That concise response was clue number two that something was wrong, but Remi let him go a little further without speaking then decided to get the ball rolling. “You said we needed to talk.”
Liam nodded. “We will when we get to my place.”
“Oh,” she muttered. “I thought since you picked me up, that you were planning on talking on the ride home.”
“I was, but changed my mind,” he said, without taking his eyes off the road. Remi mouthed a sarcastic, “Great.”
The ride, though not long, absolutely sucked, because not only was Liam quiet, he was emotionally distant, and it reminded her of the way he used to be.
When they pulled into the parking lot, she thanked him for the ride, but all she got in return was a simple nod, which appeared to be his go to action du jour. In fact, the more nods she got, the more irritated she became. She thought he had some serious nerve making her wait, especially since he was the one that claimed they needed to talk. So, Remi rushed inside, and when Liam lagged behind, she got in the elevator without him and ended up waiting for him outside his apartment door. Liam was being obtuse and didn’t even notice or care that she was annoyed. The moment they entered his place, Remi harshly announced, “Okay, we’re here, let’s talk!”
Liam sighed in an irritating sounding way, which Remi automatically took as a bad sign. With his arms folded, he then leaned against the kitchen counter and asked, “Did Olivia get the diamonds back with the red velvet bag or without?”
Remi shrugged. “I don’t know, why?”
He pinched the upper part of his nose, right between his eyes, as if he was in pain. But she knew it wasn’t physical, more like distress. “Are you okay?” she cautiously asked. He completely disregarded the question. “How could I be so stupid?” he asked rhetorically, berating himself. “It’s the red bag!” he declared, loudly. “I’m confused, what about it?” she questioned while walking over to where he was standing.
“I’ve been racking my brain, trying to figure out what the investigators had on me,” he said then angrily stated, “I had that bag for weeks, my DNA is all over it.”
“Oh shit,” she whispered, as her shoulders slumped. Liam just shook his head, livid that he hadn’t thought of it sooner. He then just laughed, but not remotely in a jovial way. “I’m so fucked.”
“You don’t know that,” she said, trying to assure him. “Should have never planted the diamonds on Tom,” he snapped. “The police wouldn’t have anything on me.”
Suddenly, Remi got the sneaking suspicion Liam was inadvertently blaming her.
“After the heist, I should have just taken off and never looked back.”
Remi couldn’t get a word in edgewise because his rant continued. “Why did I agree to set up Tom?”
And there it was, confirmation of what Remi had been imagining. “So, you’re saying this is all my fault—right?”
His silence was all telling, along with disheartening. “If I recall, after Tom’s shooting, you told me just to tell the truth, which I declined to do, and now you’re basically accusing me of ruining your life.”
Liam smirked. “You didn’t ruin it; I did that all on my own.”
Intentionally invading his personal space, she stepped in close. “You’re lying.”
Looking straight into her eyes, he was about to respond, but it was her turn to unleash what was on her mind. “I know exactly what you’re thinking,” she said. “You’re thinking, that had you not risked it all for me and not gone out of your way to protect me from Charles and ultimately from Tom, you’d be in a much better position.”
“How many times have I told you not to assume,” he warned.
She retorted. “That’s it; isn’t it?”
“What?”
“That’s why you put that on the music box,” she said. “For my sweet mistake,” she sang condescendingly. “Talk about a Freudian slip.”
He didn’t respond, but his eyes never left hers. “Oh my God,” she uttered as he just stood there. “After Tom’s death, that was all bullshit about you turning yourself in and giving me your permission to divulge the truth.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” he asked, his patience non-existent at that point.
“It was all a ruse, a big fat game that I got played in.”
The scowl on his face spoke volumes, as he was both puzzled and pissed off. “You think those couple weeks of looking out for you was just some joke that I got off on?”
“You’re crazy,” he said gently shoving her aside. Undeterred, she continued her verbal assault. “I never asked you to protect me.”
