UNMASKED: Sequel to Behind the Mask

by Heather Carnassale

  After laying her down gently, he planked over her body, his lips never leaving hers, while his hands slid down to her stomach. And as his fingers roamed about her skin, a tiny moan escaped from her mouth, and that was all Liam needed to finally put on the brakes. He pushed up and got off her and the couch. A confused Remi sighed with disappointment. Still amped and out of breath, Liam opened the sliding glass door, allowing the frigid wind to enter. “Are you trying to make us freeze?” she asked, shivering as she rushed over to her nap sack. “That’s the idea,” he replied, standing in front of the opened door, sans shirt, letting the cold air hit him straight on. Remi took out the Cornell t-shirt, slipped it over her head then questioned, “What stopped you?”

  He sighed. “My conscience, maybe.”

  “Thought you didn’t have one,” she retorted, walking up behind him. Frustrated that she didn’t seem to grasp what he was trying to convey, Liam turned around and declared, “I held you at gunpoint!”

  Her shoulders suddenly slumped, and with a drawn out sigh, she surmised, “We’re back there again?”

  He looked her in the eye and with a solemn tone, he stated, “We never left.”

  Always quick to argue, she called him out on that. “After everything that’s happened, how could you say that?”

  Liam reached over and took hold of her hand, and said, “We’ll always be the masked gunman and the hostage, no matter how much we try to pretend otherwise.”

  Remi yanked her hand away and mumbled, “I wasn’t pretending.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  Conceding, she grudgingly entered the kitchen and scooped her dress up off the floor. “Guess it’s pumpkin time,” she murmured. “It’s what?” he questioned as he had followed her. “Nothing,” she replied, digging into her bag. Liam eyed her up. “I knew that shirt would look better on you.”

  She playfully rolled her eyes, as he aptly added, “Of course, being paired with pink underwear really makes it work.”

  Liam had succeeded in lightening the mood but didn’t change the fact that she was disappointed the way the evening was ending. She removed her yoga pants, and that’s when she located her apartment key. Holding it up, she said, “Guess I can go home now.”

  He stepped towards her while she put on the pants. “Thanks again for being my plus-one,” she said, giving him a half-smile. “I had a good time,” he said, standing close. She looked down at her sore feet and uttered, “Me too.”

  He might not have seen her somber expression, but he definitely heard the defeat in her voice. “Are you okay?” he questioned. She nodded then asked, “At the church, what did you mean by upstaging the bride?”

  He grinned as he replied, “Nothing against Abby, but you looked gorgeous and outshined her.”

  Remi was unable to hide the delight of hearing that compliment. “That’s sweet of you to say.”

  There was a moment of complete silence until Remi broke it by asking him what he was going to do when she left. He smirked. “I’m going to take a very long, cold shower.”

  That, of course, made her laugh and feel confident because there was no denying he wanted her, he was just good at restraint. Unfortunately, she thought. “Well, I’ll let you get to it,” she said, smugly smiling. “Goodnight, Remi,” he said, extending out his arms, inviting her in for an embrace. The moment she slipped her arms around his bare back, the physical reminder of what she would be missing out on and the need to desperately stay with him overwhelmed her. As he held her close, she hid her disappointed by just whispering, “Goodnight, Liam.”

  A part of him didn’t want to let her go but considering how quickly things had escalated earlier; it was best she just leave. So, he reluctantly released his arms and allowed her to step away from him. She then threw the nap sack over her shoulder while Liam escorted her to the door. Nothing else was said, by either of them. Their date had officially come to an end. Liam made sure she got into her place okay then hightailed it to the shower where he allowed the coldest temp possible to drench his entire body, at the same time deaden any remaining hint of excitement. He knew he had let things go too far, but applauded himself for stopping before they had reached the point of no return. Resisting that temptation had been extremely difficult, and took all the energy he could muster not just to cave. There were too many unresolved issues plaguing him, or more especially—plaguing the two of them.

