Gwyar Lake

By C Zinnia

This is a lesbian romantic suspense book.

Alette Grayson went to the Fortune Estate on Gwyar Lake to placate her cousin, Mary, not to witness a mysterious death. And certainly not to develop a crush on Mary's best friend, Rowena Fortune. And is it Alette's imagination, or does Rowena appear to be flirting with her? While Alette peruses her feelings for Rowena and through missing person's reports, Alette stumbles upon the bloody history of Gwyar Lake and learns how it ties to Rowena's father, Froth Fortune.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C Zinnia
• Release date: Jul 27, 2020

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391

Gwyar Lake

By C Zinnia

Copyright ©2020 by C Zinnia

All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition

Chapter 1

Edgar White used his trolling motor to guide his small, two-person fishing boat to a shadier spot on the currently tranquil Gwyar Lake. The trolling motor softly hummed as it worked, barely disrupting the water as the boat slid across its surface.

Even with his fishing hat, Edgar could feel the heat from the bright sun as it sat high in the beautiful cloudless blue sky.

There were blooming Dogwood trees showing off their white or dark pink flowers. There were other flowering trees decorating the landscape that Edgar was unfamiliar with. The sweet aromas from the various blossoms glided across the lake, blending with the water’s scent to create a wonderous odor.

He was grateful spring was the best time of year to catch Largemouth Bass. If it had been summer, he would have struggled to find a quiet spot anywhere on the lake. And the normal scents of nature would have been overpowered by gas and diesel smells that came from the watercrafts.

‘Fucking spoiled brats driving their parents' boats wide open,’ he grudgingly thought as he finished off his can of beer. He tossed the empty can toward the stern of the boat. He rummaged through his large, name-brand cooler to pull out another can of beer.

Although he grumbled about the obscenely wealthy WASPs, he knew Gwyar Lake would have never come to fruition without their scheming. ‘Especially Froth Fortune,’ he thought. ‘The evil bastard.’

He flawlessly cast his line into the water.

Pride swelled in his chest as he looked around Gwyar Lake again, drinking in its beauty. It had been twelve years since the dam construction had begun with the purpose of creating human-made Gwyar Lake. It took six years to finish building the dam and flooding the area to create the lake.

Within a year of its completion, the affluent from various parts of the country had flocked to Gwyar Lake and greedily purchased lakeside property and built grandiose houses and estates. The value of property at Gwyar Lake was ridiculously high compared to the other towns in the county that held middle- and low-class residents.

Froth Fortune was the driving force for both the creation of Gwyar Lake and its growth. Because of him, it took less than 15 years total to complete the entire idea, plan, and production of Gwyar Lake. He wasted no time building an apartment complex, marina, and plaza to bring in local small businesses and residents. He aptly named it Gwyar Plaza.

Edgar finished his beer and grabbed another can.

‘Froth Fortune,’ Edgar thought. Every increase in profit at the lake led to an increase in Edgar’s wallet. He had been on the board of supervisors when Froth first came to the county with the plan to create Gwyar Lake. It didn’t take long for Froth to buy over the majority of the supervisors. And the ones who refused-

Edgar shuddered.

There was no evidence, of course. But a few supervisors mysteriously resigned, and one died from a fall down the stairs at their home. The fact that all of these events occurred back-to-back left the unspoken realization from all of the supervisors that they, in essence, not only let the Devil into their town, but they gave Him way too much power.

Edgar had been on the board for five years before Froth darkened their door. He had freshly graduated from college and came back to his hometown, intending to change it for the better.

There were noticeable positive changes from the production from Gwyar Lake. There was a significant increase in job opportunities in a county that sorely needed them. There was also an agreement that portions of the ridiculously high property taxes at Gwyar Lake went to the only middle and high schools in the county as well as towards the recreational department. But there were also not so positive aspects.

Edgar knew pieces of its darker history and speculated it was a lot darker than even he perceived. He could never bring himself to look at his hands for fear he would see the blood on them. He couldn’t look himself in the mirror for fear of what he would discover living behind his eyes.