He abruptly turned around, and fired back, “You’re right you didn’t, but I did it anyway.”
“What do you want a medal?” she snapped.
“I really don’t need or want this shit right now,” he announced. “It’s only a matter of time that my DNA is going to be collected from that bag.”
“The bag, the bag,” she repeated. “You aren’t even sure that’s what they have, and you already have yourself arrested and convicted.”
Liam shrugged, signaling defeat.
“Look, let me find out from Olivia if she got the bag back,” Remi said, trying in vain to calm the situation.
“What are you going to do, just ask her?”
“Yeah, why not?”
“Because she’s going to be curious as to why you want to know.”
Remi appeared offended and quickly advised, “You should know better than to underestimate me.”
Finally, a half-grin emerged, and he applauded her audacity for standing up to him. “You continue to surprise me,” he uttered, looking down at her as she boldly returned his gaze. Breathlessly, she whispered, “Like I said before, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
And with that, she brazenly slipped her arms around his back, laid her head on his chest, and hugged him. That unexpected gesture completely caught him off guard. She squeezed tightly and closed her eyes, patiently waiting for him to respond. After what seemed like forever, and thought she would have to resort to all out begging for him to hold her, it deemed unnecessary. Liam’s left arm slowly inched its way about her waist, while his right hand tenderly cupped the side of her head. “I don’t want to fight with you,” she whispered.
He smirked as the bottom of his chin rested on the top of her head.
“I know this is going to sound crazy and probably not the right time to ask but,” she said hesitating. “What?” he asked while removing his hand from her head and joining both his arms around her back, so they were officially embracing.
“Will you be my plus-one for the wedding?” she asked in an almost unaudible tone.
He grinned. “Well, if I’m not in jail, yes, I’ll be your plus-one.”
She crinkled her nose while peeking up at him and smiling.
“Is it black tie?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Is that okay?”
“I think I have a tux lying around here somewhere.”
She laughed, but inside was thinking how incredibly fabulous he will look in it. And she couldn’t help but thoroughly enjoy standing there, encased in Liam’s burly arms, for the second time that day. Just then, the sound of the door buzzer ruined the moment, and Remi reluctantly peeled away, allowing Liam to check the intercom. “Yeah,” he called into it while his eyes followed Remi who was walking towards the door. “It’s me, Simon, I have a proposal I want you to see.”
“Come on up,” said Liam noticing Remi leaving. “You don’t have to go,” he said. A sly little smile crossed her lips, as she was delighted that he appeared to want her to stay. Though tempting, she knew smothering Liam would be as effective as watching paint dry, besides she forgot about having dinner at her parents’ house. Therefore she needed to go anyway. She told him she’d talk to him later then headed to her place. Once there, she noticed there was a new voicemail message on her phone. It was from her mom, who wanted to know if Remi wanted to bring Liam along. Their
reasoning was because they had only met him after the shooting and since he was back, they thought it was the perfect chance to get to know him. Remi walked into her bedroom and called her mom. She explained that she doubted Liam would come but that she’d ask. Having already agreed to be her plus-one for Abby’s wedding, the thought of asking him to dinner at her parents’ might be pushing it.
As Liam looked over the details of a potential project, Simon walked around the living room, taking note of the lack of décor. “I see you decorated your apartment the same as your office,” he quipped. Liam just grinned as he continued reading. “What do you think about the project?” he asked. “It’s a huge commitment,” stated Liam. “But it would put Braddock and Associates on the map while being lucrative at the same time.”
Simon declared, “It’s win-win.”
Liam agreed.
“You are the best designer I’ve got, are you up for the task?”
Completely unsure of his immediate future, which could involve an arrest, Liam hesitated to respond. On the one hand, he wanted to do it. There were zero doubts on that, but on the other, to make that kind of commitment but ultimately having to bow out wouldn’t be fair.
Detecting the uncertainty, Simon asked, “Do you need time to think about it?”
