The Wedding: Dark Romance Read online

  I close my eyes and think about it. My mind conjures images of the Eiffel tower and chateaus. I’m driving through the countryside past fields of lavender with Brick in his yellow corvette, or one made just like it. My arms are stretched up to heaven and the wind is in my face. I’m writing by a window as Brick is playing his saxophone in our little flat. And then he stops. We make love right there on the floor. He whispers about his love for me in his deep, thickly accented Cajun voice, and I respond in French. I have everything. Including love.

  Before I saw disaster for him and me. The kind that devastates and changes our love. But now I see clearly. Brick is who I’ve been waiting for.

  “Coco, open your eyes. Look at me,” he says and he’s lying on his side. I open my eyes and look up into his face. “Come with me to Paris. I’ll take care of everything.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m in love with you,” he confesses.

  The might of his confession crushes the air from my lungs. I open my mouth to say the words but nothing escapes me, nothing. He kisses me and the blow is softened. “I love you too,” I hear myself say and I’m not sure who that woman is that is speaking. When his lips lift from mine I smile.

  “Okay Brick let me handle my family. My way.”

  Brick smiles and tickles me.

  “Stop! Stop! I need to clean myself up. They’ve probably already sent a search party out for me. Let me go.”

  “I’ll never let you go,” he says. I believe him.

  I can only drive her half way. The party is in full swing. We can hear the music, see the people laughing and drinking from where I park. I’m worried she will be spotted with me if we go closer.

  “I’ll call you, this thing, celebration, it’ll last all weekend unfortunately.”

  “Introduce me to your parents. If they meet me they’ll love me.”

  She chuckles. “Ah, no they won’t. But yeah. I guess I need to do that soon. Let me talk to my mother and grand-mère. Then we’ll see about introductions.” She leans in and gives me another kiss. And then she’s out of my car. My heart is racing. It does that when she leaves me. All of these stolen moments have built up in my head. I’ve only told two other women in my life that weren’t family that I love them. And both relationships ended shortly after. It’s like I can say the words but not stick to the promise. With Coco it feels different. It feels authentic. But I could be wrong.

  She’s always talking about her instinct. Her sight. Well tonight I must have the same gift. After watching her walk back to the house my eyes are drawn to the left where the road will take me. I see a figure in the distance. A man. The orange amber from his smoke is all I can see of his face. He’s leaning against a tree. He’s staring directly at me.

  There’s something familiar about him. The hairs on my nape stand on end. I steer the car and start out on the road that led me in. Just as my mysterious instinct suspected the man who watches in the dark shadows by the trees steps into the road. And before my headlights fall upon him I know who he is.

  “What the...”

  I slow the car to a stop and put the gearshift into park. I’m out of the door and slamming it.

  “I thought that was you,” Domino says.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask.

  Domino spits. He glances back to the Planation house. “Hired help.”

  “The band is playing here?” I ask.

  “Yeah, Smoke set it up for us. I was curious why he didn’t ask you to come. Guess I know why. You fucking the royal princess.”

  “Keep her out of your mouth.” I take a step toward him.

  “Or what, muthafucka? You going to call Pops on me? Or you going to handle me yourself?”

  I’m close enough to strike but I resist. Even if I manage to take Domino down it would draw attention to me, and him. Be a disaster for Coco. I’ve disrupted her life enough for the night.

  “Marcel thinks you and I need to be friends to make this work. I don’t believe that. Fuck. We don’t need you for Paris.”

  “Who the fuck says I give a shit about Paris?” he scoffs.

  “Oh you give a shit. And you know damn well you can’t get that deal without me. So here it is Domino. Your woman chose me. Twice.”

  Domino’s dark eyes narrowed on me.

  “I fucked her. Twice.”

  Domino’s large hands curl into big fists.

  “I have no intentions of fucking her again. But I recognize it was disrespectful. So part of me, a small part of me, regrets it’s an issue for us.”

  Domino smirks.

