by Blue Saffire
Brothers Black 6
Ryan the Joker
Blue Saffire
Contents
Perceptive Illusions Publishing, Inc.
Word From Blue
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Blue Collection Character Tree
Blue’s Queens’, Divas’, and Readers’ Retreat 2020
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Thank You
Other books by Blue Saffire
Perceptive Illusions Publishing, Inc.
Brothers Black
Ryan The Joker
Book 6
Blue Saffire
Perceptive Illusions Publishing, Inc.
Bay Shore, New York
Copyright © 2020 by Blue Saffire.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Blue Saffire/Perceptive Illusions Publishing, Inc.
PO BOX 5253
Bay Shore, NY 11706
www.BlueSaffire.com
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
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Brothers Black 6: Ryan The Joker/ Blue Saffire. -- 1st ed.
Word From Blue
Laughter is medicine. If you can smile more than you stress you have mastered a great thing.
―Blue Saffire
Preface
Black &Nash
Ryan
A year ago…
“Get out of here,” Wyatt hisses at me as I play with his earlobe. He swats at me, causing me to huff and move away from him.
I’m bored. Toby and Dad are in that Alliance meeting with the other members. Since the meeting would be at my cousins’ estate here in Ireland, I decided to come along. Any chance to see the O’Briens is a chance to have some fun.
However, this isn’t as fun as I thought it would be. The air is somber knowing Logan isn’t released yet. I’ll be glad when he’s out. He doesn’t deserve to be locked up in the first place. Well, not for some shit he didn’t do.
“Ya want another plate?” my cousin, Connie offers.
“Nah, I’m good,” I say. I grin as I find the opportunity for some fun. Teasing Connie is always rewarding. “So, you dating or did you eat another one of your boyfriends?”
“Shut yer gub, Ry before I cobbler ya,” she hisses.
“I’m only asking so I can help. You’re a pretty woman, but you’ve been a man eater for so long—”
“Ryan,” Connie growls at me.
I jump up from my seat at the island and run out of the kitchen, laughing my ass off as she lunges at me. I’ve pissed her off and she’ll make good on her threats to kick my ass. I don’t put it past Con to try, and as Logan’s little sister she might succeed if I let her. The O’Brien family is full of scrappers.
I burst into more laughter as a spoon hits me in the back of the head. I turn, rubbing the spot. Connie’s cheeks are red as she stands with her hands on her hips. I’m so busy laughing, I run into someone as I back away.
I turn and reach out for them as I steady myself as well. I grin when I see it’s Kiyoshi Matsumara-Nash. This should be fun. I always get under this guy’s skin.
“Matsumara,” I croon and cup his face to kiss each cheek.
“Ryan,” he mutters waving me off. “Why is it you have such little respect for me? Do you not understand who I am?”
I fold my arms across my chest and smile. “I know who you are. See, the problem is you’re seeing my actions as a lack of respect. I see them as affection. I like you. I’m showing you how much.”
“I will say this in a way I think you will understand. I have history with your family. Very old friends. It is the only reason I haven’t taken your life. However, I’m going to thrash your smart ass soon, young Ryan. It’s what you need,” he says as he narrows his eyes at me.
I return the gesture. I step in closer to him to tower over him. He lifts a brow, opening his suit jacket and flipping it back.
“I like you, didn’t say that couldn’t change. Don’t let the jokes confuse you, old friend. I’m not the one to threaten. When I take a threat seriously, I handle that shit. Don’t fuck with our friendship, Nash.”
His men step forward as if they’re going to do something. I stand firm. Despite popular opinion, Braxton isn’t the crazy brother. I’ve already mapped out four ways to take all their last breath in under two seconds.
Kiyoshi lifts his hand to ward off his men. He snorts and pats my cheek with the same hand. “Yes, I like you too, Ryan Black. Only reason I don’t kill you. Neruson, get your friend before I teach him a lesson,” he calls to his son who hasn’t moved an inch as his father and I have our little exchange.
Kiyoshi walks off, but not before popping me upside the back of my head. I turn and grin after him. I truly do like him. He’s a cool ass dude. He fixes his jacket as he walks off with a whole lot of swagger.