He ironically lifted his beer to the sky, silently toasting the man who made him wealthy at the piddly cost of his soul.

Before he could sip his beer, something rammed into his boat hard enough to pitch it over.

Edgar flew into the water.

Initially, he was dazed. He thrashed in the water as he tried to figure out which direction was up.

He blindly propelled himself in the direction he thought was upward.

His head broke the surface. He spat out the lake water and eventually caught his breath. He tried to stand, but the water was too deep. He watched as his beer can and fishing hat floated away.

He chuckled. Guess the bastard doesn’t deserve a toast. I wonder-

He was violently dragged underwater.

Blood pooled above where his body had once been as the water splashed chaotically.

Then the water stilled.

Blood slowly diffused into the water until it no longer appeared to exist.

Chapter 2

One month later . . .

Cletus Hodges spat brown liquid into his empty coke bottle. There was a small bulge at the bottom right side of his jaw, evidence that he was dipping. When are they suppose to show up? he asked Blake.

Whenever they decide to, Blake Hall said defensively. He glanced towards the cove where a wooden bench sat.

There was a dirt path that led away from the wooden bench and disappeared into the woods.

Blake knew the path led to a local park. She said ‘round ‘bout one. It ain’t even quarter till.

Cletus grunted in response. He spat into his empty coke bottle.

I thought you was going to quit, Blake said. He nodded towards Cletus’ coke bottle.

Cletus sighed. Don’t you go gettin’ girly on me, he said.

Ain’t nothing wrong with being concerned about your health, Blake snapped. Your ugly mug don’t need no oral cancer to eat away at it. Remember what happened to my papi?

I remember, Cletus said, immediately feeling guilty for how he spoke to Blake. I ‘ppreciate your concern.

Blake jerked his head in acknowledgment of Cletus’ wordless apology. He cast his fishing line.

That was a terrible one, Cletus said mildly. He was wearing a plaid blue and orange flannel shirt and a nice pair of jeans that covered the tops of his cowboy boots. His blond hair was combed back, and his face was cleanshaven.

Yeah, it was, Blake said, grumpily. He was dressed equally nice. He was glad he was able to go to the barber that morning. His dark hair was cut and styled, and he was sporting a goatee.

Where did you meet her again? Cletus said.

Over at the tackle shop, Blake said.

And they said to meet them here? Cletus said. He gestured to the cove their two-seater fishing boat was sitting in.

For the millionth time, yes! he said.

Don’t go shouting at me. I’m just making sure since they ain’t here, he said.

Blake rolled his eyes. You need to learn patience, he said flatly. They still got ten minutes.

Cletus grinned. We both know I’m the definition of patience. It’s why I’ve gotten twenty to your fifteen kills, he said.

You have done that, he said. He looked around and sighed. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was feeling impatient too. He hardened when he thought of the way she had pressed her body against his as she ran her fingers through his hair. He liked a forward woman. He hoped her friend wasn’t quite as forward. He knew Cletus liked the more submissive type.

Cletus frowned, glancing at the time on his phone. Well, if they don’t show up, we’ll just-

Bam!

Something rammed the boat, tossing them into the water.

Cletus popped out of the water, sputtering. What was that? he said. He looked around. Blake? Blake! He dove underwater, desperately searching for his friend.

He came face to face with a copious row of sharp jagged teeth.

He screamed, but the water muffled it.

On the surface of the water, a small cloud of blood appeared that slowly melded with the lake.

Chapter 3

Two months later . . .

Maybe I should change out of my bikini when we get there, Mary muttered for the hundredth time during their half-hour drive.

No, Alette said simply.

But you aren’t wearing a bikini, Teti, Mary argued.

"Because I don’t like bikinis. You do. The yellow complements your skin, and the cut on the bikini gives you good cleavage. And it makes your ass look bigger, Alette said. I’ve never led you astray before, have I?"

Mary bit back a smile. No, she said. But it’ll make me stand out.

And? You said you wanted to stand out, Alette said. "Which is why we went shopping yesterday after I had a long day at work to find you your perfect bikini."

What if Ro doesn’t like it? she said.

