Lovers and Reprisals (Lovers Series)

by Turner, Lori

  “I was just telling Bo about family—you know…talking about why you’d called him—asking him to come here today, of all days.”

  Morpheus showed no outer emotions. His face was a virtual blank, giving no impression of how he felt and there were no signs hinting that he believed his daughter. Finally, he heaved a sigh, when he said…

  “Bo—is this true? Is your sisters explanation the reason that your voices could be heard on the other side of that closed door?”

  Bolden lowered his eyes. He looked at his hands then wondered, what was he doing? Why was he even here? His mother had warned him that nothing good would ever come from associating with Morpheus Gustafson. But what son doesn’t want a real relationship with his father. And that explained his predicament. Yet when he lifted his eyes; seeing Fawn’s utter hatred for him—Bolden knew coming here had been a horrible mistake. After listening to his sister, he wondered if his father was worth the trouble.

  Bolden met his father’s eyes, when he said…

  “Fawn said a lot of things—but… Well, I don’t care to repeat any of it. Actually, I think I should go.”

  “Bo…” Morpheus stared at his son, when he said…

  “Stay.” His request had been a simple one.

  Bolden sighed, when he said…

  “No worries dad—you’ve got this party and your guest to entertain. As for me—we can arrange to have lunch—or maybe dinner, on another day.”

  Bolden was walking towards the exit when he heard his sister say…

  “Let him go dad…Bo is just being Bo. He isn’t happy unless the world hums to his tune.”

  She sipped her drink, and Bo wondered if she could get any drunker.

  “If he doesn’t want to be here…let him go. He’s a conformist.”

  Bo corrected her when he said…

  “You mean nonconformist. A conformist is a person who accepts established practices. A nonconformist goes his own way, and he doesn’t accept prevailing ideas or practices.”

  Fawn smirked when she said…

  “Conformist…nonconformist…it all amounts to the same thing and each word can spin either way. Bottom-line—you want to leave—so go.”

  It was all Morpheus could do not to laugh—or to choke some much needed sense into his daughter. This duplicity was strange because on one hand, he admired his daughters unbridled spunk—then on the other hand, she was like a vulture—poised to dive right in, at the moment of death. Fawn fortified her confidence by exploiting the weaknesses of others. She would take her brother’s strengths then use these very assets against him. But he’d heard enough, and he wouldn’t tolerate her fool-play—at least, not today. The time had come for discussions. The time had come to heal old wounds. Hostilities had spoiled their relationship and Morpheus took the first step, because he’d decided to be the bigger man.

  “Fawn—go see to our guest. And be a good friend to that young lady…” Morpheus snapped his fingers, trying to recall the name. Fawn frowned when she said…

  “Cynthia…”

  “Yes—Cynthia. I understand that she’s upset over something concerning her boyfriend—is that right?”

  Fawn rolled her eyes when she said…

  “It’s New Year’s Day daddy. Who isn’t upset over a boyfriend—especially when that boyfriend is a simpleton like Dashiell Wrightly.”

  “Fawn—you’ve said enough”

  Morpheus raised his voice, asserting a firmer tone when he warned his daughter. He chided her saying…”Leave. Go be a good friend to Cynthia. And be grateful that you aren’t experiencing the same disappointment.”

  Fawn stared at him but her gaze had been a short one. She knew her father better than most, and he wasn’t known for dispensing idle threats. She didn’t waste time leaving, but she made a point to nail her brother with a blazing glare. She hated Bo because he and his mother purposely avoided her and every other member of the Gustafson’s family. When she turned, her flowing gown lifted with the wind, then the train swept the floor as she ambled out at a slow pace. She left the room, slamming the door when she was on the other side.

  Morpheus was a complicated man and few people fully understood him. He was a brilliant arms dealer, possessing the temperament to manage this type of enterprise; as well as a large assortment of industrial and real estate investments. If need be, he could be a liar, immoral, a cheater and if all else failed, he would do unto others, before they did unto him. He was no different from his father or his grandfather where business was concerned and the time had come for Bo to reconnect with this side of his family.