“You’re going to push my father one step too far one of these days. He’s plotting the day he gets your ass back for always getting on his nerves,” Nelson says as he places a hand on my shoulder and gives a squeeze.
“He loves me.” I shrug. “I bring color to his life.”
Ne chuckles. “I will help you stitch up the wounds when he strikes.”
“Whatever, Ne.”
The female with their group catches my eye. She stands out among the men for a few reasons. I grin as I let my gaze roll over her, but Ne drops his hand from my shoulder and steps in my way.
I look between the two of them. No, this isn’t a family protectiveness. She’s not family at all. However, this is a familiar relationship.
“Oh, didn’t know you staked a claim, bro.”
He frowns. “She is off limits to you.”
“Gotcha.” I smirk and tilt my head to the side. “By the way, don’t you have a sister? Why haven’t I ever met her? Old Kiyoshi scared I’ll end up family?”
He glares at me. “You do know that I have a temper far greater than my father’s. Are you sure you want to rib me?”
“Ry, my boy,” Brooklyn croons and pulls me into a headlock. “Why’d they bring ya along? Ya know how to be a rash on everyone’s ass, ya do.”
“Tell me about it,” my father says. “It’s going to come back to bite you in the ass one of these days.”
“Me, never. Everyone loves me.”
“Anyone want my last born? I think I dropped him a few times too many?”
“I knew it,” Toby calls out.
I flip him the bird and walk off mumbling as I glare at dad. He roars with laughter, grabbing my shoulder to pull me back into a hug. I resist for a few seconds before I wrap my arms around him like the spoiled brat I am.
“Yer mouth is going to get ye clobbered,” he murmurs into my ear.
“Comes with the territory.”
Dad laughs some more. Hey, you either love me or hate me. I don’t care either way. As long as my family’s good, I’m straight.
Carmen
“Mommy, why can’t he understand that I’m not a child anymore?” I whine to my mother.
“Your father is well aware that you’re not a child, Nene. However, you’re eighteen. Our guidance is a blessing you’re graced to have,” she says with her slight island accent.
Both of my parents have been so Americanized, it’s mostly in their anger that they have a slip of the tongue. It’s when my grandparents come for visits that I get the biggest reminder that I come from such a rich heritage. Well, other than looking in the mirror and seeing the mix of my parents in my reflection.
I have a Japanese father and Bajan mother. I guess you can call my mother Bajan American. My grandfather is first generation to be born and raised in the States. He met his wife, my grandmother, on a visit back home and they married a month later. They moved back to the States and my mother was born.
When you look at me there’s no denying that I have a mixed background. It gets annoying to be asked what I am, but I’ve grown up hearing it. Most times I ignore it now.
I pout and lean against the countertop. “I’m going to be nineteen,” I mutter.
“Yes, I give birth to you. I know this. That changes nothing that I’ve said.”
“But I don’t want to study journalism.” I drop my head to the counter and bang my hand against it.
“Cheese on bread.” She groans. “And this tantrum is going to get your father to change his mind?”
“No,” I huff, and lift my head to place my fists against my cheeks.
“We will talk to your father again. I think he has a valid point. You would do well in journalism and he has a job waiting for you when you’re done.”
“I’m not Ne. I want to do something else.”
“Like what? You have told your father what you don’t want to do, but you refuse to tell him what you want to do. That’s why he runs you, you have to speak up for yourself. He’s not as hard a man as you see him. He may surprise you.”
“If I tell him, he’ll shut it down.”
“Listen, Carmen. You’re about to wear my nerves thin, girl. When your father comes home we’ll talk to him. Now go on.”
“Fine, no one listens to me except Auntie Mariah. Ugh,” I storm out of the kitchen for my bedroom.
Chapter 1
Hiding
Carmen
Present…
“You’re full of shit,” Wyatt says to Johnathan and bursts into laughter.
We all start to laugh as John shrugs his shoulders. “Whatever you say,” he replies with a sly grin.
“You know you can’t believe a thing he says,” Ryan says beside me. “John says all the right things to make whatever he needs work for him.”
“Is that right?” the pretty girl sitting next to John says. I’ve had too much to drink to remember her name right now.
