by Olivia Harp
“Holy crap,” Conner said, “it is serious.”
“Give me a break man, I’m—”
“If it wasn’t you would’ve said so already.”
He nodded, the grin on his face made him look so stupid he almost punched him.
“Are you telling us her name?” His father asked. The way he asked seemed… off. He wasn’t teasing him, more like, daring him to say the name.
“Julie.”
His father fixed his eyes with him, then nodded.
“Julie who? Do I know her?” Said Conner.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“You have to bring her over, I’d love to meet her,” said Claire.
“We all do,” his father said.
“Maybe I will.”
Remy stood up and grabbed his plate.
“Leave it son, it’s fine, go shower, it’s getting late.”
He looked at his watch. She was right, as usual.
“Thanks mom, it was delicious.”
He walked upstairs, the look in his father’s eyes never leaving his mind. I have to be careful. They can’t know the truth until the Crawford’s know who I am.
Chapter 31
Julie
The Winery looked fabulous. I have to remind myself to congratulate Veronica. Everything was perfect.
Julie chose the place for the event because Alba LaRoux, an artist she represented, had a new collection of incredible paintings. Most of them featured vineyards, grapes, wine, or the people who made it.
The place was perfect for the exhibition. It was a huge hall, made for big events, like weddings —rich people weddings. Its old-style architecture matched exactly with the feeling she wanted to evoke, with its huge windows on the back wall going up to the ceiling, and its hardwood floors.
The tables were set, the paintings decorated the walls beautifully, she was ready.
She loved Alba’s style. She would be her most famous —and expensive— artist. Her pieces sold for tens of millions to clients all over the world.
A trio began playing Florentine music, one man played a harp, a girl played the violin and an old man had a guitar. The whole place smelled of rain, colored by the soft fragrance of fermenting wine on the room just across this one, on the front of the building. Four huge wine vats stood there, both as decoration and because their three best selling wines fermented there.
People gathered around and talked on their tables. Some of them smoked under the veranda outside.
“You made it,” Remy said, just behind her.
She stiffened in surprise, when she turned to see him, his smile was like magic, lifting her mood even higher. His smile, his hair… and the pride in his eyes. She never knew she needed someone else to complete her, but after meeting him, she couldn’t understand how she managed to live so long without him.
“Thank you,” she replied, and kissed him on the cheek.
“I’ve seen some of these paintings, somewhere.”
“Probably on TV, or online. Alba is pretty famous, I’m lucky to have her as a client.”
“She’s lucky to have you, too. She’s only gonna get richer.”
She smiled, “that’s right.”
“So what do we do now?”
“I don’t know.”
Julie looked around. She knew what he was talking about. Would they act as a couple, or wait until she introduced him properly? Would he meet her parents? Was it dangerous?
“Let’s just have a good time,” Remy said, “things will fall into place.”
She smiled, “deal.”
***
After the introductions, and her big announcements, a band began playing, big time.
Artists, businessmen, magazine editors… everyone was there. The rain fell hard outside, lightning and thunder cracking from time to time, but it didn’t keep people from having fun.
After tonight, everyone in the art world would know her name. She was ready to take another big step in her career.
They danced for the better part of the evening, the man knows how to dance! It was a surprise to her, she never thought he would be into dancing.
“You’re good!” He said.
“I didn’t know you liked dancing.”
He rolled his eyes, smiling wide, “I learned when I was a kid. I can teach you if you want.”
She laughed.
“I’ll teach you!”
He laughed, “I’m just kidding honey, you’re the best.”
It was a fun, perfect evening. Day turned into night earlier than she anticipated. The room was lit in purple, orange and green, almost like a night club, but it still kept that classy atmosphere that she loved —and paid for.
Someone crashed against her, obviously on purpose. What the—
It was Nina. Dancing with Mark.
“I thought you weren’t coming!” Julie said.
“We just arrived! We couldn’t make it in time for your speech, how was it?”
She bit her lip, unable to hold back her smile.
“Oh God, congratulations!” She said, giving her a big hug, “you’re a heavy hitter now!”
Nina knew her too well.
“I hope!”
“You’re not drinking, man?” Mark asked Remy, holding a glass of wine in his hand.
“Not tonight, bro.”
They kept on dancing, the guys were too funny. They started doing these ridiculous moves, like nineties style kind of dancing, clapping and turning, it was embarrassing to see them… which was what they wanted.
“Stop!” She and Nina said, “I don’t want to lose any of my clients.”
They sat at their table, she wanted to drink some water.
“It’s going well.”
“Yes,” she said. She was worried now. She’d seen her parents glancing at her several times through the evening. She had to introduce Remy to them sooner or later.
Stop acting like a baby.
They brought her a glass of Champagne and she swallowed it in one gulp.
“Are you okay?” Remy asked.
“Kind of nervous.”
“Really?”
“People are going to ask questions.”
He kissed her, right there, in the middle of the room. And she kissed him back. Fuck it.
