Page 12 of Whiskey's Redemption

Carli

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Fuckity-fuck-fuck! Fucking pogo stick and a cock in your mouth!

Shit.

Riding up the elevator to Circe’s room with her now soggy sandwich, I cuss internally. What the ever-loving fuck?

Really, Kato?

Why come find me? I’ve been hiding from myfamilyfor years. Yeah, I told Circe I’d been in town dealing with family stuff while she was getting ready to see her racer again, but it was a big fat fucking lie. I’ve been flying back on the red eye to work for the governor every couple days. He didn’t care as long as I made him look like a gem in the media. And Chris, the Governor of Indiana, doesn’t make it easy. It never helps that he has a proclivity foryoungmen—not illegal, but young. Turning him into a polished family man was awkward, but doable.

And telling Circe I was off dealing with family shit was easier than lying to her. I haven’t had sleep in weeks, other than some shut eye on the planes, but who’s counting a nap here or there on cross-country flights?

Seeing Kato? Now? That sucked. Hearing him tell me to shut up so harshly was awful. It actually shut me up for a second, which was a miracle in its own right.

Fuckity-fuck-fuck!

Damn, I’m cursing a lot, and this elevator ride seems to be taking hours. Counting down the floors as it ascends, I think of the last time I was in here with Jamieson Crown.

Goddamn Crown. His roaming hands, his talented tongue—it was hot. With the rough touches and heavy breaths, I fell into his spell. I was so aroused when I left. Fuck, what I wouldn’t let him do to me. To actually find out what could happen between Crown and I would be scrumptious. Even envisioning it now, I might hit the restroom just down from Circe’s closet sized room before I join her.

“Jai is getting a big workout today, that’s for damn sure.” I knew I should have charged it last night. It’s only been a day since I was here, but I feel unsafe in this hospital now. I haven’t seen Kato in years, and as usual, everything about him screamed danger. It always had. Yep, way better to think of that momentary lapse in control than to think of Kato and his sudden appearance.

With a ding from the elevator chiming my arrival, I straighten to my full height, standing a touch taller in my Louis’. If my family wants the princess, I’ll play the part. If they think I’ll just bow and accept my fate, though, they’re fucking wrong.

But.

He hung my sisters over the coals if I don’t do as told. Can I do that to Miori and Kano? The last time I saw them they were cute pre-teens. Now they’re young women. Either way, my sweet twin sisters don’t deserve the position any more than I do. Could they tackle it? No. It would break them. Can I roll with it and mold it to my whims? Do I want to?

Fuck no.

Stepping out of the elevator, I walk toward the private security that awaits outside. “Miss Katana,” the first sentry says in greeting me. He’s a fresh recruit, and as green as they come. I’d break him. He’d be crying in the corner within twenty minutes.

Sweet and adorable, the big lug is not my type. “Charlie,” I say, smiling at him.

“Miss,” the second says. Gregor is ex-Marine, and he scares me a little. I might just pee a tiny bit if he ever talked to me harshly. Yes, he’s sexy in a rugged, damaged way, but the scars on his face gives me nightmares. The skin that puckers around his left eye and runs down his cheek has me wondering what happened. I might be forward and inquisitive, but I’d never ask that particular question of a veteran. Passing him with head nod, I continue on to Circe’s room.

Walking in, I find China and Circe deep in conversation. Hurt feelings still? You betcha. As Circe’s gaze meets mine, that sweet, innocent grin courses across her face. My sweet, lovely friend as always. Turning, China attempts a smile, but it’s so fake, it’s like a newly minted forty-five-dollar bill.

Pulling in my ‘poor me’attitude and advancing on her with my ‘fuck you, I have bigger balls’ demeanor, my tightly contained resting bitch face is in attendance. No way will you get the better of me, Miss Crown.

“China. Lovely, as always.”

“Always a pleasure, Candi.”

Are you fucking kidding me?

Injecting as much sugar as I can, I grit my teeth and correct her. “Carli. It’s Carli.”

“Right.” She quirks her head sideways, as if she’s amiss with the correction. “Carli.”

Ignoring the need to stab her sweet green eyes out, I advance to the bed and raise the bag. “Fab’s was busy, but I got you the triple cheese deluxe veggie pressed.”

“With a pickle, right?”

Shaking my head, I hand her the bag. “Of course. I know you.” I glare at young China Crown. “Better than most.”

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