Unwound

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“WHAT was that swivel thing you did with your tongue?”

Ronin smiled against Amery’s neck. “Liked that?”

“I think my scream indicated that I did.”

“I wish I could tell you it was from the Kama Sutra or something I saw in a shunga print, but I think I saw it in porn.”

Amery pushed back and looked at him. “You watch porn?”

“Baby, every man under the age of seventy watches porn. Those who claim they don’t? Are lying.” He twisted a chunk of her hair around his finger. “It doesn’t reflect on you, that you aren’t giving me what I need in bed. I just like watching people have sex. It’s fucking hot; it turns me on, and the added bonus? I pick up new things to do for you.”

“So I shouldn’t feel threatened or like you’re imagining me with another guy? Or maybe another girl?”

Ronin tugged her hair, bringing her closer. “I don’t share. Ever. And the thought of anyone ever putting their hands on this body? I’m deciding which bone-breaking techniques I’ve learned that would bring the most pain.”

“But you don’t mind people looking at me?”

“On those sexy book covers? No.” Amery had just finished the preliminary mock-up cover for Tangled Together, the third book in Cherry Starr’s erotic series. “I’m still blown away that you reworked a still shot from the club demo video and kept the sensuality of the scene without exposing our faces. So not only are you cover-model hot, you’re very talented.”

“Thank you. So are you. Your rope work is stunning.” She paused. “It’s really a shame you’ve sworn off public demos.”

Shocked, he said, “What?”

Her eyes turned serious. “Look, I’ve wrestled with bringing this up with you, so I’m just going to say it straight out; I don’t want you to give up such an integral part of who you are.”

Ronin stared at her silently, unsure if he’d heard her correctly.

“I’m not saying this because I’ve got some secret desire for you to bind me in front of large crowds at a sex club on a regular basis. But, sweetheart, a sex club isn’t the only place you can teach and give demos. You have plenty of space at the dojo to offer private lessons. You could hold basic beginner classes on tying techniques for couples, or offer classes to Doms and Dommes who want to learn advanced techniques. You are a master—and that comes with responsibilities. You have to teach and pass on those skills. I would feel guilty if your hesitation to continue demo teaching was solely because of me.”

“It’s not.” He brushed his knuckles across her jaw. “Haven’t you noticed that I tend to have the all-or-nothing mind-set?”

She gasped with total sarcasm. “No. Really?”

He playfully swatted her rear.

“There is a catch, however.” Amery smiled—all teeth. “I am your rope model. Your only rope model, whether we do a full demo or a simple chest harness. I’ll be whatever you need.”

“Baby, you already are what I need.” And she was. He slanted his lips over hers, starting the kiss out at a slow pace, reveling in how she unraveled him. He’d just cranked up the intensity when he heard the ping of the elevator doors.

That ripped him out of the moment. “What the hell?” No one breached his inner sanctum.

“Maybe there’s an emergency at the dojo.” Amery was looking over her shoulder, and the movement caused the gap in her robe to widen.

Momentarily distracted by the sight of her taut nipple, he glanced up when Amery stiffened. Then his gaze followed hers to the woman standing in the entrance to the living room.

“Mother? What are you doing here?”

At the word mother, Amery scooted off his lap so quickly she nearly fell.

His mother answered in Japanese and crossed the room.

Protocol demanded he stand. He met his mother halfway. After pressing his cheek to hers, he offered her a slight bow. “What a surprise.”

“Not an unpleasant surprise, I hope.”

“Never.”

She laid her hand on his cheek, and her eyes scrutinized every inch of his face. “Ronin-san. You look wonderful.”

“As do you, Okasan.” At age sixty-three, his mother was still an attractive woman.

“Who let you up here?”

“Your sister. Her greeting was less . . . enthusiastic than yours.”

“Is everything okay? You never—”

“Everything is fine with me and your grandfather.”

“So would you like to sit?” And tell me why the hell you’re here?

“In a bit. I’d like a tour of your home first.”

Amery secured the robe. “I’ll just ah, go . . . get dressed.”

