Brothers Black 6: Ryan the Joker (Brothers Black Series)

by Blue Saffire

  “Sorry about that,” John says. “Forgive, Torque. I’ll keep these two out of your hair.”

  Roni lifts a brow at John and they do that silent thing they do. I knew he was tapping that. Wait until I call Brax. I wonder if he knows about this.

  “What did I do?” Torque says breaking into their moment.

  Roni glares at Torque the way a big sister does. “You get yourself pinned to a wall with a knife and you ask what you’ve done? By the way, how exactly didn’t you see that coming?”

  “I saw it,” he says, pulling the knife from the wall. “That’s how I dodged it.”

  Roni shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “Let me get something to eat and we’ll train. You’re slacking.”

  “Yeah, that’s not happening. Or have you forgotten?” John says as his glare hones in on Roni.

  She looks down into the peanut butter jar in her hands and pouts. She sighs. “Fine.”

  “Is it okay if I use the bathroom now?”

  “Yeah, go on and then we’ll get our things out of the car,” John says with a nod. “We’ll head out to get food of our own too.”

  “You don’t have to do that there’s plenty of food here. I have extra steaks I was going to save some for tomorrow, but there’s more than enough to share,” I say.

  “You sure? I know we’re dropping in on you.”

  “Bro, honestly, it’s good to see you. Give me a minute with my girl and I’ll help you guys get settled,” I offer. “Oh yeah, you two are going on the furthest side of the house. Won’t be corrupting my girl with your shenanigans.”

  “Again, two hours and twenty minutes. Poor Torque almost pissed his pants waiting for you guys to be done. Not the best way to look alive by the way—”

  “All right, let’s go pick bedrooms,” John says, cutting Roni off before she can say another word.

  As they head for the other side of the house, I take Carmen to our bedroom. I sit on the bed and pull her into my lap. She has a distant look in her eyes.

  “Talk to me. Are you okay?”

  “I could have hurt him. I just reacted. I don’t even know why. You guys were talking and he walked in looking lost and I saw the gun holster. I freaked. It was like I was in that garage again. They’re all going to think I’m crazy.”

  “I doubt that. Like I said, they work for John. Torque is young. Roni can be protective of him. Long story. She was more annoyed with Torque for getting pinned, not that you were protecting yourself from what was a threat to you.”

  “You didn’t know him. Your attack first, ask questions later is something my mother would do.” I chuckle. It was kind of hot too.

  She runs a hand through her hair. “I think I’m going to take a nap,” she says without looking me in the eyes.

  I place my fingers under her chin and bring her face to meet mine. “Hey, you did nothing wrong. Not out there and not back home when you were attacked.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “Get some sleep. I’ll be in to check on you after I get the food going.”

  “Okay.”

  I peck her lips and watch as she climbs into the bed. I have an ache in my chest as I watch her become detached. The happy woman I made love to for hours has retreated into herself.

  I wish I could tell her that she’s not wrong in her instincts to protect herself. We are in hiding for her safety. Nothing is wrong with her protecting herself. However, I have to bite my tongue because of her father.

  I don’t like it, but I suck it up, not wanting to put any more stress on her. Once she’s under the covers, I move to kiss her forehead. She looks up at me with those big pretty eyes.

  “I love you.”

  She gives me a genuine smile this time. “I love you too,” she says softly.

  Carmen

  I’m full and I feel a lot better. I’ve apologized to Torque a number of times. He only smiles and tells me it’s okay.

  Now that I look into his face, he looks to be about my age. I don’t know what made me think he was a threat. He has the most innocent face.

  “Mom sent you a gift,” John says, bringing me from my thoughts as I sit on the couch in Ryan’s arms.

  Torque moves behind the couch and lifts a large gift bag, bringing it over to place it in front of me. I crane my neck to look at Ry. He gives me a smile and winks at me.

  “Open it,” he says, placing a hand on my belly.

