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Binta-Mala Hammond made her grand entrance to the delight and surprise of all 78 guests in attendance that evening inside The Taylor lobby. Binta made her appearance from LaRue’s second floor balcony.
Decked in an ankle length gown of flowing emerald silk, the 85 year old beauty, portrayed a stunning image that roused applause as well as awe-filled sounds from the crowd. All staff, including the increased security force, took a break to witness the moment. Fray, Zy and War maintained their posts along the wraparound balcony. They observed their grand-aunt on the other side soaking in all the admiration being directed her way.
“Seeing her gives me hope that my eighties will be a helluva time!” Zyon laughed as he clapped.
While he and War nodded their agreement, Fray found himself wondering what he and El would be like if they were blessed to see such an age. It was then that his gaze drifted over the cheering crowd along the expansive balcony and the elegant lobby below. He didn’t chime in when the crowd gave Binta its rendition of “Happy Birthday”.
He hadn’t seen El since they’d parted ways downstairs earlier that evening. While he didn’t expect to find her in the dense crowd below, he couldn’t dismiss an agitating sense that he wouldn’t have found her there if he’d tried. Leaving his cousins, he went to retrace his steps across the lobby to where he and El had shared a few quiet moments before duty had called her away. He was on his way to the front desk when he saw Theodora Poole approaching.
“Ted, have you seen El?” He asked the assistant once the distance had closed between them.
Ted seemed to bristle. “Not since she met with that irate guest- the man looked like he was gonna be a handful, but she told me to go enjoy the party while she talked to him.”
Fray was already scanning the room again. “Thanks Ted,” he said and moved on through the crowd.
~~~
“...it’s fucking ironic that the person least fit to carry on the Guthrie name is the very one it falls to.”
From her desk chair, then situated in the middle of her office, El listened to Russ Hammond ramble on from somewhere behind her in the room.
“Least fit?” She probed. “You mean least fit to scandalize the family name?”
“Are you forgetting the part that your ex played in that? As I recall, he once held you down to be branded with his family mark.” Russ noted after several seconds of silence. Then, he inclined his head a fraction. “Is he still your ex, I wonder? From what I’ve heard, you and my cousin are getting along again.”
“How long have you been here?” El frowned, then turned on her chair. “It was you? You’re the one who attacked Teller.”
“Turn around.” Russ snarled.
“Because of what he knows?” El was unfazed. “What could those papers of his prove?”
Russ stilled. “What papers?”
“Did you come back here to keep him from talking?” El steamrolled Russ’ questions with more of her own. “Did you come back here to silence him or something? Fray talked with the rest of your crew in Atlanta- they said you were out of town.”
“Ah yes, the infamous talk,” Russ smiled but the effort was strained. “They told me Fray was laying all his cards on the table. Threatening to betray his own yet again.”
“Betraying his own?” El spat the words. “And what was Guthrie Two doing when he used ships made by the Clydes to sell his own people back into slavery?”
“Little bitch!” Russ’ voice was a roar. “You’re lying!”
“It’s all documented in his old journals,” El spoke with a serenity she didn’t feel in the eerie dark of her office. Earlier, Russ had ordered her into the chair at gunpoint. She didn’t want to think on where the weapon was then. “We’ve been down in the caves where it all happened. If this comes out, another mess on top of it could ruin the island-all the families. Fray will stop what you’re into with VanSty.”
“Believing your boyfriend’s hype again, huh El?” Russ’ electric gaze narrowed with loathing. “It’s true he’s got a well-earned reputation for no bullshit. But whatever he’s trying to accuse us of...he’s got no proof.”
“I think you know I do.”
Fray’s voice had drifted in from the darkened hall beyond the office door. El hadn’t been able to draw a fix on where Russ was while they’d talked. She discovered he was quite close when he yanked her from the chair within seconds of Fray’s arrival in her office doorway. With her back to his chest, Russ raised his hand to cup her neck. In his other hand, he aimed a compact handgun at Fray.
“Still a coward,” Fray’s extraordinary gaze was as chilly as his voice.
“And you’re still a selfish asshole with no loyalty to family,” Russ countered.
“Loyalty?” Fray added a chilly smile to his frigid glare. “Like the kind you showed my father who you followed like a puppy to any foolishness he ordered you to pledge allegiance to?”
“Your father was a great man!”
“My father was insane.”
Russ shook his head and flexed his hand at Ellia’s neck. “You aren’t worthy of the Guthrie name.”
Fray raised his hands in a show of agreement. “If the Guthrie name means I’m supposed to sell my own into a horrified existence or, in your case, partner with people who don’t believe in paying folks for the work they do, I’ll be happy for the family to disown me.”
“Self-righteous jackass,” Russ sneered. Still aiming the gun, he backed toward the French doors. His hand was still secure around Ellia’s throat.
