I do hope he tries harder next time.
[Micah]There was a loud feminine scream followed by the sound of two bodies crashing into a desk. Getting up quickly I make it to the hallway just in time to see Maven on Charlotte’s back. She had a fistful of Charlotte’s hair in her right hand and was proceeding to slam her face into the linoleum while the rest of the office watched. Nobody seemed to be in any big hurry to break them up. Instead, a small group of them were cheering the two on as if it were middle school and this was a catfight between two jealous girlfriends.I guess in a way that is exactly what it is. My past lover battling my current lover for dominance. What poor Maven doesn't realize is that the battle was over before she even started.Using a Judo move I taught her during her self-defense lessons, Charlotte spins unde
[Charlotte]“I like this color on you, Charlie,” Andy announces. I have to pretend to care about his opinion, so I smile and force myself to blush by thinking of Micah’s chiseled abs. "Thank you," I smile. It's a bit ironic that he likes this dress considering that: #1 it is a turtleneck to cover the hickey that Micah gave me and#2--it's black. The color of funerals and widows.Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something. I paired this dress, which is fairly short rising to mid-thigh, with a pair of over-the-knee boots. The dress hugged my body, but with the boots, only about two inches of skin was showing, and those two inches were covered with nylons.You'd think that Micah would have been pleased with the outfit, considering how much of me it covered. But he wasn't. When I video-called him earlier tonight to give him a little tease as he watched me get dressed, He liked the part where I put on my stockings one leg at a time and zipped my boots up slowly. But when I wiggl
[Charlotte] Andy never knew when to shut up. Not when we were dating, not after we were married, and certainly not after we started our divorce. He loves arguing and hates being told what to do, especially by people in positions of authority. I could guess after some complex reasoning, such as his need to be seen and heard, or his desire based on some misguided childhood, but my theory is that his inability to stop talking has more to do with him being a narcissistic asshole. And while having these qualities makes him an excellent salesman, they are terrible personality traits to have when dealing with officers of the law. So following his instincts, Andy didn’t stop talking as the police asked him to step out of the car. His entitled belief in his privilege being strong, he didn't see any reason why he should do what these armed people, with badges and the full authority of the state of California, wanted him to do. Nor did he stop talking when the police slammed him against h
[Charlotte]I was expecting the police officer to take me to the police station. Or possibly even home, but that’s not where she dropped me off. “Where are we going,” I ask as we continue to drive. I’m more than a little frightened. This is the second car ride I’ve had today without knowing where I was headed, and I’m not sure if I am ready for any more surprises. “I just received new instructions to take you to the Airport,” she smiles back at me as if escorting women from one date to another is just another Friday night for her. “We should be there in about 15 minutes, ma’am.”I pull out my phone and send Micah another text.ME: Did you tell the police to take me to the airport?MICAH: I was tired of waiting, so I’m bringing you to me.ME: And where is it you are bringing me to, exactly? MICAH: I decided we needed to go out to dinner. ME: By plane?MICAH: No, by helicopter.ME: WHY?MICAH: Because you can't get where we are going by car.ME: WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME???MICAH: :D
[Charlotte] “Sorry to interrupt, Sir, but…” “Then don’t,” Micah growled, a vein pulsing near his left temple, his hand almost crushing the small velvet box he was trying to present to me. He places the box down gently on the table behind me as he turns slowly to stare at the crew member standing a few feet away. “The Captain insisted," His voice is shaking, as he stands up straighter, trying to not look frightened of the imposing man before him. "He said to tell you Code Orange.” Micah looks over at me and places a sad kiss on my hand before nodding to the crew member and tapping the table. “Sorry, cher, but I…” “What's happening?" I ask Micah as he pulls me carefully out of my chair and nods to the crew who quickly cart the chairs, table, and flowers away, leaving behind no trace that we were there. “What’s a Code Orange?” I try again as he leads me to a set of stairs heading down below decks. He ignores my question. I don't know if it is intentional, or if he is just so foc
[Charlotte] Pivoting slowly, I find myself looking up into eyes that are both angry and worried. “Why aren’t you where you should be? I told them to take you to the safe room, but I see you are here by security?” His eyes grow dark with suspicion, “Were you spying on me?” Shame and fear wash over me in equal measure. This is a man who cares more about honor and trust than any other personality trait and here I am, standing before him, someone he needs to love and trust above all others, breaking both. As the disappointment washes over his expression, I break our gaze and stare down at my feet. “I’m sorry, Micah. I could hear your conversation and I wanted to know what was happening. Please don’t punish her because of my poor behavior.” “Ms. Ramirez,” he turns to my security detail. “You’re fired.” “Understood, sir,” she hands over her keys, name tag, and gun, which I hadn’t seen before and was shocked to see placed on the security desk. “I’ll be in my room until we reach dock. Excu
