe in the dark. Did I agree? No. But with the legal means she took to keep it a secret, what choice did I have? With the money the Crowns’ have, I knew that legally she could crush me to smithereens, leaving me penniless. So yeah, I did as I was instructed and kept my best friend in the dark.

  Circe now knows the truth, the real truth. Not only did Wyatt tell her what happened in the car, but she knows that China is the one who kept her from knowing Wyatt’s condition.

  Biting into the sandwich, Circe mouths a few indescribable words. “Mmm. So, was nu tod?”

  Laughing, I taunt her. “Pardon? I couldn’t understand you around the cheese spilling from your open yap.”

  Finishing her bite and swallowing the morsel, she tries again. “What’s new today?”

  Other than another one of these Crowns twisting someone in knots? Nada. “Nothing. Why?”

  “Well, you have that ‘kiss my arse and bite it while you’re at it’ look.”

  “I wonder why,” I mutter, pulling up a chair.

  “You going to tell me what’s eating you up?” Eating another small bite while I attempt comfort in these wobbly death trap chairs, she trains her eyes on me. “Tell me, Car.”

  “Nothing new. Just family drama, boy troubles, shopping regrets, and I lack in the required power to get through the rest of this week unscathed shit.” None of it’s a lie. Everything I say is true.

  “Carli,” she says in that tone that tells me she expects more of an expla
nation. I’m not in the mood for circle share time, though, especially with China evil Crown looking on.

  “Well I’m sure you’ll come through just fine, Carrie.” China grins cynically.

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” She rises off the bed. “Circe, we’ll finish that conversation later,” she says, turning for the door. “Always a pleasure, Cammi.”

  Okay, that’s it. My bitch switch has flipped.

  “China, I thought you were the smart one?”

  “What’s your problem?” Spinning on her last year Choo’s, moving in my space, I stand up. Toe-to-toe, we’re almost the same height, and I’m wanting to flatten her out on her perfect ass.

  “I’m not sure I’m the one with the attitude issue, Mrs. Crown.”

  Seeing that it visibly stings her, I want to take it back. No, I don’t want to.

  “I’m not Mrs. anything, and you’d be good to remember that I can stop your visits to this hospital with a flick of my wrist.”

  Pushing closer to her, we’re nose to nose. “Oh? You didn’t get enough of blocking people with Circe? Need more attention, Princess?”

  “Guys.” Circe tries to interject, but we’re both frazzled and spoiling for a fight. She can’t stop this.

  “Don’t think I didn’t have investigators look into your past, Ms. Katana. Trust me, I don’t have any issues with stopping you from coming here. My family name still holds sway with the UCLAs Board of Directors.”

  I poke her chest. “What family, Crown?” Realizing I’d probably gone one too far was around the same point the words spilled forth. There’s no taking them back, even if I could.

  Without a further word, biting back the retort, China nips her lip and steps back.

  Fuck, I’m an asshole.

  “Circe, I’ll let Casper know you have a visitor. When you want to move rooms, we’ll get the orderlies to do the transfer.” Watching China leave, I feel horrid. Even in my worst moments, I’ve never wanted someone else feeling like shit for something I said.

  As the door closes, I’m totally afraid to turn toward my friend. “Carli.” Her tone is menacing. “That was evil.”

  “Yeah, I know. Problem is, I can’t take it back.”

  “Maybe you should go.” Not that I don’t deserve that, but I’d hoped she’d understand I didn’t mean it.

  “Cir—”

  “No. I think you should go, Car.” Looking over, I think it’s the most pissed I’ve ever seen her. Even when I kept things from her, she was never this mad.

  Fuck.

  “Yeah…okay.” Picking up my bag, I slowly walk across the room, trying to think of what I can say to fix this. There’s nothing.

  I open the door. “I’m sorry.” Then I close it behind me.

  Yeah. This day just went to hell in a handbasket.

  Why can’t shit go right?

  JAMIESON

  “Yeah, got it. Thanks, Mack.” Hanging up the call after talking to the contractor, I feel a bit better. He’s confident we’re not looking at much more than ten grand to fix the roof and re-tar the whole surface. Better than I’d hoped for, for sure. Now I can concentrate on the bigger problems I have to tackle. China namely, and her court case. My mandatory appearance with the lawyer to deal with the will and Dad’s positions for each of us has kept my mind reeling with why the lawyers want to meet with me alone. Wyatt’s health and keeping him in the dark about all of it will be the real trick until I have the details. He’s only just woken up from the coma, and even yesterday, they had to sedate him to deal with his manic depression. China and Circe are handling him well enough, but he’s still a mess.

  “How the fuck am I going to keep him out of this shit?” I say aloud. Yeah, I’m muttering to myself again, but with good cause. I thought the worst part about coming to Cali was the heat and Marca a close second, but neither are even close to what I’m dealing with now. I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, and I’m being pulled in too many directions. Something’s going to crack soon, I know it. I feel it.

  Yesterday, after seeing Carli rubbing one out alone in her car, it had me wanting to do the same. Dealing with the shop had me in further knots. To boot, the women I’ve been knocking off stress with are nothing like her. So that meant I was in my hotel room, stroking my cock single-handedly. Well, not really single-handedly, but unassisted for sure.

