Forsaking All Others

By J.R. Masterson

The powerful young warlock named Dorian Masters had to put aside his grief over the loss of his child and the mother of that child. Her deceitful games brought about their destruction. He would continue the almost endless battle against the Collins family as they tighened their control over the city of New York. They alone had started this bloodbath of death. He had showed Derrick love and selflessly saved his life. Now he was the world's top male supermodel with killer looks and a soul to match. That selfless act would make one of them go on a killing spree across the country. Everyone thought she had died. But she was back and this time she was eliminating all obstacles, his male lover,an ex-girlfriend, the current girlfriend;a former prostitute and most of all his meddling half-sister. This time she was deadly serious! Families,enemies and friends would take sides in this struggle to the death. Somethings were not as they appeared. Love,betrayal, lust and more blood would push them all to, Forsaking All Others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 3, 2009
• ISBN: 9781440108273

Book preview

Forsaking All

Others

J.R. Masterson

iUniverse, Inc.

New York Bloomington

Forsaking All Others

Copyright © 2009 by J.R. MASTERSON

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-4401-0826-6 (pbk)

ISBN:978-1-4401-0827-3(ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

iUniverse rev. date:05/21/2009

Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank God for all my many blessings. This project is dedicated with love to my late father, James C. Workman, and to my mother, Ora Lee Workman, one Hell of a woman. I would like to especially thank Ms. Candace Marshall for all of her invaluable help and patience in the delivery of this baby. A thank you goes out to Mrs. Rosslyn Samuels for her constant helping hand whenever I needed it. To the late actress, producer and business woman, Joan Crawford, whose presence on the silver screen has stimulated and stirred me for over thirty years, rest in peace. Last, but not least, I must thank iuniverse for their professional guidance with this project.

Chapter 1

He stood alone in the cemetery against the gray heaven’s downpour. He had come here again for the last time. He had come to visit those that he had lost. He told himself that he would cry no more, because he had shed enough tears. Looking down at the three graves, he wept once more. Falling to his knees, he cursed Heaven and Hell. Squeezing the earth’s soil between his fingers, he left the cemetery for the last time.

There was a great deal to be done before the slate was clean and the score was even. Tonight he would take the first crucial step. Downtown in a large warehouse an assembly of the city’s crime lords was in progress. How long will it be before they close us down? We all have large operations. But none of us compare to the Mafia and look what’s happened to them? Loud arguing voices echo throughout the warehouse. Alright, alright, everybody shut up, rings out the crime lord called Kremlin. If anyone of you are listening, I want to give you all some facts about who we are up against. I had my boys check out these people. The loud voices lowered to small whispers as he began to speak. They are one huge family spread all over the world. Their connections are internationally known. They deal in every aspect of the business world and underworld. You have read and seen what this war between them and our fellow associates has done to our individual territories. Everything from reasoning with them to putting out contract hits on them has been done.

Wait a minute, you mean the entire Mafia can’t get rid of four people? This is ludicrous. Lower your voice Tate and sit down! I know it’s unbelievable, but we’ve all seen the burnt down warehouses, the bodies and the way they operate. Some of the killings were so savage it made a contract hit look tame in comparison. Somehow we’ve got to unite and stop them. The assembled men roar in agreement.

Hidden in the shadows, one man shakes his head in pity. From the back of the warehouse, he comes into the light. Hold it right there!, a voice yells out. Guns are quickly drawn and aimed even quicker. Calm down, I asked him here says Tate. He could be one of them, someone yells out. Okay, Tate, what is this all about? You fools put away those guns, orders Kremlin. Slowly, the lone figure walks to where Tate is standing. Young man, your face looks familiar to me. Come into the light so that I can see you better. Kremlin, this is Dorian Masters, and he is the one man who can stop all of our problems. Tate, you should have let me know that Dorian was coming here. I knew his mother and miss her every day. I am still upset to this day of her untimely passing, and he has helped me in the past so I should have been privy to this.

I wasn’t even sure he would show up. But let’s at least hear what he has to say. As Tate set down, all eyes fell upon the lone standing figure. The family you are up against are called the Collins. They are mindless killers with great power. Their killings date back to the 1600’s and before. The reason they can’t be stopped or defeated by the Mafia or your organizations is because you are dealing with things beyond your knowledge. My family has fought them from generation to generation. Stay out of the way. Give me no interference and I shall take care of all of them that have come to our city. As they begin to ask questions he disappears into the darkness.