[Micah]Clutching her necklace part of me wants to crush it between my fingers or fling it out into the sea. She isn’t lying, but she isn’t being completely truthful either.She betrayed me. The woman I finally thought I could love completely and without reservation She agreed to do as I asked and then went against it. She spied on me and listened to what I was saying with a rival. Did she do this for the reasons she stated, because she felt so powerless? Or is there another more sinister reason? Is she working with Andy and playing me for a fool? She went against my wishes, which is bad enough, but the reason she gave, that it was all because she felt curious and powerless and wanted to listen to my conversation…doesn’t feel like her. At least, not the version of her I have grown to love and care for. Has she been lying to me this whole time? Was she placed before me by Andy and McAllister just to test me, to get me to fall for her? Did they plan this out first, using her as a d
[Charlotte] “STOP!” Micah shouts after me as I walk towards the street. I keep on walking with my back straight, my expression blank and my eyes focused on the exit. It has started to rain as if the sky is mirroring my feelings, the light drops of water splattering on my face like gentle kisses. I think of a night not that long ago when Micah made me an offer that would change my life forever. Because even If I cannot live up to his expectations for me, even if this was the last night I see him, I have been changed. I am no longer the same Charlotte Slate who was broken after the betrayal of her husband. I have known real love, and real compassion, and found my strength. Stepping into the thick white wall of San Francisco fog, I can barely see in front of me as I try to find my way. As the wind starts to blow from the bay, the fog grows thicker as it billows in, the exit onto the street disappearing before me. Stopping, I put out my hands before me and I can see them, but no
[Charlotte]I don't remember much after that moment when I first attacked McAllister. I was lost in the moment, avenging my fallen friend, making sure that he didn't get up ever again. And then I felt a sting on my back and a rush of heat. I fell to the ground and the rest faded into nothing. When I woke up in the hospital two days later and Juni was by my side, I thought I must be dead. But I wasn't. She isn't dead, and neither am I. An hour or so later, Micah arrives in the room smelling clean and looking tidy, his arms full of dozens of chrysanthemums in shades of gold and white. "A gift, from the Masumotos, " he explains as he sets them down next to my bed. Juni kisses me on the cheek and says she'll see me later as she leaves Micah and me alone. "The girls are fine," he says as he takes a seat, "And as you can see, so is Juni. Everyone is safe."I nod. It's all starting to feel like a bad dream. A nightmare I didn't think I'd wake from. "Was it ever Juni in that room?" I ask
[Micah][Earlier that evening]Stepping out of my car, I am flanked by my crew as together we walk straight into the dragon's den. Our enemy, McAllister, is going down tonight. We aren't alone as we approach the landing. It seems that McAllister called in all of the faction heads to attend his VIP event. Even the current head of the Skeleton Crew is here, Bones LeRoux bringing full Louisiana flair, from his checkered suit to his ivory-topped cane. Mobs bosses and gang leaders from across the country all gathered in one place. McAllister is planning something. Something big. Maybe this wasn't just about MMK Industries. Does McAllister have plans for a global expansion? "Nah," I say to myself, realizing the truth. "He's just trying to show off." Roger, standing next to me, nods in agreement. For a man who is outwardly plain and prefers to remain unnoticed, he does have a way of making himself showy when he needs to. As soon as we pass the threshold to his mansion, the drab exterior
[Charlotte]The flight over was grim. We are not going to Portland on holiday--it is a rescue mission. Micah and I stayed next to one another, but I couldn't cuddle in his arms the way I'd prefer. We both had to be generals of this little rag-tag army of ours. I have my girls, my Blue Diamonds, and he has his Angels and his soldiers, his troops on the ground. There would be time for snuggling later. If we all survive this. And if we don't, I guess we'll have to find each other in the next life. As soon as we land we'll be going our separate ways. He'll be taking his people to the Tattooed Walls. We'd be McAllister's guests in one of his hotels.Our time went by much too quickly. It felt like a blink Holding my hand, we disembarked together, Micah refusing to let go of me until he had no other choice. Waiting on the tarmac were two cars heading in different directions. If all goes well, we'll be back here tonight, on our way home.And if it doesn't...Using our intertwined hands as
