“Dog,” Ty repeated, her brows rising. “Well Houston, I’ve hated Quay a long time. I hated him because all those years ago I loved him and I believed he didn’t love me,” she turned back to rummage through the pile of CDs and vintage albums cluttering the desk. “It wasn’t until I finally went back to Seattle that I discovered he was trying to protect me.”
“Protect you?” Houston’s gaze narrowed inquisitively.
“Mmm…against a shameful bastard who held a vendetta against Quay and Quest because of some old grudge he held against their parents. Shameful bastard wreaked havoc,” she continued still rifling through music as she spoke, “especially on Quay because he couldn’t touch his real enemy- Damon. Quay was so outspoken, so outwardly confident- just like Damon. So in order to drain him of some of that confidence, shameful bastard, started targeting the women Quay was interested in. He’d get ‘em to leave town or just disappear. Then came Sera Black who wanted a Ramsey and was quite interested in Quay. Then she met shameful bastard who proceeded to have an affair with her without a care for his wife and kids. He had a real good time too, until Sera demanded he leave his wife or else,” Ty shrugged, “then she, too had to go. You can see how all this would affect Quay. He wanted nothing to do with me because he wanted me to hate him, to leave him alone, to get me as far away as possible before the shameful bastard realized he had another victim.”
Once Tykira finished her theory, Houston could barely contain himself. His chest heaved beneath the worsted fabric of the three-piece light blue suit he wore. His hands shook noticeably as he tugged upon the white tie around his neck.
“Tykira are you trying to tell me that you -you know someone-someone else was responsible for Se-Sera’s murder?” he managed to ask.
“Precisely,” Ty confirmed, tossing her hair across her shoulders.
“Based on information Quay got from that Wake Robinson friend of his?” Houston smirked. “Love, I’m afraid without proof-”
“Oh there is proof, Houston.”
“May I ask what?”
Ty took her selection of CDs to the shelving near the room door. “Oh, proof that was buried. Not destroyed like shameful bastard and his equally shameful brother thought. Thankfully, the man who agreed to do away with said evidence had a crisis of conscience on his sick bed,” she turned to stroll back to the center of the room. “Then, there’s Sera’s diary which names shameful bastard.” She concluded.
Houston shuddered, fighting a losing battle against trying to maintain his cool. “Shall I guess who, Miss Lowery?”
Ty smiled. “Why no, Mr. Ramsey. You know all too well.”
“Houston Ramsey?”
The study door opened and Detective Jillian Red arrived with several uniformed and plainclothes officers.
“Houston Ramsey, I’m Detective Red-Savannah Police. We’d like you to come with us, Sir,” Jill requested.
“I’ll do no such thing,” Houston barked. “What’s the meaning of this?”
“Sera Black,” Jill nodded to two of the officers who went to stand on either side of Houston. “We have some questions for you regarding her murder.”
Houston feigned ignorance. “What would I know about that? Whatever your questions, you can save them for the appropriate party,” his voice began to tremble. “Now get out of my parents’ home.”
“Very well Mr. Ramsey. If you’d just come with us.”
“On what evidence?” Houston thundered.
“Based on evidence we have that you and Miss Black were having an affair and semen taken from her body on the night of the murder, we’re also requesting a DNA sample. This will hopefully rule you out as a suspect, Mr. Ramsey. It would look far better if you cooperated without being summoned by a court order.”
“Preposterous!” Houston raged, knowing he was running out of time. “I’m a married man. How dare you accuse me of-” he stopped himself, watching as Michaela entered the room and handed something to Jill.
“Sera Black’s diary,” Mick explained to her husband’s uncle. “That and a positive match to the semen should help the DA form her case.”
“Thanks for your help, Mick,” Jill said, “Shall we, Mr. Ramsey?”
“You little bitch!” Houston hissed, charging toward Michaela. The uniformed officer stopped him cold. “How dare you turn this around on me?! I came to you with this!”
