Until the End of Time (36 page)
Read Until the End of Time Online
Authors: Melanie Schuster
“
Andrew, you aren’t supposed to be here—this is nearly over with. Adam, get him out of here.” It had been agreed that these two would not be anywhere near WWCC when this meeting took place because Andrew’s stake in the matter was too high; he had reason to want to do bodily harm to Bailey. And Adam was wild enough to welcome a physical fight, something that was clear to every man in the room, despite his relaxed, almost casual posture. His brother may as well have not been speaking for all the attention Andrew paid him.
Andrew, you aren’t supposed to be here—this is nearly over with. Adam, get him out of here.” It had been agreed that these two would not be anywhere near WWCC when this meeting took place because Andrew’s stake in the matter was too high; he had reason to want to do bodily harm to Bailey. And Adam was wild enough to welcome a physical fight, something that was clear to every man in the room, despite his relaxed, almost casual posture. His brother may as well have not been speaking for all the attention Andrew paid him.
“
I may not be a lawyer, but I understand slander when I hear it. If you ever, in word or deed, malign my fiancée again, you will regret it,” he snarled, pushing Bailey in the shoulder. Adam, his face still impassive, grabbed his brother’s arm to prevent more of the same.
I may not be a lawyer, but I understand slander when I hear it. If you ever, in word or deed, malign my fiancée again, you will regret it,” he snarled, pushing Bailey in the shoulder. Adam, his face still impassive, grabbed his brother’s arm to prevent more of the same.
“
Hands, Bunchy. You’re a surgeon and you need them,” he noted. His tone suggested that he would be more than happy to use his own fists.
Hands, Bunchy. You’re a surgeon and you need them,” he noted. His tone suggested that he would be more than happy to use his own fists.
Donovan finally grasped the danger that he was in. He looked around frantically at the imposing figures facing him down and he knew true fear for the first time. He tried to make his way to the door, bluffing as he went.
“
It’s my word against hers,” he insisted. “You can’t prove anything, so it’s all just hearsay. Just a frustrated woman who couldn’t have me, so she tried to bring me down, that’s all it was…”
It’s my word against hers,” he insisted. “You can’t prove anything, so it’s all just hearsay. Just a frustrated woman who couldn’t have me, so she tried to bring me down, that’s all it was…”
Andrew’s hands around his throat cut off his words. The men who weren’t already standing came to their feet to pull Andrew off the idiot, but once again Adam prevailed. Using all his strength, he jerked his brother’s hands away from the hapless fool and let him collapse to the floor.
“
Bunchy, it’s not worth it. Leave it! Come on, man, it’s not worth it,” he urged as he led him away from Bailey who was giving every appearance of knocking on death’s door. Adam walked over to the man and actually helped him stand. He helped him straighten his jacket and handed him the handkerchief that had fallen to the floor. Speaking in a deceptively calm voice, he suggested that Bailey leave the building while he was able.
Bunchy, it’s not worth it. Leave it! Come on, man, it’s not worth it,” he urged as he led him away from Bailey who was giving every appearance of knocking on death’s door. Adam walked over to the man and actually helped him stand. He helped him straighten his jacket and handed him the handkerchief that had fallen to the floor. Speaking in a deceptively calm voice, he suggested that Bailey leave the building while he was able.
“
You know, these men are all reasonable, respectable members of the community, which is why they’re so civilized. But I,” he grinned and looked truly dangerous for the first time, “am not a respected, world renowned surgeon, or the head of a corporation, or an officer of the court. I’m self-employed and answer to no one and I would take great personal pleasure in rearranging that pasty face of yours,” he offered quietly.
You know, these men are all reasonable, respectable members of the community, which is why they’re so civilized. But I,” he grinned and looked truly dangerous for the first time, “am not a respected, world renowned surgeon, or the head of a corporation, or an officer of the court. I’m self-employed and answer to no one and I would take great personal pleasure in rearranging that pasty face of yours,” he offered quietly.
Donovan had backed up to the door of the conference room by then and was frantically grabbing for the knob. When he felt it in his hand, he turned it as quickly as his sweaty palm would allow and jerked it open.
“
You people are crazy! You’re all crazy. You can’t threaten me! I’ll sue—I’ll sue every single one of you crazy bastards! You think you can threaten to do harm to me and get away with it? I warned that bitch—I told her what would happen if she messed with me! Now she’s gonna pay and you’re gonna pay,” he swore.
You people are crazy! You’re all crazy. You can’t threaten me! I’ll sue—I’ll sue every single one of you crazy bastards! You think you can threaten to do harm to me and get away with it? I warned that bitch—I told her what would happen if she messed with me! Now she’s gonna pay and you’re gonna pay,” he swore.
