The Ramseys Boxed Set

by Altonya Washington

  “Felix,” she whimpered when his fingers plundered her sex. “Felix, I can’t go with you.”

  He smiled then. “I know. That’s why I came to get something for the road.”

  An impressively long, impressively wide shaft claimed her then. Georgia could have slid down the wall were it not for Felix holding her there and taking her with a zeal that lasted well into the night.

  ***

  Josephine stood before the floor length mirror pulling her hair up into a ponytail as she often did before heading down each morning to make breakfast for Marcus. She bit her lip, freezing when he emerged behind her.

  “You’ll be late.” She warned when his hands covered her breasts and he began to lavish her neck and shoulders with kisses.

  “I think apologizing to you is more important than being late.”

  “Apologizing?” She faced him then.

  The probing dark gaze was soft as he watched her. “I was wrong to put that kind of pressure on you with that dinner party especially when you’d never given one before.”

  Josephine would’ve smiled at his words, but he was kissing her before she could make a move.

  “That’s why I’m giving you two months to plan the next one.” He said when he finally let his wife up for air.

  “The next one?” Josephine went cold beneath her gown.

  “I’m striking while the iron’s hot.” He headed into the closet to select a tie. “West just put me and Hous in key positions at Ramsey. I want to celebrate and make connections while I’m doin’ it.”

  Josephine eased down to the arm of the chair next to the closet. “But isn’t being in key positions connection enough?” She asked when he emerged from the walk-in area. Giving another party was not on her wish list.

  Leaning against the doorjamb, Marc lifted a brow at Josephine’s intelligent and candid query. “West also gave Damon a key position.” He said.

  “Damon? But isn’t he still in college?”

  “Damn right and makin’ good use of his education.” He held out two ties silently asking Josephine to choose. “He already convinced West to go ahead with some oversight department with him in charge.”

  Josephine nodded, hiding her smile as she moved close to assist him with the tie. She was beginning to understand the importance of this next party. Her husband was trying to buy loyalty, to ensure confidence and that secrets would be kept over whatever shady scenarios he had in mind for Ramsey’s future. Though she felt it best to keep quiet on that particular observation, she was too curious not to ask about the rest.

  “Marcus, why did you marry me?” She asked once he turned toward the mirror and observed her work on his tie. He turned quickly to face her and Josephine couldn’t tell if he was surprised or angry.

  “Obviously you intend to be in the spotlight with lavish parties, high profile meetings.” She took the tie they’d decided against and went to replace it on the rack inside the closet. “I’m neither lavish nor high profile. I think you’re going to be terribly disappointed.”

  She felt him behind her in the closet and breathed deep before turning. She easily deciphered the look on his face then as pity. She would have preferred anger.

  He kissed her forehead. “So innocent,” he muttered into her skin. “So perfect,” he leaned back to study her more intently.

  Marcus didn’t elaborate on the phrases. Silently, he thought how delicate she was. Non-abrasive. She was the kind who knew her place. The kind who would allow him to do what he needed without question, right by his side all the while. She’d be lovely, elusive, giving him respect and admiration in all the right areas.

  He kissed her again. “I married you because you’re the kind of wife a man like me needs.”

  Josephine watched her husband in complete bewilderment as he left the room whistling a happy tune.

  ***

  Houston arrived at work that morning feeling as though he were visiting a dream where he was completely invisible. This wasn’t the case of course, but he may as well have been invisible for when he arrived in the front office of Ramsey’s Youth Division his hand-selected assistants didn’t even register his arrival.

  Most were either seated around the big desk in the corner or draped over it while laughing over something his younger brother had said. More livid than he could ever recall being, Houston opened and closed the door with more force that time.

  Silence registered.

  Damon thanked the young women for their help and they all scurried off whispering hushed good mornings Houston’s way.

  “Morning Houston,” Damon greeted, slowly rising from his brother’s chair.

  “Why’re you here, D?”

  “Just interested,” Damon spanned the room coolly. “Lots of women here. Just wondering why no men made the cut.”