“Mmm, all a part of your plan to frame the nephews you hated, right? Mick surmised.
Houston struggled against the officer’s restraining hold. “You scheming little- you were never good enough for this family. You-Marc?! Marcus!” he cried, having spotted his brother barging toward the room.
Marc fought his way past the officers filling the doorway. It seemed that much of the family had gotten wind of the uproar, for the entire corridor was filled with people.
“Marcus!” Houston literally cried, tears pooled his eyes and wet his cheeks. “Do you see what they’re doing? Help me! Marc!”
“I’ll take care of it Houston, calm down!” Marcus urged his younger brother, jostling the officers who kept him from reaching Houston. “Go and answer their questions and I’ll be there when you’re done,” he bartered watching as the officers ushered his brother out of the room. Marc would’ve left behind them, but he caught sight of Mick. “It was you,” he sneered.
“No, it was your brother,” Mick folded her arms across the sweatshirt she wore. “I would suggest you get him a lawyer.”
“A good one,” Ty added.
“You little whoreish bitches,” Marcus seethed, turning his full fury on Michaela and Tykira. “Mark my words, you two sluts will pay for what you’ve done to my family.”
Quest and Quay had been virtually silent as they stood side by side and viewed the scene from the study’s wide entryway. Hearing their uncle say such vile things to the women they loved, stoked their anger in unison.
“Whoa guys,” Damon caught each of his sons by the elbow. It did little good as his children kept moving forward, practically dragging their father behind him.
Just as they twins reached their uncle, they were shoved aside by an even greater force.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as Yohan Ramsey caught his father by the neck and lifted the man from the floor.
“Son of a bitch!” Yohan raged. “I will not listen to you speak to another woman this way! You hear me, Pop?!” Yohan’s massive hands encircled Marcus’ neck. “I let you run Mel away with this haughty bullshit. Not again!”
No one, not even Yohan’s older brothers dared intervene just then. Everyone knew his loss of temper was long overdue. The massive, darkly beautiful young man rarely lost his temper. Those who had seen it happen before, felt a shudder of fear for Marcus. The group watched as Yohan carried away his father. The study cleared as almost everyone followed on their heels.
~~~
The argument spilled into the split-level ballroom. Yohan shoved his father inside none too gently. The caterers and florists who were there preparing for the wedding, needed no coercion to leave the room. Fernando and Moses assured the family that everything would be fine and closed the ballroom’s double doors on questioning faces.
“Han please,” Josephine Ramsey urged her son, her hands clasped as she prayed frantically.
“Come on, Yo,” Fernando urged, using his own considerable strength to restrain his younger brother. “You don’t want to do this, man,” he whispered,
Moses tried as well. “He’s right, Yo. He ain’t worth it, man.”
Marcus’ dark eyes narrowed in surprise. He looked upon his sons with renewed realization and saw no trace of love in their eyes.
“Yohan please,” Josephine cried.
“You knew, didn’t you?” Yohan grated, his hands still gripping Marcus’ neck. “You knew what Houston did to Sera, didn’t you? Didn’t you?!”
“Afterwards,” Marcus gasped, “Later- much later, please-” he sputtered and coughed to catch his breath. “Please believe me, son.”<
br />
“I don’t believe a damn thing you say,” Yohan growled, his grip beginning to loosen. “I never would’ve lost her if I hadn’t believed every word that came out of your lying mouth,” his thoughts returned to his estranged wife Melina. “But Mo’s right,” he stepped away letting Marc drop. You ain’t worth it,” he muttered.
“We have to stick together,” Marc cleared his throat while massaging his sore neck. “The family-”
“Aw Pop, save that crap,” Moses urged.
“Yeah, Pop, I don’t think you got a leg to stand on with that family honor bullshit anymore,” Fernando added.
“What will happen to Houston?” Josephine asked her husband in hopes of shifting the conversation and steering male tempers from another flare-up.
“Ma, I think Hous is done for,” Fernando answered for his father.