Fray followed his cousin’s retreat. “Are you really going to tell me you had no idea how VanSty really made its money?” The faintest hint of laughter colored Fray’s rough voice.
“Save it Fray,” Russ snapped. “Your dick’s just twisted because we didn’t come begging for your permission to go ahead with this. Bin gave you all that power because she felt sorry for you being all alone with no mother. Being in charge like that went to your head. You had Zy and War on your leash, but the rest of us ain’t that easy.”
Fray was working to keep his focus on his cousin. Fury tore at him however, as he took in the sight of the woman he loved once more at the mercy of a man he loathed.
Russ kicked back against the double doors, sending the enraged wind barreling inside. The rain was accompanied by brilliant flashes of lightning and bold rumbles of thunder.
“Stay back!” In warning, Russ fired a shot into the night sky.
“Do it, Fray!” El blinked against the water hitting her eyes. “He doesn’t mean it! He wants you here!”
“I know that, Ellie,” Fray didn’t care whether his voice carried over the storm. His gaze never veered from his cousin’s face.
“Isn’t this sweet?!” Russ laughed. “Bet it took you all of two minutes to convince her to forgive you for holding her down to be branded like a dog! Hold still!” He hissed into El’s ear when she struggled. His grip tightened at her throat.
The rain beat down mercilessly and proved a foreboding partner to the raised voices. Fray fixed on the sounds of nature’s fury and used it to quell his own. El in his cousin’s clutches was all that kept him from charging.
Russ’ laughter elevated above the downpour and crashes of waves and thunder. “I guess there’s a lot to be said for being a woman’s first. Once she gives you her virginity, she’ll give you anything!” Laughter roaring once more, Russ turned his face into El’s neck but kept his gaze steady on Fray.
Via the lightning’s brilliant illumination, Russ had a perfect view of his cousin’s fury. While Fray’s anger seemed to embolden Russ, the mood waned gradually as Russ observed Fray’s rising calm.
“Do you think me, Zy and War have no one to answer to, Russ? You tried to outsmart us, but we’re not the ones you should’ve been worried about.” Though the windblown rain and intermittent flashes of lightning, made eye contact treacherous, Fray saw when the awareness registered on Russ’s face.
“Bin?”
Russ Hammond’s query carried no weight over the raging wind and surf. Shock eased his hold at El’s neck and she capitalized. Praying her aim would be on point, she used her elbow to punish Russ’s ribs and gut with two rapid jabs. Fray pounced in the span of time it took for his cousin to release El and stagger back. He tackled Russ’s middle, sending them both crashing through the deck’s rail and tumbling down onto the beach.
“Fray!” El cried. The rain was almost blinding then. The wet sand, kicked up by the male bodies disturbing it, only further hindered El’s line of sight. She pursued. She hadn’t seen the gun leave Russ’s hand when Fray lunged for him. Someone would die that night. She vowed it wouldn’t be Fray.
The vicious timbre of the battle had heightened. Rock hard jabs came from both sides, vicious kicks to faces and bodies were exchanged. The enemies grappled along the beach, until their clothing was soaked from the rain and riotous waves. The fight sent both men careening onto the boardwalk. Panels gleamed beneath the pounding water as the railing shook in protest of the brutal winds and thrashing male weight.
Russ got his second wind and attempted to give his adversary as good as he got. It wasn’t good enough. The rabid anger Fray had kept ruthlessly tethered for well over a decade, came bursting free like water from an exploding dam. Bone and cartilage crunched and crushed beneath the steady barrage of blows he put to his cousin’s face and form. Fray welcomed the blows he suffered, for they only served to add more fuel to the next flurry of stinging punches he put to Russ’s badly battered features.
Russ was craving the satisfaction of taking Frayzer apart with his bare hands. He’d been envisioning that very thing while crushing the head of the traitor Teller Croix. How he craved the satisfaction, but he would have to forgo it. There was no need to admit to defeat or that he was supremely outmatched by his cousin. After all, there would be no witnesses to offer commentary on this bout or any of the allegations that had been tossed about. Someone would die that night. It would not be him.
The gun waited like an unseen protector in his pocket. He wasn’t ashamed to call on it. Fray and El weren’t the only two he’d planned to visit that night. Teller would soon have no use for his hospital bed and as for Bin...the traitorous old wench had just enjoyed her last birthday gala.
Fray was still enraged and ravaged Russ’ back with blows. Russ had been lying face down in the sand-enough time to brace himself for another surge to his feet. He did so and was caught in an immediate choke hold which caused his vision to blur rapidly. Steeling himself against the pain that ricocheted along his spine, Russ punished Fray’s abs with an elbow jab similar to the kind that had stunned him earlier.