  I haven’t started to show much. However, Ryan always has his hands on my tummy. I suck my lower lip into my mouth and turn back for the teal and yellow gift bag.

  I pull out the matching tissue paper and place it on the table. Peeking inside, a huge smile comes to my face. I reach in and pull out the big teddy bear. It’s so adorable. He has a T-shirt on that says, Baby Black.

  I get choked up. This baby is already so loved. I take the card from the side of the bag and open it. Tears do spill when I read the text.

  “Welcome to the family, love,” I read aloud.

  Ryan kisses my cheek. “Everyone’s excited about our little guy. Mom knows I’m going to give her the cutest grandkids of them all.”

  I start to laugh. When I look at John he’s scowling at Ry, causing me to laugh harder. Ryan wraps his arm around me and the bear and starts to rock back and forth.

  “It’s going to be a girl.” I giggle.

  “Whatever.”

  “I just want to know how you’re not showing,” Roni says with a pout. She stands and I can see her tiny bump.

  I missed it earlier because she had a hoodie on. Now, it’s hard not to see it. It’s so cute on her. John looks at her stomach and smiles. The smug grin makes me look at him more closely. There’s something about John, I haven’t put my finger on it yet.

  “I think it’s time for bed,” John says, standing up to follow Roni.

  “I was only going to the bathroom,” she protests.

  “Goodnight everyone,” John calls over his shoulder.

  Torque shakes his head. “I’m going to take a walk on the beach. You guys need me to clean up or something before I go?”

  “Nah, we’re good,” Ryan says.

  “Cool,” he replies and slips out the back door.

  I look after him. “He’s a sweetheart. Why do I get the feeling there’s another story there?”

  “There is, but again. That’s John’s world. One thing to know about my brother. He fixes shit. Our kid will always be able to run to John if they need protecting or something made right.”

  “It’s like his specialty to make things whole again. Roni and Torque needed fixing and John has been their person,” Ryan says, he pauses thoughtfully then continues.

  “However, when I think about it. I think Roni is Torque’s person and John is by proxy. Like, my brother was there for Roni and when Roni was there for Torque, John was there for him too. At least that’s what I get from them.”

  “Yeah, I can see he’s like a little brother to them. He looks up to John.”

  “We all look up to John.” Ryan chuckles.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing,” he says. “Are you feeling better?”

  I hug the bear in my arms tighter. It brings me comfort I didn’t know I needed. I think over his question, searching for the truth within.

  “A little.”

  He kisses the top of my head. “Never feel ashamed for protecting yourself.”

  “It’s not that. At first, I thought running away would make it better. It did for a while. I pushed it to the back of my mind.”

  “Now, I can’t help wondering what happened to those men. Did I kill them? Were they able to reattach his hand?”

  “This is one of the reasons that I love you. Those men were out to attack you and you’re concerned about them,” he murmurs into my hair. “I wouldn’t worry about them if I were you. Justice has been served. Let your conscience be free of all of that.”

  I bite my lip and let his words sink in. I guess he’s right. I release a sigh.

  “I
think I’m tired. Let’s go to bed.” I stand with the bear in my arms.

  “Are we going to name the bear?” he asks as he stands up behind me.

  I chuckle and turn to look up at him. “No, but we can go talk about baby names.”

  His eyes light up. I love when he gets excited about baby stuff. It makes me fall for him even more.

  Chapter 24

  Wrong Move

  Paloma

  My daughter must think I’m a fool, eh. I know all about the baby. I saw it in her face. At first, she didn’t have a clue, but I’ve been waiting for her to tell me the truth since.

  The girl is not that slow. Humph, my child isn’t slow at all. She’s too smart for her own good.

  She’s just like her father in so many ways. I’m sure if she were a boy, Kiyoshi would have trained her to take over for him alongside Ne. He is so proud of her and all she’s doing behind his back. I think my husband is more hurt that he’s not celebrating with her, instead of waiting for the lies to stop.