I lean into Ryan. “Is she John’s girlfriend?”
Ryan gives a shrug before leaning into me. “Complicated. You’re going to have to watch that one unfold like the rest of us. We’re all still trying to understand them,” he whispers into my ear.
I go to ask another question when my phone rings. I look at the screen and frown. I’m a little tipsy. However, I know if I don’t answer my father will send out a search party.
I quickly slip out of the pub to answer the call before he hangs up. My head spins a little as I make my way out. Maybe I’m a little more than tipsy.
“Hey, Daddy,” I answer the phone.
“Kon'nichiwa, Nene, how are you?”
“Hello, Otōsan. I’m fine.”
He makes that humming sound he does. I bite my lip not wanting to talk too much. Aunt Mariah will kill me if I get us busted.
“What are you up to? Are you studying while on your trip?”
“I’m out with some friends at the moment. I will study a bit when I get back to the house,” I say.
“Is your oba with you?”
“No. She and Kevin are out having dinner, I believe.” I bite my lip.
That’s a lie. Aunt Mariah and Uncle Kevin left to return to the States. She promised she would tell my father that she’s still here with me.
“Hm, I will let you get back to your friends. We will spend time when you return. I’d like to hear all about your trip,” he says.
I promise, I think I’m busted. His tone says that he thinks I’m BSing him. I rub at my forehead. I hate keeping secrets from my dad, but they have become necessary if I’m going to follow through with film school.
I guess wanting to have a little fun while I’m at it adds to the necessity. I inhale the night air and nod as if he can see me.
“I’d like that. I’ll see you soon, Otōsan.”
“Yes, you will.”
I hang up and look down at my phone with my brows drawn. I’m too drunk to analyze that call. Maybe it’s the alcohol making me paranoid.
“Hey.”
I nearly jump out of my skin. I fumble with my phone as it almost falls to the ground. Clenching it to my chest, I sigh in relief to see it’s only Ryan.
However, my relief is short-lived as he closes the space between us. Those golden eyes pierce right through me. Holding up two beers, he tilts his head to the side.
“Come for a walk with me,” he says.
I suck my lip into my mouth, drawing his gaze down to my lips. I should walk back into that pub and get back to the lively conservation I left. That would be the sane thing to do.
However, my head seems to be possessed as I begin to nod it. I’m only along for the ride as my body moves to his side. He laces our fingers together and begins to lead me away from the rest of our party.
“Your dad checking in?”
I roll my eyes and sigh. “Yeah. My father tends to treat me like a baby. Everything has to be his way.”
“Sometimes I feel like I’m in this glass bubble watching life. It drives me crazy. If I want to go left, he says it has to be right.”
“And of course, because I’m a good little daughter, I’m expected to do what he says. Boy, if he knew the things I’m hiding. He’d lose his mind.” I hiccup and clamp my mouth shut.
I didn’t mean to say all of that. Yup, I’m way more than tipsy. I peek up at Ryan to find him smiling down at me.
He squeezes my fingers. “Finally, my girl is opening up to me. Don’t stop, gorgeous. You’re adorable. Tell me, what are you hiding from, daddy?”
I chew on my lip. Again, I know t
he right thing to do here. However, what my mouth does is totally another story.
“I’m supposed to be here with my oba. That means aunt in Japanese.”
“I know, I’m fluent,” he says and winks at me.
“Oh.” I let that sink in as I continue. “Aunt Mariah has gone home so I could live a little. Back home, I have to check in with my father every other day since moving into my own apartment.”
“An apartment I had to fight tooth and nail to get. Ugh! If Aunt Mariah and her husband didn’t own the building, I’d still live with my parents.”
I pull a frown and turn to face him. I look up at him and those golden eyes. His expression is so open, I can’t help but spill all of my feelings. I continue as if he’s pulling a chain to open the dam.
“I’m not like my brother. He’s like daddy’s little soldier or something. He has done everything my father has asked.”
“I don’t want to work in print. Words are great, but there’s no creativity in writing stiff articles like my father wants me to. Or, God forbid, falling into some rat race to get into the latest issue of some paper or magazine. I’d shrivel up and die.”