Down and Dirty (14 page)

“And I’ll take care of the wardrobe,” Harper volunteered. “I know exactly what I’d like to see you two ladies in when you make your debut.”

Shaundra groaned. “I’m not wearing a thong, Harper.”

“Ah, come on,” Cristal prodded. “It will be fun.” She was tired of just sitting in the audience. She wanted to get dressed up and be on stage.

“I wonder if you’ll remember volunteering for this later when you sober up,” Shaundra said to her. “Have you ever performed before an audience before?”

“Yes,” Cristal replied. “I was in my high school choir. We’re going to be a hit.” She belched again. “Damn, I need to lay off the champagne.”

Shaundra chuckled. “Yeah, I can just picture this. We’ll be lucky if we don’t get run out of Osaka.”

“Then you’ll do it?” Goro asked.

“Yeah,” Shaundra said. “I’m in the mood for living dangerously.”

Cristal sobered up the minute she saw Mashuu Yoshida step out from behind the car. She wondered if he had overheard the conversation. He walked toward the house and Mr. Niigata and Harper followed him.

****

“You got lucky tonight, didn’t you?” Yori asked Ichiro after they were back in the house they were staying at and Amaterasu and Takumijo had gone upstairs to bed.

“A gentleman never kisses and tells,” Ichiro said happily. He didn’t even mind Yori’s prying.

Satoshi ran his thumb over Ichiro’s lips. “You’re still wearing her lipstick, but I have to admit, the color does look good on you.”

Ichiro playfully knocked his hand away. Not even Satoshi could get to him at the moment. He was feeling no pain, except for a slight backache from taking his wife in so many different positions. “I do believe you are jealous.”

They sat down on the sofa in the den.

“Spill it, Ich,” Yori said. “And don’t leave out any details.” He unloosened his tie. “Did she scream out your name as she came?”

Ich nodded his head quickly. He was used to the fellows getting all up in his business, and they really didn’t have any secrets. “Loud enough to wake the dead.”

“What about her body?” Satoshi asked. “Does it look like she just had twins?”

“No,” Ichiro said. “Funny you should mention it. For some reason, it looks even better than before, like she’s been hitting the gym. The ass is out to there,” he said, demonstrating. “The breasts were heavy with milk, but firm.”

Satoshi crossed his legs and rolled to his side like he was sexually frustrated and in agony. “Not the ass. Please don’t mention that.”

Ichiro punched him. “And I kissed it too. Thanks for the advice. Shaundra liked my freakiness.”

Yori laughed harder and louder than Ichiro had heard him do in a long time. “You did what?”

“I planted a big, sloppy kiss on her behind. Shaundra purred like a kitten and then she attacked me like the old Shaundra.” He sighed. “For a little woman, she sure is strong.”

“I’m dying,” Satoshi said, sliding off the couch. “I don’t think I can laugh anymore.”

Yori clapped Ichiro on the back. “I’m glad the two of you have made up. When is she moving back to the farmhouse?”

“I don’t know.” Ichiro said, turning serious. “She’s still trying to work out some things. I think she’s finally got all her memories back about the earthquake.”

Satoshi climbed back on the sofa. “How is she?”

“She seems fine. We talked about it on the way back here. She said it was horrible and she thought she was going to die, but she’s learning to deal with it.”

“Did she talk about Dae-Hyun?” Satoshi asked.

Ichiro nodded. “He’s the one who’s been helping her. He taught her meditation, and she has no plans on firing him any time soon.”

“He seems like a nice enough guy,” Yori said. “And he does seem to know how to handle the twins. You know how I feel about other men being around our Shaundra, but we might have to step back and see how this plays out. And besides, the aunties seem to like him.”

Ichiro frowned. “What is she going to do with him with she moves back to the farmhouse?”

“Maybe that’s one of the things she’s trying to work out,” Satoshi said. “I think you might as well get used to seeing him around. Like Harper, I think he’s in her life for good.”

Yori nodded in agreement. “He can protect her and the boys when we go back on tour, and he frees up her time so she can write and spend time with you.”

“I never thought of it that way,” Ichiro said. “And Daichi said he’s teaching him some Korean recipes for the restaurant.”

“And you won’t have to worry about him kicking your ass again,” Yori added.

