Bethany's Blessed Bliss: The Necromancer Book 1

By T A Malone

Bethany Minnelli, a health nut and privileged college grad, is living the good life in Philly...until her Uncle Joey is murdered. He’d been like a father to her, so when the police investigation stalls, she travels to the small town of Dorwick in hopes of finding his killer. There, her image of Joey unravels as his friends become her enemies and his secrets are revealed. Stolen gold from Iraq is at the root of this evil, and their quest for Joey’s hiding place pits Bethany against forces from beyond the grave. She learns she’s a necromancer; she can talk to the dead, but her powers are weak and her enemies are strong. A wolf, with secrets of his own, joins her in battle as The Darkness sets her on a path of revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TWB Press
• Release date: Nov 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781944045999

T A Malone

T. A. Malone kept a journal while attending Saul High School in Philadelphia, and he took several writing courses at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. He then used his writing skills to develop his professional career in Texas as a corporate manager/trainer and teacher. A good friend once told him to start writing, but he didn’t heed her sage advice. However, when he tore his left quadriceps muscle, forcing him to stay at home, he decided to write his first novel.A proud husband and father of two, Malone hopes to leave an indelible mark on the world of erotic fiction.

Book preview

Bethany’s Blessed Bliss

The Necromancer Book 1

By

T.A. Malone

Copyright by T.A. Malone 2022

Published by TWB Press at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this story (e-book) may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or book reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidences are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any actual person, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Edited by Terry Wright

Cover Art by Terry Wright

ISBN: 978-1-944045-99-9

Dedication

To Angela, Daniel, and Jazmine.

CHAPTER ONE: Fuck Up My High

A knock on the door.

Joey rubbed the salt and pepper hairs of his beard. That better be Ben, he muttered, smiling as he stood from his barstool and tugged on the tails of his red and black flannel shirt. He opened the door. It’s about motherfucking time.

Ben Nash held out a box of donuts. My man Joey.

And you bought some sweets. He took the box then spread his arms wide. Bring yo’ ass on in here.

The crisp night air bit at his cheeks as Joey embraced his long-time friend.

Ben brushed snow from his sandy brown hair and stepped inside. Callum and his boys are coming too. He took off his shoes.

Oh yippee. Joey’s tone was less than enthusiastic as a red truck with oversized wheels parked beside Ben’s sleek red coupe. The truck’s headlights switched off. That motherfucker is seriously overcompensating.

Maybe so. Ben chuckled as he walked into the living room and looked at the occupant of the sofa with some surprise. Zach?

The young black man sat in front of the big-screen TV with a video game controller in his hands. Oh, what up, Ben? His grin was wide as he glanced at Ben and then went right back to his game.

Ben looked at Joey. I thought it was just you here.

Joey grinned. Nope. He’s my wingman for next week. We’re gonna double date.

Huh, what?

Me and Della. We’ve...worked things out.

Good to hear, Ben replied and looked at Zach.

Yeah, thanks. I figured with Bethany coming up here for the holidays, it’s time for her and Della to meet.

And Zach’s here...why?

I’m gonna fix him up with Bethany. This is gonna be a big week. He waggled his eyebrows.

Ben caught on. You gonna tell her the truth?

Joey nodded. Fine time she learned it.

I’m happy for you, bro. They bumped fists.

I’m happy for me too. Gotta admit, though...I’m scared as shit. What is she gonna say? What is she gonna think?

Ben clapped him on the back. Oh, don’t worry about all that. She loves you and you love her. That’s all that matters.

You’re right. Joey sighed.

So, you gonna hitch her up with Zach, huh? Ben asked.

He’s the perfect guy for my Bethany. He’s smart, classy, and he’s already been trained...by me.

I heard that. Zach laughed.

Callum stood in the doorway. Who’s training folks and who’s perfect for Bethany? Wait. Who the fuck is Bethany? He was medium height, had long brown hair tied into a ponytail that hung to the middle of his back. He wore a denim jacket with lamb-skin lining over a red flannel shirt. His dusty, ragged jeans went perfectly with his dusty, ragged boots, and he flashed an insincere smile while a toothpick protruded from the corner of his mouth.

Bethany is my daughter, and yo’ ass will not be meeting her, Joey snapped.

Callum put his hand over his heart and feigned a pained expression. Joey, that hurt. His two sidekicks stepped up beside him.

