Ebony Angel (32 page)

“Ebony invited me—after she apologized for Skeet showing his ass. I’m not mad at him. He’s protecting his family. Always has. He’s a good boy. She baked me a cake.”

“I’m glad Trae’s plan to come between you and Ebony didn’t work. That would have been tragic.”

“Be extra careful. Trae will be desperate now that he can’t keep you and Ebony apart. It would be the perfect time for you to have an accident. You hear what I’m saying? Stay close to Ebony and you’ll be safe.”

A chill went down Richard’s spine. “I’m not hiding behind Ebony.”

“Don’t go stupid on me now, Smoke. Put that ego of yours in check.”

“Okay. Fine. I’ll do it.” Trae had called him when he was driving to Rockford, cursing Skeet for butting in. Trae told him that he didn’t have a choice but to allow Ebony to pursue a relationship with Richard, and that he wouldn’t harm his family unless he told Ebony of his threats. Before he hung up, he said that the best man had won.

Trae’s phone call was surreal. Richard’s path to Ebony had been cleared, yet not cleared. He took a sip of coffee. Now it all made sense. Trae would arrange an accident.

Richard handed Skeet a bottle of beer, then took more books out of the box. He and Ebony had unpacked the boxes for the rest of the house. All that was left was the living room bookshelf.

He wasn’t sure he should confide in Skeet about Trae’s misdeeds. He trusted Skeet, but after hearing how he had put Trae in the hospital for cheating on Ebony, he didn’t know how Skeet would react. He didn’t want to be responsible for sending Skeet into a rage that might lead to murder. “Thanks.”

Skeet read through the titles on the bookshelf. “For what?” He alphabetized the titles by author.

“Me and Ebony living here is one amazing coincidence.”

“I’m only settin’ things straight.” He ordered the Asimov novels by series. “I’m gonna ask you something that doesn’t leave this room.” He stopped organizing the bookshelf and gave Richard his full attention.

“Go for it.”

“Tell me what actually happened between you and Trae. I don’t want to continue assumin’ shit.”

Richard averted his eyes. “Nothing.” He took a swig of beer, then set the bottle on the bookshelf.

“Don’t give me that shit. How about I tell you what I think happened? Trae threatened to kill your family if you went near Ebony.”

Richard choked.

“I’ll take that as a yes. I knew his obsessed ass was up to no good.”

“How long have you known?”

“Trae totally trashed his crib back when Ebony had that interview with Banks Consulting. He said he had changed his mind about giving her up to you. I told him to back the hell off. After he kicked your ass, I knew Trae needed to be dealt with.”

Richard’s mouth dropped open. “You had a hit put out on Trae!”

“Hell naw! Damn, man, what kind of person you think I am? Trae’s my dawg. Yeah, he’s crazy as hell, but he’s still my boy. I just kept interfering in his plans. There’s no way he can keep Ebony from pursuing you now. He’ll have to deal with it.”

“Not if he arranges for me to have
an accident
.” Richard made quote signs in the air.

“He won’t be able to find anyone that doesn’t have a connection to me in one way or another. He won’t want word to get back to me.”

Richard dragged a second box of books over to the bookshelf. His ribs still hurt from the beating, but he didn’t want to let on. “What if he had you killed?”

“You worry too damn much. He’s my dawg. He won’t kill me. And Ebony would never believe our deaths weren’t connected. He’s crazy, not stupid. Now what you gonna do about Ebony?”

“Trae said he’d stay out of my way, but I’m not sure what to do. I don’t trust him. I can’t push Ebony away or she’ll never take me back.”

“It’s time for me to have a man-to-man with him. I’ll make sure he knows I’m onto him and you’d better not have any accidents. I have one favor to ask of you, though.”

“Anything,” he grinned, “legal.”

“Got jokes, huh.” Skeet chuckled. “Seriously, though, don’t ever tell Ebony what Trae’s been up to. I’ll have him under control in a bit. I’ll make him face facts and get help.”

