Femme Tales Read online

  When her mother passed away, Craig reacted with such heartbreak that Faith could almost believe her mother was right about him loving her after all. That lasted all of two weeks before the dollar signs blinded him to whatever he might have felt for her mother and the grieving widower became the smooth con artist once again. The biggest shock to Faith was to find out that Chenelle and Monet knew all along what their father had been doing. When her mother’s will was read, she had left everything to Faith. Craig was given stock they had invested in and two properties they purchased during their marriage, as well as what he had left in their joint back account.

  Monet was the one who outed them when she had angrily shouted at her father. “Three years and that’s all you got out of it for us?” Chenelle had been shocked by her sister’s outburst but couldn’t hide the look of guilt that followed when Faith looked at her.

  “Why do you all insist on wasting everyone’s time this way?” Faith asked.

  “Because my father deserves more than the pittance your ungrateful mother left him after he stayed with and cared for her when she was sick,” Monet said angrily.

  “Monet,” Chenelle said in warning at the dark look on Faith’s face.

  “My client did not come here to be, or to have her deceased mother, insulted,” Ezra said to the attorney across from him.

  The attorney cleared his throat nervously. “Yes, well, let’s get on with why we’re here. As Mr. Lawson is no longer able to stay in the home he shared with Mrs. Lawson—”

  “Ms. Shaw,” Ezra corrected him. “She kept her maiden name after marriage.”

  “Uh, yes, my apologies. Mr. Lawson would like to sell the home as he can no longer bear living there since Ms. Shaw’s passing.”

  “In spite of Mr. Lawson still living at the residence, the property is not his to sell. It was left to my client, and she has generously allowed Mr. Lawson and his daughters to stay there until they are able to find a place of their own,” Ezra said.

  “Yes, and my client is very appreciative of Miss Shaw’s kindness—”

  Faith snorted in derision and received a disapproving kick under the table from Ezra.

  Craig’s attorney glanced at Faith who met his gaze, not the least bit bothered by his stern expression. When he realized he had no effect on her, he turned back to Ezra.

  “As it is obvious neither Mr. Lawson nor Miss Shaw are interested in occupying the residence, we see no objection with selling the property. He is, of course, offering to sell the home via his real estate company with Miss Shaw receiving all monies made from the sale with a ten percent commission for Mr. Lawson.”

  Faith had heard enough. “You’re kidding right? You seriously cannot believe this is going to work?” she said to the attorney, then swung her glance toward Craig.

  Ezra placed a hand on her arm as she stood. “Faith,” he said.

  “No, Ezra, I can’t sit quietly anymore while this man continues to disrespect my mother and all that she worked for.”

  Craig looked down, not able to meet Faith’s angry gaze. “I loved your mother too,” he said.

  “You could’ve fooled me. Where were you that last month when she couldn’t walk into another room without needing to drag along her oxygen? Where were you when we sat at the funeral home making arrangements for her own memorial service and cremation? Where were you on that night in the hospital when she took her last breath?” She angrily wiped away tears. “None of you were there for her when she most needed it.” Her gaze landed on each of the Lawsons across from her. Monet even had enough heart to look a tad guilty.

  Craig looked up, tears glistening unshed in his eyes. “I couldn’t watch her waste away like that.”

  Faith laughed bitterly. “And you think it was easier for me to do so? That was my mother…MY MOTHER! Not some rich gullible broad for you to swindle. And don’t think she didn’t know. She knew all about you and she still loved you. If this is what you do to people you love, use them until they’re no longer of use to you, I feel sorry for you.”

  Faith picked up her bag. “I will not be selling my mother’s home, and I want all of you vacated from the house within the next three weeks.”

  “But we have nowhere else to go!” Chenelle said, speaking for the first time since Faith walked into the room.

  “You should have thought of that before taking my mother’s generosity for granted. If it had been up to me you would have been gone the day after her funeral,” Faith said before walking out of the office with Ezra following behind.