Ichiro scowled at him. “You would have to bring that up. I was thinking about getting back at him, but I don’t want to make Shaundra angry. I think I’d just better drop it and chock it up as a life lesson. He’s good. Maybe I can work out with him. I’ve always wanted someone to practice martial arts with since Uncle Mashuu isn’t around to work out with me.”

“I think you need to keep Uncle Mashuu away from Shaundra,” Satoshi said. “I don’t think she likes him too much.”

Ichiro nodded. “I noticed that. He’s not used to women not bowing down to him and being submissive.”

“He’s no longer in the Yakuza,” Yori said. “He needs to get over it. Shaundra is no one’s submissive.”

Ichiro nodded. “I will keep an eye on him and keep the two of them apart.”

Yori agreed. “Has Takumijo apologized to her?”

Ichiro shook his head. “I don’t think so. Shaundra never brought him up or their argument. Anyway, I don’t give a damn about what he thinks.”

Satoshi changed the subject. “Did either of you know about this new group Mr. Niigata has scouted?”

“No,” Yori answered.

“Me either,” Ichiro said.

“Well, what do you think of them?”

“They’re not us,” Yori replied. “But they’re good.”

“You don’t see them as a threat?” Satoshi asked.

“No,” both Yori and Ichiro said.

“I do,” Satoshi admitted. “What if he likes them better than he likes us?”

“Dude, they’re infants,” Yori said.

“No, they’re not. They’re just younger than us. Did you hear the set of lungs on the lead singer, that blond kid?”

“His name is Kioshi,” Ichiro said. “Yes, he can sing. So what? The world is big enough for more idols.”

“And why did he blow a kiss at Cristal?” Satoshi asked.

“Ah, now I see the problem,” Yori said. “You’re not upset that Mr. Niigata has a new group. You’re upset because you’re jealous. He’s what? Eighteen? Why would Cristal be interested in a teenager?”

“The same reason Shaundra is interested in me,” Ichiro said. “A pretty face and a stiff dick.”

“Ah, man,” Satoshi groaned. “You did not say that. When in the hell did you get to be so talkative?”

“Since I met Shaundra. Maybe Kioshi is the quiet type too. Maybe Cristal will make him talkative.”

Satoshi punched him on the arm.

Ichiro liked fucking with Satoshi. It served him right. He’d been the recipient of the groups teasing, and now it was Satoshi’s turn.

“She better not. I’m better for her than some kid.”

Yori chuckled. “You two guys are idiots.”

****

“Tell me some more about Shaundra,” Mashuu said to Harper and Goro after Daichi had gone up to bed. They’d moved the conversation into the parlor, where Mashuu had fixed them drinks.

“What would you like to know about her?” Harper asked. He didn’t like the way the conversation had turned, and he’d make sure he’d watch how much information he leaked about his prized writer.

“As much as you care to tell me,” Mashuu said. “She is now a member of my family and I don’t know anything about her.”

Harper had gotten a bad feeling about the man the moment they were introduced. But he kept his feelings to himself since the man was their host. “She’s in love with Ichiro, and she’s a very good writer.”

“Yes, I’ve heard about that,” Mashuu said. “What is it that she writes, ah, yes, erotica?”

“Yes, but she writes other genres too,” Harper told him.

“That means she’s much more sexually experienced than my nephew,” Mashuu said. He lifted his glass and sipped.

“I wouldn’t know about that,” Harper said. “She was married before, if that’s what you mean. Her husband died, and as far as I know, she hadn’t been living a promiscuous life before she met Ichiro.”

“Let’s get back to her writing. Does she make a lot of money for your company?”

“Enough,” Goro said. “She’s one of our star authors.”

“So she’s not after my nephew’s money.”

Harper fought back an urge to punch the other man. “No. Shaundra isn’t poor. She’s a world-renowned author. She doesn’t need Ichiro’s money.”

“Ooh, it sounds like I touched a nerve. Why are you so eager to defend her? What is she to you?”

“She’s my friend,” Harper said, calming down. His personal relationship with Shaundra was no one’s business. “She’s a wonderful person, a loving mother, and a faithful wife.”

“I heard she has other kids,” Mashuu said.

“It’s no secret that Shaundra is older than Ichiro. Yes, she has four other kids,” Goro said. “Ichiro married her knowing all of this.”

