Chapter 46

"Get back here, farm girl! I'm going to kick your ass when I get my hands on you... Ouch! You bit me, you little shit!"

"Oooow! Let go of my hair, Remi!"

"Let go of mine!"

"You first," Poppy screeched as she kicked Remi for the third time in the shin, making her suck air as she grabbed her leg.

"Ouch! Stop doing that. Stand still!"

"No! Leave me alone!" Poppy yelled as she ran around the room trying to keep Remi from catching her, throwing whatever she could get her hands on, along the way.

Holding up her hands, Remi tried to calm her. Panting and out of breath, she couldn't keep up this nonsense. She wanted to shoot her but knew darn well she left her gun in her bedroom. The best thing to do not was just get her to calm down.

"Listen, you can't tell Roman. He'll freak. He doesn't understand love."

"You said you don't do love."

"Well… I don't. But Luke was… Maybe… I don't know. That's why I came to talk to you. Hell, until Roman met you, I don't even think he knew what the word love even means. He probably had to Google that shit."

Stopping in her tracks, Poppy smiled as she turned back to her. "Really? You think he loves me?"

"Ha! Got ya!" Remi said as she grabbed Poppy, throwing her to the bed, and climbing on top to stop Poppy from throwing a fist. "Stay still!"

"Get off me you heifer! You're hurting me. I have stitches, you know."

"Promise you won't tell my brother, and I'll leave you alone."

"ROMAN!"

"Damn it, Poppy, stop screaming!"

As the woman wrestled around on the bed, Tate was standing at the door watching the entire thing. He knew everything. There was one thing about Tate people didn't realize. He was the most trusted guy in the crime family. Why? Because he kept a low profile, and everyone talked as if he wasn't even in the room. He knew Remi's secret now, but he'd never tell. He was never one to give away his secrets. Information was leverage, and in their line of work came in handy.

Standing with his arms crossed, he just belly-laughed at the two women fighting like children.

Down the hall was a different story. Hearing his name being screamed from across the mansion, Roman rushed to the room, stopping in his tracks when he saw the commotion. His mouth dropped in shock when he saw the room was a wreck and his sister was on top of his 'guest'.

"What the hell is going on here?" he said, as his voice rumbled throughout the room, making everyone shutter in response.

The women stopped in their tracks, knowing they were in deep trouble.

"Oh, shit!" Remi blurted out.

Suddenly, his sister grabbed Poppy, covering her mouth, and out of sheer nervousness did the same to her own.

The look of guilt on the woman's face made Tate bust out laughing. "You two are in so much trouble."

"Shut up, Hulk. Don't you have some stuff to smash?"

"Hulk, rather watch Remi get smashed by brother," Tate teased in his best Hulk voice.

"What's going on?" said a voice at the door.

Everyone turned their attention to Rick, who was eating a huge dagwood sandwich, as the room went into total audio silence.

"What'd I miss?"

"It seems my sister and yours are fighting or having some weird ass slumber party. Remi, let her go."

"But—"

"But nothing. Let her go. What the hell is going on? She just had surgery and you're in her roughhousing around." Walking to Poppy, he helped her back to bed. "And you, get back in bed. You're under doctor's watch."

"Roughhousing? What are you, our mother?" Remi snorted.

"If I was, God rest her soul, I'd already be throwing you out of this room and grounding you. Now, what's going on?"

Rolling off the bed, Remi looked sadly at Poppy. "Go ahead. Tell him."

Straightening her nightgown, Poppy turned to look Remi in the eyes. The look of sadness behind those ruthless eyes was a sense of loss and despair. She was just as broken as Luke and maybe she was just looking for some friendly advice. With a sigh, Poppy retreated. Fighting now seemed pointless when Remi was clearly going through something deeply personal.

Speaking over her shoulder to Roman, she almost felt sorry for the woman as she adjusted herself in bed. "It was nothing. Just a misunderstanding. You see, I want her to wear hot pink organza in my fashion show for my formal line. She wanted the couture pastel with chiffon and lace. I think maybe she's right. The fabric will look better against her tan skin."

"That's what you were fighting about?"

"Yep. That's it. I look better in pastel tones. It's a… beachy theme. Right Poppy?"

"Uh… yeah."

Roman rolled his eyes as his arms rested tightly crossed over his chest. He knew they were lying. His sister was sneaky when dealing with enemies, but when she lied to family, she would blush all the way to the tips of her ears, just like now. And from the look of Poppy's store, she didn't carry one beachy style look. She was more of a vintage and Hollywood glam type girl. He may have been a ruthless mob boss, but he knew fashion. Being a social king, he was up to all the trends and always dressed impeccably.

"Tate, is that what's going on?"

"I don't know. I was just watching the chick fight. It was funny as hell."

"Did my sister cheat?" Rick asked before taking a mouth full of food.

"Hell, yeah she did. She kicked Remi in the shins and poked her in the eyes. She even bit her."

"Typical. She's a tiny little monster when she fights. She's little, so she found ways to fight back, but not fairly. I've had a few nut punches in my time."

Tate's eyes veered to him, lingering downward and back up again, with a sly smile. "Poor baby. We'll have to have some ice on hand to keep you well attended."

When Rick's eyes met his, he almost choked on his sandwich. "Uh… ice… yeah…"

Poppy tried to hide her smile as Rick's face turned beet red. As his lips curled into a smile, she noticed a slight hint of that expression mirrored in Tate's. No one else noticed, but she did.

"Okay, enough of this. Remi, get out of this room and leave her be. Poppy, stay in that bed."

"You're not my dad."

"Yeah, well, if you don't want me to make good on my promise to spank your ass, I say you need to do as you're told."

With a devilish smile, Poppy giggled. "I'm not seeing the downside here, slick."

"That's it. I'm out," Rick said as he turned to leave. "I don't need to hear you perverts flirting and talking about your kinky spanking habits. Remi, come on, chick. I need you to tell me all the juicy gossip about this place."

"Be right there, Rick." Turning back to Poppy, Remi gave a wink, whispering. "Thanks."

With a nod, Poppy knew she'd keep her secret. Remi needed to figure this out on her own time, and she'd let her.

Watching everyone leave, Roman went to the bedside. "Are you okay? Did she hurt you?"

"I'm fine. She was going soft on me."

"I figured. Poppy, when you're off bed rest, we need to talk."

"I know," she said with a smile. "Roman, I don't know if I ever said it, but I am sorry for lying. I shouldn't have pretended to be Claudia. I know it hurt you, and I know Luke won't take the news well, either."

"I forgive you, and so will he. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll take you on a walk around the estate for some fresh air." Leaning to kiss her forehead, Roman let his lips linger for just a moment. "Good night, princess."

"Goon night, sweet prince."

Pulling back, Roman let out a sigh. "I'm no prince, darling. I'm the monster in this story, and if you're not careful, I'll keep you hidden away in my castle forever."

"Promise?"

Giving her a chuckle, he walked to the door. "Careful what you wish for."