  “That’s where it ends. Ya heard me? That’s where it ends. You say anything to these people about me and their princess it won’t be Pops you need to worry about. I’ll fucking climb your big ass and cut your throat myself.”

  Domino wipes his jaw. He wants to take me down. Something holds him back. I doubt it’s my threat. He winks at me and then turns and walks away. Not another word passes between us. I stand there watching him head back to the party house and wipe the sweat from the humid heat steaming my face. This war between us will never end. Not when a man’s ego and pride is on the line. Which is what further angers me. Smoke sent Domino here, knowing full well I’m still seeing Coco. Smoke is stirring this powder keg, and I plan to put an end to it. He’s the motherfucker I got a real problem with now.

  “Where have you been?” My thirty-six year-old brother Jalen barks. I stop in my tracks. He’s taller, and just as aggravating as the rest of my brothers. Physically Jalen is the only one of us who doesn’t look the same. His skin is dark and beautiful, and his build is less brawny. He has dimples that no one in the family does. I’m glad he’s married and living in Texas. Physical differences isn’t the reason. Jalen is a bully. Mean and angry most of his life. And I never felt safe around him.

  I didn’t see him at first. I was too wrapped up in the post-coital glow of my love affair when I passed him. And lucky for me he didn’t see me get out of Brick’s corvette. Am I looking okay? Do I smell like Brick? I tried to clean up but his aftershave and cologne is strong. I know I have to look guilty.

  “Why?”

  “Still spoiled as ever. You missed dinner and dad is pissed,” He took a step toward me. He looked me over. My satin white ballerina slippers I have on my feet to replace my heels are muddy. My brother frowns.

  “I went for a walk Jalen. That’s it. Now get out of my way.”

  His gaze lifts to my eyes. He smoked one of his forbidden cigarettes that is pressed between his two fingers and exhales the smoke from his nose. I wave off the stench of the cloud. He was probably sneaking a smoke away from his wife’s meddling nose. He lets me pass him. And it’s a big relief for me. Jalen, Bobby, Mathew, Tony, Keith and Nathan are always known to overreact.

  I keep going. And then things get worse. Xavier walks straight for me. I really want to find my grand-mère and talk to her. I’m in no mood for my fake fiancee. But I don’t escape his reach in time. He captures my hand and pulls me with him. To keep from causing a scene I let him walk me into the house, pass his family and pass mine. We head to the back foyer that leads to another outdoor terrace. Except this one isn’t crowded with the elite party goers. We are alone.

  I snatch my hand from his.

  “Where the hell were you?” Xavier demands.

  He’s about five-foot nine and has skin the same mocha to taupe brown shade as mine. His dark, short, curly hair lays finely around his face. He’s handsome, very. Most girls in my family swoon when he enters a room. But something is off with Xavier. Our vibrations are wrong. He has never been more than a bully in my life. Like my father and brothers. I’m really sick of him.

  “Where were you?” he asks again.

  “Would you guys stop asking me that? I went for a walk! Jesus!”

  “A walk? Where? Out there? In the fucking woods?” he steps back and looks at my feet. “Why the hell are you walking around in the dark out there? We looked for you. Do you know how embarra
ssing it is to not know where my fiancé is?”

  “Whatever,” I yawn.

  Xavier grabs my arm and it startles me. He yanks me forward so abruptly I have to brace a fall with my hand to his chest.

  “Enough of this bullshit. I won’t have you making me look like an idiot in front of everyone. Do you hear me? I’ll make your father look like one first!”

  “Let me go!” I snatch away. “And you are an idiot for touching me. I’ll tell my brothers…”

  “Grow the hell up Coco! We aren’t kids anymore. I’ve played it your way. Given you space. I’ve tried being nice, tried to take it slow with you. Hell I’ve even tried ignoring you. Nothing works. I’m not going to let you continue to push me aside like some after thought… you’re my fiancé and you’re going to damn well act like it.”

  “Act like it? I’ve been pretending from the very start.”

  “Very funny. You are out of time sweetheart. You already said yes. Bought the dress. The wedding is a formality. From here on out we do it my way.” He takes a step toward me. “You’re going to be my wife.”