Alette rolled her eyes. "Has your best friend ever said anything to you to make you think she wouldn’t?" she asked.

"No, but she is a Fortune," she said.

And you’re a Grayson. We all have last names, Alette teased. And you’re the one who said she doesn’t act like a stuck-up elitist. That’s the only reason I’ve agreed to join you, remember?

But her other friends-

"Can go fuck themselves, and I’ll tell them as much if they make any snide remark towards you. Got it, Alette said fiercely. And who cares what they think anyway? Do you?"

Mary laughed. You’re right. I know I’m being ridiculous, she said. Her eyes glowed as she looked at Alette. I’m glad you’re joining me.

Well, I couldn’t put off meeting your best friend indefinitely, could I? she said.

It’s been three years, so you’ve done a pretty good job, Mary said wryly. "And that’s with me inviting you to come visit us at our dorm multiple times. Don’t think we didn’t notice that you always picked the times she was on a trip to come see me."

Alette flushed. She was quiet for a moment. After seeing that you haven’t changed who you are to fit in with them, I’m willing to try it out, she said as she rubbed her forearm nervously.

‘And the flowers helped,’ Alette admitted to herself.

‘You know she had someone in her staff pick them out,’ another part of her thought tersely. She quickly pushed her thoughts aside.

I guess I was worried they’d be rude, and then I’d have to defend myself, and then you’d lose your friendship and hate me for all eternity, Alette said.

Hey, I would never hate you, Teti. She is my best friend, but you’ll always be my best cousin, Mary said lovingly. And if they ever said anything remotely inappropriate to you, I’d put them in their place.

Alette chuckled at the thought of non-confrontational Mary putting anyone in their place. Still, Alette appreciated that Mary thought she could be brave if someone were ugly to Alette. Good. I’ll try to ignore the fact that I’m your only cousin, Alette joked.

Mary pulled into a driveway and immediately stopped at the large, imposing security gate. With her window already rolled down, she leaned over and pressed the intercom button.

Hello Miss Grayson, an authoritative bass voice said.

Hello, Steve, Mary chirped. I’m here with my cousin, Alette Grayson. She should be on the list.

She is, he said. Hello, Miss Grayson.

Um . . . hello, Steve, Alette said.

And I brought extra chocolate chip cookies, and Alette made extra cream cheese brownies for you guys, Mary added.

Score- Steve immediately cleared his throat. See you in a bit.

The gate opened for them.

As Mary drove through the gate and down the long, stone driveway, Alette couldn’t help but whistle at the property.

Holy fuck, they really are billionaires, Alette whispered. She looked at the Greystone Mansion and other buildings and snorted. Are they housing all of the residents in the county? No one needs a house this big.

Get it all out before we get out of the car, please, Mary begged.

Alette raised her hand, gesturing to the mansion. "The cost to build this house could have fed how many children? Given how many homeless people a home? Could have helped with how many medical bills? Could have contributed to how much of an increase in teacher’s salaries? In minimum wage?

Froth is probably the type of egotistical fuck who claims he’s a self-made billionaire, but there’s no such thing. A billionaire is an immoral, arrogant person who willingly exploits their workers for personal gain. I bet his bottom-rung employees at his corporations are on food stamps even though they work more in a week than he ever has. And he probably has the audacity to claim that if they want a living wage, they should work elsewhere, but he wouldn’t be able to have what he has if it wasn’t for said employees that he fucks over and claims that it’s just good business. Jesus, this is absurd! She took a deep breath and smile at Mary. Okay, I think I’m done for now, at least. If I get another wave of incredibility, I’ll excuse myself to one of the apartments- I mean bathrooms.

Mary chuckled. Some of the bathrooms are the size of a studio apartment, she said. But Rowena is really kind. She’s just- You have to meet her.

So you’ve said, Alette said. But you’ve got to admit, if she continues the cycle like her dad of not paying living wages and hoarding money that’s meant to circulate, then she’s not kind.

Mary nibbled her lip. From what we’ve talked about, she doesn’t want to be like her dad, she said.