  Needing a little cold air herself, Remi ventured out onto her balcony and leaned against the railing. The whole afternoon had been amazing, and the night, she thought, absolutely incredible. She instinctively touched her lips while reminiscing about Liam’s, more specifically, how unbelievably soft and delectable his were. They were just how she imagined they’d be, only a thousand times better. And kissing him, she thought. There was nothing like it, the moment their lips touched; she felt it in her entire body. No man had ever had that kind of effect on her. “Damn him,” she uttered, upset with him for halting the intimacy. Marveling at his self-control, though also thinking he was possibly inhuman. However, when she recalled him talking about having held her at gunpoint, it was clear that was a significant hang-up for him, one that just might be impossible to overcome.

  CHAPTER 14

  It was 7:30 on Sunday morning and with nothing on her agenda, the thought of not getting out of bed and just vegging all day was a plausible notion. On the other hand, she realized she hadn’t asked Liam about where and when Denton wanted to meet. Living in a fantasy world at the wedding and afterward, Remi had forgotten that Denton might be following her and about what he would want with Liam. “Hmm,” she murmured. “Reality bites.”

  She yawned a couple of times as she stretched her arms above her head. Though sweet thoughts of kissing Liam were still fresh on her mind, so was an underlying ominous feeling. She grudgingly forced herself out of bed and slowly entered the hall, only to be accosted by a curious Melanie, shouting, “You better tell me every single detail and do not leave anything out!”

  “Good morning to you too, Mel.”

  She grabbed Remi’s hand, practically dragging her to the kitchen. “Well!”

  Smiling facetiously, Remi knew she wasn’t going to get away with telling half-assed details, so she decided to go with a condensed less descript version. “We kissed.”

  Melanie’s face lit up like a Christmas tree as she stated, “About damn time.”

  Though Remi smiled while brewing a cup a coffee, Melanie noticed a hint of glumness behind her eyes. “I guess the kissing didn’t lead to anything more?” she questioned with her right eyebrow instantly shooting upward. Remi began dumping an insane amount of sugar into a mug and lied, “Nope.”

  “Wow,” remarked Melanie.

  “Wow, what?”

  “I just figured because you two have been in such denial that when you finally gave into each other, you’d be all throw down and hitting the sheets in seconds flat,” she explained, grinning widely, suspecting there was more to the story. “Sorry to disappoint you, Mel, but this thing with Liam is complicated.”

  Melanie laughed, “That’s putting it mildly.”

  Remi snickered as she picked up the hot mug then shuffled down the hall. “I take it this conversation is over,” called out Melanie. Remi just nodded closing the door behind her.

  Once he had finished an eight-mile run, Liam arrived back at the apartment, and immediately grabbed a shower. All morning long, his thoughts were still firmly on what had transpired the night before but was also thinking about the meeting with Denton. While he picked at a whole-wheat bagel, he noticed the crumpled note, still lying next to the sliding glass door. He looked at it again, knowing there was absolutely no good that was going to come out of that meeting, except that he would get the opportunity to set Denton straight regarding Remi. And speaking of, he thought, for the time being, he needed for her to be more aware when she was out. Not that he didn’t want to talk to or see her, it’s just their relationship was now hovering a fine line, a dangero
us one for that matter. However, he called her anyway. “Can you talk for a minute?”

  “Yeah, what’s up?” she asked, secretly happy just to hear his voice.

  “Not on the phone, can I come by?”

  She told him that Melanie was there and that she’d go to him instead. No sooner had they hung up, she was at his door. He warmly smiled when she entered his apartment, a good sign, she thought. “What did you want to talk about?” she asked, strolling into the kitchen to where she casually removed a bottle of water from the fridge. Liam observed that action, the whole time marveling at how comfortable she was in his place. As the two stood, facing each other in the exact spots they were twelve hours earlier, the pink elephant arrived right on cue. Remi sipped the water, trying in vain not to think about the kissing. She wondered if that is what he wanted to discuss, but knowing Liam, she highly doubted it. “I don’t want you to be paranoid,” he said as she quickly interrupted before he could finish. “Is this about Mitchell Denton?” she asked. Liam just smirked at her astuteness. “I gather you want to remind me that I need to be careful, right?” she surmised. Both stunned and impressed, Liam uttered, “You’re right.”

