by Nicky James
“Aww, come on, be a rebel. Don’t shave. I beg you.”
He removed it from my hand as he laughed. “After today, I will refrain from shaving all weekend. I promise.”
I huffed in mock irritation. “Fine. You win.”
“Good. Now go get dressed or we will never get out of here on time.”
I jumped down off the counter, but as I exited the bathroom, I tugged the towel from where he had it secured around his hips. It fell to the floor leaving him naked and I ran.
“You’re asking for trouble,” he called after me.
I laughed as I ducked into our room and closed the door. Over those past four months, Remy had relaxed in his ways significantly. Everything still had to be in order and his schedule remained rigid most days, but he’d learned to let things go more frequently. Like he’d pointed out months ago; we balanced each other.
I shuffled through a few dress shirts in the closet and picked a burgundy one to pair with black dress pants. In a few hours, I’d be sitting in a courtroom, finally closing the door on my past.
For three days that week, myself and several other men from The Escape had been called to testify against Donny, telling what had happened at the club while we worked there. The jury had made a decision and at one o’clock the verdict would be read.
Once Donny was convicted, the final chain tying me to that part of my past would be broken and I’d be free. Free to never look back on that negative experience and to keep focused on what life had in front of me. My new job, dance school, and most importantly Remy.
I shed my underwear and kicked them into the corner where my pajama bottoms were bunched up in a pile. I found a silk pair of plain black ones to wear under my dress pants instead and pulled them on.
As I finished buttoning my shirt, Remy came in, clean shaven and smelling like a fresh shower. His gaze immediately fell to the corner and he quirked a brow. “Why do you insist on piling dirty laundry in the corner? Do you have something against laundry hampers?”
I smirked and continued to button my shirt. “I leave them there for the same reason you alphabetize our spice rack and color co-ordinate your shirts in the closet, and check the stove four times before bed each night, and organize the Tupperware according to size and—”
“All right, I understand.”
I smirked. “Because I can’t help it. My brain wants to throw clothes on the floor. If I don’t do it, I’ll lose my mind.”
He approached and took my chin, lifting it and planting a kiss on my lips. “You make me crazy.”
“I know,” I smiled, “but you like it.”
He chuckled. “What would I do without you?”
“Perish the thought, you are stuck with me forever and ever. No one else has ever been able to put up with me.”
“Nor me, Caro.” His fingers brushed my hair aside and the humor in his face turned serious. His smile never faded, the love shone in his eyes. “Promise me?”
I kissed his nose. “I promise.”
Once I spent a few minutes finishing getting ready, we headed across town to the courthouse. Ryan and Ashton were out front and greeted us as we wandered toward the stone stairs which led to the front entrance. We’d been in contact over the past few months and even hung out a few times. I’d missed my friends and it was nice to reconnect outside of Donny’s club.
“Moment of truth today,” Ash said as we approached. “Are you ready for this?”
“More than ready.”
Ryan and Ash had started dating a few months back and since leaving Donny’s they’d found themselves a little apartment in a rougher end of town, but one they could afford. They’d both taken jobs serving at a local bar and Ash also worked during the day at a gas station. The hurt feelings over my dating Remy were long gone and Ash seemed truly happy.
Ryan had warmed up to Remy and they got along reasonably well.
We wandered inside as a group, and in the courtroom, we sat in specifically designated seats. There were a lot of people present. On a glance, I noticed a large group of past employees of The Escape, Alessio and Natalie, and many more people I didn’t know.
As we waited for things to get started, I fidgeted and shuffled, unable to get comfortable.
“Are you nervous, Caro?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know why.”
I would have thought the days previous would have been more difficult. When I’d needed to retell my story in front of strangers and answer personal questions that made me feel ashamed. But I couldn’t stop trembling.
Remy put his arm around me and pulled me close. “This has been a long time coming. Lots of anticipation and waiting. It’s normal to feel nervous.”
As we waited, a tap on my shoulder jolted me upright and I spun reflexively. My eyes widened when I saw Kieran and Abel behind me, all dressed up and wearing matching grins.
“What are you guys doing here?” I whispered.
“Remy called and told us it was verdict day. I’m here to stand behind my baby brother, because I thought he’d need his family today.”
I stood and hugged both Abel and Kieran. “Thank you.”
“Plus, Remy said dinner was on him tonight, so fuckin’ eh, I’m not missing a free meal.” Abel laughed when I swatted his arm.
“We’re just back there. Thought we’d say hi before it started.” I nodded and they retreated to a few open seats while I sat back down beside Remy.
“Why didn’t you tell me you invited them?”
He shrugged and kept his eyes up front. “Must have slipped my mind.”
I deadpanned. “Nothing slips your mind. Bullshit.”
He chuckled and pulled me against him again, still not meeting my gaze. I was about to inquire more when there was commotion up front.
The court session was being called to order, and the judge and jury entered the room from the side taking their places. The room hushed and everything became incredibly surreal, as though it wasn’t happening to me, but was part of a dream.
Remy and Alessio had reassured me a million times that it was cut and dry and that Donny didn’t have a leg to stand on. With multiple charges of underaged solicitation against him—Ashton, Ryan and another guy, Jeff, who I didn’t know well—rape, sex trafficking, and more, he’d be going away for a long time.
When Donny was brought in, my body’s response was immediate. All my muscles tightened and I found Remy’s hand for stability.
His charges were read and a member of the jury was called to give their verdict.
