Chapter 21:

Tommy pulled another beer from the fridge. This was his sixth but he had yet to succumb to a drunken sleep and so he would continue. As he made his way to the living room, he kicked off his shoes and rubbed his hand over his beard, making a mental note to shave the next morning. A record played some soft music which Jack had purchased that weekend; it was terrible but it was the only vinyl he had come across. He sighed as he necked some of his beer, he could finally get some peace, some time alone to think.

The door sounded; Tommy glanced at the clock above the mantelpiece. It was almost 10pm. He grinned. Jack must have had a good time. He craned his neck as he heard his friend approach through the hallway.

''Good evenin', the boy still knows his home then?''

Jack came into the living room. ''Of course.'' Laughing, he took a seat on the sofa and pulled out a beer which he had grabbed on the way in. He sat on the spare sofa as he felt Tommy's eyes all over him.

''How is your Rose?''

Jack grinned, he gulped half of his beer. It soothed him and made him feel a lot less worked up. The night he had spent with Rose had been perfect but he wasn't going to mention too much to Tommy about that when he had other things to talk about.

''Actually, I need to speak with you. About Ethan.''

Tommy raised his eyebrows. ''I hear he's well, recovered and fresh as a fuckin' daisy again.''

''Yes, I heard that.'' Jack sat on the edge of the sofa. ''Cara has been telling Ethan about her and I. He dropped by Rose's house earlier to ask her if she knew me, or you.''

Tommy sat forward on the sofa. ''Has she now? So, throwing her into the street naked obviously did nothing for her? Certainly, didn't shut her up when she feels the need to cause shit.''

Jack shook his head, but couldn't help but laugh. Remembering just what Tommy did to get her out of their house. He was never one to be unpleasant to a woman in any way, but she did deserve that.

''I think we should pay a nice visit to Cara, to see exactly what her plan is.'' Tommy stood, drinking the rest of his beer. It looked like it wasn't to be another peaceful night.

Jack remembered what he had told Rose, that he wouldn't go to her house, or associate with her. He pressed his lips together as he contemplated it all over. Jack knew that he couldn't let Tommy deal with her alone. He had already been dragged into this, somehow. The main thought cradled in his mind was Rose and doing what he could to put it all right.

''You're right.'' Jack sighed. ''We have to go.''

Tiptoeing in the house with so many bags wasn't easy to do quietly. Rose tried her best but failed. The light was turned on and her mother was waiting for her, wearing her silk dressing gown.

''Rose?'' Ruth's thin lips were pressed together in a harsh line.

''Yes, mother.'' Her face was a rough return to reality. ''I'm sorry, Moira's daughter, Louise and I took supper and a few drinks at the Pavillion,'' that was the first lie out of her mouth, ''we have been discussing the wedding flowers.'' Another lie.

Ruth couldn't help but smile. ''Oh, Rose. Please be mindful of the time in future.''

''Of course. It was just such a long time since we have spoken. Obviously, Moira was thrilled I had chosen her shop to purchase everything.''

''You should have called for the chauffeur. We have help for a reason, Rose. Goodness.''

A maid scurried to help Rose with the bags as if on cue. ''Minnie, please take these to Rose's room. Prepare a bath.''

''Yes, Mrs. Dewitt Bukater.''

Rose bowed her head to the floor in order to avoid eye contact with her Mother. ''Well, goodnight.''

''Yes, good night.''

Rose ascended the stairs to her bedroom; she felt her mother's eyes on her as she went. The smile on her face refused to fade. After the evening she had spent with Jack, she knew that all of the walls of her life had been shattered. She was going to leave this place, this world. A new world was waiting for her. Opening the door to the bathroom, she called to Minnie who was preparing her bath.

''Thank you, but I will just to go bed.''

''Oh, yes Miss.''

Rose continued to her bedroom. As soon as she was inside, she closed and locked the door before removing her shoes and laying on the bed. She could smell Jack all over the covers and that was her saviour for this night. She loved him, he loved her. She could feel her freedom so close. A future with Jack was what she was looking forward to more than anything. Within seconds of closing her eyes, she was asleep, dancing in a dream of her and Jack.