Rain continues to beat the New York streets as he finally arrives home. Taking off his clothes he sets in front of the fireplace. The three long weeks had been very hard on him. He had alienated himself from the outside world, sharing his grief with no one. Now it was time, no matter how painful for him, to get on with his life. He had purposely kept all his friends away, for he needed time alone to sort out his feelings. Time to figure out what paths to take. Now he would begin to stitch up the torn fabrics of his heart. Hearing a scratch at the terrace door, he gestures for it to open. As the glass door slides open, a small cat comes running hurriedly in. I am sorry, he says picking up the cat and holding him to his chest.

The Collins twin inter-conglomerate buildings towered above the city as an architectural Monolith and a powerful symbol. The penthouse floors were lit up with lights and verbal chatter. Who the hell does he think he is? His business is in Washington, D.C., not my city. Calm down, Taurin, maybe he wants to visit our city. Astra, my dear sister, if you were more attentive to other things and less with your appearance, you would have told me yesterday when he called." Putting away her lipstick, she grunts at her older brother and rolls her eyes.

The older brother known as Taurin walks around with a drink in his hand while looking out over the city through the smoke colored windows. My city, he said as he turned and looked at his younger brother. Well, Lasar, don’t you have something to add to your sister’s foolish words? No, Taurin, I believe he is up to something. We all know how he has always rebelled against the old ways of our family. Pouring himself another drink, Taurin set on top of his crystal and black marble desk. Right, Lasar, our cousin is very self-destructive. I hope for his sake he is just coming to visit. I would really hate to have to kill him if he challenges me. His eyes stare into space. Astra and Lasar just Stare at each other.

In California heated discussions of another kind take place. The loud voice is coming from the tenth floor of the Gibson Cosmetic building. All I would like to know is why? First her mother killed herself. I always knew her mother was a little unstable. Now she wants to run the company. She doesn’t know anything about cosmetics other than what she sees in the department stores. I resent her presence here. No one in the conference room says anything as Claudette Magnin goes on and on.

Down the hall the object of her indirect remarks is in her late mother’s office. She is lost in her thoughts. She had known that her mother had owned at least four companies. She was shocked when she found out that it was actually ten. This was the only one that seemed troubled. Sales had been dropping very strangely and products were being recalled prior to her mother’s death. The books were not balanced and back taxes were owed. This was her mother’s first business venture and she wouldn’t let it die without a strong fight. Closing her folders she drifts back to thoughts of Dorian.

She had asked him to come along but he refused. She needed him. But she understood what he was going through. Piling the orchid-colored folders in her arms she closed the door behind herself. As she got about half way to the conference room, the door opened slightly. Good evening, I hope I didn’t keep you all waiting too long. They were all staring at her as if she was a ghost. Now that that’s over with, let’s get down to business, she said smiling.

Clearing her voice, Claudette Magnin quickly spoke. I have all the proposals and the necessary forms from the companies that have put in bids to acquire your mother’s company. Extending the folder to Kelly she forces a smile to her face. Thank you, Miss Magnin, that is our first priority. Taking the folder she drops it in the trash. Everyone at the long table looks relieved except Miss Magnin. I have reviewed our current status. We need a great deal of work. But we are far from beaten. My mother would’ve wanted it no other way. With a controlled tone Claudette Magnin spoke slowly after taking a drink of water. Excuse me Miss Gibson but I worked with your mother and this company for many years. Although I am all for fighting when the time is warranted. I don’t think it wise to fight a losing battle. Where are we going to get the necessary capital to pull ourselves out of this hole that we are in? The banks have turned down all past loans.