Zach, Ben said. Meet Callum.

Hey, Zach, Callum said. And this here is Early, and that’s Stevie Ray. We’re a trio of partygoers and heartbreakers. He clapped his hands.

Early was white with blond hair and had a loopy grin plastered on his face. He stood to Callum’s left while Stevie Ray was his polar opposite; dark skinned and bald with a cold, hard stare.

Joey closed the door.

Zach briefly locked eyes with Stevie Ray then gave the three men a collective nod and went back to his game.

Shoes. Joey pointed at their feet.

Callum and his crew bent to take off their boots.

Ben sat in an easy chair to Zach’s right. He reached into the inside pocket of his coat and pulled out a black wallet. Hey, Zach, why don’t you go on a party run? I’ll give you beer, food, and gas money.

For what, man? Zach smoothly worked the game controller as he stared at the screen. Joey got plenty of food, beer, and liquor so we can properly enjoy the fight. Besides, I’m up ten on LeBron and them boys from LA.

Callum bent to Zach. I think what Ben’s politely trying to say is get the fuck out of here so the grownups can talk.

Callum, Joey said with authority. Leave him be. We’re here to watch the fight and have a good time. No shit-talking unless it’s to the screen.

Your house, your rules, eh, Joey? Callum stood straight.

You’ damn right. Joey took a swig from a freshly opened beer bottle.

Ben sat back. Well shit, Joey. Zach being here makes this that much harder. He put the wallet in his pocket then his hand came out with a silver 9mm handgun. We need to talk.

Joey’s eyes grew wide. Hey, bro. What’s with the gun?

A negotiation tool.

Negotiation tool? Joey snorted. My friend, wait...hell, you’ family, motherfucker. Now just what the fuck we negotiating that a gun needs to be involved?

Zach turned and saw the weapon and jumped to his feet; the game froze on screen. Wait, man. We don’t do guns.

Callum signaled to Stevie Ray, who nodded and stalked to Zach, and with a cold stare, gestured for him to sit back down.

Zach stood his ground defiantly. Why I gotta sit, and who the fuck are you to tell me what to do?

You wanna know who I am? Stevie Ray sneered and pulled open his coat to reveal a large handgun in a holster under his left arm.

Joey said, Oh, you got one too?

Everybody relax, Ben said.

Joey chimed in. It’s cool, Zach. Have a seat while me and Ben have a chat.

Zach looked at Joey. Friends, or family...whatever you two are, you don’t talk with guns.

Sit, Stevie Ray shouted.

Scowling, Zach sat back down and resumed his game.

Joey stood tall. The kid’s right. So, relax, Ben, and put that thing back in your pants.

I’m afraid I can’t do that, Joey. I need it as a—

Negotiation tool, I know. Joey scoffed. Well motherfucker, what’s on your mind?

The gold, Joey, Callum stated as calmly as if he’d just ordered a side-salad.

Zach paused the game again. Gold? What gold?

None of yo’ fucking business, kid, Stevie Ray growled.

Not this bullshit again. Joey glared at Ben. "Bro, tell me you and your little friends did not come to my home on a Saturday night to fuck up my high over some bullshit we done already discussed and settled."

Ben raised his hand. I know, I know, and I heard what you said about being patient and all, but I can’t wait any longer. I need money now.

We. We need money now. Callum gestured to his crew. We got plans, Joey, and you’ holding them up.

Joey inhaled, and then slowly released a deep breath. I done told you. I done told all you motherfuckers we need to wait. Why is that such a difficult concept for yo’ asses to grasp? Maybe if you and these Pennsylvania hillbillies didn’t fuck around and spend all yo’ first shares, trying to keep up with the Joneses, n’shit, you wouldn’t be in this mess. Ain’t that right, Zach?

Yo damn straight, Uncle Joey. Zach fired up a joint to calm his nerves.

Nobody asked you, kid, Callum spat.

Zach chuckled. Joey just did.

Stevie Ray nodded. He did ask the kid.

Callum looked at his boys. Whatever. I want my full share now, and I ain’t taking no for an answer.

"Share? Share? Motherfucker. I cut you in because Ben asked me to. Joey pinched the bridge of his nose and decided on a softer tone. Look, fellas. You need to have some patience. I promise you the investigation will be over real, real soon. ‘Til then, no more talk about the gold, and that’s all I got to say about that."

