UNMASKED: Sequel to Behind the Mask

by Heather Carnassale

  He didn’t speak he just leaned over and kissed her on the lips. Remi didn’t know how to take that, not that the kiss was a bad thing, but it wasn’t an answer either. Like everything else Liam had exposed her to, Lola’s was gorgeous. It was a newer restaurant, having been in business for only a couple of years. It had a modern flair with an all black and white décor and sleek accents. But it also had an intimate atmosphere. The maître d’ led them to a table for two, perched in front of a huge window that overlooked the ocean. Liam then slipped the man a twenty-dollar bill and asked him to send over a bottle of Bollinger. “You’re spoiling me,” she whispered. Liam shrugged as if it was no big deal, but his actions said otherwise. They both looked over menus and Liam explained that he had eaten the vodka rigatoni the last time he had been there. “That sounds good,” she said, eyeing him as he scanned the dining area. “Still think someone is watching us?” she asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well, whoever it is, isn’t going to ruin my dinner,” she said sternly. He liked that about Remi, at times she just told it like it was. “Point taken,” he said. A waiter poured them each a glass of the expensive champagne then took their order. They both decided on the rigatoni with a starter of salad and lobster bisque. “Nothing like a rich, creamy, fattening soup to top off the trip,” said Remi with a chuckle.

  “I’ll just beef up my workouts when I get back to Philly.”

  “Yeah, me too,” she said, winking. “Not a fan, huh?” he asked. She shook her head no. “I’m not lazy per se; I just don’t see the appeal.”

  He swore he wasn’t judging nor preaching but hinted that for health reasons it wasn’t a bad thing. “You’re right, and maybe one day I’ll get motivated,” she said, ogling the loaf of freshly baked bread. “You could always workout with me,” he said innocently while Remi’s mind went to the dirty side. “And what kind of workout would that be exactly?” she asked coyly. A mischievous grin appeared on Liam’s lips as he caught the double entendre. Remi sliced into the bread, handed him a piece then asked, “Do you think if we had met five months ago, in a bar or at a party, we would have been attracted to each other?”

  Liam took a hardy sip of the champagne then replied, “Honestly, you wouldn’t have liked me back then.”

  His words were just that, words, but it was the way in which he spoke them. “You mean, you would have been a jerk?” she questioned, sounding as if she didn’t believe him. “Remi, you tend only to remember that I saved you, not the bad in the beginning or how I treated you during the heist.”

  She scoffed, “Please tell me we aren’t going back there again.”

  “No, we aren’t but the man I was to you initially, is the man I would have been had I met you before it happened.”

  Remi frowned, knowing that was more than likely a truthful fact. However, a slight conceit kicked in, and she purposely batted her eyes at him. Liam smiled. “Okay, I confess, those eyes would have done me in.”

  “And you know I’ve always had a propensity for bad boys,” she said, smirking.

  Liam laughed. “Like the grand theft auto guy.”

  It still amazed her that he remembered that.

  “Did you ever forgive him?”

  “Uh-no!”

  “How come you couldn’t forgive him but you forgave me?” he asked. She cocked her head to the side while giving him a shy, unassuming stare and then just shrugged. He knew the answer, without her uttering a single word. There was a small part of Liam that wondered if there wasn’t some truth behind the Stockholm syndrome myth because for the life of him he couldn’t figure out why she would waste her time with someone like him. A man with a criminal tainted past and a future that offered nothing but bleakness. The woe-is-me-mentality had worn thin, and he was grateful when the waiter placed a bowl of hot lobster bisque in front of him. Remi dropped a few oyster crackers into her bowl then purposely plopped one into his. “Cracker for your thoughts,” she said. Liam smirked but kept those doleful thoughts to himself. His emotional distance lingered throughout the rest of the dinner, and Remi wondered if reality was finally biting Liam. Too much pretense acting as if things were fine when they both knew, things were anything but okay.

  When they finished the main course, and almost completed their dessert of dark chocolate mousse cake, it was after nine. And though she had enjoyed herself immensely, their flight back to Philly was in twelve hours, therefore, their time in Miami, fleeting. As she licked the last bit of icing from her fork, she asked, “What time are we leaving in the morning?”

  While Liam checked over the bill, he replied, “I have to turn in the rental car, and the flight is at nine-thirty, so we better get there by seven.”

  The tiniest of frowns appeared on Remi’s face, and Liam understood why she felt that way. She didn’t want to come off as not appreciating all the generosities he had bestowed on her, but she wished they could stay a few more days. Once Liam had paid, and they exited, raindrops began to fall along with a low rumble of thunder. “Guess a night stroll on the beach is out,” she said, her disappointment evident. He reminded that they had to be up early anyway, which only dampened her spirits further.

  As the windshield wipers frantically swatted back and forth, lightning lit up the evening sky, Liam brought up the whole spygate thing again. “Maybe Mitchell and Charles are keeping an eye on you,” she suggested while somewhat dumbfounded because he seemed to forget about it during dinner. Liam explained that he wouldn’t discount it, but he had told those two to give him a few days to think about it. “Maybe they don’t trust you,” she said. Liam laughed. “They definitely don’t!”