That was enough to get Andrew into action. When he heard the word ‘bitch’ he pushed his way through the assorted Cochrans and Deverauxes. His fist connected with Bailey’s jaw as soon as he stopped speaking. Bailey hit the floor and Andrew stood over him flexing his hand.
“
Go near her again and I’ll kill you,” he said murderously. Heedless of the crowd of employees that had responded to the noise from the conference room, Andrew left with Adam close on his heels. The fact that Adam’s booted foot connected with Bailey’s leg as he struggled to a sitting position was in all likelihood an accident.
Go near her again and I’ll kill you,” he said murderously. Heedless of the crowd of employees that had responded to the noise from the conference room, Andrew left with Adam close on his heels. The fact that Adam’s booted foot connected with Bailey’s leg as he struggled to a sitting position was in all likelihood an accident.
***
The reception that Renee had planned for Andrew that night was no accident, however. She returned to Detroit on Wednesday. Arriving in the early afternoon, she had just enough time to put her plan into action. She was filled with a sense of purpose and renewal; the power was hers again. Yolanda was right, and Andrew had been right, also. There was nothing to be gained by continuing to hide behind the past. Telling the truth, no matter how painful, was curiously liberating. Telling the truth would indeed shame the devil and that was precisely what she was going to do. She took the girls out for a brief constitutional and truly enjoyed their antics for the first time in a long time. After racing home with the eager little dogs, she got her bag from the car and unpacked rapidly. Tonight would be a night of relaxation, conversation and passion for Andrew, she had decided, and it was long overdue. Along with a few other things, she mused as she looked around the house. Here it was, the second week of December and she didn’t have one bit of holiday decoration anywhere. Well, that could be remedied rather quickly.
There was a huge artificial tree in the basement that she and Bennie had used for several years. There were also boxes of ornaments and other trimmings at the ready. Glancing at the clock, she realized that she didn’t have time to pull a ‘Martha Stewart’
and
create the perfect evening for Andrew, but she could get some flowers and a couple of wreaths and at least get some kind of holiday feeling going. And she could have a casual tree-trimming party that weekend with Andrew’s nephews and niece. They’d love it and it had been far too long since she’d hosted his family. With that settled, at least in her mind, she went into overdrive. Throwing on her coat, she bade goodbye to her startled doggies and dashed to the car. In two hours she was back, laden with packages and feeling like Queen of the World.
and
create the perfect evening for Andrew, but she could get some flowers and a couple of wreaths and at least get some kind of holiday feeling going. And she could have a casual tree-trimming party that weekend with Andrew’s nephews and niece. They’d love it and it had been far too long since she’d hosted his family. With that settled, at least in her mind, she went into overdrive. Throwing on her coat, she bade goodbye to her startled doggies and dashed to the car. In two hours she was back, laden with packages and feeling like Queen of the World.
“
I’m back,” Renee sang out. The little dogs were as always, happy to assist with whatever their human was up to, and she was happy to inform them.
I’m back,” Renee sang out. The little dogs were as always, happy to assist with whatever their human was up to, and she was happy to inform them.
“
First, we’re going to put these lovely wreaths on the doors. See? Nice big pink velvet bows, aren’t they pretty? And then, we’re going to set these poinsettias out. I like the pink ones best, don’t you? So much more sophisticated, yet traditional.”
First, we’re going to put these lovely wreaths on the doors. See? Nice big pink velvet bows, aren’t they pretty? And then, we’re going to set these poinsettias out. I like the pink ones best, don’t you? So much more sophisticated, yet traditional.”
Patti and Chaka barked their approval as Renee arranged the flowers and quickly dispatched the wreaths to their new homes.
“
Now, we are going to fix a lovely dinner for Andrew. We’re having red-pepper bisque for a first course, then deviled crabs and a nice little filet mignon with those tiny red potatoes and spinach salad to follow. Doesn’t that sound yummy?”
Now, we are going to fix a lovely dinner for Andrew. We’re having red-pepper bisque for a first course, then deviled crabs and a nice little filet mignon with those tiny red potatoes and spinach salad to follow. Doesn’t that sound yummy?”
It sounded way better than Puppy Chow, apparently, as the eager terriers tried in vain to beg some of the food from Renee. She ignored them as she quickly put the meal together. It had the dual advantage of being a beautiful and tasty meal as well as one that could be prepared ahead. While she cooked, Renee put several albums of Christmas songs on the multidisc carousel of the stereo system and sang along. The feeling of release and freedom had also imbued her with a sense of joy that she had not felt in a few weeks. She felt so blessed in so many ways; she had a man who loved and supported her, friends and family who cared for her and her well being and a career that was exciting, fun and rewarding. She had been so bound up by guilt and fear for so many years that she had forgotten what was really important in her life, in anyone’s life-- love, friendship, and family.
Well, I won’t be forgetting again
, she vowed.