It was just what she needed.
“I’m going to the ladies room, okay?”
He smirked, “sure.”
She grabbed her purse and left, she needed to tell her parents, now. Today. This was her opportunity and she wouldn’t waste it.
Let’s get all this drama over with.
It was decided. She would take his hand and let everyone know who she was with tonight.
Chapter 32
Remy
Remy looked around. Julie’s party was a complete success. He was a man of numbers. Finances. Cold, hard cash.
She was a people’s person. She knew everybody.
He smirked, if I ever threw a party I’d be lucky to have what, five, ten people come?
Someone sat at his table, two chairs away from him.
Trey.
He looked at Remy, trying to stare him down. Poor bastard, he kicked his ass once, he would do it again if he had to.
Motherfucker deserves a beating, that’s for sure. Besides, he owed him. He’d insulted his woman… he was eager to make things straight. Now was his chance.
He didn’t talk first, just waited for him to speak.
Remy smiled.
Trey was pulling some pseudo-intimidation bullshit but it backfired on him.
“Been looking for you,” Trey finally said, combing his hair behind his ears, trying to act tough.
“You found me.”
They stared at each other, Trey licked his lips.
“You have to come with me.”
“You think?”
“Unless you want me to kick your fucking ass in here and ruin your little girlfriend’s party, yes.”
He saw them kiss. Good. That’s why he d
id it.
“Are you stupid, Trey?”
He stiffened.
“Are you really that fucking dumb?”
Trey clenched his jaw, his face turning red.
“You’re a fucking coward, coming at me at a party, probably carrying a weapon, with all your friends around. I would take you on your offer, but I don’t want to ruin Julie’s gala. What if we settle this on—”
“I didn’t ask,” Trey interrupted him coldly, “I said you’re coming with me. Morgan boy.”
His stomach felt heavy. How much did he know?
Trey stood up, brought out his cell phone and showed it to Remy.
Red-hot fury burned inside of him. He wanted to kill Trey, to take him out right now.
It was a picture of Julie, going outside with Trey’s people.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“I just need to set things right.”
He opened his jacket, flashing him his gun.
“You two need to come clean.”
Remy couldn’t do anything until he saw her safe. He stood up, fixed his bowtie and walked to the exit of the big winery.
He was tired of all this bullshit. He would take Trey down if that was the last thing he did.
Chapter 33
Julie
She walked downstairs, to the cellars. The staircase was narrow, barely able to fit one person. Two of Trey’s goons walked with her, a bald one in front, one with a ponytail behind.
They told her her father was waiting for her. She didn’t believe them at first but they showed her pictures of her and Remy.
He knew. He spied on us and now wants to destroy everything.
They got to the bottom of the stairs into a cold, wide room. Soft, yellow lights lit the way ahead, wood shelves full of bottles of wine adorned every corner. They kept going and entered a corridor and turned left into another room. This was one split in the middle by an old rack, also full of wine bottles.
These were the cream of the crop.
Ahead, in a rounded room, her father waited for her, sitting on a chair. He looked as if in the middle of a library, every shelf around carrying old wines, completely cold, as if forgotten by time. A lonely light bulb bathed him in soft light, he was still wearing his tuxedo.
Suddenly, she knew this wouldn’t end up well.
“Julie?” He said, raising his eyes, “what’s going on? Where the hell is Trey?”
The two men said nothing. She ran to hug him, “something’s wrong.”
“I want you to get Trey here now.”
“He’s coming, sir.”
“He told me he had information on our enemies and this—”
“I know, but—”
“No buts! You work for me you asses, go get him right now!”
The two men looked at each other. Charles Crawford, head of the organization stood up, taller than them, his eyes fixed on the bald goon.
“We’re leaving.”
He stepped forward but they didn’t move. If they didn’t let him through they would seal their fates.
Another step forward. Julie held on to him, scared. They were four or five yards away from them. She could see them tense up. This was a decision that would mark them for life.
Another step and the ponytail guy stepped back to let him through. The bald guy did the same. Charles was about to pass them when a voice echoed in the circular room, through the shelves and glass bottles. The cold dampness around Julie felt like the embrace of death.
“Sorry I’m late, Mr. Crawford.”
It was Trey, speaking from the corridor outside, but the first person she saw come in was Remy.
She couldn’t move. Trey knew about them and was going to destroy everything. Remy’s face didn’t betray any emotion. He looked at her, his calm reassuring.
Trey followed him. He pushed Remy from behind, but he barely moved.
“Grab him!” Trey yelled when his efforts were so obviously fruitless.
The two goons moved fast and brought Remy forward.
She could see the gun in Trey’s pants.
“What is this, Trey? Have you lost your mind?”
Ponytail pushed Remy and sat him on the chair.
“No, it’s your daughter who’s crazy.”
Charles turned to her.
“Spit it out, dear,” Trey continued, “you betrayed me.”
