On the heels of that thought, three more people arrived. A man with ivory skin and jet black hair and eyes was introduced to the Steeles as Emile Moreau. With him was a thin, elfish young woman with sand brown skin and bourbon-colored eyes. Her hair was hidden beneath a green head wrap stylishly accented with gold beads and cowrie shells. Her name was Alma, and when she was introduced to him, her poker face reminded him of Raven’s. The third person, Bethany Moreau, was a woman of towering height and build. She appeared to be about Raven’s and Lacie’s age. Wearing a gold head wrap and a flowing black caftan shot through with threads of gold and red, she had the presence of an ebony-skinned African deity. Her beauty was blinding.
“Pleased to meet you,” he said, finally finding his voice.
“Same here,” she replied, assessing him coolly.
Hazel offered them the same informationshe’d given Renay about the unwanted partnership with Welch, and the new arrivals eyed Brax speculatively, especially upon hearing about the pretend marriage and his gambit inexperience. He braced himself for more derision but it never materialized. Instead, a discussion followed centering on items like travel logistics to Charleston, the size of the house, its possible layout, and the places his father’s drawn portraits might be shown to ferret out information on Detective Welch’s current presence in the city. Most of the talk was led by Raven. Answering questions, proposing scenarios, and deferring to those with a better idea, she had all the competence of a general preparing subordinates for battle, and he found her impressive. He wondered how long she’d held the role, and from whom she’d learned. Being inexperienced in such a situation, and thus unable to contribute anything of value to the conversation, Brax remained silent, watched, and listened.
A short while later, Hazel proposed they meet again the following day. “Before Raven and I leave for Charleston, I need to know what games you’re running and where you’ll be, so I can tell Vana and Eden.”
After that, the gathering came to a close. He met Raven’s eyes across the room but she held his only long enough to turn her attentionback to her conversation with Alma. He and his father had yet to secure a place to sleep for the night, and he needed to get together with him so they could discuss lodging. He thought now might be a good time since he was tired from the day, and neither of them had eaten since arriving on the train from Boston with Welch. Before he could move, however, a voice stopped him.
“Mr. Steele, Emile and I would like to speak with you for a moment, if we may.”
He turned to face Renay and Emile, and wondered what this might be about. “Of course.”
“Let’s step out onto the verandah.”
Brax followed them outdoors and heard children’s laughter from somewhere below. “What do you wish to discuss?”
Renay took the lead. “Raven.”
“What about her?”
Emile asked, “You will keep her safe?”
He glanced between the two and noted their concern. “To the best of my ability, I will not let her come to harm.”
“As her male cousins, it’s our duty to ensure she’s protected.”
“Understood.”
Renay added, “You will not harm her personally.”
He knew what that meant. “She and I have discussed the boundaries of this pretend marriage. I’m a man of honor. I’ve never forced myself on a woman and don’t plan to do so with her. You have my word.”
They seemed satisfied with his pledge. Brax didn’t take offense at their questioning. He was a stranger to the family, after all, so he understood their need for reassurance. “Were I in your position, I’d be asking the same.”
The dark-haired Emile appeared impressed. “I appreciate that.”
“As do I,” Renay added.
The cousins each held out a hand, and Brax shook each in response. Their trust seemed genuine, and he felt as though a portion of the wall dividing him and the family had been partially dismantled.
“Are you three out here planning my demise?” Raven asked, stepping out to join them.
The smiling Renay and Emile turned her way and replied in unison, “Yes.”
Braxton remained silent. By the affection in her voice and manner, it was obvious the two men held a special place in her heart. He, she undoubtedly wished elsewhere, and as illogical as he knew the question to be, he wondered what it might be like to have that affection for himself.
Giving Brax a cursory glance, she asked her cousins, “Did he pass muster?”
The men looked his way and again replied as one. “Yes.”
“Since we all lie for a living, I’ll take you atyour word.” Addressing Brax, she added, “Just be careful, Steele. If they corrupt you, you’ll never forgive yourself.”
That said, she went back inside.
Brax sighed. “Is she always so tough?”