Ronin tugged her to his side. “Amery, this is my mother, Tamara Okada. Okasan, this is my”—everything—“Amery.”

Amery acted unsure on whether she should offer her hand, but she clasped his mother’s when she offered it. “It’s a pleasure.”

“For me as well.”

Before Amery fled, Ronin kissed her temple.

He led his mother to the elevator and eyed her outfit. Some flowing silk thing and a pair of ankle-breaking heels. “We’ll start on the roof. Should I get you a jacket? It’s chilly up here.”

“I will be fine.”

They ducked inside the bubble, and she wandered from poolside to garden side. “I imagine this is lovely in the summer months.”

“The view is great too.”

She perched on the end of a chaise and gestured for him to sit across from her.

“So why the impromptu visit?” In the fourteen years he’d lived in the United States, his mother hadn’t visited. It hadn’t seemed like a big deal because he saw her at least once a year in Japan, and she was so busy traveling with his grandfather, she preferred to stay home in her down time.

“Both of my children are here. Plus I was worried.” She remained perfectly still, her hands clasped in her lap. “I’ll get right to it. You never talk about this kind of thing with me, but Shiori indicated that you went back into the ring after Amery ended your relationship and you ended up injured? On multiple occasions?”

Rather than confess the extent of his injuries because his mother would have a mini meltdown that he hadn’t told her, he countered with, “Did she tell you why Amery broke it off? It was Shiori’s fault.” He sounded like a petulant kid.

“Yes, she summarized the situation, but I do agree with your sister on this. You should’ve told Amery about your family connection.”

Ronin opened his mouth, and she did the one-finger silencing action he remembered from his childhood.

“You’ve chosen a different path. Your grandfather never believed you’d stay on it. I knew you wouldn’t deviate. That’s what defines a family—accepting those divergent paths in those we care about. Your grandfather and I both worried when we hadn’t heard from you personally in weeks . . . I came to check on you.”

He thought back to the ugly scene with Amery’s parents. Their accusations, ultimatums, and embarrassment about the path Amery had taken. He’d watched her crumble after swearing it didn’t matter. But that kind of rejection is hard, no matter how old you get.

Then he had a pang of awareness—had he done the same thing to his family? Rejected them because he believed they wouldn’t understand his life choices?

Sobering thought.

“Ronin-san?”

He smiled at her and the only term of endearment she ever used. “How is Grandfather?”

“Old.” She ran her hand through her hair. “I’ve never said that about him because he’s always seemed so invincible. But he’s had some health issues in the last year. Which doesn’t sit well with him.”

“And you are bearing the brunt of that?”

She shrugged. “It’s what I do.”

“Why didn’t you ever remarry? Then you wouldn’t have to be at your father’s command.”

“He doesn’t command me.” She sounded affronted. Then she sighed. “I wondered if you’d ever ask me about this.”

Ronin waited.

“None of the men in my social circle hold a candle to your father. He was an electric charge; other men were dim bulbs. My father kept trying to fix me up because he didn’t want me to spend my life without a companion like he had.”

“But I thought Grandfather was mad that you eloped.”

She frowned. “He was upset because he couldn’t give me a proper society wedding. I eloped because I couldn’t imagine my life without your father. And after he died, your grandfather understood what I was going through and he begged me to return to Japan.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“How could you have? You were eight. I grieved. I grieved to the point I couldn’t care for you or your sister. He had to step in.” She squinted at him. “Don’t you remember him working with you on your Japanese language issues?”

An image jumped into Ronin’s head of sitting at the table with paper and pens, Shiori curled up in their grandfather’s lap while he patiently drilled Ronin on reading and writing. “I’d forgotten that.”

“I’m not trying to paint Nureki Okada as a saint. But he’s not a villain either.” She smiled softly. “Well, not all days.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

She stood. “Because you, your sister, and I need to discuss some family things.”

“What things?”

“I’ll go into more detail tomorrow. Lunch will work, since you’re not teaching during the day, and who knows what Shiori is doing with her time since she quit.”

“She quit? Quit what?”

Her eyes turned shrewd. “Your sister resigned from Okada weeks ago. How else could she spend all this time here?”