  Even though he said that and though she had a valid argument, Liam had another theory. “I think that agent has me under surveillance.”

  “Why?” she questioned.

  “Because he’s waiting for me to make a mistake.”

  “What kind of mistake?”

  “An illegal one.”

  Remi sighed, as she listened to the sound of the rain pounding the car. Nothing more was said until they arrived back at the house. Liam turned to Remi and suggested they make a run for it. Ten seconds later, they bolted for the front door, getting saturated in the process. The moment they entered the foyer, both drenched and water dripping from their clothing all over the hardwood floor, they just started laughing. But then Liam moved towards her, forcing Remi to step back against the wall. His arms outstretched to both sides of her body, his hands flat on the wall, and his lips near hers, he just gazed her into eyes. Always intimidating, but more longing now, filled with want and desire. Liam’s lips hovered, so Remi expected a kiss, but he frustratingly continued to tease, very reminiscent of the night of Abby’s wedding. That said, this time, he wasn’t holding back for fear of crossing a line, she sensed there was something else going on. “Should we go pack?” she asked, her eyes holding his stare. As tiny water droplets fell from the tips of his wet hair, his hand cupped her cheek, and he just smiled. “Only if you want to.”

  A slight giggled escaped before she said, “You know I’m in no rush to get out of here.”

  He finally touched her lips with his, but it was so light and brief, it was a blink, and you missed it kind of kiss, thoroughly confusing her. Because his body language and movements suggested, his intentions were sexual in nature, while his hesitation suggested otherwise. “Come here,” he said, gripping her hand, as he led her towards the Florida room. With a single push of a remote button, Liam ignited the gas fireplace then grabbed a plush blanket off the sectional couch and wrapped it around Remi’s shoulders. She kneeled in front of the flames while Liam sat down beside her. “Why do I get the feeling you’re about to drop a bomb on me?” she asked, staring at the fire, purposely avoiding his face, afraid she was right. With his knees bent, and his arms draped over them, he exhaled loudly, signaling her to get prepared. “What?” she asked, her voice filled with trepidation. He cleared his throat then said, “I was going to wait until we got back to Ph
illy, but…” his words trailed off, as he clammed up. She turned to him and urged, “But what?”

  He exhaled again then turned to make direct eye contact with her. That’s when he confessed that he made his decisions. “I’m going to give the police my DNA sample.”

  She gasped knowing the possible dire consequences of such action. She wanted to ask why he would do that but he answered before she couldn’t even pose the question. “They’re going to get the warrant, if they haven’t already, it’s only a matter of time.”

  Her mind raced with the sickening thought of Liam arrested, and the realization of that happening soon. “I’m also going to do the job with Denton and Charles.”

  “You’re what?” she shouted, unable to hide her disbelief. He offered no explanation, which she thought odd. “Why would you need to do it, when you’re pretty much giving yourself up to the cops?” she questioned.

  “You have to trust that I know what I’m doing,” he said, moving back a little, so he was leaning up against the couch. A stunned Remi just stared at the fire for a few minutes, replaying in her mind what Liam had just revealed. He waited for her to freak out or at least yell at him, but she did neither. Instead, she glanced over at him and in an eerily calm voice asked, “So, that’s all I get?”

  He placed his hand on her back, and whispered, “Please just trust me.”

  Remi suddenly stood up, dropped the blanket then straddled Liam’s legs. That of course, evoked a confused yet devious grin from him. She sat down on his thighs then took his face in her hands. With a slight bend forward, she pushed her lips on his then quietly uttered, “I do trust you.”

  Liam smiled, and at that moment, the discussion ended. Remi then kissed the one corner of his smile while tilting her forehead against his. The gesture was simplistic, yet he found it incredibly soothing. Never one to seek comfort, his acceptance of it surprised him—and her. She whispered, “It’s okay; you don’t always have to be the tough guy; I won’t tell anyone.”

  A slight snicker arose, along with a grin. “Can I trust you on that?” he asked, his hands resting on the curves of her waist. She pulled back and looked him square in the eye. “Have I ever given you a reason not to?”

  He shook his head no. “You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t trust you.”

  “Then it’s settled,” she said. “We trust each other.”

  Liam nodded as he pulled her into a tender embrace. There weren’t many people he did trust but he 100% trusted Remi. “I could go to sleep right here,” she whispered breathlessly, snuggling into his chest. “Be my guest,” he said, moving to get more comfortable. “So much for packing,” she quipped while Liam grabbed the blanket to cover them. He squeezed her then suggested that they just get up a little earlier.

  For the rest of the night, the two coiled up together, arms and legs intertwined, and just tranquilly watched the flames in the fireplace. Nothing said, just peace and quiet, motionless bodies, enjoying the serenity of their last few hours in the house together.

  By 5 A.M. they were showered, dressed, and mostly packed. As Remi stuck the final few pieces of clothing into her suitcase, Liam heard a somber sigh escape from her lips. He echoed her sentiment. “I don’t want to go either.”