Setting down Kelly Gibson looked at each face stationed at the table. That is true Miss Gibson, a man at the end of the table says sternly. Capital is not our problem, using it constructively is the problem. We will streamline our current products. With everyone’s help we will push our lesser productive items to the forefront. The After Dark line is doing very well. So we will just continue with it’s regular promotion. Miss Gibson, what about the After Dark II line of products which was started a month ago, will it continue as well? Thank you for bringing that to my attention, Mr. Monroe. Sales have been slow. But this is a promising line of cosmetics for all ages. You have been progressing tremendously on this line by yourself. I would like to talk to you later with my plans and get your input. Miss Gibson, I see you have covered almost everything. However, you didn’t mention the Images set of finer cosmetics which was my brainchild. Will I get the approved budget to start the second phase of my line? All development on that line is to be stopped until I have reviewed it further. Claudette Magnin’s mouth dropped open and she struggled to ask, Why?

I will discuss this with you later, Miss Magnin. I look forward to working with all of you as a whole and individually as well. Everybody have a nice day. Collecting her folders she shook hands with a few of the board members as well as some other staff members before descending the hall to her office. Claudette Magnin waited until she and one other person was left in the conference room before she let out a muffled scream. Closing the door she looked at him with utter contempt. You only said one thing the entire time that meeting was going on. I made a lot of promises to a lot of people and she just comes along and pulls the company out of the hole that took me so long to dig. We got to figure away out of this before it is too late. I was sizing her up the man says taking out a cigarette. She’s done her homework. She knows the business and if she finds out all that we have done, I don’t even want to think about it."

Taurin Collins contemplated the future of his growing empire. He was not a man accustomed to failure or being taken for granted. But now there was the idea of failure, defeat. He knew his cousin’s purpose for coming to visit him. Mockingly, he could hear the short direct lecture that would unfold just enough to plague his nerves. Smashing his glass on the floor he went to prepare.

Sergeant Brann set alone in the office he had sometime shared with his mentor, Garrette Lord. For personal reasons he had left the force and the ball was totally in Sergeant Brann’s court. Reviewing Garrette’s private files he knew that only Dorian could help him. The Commissioner had given him the manpower and the authority to do whatever he felt should be done. All he could do was wait until Dorian’s return.

Thank you, operator, I will try that number again later. Pulling the long black veil back over her face, the woman went to the window and peered out onto the street. Don’t cry, she whispered as she rocked something in her arms. Your father will be home soon, she said with tears in her eyes.

The rain continued falling and the streets remained clear. Only a few ventured out onto the dampened streets. A young woman fought with her thoughts of revenge as the rain came down faster. The Collins twin buildings were right in her eyesight. Bringing down the massive structures would take just a fraction of her powers. She had promised herself she would make them suffer for their crimes. Indecisions tangled her thoughts. Shutting her eyes, she called upon the elements to do her will. The wind began to pick up speed. Thunder screamed and lightening sliced through the black blanketed heavens.

Opening her eyes, she realized she wouldn’t do it. She wanted to, but something held her back. The woman known as Snow St. Clair walked away with the wind dying around her. As night fell upon the New York skyscrapers, the rain begun to stop. See, Kristen, the rain has stopped. It’s about time, Ilona. Rain for three weeks ruins our business. Nonsense Kristen the girls have been doing very well. Our gentlemen are always pleased. I am going to check on our special guest, to make sure he is comfortable." Watching the other girl leave she goes down a hall with mirrors on it and knocks softly on the door before entering.

The night air was becoming warmer and the skies clearer. She continued to walk the dimly lit streets wondering why she didn’t release her rage. Tears formed in her eyes as visions of the past invaded her mind. She could see Dorian and his cousin, Drake locked in a struggle of death. The large house burnt around them yet they fought on. Letting her tears fall from her eyes the visions faded. An early morning fog lightly covered the city as Snow St. Clair entered her apartment suite.

From within the Collins building, Taurin Collins waited the arrival of his cousins. Last evening was the first time in many years that sleep had eluded him. His nerves would be on edge until his cousins left his city. Astra walked into the room trying not to be noticed for once. Setting in her usual leathered chair she carefully inspected her brother from behind. Are you going to say something or are you just going to sit there and stare Taurin asked still facing the window. I know you have a great deal on your mind with all that’s transpired over the weeks and with Janus coming.

You are correct Astra. I have a lot on my mind. Tell me why are you up so very early? Normally you’re the last to awaken. Teasing her hair with a comb she crosses her leg and smiles. Oh, no reason. I just felt like getting up that’s all. Walking to his desk Taurin glares at