  “Carmen why must I drag things from you?” I huff into the phone as I sit in the back of my car.

  I’ve been out shopping and when I absentmindedly walked into the baby store I got ticked. It’s been two months since she’s been gone. She’s at least three to four months pregnant. The child is trying to make me bop her upside her head.

  “Wh-what do you mean?”

  I suck my teeth at her. She’s testing me I tell you. She wants to push this too far.

  I step out of the car in front of the house and roll my eyes. My husband has been waiting as long as I have for her to come clean about this boyfriend of hers. Maybe longer.

  I think he likes the boy. However, I get the feeling he’s angry as hell with the two of them. Carmen will be adding fuel to the fire when Kiyoshi finds out about the baby. I haven’t told him because he’s going to hit the roof.

  “You keep playing with fire, girl.” I’m so annoyed, my accent starts to ring in my own ears. “You’re going to see me in a whole new light. You think I don’t know you let some boy carry you to my home? He giving you doggie and you think you should lie to me about it?”

  “What? Mom did you just say Ryan’s giving me peni—”

  “Wait, child. I have to handle something. I’ll call you back.”

  I cut the call and nod to my companions. Bekia and Calu give me slight nods as they reach for their weapons. They have seen the same movement I have. We form a circle in the driveway, back to back. I toss off my lightweight gray duster and it sails throw the air before hitting the ground, revealing the two Katana swords on my back.

  With all that’s going on with my husband, I’ve been wearing knives like accessories. The twenty-three-inch blades will do nicely for this. I grin as the thrill of combat rolls through me.

  The blades sing a sweet song as I reach at my lower back to pull them from their scabbards. Being a tall woman has its advantages. Calu is the first to shoot at the intruders, taking one down. Bekia and I jump into action with our swords.

  Swiftly, I run at the tall one that reveals himself. I spin away from his first shot and use my blade to redirect the second toward one of the other. I know the bullet pierces his neck, but I have no time to relish in that. I keep heading toward my original target before he can manage another shot. With the momentum of my charge, I run up his torso and backflip, bringing my sword up through his middle.

  I land on my feet in a crouch. Sensing more than seeing the one that runs up behind me, I cross my blades in front of me and thrust them straight up. My attacker cries out as the blades pierce their body. I spin out, pulling my swords free as I turn and lift. With a hard kick to the gut, I send the man flying.

  A woman with blonde hair jumps in front of me. Her Japanese heritage is clear despite the dye job. She has a cocky grin on her face as if she believes my Bajan ass isn’t about to serve her up.

  “You sure you want to do this?” I taunt her. “I haven’t broken a sweat you know. You can’t want to be in a body bag this badly.”

  My girls are still battling to protect me. Kiyoshi has surrounded me with trained companions since we married. The innocent looking young women that travel with me are lethal. These people have made a grave mistake today.

  The tiny blonde begins to toss kunai blades at me. I block the first few small blades and dodge two others. She’s fast, I’ll give her that. But don’t let this age fool you. My husband has taught me everything I know and he was a master in many forms of combat way before I met him.

  Kiyoshi makes sword-fighting look like child’s play and I’m an excellent student. He would even say I’ve surpassed him. No, that would be our shy daughter. However, she sees this as sport and exercise. She doesn’t know that we’ve been training her for times like this.

  Blonde girl rushes me, pulling me from my thoughts. She gets a kick into my ribs. I take it in stride. I’ve been kicked harder while sparring.

  I go on attack. I twirl my swords at my sides before spinning to return the kick, then I slash her with one of my blades. Grabbing her arm, I lock it under mine and tug her into my chest. She goes to pull another kunai, but I’m faster. I use my other sword to knock it from her hand, then point the tip of my blade beneath her chin.

  “Who sent you?” I snarl. She narrows her glare but doesn’t say a word. I push the point into her flesh, drawing blood. “Answer me.”