  Did I think I’d never see Carli again? No. More like, I hoped I would, but I hated the idea of it as well. Her silky skin. That contained frame with curves in all the right places. Sass that I’d love to spank out of her. And that fucking hair? I’d love nothing more than to wrap it around my hand a few times and pull it like a fucking tether.

  Bending her will, and her back, is enough to haunt me. Carli is dangerous and exotic, and she’s a mystery. Pulling up to the hospital today, I actively searched out her rental. Mainly because I’m intrigued by her, and I’d love nothing more than a confrontation. Her smart wit, her sassy attitude, and that ‘give no fucks’ air about her raises my competitive streak. I want her to give in, but I’d rather her fight me for it.

  Wandering to the visitor entrance, I’m hating the heat. Every step I take causes my soul to burn up a little bit more. This hellish environment makes my skin crawl and my body itch to hit the hills. Yeah, it’s summer in Colorado, but I could always take off to New Zealand. A few hours in the air would get me cleared out, and after the first trail was blazed I’d be breathing much better. But I can’t yet. I have to make sure Wyatt’s good, that Doll isn’t incarcerated, and that I get Wyatt firmly secured in Crown Industries before I’m forced into the position of president. That’s the very last fucking thing I need.

  “Whoa. Watch where you’re going, little lady.”

  Almost running headlong into a petite brunette, I wind my hands around her body, making sure she doesn’t fall. Last thing I need is a lawsuit for knocking someone unconscious in a public place. Pressing her hands tight into my chest, she looks up at my face and smiles wide.

  “Tall glass of water! You really are a mountain, aren’t ya.” Not the first time I’ve heard that.

  “Sorry, head was elsewhere. My mistake,” I tell her, still holding her close. Her perfume is overly sweet, like she’s masking something. Pushing back and stepping away, I try not to seem affronted by it.

  “Join me for lunch, and we’ll call it even.”

  Before I respond, I hear, “He’s busy with me, sweetie.” Pushing herself in between me and the tiny brunette, Carli reaches for my hand before spinning to the other woman with a sweet smile. “Sorry I’m late, Dear.” She turns back to me and kisses my cheek. “I didn’t mean to take so long. I hope you weren’t bored.”

  Hoping the surprise isn’t written all over my face, I try to smile, accepting her unnecessary save. “Yeah, it’s good, love. I just ran into this lady and was about to apologize.” I turn to the brunette that’s now been pushed out of the way. “Sorry ’bout that.”

  Clearing her throat, she shoulders her bag with pure disappointment written all over her face. “No harm, no foul. Enjoy your date,” she says before walking off.

  Genuinely surprised, yet pleasantly thrilled, I lift Carli’s hand that’s attached to mine and kiss the back of it. “Where are we going?”

  She pulls her hand back with a devious look. “Oh, I’m not going out with you, Crown. I just wanted to cock block you with that little piece of ass.”

  Turning to leave me, she pulls her hand away, and I decide to take control. Stepping quick, I grab her, bringing her close. “You’re eating with me. That’s final.”

  “Really, Crown? Is that so?” Narrowing her gaze, Carli tries to look evil. She’s about as evil as a caterpillar.

  “Yes, really, Katana.” I pull her body up against mine, taking in her heat and ire. It’s nice. “Now,” I say, breathing down on her, looking her in the eye as I dare her to look away. “Where would you like to go? Your choice, Katana, but I’m driving.”

  She laughs.
“You wish you had control over who drives, Jamieson.”

  Not many can get away with calling me that, but I like it when she does.

  Bringing her even closer so that her chest is pressed tightly up against mine, she sucks in a little breath and I love it. It doesn’t take much to bother her; getting her to crack is where the challenge will be. “Tell ya what. I’ll drive us there, you eat, and then after, you can show me your skills.”

  “I have mad skills, Jamieson. I don’t think you have what it takes to rival mine,” she scolds, grasping my cock tightly. Carli knows she’s playing with fire, but she’s more than content to see if she’ll win.

  Reaching down, I place my hand over hers and squeeze, egging her to hold it tighter. I growl at the feel of it. “Carli, show me your mad skills after I feed you.”

  “And what if I’m not hungry for food?” Twisting her hand around, she grasps lower, pushing on my frayed resolve. “What if my needs are more than what food can give me right now? Maybe I need something else.”

  Peeling her hand off is definitely not what I want to do right now, but doing this twice in as many days will not help me get her out of my head. Backing away, out of her reach, I say, “No more games.” I’m honestly surprised by my own reaction, but even more, I’m surprised to see the start of a pout crossing her features.

  “The games have only just begun, Crown. Buckle your seatbelt, it’s going to be a hard ride.”

  Laughing, I start toward the car. “Then show me your worst, Katana.”

  CARLI

  Great. Now I go looking to torture myself.

  Following Jamieson to his car, he’s already started it with the air conditioning cranked. Like I’d expect less. The man has probably been melting bit by bit in this hot weather. Steam rises off him in thick tendrils when he even considers being outside, I’m sure. But hot is what I wanted, right? I wanted him to be bothered and turned on. Otherwise, I shouldn’t have grabbed his dick.