“Why don’t you want Ebony to know?”

“Short answer: to save her and Crystal heartache. What they don’t know won’t hurt them. Now what you gonna do about Ebony?”

“I love her. I can’t continue lying to her.”

“Did you settle things with your parents? That was a real issue between you two. You need to tell Ebony what’s going on. Have faith in her to understand and support you.”

“You’re right. She tried to get me to open up, but I kept putting it off. I should have told her a long time ago.” He selected a few books out of the box. “I think I’ll ask Ebony to take a trip to Texas with me. I need to introduce her to my parents. I might as well get it over with.” He smiled. “And I haven’t been with my angel in a long time. I can’t tell you how hard it was for me to stay away from her this morning. She was wearing this yellow sundress that…”

“Shut the hell up! Damn. I don’t wanna hear that shit.”

“She just…well…never mind.”

“You need to keep your horny butt in check. That’s another reason you’re in this situation. Hell, you don’t even know how to court properly.”

“Court.” He laughed. “You said court. What year do you think this is, anyway? Need I remind you she came to me this morning?”

“Okay, yuck it up. But until you show her you aren’t ashamed of her and that you think of her as more than a sex object, you’ll get nowhere with Ebony. I know my cousin.”

Richard stared at Skeet. “Ebony’s your cousin?”

“Hell, yeah. I can’t believe you didn’t know. Where the hell you been, man? Have you looked at us lately? Hell, Dan could be both of our fathers.”

“I guess I do have a lot to learn. Trae is gonna flip if Ebony agrees to go to Texas with me.”

“I’ll handle Trae. You just handle those hormones.”

“We’ll stay with Nonno. If he isn’t getting any, no one gets any.”

“You telling me that old fart’s still knockin’ boots? He’d better watch out using that Viagra shit. He gonna have a heart attack.”

* * *

Trae paced Ebony’s bedroom. “How the hell you gonna leave town with Smoke? Crystal needs you here!”

“Lower your volume or get out.” Ebony continued folding towels and stacking them on the bed. “You leave Crystal at least once a month. She doesn’t seem any worse for the wear. I’m sure she’ll live without me for a few days. I’d take her, but she doesn’t want to miss her last week of school.” She snatched a towel off the bed, snapped it out, then folded it.

He wanted to kill Richard, but his hands were tied. “And what am I supposed to do? Maybe I had plans.” Skeet had snapped on him about interfering in Ebony’s love life, and warned him that Richard had better not have an unfortunate accident.

“If Crystal is too much for you, Mom can keep her. I thought you would enjoy this extra time with her.”

He hit at the curtain. “Of course I want to keep her. Damn, stop twisting my words. When you comin’ back?”

“By Friday. Don’t forget we promised to help Skeet paint on Saturday.”

“Why the hell does Smoke need for you to go to Texas with him?”

“I’m tired of this line of questioning, Trae. Smoke is ready to confront his parents. He wants me there as moral support.” She shook her head. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Are you serious? Damn, woman, I thought we were getting back together.”

She dropped the towel she was folding. “I truly apologize for whatever I did to mislead you.”

Afraid of letting go, he pulled her into his embrace. “You didn’t do anything. It was all in my head. I’ll back off.” He had to find someone to arrange for Richard and Skeet to be in the same accident. Unfortunately, everyone he could think of had a link to Skeet. He’d have to search out of the Midwest.

“You’ll find the one meant for you.”

I already have.

* * *

Richard lay across the couch in Nonno’s living room, staring at the staircase. Exhausted from the flight, Ebony had taken a shower and was in the spare room, dressing for bed. They had discussed everything from their first memories, to how his smile went from perfect to crooked—though Ebony insisted his crooked grin was perfect—to how she felt about Dan being her father.

It was only 9 o’clock, but Nonno had already retired for the evening. Richard contemplated helping Ebony apply her sweet pea lotion. Nonno would never know. He crept up the stairs.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Richard spun around. “Nonno, you scared the hell out of me. I was about to check on Ebony. Make sure she didn’t need anything.”