Alette hoped Mary was right only because she knew it would crush Mary if her best friend turned out to spout out nothing but false promises and bullshit.

Mary parked behind a Ferrari. Looks like Trey is here, she commented. He’s a friend of Chad’s.

Alette resisted the urge to comment on a twenty-something-year-old having a Ferrari. Chad is Rowena’s brother, right? Alette said.

Yes, Mary said as they got out of the car. He just graduated college this spring.

Miss Grayson, Miss Grayson, a short, broad, muscular man with an earpiece said as he joined them.

Alette blinked. She was surprised to find him in khaki shorts and a red shirt. His black tattoos on his arms and legs stood out on his warm, brown skin. He had a grin, showing off one dimple. Three other equally imposing men stood behind him.

Hi, Steve, Mary said. She looked at the men behind him. Hi, Jeremy, Bill, Dexter. Her cheeks pinkened when she said Dexter’s name.

Alette looked up at Dexter, noticing that he was the tallest of the four.

Dexter wore a yellow sleeveless shirt that complemented his cool, tan skin. It also showed off black tattoos that covered his left arm and disappeared under the fabric. He had long, coarse, curly dirty blonde hair pulled back in a thick ponytail.

Dexter had a broad smile on his face that reached his sparkling brown eyes. Hello, Miss Grayson, he said warmly. He had a pleasant tenor voice.

Mary’s cheeks turned pinker. She glanced towards Alette.

Alette raised her eyebrows.

Mary quickly thrust a plastic shopping bag into Steve’s hands. Your goodies are in there, she said rapidly.

Awesome, Steve said. He acted like he hadn’t noticed the interaction or building tension between Dexter and Mary. He rounded on Alette. Nice to meet you in person, Miss Grayson.

Please, call me, Alette, Alette said.

He shook his head. No can do. Goes against our rules, he said. Glad to see you haven’t received a speeding ticket since you were eighteen.

Alette’s mouth dropped. She realized she shouldn’t be surprised. You had to do a background check for security clearance, she said.

He nodded. Can’t be too careful, especially with a woman who writes blogs blatantly arguing against the elite, he said. His tone was casual, as though they were discussing the weather.

She grinned. Blame your mom, she’s the one who inspired me in philosophy class, she said.

His eyes widened, and then he laughed. How’d you know? he said.

I went to Dr. Hodges’ office more than once to discuss papers and saw your picture, she said.

I can appreciate your observational skills. Y’all enjoy yourselves, Steve said. He nodded to the three behind them.

Dexter glanced back and waved at Mary, who blushed as she waved back.

The security guards left.

Alette chuckled at Mary’s involuntary pout.

Not a word, Mary threatened.

"No promises, but now I understand why we just had to go bikini shopping, Alette said. He’s good-looking."

He is. And polite, Mary shyly said as she touched her hair.

Mary! a voice called happily.

Ro! Mary said as a tall, athletic woman with warm tan skin and long honey blonde hair engulfed her. The woman’s dark blue bikini bottoms hugged her well-formed ass.

Rowena picked Mary up and spun her around as they laughed.

‘That’s Rowena?’ Alette thought. ‘More like Amazon. No wonder she excels in sports. She’s all muscle.’ She had seen pictures of Rowena before on Mary’s social media pages, but seeing the Amazon in person hit Alette a different way. Alette felt her body physically respond to Rowena. She internally rolled her eyes. ‘You better calm down,’ she told her groin. ‘Because nothing’s going to happen.’

Alette’s groin ignored her.

Rowena pulled away and looked at Alette.

Alette couldn’t help but notice the bikini made Rowena’s dark blue eyes pop out even more.

Rowena smiled and extended her hand. It’s nice to finally meet you, Alette, she said.

Nice to meet you too, Rowena, Alette said as she shook her hand. She was pleased by how warm and strong her hand felt. Her groin pulsed.

‘You calm down,’ she scolded herself.

She noticed Rowena studied her face for a long time, but it didn’t surprise Alette.

