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.

Tarquin inquired, his tone getting

lurking around the hotel. Our guys are keeping an eye on

sure they can't

Lowell, Tarquin

she's not doing great. Grandma's been through a lot, and Mum's heartbroken

with concern. Elysia was hurting because of Pamela's suffering, and that, in turn, hurt him. It was all the fault of those who had

close to Mum. I'll be there as soon

"Got it!"

about Larry's assassination attempt and exchanged any new information they had uncovered before hanging up. Axel emerged from the ship's

cold light flashed in Tarquin's eyes. If it was him, things

then. Transporting contraband now seemed like an attempt to smear Clayton's name. But smearing Clayton also meant smearing Hawkins Sea-freight. Yet, the Hawkins family seemed confident that they

rush the

Oceanopolis and the upcoming board meeting where Clayton was sure to win. Once Clayton's enemies were ousted,

while the other shareholders were oblivious to the upheaval, already discounting Clayton as