Liam replied that he needed just a little time but would most likely be on board. “Okay, let me know tomorrow,” he said. Liam went to return the file, but Simon told him to keep it, feeling optimistic as he vacated. Liam sat down on the couch and heaved a sigh. It was such a fantastic opportunity, but he couldn’t think straight. He was in need of a diversion, which three seconds later, came in the form of Remi’s phone call. “Hey,” he said answering. “I know it’s late notice and please don’t feel like you have to come, cause I know that I just asked you to be my date at the wedding and we’ve been spending a lot of time together, and I’m sure you are sick of me,” she speedily uttered without taking a single breath. That was until, Liam mercifully interrupted, “Remi, slow down and just tell me what’s up.”
“My parents want you to join us for dinner tonight at their place.”
“Uh, why would they want to include me?”
“I think they just want to say thanks for saving my life at the warehouse.”
He thought about it as he glanced at the project proposal sitting on the table then told her yes. “You sure?” she questioned.
“Yeah, what time?”
“Leave here about twenty-five minutes,” she said. After they hung up, Liam jumped into the shower, and as he’s done many times before, he just allowed the water to rain down upon him. His mind filled with everything from the investigation to Simon’s proposal, and then to Remi. A sudden feeling of unfamiliar weakness overwhelmed him, so he kneeled on the tub floor then sat on the way down. As the hot water continued to pelt his body, he wondered what the hell was he doing? That question could be directed at all of three of his dilemmas and knew in the next few days; things weren’t going to get any easier. But first up, tackling dinner at the Catalano abode. Just the thought, brought a smile to Liam’s face, because the one thing he finally seemed to grasp, was that when it came to Remi, it was no longer just about protecting and looking out for her. There was certainly much more to it, and Liam was beginning to come around to the fact that their relationship was different than it was when he left. He just didn’t know why.
Remi slathered mousse into her hair, and as she danced her fingers all over her head, Melanie tapped on the bedroom door to see what Remi was doing and took note of her taking extra time with the hair. Melanie questioned, “I don’t recall you ever worrying about what your hair looked like just to hang with the folks.”
“How very astute of you,” said Remi. “If you must know, Liam is coming with me.”
That surely opened up the ever-present can of worms as Melanie fell right into interrogation mode. “Is there something I should know?” she asked, sounding suspicious. Remi sighed. “No, my parents just want to get to know him.”
“Uh-huh,” she muttered, believing there was undoubtedly more going on. Remi checked her reflection in the full-length mirror and blurted, “By the way, Liam agreed to be my plus-one at the wedding.”
Melanie happily clapped then as she was leaving the room, she playfully added, “But I’m supposed to believe that nothing is going on.”
Remi just snickered then thought about Liam going to the wedding and agreeing to go to her parents’ house. She silently asked what it all meant and what was in it for him? Being with him was becoming almost too comfortable. The spending time together, falling asleep and waking up his arms, all things that made it incredibly easy to forget that he was a criminal. Not that she ever needed any assistance in that department. She stopped viewing him as the gun-toting masked man not too long after regaining her memory. When she checked herself in the mirror, her thoughts all of a sudden bounced back to the night he showed up at her apartment. Beaten, bruised, and sliced open, she was the one he turned to for help. And yes she could rationalize the fact he was in a dire circumstance, but he still sought her. Not only had he showed his vulnerability by allowing her to see him at a weak moment, but he also told her the truth about the diamonds. Just then, Melanie called out from the front door, “Liam is here.”
Remi quickly regrouped then rushed down the hall. “You kids have fun,” teased Melanie. Liam ignored her and Remi just rolled her eyes. While inside the elevator, Liam suggested they stop on the way to pick up a bottle of wine. Remi told him he didn’t have to do that, but Liam balked, “Can’t go empty handed.”
There was absolutely no point in arguing with him, so she kept her mouth shut, which was not an easy feat for her. As they trekked through the parking lot, she giggled. “What?” he questioned as he opened up the passenger side door.