I
will
have that attitude of gratitude that makes for a grateful spirit. I’m a lucky woman and I am going to make Andrew feel like a
very
lucky man tonight.
But, as the poet once said, the best-laid plans can often go awry and tonight was no exception. Whatever Renee had been expecting, it was not to see her handsome Andrew leaning on his brother Adam in the kitchen doorway. He was wearing an extremely silly expression and was obviously three sheets to the wind. Renee raised an eyebrow and looked to Adam for an explanation.
, she vowed.
I
will
have that attitude of gratitude that makes for a grateful spirit. I’m a lucky woman and I am going to make Andrew feel like a
very
lucky man tonight.
But, as the poet once said, the best-laid plans can often go awry and tonight was no exception. Whatever Renee had been expecting, it was not to see her handsome Andrew leaning on his brother Adam in the kitchen doorway. He was wearing an extremely silly expression and was obviously three sheets to the wind. Renee raised an eyebrow and looked to Adam for an explanation.
“
Well…we had a kind of a, well…I guess we were celebrating,” he offered lamely. “Andrew will explain everything tomorrow, I’m sure.”
Well…we had a kind of a, well…I guess we were celebrating,” he offered lamely. “Andrew will explain everything tomorrow, I’m sure.”
Andrew in the meantime had transferred his weight from Adam to Renee and was trying to kiss her when he could get her face in focus. “I can explain now,” he said grandly. “I’m not as think as you drunk I am,” he added in the precise, lofty speech of one who isn’t used to heavy drinking.
“
Ye gods and little fishes,” Renee said with asperity. Her lovely reconciliation dinner would have to wait now, plus, here was her poor fiancé sloshed to the gills. “Well take him upstairs, Adam; he can’t sleep on the sofa, his back would be in knots. And I certainly can’t get him up there by myself.”
Ye gods and little fishes,” Renee said with asperity. Her lovely reconciliation dinner would have to wait now, plus, here was her poor fiancé sloshed to the gills. “Well take him upstairs, Adam; he can’t sleep on the sofa, his back would be in knots. And I certainly can’t get him up there by myself.”
With a bit of bobbing and weaving, they managed to walk Andrew upstairs and deposit him on the bed in Renee’s room. After assuring him that she could handle things from here, Renee walked Adam downstairs. She looked at him carefully to make sure that he was sober before turning him loose.
“
Renee, I only had one and that was hours ago. And I have a feeling that Andrew is going to feel like hell in the morning since he really doesn’t drink. But tonight, well, he...he’ll explain everything tomorrow,” Adam said for the second time. Adding to her mystification, Adam suddenly grabbed her and hugged her hard. He gave her a big kiss on the cheek and said, “Love you, sis,” before leaving.
Renee, I only had one and that was hours ago. And I have a feeling that Andrew is going to feel like hell in the morning since he really doesn’t drink. But tonight, well, he...he’ll explain everything tomorrow,” Adam said for the second time. Adding to her mystification, Adam suddenly grabbed her and hugged her hard. He gave her a big kiss on the cheek and said, “Love you, sis,” before leaving.
Renee stared at the back door for a few moments before putting away the food from the postponed dinner.
Things are getting stranger and stranger around here. What was all that about?
Things are getting stranger and stranger around here. What was all that about?
Chapter Twenty One
The next morning, Andrew was almost sure he was dead. His head seemed to be encased in cement and sharp pains were stabbing him all over his chest. Worse yet, he was apparently bleeding from unseen head wounds as he could feel a warm, wet stickiness over his face. He moaned loudly, which caused keen yipping sounds to penetrate his thudding eardrums. A final warm, wet swipe dangerously near his mouth was the thing that made him force his eyes open. He peered into the happy smiles of Chaka and Patti and groaned. Their little toenails provided the stabbing chest pains and their drooly little tongues accounted for the wetness on his face.
“
How did you two get in here? Where is Renee? And what happened to my clothes?” he asked plaintively as he realized for the first time that he was naked under the rumpled bedclothes. Renee appeared in the doorway, the answer to his prayers and his questions.
How did you two get in here? Where is Renee? And what happened to my clothes?” he asked plaintively as he realized for the first time that he was naked under the rumpled bedclothes. Renee appeared in the doorway, the answer to his prayers and his questions.
“
I put them in here to wake you up. And I took off your clothes when Adam brought you home last night, drunk as the proverbial skunk,” she said cheerily. She was carrying a tray, which she sat on the upholstered bench at the end of the bed. “Drink this,” she said briskly, with no apparent concern for his fragile state. She thrust a glass of Alka-Seltzer at him and the look in her eyes dared him not to consume it. He pulled himself to a sitting position and drained the glass, grimacing at the horrid taste. Handing the empty glass to Renee, he noticed that she was dressed for work. And she looked fabulous, as always. Her hair had grown quite a bit over the past months and soft tendrils caressed her neck and face, while the rest was artlessly arranged in loose curls. She was wearing a festive cream sweater with sequins and a mid-calf red wool skirt that had an enticing slit up the back. Just the sight of her made him drool; he was about to compliment her when the seltzer kicked in and the result was a huge belch. He was terribly embarrassed, which was sweetly endearing to Renee.