His jaw dropped. “She never even fucking mentioned that.”

For once his mother didn’t give him a pinched look about his language. “I’m not surprised. But you’ve been so wrapped up in your own life that you hadn’t noticed all her free time?”

Chastised, he retorted, “I had a couple of life-changing events, a couple of health issues, so I wasn’t as aware as I might’ve otherwise been.”

She offered him the half smile that signified the conversation was over. “It appears you and Amery worked things out.”

“Mostly. The rest will be handled after she’s living here permanently.”

“Your Amery is a beautiful girl. I can see she makes you happy.”

“She does. She also has that electric spark that lights my life.”

The remaining house tour didn’t take much time. Amery had made the bed in their room and put away the silk scarves. When they finished the tour in the kitchen, he saw Amery had fixed her hair and put on makeup. He found it sweet she wanted to make a good impression on his mother.

“Would you like something to drink?” Amery asked.

“Tea?”

“We have pretty much everything except for that.”

“Of course. Do you share Ronin’s dislike of tea?”

“No. After I move in, I’ll stock it for when you visit.”

Message received: Amery wasn’t going anywhere.

That pleased rather than annoyed his mother. “Excellent. I look forward to having tea with you, Amery.” She faced Ronin. “I apologize for dropping in and interrupting your evening. I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch.”

“Where are you staying?”

“With Shiori at the Ritz. She’s got an extra bedroom in the penthouse suite she insists on.” She patted his cheek. “So much more fun to cramp her style than yours, Ronin-san.”

He grinned and walked her to the elevator. “Want me to ride down with you?”

“Not necessary.” Right before the doors closed, she said, “Sweet dreams, my handsome boy,” in Japanese, like she used to when she tucked him in at night.

Amery’s arms circled his waist. She rested the side of her face against his back. “You okay?”

“Oddly enough, yes. But that was bizarre. Must be the month for surprise parental visits.”

“Looks like yours went better than mine. You two were on the roof for a long time.”

“She gave me a few things to think about.”

“Like?”

Ronin turned around. “Like I wondered why Shiori was still here, but she hedged every time I asked. Come to find out, she quit Okada several weeks ago.”

Amery dropped her gaze.

He grabbed on to her chin and tipped her face up. “You knew.”

“Yes, but—”

“No buts.”

“After I decided to sign the contract, Shiori warned me I wouldn’t be working with her. A week or so later I got to thinking about how suspicious that sounded, so I called her on it, so she told me the truth. It’s been hard not telling you because my loyalty to you will always come first. But she begged me not to say anything because she needed to wait until the timing was right.”

“And for you, did that loyalty start before or after Okada cut you a big fat check?”

Immediately after he said it, he knew it was a dick move.

She stepped back. The hurt on her face sliced into him, and he reached for her, but she dodged him. “Did you ever consider the reason that your sister doesn’t share anything personal with you is because you can be such a judgmental asshole when it comes to family stuff?”

Keep your goddamn mouth shut for once, before you make it worse.

“I didn’t ask to be her confidante. But I like her. I don’t hold a grudge against her for your mistake. Granted, I don’t know everything that’s gone on in your family saga—frankly I don’t want to know. But if we’re going to be together, then your sister will be in my life. I intend to have her as a good part of it because god knows I don’t have anything like that with my family.”

“What the fuck does if we’re going to be together mean?” he demanded. “We are together. We goddamn live together.”

“Not yet we don’t. And right now, I don’t want to be in the same apartment with you, let alone the same bed.” Amery snatched her purse off the end table. “Unfuckingbelievable.”

“Amery—”

She whirled around. “That’s what you took from everything I just said? You made it about you? Why don’t you think of someone else for a change? You really believe that Shiori is hanging out in the dojo because she needs a place to train? Wrong. She’s there because she wants to rebuild her relationship with you.”

“Then why didn’t she just say that?” he bellowed.

She poked him in the chest. “For that reason, right there.”

He couldn’t think of a damn thing to say as the elevator doors closed in his face.

• • •

THAT’S how Ronin found himself at the Ritz-Carlton at nine o’clock at night.