Nonno raised a brow. “Get down here.”

“I thought you went to bed.” Richard returned to the couch.

“Leave that girl alone. What have you told her?”

“Everything.” He paused. “Skeet overheard your conversation with Mother when you first came to the hospital to see me.”

Nonno swiped his large hands over his toffee colored face, then took a seat in his favorite ladder-back chair. “I’m sorry I didn’t insist on Stephanie seeking help sooner. I allowed the family to live in denial.”

“You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m glad Ebony told me. It helps me understand Mother better.”

“How did Skeet overhear?”

Richard explained what happened, then continued, “I’m worried about tomorrow, Nonno. I don’t know how Mother will react to Ebony. You should have seen the way Gail and Bianca acted. The way they spoke. I was so angry and embarrassed.” He lowered his head into his hands. “I honestly didn’t realize how racist they are. At least I couldn’t admit it until I heard it for myself. If Mother is even half as bad as they…” he trailed off. “I won’t allow her to treat Ebony like that.” He shook his head. “I should have stopped Gail and Bianca.”

“I have faith in Stephanie.”

“Nonno…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you consider yourself black? I mean, you’ve always stressed that we’re Italian.”

“Of course I’m a black man. But I’m not African-American. Everyone can see I’m a black man. I love my homeland and sing its praises every chance I get. When I came to this country, I barely spoke the language. I gravitated to the Italian immigrants with whom I shared more common bonds.”

“Why did you move from Italy?”

“Your granny was dying. There were experimental treatments here that I prayed would save her life. After she died, I couldn’t go home.” The chair creaked as he leaned back. “I want to go home now.”

“You’re moving back to Italy?”

“After you marry Ebony, you’ll have to bring my great-grandbabies to see me.”

“Hello, gentlemen.” Ebony descended the stairs wearing a royal blue silk nightshirt that reached her knees and a matching robe.

“Did you find everything?”

“Yes, Nonno.” She sat beside Richard. “So what’s on the agenda for tonight, a DVD?”

“I’m tired,” Nonno said. “I’ll see you two in the morning.” He waved on his way out. “I’m a light sleeper, Richard.”

Richard laughed. “Okay, okay.”

“What was that about?”

He ran his hand along her leg. “He knows how much I want you.” He traced her soft lips with his finger. “I don’t want to, but I need to stop now.” He flopped back on the couch. They’d agreed to stay away from each other sexually until after he dealt with his parents.

She snuggled next to him. “I love you.”

“Not half as much as I love you.” He wrapped his arm around her, still dreading his mother’s reaction. “About tomorrow. If Mother says anything out of line, don’t feel that you have to hold your tongue.”

“Don’t worry, she won’t scare me away. I can take anything she can dish out.”

“I’m just not sure if you should come along. This battle is between me and her. It started before I knew you, and she’ll try to use you as its reason.”

“I know you aren’t ashamed of me. If you don’t want me to go, I’ll understand. You have nothing to prove.”

“I’m not sure what to do.”

“If you think I’ll increase the rift between you two, maybe I should stay behind.”

“Rift? We passed rift years ago. We’re at least a universe apart.” He was glad she would be behind him, whatever he decided. He held her hand close to his heart. “I heard you in the hospital when you went after Bianca and Gail. I’m sorry I didn’t speak up. I appreciate how you’ve always been willing to fight for me, but…” he stopped, not sure how to proceed.

“No apology is necessary. You were in no condition to take them on.” She grinned. “Don’t worry. I won’t go after your mother. I know this is your fight.”

Glad she understood, he hugged her closely. “I have to save myself this time, angel.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

“I should have put a stop to your treating Richard as a second-class citizen years ago, Stephanie,” Phillip chastised. He stalked across the study from the bookshelf to the couch. “I’m so disgusted with myself. I can’t believe I stood by and allowed this to happen.”