Alette had dark olive skin that was interrupted throughout her body by patches and spots of pale skin. On her face, she had a perfect pale circle of skin that encompassed her left eye. It made her left and right eye color appear vastly different even though they were the same shade of dark brown.

Do y’all need to go to the house to change into bathing suits? Rowena asked.

Before Mary could respond, Alette said, We already have them on.

Mary closed her mouth.

Rowena noticed the interaction but didn’t comment. We have alcoholic beverages, juice, soda, and water down at the bar on the dock. We also have snacks. If you get hungry and want a bigger meal, I can have our chef prepare something, just let me know, she said.

Alette was proud of herself for keeping her mouth closed about the Fortune’s having a private chef.

We brought cookies and brownies, Mary said to Rowena as she gestured to the bag Alette was holding.

Allow me, Rowena said. Her hand lightly stroked Alette’s as she took the bag.

Alette ignored the flash of heat that rippled across her body. ‘For the love of God, Alette, you will not respond like this to a woman because her staff sent you flowers, and she has a nice ass and warm hands,’ she reprimanded herself.

‘You can’t help who you’re attracted to. You can only control your actions,’ Cindie’s voice rolled through her head. ‘Look at the attributes that drew you to the person. Determine if they are unhealthy patterns you need to address in your subconscious or if they are positive qualities that are beneficial to have in a partner.’

Alette was grateful for the reminder from her therapist. She was being too hard on herself about her attraction to Rowena.

Your cookies are the best, Rowena said to Mary. She glanced at Alette. Did you make the brownies?

I did, Alette said.

I bet they’re delicious, she said.

Alette didn’t respond as she followed Rowena and Mary to the Fortune’s private dock.

The sounds of watercrafts roaring echoed across the water, rolling towards the private cove that led to Froth Fortune’s estate. The engine noises were barely drowned out from sounds of laughter and music blaring from speakers attached to the elaborate bar on the Fortune’s private dock.

Alette paused, taking in the size and build of the dock. It was an expensive, well-maintained dock that jutted into the cove. She also noticed the security cameras strategically placed to capture every angle of the dock and lake.

The water looked pristine.

Is the cove West to your estate? Alette asked.

Rowena was surprised by the question. It’s not my estate, but Dad’s, she said simply.

Alette could hear the lack of love Rowena had for her father.

It is West to his estate, Rowena added.

It’s probably the perfect spot for sunsets on the water, Alette said.

The comment made Rowena smile. It is, she said.

‘Her dad thought of everything when he built this,’ Alette mused.

Chad, Chase, Chip, and Trey boomed with laughter as they fought to try to throw each other off the dock and into the lake.

Rowena pointed them out as she said their names.

Chad was the only one who said ‘hi’ quickly to Mary and Alette before he grabbed Chip and tossed him into the water. Chad noticed Rowena carrying a bag and hurried over.

Alette noticed the Fortune siblings looked a lot alike. They were roughly the same height and built, but Chad’s face was rounder, his body less toned, and he had vibrant, brown eyes.

Mary, did you bring your cookies? he whispered.

Yes, and Alette made brownies, she said.

He looked at Alette. I love brownies, he said enthusiastically. I’ll get them all on a plate. He held out a hand to Rowena.

Rowena eyed him suspiciously as she gave him the bag.

Chad rushed to the bar and pulled out the Tupperware containers. He opened the one containing the brownies. He picked up and carefully inspected a cream cheese brownie before he took a bite. Oh my god, this is amazing, he moaned while closing his eyes in rapture. He opened them for a moment to look at Alette. You can come back anytime.

Alette laughed. Thanks, she said. She noticed the others on the dock.

Courtney, Cathy, Chloe, and Amanda watched the men roughhouse from their various perches on the dock. They were slathered in oil as they sunbathed in their expensive, flattering bikinis.

Would you like something to drink? Rowena asked. Her eyes twinkled as she glanced at Mary. Some mango daiquiris, maybe?

You make the best ones, Mary conceded. But not as many as last time.

Yes, ma’am, Rowena said. How about you, Alette? Would you like one?

Sure, Alette said.

Fantastic, Rowena said. "Make y’allselves comfortable