  She smiled then suddenly questioned, “Where and when does he want to meet with you?”

  “Nice try, but I don’t need you tagging along, and I don’t want you involved.”

  “What if you need my help?” she countered. Liam sighed. “Though I appreciate what you did at the warehouse, I’m not injured this time, I can handle Denton.”

  He then added, “Please stay out of this one.”

  “Okay,” she said, placating him. “But when is it?”

  “Remi,” he said sternly.

  “What, I’m just making conversation.”

  “It’s tonight at some seedy shithole in Center City.”

  A frown appeared on her face, but he wasn’t swayed. Not even after she whipped up an even more impressive pout, he still didn’t spill any of the details. “Okay then, want to talk about anything else?”

  “Not really,” he replied, blatantly avoiding discussing what happened last night.

  Remi thought she could force the issue and make him talk, or she could let it go for now and keep things copacetic. She chose the latter and headed for the door.

  “Are you leaving?” he asked.

  She turned around and begged. “Promise me; you’ll be careful tonight.”

  He smiled at her concern and told her what she wanted to hear. “I promise.”

  Remi waited a minute, thinking maybe just maybe he’d whisk her into his arms and kiss her passionately. When that didn’t occur, she left his apartment feeling foolish for even pondering such a silly thing. But she also left yearning for him even more than before.

  Hours later, Liam had arrived at Chester’s Sports Bar, and the second he stepped through the crowded entrance, he spotted Denton sitting at a table, but also seated, was Charles. Liam just groaned. The devious grin crossing Denton’s face was nauseating, to say the least, and Liam had no desire to buy into whatever those two jackasses were selling. But something told him he had no choice but to find out. Both men gave Liam dubious looks, making him even more reluctant to sit down with them. “Been a long time,” Charles tossed out. “Not long enough,” quipped Liam, which garnered a laugh from Charles while Denton just smirked smarmily. A cute waitress sauntered over. “What can I get you sweetie?” she asked Liam, openly flirting. Charles drawled, “Must be nice to have women just throwing themselves at you.”

  Liam ignored the remark while ordering, “Whatever you have on tap.”

  She winked then asked the men if they needed anything else. Denton declined, but Charles ordered another dirty martini. As soon as she walked away, Denton couldn’t resist berating Liam. “You know, it was incredibly stupid of you to plant those diamonds on Tom.”

  Liam was quick to argue, “Who said I planted them?”

  Charles sneered as Denton continued, “If you didn’t, then we assume your girlfriend did.”

  “I don’t give a shit what you assume, but in this case, you’d be wrong,” he replied. Denton, who detested Liam, clenched his fists as if he’d actually do something physically, knowing full well he wouldn’t stand a chance going up against him. Jealousy was what had fueled Tom’s rage, and it appeared Denton suffered from the same affliction. A look of bemusement adorned Liam’s face, as he truly would have rather been anywhere but there. “Get to the point of this meeting.”

  Denton laughed. “Impatient are we?”

  The waitress handed a martini to Charles then purposely leaned her ample cleavage into Liam as she slid a small napkin onto the table and placed the tall glass of beer on top of it. “Can I get you anything else?” she practically purred. “No, I’m good thanks,” he replied smiling politely. “You sure are,” she cooed. Charles just shook his head while witnessing that little interaction further cementing Denton’s disdain. Liam picked up his glass while declaring, “I’m outta here if you two don’t start getting to the point.”

  Denton snapped, “Fine.”

  Charles glanced at him then at Liam who continued to grow weary. So much so, that he took a huge gulp of the beer and was about to stand up when Denton announced, “We want you to do another job.”

  “A job?”

  Denton countered, “Did I stutter?”

  Liam tapped his coat pocket, hinting a gun was inside and smugly retorted, “What would stop me from blowing your fucking head off right here?”