  “Or what?” I cross my arms in defiance. “Cause I can just as easily stand in front of that church and say NO as I could say I do. You have no power over me.”

  He smiles and it makes me feel small. He’s so smug. So arrogant.

  “I have a birthday surprise.”

  “Oh you mean that plot of swamp land my father bought us? You can have it. I have no intention of living in Baton Rouge. And guess what? I have decided. That’s what that walk was for. Me clearing my head. I’ve decided to tell daddy I’m not marrying you. Tonight.”

  He waves off my comment. “I’m talking about my special gift for you. We’re leaving in the morning and going to Jamaica. For five days. Just you and me.”

  “Are you crazy?”

  “It was my Mom’s idea. I’m taking you away from here. Time for us to spend some time together. Time to stop all the fighting. We’ve known each other since we were kids. We’ve been friends, enemies, family. You’re mine Coco. You always have been.”

  “I can’t do that,” I blurt.

  He frowns. “Can’t is not the same as won’t. So that means you know better. You can and we are going.”

  “I won’t go, this is over” I walk away from him. I put my hand to my stomach because I feel sick with anxiety over facing my father. I’m tired of all of them. I’m a fraud. Brick thinks I’m courageous, I’m overwhelmed in my family. I don’t have a single ally.

  “We’re going. We have to go. You and I need to figure this out. Don’t we?”

  “You treat me like I’m your property.”

  “You treat me like I’m your enemy,” he says.

  “That’s how I feel Xavier. And Jamaica is not going to change that. Do you even want to go? Or are you pretending again for your mother?”

  He walks over to me and looks me in the eye. “I want you to fall in line. Behave like a young woman in love with her fiancé.”

  “That sounds so clinical.”

  He scoffs. “It’s fucking embarrassing how you leave the room when I enter. How you drop my hand whenever you can. I won’t be made a fool out of anymore.”

  “Then stop it. Admit you don’t want to get married. Let’s go tell our parents together. End this mess. You don’t like me, you never have. I’m not stupid. We’re trapped. But if we both do it together Xavier they will have to accept it.”

  “Wait here? I think there’s someone you should meet.”

  “Who?”

  “Someone to help you understand our choices.” Xavier smiles and walks out. I’m left with his empty threats and weak proposal and I can still feel Brick’s touch on my heart. I need to find my grand-mère. If Xavier can’t be convinced to stop this stupid game between us I can use grand to help. Maybe. She is the only person in the family with enough power to make my father listen to reason. The only ally I might have.

  “Coco?”

  My head turns. Xavier walks back in and my nightmare begins. The tall cello bassist from Brick’s band whose name is Domino comes in with him. Domino gives me a sly smile. Xavier looks like a greedy cat that just swallowed the mouse. “I wanted you two to meet but Domino tells me you already have.”

  I can’t say anything. I can’t breathe. I’m frozen. Domino towers over me and Xavier. My entire lie flashes before my eyes. All the nights in the Quarter with Brick. Even my performance at the club. I see it all. And I know the end of this story. Every disappointed word my family would have for me.

  “Congratulations little lady,” Domino says.

  “You’ve already said that to me.” I answer and take a step back.

  “So you two do know each other?” Xavier asks.

  “He’s my brother’s friend. I met him tonight,” I say. “I want him gone. Now Xavier.”

  Xavier narrows his eyes on me. Domino chuckles. “You know we met way before tonight.”

  “I don’t know you!”

  “Do you want me to prove it princess?”

  I’m silenced. Xavier steps forward. Even he believes Domino’s threat is real. “You can leave us now.”

  Dominic winks and then turns on his heel to leave. My stomach clenches. I feel sick. Xavier is glaring at me. I’ve never seen him so angry.

  “He’s lying.”

  “About what? About you being in the Quarter dressed like a whore and fucking some one named Brick?”

  “I…”

  “You cheating on me?” Xavier took a step forward.

  “We aren’t…”

  “Engaged? I remember you saying yes!” he shouts.

