Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Mr. Bradford, better known on the docks as Tarquin, was aboard a supply ship, rummaging through contraband freshly smuggled off a vessel owned by the Hawkins family, when his phone buzzed with a call from Lowell.

"Tarquin, that ingrate Larry Hawkins has sent assassins after you," Lowell's voice came through, light and almost amused.

"What?" Tarquin couldn't believe his ears.

"Yeah, that Larry kid. Sent some goons to take you out," Lowell repeated, chuckling as if the idea of Larry trying to kill Tarquin was as absurd as a mouse taking on a lion. There was no threat, only comedy in the notion.

Tarquin pursed his lips, "Why the hell would he come after me? I haven't even been near Hawkins territory."

"It's about your wife. She stumbled upon some dark family secrets about Mrs. Hawkins being mistreated. Larry's looking to silence her, and you, being her husband, are also on his hit list."

Being Elysia's husband... well, that was a title Tarquin wore with pride.

now?" Tarquin inquired, his tone getting

Our guys are keeping an eye on

And make sure they can't

Lowell, Tarquin

worry. But she's not doing great. Grandma's been through a lot,

brow furrowed with concern. Elysia was hurting because of Pamela's suffering, and that, in turn, hurt him. It was

I'll be there as soon as I sort things

"Got it!"

they had uncovered before hanging up. Axel emerged from the ship's hold, "Looks like these contraband items are linked

in Tarquin's eyes. If it was

a large shipment of contraband aboard a Hawkins family vessel, destined for overseas. It seemed off to him then. Transporting contraband now seemed like an attempt to smear Clayton's

rush the

that the mystery man knew of Tarquin and Elysia's return to Oceanopolis and the upcoming board meeting where Clayton was sure to win. Once Clayton's enemies were ousted, exploiting Hawkins

other shareholders were oblivious to the upheaval, already