Maybe it’d been typical behavior for him, commanding his sister meet him in the bar. But she’d agreed, so he must not have been too much of a raging asshole.

He’d taken a booth in the corner and ordered. He’d barely had a chance to savor the subtle notes in the scotch before Shiori slid across from him.

The waiter was immediately tableside, wearing a big smile. “Ms. Hirano, it’s wonderful to have you back. What are you drinking this evening?”

Shiori pointed to Ronin’s glass. “Whatever he’s having.”

“The Highland Park 1958 single-malt scotch coming right up.”

“You’re hitting the good stuff tonight.”

“Life is too short to drink shitty scotch.”

She smiled. “You’ve developed a sophisticated palate simply because you don’t have to drink cheap, shitty scotch.”

“I’ll admit it’s an indulgence.”

Neither said anything until she received her drink.

Shiori raised her glass for a toast. “To the finer things in life—good booze and good company.”

Ronin touched his glass to hers and drank. “The last part is up in the air.”

“Lucky me, summoned when you’re in a lousy mood.”

“Then put me in a good mood. Tell me if you found out anything about Naomi’s accomplices.”

Shiori delicately sipped. “I spoke to Jenko. The protection business in Japan can be incestuous, so he knows the guy. Hiko Tamagachi. Jenko says he’s not surprised Hiko threw in with someone like Naomi.”

“That son of a bitch held Amery while that other fucker hit her. Hit her in the face,” he repeated as if Shiori didn’t know.

“Jenko has put the word out about what Hiko did and to whom. Trust me—Hiko’s protection days are over. At least with the clientele that used to hire him.”

“What else?”

“Nothing on the other guy. We’re betting the biker look was a disguise. As far as Naomi and her motivation to screw with you . . . we did a little digging and found out that after you put Naomi on an Okada jet to Tokyo almost four years ago, her family picked her up and she vanished. We also discovered her background had been completely fabricated—even our investigative team had been fooled.”

“That had to sit well with Grandfather,” he said dryly.

“Ronin, he didn’t know back then, and I’m not going to tell him now.”

“So you’re keeping it from him out of sibling solidarity?”

“Yes. Although I’m sure you find that hard to swallow.”

Just for an instant, Ronin saw a glimpse of his baby sister—the sweet-faced tomboy who’d trailed after him from the moment she could toddle along—and not the cut-throat business mogul she’d become.

“He wouldn’t have wanted you anywhere near such a psycho bitch. Ojisan adores you. I know you see everything he’s ever done as manipulation, but control isn’t his only motivation. He doesn’t show affection well, and he sees meddling in your life as a way to show he cares about you.”

“I’m starting to understand that. Go on.”

“But Ojisan’s reason for getting into business with Naomi’s family wasn’t solely for you; it greatly benefitted Okada too.” Shiori leaned forward. “Contrary to what Naomi told you, he never paid Naomi to be with you. He pulled a few strings with her visa to keep her in the United States with you, but that’s it.”

Part of Ronin had suspected Naomi lied about that, but he’d been too infuriated with his family to ask how much of what Naomi had told him was true. “Did it ever occur to you how fucking weird it is that Grandfather was so damn concerned about my romantic life? When he never married again after age twenty?”

Shiori rolled her eyes. “Why would he marry? Up until five years ago, he had four mistresses to satisfy him and our mother to tend to his social responsibilities.”

“How the hell did he keep four mistresses happy?”

“You should ask him.”

“No, thanks. Finish the Naomi story.”

“After she screwed things up with you, her family put her under lock and key. The only person she had contact with was . . .”

“Her friend Kiki.”

“Evidently after Kiki saw you with Amery, she immediately called Naomi in Japan. And Naomi dragged Hiko, her bodyguard, lover, and muscle for hire into her revenge drama. Cut to Kiki, who’d stored all of Naomi’s things after you’d sent her away so suddenly.”

“Does Kiki know where Naomi is now?”