“In light of this evidence, I second that,” Moses added, clapping Yohan’s shoulder as they stepped away from Marcus.
“You think they’ll match him to this semen?” Josephine watched her sons nod.
“It’d be pretty foolish of him to refuse giving the cops a DNA sample,” Moses continued, “it’d be almost like admitting his guilt. And then there’s Wake Robinson and Sera’s diary.”
“Where the hell it came from is what I’d like to know,” Fernando said.
“Sera’s mother probably gave it to Mick,” Moses surmised.
Josephine stumbled as though she were losing strength to stand. Her boys rushed to her side.
“Are you alright?” Yohan kissed her temple.
“Mmm,” Josephine nodded, managing a faint smile. “Just a bit light headed.”
Fernando’s gaze was intent as he studied his mother. His hand clenched unconsciously and he was suddenly overcome by the same rage that held his brother moments earlier.
“Fernando?” Josephine called taking note of her middle son’s distress. “What is it?”
Fernando leaned down to kiss her hand. “You relax. I’ll be back before the wedding, I promise.”
“Where you off to, man?” Moses asked.
Fernando slanted a glare toward Marcus who kept his distance on the other side of the room. “Some things I need to look into,” he said.
***
Quaysar and Tykira remained in the study long after everyone took off behind Yohan and Marcus.
Ty stood close to the door, shaking her head as she replayed the earlier scene in her head. Quay shook her ponytail in his hand, before pulling her back against his chest.
“Wanna tell me about it?” he asked.
Ty continued to shake her head. “I don’t think I could put it into words,” she marveled.
Quay bowed his head to inhale the softness of the perfume that clung to the fuzzy raspberry sweater she wore. “You sure you wanna be part of such a dysfunctional group?” he teased, but realized he was reluctant to hear her response.
“No Quay, I’m not sure,” she whispered, missing the helplessness and hurt that flashed in her fiancé’s beautiful deep-set eyes. After a moment, she turned in his arms. “But I am sure that I want to be a part of you. And since your family comes with the package, I’ll have to accept that.”
Quay closed his eyes as though he were giving thanks. “I love you,” he gathered her close.
“I love you too,” Ty giggled when she felt his fingers beneath her sweater. “What are you doing?” she laughed.
“Well if you gotta ask, I guess I need to try harder,” his lips brushed her cheek before suckling her earlobe.
Ty arched closer to enjoy the caress. Her nails grazed the back of his head and she shivered when his hands cupped both her breasts. Quay sought her mouth and favored her with a throaty kiss. Their moans rose in unison. Ty was loudest, her cries infrequently muffled as she thrust her tongue eagerly against his.
Quay’s brows drew close as a swell of emotion rushed him. Slowly, his fingers slipped beneath the waistband of her jeans. A second later, he’d unsnapped them and was lowering the zipper.
“Quay!” Ty gasped, pulling back at last. “Wait,” she shook her head, swallowed. “We can’t. Not now.”
The determination on his face offered no clue to whether he heard her or not. His tongue nuzzled within her mouth again, completely taking Ty’s mind off her protests. A shuddery sound lilted from her throat when his middle finger slipped inside her panties. He stroked her femininity with deep possessive thrusts that drenched his finger with her need.
“Quay,” she called, attempting to triumph over the sensational feelings stemming from the erotic caress. “Sweetie, there’s a house full of people.”
“And?” he backed her against the study door while his fingers continued to work their magic.
Ty surrendered briefly to the delicious thrusts that were dampening the middle of her panties and forcing her to powerful orgasm.
Quay’s sinfully gorgeous face was a picture of satisfaction. “You want me to stop?”
Tykira took several seconds to respond. “I-we should go check on things down there...”
With his free hand, Quay propped up her chin. “I have everything I care about right here.”
***
The next morning, Tykira woke to the sound of her mother’s humming. Bobbie Lowery flitted around the master suite removing wrappings from her daughter’s wedding gown, shoes and other accompaniments. Hearing her daughter’s yawn, drew her attention instantly.