  “No. No. I’m not, he’s lying…” If he keeps it up someone will hear. If he brings in my brothers my life and Brick’s life is over. They’ll want blood for this. “I don’t want to get married. I never did. And I told you that.”

  “Fine, let’s go tell your father. The real truth. What you been up too, where you go to have fun, all of it.” He grabs me by the arm and tries to drag me out from the terrace but I fight back.

  “Stop it!”

  “It’s time for my toast. How about I tell everyone your little secret.”

  I hurry around Xavier to block him from leaving. “Don’t do it. Please. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…”

  “Shouldn’t have what?”

  Xavier smiles. “I want to get married. I want to marry you. And I’ll teach that Cajun saxophone man a lesson for ever coming near you.”

  “No. He doesn’t know about you. This is my fault. Blame me.”

  “I do blame you. And we’re leaving tomorrow for Jamaica. You’ll make it up to me. Don’t worry.”

  “No fucking way!”

  Xavier chuckles. “You’ll do what I say. Everything I say. Or I’m telling your parents. I’m telling everyone. And they will finally see their little princess is nothing but a Bourbon Street whore.” He shoves me aside and walks out.

  Chapter Thirteen

  My phone rings. I reach to answer the damn thing and my fingers are fumbling to hold on to it. The phone slips to my dash. I pluck it up and see it’s Coco calling. Before I can answer, my gaze is drawn upward by the sound of a dog barking. Smoke’s walking up the sidewalk toward his building. I’ll have to call Coco back later. The drive to New Orleans from Houma takes about an hour. I did it in thirty minutes flat in my ‘vette. I plan to deal with Smoke now. I’m out the car and headed straight for my mentor.

  “Smoke! Hold up man. I want to talk to you!”

  He pauses on the step, and gives me a look. And then he goes up, as if I called the name of another person. He’s not running, but he doesn’t look interested in our normal banter. I catch up with him inside just as he sticks his key in the door.

  “Wait a fucking minute, Smoke. I said we need to speak!”

  “Come inside boy, I don’t need every one on this floor in my damn business.”

  I hold my tongue but I’m on edge. My anger is a flash storm. It’s flared and cooled so m
any times on the drive here I’m not sure which emotion will rule my actions next. Smoke goes inside and leaves the door open. I come in after him and slam it behind me. Smoke walks over to his recliner and drops in it. He takes his fedora from his head and puts on his knee. I watch as he removes his pipe and then packs it with marijuana before he lights it and takes a toke.

  “Why did you do it?” I ask.

  His jaw caves in and puffs out as he takes a long drag then exhales. I walk over to the ratty sofa that Pops has offered to replace a hundred times and sit down on it. I can feel the springs in the damn thing poking through. Smoke lives like a vagabond. Everything in his apartment needs replacement. I know for a fact Pops keeps Smoke’s pockets-lined with money. But he takes that money and doles it out to all those kids he’s made over the years. All he cares for is his Spam, rum, and weed.

  “Answer me got damnit. Why the fuck did you tell Domino who she was?”

  He glances up at me. “I didn’t tell him shit, motherfucker. Watch your tongue boy. Even your Pops knows his limits on how to talk to me.”

  It was true. Smoke stabbed Pops before and was able to walk away from the knife fight. He wasn’t a man to be disrespected.

  “Then how does he know her Smoke?”

  “You the only clueless motherfucker in the Bone Room, Brick. Every man in there knows a Larue woman when they see her.”

  I sigh and wipe my hand down my face. “Did you know he and the band were playing at her graduation party?”

  “Heard Cricket mention it a few days ago.” Smoke nodded.

  “So why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I’ve told you all you need to hear. The rest is up to you. That’s your fucking mess. Don’t walk in here blaming me.”

  “You’re lying.”

  Smoke brow lifts.

  “Domino told me that you set up the gig for them. What’s going on Smoke? You lying to me now?”

  Smoke doesn’t answer. I can’t deny my feelings are hut. I trust Smoke with my life. He’s always been one hundred percent real with me. Smoke continues to sit before me in silence.