“Fuck you, Trey. Dad, I was going to tell you everything.”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m Remy Morgan,” Remy said, sitting on the chair, his eyes looking straight at Charles, “the son of Edward Morgan, and I love your daughter.”
Charles clenched his jaw, his face red with anger. She’d never seen him like this.
But it didn’t matter. Hearing him say that again. It was music to her ears. The world could go to hell. This was her life, and she had been doing great at it. Everything else was just noise. She and Remy, nothing would stand in their way.
Trey laughed, a scornful laugh that would have driven her over the edge a second before. It didn’t matter. He was an ant. An insect. What he thought about anything at all was of no concern to her.
“What have you done?” His father asked.
She stepped towards Remy, he tried to stand up but Ponytail hit him in the back of the head and pushed him down.
His grunt made her shiver. There were four men here besides Remy. All of them his sworn enemies.
“We fell in love,” she said.
“Quiet,” Charles replied coldly.
“He’s a spy,” Trey said, “he probably knows everything about how we clean the money—”
“Of course I do,” Remy interrupted, “I’ve also had plenty of chances to take advantage of that knowledge, but I haven’t done it.”
“Hit him again, Ray.”
The man behind Remy balled his fist and tried to punch Remy, but he moved to the side just in time to catch his hand and twist it.
Ponytail —Raymond— screeched in pain, dropping to his knees. Bald guy jumped forward and kicked Remy right in the face. He fell back, the chair cracking as it hit the floor.
“No!” Julie yelled, but Ponytail kicked him in the stomach. She leaped towards him, trying to stop him but he jerked back and pushed her.
She hit the ground with a loud thud. Ponytail realized what he had just done.
Everyone stopped moving.
“What are you’re doing?” Charles yelled.
Remy got on his knees, then put a leg forward, and finally stood up. Blood poured down from his nose and eyebrow.
“I’ll do whatever it takes for her. I want your blessing, I want to marry her.”
Julie looked at him, her heart beating faster than ever. She didn’t know whether she was going insane with happiness, or Remy wanted them to kill him.
“You fucker!” Said Trey, “you’re filth. Your whole family is filth! I’m going to kill you.”
“No,” said Charles.
What?
Did her father just said no?
Charles stepped forward, facing Remy.
“Does your father know about this?”
“No,” Remy answered.
“There’s—” Trey tried to say.
“Quiet!” said Charles, still looking at Remy, the cold air around them like a dead winter morning. He looked like a wolf staring at his prey. And Remy stared back, unable to relent.
“Mr. Crawford…” Trey said, “Charles!”
He was sounding more and more panicked, his plan somehow was taking a turn into unknown territory.
“The Morgan’s killed my father. You know I can’t let him go. I ask permission to take him out.”
He brought his gun up, pointing directly at Remy’s head.
Remy didn’t flinch. He kept staring at Charles.
“What are you going to do, son?” Charles continued, “You know how stubborn your father is.”
Remy’s face was full of blood, his clothes ruined, but he kept stari
ng straight at the head of the rival organization.
“I told you,” he said, in a more even tone. He wasn’t defying him now, he was saying exactly what he meant.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes.”
Charles Crawford, one of the most powerful men in Chicago, smiled. It wasn’t a big smile, no one would have been able to see it. But Julie recognized it. She knew her father too well. Remy brought all the walls down.
“Understood,” he whispered, and her body, every muscle in it, trembled. It was a powerful feeling, getting rid of that weight.
“No!” Trey said, “they killed my father—”
“And your father killed Jacob Morgan. He fucked up back then.”
“You’re on their side?”
“I’m on our side,” Charles said, quietly, “put the gun down Trey. The bloodbath is over.”
Trey turned white, mad with fury.
“Fuck you!” He yelled, and turned to him.
Remy jumped forward, tackling him but it was too late, the gun went off.
Charles was down, blood pouring from his chest, tinting his shirt bright red.
Julie screamed as Remy wrestled Trey for the gun, she was on the floor, trying to help her father.
His eyes found her, and she knew he was dying.
Chapter 34
Remy
Trey’s blind madness made him hard to predict. They crashed against a shelf.
Fighting a man with a loaded gun was the worst situation Remy could think of. The God damned imbecile shot Charles Crawford himself.
Trey has to kill all of us now.
The gun went off again, bottles exploded to their right, bathing them in broken glass and red wine. He grabbed Trey’s wrist, preventing him from pointing the gun anywhere but to the ceiling, Remy’s elbow on his throat.
Trey choked, trying to knee Remy back, but Remy crashed his forehead against his nose, the crunching noise and his muffled yell of pain filled the dark room.
Burning bright pain on the side of Remy’s face. The whole world almost went black.
Someone hit me. He looked away fast enough to avoid a direct hit on his chin. The bald guy was trying to knock him down. But he couldn’t let Trey go. He’d be dead if he did.
Before Bald hit him for a third time, he kneed Trey on the groin, whirled around grabbing the gun with both hands, Trey pressed the trigger one, two, three times.