  Morpheus changed the topic, taking their conversation, in another direction.

  “Bo…your mother is here. When we spoke, why didn’t you tell me that she’d be joining you?”

  Bo defensively said…

  “It was last minute. Really last minute. I was walking out of the house when she called out to me, requesting that I wait for her. Frankly, I didn’t even know that you’d invited her.”

  “Bo…son. Your mother and I have a long history. She’s always welcomed with or without an invitation. She knows this…in spite of the fact that she’s never taken me up on the offer. So you can see why I’m puzzled.”

  As a young boy, Bolden had learned not to ask his mother questions concerning his father. When he’d been old enough to understand, his mother had summed up their relationship using two words; brief and stormy.

  Morpheus cleared his throat when he said…

  “I just asked because…well, I was surprised to see her.” He edged furthering asking….

  “Is she dating…? I only asked because…there’s a guy hovering by her side.”

  Bolden frowned, when he said…

  “She has been seeing someone regularly, but he didn’t ride with us. I can only guess that mom extended your open invitation to include him. Of course, I’m just speculating, because I really don’t have an answer.”

  Bo was rambling, mainly because it felt strange discussing his mother with the man who’d once been her lover. Morpheus could see that talking about Mikita had struck a cord with his son and the note had not been a harmonious one.

  They were talking and he wanted to keep the conversation on an even keel. He said…

  “Bo…if you’d prefer it, we don’t have to talk about your mother. Mikita and I have a past and most of those memories don’t involve you.”

  He pointed to a chair nearest him, then he said…

  “Please…sit. Don’t be so formal.”

  Bolden couldn’t understand his nervousness, given that this man was his father. Even so, he’d grown up learning about his father’s darker side, listening to the rumors of others. He’d learned that his father was the kind of man that most people would never consider saying no to. He supposed with a history like that, what child wouldn’t be afraid of him. And to date, that portrait of his father hadn’t changed.

  “Have a seat son.” Morpheus said, using a gentle voice. Bolden chose the seat to his left. Only a few seconds passed when his father said….

  “You graduated at the top of your class, and you passed the Bar on your first try. That’s cause for celebration.”

  “Just another test. No cause for celebration.”

  Bo inclined his head, and his father didn’t question his modesty. Bolden had always been an ‘A’ student, and he’d assumed that he’d approached that test, as if it were no different from any other exam he’d ever studied for. Morpheus decided to make light of the accomplishment, mirroring Bolden. He directed his concerns towards the future.

  “So…I understand that you’ve accepted a position at a law firm in Denver.”

  “Yes—that’s right.”

  The room went silent, and it didn’t pass his notice that his father had not mentioned the name of the firm. This could mean one of two things; Morpheus already knew the name of the law firm—or he didn’t care. Of these two options, neither was good.

  His musing was interrupted b
y his father, when he said…

  “Son…I don’t mean to pry but…well…have you considered other choices?”

  His father was a crude man and he felt the beginnings of his interference.

  Morpheus continued when he said…

  “Son…I’d like you to consider something. Actually…I’d like you to consider a job opportunity.”

  Bo was shaking his head, when he said…

  “I already have a job. My first day starts in one month.”

  Morpheus stared at his son, and it didn’t take an ignoramus to understand the reason that spawn his objections. Fawn. His blabbermouth, bullheaded, speak her mind, daughter. If there had been a chance; she’d sunk it with her vileness. Morpheus knew this as sure as there had once been a man on the moon. If his offer stood a hare’s tail of a chance, he would have to coax his son with platitudes.

  “Bo…son; I only want what’s best for you.”

  Bolden recalled every rumor concerning his father and when he spoke, the rumors fueled his objection.