  “Does it matter to the troubleshooting department?” Houston’s top lip curled into a hateful smirk.

  Damon shrugged and stepped around Houston to further observe the office. “There are many more young black men on the street with too much time on their hands.”

  Houston rolled his eyes. “I’m sure they’re hiring in the manual labor division.” He turned to perch on the edge of his desk. “We need women who are used to the day to day grinds of office work. Most men would go crazy in a second with this sort of shit.”

  “Women, huh?” Damon eased a hand into his burgundy trouser pocket. “But these are girls, Hous. Barely out of high school.”

  Houston folded his arms over his salt and pepper suit coat. “That’s why it’s called the youth division.”

  “They only report to you?”

  “Why the hell are you here, D?” Houston’s voice was softer, more dangerous then.

  Damon’s calm was almost tangible. “West told you about my assignment.”

  “And just what do you think’s goin’ on here?”

  In truth, Damon had no reason to suspect his brother of anything…yet. The devil in him however, made him want to rile Houston to no end.

  “It’s just interesting that you’d take an interest in the…youth department. Doesn’t seem like your style.” His smile was playfully taunting.

  “You get the hell out!” The fact that Houston hissed the phrase did nothing to diminish its fire. He caught hold of his temper, but had already grabbed the attention of the assistant who was only making a pretense at work nearby to oogle Damon.

  “You got no business here,” he stepped close to whisper. “I don’t care what Westin or anyone else has to say.”

  “Did the same go for Pop? He collapsed right here in these very offices, didn’t he?”

  Houston stepped back, his face taking on an ashen quality. “What are you gettin’ at?”

  “Just curious.” Damon’s smile held no humor. His dark gaze relayed his suspicion. “I’ve always been curious. You and Marc hardly visited him in the hospital. I think you were only there once, right? Marc too.”

  Forgetting his unease, Houston moved close. Damon’s smile was more genuine then. The possibility of a physical encounter with his brother was exactly what he wanted.

  “This is mine, D. I’ll damn well have the respect that goes with it. Go sniff around for your own toy.” He left his brother with a disgusted look before walking off.

  Gaze narrowing, Damon nodded accepting the challenge more fully than Houston realized.

  ***

  August 11, 1967

  Dear Carmen,

  They took the bullet out of my arm. I lost feeling in it for a while but I don’t think they’ll have to amputate. I was sort of down about that. It could’ve been cool to have a robotic arm- I’d feel like some villain in a movie.

  Anyway, they’re gonna let me out of here just the same- honorable discharge and all. Everybody’s so jealous, but in a good way. They’re all real happy for me. I’ve made some good friends here. The guys are even giving me a huge send off when I finally get my walking papers. I’ve really made good friends here Carm, some of the be
st I’ve ever known. I pray I’ll have the chance to see them again.

  I’ve actually already been in touch with a friend back in the world (back in the States). He’s a doctor I met over here in Nam. He’s a good man. I’ve learned so much from him. He was highly decorated before he left. His life was his work; but he’s an old man and I was lucky enough to meet him before he left. Doc was eager to have a student to pass on his teachings so I did some work for him here and made a grip (a lot of money).

  Anyway, I won’t say more. I don’t want to jinx a good thing. I hope to see you soon, Carm. I miss you.

  Jasper

  ***

  Westin’s laughter was soft when he felt Briselle’s death grip clench on his arm. It was a third time it’d happened since they’d arrived at the annual gathering to welcome new businessmen to the area.

  “You know you’ve already charmed everyone you’ve met here tonight.” He spoke close to her ear while smoothing his hands reassuringly across her bare arms. “If anyone should be on edge it’s me. I doubt they’d spare me the time of day if it wasn’t for you.”

  “Stop.” She slapped his arm. “I know you’re just trying to make me feel better.”

  “Is it working?” He smoothed a hand across her skin where the V of the black dress dipped low in the back.