  They stood quietly waiting for the elevator, Faith doing her best to keep it together. As soon as the elevator doors closed, hot tears rolled down her cheeks. Ezra wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. She laid her head on his shoulder with a shuddering sigh.

  He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “Your mother would’ve been proud at how maturely you handled that.”

  “Thanks, Ez. Can you do me one last favor?”

  Ezra nodded. “Anything.”

  “Please make sure they’re gone before I get back from Turks and Caicos. I don’t know if I’ll be able to be so mature again if I come back from spreading Momma’s ashes to find them still there.”

  “Will do,” he said, giving her a quick squeeze before the elevator opened and they walked out into the lobby.

  * * *

  Cass sat back in the lounge chair on her private veranda listening to the demo of an artist Ebony had brought to her attention, and she could see why. The young woman was raw and reminded her a lot of Ebony’s early music. Like Ebony, she could sing and did her own hooks as well. Cass hit the pause button and jotted down notes in the notebook she carried on her at all times. Cass was old-fashioned that way, writing everything down. Ebony told her she needed to get one of those electronic notebook apps and just record her notes there, but there was something about feeling the pen in her hand, hearing it scratch across the paper as she wrote, and the crisp sound of the pages turning as she read back her notes that gave her a sense of comfort.

  Besides, writing relaxed her, which is what she was supposed to be doing right now instead of working. She looked out past the end of her veranda to where white sandy beach and clear blue waters lay, and all she could think of was the work that would be waiting for her when she got back to the office at the end of the week. Ebony and Stephanie had conspired and practically had her kidnapped to get her here. Cass had to admit they pulled a good one over on her. She had suffered a serious migraine after a three-hour meeting with battling artists Frenetic and Cree where they now had to arrange different studio time slots to get their collaboration finished in time for the album release. It was so bad Ebony had to take her home and put her to bed like some sick child. Cass was laid up for two days. Two days in which Ebony and Stephanie began their conspiring.

  When she got back to work, Ebony insisted they had to fly to Atlanta the next day to check out some underground rap artist. When Cass insisted Ebony go alone this one time she wouldn’t hear of it. Said it would save them the time of having to make two separate trips. She even offered to get a private jet to fly them there and back same day so Cass wouldn’t miss any more work. Cass gave in. Ebony told her she would meet her at the airport first thing in the morning. Cass got to Teterboro Airport and boarded the jet Ebony had reserved for them and got comfortable to wait for her.

  Ten minutes later, she got a text from Ebony telling her to “Enjoy your vacation” with a winking smiley face. Confused, Cass called Ebony instead of responding to the text. Just as Ebony answered, the flight attendant shut the door, smiled sweetly at her, and asked her to buckle her seat belt before disappearing into the front of the cabin.

  “What the hell is going on, Eb?” she had asked.

  Ebony chuckled. “You’re taking an impromptu and well-deserved vacation. Try and relax, Cass. Stephanie and I have everything taken care of here.”

  Then to Cass’s chagrin, Ebony had hung up.

  Cass stared at her phone
for a good five minutes before she realized the plane had begun its taxi down the runway. She sent one last text before takeoff to both Ebony and Stephanie threatening to fire them as soon as she got back from God knew where they were sending her to, then angrily slammed her phone down on the table. That’s when she looked at a folder that had been on the table when she sat down but she had ignored until now. She opened it and found a note from Stephanie.

  Since you insist on working yourself to death, we figured you should enjoy at least one week of sun and fun before you do. Don’t worry, Ebony and I can handle whatever comes up. Pure Music will still be here when you get back. We’re only doing this because we love you.

  —Stephanie

  Attached to the note was an itinerary with nothing but the word RELAX under each day of the schedule. Nothing telling her where she was going, which was not good for someone who always had to be in control of every situation. Once the plane was airborne, the flight attendant greeted her again with a mimosa, introduced herself, and told her breakfast would be served shortly. Cass tried to ask her where they were going, but she only suggested she sit back and relax; everything had been taken care of. Since it was obvious everyone was in on this plan but her, Cass reluctantly stopped trying to figure out what was going on because it had only given her a headache.