Pivoting, Russ reached, drew the weapon and prepared to send his cousin to hell. The pain that had been ricocheting before, was nothing like what suddenly seared his side then. His eyes bulged, filling with realization and disbelief when he looked into Ellia Taylor’s beautiful and enraged face.
“Die.” She commanded, twisting the blade of her knife.
Russ howled, clutching El out of desperation. His mind blurred, yet panic remained and had him squeezing her wrist as he would a lifeline.
Fray shook water from his eyes. Russ’ last blow sent him head first into the creaking rail. His vision cleared in time to see Ellia’s knife pierce his cousin’s spine. Pride for her triggered a slow smile that tugged at his mouth before the gesture froze. Rage summoned him to act. Terror had rendered him immobile.
“El!” Fray’s roar came too late.
Russ had staggered back into the boardwalk rail. The days of steady rain and wind had weakened the unsupported wood slabs. Russ’ weight along with Ellia’s was enough to send them both over the side that was engulfed by the night.
“El!” Fray’s next roar was captured in a brutal thunder clap. Frantic, he tore across the walkway to view the aftermath.
“El.” She was there. Relief turned his voice to a hush that was barely audible amid the storm.
“Babe? Reach for me.” Lying flat, Fray pushed an arm through the gap left by the missing posts along the railing. Ellia clung to the boardwalk, gripping one of the chrome posts that secured the deck slats.
“Babe? Babe look at me,” he knew her eyes were fixed on the treacherous black waves below. They crashed against a row of boulders- one carried Russ Hammond’s body.
“Ellia!” Fray pulled anger and impatience into his call that time.
El’s head jerked up. Her eyes widened as though she’d just locked onto understanding what they were doing there.
“Grab onto me, baby. El? Eyes on me.” Fray ordered when he saw her panic return and sensed that she was about to look back toward the jagged rocks below.
“Grab my hand, El.”
She didn’t move.
“Elli?” His voice was level, cool and he waited until her eyes met his. “I love you. Do you trust me?” He asked in the same breath.
Ellia responded with action instead of word. She reached, grabbing the hand Fray held extended. He lifted her quickly, almost without effort.
“I love you. I trust you.” She panted once safely through the gaping hole left by the weathered rail.
Fray kept her close. His face was hidden deep in the side of her neck as he shuddered out relief and gratitude.
~~~
Those involved, were long gone by the time word circulated among the party goers about the evening’s other events.
Bin had been quietly informed of the upset and made a graceful exit with her grandnephews who escorted her back home.
Island security had seen Fray and El on the boardwalk following a shift change after the break inside the hotel. Security quickly saw to Fray and Ellia and they were waiting in Bin’s sitting room by the time she’d arrived with Zyon and Warwick. Moira had also been informed and arrived at Bin’s less than 15 minutes after the others.
As word spread of the Guthrie Hammond altercation, party traffic made a gradual move from The Taylor back to Binta’s estate. Only those directly involved were granted access to the sitting room.
Deputy Chief of Security, Simon Royals had been assigned to handle Fray’s and El’s statements. Meanwhile, Royals’ boss, Chief Cassius Sagers remained at the crime scene to oversee the search efforts.
“Mr. Hammond,” Royals took Zyon’s hand in a firm hold. “Chief Sagers says the waves are still too choppy to send men down after your brother without losing them in the process.”
By the time Frayzer and Ellia had been taken from the boardwalk, Russ Hammond’s body had been washed from the boulder where he’d landed. Somehow, the storm had grown stronger during the last 90 minutes.
“I understand,” Zyon barely nodded.
“I’m sorry, Sir. Chief Sagers promises we’ll resume the search as soon as humanly possible.”
“No apologies necessary. I understand,” Zyon patted the deputy’s hand on his. “I grew up here. I know how crazy the currents can get down there. Last thing we need is any more loss of life. You men handle the search as you see fit. I’ll make sure my family understands.”
“Thank you, Sir.” The deputy nodded and soon took his leave of the group.
“Should’ve told him I couldn’t give a good goddamn if they find the jackass or not,” Zyon muttered following Royals’ departure.
“Hmph, really?” Moira rolled her eyes. “When did those feelings come into existence? You guys used to have so much in common.”
El moved her head from Fray’s shoulder to send her cousin a look. Moy was seated close holding El’s hand. Zy paced while War opted for seating in a wide wing chair across the room.
Wincing, Moy offered an apologetic shrug.
Bin returned to the sitting room following her disappearance soon after the deputy’s arrival. “If Simon’s done getting his statements, Fray you can take El upstairs. I was just checking to make sure her room is ready.”
“Bin you didn’t have to go to all that trouble.”
“Hush,” Bin tossed a hand in El’s direction. “It’s the least I could do. I should’ve played my game differently.”
“Game.” Moira frowned.
El took over, shivering beneath the robe Bin had given her to change into. Quickly, she explained Bin’s ‘game’ and how Russ and the others factored into it.
