by H. H. Fowler
As Anwar raised his champagne glass, the DJ dug up an old school classic, Luther Vandross’ Always and Forever. The crowd cheered and raised their glasses along with Anwar. Dallis dabbed at the corners of her eyes to catch her tears. She was experiencing conflicting emotions. As happy as she was to be married to Anwar, she couldn’t stop thinking about her father and her desire for him to share this day with her – even though she had a lot of questions about his mysterious disappearance.
There was a lot she wanted to say to her father, especially since finding out that he had been part of a secret organization that destroyed a lot of lives. She was devastated to have found out how he had recruited Anwar and many other young men to serve a sadistic purpose. But much had changed in three years and Dallis would give anything to see his face one last time. She would not be telling the truth if she said that she didn’t miss him.
Izaiah shared a table with Dana, Miss Rose and some of Dallis’ other family members. Candi and Asia were a part of the bridal party, so they were sitting at the head table with the newly married couple. They looked ravishing in their form fitting dresses and Izaiah couldn’t take his eyes off of them, especially Asia, who returned his gaze with a coy smile. He only had eyes for her, but Asia would not give him the green light to date her exclusively. The attraction between them was electric. The way she looked at him – like she was doing now – always twisted his stomach in knots.
In spite of himself, Izaiah grinned proudly, as it was the first wedding he had conducted as the presiding senior pastor of St. Donovan’s Chapel. Gregory’s last words to him never left him: Don’t allow anyone to destroy your righteous heritage. So far, Izaiah had been doing an excellent job, leading the growing congregation with pure hands. But every now and then, guilt toyed with Izaiah’s heart. For a while, he had blamed himself for Gregory’s disappearance. Had he known that stop at Station 61 would have been the last time he would see Gregory, he would have rebelled against Gregory’s instructions. But what could he do now except pray for Gregory’s safe return?
To this day, Dana refused to host a memorial service for her husband. Izaiah could understand her actions, because he, too, was hoping that Gregory was still alive. Despite hearing all of the negative things Gregory had been involved in, Izaiah respected him for wanting to turn his life around. The fact that he had been grooming Izaiah to take over the church said much of Gregory’s heart. He wanted to make peace with God, with his family and finally with himself. How could one not respect a man for wanting to set his life in order?
****
The family and friends of Anwar and Dallis lined the steps on the outside, waiting to greet them before they ran off to enjoy their honeymoon. It was a breezy day in November and the women had to hold on to their hats to prevent them from flying away in the wind. Asia stood next to Izaiah, relishing the moment. She was well aware of his presence and of how close she was to him. But it was not until he looked at her with that longing gaze that her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She had been caught staring at his handsome profile.
He leaned next to her ear and whispered, “I think it’s time that you take the brakes off and allow yourself to love me. Our attraction to each other is inescapable.”
Asia froze as Izaiah corrected his posture. She dared not look at him for fear of him seeing how on point he was. Although Candi had stopped throwing herself at Izaiah, it was obvious her sister still had a thing for him. Asia did not want to reopen old wounds between her and Candi, but Asia doubted she could continue to avoid Izaiah much longer. He had been there, not only for her, but for her entire family. Had it not been for Izaiah standing in the gap as a faithful leader, her father’s disappearance would have been more difficult to deal with.
What the hell, she thought. She reached for Izaiah’s hand and squeezed it. She then pulled on him until his ear aligned with her lips. “I am willing to give us a chance,” she said. “Please don’t hurt me, because I think I like you very much.”
Izaiah had to restrain himself from lifting Asia off her feet and kissing her. But he knew such an action would cause a stir among the congregation. He simply squeezed her hand back and beamed for the rest of the day. Noise suddenly erupted from the guests and alerted Asia back to the occasion at hand. When she saw Anwar and Dallis coming down the steps of the reception hall, she, along with everyone tossed grains of rice into the air.
The newly wedded couple dodged and rushed away toward the waiting Rolls Royce. Dana followed afterwards, looking like a revitalized version of herself. Her long tresses had been cut into a shorter style and her graceful sway had returned. She saw Richard standing with his hands in his pockets, animatedly conversing with one of the guests. She waved as a means to get his attention.
“Lady Beaufort,” Richard greeted warmly.
“Detective…nice of you to attend my daughter’s wedding.”
“I promised Dallis and Anwar; I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Those kids went through hell and back. They deserve to be happy; actually, the entire Beaufort and Daxon families deserve to be happy.”