  She says nothing. Bekia walks up right before I push the blade in further. I don’t take my eyes off the woman in front of me. Although, I do note the silence that now surrounds my home.

  “Their tats suggest they are from the Sato family. I will call Matsumara-sama. He will want to know.”

  I shove the woman in my hold toward Bekia. “I will call myself. Take care of this.”

  Kiyoshi

  I am a man of many talents, but I’ve yet to master the art of leniency. This attack on my wife, it will not go unanswered. I will show them why I’ve been asked to join this Alliance and why I felt I have enough power to do so.

  This could have been a peaceful transition. We had no intentions of removing anyone’s power as long as they work within the sections we’ve presented. There is still enough opportunity for everyone to remain wealthy and in power with their families.

  However, you always have those that don’t want to follow rules or feel as if they have been dishonored. It is a dishonor to me that Hayate Sato sent assassins to my home after my wife. He knows I’m here in Japan.

  I sat with him to see if I could smooth this over before this war. His father was a friend of mine and I wanted to honor that. Now, Hayate will learn a valuable lesson.

  “Ready,” Ne whispers to me.

  I nod. “Cut the lights.”

  Screams and cries fill the house as my men and I descend upon the darkness. This message will be clear. These cries will be heard around the world.

  My position is not to be tested. I am not the weakest link in this Alliance and I will not fold. Yes, I’m probably the oldest member with a seat, but my bones have not withered and neither has my ruthlessness.

  I grab Hayate by his hair and lift his head close to the blade in my hand. This one is new. It was to be a gift to my wife for her sword collection. Now, Hayate’s head will accompany it.

  “There is no honor in what you have done. I can assure you, your father has watched you fall with sadness.”

  With that, I pull the blade across his neck.

  Silence falls and the room fills with my warriors. It is done. I have made myself clear.

  Chapter 25

  Change in Plans

  Ryan

  My phone vibrates, pulling me from my sleep. I frown and reach for it as Carmen stirs beside me. My frown deepens as I have to get out of bed to avoid waking her. I look at the time.

  I would have woken soon anyway. However, when I see the name of the caller, my hackles go up. I answer as I pad to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

  “Hello.”

  “Ryan, I don�
��t believe it’s time for Carmen to return. You will keep her there a little longer.”

  “What’s happened?”

  The line is silent at first. I grind my teeth as I wait for him to answer. My grip on my phone is so tight my fingers start to hurt.

  “There was an attack on my wife.”

  “Fuck, is she okay? Can my family help?”

  He gives a short chuckle. “You will learn that my wife is the one to fear. She is fine. The problem has been dealt with. However, I want the smoke to settle.”

  I twist my lips thinking about this. I have no problem with keeping Carmen all to myself a little longer. However, it’s time she starts her doctor’s visits soon. I want to make sure she and the baby are healthy. We were expecting to be back home for that.

  “How much longer are you thinking?”

  “A month or two,” he grumbles.

  “Kiyoshi,” I bite out low, looking toward the bedroom. “You want me to lie to her for two more months? You have to be kidding me.”

  “She has lied to me for much longer. At least I do it for her safety.”

  I bite my tongue instead of telling him that we should return home because she needs to take care of herself and the baby. My family will guard her with their lives if we return. My mother alone would empty a clip for her.

  However, I know Kiyoshi can indeed be stubborn and this isn’t an argument I want to have over the phone. I have to think rationally and not with my emotions. I have Carmen and the baby to think about.

  “She’s not stupid. What am I supposed to tell her? She’ll have questions. My job, her school, what’s the plan for all of that?”

  “She wants to take a break from school. I will grant her request this afternoon. You are the wise Ryan Black. Come up with the rest.”

  If I weren’t so pissed off, I’d probably laugh at his sarcasm. I’m not finding any humor at the moment. I hate this shit with a passion.

  “Yeah, I’ve got it.” I snort.

  He sighs. “Ryan.”