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.