FIVE

A kchiro

"Hey, Y'all."

I listen to the singsong in Flower's voice as she greets our unexpected and unwanted guests near the entrance of our home, a traditional samurai mansion we have modernized to our own aesthetic.

It takes everything in me not to unsheathe my katana and separate their heads from their deceitful, fucking bodies. Once beloved cousins and best friends, Kiyoshi and his younger brother Hishashi are now my bitter enemies who tried to wrest my company and my life from me. They failed just as their dearly departed father had years ago, when I was barely into my manhood. It still does not sit well with me allowing these motherfuckers to live.

However, my beautiful Flower didn't want my kinsmen's blood on my hands or rather anymore of it. She knows full well what I've done to secure my legacy. Yet, for her I've quelled the beast inside me. Maybe for too long, for I feel him chafing every day from the ruthless hold I've placed on him as not to frighten my lovely wife.

I don't have to watch the ridiculous K and J-Dramas she loves to know she'll run screaming, if I unleash the real dragon living within. And that I cannot have. I will burn the world down for her and would relish in watching the flames eat up every square inch.

Like now, she's practically bubbling over with joy upon seeing Krie, our sister-in-law, Delightful's cousin standing between my cousins. Flower turns a little between both men trying to figure out who Krie is with, but I've already noticed she is slightly closer to Kiyoshi. His stance is also more defensive. Interesting.

So now, he has someone precious to him. Someone he wishes to protect, maybe even love if it is even possible him. He needn't worry too much. He has kept his word so far. His mother and sister are all I need to ensure his loyalty. The little chef by his side is also protected by my wife's familiarity.

"Don't embarrass her," I whisper low, so only Flower who is bouncing with such excitement can hear.

I make a note to plan a trip to the states, because it's more than obvious she misses her family and friends. The distance and cultural differences can't be overcome by the love Asa and I alone.

Then despite my words or maybe spurred by them, she rushes over to Krie giving her a big hug. "I know you must be tired." Pulling back grinning at all of us saying, "Krie—didn't expect you," Telling her plainly. "But I'm sure we can have a room made up for you in no time." Giving her a saucy wink she takes in the group again.

"That won't be necessary." Kiyoshi smiling down at her, humor lighting his eyes, knowing what she's after, and seeming to have no problem giving her the answer she seeks. "We appreciate your hospitality. And all you've done for mother and Kana in our absence." Though his smile doesn't falter, his eyes harden just a fraction as they land on me.

"It is our pleasure, cousin." I return, ice dripping from every word. "What else can we do in the face of your dedication to the family and Takeda Industries?" Letting this motherfucker know with no equivocation to remember how we got here —through his and his brother's treachery not to mention his father's.

"Well," Flower eyes me like she has a lot she wants to say, turns back to our guests. "Let's get y'all settled." Leading the way deeper into the house.

Less than an hour later I'm in my office rolling a ball to my little boy who looks like a mini me save for a slightly darker skin tone and far curlier hair. He is a delight, my Asa. Much of the time I don't feel worthy of him. I want him to be a better man than me when he grows up. With Flower as his mother, he has a chance. But my father thought the same when he married my beautiful, gentle, yet strong mother. Still, my brothers, Ryu, Takashi and I turned out as ruthless as our sire. I won't apologize for the man I am, but I do want a better way for my child.

"Akchiro," Flower bursts in like a radiant, yet raging starburst. "Baby, what is going on?" She settles down between Asa and me on the floor. Everything about her expecting an answer to the events presently transpiring under our roof.

"My cousins are here to see their suddenly ailing mother." My voice is calm, seemingly bored, but she knows me well enough to know I have effectively shut down the conversation.

Without a word she picks up Asa. "It's time for your nap, sugah. Give daddy a kiss." I smile to him, kiss his chubby cheek after he's left a very wet one on mine. One I know not to wipe off or my little wife will be very upset. Watching them leave, I feel the welcome sense of peace I find only with them. They are the only people save my brothers and mother with whom I allow even a semblance of my kinder self to show. It was Flower, my beautiful lotus—so strong and resilient during the loss of our first child and our subsequent estrangement finding the strength to fight for us and our love that showed me I don't have to annihilate everything in my path to find a semblance of peace. Her light, love and if I'm being honest, sex caused a change in my life. Still the dragon lurks, watching, waiting for it all to end, so he can breathe fire.

Standing, I move back over the desk. My mind already going over the mental agenda I have set for my day. Dealing with my family was far from on my list of pressing concerns. As The Takeda , I have an empire to run. Thousands of people rely on my leadership, I keep distractions to a minimum, allowing time only for my family. Dealing with my cousins, other than keeping them in line is not even on my radar.

Just as I start to press the button to make it rise desired height, Flower comes back in. Sitting, I pull her into my lap when she draws closer. "I would like your hair down, please." It's a quiet order. She pauses for a moment. "Will you, do it?" Her smile is small, her voice soft, but there is a challenge there. She likes testing me. I like mastering her. Every so often I let her press me, in the end we both win.

Taking a thick braid, I patiently begin the unraveling of her hair. Heavy, soft ropes fall from one side then the other, bathing her in a canopy of darkness. The lovely smell of the vanilla-rose product she uses descends around us in a sensuous cloud.

Spearing my fingers into her scalp, I massage gently making her melt into me. My dick is hard as fuck right now. I'd love nothing better than to bury it inside of her lush, tight, pussy, but I know that is not why she is here. The matter of my cousins and her friend's arrival needs to be dealt with.

"Why didn't you tell me Kana was already here?" She quizzes relaxing against me.

"I had other things on my mind." I press a kiss to her forehead not bothering to add my young cousin has been in residence for the length of time her brothers have been exiled to Alabama.

Their mother, a woman no less a viper than the one her sons wear depicted on their bodies symbolizing the merging of two powerful Samurai families, alone would not ensure my cousins' compliance. No. I needed their innocent sister for further enticement. Flower doesn't know this and if it is within my power she never will.

"Oh, so you're blaming me?"

Swatting me on the chest in response gets her a nip on the knuckles followed by a kiss.

"Absolutely, you're my only weakness, Hana." Taking her lips with heated deliberation, I can't help a niggling sense of darkness edging along the periphery of the cocoon of happiness my family resides.

Spurred by this—this, dare I even acknowledge it? Foreboding. I cup her nape, gripping the soft mass of curls at her nape, tugging her out of the kiss. "You know everything I do is for our family—for you and Asa. You know this, Hana?" Deep urgency makes my words harsh, but I can't call them back. I don't even know if I want to.

"Yes, babe. I know."

Her soft hand cups my jaw. Her eyes are soft with concern—with love. "I know." She begins to pepper kisses along my jawline. Soft lips enticing me as she pulls me down, until I'm lost in her love and bliss.