[Micah]I do not like this plan of Charlotte's. It is too dangerous. She is putting too much at risk, even surrounded by her Blue Diamonds. As part of the plan she made with McAllister, she and her girls will be providing "entertainment" for him and a few choice guests. "A private, intimate party for only the very best customers." Just the thought of her in a room with his kind of people makes my heart race and my vision blur with fear and anger."I'm counting on you to make the most of the time we give you," Charlotte demands, holding my face between her hands as she looks me dead in the eyes. "My girls and I can take whatever he dishes out, don't you worry about us. He isn't going to expect that a bunch of strippers are also cold-blooded assassins. But we are only the distraction. We need you and your boys to get us out of there safe."I think she is underestimating him, which is why I need to make sure my part of the plan goes flawlessly. As soon as we touch down, I kiss my beau
[Charlotte]My blood is still boiling after seeing what that bastard did to his own daughter. It is ten times worse than any humiliation that I ever faced by Andy's hand, and it is her father pulling the strings. Did he make her watch Kenji suffer too? Was she in the room when her father's men cut off his ear? We're going to save Sasha and Kenji. And then we're going to burn it all down. But how do we slay this sick dragon? Micah wants to go in full guns blazing, the Masumoto clan at his back. Grandma Masumoto is down for this plan, angry that her favorite grandson has been captured and so thoroughly disrespected. She's already called the cousins in Yokohama. They'll be flying directly to Portland and arriving tomorrow morning. I have another, more subtle plan, one that I hope will distract McAllister enough for Micah to be successful in our little coup.Pitching my idea to him, he tenses. "I don't like this, Mon Ange. I don't want to put you in that demon's grasp." "You'll be ju
[Charlotte]"Can you sign for this?" A smiling young man approached the main desk. I was passing through and our receptionist, Claire, handed it to me. Sasha was out today, so I took the package. Weirdly, she didn't call in, but knowing Kenji's plans for her last night, I'm sure they're still busy "resting" in bed this morning. I can already imagine the wedding. She'll be such a beautiful bride. After thanking Claire, I see that it is made out to Mr. and Mrs. McKaine. Rubbing my finger across the postmark, I can't help but glow. We're really married. It's still so hard to believe, even though I wake up next to him every morning snuggled into his warmth after a night of endless lovemaking. You'd think learning I am pregnant with his twins would cool his ardor--mission accomplished! He's so virile he succeeded in knocking me up twice over. But no, if anything he's even more passionate, even more determined to show me his love every day. "You are so beautiful," he likes to tell me eac
[Sasha]My father has never been a gentle man. Nor has he ever shown compassion to anyone, not true compassion. Not even to his daughter. I grew up knowing that I am not blood-related, that he picked me from a selection of surrogates pregnant with children they didn't want. He didn't want to leave his physical legacy in the world. I was just something for him to control and mold. Love wasn't part of the deal.To be honest, I don't know if he's capable of such a complex emotion. Or any true emotions. He wears masks that people find believable to convince him that he is interested in them and that he cares about anything they have to say, but it is all an act. Just another part of his carefully curated self-image. Just like me--just another prop to make him more "likable" and "relatable." Most children turn to their parents when they need comfort. I never had that instinct, or more precisely, I was never allowed to develop that kind of attachment. The only people who were with me cons
[Charlotte]Humming to myself, I walk to the break room, take a slice of some "welcome home cake," that the office had presented to us this morning, and grab a nice cup of coffee. The cake tastes amazing. I've hardly been able to keep anything down lately and my body needs the calories. Apparently, this baby likes sugar because I am able to eat the entire piece without even the smallest touch of indigestion. Taking a sip of my coffee to cut the sweetness, I start to choke. Fighting back the urge to vomit, I force myself to keep it all down. Fine, no coffee. My girls gave me similar trouble. They didn't like any caffeinated beverages. I couldn't even drink a cup of green tea. "Babies suck," I look at my coffee sadly as I text Micah to let him know our appointment is in 45 minutes. "Meet me in the garage in 10 minutes," I text as a follow-up. Tossing my coffee, I groan. I could have used that jolt of energy.I don't even make it to the elevator before Micah has his hand around my wa
[Charlotte]Things are different when I come into the office the next day. My morning starts normally enough. Micah is already off for his day, gone in early to take care of some "urgent business," and I'm to come in a bit later after dropping off the girls at their new school. My new driver, Agnes, is the latest addition to the Blue Diamonds, and like Roger is to Micah, she will be my constant companion and driver. "Ma'am, we're here," she announces in a tight, southern drawl. "Are you ready, or do you need me to make another circuit?""I'm ready," I give her my sunniest smile even though on the inside my stomach is churning--although I'm not sure if it's about this or something else, something more important. Thankfully Sasha is already in my new office, typing a report when I enter. I know she's McAllister's daughter and I shouldn't trust her, but Kenji loves her, and that's good enough for me. I trust his judgment and his family's legendary ability to judge a person's inner cha