Tommy's heavy footsteps clattered as Jack followed closely behind. Cara's apartment wasn't as fancy as what people may have thought - or as she made out. Tommy didn't even bother knocking on the door. He kept fiddling about in his jacket pocket with something. It kept clicking and then bashing against his side. Jack narrowed his eyes, what was he doing? Before he could ask, they were inside the house.

''Hello?'' Tommy called out loudly as he entered Cara's apartment. The perfume she wore filled the air. The interior was completely white with clothes strewn every place. Jack followed closely behind. He felt uneasy about entering her home without permission, although he did have a feeling that she wouldn't be alone and that would be what the main trouble would be.

Tommy cockily walked straight to the bedroom, for her knew that would be where she was.

''I don't know about this.'' Jack whispered.

''Oh, don't be a chicken now.'' Tommy told him harshly. He kicked the bedroom door open with his boot. As he did, he came face to face with a naked Caledon Hockley. Jack felt his lip's part with shock. He kept his eyes focused upwards. Not that was the issue. He was supposed to be in New York finalising the acceptance of a house to live with Rose, not here, in bed with Cara!

''Well, well, who's in your bed tonight?'' Tommy grinned. He wanted to take a picture right there and then.

''What are-?'' Cara tried to cover herself quickly but Cal made no attempt.

''We have visitors?'' Cal laughed, his nakedness so unworrying to him. ''Do you know them?''

Jack watched as Cara scurried about trying to find some clothes. He was almost glad that she was in bed with another, with Cal.

''Don't worry we have all seen it.'' Tommy laughed. ''More than once.''

Cal pulled a black dressing gown over his body. Jack watched him through angry eyes. According to Rose, he was in New York until Saturday or Sunday. He clenched his fists beside him but he knew he couldn't say anything. He needed to keep his own anger in check and so he breathed as lightly as he could.

''Can I help you gentlemen?'' Cal asked, ever so coolly as he lit a cigarette.

''Actually, its Cara I want to see.'' Tommy stepped inside the bedroom, sitting himself on an upholstered chair. ''Your brother Ethan Hockley, has been spreading word about. Word about my friend here, saying that Cara has been 'with' him.''

Cara wrapped the blanket around her. She laughed, her bitterness swelling. ''Oh, Jack. Naïve little Jackie.''

Jack narrowed his gaze. Felt his nostrils flare.

''What? What could you possibly say to make this better?''

''You were so drunk that night to even stand. You honestly believed that we made love?'' She came beside Cal, stroking his shoulder. ''Ethan is the one who wouldn't leave me alone. He has this obsession.''

Jack tensed his body. ''Then why tell him so, about us?''

''You were just a little play thing, something to toy with whilst I was at the Grill. Those days can be boring. I need entertainment like any woman.''

Cal laughed behind his cigarette. ''You think that Cara would be interested in guys like you?''

Jack was about to speak when Tommy did on his behalf. ''Oh, yes, the great Caledon Hockley. Aren't you due to be married in, what, a few weeks?''

Cal raised his eyebrows. He had tolerated enough of these idiots. ''That is none of your business.'' He lit another cigarette as soon as he put his other one out. ''Besides, when my bride is so frigid. One has to find the pleasure in another's body.'' He ran a finger up Cara's cheek and she giggled like a schoolgirl. She was his play thing, and Cara was more than happy to oblige, Jack was trying so hard to keep all of his anger in check but he knew that one little word would give everything away. He tried to focus his energy on the fact that he would be getting Rose away from this jerk tomorrow. She loved him. He loved her. That was all that mattered.

All that mattered.

''Is that right?'' Tommy laughed. ''Shame, she's a good lookin' girl your lass.''

Cal turned his attention away from Cara. ''Yes, she is. And if you touch her, you'll have no fingers left to fight with.''

''Oh, sorry. Catch a nerve, did I?'' He turned to Jack who wasn't amused in the slightest. ''Don't worry, redheads aren't my thing.''