“I agree,” Dana said, pausing to give Richard an inquiring look. She did not want to spoil the mood with her lingering concerns, but she had always been known to express herself, in spite of the outcome. “The family is still feeling the effects of Gregory’s disappearance,” she added. “I was wondering if you received any update on my husband’s whereabouts.”
Richard looked away for a second to formulate his answer. Returning his gaze, he replied, “We are no closer to finding your husband than we were three years ago. It is as if he simply disappeared into thin air.”
“I will not accept that,” Dana said simply.
“I will not either,” Richard rejoined.
Dana smiled, knowing that Richard and the Bliss Haven Police were doing everything they could to find her husband. “Thank you, detective and may the grace of God be with you and your team.”
She walked away and joined Asia and the rest of her family at the limousines.
THE END
****
A sneak preview of what’s to come in Book III – The Unexpected
Inconspicuously, a silver Cadillac Eldorado glided by and stopped just ahead of the reception hall. The windows were tinted a smoky grey, with twenty-two-inch Asanti rims, each valuing the cost of a one-carat diamond ring. The woman in the back seat handed a pair of binoculars to the man sitting next to her. She then ordered the driver to let down the man’s window – just enough which would not draw attention to them.
“I thought you would be interested in seeing this,” Ms. V said. “Think of it as your fifteen minutes on the outside for good behavior.”
Gregory lifted the binoculars to his weary eyes and zoomed in on the small gathering that was huddled in a lively conversation. His gaze suddenly became intense when it landed on Asia, Candi and then Izaiah. He wished he could reach out to them to tell them how sorry he was for the havoc he’d caused. But it was not until he saw Dana that his heart sank with a heaviness that almost caused him to scream out. His last view of her had been when she was being rushed to the hospital in a semi-unconscious state. He’d wondered all this time if she’d made it out of that hospital alive.
She looked refreshed and younger, somehow, even though she was now fifty-two years old. Her waistline was still trim and those Casadei heels she wore always made her nicely-formed legs stand out. Gregory couldn’t look any longer without experiencing an intense feeling of regret.
“One of your daughters got married today,” Ms. V said, allowing a small smile to toy with her lips. “Guess which one?”
Gregory didn’t respond, mostly because he was struggling to collect his composure.
“I’ll give you a clue,” Ms. V sneered. “The groom is from St. Elmo’s Valley and as far as I’m concerned, he is a renegade whose judgment is still pending. Because of him our operations in Bliss Haven have been completely destroyed by the police.”
Grego
ry let the binoculars slipped out of his hand to the floor of the car. Part of him was relieved that Dallis had found happiness with Anwar, but the other part of him was terrified that the organization would retaliate. Gregory had offered his life as a sacrifice in exchange for the organization’s promise to leave his family alone, but Viola decided to let him live at the last minute.
“Why did you bring me here, Viola?” he said in a biting tone. “I would have rather been killed than to be put through this torture.”
“I thought you would want to see that your family is getting on fine without you,” she harrumphed. “You are so ungrateful. Remind me never to bring you out again. You complain too bloody much. Driver...get us out of here before someone sees us.”
Gregory had told himself a thousand times that this was the choice he had made when he signed on the dotted line over twenty years ago. He became the property of the House of gods. It cost him everything. For the last three years, he had been confined to a home in New Mexico, thinking about what he had given up in Bliss Haven. Two questions pestered Gregory’s mind as the Cadillac accelerated into the flowing traffic. Was it too late to get his freedom back? And would he ever see his family again?
Only time would tell, because Gregory did not plan on living the rest of his life taking orders from the witch sitting next to him. He allowed his head to connect to the back of the seat and let the warm tears roll down his jaws. Though Frank Dubbin’s words had once vexed his spirit, they now provided a sense of comfort to his wounded soul:
Sin is like poison candy…flee its evil desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.
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FROM THE DESK OF H. H. FOWLER
Thank you, my dear readers, for reading book II in the Behind Closed Doors series. I hoped you enjoyed it and will continue with book III in April 2014. Please visit my website: www.hhfowler.com or my blog: www.churchboyz.org and leave your comments about my story. Huge appreciation to all for your support and encouraging words. I always say, without you, the reader, we writers could not be successful.
Other New Releases
Jezebel’s Apple
Nineteen-year-old, Beatrice Bencardi, daughter of a prominent Bahamian preacher, is a modern-day Jezebel who is as manipulative as the ancient queen herself. She will use every trick in the book to get anything she wants. A betrayal spawned by her doings makes her boyfriend, and the father of her two-year-old baby attempt to kill her. Fighting to save her life, she storms into the police station and falls at the feet of the devilishly handsome Police Constable, Darville Cobbs. Through her manipulation, he eventually becomes emotionally entangled with her.