  “Dad…I appreciate your concern, and I’m sure that you believe this offer might appeal to me…but you really needn’t bother. You’ve played your part by ensuring that I had the best home and education. I couldn’t have asked for more. And as far as my employment is concerned…I’ve got that front covered.”

  “But Bo…that firm isn’t up to snuff. Son…you’re a Yale undergraduate, and you attended Harvard Law. You successfully completed an Oxford Fellowship. For you, the sky is the limits.” Morpheus leveled his gaze when he added… “You can do better than an entry level position at a mediocre law firm.”

  Bolden stared at his father, when he said…

  “Come on dad—let’s be honest with each other.“

  Bo stabbed his chest with his finger when he said…

  “What makes me so special? Why is the sky my limit, instead of a mediocre law firm? And let’s dispense with the obvious father son line—because on that note, I didn’t get a vote. I’m a Gustafson—but I didn’t get to choose my parents.”

  Bolden lowered his eyes, choosing to stare at his hands when he said…

  “In spite of that…there are aspects of my life that I can choose; and my employment just so happens to be one of those things.”

  His father said…

  “Okay…I get it and it’s obvious to me that over time you’ve allowed your opinions concerning me to be clouded by lies intended to keep us apart.”

  “Clouded by lies.” Bo mocked. “If you’re referring to Fawn—then on that point, you’d be correct because my current objections have little to do with information rooted in my past. In fact…before you joined us, my sister laid out her case; and I can’t argue against her points. She made it clear to me that I’m a problem for her. Maybe you should talk a little less about me. Better yet; why not just give her the whole enchilada. She deserves it.”

  There it was in a nutshell. Morpheus could play this game, or he could do what he does best. As an arms dealer and a security expert; he knew when to hide, dodge the bullets or duck and take cover. This was a duck and take cover kind of moment. He locked eyes with his son when he said…

  “Fawn is an enigma…and she isn’t your puzzle to solve. That’s my job son.” Morpheus abruptly stood, then commenced to pat his firm belly. He sparked a conversation as if, nothing had come before or preceded his words.

  “Are you thirsty….or have you eaten yet?”

  Bo looked confused because from one moment to the next, his father had changed the conversation, sending him off balanced. Bo’s brow rose when he said…

  “I…I haven’t eaten today. I thought there would be food, so I…”

  Morpheus cut him off saying…

  “And there is food. Food…drinks…hell, it’s a party son.”

  Morpheus startled Bo when he slapped his large hand dead center on his back.

  “Come on son…let’s go find your mother. It’s been a while since I’ve danced with Mikita.”

  “Six years.” Bo supplied. His parents had danced at his boarding school graduation ceremony. He recalled the way their bodies swayed, then separated when the music stopped. He’d noticed a sadness in their eyes; the same pain that his father was currently expressing. Bolden thought about this, then he considered the present. Some parts of him wanted to know his father, apart from the gossip and embellished rumors. He considered this at the same time he’d decided that he would stay for a while.

  Morpheus caught a glimpse of his son out the side of his eye and he wished that Mikita would have given him more than one child. He’d been a fool, allowing her to leave him and out of all his women, her’s was the only name he’d tattooed on his chest; directly over his broken heart. Of course—he didn’t blame her for leaving after she’d found him in bed screwing around with her cousin.

  Morpheus dismissed the thought when he said…

  “Your sister has taken up with an artist. Some kind of hippy I think. Judd Marko—”

  “Marko—yes—he’s a well known artist. If I’m not mistaken, I think he’s a sculptor.”

  Morpheus groaned.

  “Fawn will be the death of me. If she has children by this man—I hope she’s prepared to deal with the backlash. She’s angry at me because he isn’t one of us and I forbade her from inviting him to my party.”

  Bo didn’t know what his father meant when he commented that Judd wasn’t one of them. His father’s voice broke through his mental clamor.