“You just make me laugh.”
“I believe in proper etiquette.”
Remi displayed a facetious smile but again opted to keep her thoughts to herself. Not that she didn’t believe him, it was the fact he was such a stickler for it, but when it came to thievery, all bets were off. The entire drive to Bala Cynwyd, both Liam and Remi neglected to talk about the investigation, or more especially the infamous red velvet bag. Since Remi’s plan was to speak with Olivia the following day, there was no reason to freak out. Not yet anyway.
As soon as Remi opened the front door, Peanut practically knocked her over. “Hi, sweet pea,” she said, cuddling him. Peanut soon turned his attention to Liam, who smartly kneeled down allowing the friendly yet curious golden retriever get a closer inspection. Liam carefully extended his right hand, and within seconds Peanut nuzzled his nose into it, showing approval. Tony and Beth suddenly popped out of the kitchen. “Welcome to our home,” Beth said, beaming. “Thank you, Mrs. Catalano,” he said. “Oh please, call me Beth!”
Tony echoed his wife sentiment as the two shook hands. Liam had purchased a bottle of Merlot and gave it to Beth. “How very kind of you,” she said thanking him. She then pulled Remi into the dining room while Tony escorted Liam to the den. The first words out of Beth’s mouth were unsurprisingly predictably, “He is so good looking!”
Remi just smiled as she removed four wine glasses from an old antique hutch. Her mom began setting the table, and while Remi helped, she asked what was going on with her and Liam. Remi replied in a quiet voice, “We’re just friends.”
She didn’t believe her daughter. “Well, he sure seems like a great guy, besides, the fact that he killed a man to protect you.”
Remi thought if she only knew the extent of Liam’s role of reluctant hero. “He is a great guy, and yes he did save my life, but we aren’t together romantically.”
Beth appeared bummed. “Sorry to disappoint you, Mom.”
“I just want you to be happy,” she said, pulling Remi into a hug. “I am happy,” said Remi, giving her a cheerful smile to show that she’s fine. The four were soon all sitting at the dining room table, breaking bread and digging into
Beth’s famous chicken parmigiana. Directing it at Liam, Tony commented, “Remi tells us you are a naval architect.”
Liam nodded, “Yes; I am.”
“Impressive,” Beth remarked then asked, “Where did you study?”
“Cornell.”
“Your parents must be very proud,” she innocently said as she passed a chafing dish filled with penne pasta. “Mom,” Remi quickly snapped. “What did I say?” she asked, defensively.
“It’s okay,” Liam assured. “My parents had other plans for me, and I’m not close with them.”
“I’m sorry to hear that because being a naval architect takes talent and you saving Remi’s life makes you okay in our book,” gushed Beth. For the first time, Remi witnessed Liam blush as he uttered, “That’s very kind of you to say.”
The confident man was still very much there, but he appeared flustered, almost insecure, a rare sight indeed, Remi thought.
“Do you at least see your parents?” she asked. Remi interrupted, “Okay Mom, can we please change the subject?” Liam politely laughed, “It’s fine; they’re just curious.”
Tony gently told Beth to back off a little. But Liam surprisingly admitted, “I don’t see them very much, in fact, I try to keep my contact with them to a minimum.”
Liam could see the pity in Beth’s eyes, so he felt the need to make her feel better. “But I’m very close to my grandmother,” he said. Beth’s face lit up while commenting that she was glad to hear that. Remi leaned to the side, and whispered to Liam, “I’m sorry.”
He whispered back, “It’s okay.”
After observing Remi’s and Liam’s little interaction, Tony gratefully moved the conversation along. “Do you work for a firm or do you freelance?”
Remi looked at her dad, and mouthed thank you for the reprieve, while Liam answered, “I work for Braddock and Associates.”
“I’ve heard of them, that’s quite a prestigious firm,” Tony commented. “How long have you worked there?”
UNMASKED: Sequel to Behind the Mask Page 15