Beatrice’s sister, Oznee Bencardi, is a third-year medical student at the University of South Louisiana. She is loyal and well respected by her family. Oznee professes to be a Christian, however, Beatrice makes it impossible for her sister to live her conviction in peace. Beatrice is jealous of her sister’s success and tries everything to debase her. So, imagine when Police Constable Darville Cobbs begins to show interest in Oznee. It sparks forty-five days of pure hell, because Beatrice is determined to make anyone suffer who gets in her way.
The Devil Made Me Do It (Short Story)
The devil made me do it... Is that statement really true or is someone else to blame for our sins? Bishop Errol Jackson, chairman over a college of bishops in the Caribbean islands is put to the ultimate test when an alluring young woman strips off her clothing in front of him. He is shocked. What would be the outcome of Errol’s response, who’d spent the last fifteen years of his life living as a righteous example? Find out in this short tale that is packed with food for thought.
Other Books by H.H. Fowler
The Church Boyz’ Series
Rod of the Wicked – Book 1 – Synopsis
Imagine sharing the spotlight with a ruthless blackmailer, whose only intention, is to take all of which you’ve worked hard to achieve – your wealth, your fame, and your church of seven thousand members. For Pastor Leroy Paxton of Mount Moriah Baptist Church, this is no imagination. Five years ago, he committed a toxic sin and almost lost his life trying to cover it up. He now comes face to face with his past, which haunts him from the pulpit to his bedroom. And the only way out of this nightmare is to make a decision that could cost him everything.
When Things Go Wrong – Book 2 - Synopsis
The drama continues to unfold. Leroy Paxton, pastor of Mount Moriah Baptist Church, thought he had found a way to get rid of Shaniece once and for all, but had underestimated the power she uses through blackmail. With new secrets surfacing about his past, Leroy sadly discovers that Shaniece isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. She is determined to bury everything that he cherishes, including his marriage of twenty-six years.
My Last Cry – Book 3 - Synopsis
In My Last Cry, the race to the finish line is paved with suspense and intrigue. Determination is everything. Which side will win the battle between good and evil?
The Church Gurlz’ Series
Mother’s Black Book – Book 1 - Synopsis
How does it feel to be treated like dirt beneath someone’s shoes? Or no matter how hard you push to get into someone’s good graces, you are continuously batted away as if you are an irritant pest? Ask Tara Lamont, hairstylist and fiancée to Wynton Lakatos – who struggles hard against the burgeoning attacks of Wynton’s mother, Doreen Lakatos. Doreen is no pushover. She might be the First Lady of Brandon View Baptist Church, but like most mothers she wants the best for her children. To Doreen, that means Tara is not good enough for Wynton, and that she will stop at nothing until she kicks Tara as far as she can -- out of Wynton’s life.
In the Presence of My Enemy – Book 2
The manipulation continues as Doreen Lakatos releases her deadly venom against Tara, her son's fiancée, who tries to blackmail Doreen about a secret Tara has stumbled upon. But Doreen refuses to be backed into a corner. She knows some of Tara's secrets, too. Both women fight to the bitter end, as they realize that they both have something precious to lose. Who will end up as the one on top?
The Aftermath – Book 3 - Synopsis
Doreen Lakatos is six feet in her grave, but there is a new sheriff in town. Mother Veronica Stephens, newly appointed Women's pastor of Brandon View International Church, is a self-righteous bigot who goes after the inheritance of the Lakatos men. She is sharp, determined and willing to do anything to create the biggest scandal in Church history.
Stand Alone Titles
Javier (urban crime/romance) - Synopsis
Three boys who can’t stay out of trouble on the streets of New York - Pedro, Caleb and the manipulative Javier, put Rachael Raymonds’ faith to the test, as she tries to save them from the unscrupulous Detective Macino and from themselves. She must resist the seductive charm of the sensual 17-year-old Javier, who could easily corrupt the household.
The opposing worlds of the Safe House Sistahs and the Gangsta kids collide under the one roof and sparks fly. Can the caring women at the safe-house bring their last-chance residents back to sanity? In Putnam County, the laws and codes of the rival gangs, Vipers and the Cobras, reach deep into young men’s hearts; the struggle for power that finally explodes in death and vengeance will leave Putnam County staggering.