My pulse beat in my ears and the palms of my hands became slick in Remy’s grasp. I was shaking and couldn’t stop. Even my teeth chattered.
I tried hard to focus on what was being said, but the steady percussion in my ears was making my mind muddle. I became lost in the rehash of all that had taken place over the past week and only a single word near the end caught my ear. Cheers erupted from a group sitting across from us. They were other employees from The Escape.
“Guilty.”
What happened? What was his sentence? I missed it.
I turned to Remy confused, not able to wade through the swampiness in my mind and find understanding.
“What happened,” I asked.
“He got life, Caro.”
“Life?”
I knew Alessio had explained that was probably how it would play out, but it still shocked me.
“These were serious charges. He’s done. It’s over.”
Done? Over?
As the words began to sink in, Abel pulled me from my seat and hugged me tighter than I’d ever been hugged. “That fucker is toast. You did this. I’m so proud of you, Sor. So fucking proud.”
He kept squeezing me and when he was done, I was squeezed and hugged by so many people I lost count. Alessio came over too with Natalie and they each had their turn.
I didn’t see Donny be removed from the room and I didn’t care. I never wanted to lay eyes on him again. The crowd and confusion went on for a long time b
efore the courtroom finally emptied out and we could get away.
Once things settled, Remy insisted we relocate to Lavender’s for dinner and invited Alessio and Natalie to join us as well. The six of us met up there and were sat at Remy’s reserved table in the back corner, the one we ate at on occasion, since Remy enjoyed taking me out for dinner.
Remy ordered the table wine, but only him, Alessio, Natalie, and Kieran indulged, since Abel didn’t drink and I hated wine. Abel had a soda and I ordered a fancy Pina Colada to celebrate.
After our drinks were delivered, and food orders taken, Remy raised his glass. “I’d like to make a toast. To you, Caro, for taking life by the horns and not letting anything hold you back. You escaped that nightmare and today justice was served.”
My cheeks flushed as everyone clinked glasses and drank to me. I didn’t feel deserving of the attention.
After dinner was served, we ate and chatted, catching up on what was going on in each other’s lives. Dance school was going well and I was bursting at the seams to tell Abel and Kieran all about it. I’d even signed up for another semester that coming summer.
As the meal came to an end, Remy asked the waiter to bring another round of drinks. When they arrived, he cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. Abel adopted a smug look across the table from me and Kieran smiled knowingly at Remy as he continued. Alessio wrapped an arm around Natalie’s shoulders and leaned back in his seat with a wide smile as well. I flipped my gaze from them to Remy, thinking I’d missed something.
Remy’s own smile filled his face and he reached for my hand and held it.
“Caro, I asked everyone to join us today, not only because it’s important to have family beside you for support, but because today you closed that chapter of your life for good. And when one chapter ends, another begins.” He shifted and watched me intently. Before he continued, he placed something on the table in front of me. A small velvet box. When I looked to it, I nearly choked on my next breath. My eyes widened, and I shot my gaze to Remy and then back to the box. “Open it.”
If I thought my hands shook a lot earlier, it was nothing compared to the tremble that began after those words. I lifted the lid and nestled inside was a gold band with a patterning all around the edges. I didn’t move. I couldn’t. All the oxygen left my lungs and all I could do was stare.
“Will you start that new chapter as my husband?”
My mouth went dry as I turned to him. Tears pooled instantly to my eyes making everything blur. I cautiously pulled the ring from where it sat snug in the box and turned it in my hands, the shock and awe rendering me speechless. Was I dreaming?
Something caught my eye, and I turned the band and noticed markings on the inside. It was engraved. I tilted it and read, Mio tesoro, my treasure.
I bit hard into my lip, but the tears trailed down my cheeks regardless. I turned to Remy who waited expectantly, a warm smile still plastered over his face.
“But I drive you crazy.”
He chuckled. “Yes, you do. And I love it. Will you marry me, Caro?”
My answer got stuck in my throat when I tried to voice it, and all I could do was nod as my tears fell freely. The minute I responded, Abel and Kieran clapped and whooped across the table, banging utensils and drawing all kinds of attention. Natalie cried and Alessio kissed her head, beaming at Remy. I wiped my eyes and sniffled. “Hey, did you guys know about this?”
“Lil’ bit,” Abel said, grinning wide.
I laughed and slid the ring on my finger. Admiring it, I smiled. Then, I turned and hugged Remy with all I had. He wrapped me up in his arms, not letting me go.
I was ready for a new chapter, and there wasn’t anyone in the world I’d rather write it with than him.
The End.
About the Author
Nicky James lives in the small town of Petrolia, Ontario, Canada. She is mother to a wonderful teenage boy, and wife to a truly supportive and understanding husband, who thankfully doesn’t think she’s crazy.
Nicky has always had two profound dreams in life; to fall back hundreds of years in time and live in a simpler world, and to write novels. Since only one of those dreams was a possibility, she decided to make the other come alive on paper.
Nicky writes MM romance books in a variety of styles including contemporary, medieval, fantasy, and historical.
Other Titles by Nicky James
Contemporary
Trusting Tanner
No Regrets
New Beginnings: Abel’s Journey
The Escape: Soren’s Saga
Historical
Until the End of Time
Co-Written
Once Upon a Prince: A New Age Fairy Tale
(Written with Jaclyn Osborn)
Tales from Edovia Series
Something from Nothing
Buried Truths
Secrets Best Untold