  Briselle stood on the tips of her pumps and kissed his jaw. “It’s working very nicely, thank you.”

  West nuzzled his nose against hers. “Anytime.”

  Briselle shook her head; for now was definitely not the time for him to be reassuring her. This was his time to shine and dazzle. She’d begun to realize over the time they’d been in Seattle that Westin Ramsey shined and dazzled without doing much more than simply walking into a room. The event that night was proof of that. The gathering was by invitation only and Briselle couldn’t help but notice she and her husband were two of the only two black people in the room.

  She’d stepped past the entrance doors that evening with suspicion clouding her brain. She couldn’t imagine why the Seattle Business Group would want Westin there- unless it was to gawk or make the white folks there feel charitable. Slowly, she began to realize that they wanted West there because he’d impressed them. The man was quickly growing a respected rep in the town. As a result, Ramsey’s rep grew just as quickly. Briselle could see it in the way everyone listened intently when her husband spoke. She heard it in their questions- everyone eager to pick his brain and even seek his advice on ventures they were thinking of starting.

  Of course, Westin Ramsey wasn’t the only pretty new face in the room that vibrated with conversation, the clink of glasses and the rhythm of jazz. The Seattle Business Group reached out to up and coming business people throughout the Northwest Territory; partly to lure them to Seattle which was still a growing city.