“The PIs here questioned Kiki, and she swears she saw Naomi only briefly—long enough to give her the two boxes of stuff. After Ojisan found out about a potential blackmail situation, he personally contacted Naomi’s family and warned them if a single image surfaces anywhere in the world, he’d ruin them permanently. We both know he has the juice to back it up, so I don’t think Naomi will ever be a problem again.”

He bit back his question on how their grandfather had heard about the new situation. Had he gotten the same kind of package that Amery’s parents had? “Thank you for checking into all that for me. I hope you’re right.” He swirled the liquid in his glass. “You didn’t have an issue utilizing Okada’s resources even when you no longer work there?”

Shiori’s expression didn’t change. “So Mother told you that I’m unemployed?”

“Yes. I wondered why you were here for so long. And, yeah, I probably should’ve asked.”

“I believe you did. I believe I hedged.”

Ronin rested his forearms on the table. “What happened?”

“I wish I could blame Grandfather for unfair treatment, or that Okada got involved with a company that displayed poor business practices and I left in protest, but the truth is, I’m thirty-five, I’m single, and I’m tired of being alone.”

That jarred him.

“I work too much; my friends are all in relationships and have children. They look at me with envy because I can hop on a plane and go anywhere in the world. I look at them and think if I had a husband and a baby, I’d never leave home.” She held up her hand. “Please don’t say I don’t seem like the maternal type.”

“Shiori, I don’t know you well enough anymore to make that kind of observation.”

“Thank you.” She took a sip of her drink and sighed. “That scotch really is worth every penny. The only other time I’ve had it is at Ojisan’s house.”

Just another reminder he had absorbed some of his grandfather’s habits without conscious effort.

“Anyway, I realized on the night of my thirty-fifth birthday—which I spent alone incidentally—I’ve been trying to prove that I deserve the CEO status at Okada, and I lost sight of everything else. Within a week after all my doubts surfaced, I came across an inner-office memo I wasn’t supposed to see. Okada is trying to hire Inichi Matso away from Satzu to name him interim CEO because Grandfather wants to step down.”

“You have got to be shitting me.”

Shiori shook her head. “No, and here’s the reality: he would be excellent for Okada.”

“But that position has always been yours. Or at least your dream.”

“I realized I’m not ready for the top spot. Just because I’m Nureki Okada’s granddaughter doesn’t mean I deserve to take control. So if he offered it to me right now, I don’t think I’d take it. More work for the next forty years?” Shiori leaned forward. “Ojisan will be eighty-six. I don’t want to look back at my life when I’m his age and wonder what I’d done with it besides work. Even without our inheritance, I have more money than I can possibly spend. So I quit and came here, hoping you’d have wisdom to guide me through this. But I didn’t have the guts to even tell you the truth.”

“You’re totally screwed.”

“Fantastic. Thank you.”

“All joking aside, on a business level, I’ve made some changes with the dojo, but I wouldn’t have done it if not for Amery.” He met his sister’s gaze. “But on a personal level, I’ve had that same epiphany, wanting a life outside of being Sensei Black. Even with the new projects that I’ve taken on, it’d be ideal if I could hand off some responsibilities and enjoy having found this amazing woman who gets everything about me.”

Tears pooled in Shiori’s eyes. “I’m happy for you. I mean that. Amery is just what you need in your life.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “Damn scotch.”

He hid his smile behind his glass.

“So does handing off some responsibilities mean I can keep teaching at Black Arts?”

“As long as you’re interested in taking on a supervisory role in training our advanced students too.”

“I noticed you’ve passed off all your upper-level classes to other instructors. The only reason you’d relinquish control was if you didn’t have a choice.” Her gaze sharpened. “What did the doctor say?”

Of course she’d pick up on that. Ronin was actually relieved to tell her everything. After he finished, he added, “Without coming across as self-serving, I’m glad you’re not gainfully employed, because I could use your help running the dojo.”

“What about Knox? He’s your second-in-command and general manager.”

“Knox is great with people—students, parents, all that glad-handing stuff I hate. Until I know if I’ll ever be able to return to contact training, I’ll need an advanced belt to teach my instructors and oversee their training methods. I trust you—not only because you’re my highest-ranking belt.”

“Then why?”

