Speak Easy to Me

Chapter 7

There is just something about a good cry that is good for the soul. I woke up refreshed the next morning. It was like all the anger, sadness, and confusion had been purged from my body, tear by tear. I put my robe on before heading down to grab breakfast. I wasn’t sure if I was going to eat in my room or in the dining room. I quickly made up my mind as soon as I entered the dining room and found Uncle Lon sitting at the table.

I didn’t know when he would be back, but I didn’t expect him to be back so soon. I took a seat next to him. I started filling my plate with food when he spoke up, “Is this how you dress for breakfast?” The tone was the most condescending he’d used this far. I wasn’t going to rile him up anymore.

Without looking up I said “I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. I was going to bring food up to my room.” I was hoping he wouldn’t say anything else, and we could just eat in awkward silence. He gave me a halfhearted grunt and continued eating without giving me a second glance.

After Uncle Lon was done eating, he got up to leave the room. He was right by the doors as he turned around and said, “You and Cameron will be going to the symphony tonight. It’s business, so remember your manners, no matter how little you have.” With that, he left the room. He did that a lot, waiting until the last minute to tell me anything, as he was leaving a room. I wonder if that was a power technique he had picked up. You can’t argue with someone if they have left the room.

I had all three maids helping me get ready once again. I had a blush pink silk gown with lacy flutter sleeves that went down to my elbows. The bodice was cinched and pleated where it met in the middle, between my breasts. There were two triangles of silk at my hips and the rest of the skirt matched the flowing lace of the sleeves. I donned a pair of pearl earrings with a matching pearl necklace. A simple clip held my hair back on the left side while the rest remained in loose curls. Most women, especially in the city, had short hair. My long hair, which was easier to manage on the farm, made me stand out here.

Cameron arrived a few minutes early and asked to see me in the study. We greeted each other pleasantly and he asked me to sit down in one of the sitting chairs. I obliged him and did as he asked. He seemed nervous as his eyes danced about and his couldn’t stop fidgeting.

His voice was a little unsure as he spoke. “I know this is not what either of us want, but here we are.” He took a deep breath. “If you are to be my wife, you need a proper ring.” He knelt in front of me and pulled out a dark green oval box.

“Charlotte Bradley, would you be my wife?” He opened the ring box and my breath caught in my throat. There sat the most beautiful piece of jewelry I had ever seen. The white gold band was adorned with small diamonds on either side, drawing my attention to the giant, light blue gem. I had never been so close to a diamond before, let alone one that big.

Cameron let out a small laugh as I took the ring in. I couldn’t even hide the shock and awe on my face. “Is it okay?” he hesitantly asked.

“Is it okay?” I said mockingly. “It’s the loveliest thing I have ever laid my eyes on.” He smiled as he slipped it on my left ring finger.

“Good.” He looked at me. “It’s a 3-carat emerald cut aquamarine diamond.” I was just admiring it on my finger, even if it was a little big and looked ridiculous on me.

“Thank you,” I said to him as I kept my eyes on my new ring.

“Is that a yes?” he asked curiously. I had forgotten he’d even asked me a question.

“Yes. It’s a yes,” I said as I vowed to myself to make this work with him. He had gone out and gotten me a very expensive ring that he didn’t have to. He’s putting effort forward and I would match it. He grabbed my hands and pulled me to my feet. Throwing his arms around me as soon as I stood up. It was a friendly hug, no zing or spark.

Maggie cleared her throat at the study entrance. “You will be late if you do not leave now.” She said before she quickly walked away.

Cameron helped me with my coat. We made our way to the car with Marco driving. Cameron had his hand on my knee the whole car ride. It felt familiar but lacked the heat of Emmett. I needed to get him out of my mind.

“We are going to the symphony tonight because I heard Holden will be there. He can’t ignore me in public, since he wants to privately.” He tightened his grip on my knee slightly as he spoke, “He is a dangerous man, Charlotte. Please be careful when we arrive. I don’t want you wandering off. If you need to go somewhere, I or Marco will escort you. Holden and his men are dangerous. They have killed before for far less than what I am trying to do.” He was as serious as serious could be. I nodded my head in agreement.

Being around criminals was nothing new for me. Most of the men on the farm had some sort of criminal history. My father didn’t judge anyone but made it crystal clear that if anyone hurt one of us girls or Mama, it would be the last thing they do on this earth. I didn’t want to undermine Cameron and tell him about my resume with criminal dealings, so I just kept quiet.