Callum rubbed his chin. And I said, I ain’t taking no for an answer.

Joey took a swig from the bottle. Well, playas, you can kiss my well-toned black ass.

Ben let out a short chuckle. Bro, I ain’t kissing shit. Besides, I already told you waiting is not an option for me. I got bills due. The kind that hit back when you don’t pay on time, if you catch my drift.

Stevie Ray pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Gonna head outside for a smoke. He slipped his boots back on, and as he stepped out, he left the door ajar.

Joey took a sip of his beer. Sorry to hear your woes, but that’s not my problem, Ben. Now, I love you like a fat kid loves cake, but if we move too quick, it’s my ass gets jammed, not yours. It’s my name they will print in the newspapers, and while you all get to walk off into the sunset, my black ass will be rotting in jail. Shit, last time I checked, there ain’t no pussy in jail, and I ain’t going nowhere there ain’t no pussy. So put that fucking gun away so we can get back to drinking and smoking and watching the fight, which has already started. So, you need to end that fucking game, Zach.

Ben wagged the gun. We can do all that after you tell me where the gold is hid.

Joey took a swig from his bottle and set it down hard on the counter. You stuck on stupid, motherfucker? I got a Fed up my ass without any kind of lube, and you come over here with a damn gun, blabbing gimme some gold? I should have never let any of you in on this deal.

Zach felt the tension rise in the room, and his hand began to shake as he raised the joint. Bro, you wanna hit this?

Zach, shut the fuck up. It was Ben’s turn to pinch the bridge of his nose. Joey...you need to tell me what I need to know...now.

Joey sighed. You’ not hearing me. None of you are feeling the heat from this investigation, and why is that? Hmm? He hit his chest with the flat of his hand. Because of my black ass. And that shit will stay that way if we play this shit smart. Now you assholes are my friends, and I cut you in on the loot when I didn’t have to. So, if I say wait, then you wait.

Callum chuckled. You got an investigative problem, Joey, all you had to do was come see me. Give me twenty-four hours. I’ll have that fucking investigator playing a tune with Elvis, nice and, you know, subtle like.

Joey shook his head. No, hell no. I’ve seen what you call subtle, and frankly, your definition of the word is skewed, playa.

Callum frowned. I don’t recall asking you for fucking permission.

Joey scoffed. Yeah, asshole, you did when you came into my fucking house asking about the damn gold. Besides, I already took care of the investigator.

How? Ben asked.

The less you know the better.

Ben waved his hand. Aww, Joey, save that voodoo shit. We nowhere near the Caribbean, so whatever island magic you wanna pull out your ass, save it for the ladies. If we have to hurt that investigator, so be it.

Joey chuckled. Voodoo shit, huh. You scoff at my magic, yet it was my magic that lined all our pockets with the gold you seek. How the fuck else do you think I got it over here from Iraq?

There was a long moment of silence as the men pondered what Joey had said. Then Ben gave a short, high-pitched laugh. Aww fuck that paranormal bullshit. I believe in the magic of money.

Joey shook his head. You believe what you will. What I know is the truth, and the truth is I ain’t going to jail for any of you motherfuckers. Which means none of you assholes need to get within ten feet of that motherfucking gold until I say it’s cool.

Joey, I’m serious man, Ben whined.

So am I, Joey snapped. If its money you need, I’ll lend it. Otherwise, the answer is no.

Come on, guys. This is bullshit. Zach put out the joint. You all are fucking up my high.

Joey. Ben’s hand trembled as he slowly raised the gun in Joey’s direction. Please tell me where the fucking gold is.

Joey stood straighter and took a step forward. You serious? You about to shoot me after all these years over some bullshit? You about to shoot me after I took the risk to get the fucking gold here, without your help, mind you. I cut you in on it, and this is how you repay me? With a fucking gun to my fucking face?

Uncle Joey, Zach said. Just give him the gold. This shit...this is getting real.

Ben nodded. A fine sheen of sweat had developed on his forehead. Listen to the kid, bro. Please don’t make me shoot you.

Joey closed the gap between them. "Ben, you ain’t really gonna shoot me just days before my baby girl comes to visit. Just days before I tell her the truth. You gonna do that, after all the shit we been through in Iraq and Afghanistan? Motherfucker, I carried you on my damn back after you got shot. And after all the shit I’ve done for you, you gonna shoot me? I don’t think so...so