“Well, Ichiro tends to follow his heart and not his mind when it comes to things like this. He led a very sheltered life until he met her. I just don’t want her to corrupt him with her sexuality. I have plans for my nephew, and I don’t want some woman standing in his way.”

“What plans?” Harper asked.

“I plan to bring him back into the family business once he retires from being an idol. How many more years do you think he can keep on performing?”

“As long as he wants to,” Goro answered. “Ich is barely twenty-six years old. He has a bright future ahead of him. And he does have his restaurants. So I don’t see why you need to bring him back into the family business when he is a businessman already.”

“Yes, I’ve heard his restaurants are doing very well. I think he needs to open one here in Kagawa. I think he can do good business here, and with my contacts, I think he can be a success.”

“He’s already a success,” Goro argued. “He came to me a timid child that rarely spoke, and now he’s confident and self-assured and can handle business better than any older adult I’ve ever met. Let’s put our cards down on the table. You want Ichiro for selfish reasons. You want to capitalize on his popularity.”

“Yes,” Mashuu answered. “I don’t have a problem capitalizing on his popularity. It just makes good business sense. And he is a family member and owes us.”

“He doesn’t owe you anything,” Harper said.

“Where were you when his mother and grandmother died?” Goro asked.

“Busy working,” Mashuu answered. “I was the head of a big organization back then.”

“The Yakuza,” Harper spat out. The man had no scruples.

“Yes, the Yakuza. We were hot shit back then and I was responsible for a lot of people. I couldn’t just stop what I was doing to dry Ichiro’s tears. I love my nephew, and I want only the best for him, but I’m not a fool. He can be a big help to his family if he just comes back to us. And we can always use another set of muscles.”

Harper shook his head. There was no way he was going to allow this to happen. If Ichiro returned to Kagawa, Shaundra would surely leave him. And as much as he wanted Shaundra, he did not want her to suffer at the hands of this man. “Let’s change the subject,” he said. “I don’t know enough about you or your family to pass judgment. Ichiro and Shaundra are a family and they love each other.”

Mashuu laughed. “Spoken like a man who has more than just a passing interest in his employee.”

Harper groaned. This trip to Kagawa wasn’t ending soon enough for him.

Chapter Seven

Damn, it feels good to be home
. Takumijo looked at himself in the mirror. “Hey, cutie,” he said as he gazed at his reflection. The Bee Gees played on the CD player in his room. Takumijo did a little disco move to the beat. He turned on his heels, danced his way over to the closet, took out his black leather jacket, and put it on.

Tonight, he was stepping out with Osamu who had just gotten back into town, and he looked forward to hanging with some of his other friends he hadn’t seen in a long time. Amaterasu’s company was nice, but he needed a break.

Takumijo grabbed his car keys and left the room. He walked down the stairs.

“Where are you off to?” Satoshi asked him. He bit into an apple.

“Out,” Takumijo said. “And you better watch how you bite that. You might break a crown or pull out a filling.”

“I like apples,” Satoshi said. “You’re going out with Amaterasu?”

“No, Mr. Nosey, with Osamu. He’s back in town.”

Satoshi frowned in between chewing. “Have fun.” He headed up the stairs.

Takumijo continued down. “I plan to.” He reached the door, opened it, and stepped outside. It had started to snow again. He walked down the steps and then to his car that he’d left at the curb after dropping Amaterasu off at home. Her perfume was still in the air when he opened the door. “Nice,” he said, getting in and securing his seatbelt. He started up the car and headed toward town.

Takumijo spotted Osamu’s car as soon as he arrived at Hombre’s, a club he and Osamu frequented. Takumijo found a parking spot, and then put on his dark shades.

People stepped out the club. One of the guys recognized him and waved. “Long time no see, Tak.”

“I’ve been busy,” Takumijo replied. “But I’m home for a little while.”

The other guy waved and then walked away with his friends.

Takumijo entered the club. The dark shades made it damn near impossible to see for a moment in the semidarkness. His eyes quickly adjusted as he continued into the lounge area. He spotted Osamu and a couple of their friends at the bar.

Osamu waved him over.

One of the guys moved down a seat so Takumijo could sit next to his best friend. But first, the two of them had to hug. Osamu was still taller and more muscular than him. And he looked good decked out in black and red. Around his neck he still wore the silver chain with the half heart Takumijo had given him as a gift.

“What the hell have you done to your hair?” Osamu asked him in a teasing manner.