“Because we’re alike in many ways. Plus you do the hardass, dragon-lady bit so well.”

She snorted delicately.

“And it is a temporary position.” He studied her. “I don’t have to worry that you’ll implement a hostile takeover, do I?”

She laughed. “No.”

“So how did Grandfather react when you quit?”

“Not well, given her method of delivery,” their mother said as she slid into the booth next to Shiori. She raised her hand to the waiter and signaled for three more drinks. “She sent him a text message.”

“Okasan, we were just—”

“Do you remember how many times you said that when I caught you two doing something wrong?”

Ronin’s gaze winged between his mother and Shiori. They looked enough alike they could be sisters. “You’re mistaken. We never did anything wrong.”

She laughed—loudly for their mother, especially in a public place.

He exchanged a WTF? look with his sister.

“That’s right. I had perfect children,” she said, switching to Japanese. “Neither of you were criminals or psychopaths, and I’m immensely grateful for that.”

The waiter dropped off the drinks.

“I wanted to have this conversation tomorrow over lunch, but this is as good a time as any to tell you of the upcoming changes in my life.”

“Maybe we should just have the waiter leave the bottle,” Ronin muttered.

Shiori kicked him under the table.

Their mother held her glass aloft. “Raise your glasses to the new interim director of Okada Food Conglomerate.”

He looked at Shiori who was looking at him blankly. He managed to say, “Who is the new interim director?”

“Me,” their mother stated.

Ronin almost dropped his glass. He and Shiori said, “What?” simultaneously.

“Drink your toast.”

Shiori and Ronin drank.

“Okay. What the hell is going on? I feel as if I’ve stepped into an alternate universe. Shiori quits. And you’re taking over?”

“Yes. My father is ready to retire. I knew Shiori wasn’t ready for the CEO chair. I knew you didn’t want it,” she said to Ronin. “And some guy who looks good on paper doesn’t deserve it sight unseen. I’ve been around this food business my entire life. For close to thirty years, I’ve served as my father’s hostess for business events as well as his business confidante. As his only child, I am the first heir. Something many people have forgotten.”

“But you’ve never had any interest in taking the mantle,” Ronin said.

“Not publicly, no. So after your sister’s charming text message to your grandfather, giving the reasons why she’s stepping down, I’m stepping up.”

“You’re really taking over?” Shiori said with equal shock.

“Yes. Okada is hiring Inichi Matso, except he will answer to me. Even if he passes the probationary period, he will still answer to me. We’ve revised the legal documentation in the past few weeks for the board of directors. A member of the Okada family will always have oversight of the company and will always have at least one seat on the board. For now, that’s me. I have my own team to run checks on every aspect of the business anytime I deem it so.”

“And Inichi Matso agreed to this?”

“Of course. He wants to get control of a five-billion-dollar business and turn it into more.”

“But what about all your free time? You’re a few years from retirement.”

“I like to do things differently—get a job when most people retire. Your grandfather is feeling remorseful for some of the things he’s done.” She offered them a sad but surprisingly sneaky smile. “I played on that mercilessly. I did demand that he make both of your trust funds fully accessible—without strings.”

That seemed too good to be true, even when Ronin had no idea what he’d do with that much money. “No strings? At all? Ever?”

“Just the usual inheritance tax issues. But besides that? No. The only strings that should come with a gift are on the outside of the package when you open it.”

Such a smart woman.

“After our earlier discussion, I got to thinking about your father. How much I loved being with him.” She slid her hands across the table and squeezed both Ronin’s and Shiori’s forearms. “I want that kind of happiness for both of you.”

“Doesn’t love like that just break your heart? You loved him and you lost him,” Shiori said softly. “Who wants that kind of forever pain?”

“I did. I miss him every day. But I see him in both of you, so he’s not completely gone. I would rather have that all-encompassing love for a short time than never have had it at all.” She patted Shiori’s hand. “Keep looking, Shiori-san. You’ll find it. Probably where you least expect it.” Their mother stood and she focused on Ronin. “Don’t waste another minute of your life without her. You never know how many minutes you’ll get.”