  Charles interjected, “Because we know the feds have been sniffing around.”

  Liam pointed at Mitchell and avowed, “If you think the feds investigating me would prevent me from putting a bullet into your head, think again.”

  Denton superciliously informed, “It’s not you that we’re talking about.”

  Liam didn’t like the sound of that. Denton, in all his ingratiating glory, asserted, “That’s right, we’re referring to Remi.”

  “What about her?” he asked, anger rising deep inside of him. “Well, I heard some whispering that the police and feds aren’t buying the story you and your hostage cooked up.”

  “We were cleared of all charges,” stated Liam.

  “Cleared of Tom’s death, maybe, but there’s talk that they have stepped up the heist investigation and something about you, Tom and Remi doesn’t quite add up in their eyes.”

  Unfortunately, with the DNA thing and the recent interrogation, he grudgingly believed what Denton was spewing. “Hmm, I see the wheels spinning,” remarked the disgruntled man. “Is this a threat?” Liam asked, looking directly at Charles. “Not exactly,” he replied. Denton instantly jumped in, “It’s this simple, do a job for us, and your precious Remi will be just fine.”

  “If you go near her again, I won’t think twice about killing either one of you,” warned Liam. “Oh, we aren’t going to touch her,” said Denton.

  Liam sighed, feeling highly agitated.

  “We’ll just make sure an anonymous tip is called into the police, confirming Remi knew who you were and that she willingly helped and lied for you,” he said.

  “So, if I don’t do whatever job you want me to, you’ll rat her out?”

  Denton nodded. “Correct.”

  As Liam processed this newly acquired information, he asked, “What’s the job?”

  The two men looked at each other before Denton explained, “The Market Street Jewelers.”

  Liam scoffed. “Oh hell no, we had always avoided that place because of its location and the security system.”

  “You and I have gotten into tougher,” Charles reminded. “And I’ll be doing this one with you, just like old times.”

  Inside Liam cringed. After the bank debacle and the messed up aftermath, he had done his best to keep things on the up and up, except for the incident with Tom. “Well, what do you think?” asked Denton. “What’s the objective?” he countered. Denton grinned and like a kid at Christmas, he giddily replied, “Pink diamonds!”
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br />   “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Liam said utterly amazed at how preposterous that all sounded. He then blurted, “How about I just shoot you both instead; problem solved.”

  Charles was quick to disclose, “You know me better than that; I always have a backup plan just in case.”

  No further wording needed, he knew that there was something in place to still blow the whistle on Remi if something happened to Charles or Denton. “I do this job, and you two will just keep blackmailing me forever, so why the fuck should I concede?”

  Charles had a look of pure disbelief on his face. Unable to comprehend that Liam allowed a woman to get into his head, a hostage no less. “I never thought I’d see the day that Liam Matthews would let his emotions get in the way.”

  Liam glared at Charles while slamming his glass down on the table. “We weren’t fully convinced just how much she meant to you until right this moment,” remarked Denton. “The fact that us threatening to turn her in has got you so tormented is fucking amazing.”

  From Liam’s perspective, he was in a no-win situation for sure and felt suffocated. He suddenly stood up and said, “Give me a few days.”

  Denton nodded. “We’ll be in touch.”

  Liam sought the waitress and handed her a twenty-dollar bill then hurried out. Denton asked Charles what he thought Liam would do. “I honestly don’t know, because though as predictable as you might think he is, never discount Liam’s intelligence.”

  “Think he will still just kill us?” he asked, sounding frightened now that Liam had left. Charles laughed, “Again don’t underestimate him, cause I wouldn’t put it past him to open fire on us as soon as we leave.”

  “Well, for the moment I think we’re safe,” said Denton. “As long as we have Remi has our ace in the hole.”

  Charles agreed.

  As soon as he got into his truck, Liam took out his 9mm and checked the safety. A part of him wanted to march right back into that bar and empty an entire round into both of them. However, the rational part just started the ignition and stared out the windshield for a minute. He just felt utterly screwed and had no idea how in the hell he was going to deal with everything.