  She again wanted for him to say they’d come back another time, but that invitation didn’t happen. Instead, he supplied her with a consolation hug. Though thoughtful, and very sweet, the moment he asked if she was almost ready to go, dread returned with a vengeance, along with a petulant pout. Liam brushed his thumb over her bottom lip then lifted her chin up and said, “I had fun.”

  “Me too,” she uttered, as his lips covered hers. He then hugged her again, but after a quick squeeze, she reluctantly exited the security of his warm embrace and helped carry the luggage downstairs. While Liam took it all out to the car, Remi cleaned out the fridge and emptied the trashcan. She then walked around the house one last time, savoring the last few minutes she had there. Liam did a quick walk through himself, making sure they had everything. “I’m going to stick the trash by the curb then we need to head out,” he announced. Remi, who had been standing out on the terrace, obtaining a mental picture of the view, gave him a pathetic nod then locked up the back doors. Liam waited for her in the front but didn’t rush her, giving her a minute to bid adieu silently. He too was sad, knowing it was most likely the last time he’d set foot in it. Not one for the dramatics, he kept it to himself, plus he didn’t want her to worry any more than she already was. However, he had forgotten how in tune she was with him, because the moment he locked the front door, she sensed immense sadness from him. Once inside the car, Remi couldn’t take her eyes off the house, and as the car pulled away, Liam glanced at it via the rear view mirror. The house had now represented something special to both of them. In unison, they both released a contented sigh, though tinged with grimness.

  The flight home was unceremoniously less anxious for Remi. The fact that she slept pressed up against Liam’s arm for almost the entire trip probably helped. She had no time to think about flying, as sheer exhaustion had taken over. Liam on the other hand worked. He didn’t need three hours of dwelling on what was about to come when he could work on a current, tangible project. When the plane landed in Philly, and they retrieved their luggage, the immediate shift to colder temperatures jolted them back to reality. Deep in her thoughts, Remi remained relatively quiet in the truck. She wondered if the affectionate Liam that she had just spent a couple of days with would disappear now that they were back. As she gazed out the window, the pessimistic side of her kept the expectations low. Liam glanced over but avoided asking what was on her mind, because he already knew the answer. There was a part of him that wished he could put everything behind him and possibly start over, which meant having a life with her. No more heists or robberies just go full-on legit and focus on his architectural career. But though he had no doubts he could achieve that, he was a realist, and the investigators were closing in on him. He knew that even if he outsmarted Denton and Charles, fooling the feds wouldn’t be so easy. Though he had managed to get away with it, so far, it was only a matter of time. That was one of the reasons he didn’t want to cave and give into Remi. The other, he wasn’t sure he could be the man Remi wanted and needed him to be. A slight smirk crossed his lips, as he thought about being in an actual relationship, without all the pretense and bullshit. He didn’t believe he had it in him. But in reality it was moot because Liam pretty much just resigned himself to the fact, he wouldn’t be around long enough to find out.

  When they pulled into the parking lot, he quietly uttered, “We’re home.”

  Remi wondered again about how things were going to be between them now that they were back. She silently questioned, if she’d stay at his place on a more permanent basis or would they even actually still be together? The thought that their little trip was nothing more than a façade loomed largely.

  While on the elevator, Liam told her that he planned on meeting up with Chris later in the day. Though she had wanted to spend more time with him, greediness was an ugly feature and didn’t plan on wearing it. So when they reached her apartment door, she thanked him for carrying the bags and again thanked him for the trip. He slipped his arm around her waist and whispered, “You’re welcome.”

  With that, the mini-vacation was officially over, and Liam rushed back down to get the rest of his things while Remi entered her place. To her surprise, Melanie was sitting on a kitchen stool, instantly begging for details. “And don’t leave anything out,” she demanded.

  Remi placed her bags by the couch then asked why Melanie wasn’t at work. “I took a personal day and don’t change the subject.”

  Remi smiled sheepishly but remained tightlipped, as she fell back on the couch.

  “Oh my God, do I have to beat it out of you?” shouted Melanie.

  “I had a great time.”

  With her mouth gaped wide opened, Melanie produced a stink eye, clearly not pleased with the lack of juicy c
ontent. “What did you guys do?”

  “Hmm…we shopped, strolled on the beach, went out to eat.”

  That just wasn’t cutting it for Melanie. “Oh for Pete’s sake, did you sleep with him?”

  Remi’s non-existent poker face gave away the answer.

  “Finally!”

  Remi chuckled as she stood up, picked her bags up off the floor and wheeled the suitcase down the hall towards the bedroom. Of course, Melanie followed all the while begging to know how Liam stacked up. Unfortunately, Remi refused to divulge. However, her smug demeanor said it all. “Are you two like boyfriend and girlfriend now?” she asked, sounding very high school-esque. “I have no idea what we are,” Remi sullenly responded, as she began to unpack. “I just wish things were simple.”

  Melanie balked. “That’s life, sadly.”

  “Yeah, but for starters, it would help if Liam wasn’t in so much trouble.”