I put them in here to wake you up. And I took off your clothes when Adam brought you home last night, drunk as the proverbial skunk,” she said cheerily. She was carrying a tray, which she sat on the upholstered bench at the end of the bed. “Drink this,” she said briskly, with no apparent concern for his fragile state. She thrust a glass of Alka-Seltzer at him and the look in her eyes dared him not to consume it. He pulled himself to a sitting position and drained the glass, grimacing at the horrid taste. Handing the empty glass to Renee, he noticed that she was dressed for work. And she looked fabulous, as always. Her hair had grown quite a bit over the past months and soft tendrils caressed her neck and face, while the rest was artlessly arranged in loose curls. She was wearing a festive cream sweater with sequins and a mid-calf red wool skirt that had an enticing slit up the back. Just the sight of her made him drool; he was about to compliment her when the seltzer kicked in and the result was a huge belch. He was terribly embarrassed, which was sweetly endearing to Renee.
“
Renee, I am sorry. Please forgive me,” he began, stopping when he was cut off by a wave of her hand.
Renee, I am sorry. Please forgive me,” he began, stopping when he was cut off by a wave of her hand.
“
I appreciate the apology, Andy, but bodily functions are a fact of life and something we have to get accustomed to from each other. I plan to stay married to you until the last breath leaves my body, so I am sure that you will have occasion to see me in a state that is somewhat less than my best,” she said graciously. She neared the bed and made as if to kiss him, but he pulled away hastily.
I appreciate the apology, Andy, but bodily functions are a fact of life and something we have to get accustomed to from each other. I plan to stay married to you until the last breath leaves my body, so I am sure that you will have occasion to see me in a state that is somewhat less than my best,” she said graciously. She neared the bed and made as if to kiss him, but he pulled away hastily.
“
Dog spit,” he explained, wiping at his cheeks. And some lethal halitosis. My mouth feels like I’ve been licking the bottom of a hamster cage.”
Dog spit,” he explained, wiping at his cheeks. And some lethal halitosis. My mouth feels like I’ve been licking the bottom of a hamster cage.”
“
Well, you’d better go brush before you drink this,” she suggested, holding up a big glass of tomato juice. The juice was as vibrant as her skirt and the mere thought of it made Andrew squirm.
Well, you’d better go brush before you drink this,” she suggested, holding up a big glass of tomato juice. The juice was as vibrant as her skirt and the mere thought of it made Andrew squirm.
“
Oh, you’ll drink every drop,” Renee assured him silkily. “This will put you right back on your feet. And perhaps when I return from work you can give me an explanation for last night’s performance, amusing though it was. I’ve got a long day at the salon and since I’ve been gone for two days, I have a whole heap of work to catch up on.” Blowing him a kiss, she returned the glass of tomato juice to the tray and was about to leave the room when Andrew remembered the reason for his drunken tear.
Oh, you’ll drink every drop,” Renee assured him silkily. “This will put you right back on your feet. And perhaps when I return from work you can give me an explanation for last night’s performance, amusing though it was. I’ve got a long day at the salon and since I’ve been gone for two days, I have a whole heap of work to catch up on.” Blowing him a kiss, she returned the glass of tomato juice to the tray and was about to leave the room when Andrew remembered the reason for his drunken tear.
“
Renee, there’s something I have to tell you. It’s about yesterday and it’s something you need to know now,” he said uneasily.
Renee, there’s something I have to tell you. It’s about yesterday and it’s something you need to know now,” he said uneasily.
“
Baby, it’s gonna have to wait—I’ve got to get to the salon. I’ll be leaving there at about 8 tonight and I’ll come straight home. Unless you want to meet at your place.”
Baby, it’s gonna have to wait—I’ve got to get to the salon. I’ll be leaving there at about 8 tonight and I’ll come straight home. Unless you want to meet at your place.”
After Andrew agreed to come to the house, she made another passionate kissing sound at him and was gone before he could protest. Andrew lay down with a groan and stared at the ceiling. After the confrontation with Donovan Bailey, he and Adam had gone to their favorite dive bar and he had proceeded to get roaring drunk, something he never, ever did. By instinct, Donnie knew where they would be and he brought Clay and Martin as well as Andre and Alan and they had made quite a party of it. Adam had thoughtfully stayed sober to play chauffeur and had apparently brought him here last night, although Andrew was fuzzy on those details.
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