Ava Nakajima

I shook my head wiping away the remainder of the sleeping pill. I looked across from me to my wife sitting on the other couch. Her eyes closed, legs crossed Indian style and she seemed calm. The calm before the fucking storm I thought. Nadia differed from me as to how she channeled her anger. I would get pissed off and want immediate retaliation. To destroy and fuck shit up was my motto. Nadia was slightly different. She meditated to focus her anger…to channel it in more political ways. Strategize, destroy, fuck up everything and then take over was her motto. I'm tellin ya, slightly different. Bullshit coming up while she was home with me and the kids, not good for the guilty party. Nadia didn't believe in mercy. It was too tiring because then you had to watch that person you showed mercy to. The Japs were all about honor and restoring it.

I hadn't seen her in the official capacity but I had heard heated conversations that resulted with her saying that she had another smiley face to add to her collection. I sat up leaning forward, rubbing my palms together with anticipation for what was to come. I watched her beautiful frame breathing in deeply and exhale. She was almost done meditating. I let her have her moment. I wanted to see what the fuck she actually did over here that always made her come home exhausted. I mentally prepared myself because whatever shit went down, I was gonna protect mine.

"How'd you sleep, babe?" her smooth voice asked breaking me out of my daydream.

I put out my hand for her pulling her on my lap. "Like a rock. How long we got to go?" I was already getting antsy.

She looked at her wrist watch "about 5 minutes." She slid off my lap as the seatbelt light went on. I only had been on any kind of aircraft a handful of times. Opting to drive on the road then ride in the sky. She kissed my lips a deep and promising kiss. Of course knowing me her hand was already clasped over mine cuz she knew how badly I wanted to fuck her. She broke the kiss with a smile "the flowers were beautiful."

With all the last minute packing and getting the kids together. I didn't think she remembered.

I kissed the top of her forehead the seat belt sign came on with a ding sound. Did I mention I hated flying; landing was the worst shit ever. Nadia gripped my hand knowing what I was thinking. The seatbelt sign went off. I closed my eyes. I hated airplanes.

The stewardess bowed low to Nadia. "We have arrived, Madame."

Nadia nodded standing up as he door opened. She shot me a wink before walking in front of me to the bright outside. My eyes adjusted to the sunlight as we walked down the stairs. Two men dressed expensive black suits bowed low to Nadia. Behind them were two "crotch rocket" motorcycles. One I recognized right away as Nadia's. She gave her helmet a good shove over her head as I was handed a helmet.

"Follow close, babe." Nadia said as she closed the visor. The two goons hurried to the awaiting Towncar as both me and my wife started the crotch rockets. I let Nadia lead.

I'm not a fan of big cities. I like simple. I liked the quiet that was only disturbed by the roar of an engine. Tokyo had so many people it was as if there was a overflow. We weaved in and out of traffic in a way that if an amateur had tried this kind of shit…would have definitely killed themselves. We had left Nadia's security detail a few kilometers back as they were stuck in rush hour traffic.

We slowed down at a grey, slick, high rise building. I thought we would pull up to the front where the doorman was but Nadia kept riding onto the back which was gated in. Nadia stopped her bike pulling off her leather gloves to punch the code. The gates opened revealing a spacious garage door opening up to lit up a ramp that lead below the . Nadia revved up her engine slightly pulling her bike into the garage; I pulled up beside her turning off the bike. I admired the other vehicles that sat shiny, admirably, waiting and hoping to be driven. Maybach 57, Lexus LFA, 1956 Jaguar XK140 Roadster, and 1967 Camaro SS convertible. Any car enthusiast would cream his pants at the sight of Nadia's well maintained cars. This was one of guilty pleasure's my Princess had besides from buying real estate. After putting the helmets away, I slinked my arm around her neck pulling her closer as she lead me to the elevator.

She put a plastic key card into the slot and pressed the number for the code.

"You're like batman." I joked.

She nibbled her lip "yea, just with better accessories and much a terrifying entourage."

The doors opened and my face hardened a bit more as Nadia's servants positioned in a V formation bowed towards her.

She walked passed them into the large receiving room that was lit by a big chandler in the middle of the room.

I looked around as I eyed the place nothing had changed from the last time I had been here. It was classic and expensive looking just like Nadia.

The sound of heels clicking along the marble made me look passed Nadia. A young woman in her late 20s was walking towards us with a leather planner tucked underneath her arm. She was wearing a lacy very flattering red dress that showed off her long legs that pumps worked. Her hair was up in a neat and pretty bun. She looked like the spitting image of Nadia.

Nadia smiled holding her arms out to the younger woman. "Fancy" she breathed pulling Francine into the embrace.

Francine muttered "mama" as she smiled despite her serious demeanor. She pulled back as Nadia cupped her face checking her over as if she was still a little girl.

Francine was Nadia's daughter from her previous-. I smiled speak of the devil. Takeshi appeared with a black suit, he had his left hand in his pocket while his right held a bouquet of red spider lilies. The same spider lilies were tattooed around Nadia's waist.

"Oh, cupcake you shouldn't have." I said with a smirk. Takeshi and me had a long history of hatred for each other. I thought of him as a place holder for me during the "trial separation" of Nadia and me. He wasn't competition. Nadia had chosen. She choose me and he had learned to deal with being what he was. A friend.

There was a glint in his eye as if he wanted to blow my brains out but it quickly flickered out. One thing about Takeshi, he wasn't a loose cannon. He was the head of his syndicate. Cool and calm. To keep the peace between himself and I would keep the peace between Nadia's organization and his own.