I got one more warning speech before we exited the car to enter the theater where the symphony was being conducted. “Holden is an enforcer. He will try to intimidate you, don’t let him. You are my fiancé. I will protect you. You hold your head high.” I again placated him with a nod before Marco got out and opened my door.

We made our way up the grand steps in front of the theater. Once we got inside it was a grand room full of lively chatter. Everyone was dressed immaculately in tuxes and dazzling gowns. We checked our coats and proceeded to head further into the building.

I was holding on to Cameron’s right arm putting my left hand on full display, my ring catching the light and shining brilliantly. We made our way around the room greeting people Cameron knew, him introducing me to anyone we spoke to.

I glanced up at the ceiling not able to look away once I had seen the intricate details that adorned it. I was being guided blindly by Cameron while I couldn’t take my eyes off the work of art that was the wood carved ceiling.

I heard Cameron say, “Holden.” Which immediately grabbed my attention causing me to look in the direction of the man Cameron was addressing.

Time stood still. I looked forward. This man, Holden, had his back was to us, but if I didn’t know any better, I would have said it was Emmett. The way this man in front of me filled out his tux was exquisite. He turned around, confirming my fear. I felt all the blood drain from my face. The walls were closing in and my lungs suddenly couldn’t get air. My head was trying to wrap my brain about what was unfolding.

“Ah, Cameron. So nice to see you.” Emmett, or Holden, whatever this man’s name was, clearly was not happy to see Cameron. Brooke was draped on Emmett’s arm like she had always belonged there. The only sliver of a silver lining in this situation was the look of shock on Brooke’s face when she saw me with Cameron.

“You are a very hard man to get ahold of,” Cameron said with disdain dripping from his words. Emmett gave him a condescending chuckle.

“I’m easy to find if I want to be found.” Emmett looked at me and it all clicked. He used me. He had let me come to him each time. It had all been a game to get to Cameron. I wasn’t sure what his end game was, but I knew it had something to do with ruining Cameron. Maybe he wanted me to leave Cameron so he’d lose his inheritance, or whatever nonsense he would lose, if we didn’t get married.

Emmett looked at me as if he was seeing me for the first time. My heart stung so bad I almost grabbed my chest from the pain. “Your fiancée?” Emmett inclined his head in my direction.

Cameron pulled me closer to him, “Yes. This is my fiancée, Charlotte Bradley. Charlotte, this is Holden Emmett.” Emmett stuck his hand out for me to shake it and I panicked. I didn’t want to shake his hand. If I was around him for another minute, I was going to give us away.

As soon as he stuck his hand out, I blurted, “I need to excuse myself for a moment.” I turned and walked away without so much as a look back. I had left so abruptly I wasn’t even sure I had spoken loud enough for anyone to hear me. At that moment I didn’t care. If Cameron asked me later about what happened, I would play up the whole ‘he is a bad man and made me nervous’ act.

All the sounds of the lobby faded. The lights were so bright I could hardly see, everyone and everything were just blurs in my peripheral vision. I walked with no real purpose except to escape. I followed a hallway and opened the first door on my right. There was a stairwell, and I went down it, having no idea where it led. At this point, a stairwell straight to hell would be a welcome change of scenery.

I hadn’t heard the door open or close behind me while I was making my way down the stairs. I only knew someone had followed me when I heard the shuffling of feet coming down the stairs. I thought it was Cameron and started talking before I turned around to face him. “I’m sorry, I just needed to get out of the crowd.” To my surprise it was Emmett standing there with his hands in his pockets.

Now that his secret was out, I had no idea what he was capable of doing. Would he kill me so I wouldn’t tell Cameron what he’d done? If you had asked me ten minutes earlier, I would have told you that Emmett would never hurt me, but this wasn’t Emmett, was it? This was Holden. Emmett had just been some role he was playing to make me gain his trust.

“What are you doing?” My words came out as a mixture of terror and anger. Emmett put his hands up in a defensive move while he took a step back.

“I came down here to explain.” He was talking like I would eat up whatever bullshit he was about to tell me. He didn’t know me at all if that is the kind of woman he thought I was.

“There is nothing you can say to me right now that I want to hear. Now, please move so I may leave.” I moved towards the door. He grabbed my left hand as I tried to pass him.