Moira laughed shortly. “Some things never change,” she sighed.
“I kept my involvement anonymous,” Bin continued, “I ordered Fray, Zy and Warwick to get the proxies to remove the others from their posts in Atlanta. I’d hoped it wouldn’t come to that.” A shadow fell across Bin’s face then.
“I gave all these subtle comments about minding our public images...they didn’t listen.”
“But how could VanSty get away with not paying its employees? Someone would’ve complained, right?” Moira asked.
“You’d think so,” Bin clasped her hands and moved deeper into the room. “I’ve had people on this, looking into their dealings for years and I never found anything aside from rumors. No hard facts- nothing I could ever link them to. The Clydes are cowards but no one could deny their intelligence. At least keeping an eye on them, alerted me to when Russ and the others got involved.” Looking at her hands, Bin’s mouth turned downward. “I’d hoped the proxy situation might have an affect. Guess not,” she added.
“Bin stop. It’s not your fault.”
Again, Bin waved off El’s words. “I should’ve handled it up front. If I had, maybe you two wouldn’t have almost died tonight.”
Zyon and Warwick crossed the room to draw Bin into a hug. Moira left El’s side and went to squeeze Bin’s hands. Soon, El and Fray had crossed the room and the group huddled around Binta Hammond to whisper words of comfort and love.
~~~
“I don’t think the lady of the house meant for us to share this room,” El told Fray when he twisted the lock on the attic suite.
“Bin knows how to pick her battles,” Fray shut the door behind them. “I think she’s accepted that she lost this one a long time ago.”
“Sixteen years ago,” El made the clarification. “Do you think this is the end of it or will the others want payback for what happened to Russ?”
“What happened to Russ doesn’t begin to make up for what happened to you, Moy and Seel.” Fray joined El on the queen four poster atop the platform.
El could see the storm brewing in his uncommon stare then. “Fray-”
“My cousins won’t be looking for payback. They’ll be too busy looking to avoid it from us.”
“That’s not the way.”
“It’s the only way for us and one we haven’t acted on for Bin’s sake.”
“So what happens now?” A curious smile suddenly took hold of El’s mouth when she spied the unexpected and playfully devilish look that crossed the dark gorgeous face before her eyes.
“Several things happen now. One,” Fray sighed, “we stop talking about my idiot cousins. Two and three,” his expression sharpened, sobered, “please say you love me, forgive me and that you’ll marry me.”
El’s gasp filled the room when Fray opened the small, velvet box he’d pulled from his pocket. The square diamond captured the room’s soft lighting. El didn’t know if it was the glow from the ring or the water in her eyes that threatened to blind her.
She hesitated before touching the jewel. “What about...?” she looked to her thigh. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to remove it-not completely.”
“I’ve loved you since I’ve known you,” Fray looked down as well, smoothing his thumb across the stretch of fabric where the dress covered her scarred thigh. “I’ve been in love with you since the first time I kissed you, El. Since the first night you gave me your body, I...” he smoothed the back of his hand up her shoulder bared by the gown straps.
“I know you’re the only woman I wanted to wake up to for the rest of my life. If you say no I’ll understand, but I- I need you to understand El...that night I-I thought...This was what I thought you were strong enough to handle. The rest of what my father threatened...” he seemed to brace himself in order to continue. “I wasn’t strong enough to handle. If you can’t ever forgive-”
“I forgive you, Fray. I think I forgave you a long time ago. I forgive you. I love you. I never stopped. Never Fray. I love you and yes I’ll marry you.” Laughter tickled her throat, but she tamped it down. There was more she needed to say.
“I’ve been thinking about what you asked about sharing the responsibility of this place. If the time came when I’d have to leave-”
“We don’t have to decide that now. We don’t have to decide it ever.”
“Well I can’t really make the right decision unless I have information now, can I?” She smiled as a perplexed look appeared on his handsome face. “Looks like the only way I’ll get that is to see what I’m in for in your world.”
“I’d never pressure with that decision, El. I love you and I’ll never hurt you,” his expression changed then, hardened with resilient determination. “If I ever do, please don’t waste any time returning the favor in the worst way.”
“I don’t think it’ll come to that,” she reached up to cup his jaw. “Besides, Moy will take care of all that for me.”
“I love you.” They spoke as one, once laughter had flowed and ebbed.
“So what else?”
“Sorry?” His gaze was soft as he frowned curiously.
“You said there were several things that needed to happen now. Is there anything else?” She outlined the curve of his mouth beneath her thumb.
Fray responded with a crushing, consuming kiss that had Ellia giving in to the habitual whimpers she made when engaged in the act. Fray smiled even as his tongue thrust heatedly against hers. He had loved her all of his life and now their lives were to be one.
“What happens now,” he said, “will sound much better if I show you.”
~~~