"Happy, welcome to Japan." He gave me a slight bow which I returned as I felt Nadia's eyes on me. He was making an effort so I should as well.

Takeshi put the flowers down and kissed Nadia's hands in the custom. Francine gave me a slight head nod "How are my brothers and little sister doing?" she asked me, her heart shaped face lighting up as she said it.

Francine had been to Tacoma almost every summer since she was a child. Her siblings cried every time she went back to Japan. I had to admit she was a good girl and any man to get his hands on her was a lucky one. He would have to go through me first, of course. As far as I was concerned she was my daughter too. Did I hate her father? Yea. But a kid aint asked to be born and I loved her like my own. I know the cool demeanor was out of respect for her father. Usually she would give me a hug and a warm smile. I didn't take offense.

I could tell that both Takeshi and Nadia were grooming Francine to take over the Nakajima syndication. It was evident or she wouldn't be privy this type of dealings. Like my kids, Francine had grown up in this world and she didn't want to leave it. She was a natural born leader. That was very noticeable and cunning just like her mother and the proper breeding from her father.

"They're good, wondering when they big sis gonna come and see them." I said raising an eyebrow at her. Francine nodded, understanding. Since graduating university and working for her mother she hadn't been in Tacoma in awhile. She was missed.

"I'll visit after this little "debacle" is squash." She said.

"Where is Tali?" Nadia asked in the same way Clay asked Jax when it came to club business.

Fancy's face went serious again. "She will be here within the hour along with the shot caller, Madame. I am having the conference room set up as we speak."

Nadia nodded her head in approval at her daughter's efficiency. "Very well, if you would excuse Happy and I. We'll freshen up and will be in the conference room within the hour." She looked at Takeshi switching the language to Japanese. "Takeshi, you may sit in on the meeting. As my most trusted friend and ally." She smiled at him.

Takeshi bowed to her as she did the same. "It would be an honor." He said.

Nadia kissed Fancy's forehead before extending her hand to me. We left her daughter and "friend" heading tugging my hand gently towards the marble staircase that led to the second floor of the staircase.

I kicked the door closed as we came to the master bedroom. There was a black suit, royal blue shirt, belt, socks and shoes waiting for me on the bed.

"I'll go run the shower for you. It seems Fancy knew what to select for you but no clue about me." She said racking her hand through her hair. It fell in cascades crowning her face real sexy.

I gripped her waist to still her. I felt like she knew the question before I even asked it.

"Does he always bring flowers when you come back here?"

"No." she said with a wicked smile. "Sometimes he brings truffles."

I chuckled in spite of my raising anger that was making me squeeze her hips harder. "Remember our little agreement?"

Nadia raised her eyebrow "I remember all too well. He is a dear friend, Rossin. We guide each other in the dealings of our organizations, that's all. It has never been sexual."

I believed her "you gonna join me?" I asked taking off my shirt.

Her slim fingers traced my pecks down to the happy face tattoos. "If I do that, we won't be ready within the hour." She leaned up, with a quick peck she was already out the room. "Towels in the should be readily available on the counter." Her voice floated from the other room.

I took off the rest of my clothes and headed to the shower.

Damnnit! I tied the fucking tie to tight. I stood in front of the mirror to adjust my problem. I heard a soft knock at the door.

"Yea!" I called looking over my shoulder. Fancy's soft laughter filled the air as I continued to frown.

"You look great, Papa." She said astonished.

I laughed "Yea, your old man cleans up nicely." Finally getting the tie to stop strangling me.

I turned around and gave her a hug that only a father could. "I wanna know what the hell ya been up to. You haven't called in months."

She pulled always her head slightly down in respect. "Apologies, getting acclimated has been more difficult than expected. Mama is very demanding and I didn't want to disappoint it won't happen again."

I nodded but still scowled her. "Good, I missed you kid. Thinking bout taking the family camping next month. I know you're a busy young lady."

"I'll be there!" she almost shrieked. It made me remember when she was a child. I missed those days.

"Sounds good."

"The meeting will be starting soon." She said leading me out the room back downstairs.

"So how bad is it?" I asked her in a low voice. I had realized that Nadia's penthouse was now filled with her Captains and their personal guards.

Fancy shook her head "very bad, Madame Nakajima does not take threats lightly." She said.

The conference room was filled with light by five floor to ceiling windows that showed a great view of Tokyo. The light hit the granite marble oval conference room table almost perfectly; nine plush black chairs surrounded the table. Four ceramic tea pots were placed on the table along with all the proper wears that came with it.

I stood on the wall as Fancy did as the Lieutenants started to filed in talking amongst themselves taking their respected place. Five men and 3 women including Tali who sat in empty chair to the right of the empty chair at the head of the table. Some glanced at me with curiosity, most with suspicion.

They all stood as they heard the heels approaching. Hitoshi was close behind. They all bowed to HER. Fancy closed the door to the and stood about 2 steps back from HER, her eyes told me to move in the same position she was in on the left side of HER. Hitoshi stood in the corner surveying the room.

SHE had put her hair up into bun fastened with sticks. SHE wore a black dress that was sexy and classic just like HER. Diamond studs, HER lipstick was red.

A servant poured each of the Lieutenants and their lead a cup of tea. They all lifted it to her as the proper custom before she raised hers and placed it to her lips, so did they.

SHE lowered HER tea cup and folded HER hands. "Let us begin. I want to know when this started, whom did he belong to and why did none of you my loyal lieutenants squash this insect." SHE said in Japanese.

It was clear that they were afraid of HER and was wondering who the fuck the tattooed guy behind her was.

This wasn't Nadia Tavare. This was Ava Nakajima, the most respected, envied and feared woman in Asia.