Chapter 45

Remi had cried herself to sleep that afternoon following the failed wedding. Late evening, she finally woke, stretching her limps and feeling the same emptiness she had for months. She had a sister she could call, but then again, she knew her younger sibling would run and tell Roman everything. She wasn't exactly known to keep a secret. The best she could get for some girl talk was the only woman down the hall in the mansion who was healing from surgery.

Pulling herself from bed, Remi went to check herself in the mirror before making her way down the hall. Walking past Tate, he gave her a curious glare as she reached for the doorknob.

"Where do you think you're going, Remi?"

"None of your business, Hulk. Don't you have some villains to smash?"

Rolling his eyes, he motioned for her to go into the room where Poppy was resting. "Make it quick."

"When did you become so bossy?"

"When you and your brother kidnapped an innocent woman."

Scrunching her nose, she looked over at him with annoyance. "I didn't do it. Blame Anton and Roman. It was their dumbass idea."

"Guilty by association and I'm sure you were right in the middle of it. You love the drama."

Ignoring his taunts, she went into the room, finding Poppy drawing and propped up in bed.

"What are you doing, farm girl?"

Turning the drawing tablet to face her, the image almost made Remi smile. A fashion sketch in her own image.

"Wow. Is that me?"

"Yep. I think you'd make an awesome model. Maybe when Roman makes good on his promise you could be my main runway model. Maybe a photo shoot too. You're beautiful and would be perfect."

Unknown to Poppy that modeling was her dream, Remi couldn't believe the fashion guru would even mention it. "You think I'm good enough to model?"

"Sure. You're tall, beautiful, and have that European thing going for you. You'd be amazing. And those legs. Holy smokes, they go on for days."

"Yeah, I guess. So, how are you feeling?"

"Better. The doctor says I can get out of bed tomorrow," she said as she looked up at Remi's red swollen face. "You've been crying."

"What?" she said, almost denying it as she wiped her face. "I don't cry."

"Yes, you do. Everyone does."

"Listen, farm girl. I said I don't cry. Don't push it. I'm just mad is all."

"About what?" Poppy asked with a soft tone. "Wanna talk about? I'm a good listener. Is it about Beau?"

"No. Well… not really. I made a mistake a slept with a guy to get intel about what happened. It wasn't the plan, but it just happened. Now I regret it. I've never done that before, and I won't make that mistake again. I just… thought he liked me."

Watching Poppy's eyes go red, Remi took a step back, holding up her hands. "Whoa, relax. I didn't—"

"You did! You slept with—"

Jumping across the bed, Remi covered Poppy's mouth from saying another word. Wide-eyed and terrified, she hushed her as Poppy struggled under her grip. Just as she attempted to lower her hand, Poppy tried to scream. So, she covered it once more.

"Shh! Don't yell. He'll hear you. Please, just stay calm."

Nodding, Poppy agreed as Remi relaxed and rested beside her. Laying her head on the headboard, Remi shook her head in disgust with herself. "Yes, I slept with Luke."

"When?"

"A few days ago. Roman sent me for intel and… I couldn't stop myself. It was during his bachelor party, and he just looked so vulnerable and handsome. I mean, come on. Even you know he's hot. And those dimples…"

"Remi, why would you do that? I thought Luke was a good guy and he cheated with you. He was getting married, and you shouldn't have done that."

"Settle down, Pollyanna. He was drunk. Listen. I need to talk to someone and you're all that I got right now. So, either you can do this creepy girl talk thing, or I'll leave."

Sitting up in the bed, Poppy gave her a curt nod. "Go ahead."

"Luke and I… We have a past. Roman doesn't know and you can't tell him. I know you like Luke and don't want anything to happen to him. So, you can't tell Roman."

"What? Why?"

"Roman would kill him. Maybe both of us. You think he's mad about Beau? Just think what would happen if he knew Luke had a love affair with his sister."

"You're in love with Luke? Oh, Remi. That's great. You can talk to him and—"

"Don't get too excited there, farm girl. Let's not get all butterflies and rainbows here. It was years ago in college and… Let's just not throw that love shit around. Okay? I don't do love. The fact is, I slept with Luke. There's so much Roman doesn't know, and this would kill him. I just needed some advice from a woman and you're all I got right now."

"Wait…" Poppy looked over to Remi who seemed to not even worry about the fact Luke was just left at the altar. "Were you at that wedding this afternoon? Is that why you were crying? Remi! Did you make it worse?"

When Remi's eyes, veered to Poppy, she saw the woman trying to get up from the bed. "Where are you going?"

"To talk to Roman. You fucked him and went to break his heart more than he already is. Why does every damn woman want to hurt that sweet man? I can't believe you'd hurt him that like that! Don't you have any compassion?"

Rushing around the bed, Remi grabbed Poppy, shaking her before the woman broke away.

"I knew I shouldn't have come in here. I wanted to talk and get things off my chest and you're going to nark me out to my brother. I should have known not to trust you!"

"You used him for information and threw him away like trash because you know he's already hurting? That's heartless, Remi! How could you?" Poppy screamed.

"Quiet your voice before I shut you up for good!" Stopping herself, Remi's breathing was heavy as she glared at Poppy. "How could I? You don't even know what you're talking about. You were a damn imposter. And for what? Money and clout! Do you think you can stand there and judge me? I may be a lot of things, but I didn't lie to get people to notice me."

The tension between the woman grew as they glared into each other's eyes.

Rushing over and stomping Remi's foot, Poppy yelled, "You heartless, bitch!"

And that's all it took. Remi went to grab her, and Poppy dodged, running around the lounge chair in the room to get some distance between them.

"You hurt him. How could you? Claudia, now you! You're evil. Pure evil!"

"Do you know who you're talking to you, you little twit? I'll fucking end you."

"I'm telling him! I'm telling everything!" Poppy yelled, "ROMAN! Roman, help!"

Running around the chair, the women went into the full chase as Poppy grabbed a nearby lamp, chucking it at Remis' head.

"I'll kill you, you little bitch. Get back here!" Remi yelled as she lunged for Poppy.

One thing for sure, if she didn't stop her screaming, Roman would find out everything, and she knew for sure; he'd send her back to Italy, never to see Luke again.

***

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