  In spite of all that, Briselle still wasn’t sure what to make of the group of seven olive-skinned males who drew boisterous laughter from everyone they spoke with. Aside from her husband and his brothers, beautiful was a word she’d never associate with men. Dammit all, if the seven charmers in her line of sight weren’t just as beautiful and just as dangerous looking as the Ramsey brood. What’s more, the seven olive-tones were headed right towards her and her husband which accounted for her death grip on West’s dark suit coat.

  ~~~

  “Natural resources,” Stone Tesano rounded out the list of his family’s interests which spanned throughout the States as far as Italy- the home of their ancestors.

  The seven were in Oregon then scoping out the area they’d often dreamed of exploring and cultivating once they were old enough.

  “Though some of us still aren’t quite there yet,” Gabriel Tesano teased Roman and Vale the youngest two of the seven.

  “Still, we’re all here because of our father’s insight.” Humphrey Tesano remarked while taking a swallow of the scotch he held.

  Pitch Tesano nodded in agreement with his older brother. “We owe it to the man to take our family as far and as high as it can go.”

  “Sounds familiar,” West grinned, “I tell myself the same thing almost everyday.”

  “That’s pretty clear Westin,” Aaron Tesano commended. “Ramsey’s name is all over the place. Your dad would be proud.”

  “We hope to follow your example, Westin.” Roman added. “Hopefully our generation can be the one that does it right.”

  “Hmph, just so it doesn’t take too long.” Vale cautioned, his dark eyes sparkling as he watched Briselle move up to kiss her husband’s cheek.

  “Fine business, fine wife, damn right your dad would be proud.” Vale added.

  Aaron joined in on the chuckling but his gaze held a dangerous glint. “Our little brother often speaks out of turn,” he clapped a hand none too gently upon Vale’s shoulder, “this time is no exception but I have to agree that she is a beauty, Westin.”

  The seven raised their glasses in a show of agreement. That time, it was Westin who leaned down to bestow the kisses Briselle’s way.

  ***

  “I can’t believe a fool like you is ‘bout to be an attorney!” Marc’s words were beginning to slur just a tad at the onset of a third round of drinks.

  Jeff Carnes raised his shot glass for what had to be the eighth toast of the night. “I gotta pass the bar first, man.”

  “Ha! Fool I hate to tell you, but we passed the bar a long, long time ago!”

  More laughter rumbled between the two friends and was interrupted only by the waitress who approached the table.

  “Get you or your friend anything else, Marc?”

  “I’ll let you know.” Marc’s sly wink was accompanied by a slap to the woman’s barely covered bottom.

  “So how’s married life treatin’ you?” Jeff watched the woman saunter off into the smoke-filled room.

  Marc shrugged, tapping his fingers to a few bars of Eddie Jefferson’s “Yardbird Suite” while his mood turned a tad somber. “’Bout what I expected, man. Rather boring.” He burst into another swell of laughter.

  “Lies,” Jeff shook his head. “I’ve seen Josephine. Life with her should be anything but boring.”

  “Oh don’t get me wrong, she’s damn good in the sack. Besides, I need her.”

  “Well there you go!” Jeff raised his shot glass in another toast. “Never thought I’d ever hear you admit to needing anybody.”

  Marc rolled his eyes. “Fuck that. I need her for the respect it’s gonna take to rise like cream the way West did.”

  “Man,” Jeff grimaced, reaching for the second glass of gin he’d ordered. “Don’t take the girl for granted. I seen that shit too many times at the firm. The attorneys I intern for make a fortune in divorces stemmin’ from all kinds of reasons. They all say the one thing that sparks all the drama is that the wives feel taken for granted.” He tipped the glass in Marc’s direction. “Just be sure that she knows you appreciate her.”

  Marc chuckled and reached for his suit coat hanging across the back of a chair. “I think every time she walks ‘round that big ass house or goes shoppin’ she knows how much she’s appreciated.” He pulled a handkerchief from the jacket pocket and mopped his brow. “All that ‘appreciatin’ takes loot. Lucky Charlt’s back in town with his money-makin’ ass.”

  Jeff groaned and signaled the waitress for a refill. “Be careful, man. That nigga’s no good- don’t want you goin’ down with him.”

  “Be cool Jeff. Ain’t nothin’ like that in the wind. Charlt just likes to share the wealth- literally.”

  Jeff sighed. “Just lookin’ out for you, brotha.”

  “Good.” Marc slipped a twenty inside the waistband of the waitresses’ shorts when she brought a refill to his bourbon in addition to Jeff’s gin. “So I guess when you pass the bar, you’ll be bringin’ me on as a client?”

  Jeff laughed. “Like you’d give a shit about any advice I’d have.”

  Despite the haze of a few drinks too many, Marcus sobered. “I’d definitely give a shit. I plan on
goin’ all the way here and I’ll need someone like you in my corner.” He extended a hand. “Can I count on you, man?”

  Jeff observed Marcus for a while before nodding and leaning over to accept the shake.

  ***

  Catrina had just finished up a meeting with Dawson’s Printing. Her intentions were to get a bit of advertising for Jeffries Catering- reasonably priced of course. While most of the town knew her father’s business, she wanted them to know Jeffries could handle the more elaborate business type affairs in addition to family gatherings and luncheons.

  The unexpected dinner party for Josephine Ramsey had already generated quite a surge in business for more elegant affairs. Catrina was certain that was just the tip of the iceberg.

  She was making a few notations on her pad while leaning against the hood of her cousin Steven’s Olds. The soft clearing of a throat, gradually tugged at her interest.

  Her lips parted and she suddenly felt a chill that had nothing to do with the black and white mini-dress she sported. “Damon,” she swallowed seeing him an arm’s length away.

  “It’s been a while.” His gaze raked her several times before he spoke.

  She smiled. “A long while,” she took in the subtle more striking changes in his features.

  “I wasn’t sure you were even in Savannah.” He moved closer.

  Catrina’s brows arched. “Have you been looking for me?”

  “Jeffries isn’t the same without you.” He leaned against the car.

  “I’ve been away at school.”

  “Georgia?”

  “North Carolina.” She tossed her pad through the open passenger side window. “A girl’s college in Greensboro. I’ll be heading back soon for fall term.”

  A muscle flexed in Damon’s jaw when he bowed his head and absorbed the news. “How’s your mother coping with her top grease dumper gone?”

  Catrina had to laugh. “Actually I’ve been promoted.” She shrugged. “Promoted myself, anyway. I hope to diversify my dad’s business.”

  “So you’re working for your dad’s business too?” Damon bit his lip the instant the question slipped past.