Cal pushed Tommy backwards so that he was outside the bedroom door. Jack followed them. ''Go find my brother, ask him whatever questions you have. You leave my fiancée alone and keep the fuck away from Cara.'' He threatened, sucking his cigarette leaving a cloud of smoke. His voice was raised so loud that it should make a person flinch. He was obviously used to using it, to get his own way, use his authority. Jack knew that Rose would have heard that so many times. Heard the tone. Felt his hands brutally come across her face to keep her in line. To try to extinguish the fire which brightly burned inside of her.

''If I find your brother, there may not be much left of him by the time I finish.'' Tommy threatened, his eyes raging.

Cal laughed. ''Go ahead, he is the one who does the killing in our business. I will leave this one up to him as well.''

''Sure.'' Tommy turned to leave. ''Sure, you will.'' He dragged Jack with him as he pulled at his wrist like a naughty child. The last words had made him shiver. There was the one thing which Jack had always known but wasn't proven until now. The Hockley family dealt with people who got in their way in a very disturbing manner. Tommy didn't fear much let alone Cal Hockley.

Jack walked ahead of Tommy for a few minutes out onto the empty road. His entire body was shaking, he was angry, relieved. Everything was running through his body. He hadn't slept with Cara – he hadn't. He should have known that deep down she was lying. The whole day had been such a mixture of everything. He needed to see Rose again, the urge to take her away tonight before anything more happened was so strong. He had to talk to her. God, it was such a mess and now, felt so straight. His body was moving and the adrenaline inside was keeping it all together and threatening to pull him apart. He needed a cigarette. Needed to make love to her. Needed—her.

Tommy stopped walking and fiddled about in his pocket. He pulled something heavy out; black and square-ish. ''Come check this out.''

Jack came to Tommy. In his hand was a camera. The expensive type. He pressed two buttons and suddenly the dark street was filled with Cara and Cal's voice. Their confessions. The fact they were together. Everything. It was all recorded, although slightly muffled. Jack's eyes went to Tommy, as though to confirm that he wasn't hearing things.

''This was my plan, when I told you before the dance.'' Tommy stopped the recording and looked up at Jack. ''I have in my hand, every fuckin' thing which would rip the Hockley's in two.''

Jack felt his mouth twitching. He laughed. Hard. ''You-you are just-'' He was speechless. He didn't even have an idea how this could damage the Hockley's reputation but something told him this would be the start of something else.

''Brilliant?''

''Yes!''

Tommy slapped Jack's back as they continued their walk home. ''I think this calls for more beers, Jackie.''

''Maybe for you, but I have something that I need to do.''

Not so long later, the sound of Jack's Dodge disturbed Rose from her sleep. It was as though she knew he was there. Pulling the sheets from around her body, she found her way to the balcony window in the pitch black. There he was, waiting for her. She felt the tears come to her eyes; she couldn't go. It was far too dangerous. Yet her body was so tempted to move, to climb down to him and to just go, to take that risk and leave everything. From inside the car, he watched her. Her long white nightgown billowing in the light breeze. Rose's heart pounded so loudly she feared the whole house could hear. Him being caught out there was a big risk. She shook her head forcefully, hoping that he could see her. It was then he knew – Cal was home. Jack slammed his hands against the steering wheel, a surge of anger running through him.

''Damnit.''

From the balcony, Rose saw his outburst and tears silently fell down her cheeks as she urged for him to leave. She shook her head once more, hoping that he would leave but he didn't, he wound down the window. He needed to see her, to speak to her. His heart pounded, he was running on adrenaline from the entire evening and he had so much he needed to say to her and then most of all, had to hold her.

''Just come with me,'' he whispered loudly, ''come now.''

''I can't,'' she told him, her heart aching even more, ''Lovejoy will see us. He won't let you go if he does.''

Rose moved the hair from her face. ''Come back for me. Come tomorrow.''

Rose closed the balcony door after leaving him there in the street. She sobbed into her pillow; it was the hardest thing which she had ever had to do. It was for the best. She knew it was. It had to be, fo