  After breakfast, Cass fell asleep and was awakened by the flight attendant notifying her that they would be landing soon. She looked at her watch and realized she had slept for three hours. When she looked out the window she was greeted by white sand and clear blue water.

  As she left the plane, the flight attendant handed her a rolling suitcase she recognized as her own that Stephanie must have packed for her, and told her to have a wonderful trip and that they would be here to take her home at the end of the week. At the bottom of the stairs, there was another attendant who welcomed her to Turks and Caicos, then escorted her to a waiting car at the entrance of the airport.

  When she arrived at the resort she was greeted by Serge, her own personal butler for the week, who escorted her to a beachfront villa she had all to herself. This was her second out of the seven days she was supposed to be here, and she still couldn’t believe Ebony and Stephanie had pulled all this off in a matter of days. After her massage this morning, she had grudgingly sent them a thank you via text and told them that maybe she wouldn’t fire them after all when she got back.

  Cass looked back down at her notes. Maybe she was working too hard. Here she was steps away from one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and she hadn’t stepped a foot onto it. Not giving herself a chance to change her mind, Cass went to the bedroom, put her notebook away, changed into a pair of turquoise and white floral print board shorts, a white cropped short sleeved fitted swim top, white and turquoise water shoes, and a pair of aviator sunglasses, and then grabbed a rolled beach mat Stephanie had managed to fit into her luggage. Cass realized after Serge had unpacked her luggage and put everything neatly in its place that her assistant was due for a raise. Not only had she packed the perfect outfits, accessories, toiletries, and other items Cass would not have thought of herself, she also fit it efficiently into one suitcase. Cass was in the kitchenette grabbing a bottle of water to take with her when Serge knocked on the door.

  “Good morning, Miss Cass. I was just stopping by to see if you will be having lunch in your room again, but it looks like you’re going to head out to the beach.”

  “Good morning, Serge. Yeah, I figured since I’m forced to take a vacation I might as well enjoy it.”

  “Sounds like a good plan to me. Can I get you anything? I will be happy to set up your lunch on the beach.”

  “Wow, you would do that?”

  “Yes, it comes with the package your friends kindly gifted you,” he said. “I can set it up on the sands close to your villa. If you let me know what you would like I can make sure it’s available at the time you would like.”

  She had just eaten a light breakfast of fruit, granola, and yogurt about an hour ago. “I’ll do lunch about twelve thirty, and why don’t you surprise me. I usually don’t have time to really eat lunch when I’m working. I have no food allergies and I love seafood and chicken.”

  Serge nodded. “I’m sure I can come up with something you will enjoy. I will see you then. In the meantime enjoy your walk.”

  “Thanks, Serge.” Cass grabbed her water bottle and headed out the veranda door.

  The strip of beach Cass walked along wasn’t as crowded as she expected. She wasn’t sure if it was because there were mostly private villas along the area or because it was the end of the high season, whatever the reason, she found she didn’t mind. It was actually a relief from the noise and crowds of New York City. She could see why so many of her associates bought property in the Caribbean to escape the rat race. When she got home she was going to have to talk to her attorney about looking into some properties. Cass found a nice spot to stop and sit for a bit before she headed back to see what Serge managed to have thrown together for her lunch. She laid her mat down on the sand under an unoccupied grass umbrella and watched a family frolicking in the water.

  Movement to the right of the family caught her eye as someone swam into view. As the person emerged from the water and walked toward the shore, Cass’s eyes widened in surprise. It was the woman from the subway walking toward the shore like a vision from an erotic dream. At that moment, dressed in a swimsuit, Cass thought the African goddess title she had given her when she’d first seen her on the train fit perfectly.