“He gave you a ring?” There was anger behind his words. He held my hand and moved it from side to side as he took in the ring that now sat on it.

I ripped my hand out of his hand. “He is my fiancé. Why wouldn’t he give me a ring? More importantly, why would you care? I don’t appreciate being made a fool and you, sir, have accomplished that by leaps and bounds.”

I went to step up the first stair when he grabbed my arm to stop me. I whipped around so fast he faltered in his step, stumbling a few paces back. “You don’t get to ever touch me again, Holden.” I threw so much venom on his name, Holden, it sounded like a curse word. “If you do, I will cut your hand off and mail it to your mother’s grave.” He didn’t follow me after that exchange. I made it to the top of the stairs and threw the door open wanting to get as much space between me and Emmett as possible.

I ran right into Cameron as I emerged. He took one look at me and knew something was amiss. Before he had a chance to say anything the door opened behind me. Emmett was now standing there. Cameron’s gaze went from Emmett to me, noticing my upset demeaner. Without warning Cameron punched Emmett square in the face. Emmett flew back against the wall. He hadn’t even defended himself.

In one motion Cameron had pulled me behind him as he stood over Emmett. “You ever come near my fiancé again, you will wish you were never born.” Cameron turned his attention to me. He cupped my cheek with his hand as he took in my face. “Are you alright?” I sniffed as I felt the tears welling up.

“I’m fine. Really.” He brushed his thumb over my cheek before he put his arm around my shoulders, and we started walking away.

Emmett couldn’t let Cameron have the last word, “You’ll have to let me know how I taste on your wedding night.” Cameron was back by Emmett in no time. Punches flew. I knew it really didn’t have anything to do with me. Their animosity towards each other had been simmering below the surface for some time. I was just the catalyst that it took to bring it fully to the surface.

I tried to break up the two of them, but in the melee, I ended up getting knocked to the ground. My dress tore as I fell backward. Emmett was the first one to notice I had fallen and ran to help me up. He bent down to help me up. I slapped his hand away; same I did when Cameron offered me his hand. I was pissed at both men. I was also mad at myself.

“You are both Neanderthals,” I said as I dragged myself off the floor. “Kill each other for all I care. I am going to find my seat.” Cameron followed behind me. He had to jog to catch up to me before we made our way back to the main lobby of the theater. He had a bloody lip I hadn’t noticed in the hallway. I reached out my hand and touched just below his lip.

“You should go clean yourself up.” I could also see him opening and closing his hand. “Is your hand alright?” He looked at his hand as if contemplating if it hurt or not.

“It’s fine. I’ll take you to your seat before I clean up.” He waited until I was seated before he went to the bathroom to make himself a little more presentable.

How could I have misinterpreted things so badly? I prided myself at being able to read people easily. Growing up with four younger sisters I had gotten really good at reading body language and feeling people out. That is also what made me good at being the go-between with the bootleggers when I lived at the farm.

Although my father was gentle and understanding with my sisters and me, when he was in any other situation, he was harsh and stubborn. My father was not a businessman by any stretch of the word. We would have lost the farm long ago if it had been left up to him. My mother, as brilliant as she was, did not possess the ability to not trust someone. Put plainly, she was kind of gullible and took everything at face value.

When I had walked back from the road with the four men who would eventually become our business partners at the farm, I had made the deal to let them use our farmland as a resting and recouping site between Canada and Chicago. I had left the farm in the hands of my father knowing I had worked out a deal that didn’t need to be renegotiated. It was a win for everyone with minimal monetary loss for Nick’s boss. We needed just enough money to keep the farm afloat and they needed a cheap place to lay low in between runs.

Nick would stay at the farm, becoming a farmhand of sorts, to make sure everything was kept on the up and up and no one was the wiser. It also helped him lay low when he was wanted in connection to a few shootouts on the streets of Chicago.

Before I got too lost in thought, Cameron sat in the seat next to mine and wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in. He had cleaned up his lip which now only had a slight cut on it. I grabbed his right hand in both of mine and looked at it a little closer. “It’s fine, Charlotte,” he said with a slight reassuring smile.

From my seat I could see across the theater when Emmett and Brooke entered the room, finding their seats. I looked away as fast as I could. I had to get over Emmett and let the fact that he used me sink in. All that had happened between us had felt so real though.

The lights went out and the curtain came up indicating the symphony was about to begin. I snuggled in closer to Cameron to enjoy the sounds of the strings and winds.