“Hey sleepy, you excited about the big day?” Bobbie called, strolling towards the bed. “And just to be clear, I’m talking about your wedding day and not that mess yesterday.”
Ty laughed. “I know, Mommie.”
“Listen honey,” Bobbie took a seat on the edge of the bed. “I have no doubt of your love for Quay and I know he feels the same for you. But you have to know that in marrying him, you’ll be claiming all the Ramseys and they ain’t an easy lot to belong to.”
Ty was nodding. “I know Mommie. I had this very talk with Quay yesterday. Don’t worry,” she patted her mother’s hand. “The Ramseys won’t be in my door every night.”
“Precisely- and there are those in that family who dislike being shut out. Keeping to yourself, having your own life, being content with your husband without their involvement can rattle lots of feathers. You’re getting a pretty decent mother and father-in-law, but you watch yourself with the rest of those jackasses and be careful.”
Ty laughed louder that time. “Mommie! What would your employees say if they heard you?”
Bobbie waved her hand. “Forget em,” she drawled, joining her daughter in laughter as they shared a tight hug.
~~~
A sharp curse sounded in the otherwise silent area of Quest and Mick’s guest room just a few doors down from where Ty and Bobbie chatted. Michaela heard her husband’s outburst clearly. Her face was a picture of curiosity when she came rushing out of their private bathroom. Quest was on the phone and Mick waited. She listened, not able to gain much from the disturbing cell phone conversation. The moment he ended the call, she raised her hands to prompt his explanation.
“They lost Houston.”
“What? How?”
Quest shook his head and tapped his index finger to Mick’s chin when he passed her. “This is Savannah, baby. The family’s still got a lot of well-meaning friends down here.”
Sadness clouded Mick’s features and she took a seat on an armchair near the bathroom door. “I so wanted to tell Johnelle that we had Sera’s murderer behind bars.”
“I’m sorry you heard me on the phone,” Quest knelt to capture her hands in his. “I didn’t want this upsetting you.”
Mick smiled, watching him press kisses to the backs of her hands. “I’m fine. I’m fine,” she repeated when he looked up at her. “I worked hard to give Johnelle answers and she knows more today than she did before. Now, the only mother I’m concerned about is me.”
Her words were like music to his ears. Quest closed his eyes and rested his head in her lap.
>
***
Quay had journeyed to his grandfather’s smoking room for a drink alone. He’d been there little over fifteen minutes when his father found him.
“You better not be having second thoughts!” Damon teased, joining his son in the intimidating maple paneled room. “Tykira’s too beautiful to let get away. Besides, I’ve been rooting for this since you two were younger,” he shared.
“Dad,” Quay grinned, surprise tinging his words. “Since way back then?”
“You shouldn’t be surprised,” Damon poured a bit of burgundy and then waved the canister in Quay’s direction.
“I’m good,” Quay said.
“Anyway, it was easy to see how you two felt about one another.”
Quay’s lashes settled over his eyes as a wave of rage pierced through him. “Thank God Houston didn’t see it.”
“Do you really think he would’ve hurt her?” Damon leaned against the bar.
“I really do, Dad,” Quay replied without hesitation. “Girls I was interested in-we were just foolin’ around. Nothing like it was with Ty…it wasn’t love with them and they disappeared just the same. He had a hand in that too, I know it.”
“I knew he was capable of a lot of things, but never of an evil like that- to murder…” Damon shook his head as he strode over to his son. “I’m proud of you boy,” he clapped Quay’s shoulder. “You did everything you did to keep the woman you love safe from a monster.”
“And I almost lost her in the process.”
Damon leaned down, cupping the back of Quay’s head. “The operative word being almost. Just don’t let it happen again,” he landed a playful slap to Quay’s jaw.
Father and son shared a close hug for several minutes and then Damon pulled back.
“Let’s go get your lady,” he said.
***
The Ramseys Boxed Set Page 45