  As the woman stopped at a low beach chair about five feet from where Cass sat, she grabbed a towel and began drying herself off. Cass found she couldn’t tear her eyes away. The goddess filled out her bathing suit very well. The halter top cupped a set of generously full breasts above a small waist; the high cut leg outlined her long, shapely legs, and the bottom portion of the suit barely covered a generous, round behind. Cass took her time admiring the lush curves. As someone who spent a lot of time in the gym, Cass could tell by her tight body and muscles that the goddess did as well but not so much that it took away her feminine curves and softness. As her gaze made its way back up, it connected with the goddess’s full, lush-lipped smile and hypnotic, deep brown eyes. Cass realized she had been caught checking her out and grinned sheepishly, but she didn’t let her gaze drop from the other woman’s.

  “Have we met?” the woman called over.

  “Uh, no,” Cass said in surprise, not having expected the goddess to speak to her. She stood and began walking toward her. Play it cool, she said to herself as she slowed her gait into a cool saunter.

  As she walked over, Faith took that moment to check the other woman out. She had a smooth, golden bronze complexion and wavy jet-black hair cropped into a fade. She wore sunglasses, but Faith vividly remembered connecting to the brilliant hazel eyes beneath. She was a good six feet tall with a muscular build and tight swim shirt that emphasized small rounded breasts and a taut six-pack of abs. Faith could tell by the way the other woman’s shapely mouth turned up into a cocky grin that she liked the way Faith was boldly checking her out and liking what she saw.

  “I believe we took the same train once.” Cass offered her hand. “I’m Cass,” she said in introduction.

  Faith smiled. “Hello, Cass, I’m Faith.” She grasped the offered hand.

  “Small world that we would also end up on the same stretch of beach on a Caribbean island. Do you believe in fate, Cass?” Faith said, reluctantly releasing Cass’s hand.

  “I believe in coincidence, and I would say this was a lucky coincidence,” Cass responded.

  “Lucky for you or me?” Faith asked flirtatiously.

  With a mock serious expression Cass responded, “Let’s see, if I said lucky for you, then I would sound very cocky. If I said lucky for me, then that would sound like a pickup line. How about we’re both lucky to be on this beautiful island paradise instead of an overcrowded subway car.”

  “I can’t argue with tha
t. Well, I won’t take up more of your island time. It was a pleasure meeting you, Cass. Maybe we’ll see each other again on the train.”

  Cass gently grasped Faith’s fingers and, keeping her eyes locked with Faith’s, raised them to her lips and pressed a soft kiss on her knuckles.

  “I’ll be sure to look for you. It was a pleasure meeting you as well,” she said, then gently lowered and released Faith’s hand before turning to walk away.

  “Cass,” Faith called.

  Cass turned back to Faith.

  “I was just going to the restaurant to have lunch. Would you like to join me?” Faith assumed, judging by the solo setup she had under the grass umbrella, that Cass was traveling alone.

  “Actually, I have lunch being set up at my room if you’d like to join me there,” Cass offered.

  Faith quirked her eyebrow questioningly.

  “You’ll be perfectly safe. It’s being set up on the beach in front of my villa,” she quickly explained.

  Faith held back an amused smile at Cass’s discomfort. “That sounds much more inviting than the restaurant. I’d be happy to join you.”

  “Great, let me just grab my things and we’ll head there,” Cass turned and headed back to her beach set up.

  Faith took a moment to admire Cass’s backside as she jogged toward the umbrella, then quickly turned to put the few things she had brought with her into her beach bag. When she recognized Cass as the woman from the train, her flirtatious side decided to rear its coquettish little head, especially since she had thought about her frequently since then. The fact that it made an appearance today, of all days, was interesting.

  “Momma, I don’t have time for you to be playing matchmaker from heaven,” she said as she put on her swimsuit cover up.

  “Ready?” Cass asked as she walked over.

  “Lead the way,” Faith said.