  “Fawn gets mixed up with the weirdest people. She is my daughter, and I try to indulge her, but I won’t tolerate people offloading every bullshit idea that enters their brain—and I won’t listen to liberal nonsensical rhetoric meant to change the world. Most times—people are clueless to the way this world truly works”

  Bo smirked, because on that point, he agreed with his father.

  Morpheus opened the door. The outer hall was filled with a mix of sounds. People moving about—music, laughter and countless mingled voices.

  Morpheus said…

  “I won’t be pleased if she pursues a relationship with this Judd person.”

  “Maybe you should talk to her.”

  They were standing near the balcony, and from this position they could see many of the guest flowing from one room to the other. Most of his family was here. Morpheus sighed, because his brother Raal had come and he’d brought his latest conquest; Kyle, a man he’d met two years ago while passing through Belize. When they were young men Raal had been the ladies man, getting two and three women pregnant at the same time. His brother was a merciless flirt but after meeting Kyle, his brother had seemed to settle down. Raal had not looked at another woman and he’d even tattooed his lovers name across his knuckles. Morpheus counted his nieces and nephews—Raal’s children; seeing them made him accept that wonders never ceased. After seeing his brother’s apparent happiness, Morpheus thought about himself, then he scanned the crowd, looking for Bo’s mother. He noticed Fawn in a corner and she was talking to a group of her friends. The girl Cynthia was among them. Morpheus swore, then he said…

  “Your sister is a sly one. You need to watch her Bo.”

  “You aren’t telling me anything that I don’t already know.”

  Bo couldn’t wait to leave. He had a life in Denver waiting for him but he paused for a moment. He took a few seconds to look at his sister. He didn’t know why but he’d been transfixed by her actions. Fawn had wrapped her arm around the shoulder of Cynthia; pulling her in close to console her. Morpheus chuckled, then he said…

  “I wonder if Cynthia knows not to trust her.”

  Bo said…

  “Is she the friend that you talked about? The one whose upset over her boyfriend?”

  Bo didn’t understand the specifics so he looked at his father waiting for him to respond.

  “Yes.” Was all his father said. An overwhelming question rattled in his brain, and he couldn’t silence the noise. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there
was more to say about Fawn, Cynthia and the boyfriend, but his father was choosing to remain silent on the point.

  Bo said…

  “Does Fawn know something about Cynthia’s boyfriend…”

  He couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence and now he wished that he’d never broached the topic. Morpheus sighed, then he reached in his inner coat pocket. He pulled out a gold case, then flipped it open. He lifted a tightly rolled cigar, then at that moment, his hand stalled. A crowd of people emerged from one of the large rooms. That’s when Morpheus caught sight of Mikita—and that’s all it took. A rush of memories flooded his brain. In stunning detail he clearly recalled the caressing warmth of her brown skin. She was more beautiful than he remembered—and she’d loved him for himself, and not the superficial trappings of his wealth. No—she wasn’t like his other women and it galled him that Mikita still possessed his heart. For years he’d tried to hate her—to forget her—but this had been time wasted, because his efforts only strengthened his love for her. He hitched his belt because after seeing her, he was determined to win her back. He didn’t care that his pregnant girlfriend was in the room; being with her had been an error in judgment—a mistake he planned to rectify.

  Morpheus recalled every day and night spent with Bo’s mother, then he said…

  “Son—look…”

  Morpheus didn’t gesture using his hand or any other part of his body. He simply scanned the crowd of people when he said…

  “Some of the most powerful people in the world are here. Do you see that gorgeous lady over there—the one wearing the red dress.”

  Bo noticed the woman. His father said…

  “She’s someone I’d like you to meet. She holds a very important position working for Governor Wilcox.”

  Morpheus noticed Bo’s subtle nod, then he added…

  “Eliza Pendleton is a classy woman. She’s smart, but not in a stodgy way. She’s damn attractive but a little too young for my taste…of course, I’m not currently looking for a woman. But you on the other hand; you might find her interesting.”

  “Dad…” Bo felt a rush of embarrassment causing Morpheus to quickly say…