Chapter 26: Chapter 26

"Because it's my fault," he said as he unwound her long legs from his waist, stepping around the office desk to get some distance between them. "You shouldn't be here. I'm to be married in just a few days."

Remi's eyes went wild with anger as she reached for her gun. "So, you did it. You put a hit out on him. How could you?"

Luke raised his hands in defense, clearly not wanting any conflict. Keeping his cool, he looked Remi in the eyes, hoping she would listen. "I didn't put out a hit. I had nothing to do with it, but I still blame myself."

Pointing the gun at him, she came around the desk, almost in tears. Her hands were shaking and her breathing was desperate. Remi never broke, but she was on the verge of it. Her sudden loss of control said a lot because Remi wasn't the type to cry or get emotional. According to her, tears were for the weak. Emotions for the feebleminded.

Wiping her eyes, she took a slow breath to calm herself. "You would only blame yourself if you were involved. So that means you may not have killed him, but you know who did."

"Indirectly, I am responsible. Well, my dad was anyway. Had my dad not gotten involved in the drug trade, Beau wouldn't be where he is now. When I took over, I should have stopped the deals with the cartels, and Beau wouldn't have been getting high on my supply. The only good thing that came from it was those years got Beau to want to become a preacher, but in turn, it got him killed. So yeah. I guess I am the reason for his death. Had I been a better leader, this whole thing wouldn't have happened."

"Roman told you to stop the drug deals," she almost shouted. "Why didn't you listen?"

"I know he did," he shouted back as he turned away, slamming his fist on his desk. "Damn Remi! I was new at all this. Dad was sick, and I was forced into this position. I never wanted to be a Don. I had dreams of being a famous photographer to show the beauty in people, not being the reason that they die. I didn't even want to go to college to be a lawyer, that was my family's idea. I've always done just what everyone else tells me to do, and this is no different. Don't you think I feel horrible about all this?"

"No, because you are just like us. You're going to have to open your eyes one day, Luke. This life is who we are." Dropping her head, she added, "Even when it's not the life we chose for ourselves. Trust me. I know more than anyone knows what it's like to have dreams. This life takes that all away. Now Beau is dead because of you, and you admit it."

"He was one of my closest friends. Roman was my best friend, and now he hates me, and so do you. Everyone does because they think I'm a monster for what happened to Beau, and I don't blame any of you. I was a drug dealer, and that is who I am now."

"You're right. It is your fault," she cried as her hands shook and her breathing labored. "Why Beau, Luke? Why?"

"Oh, baby. I'm so sorry. It should have been me."

Walking to Remi, hearing her suck back tears, he slowly lowered her hand with the gun that was pointed right at his forehead. He knew she would never shoot. They had a past. A secret one that only they shared. Taking the pistol from her grip, he pulled her into his arms, wanting more than anything to take the pain away.

Collapsing into him, Remi broke down crying. She hadn't let herself grieve her brother's death, but in Luke's arms is where she always found comfort and peace. She missed their closeness, and most of all she missed him.

"Why are you marrying that evil woman?" she wept.

"I have to. It's the only way."

"I wasn't good enough for you?"

"Oh, Remi," he said with a sigh, "You were always more than enough. We could never be together. Roman wouldn't allow it and our families would really be at war with each other if they found out."

"My brother doesn't own me. I make my own choices."

Letting out a slight snicker, he noted, "No one could own you, Remi. You're too damn stubborn. Besides, you were the one who said you didn't do love and would never get married. I wanted that life with you but you're a free spirit. You'll never settle, and I need more."

Pushing away, she rolled her eyes. "So, you're like everyone else. Remi D'Amico: The heartless bitch who will never be able to love anyone. Just a ruthless mafia darling with a chip on her shoulder. Does that sound right? The older D'Amico sister who is a cold-blooded murderer with nothing but a heart of stone. You may not have wanted this life, but neither did I. I had dreams of being a model. Now the only fashion I wear is the ones that don't hold blood stains."

"Remi, you're nothing like that. You're a good woman. I didn't mean it like that."

Walking to the nearby window, she hopped back into the windowsill, ready to leave the same way she came. "You won't have to worry about me, Luke. I'm just what you and everyone else believe me to be. A cold-hearted bitch with a gun in her hand. Don't mistake this little breakdown as a weakness. I miss my brother, but you'll never see another tear from these cold dead eyes. Tears are for the weak."

Rushing to the window, he almost made it in time to stop her from scaling down the wall, but it was too late. She was already on the ground before he could get there. When she took one last look up at him from his backyard, he saw the true love of his life turn into a truly cold-hearted killer. She wanted him dead. Which was fine because he wanted this all to end, anyway.

"Do you remember, Remi? Those days in our college years when you could barely speak English."

"Don't, Luke. It's no use. Those years are gone now."

Not listening to her plea to silence him, he continued as he looked down at her from his office window. "I had taught you to fit into American life and spent hours taking photos of the wanna-be fashion model. You were the sweetest soul I'd ever met. In the hiding, we had a relationship hidden from your family."

"Stop Luke," she begged. "We knew Roman would never approve. You're right about that. No one was good enough for his sister. Especially his rowdy best friend, who spent too many nights in clubs and parties."

"Yeah. Maybe I should have spent more time with you than at the parties. Maybe things would be different now. That's why you walked away, isn't it? You felt neglected."

Looking up at him, he could see a tear trace down her cheek from the window light. "You never came looking for me, Luke. You made that choice, not me. Your friendship with Roman was more important than what we had. I just gave you what you wanted, and you messed that up too. Now, he hates you anyway. You're right about one thing; I hate you now too. I hope you rot in hell, Luke Gambino. Good luck with your wedding. I hope she's everything I couldn't be."

She was once his everything, and now Remi looked at him with hate. And he only blamed himself. The love of his life was lost to the crimes of his family business.

As he watched her jump the fence with ease, he knew this may be the last time he would ever know what it was like to hold Remi D'Amico in his arms. The end of ever knowing what true love could ever be.

***

Author note: What do you think of Luke and Remi's secret relationship?

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