The remnants of Grace Brennan

2| Free

New Port, 04 July 2017

Holidays in New Port held a distinct flavor, different from any other occasion. While the celebrations remained the same, the townsfolk felt a sense of liberation from the mafia that ruled the city. On this day, the atmosphere pulsated with freedom. However, within Victor, a deep-seated rage burned, defying the festive spirit. With most of his household staff off to celebrate Independence Day with their families, Victor found himself sitting alone at the bar counter in Bernardi's, nursing his fifth whiskey of the day.

Calvin, who had worked at Bernardi's for a long time, stood behind the counter with a bottle in hand. He had witnessed two sides of Victor during his tenure – one consumed by violent anger and the other exuding deadly calm. But as Calvin observed his boss slouched at the bar, one hand supporting his head and the other clutching his glass, he noticed a rare, almost sorrowful expression on Victor's face. A pang of sympathy washed over Calvin, and he wondered what had transpired. He hadn't seen Grace since she left her job there, and he had to admit that despite her short stint, he missed her company. Perhaps it was due to his secret crush on her.

"Another one, boss?" Calvin asked, gesturing towards the bottle.

Victor looked up, meeting Calvin's eyes, and nodded silently. Calvin poured another drink, contemplating Victor's troubled state. He must have been brooding over Grace. Calvin had never seen Victor so affected by anyone before.

"Have you ever been in love, Calvin?" Victor's question caught Calvin off guard.

"A few times, sir," Calvin replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But they didn't work out."

"Why not?" Victor inquired, taking a long swig from his glass.

"Well, one girl cheated on me, and the others seemed to fall out of love eventually," Calvin answered honestly. "Relationships are hard, but I believe there's a perfect girl out there for me somewhere. I just need to find her."

"If you had said that to me six months ago, I would have called you naïve, believing there's no such thing as 'the one'," Victor chuckled darkly, downing the remainder of his drink.

"But now you think differently?" Calvin asked, refilling Victor's glass. "And I suppose we have Grace to thank for that."

"The first time I laid eyes on her, she captivated me. She avoided looking at me, but when she finally did..." Victor trailed off, his mind wandering back to the night he met her. "It felt like I was floating like she was a magnet pulling me towards her. I couldn't bear to be without her. I needed her then, and I still need her now."

"Well, she's your wife now, so at least there's that," Calvin offered, trying to uplift Victor's spirits.

"She's too good for me," Victor replied, taking a sip of his whiskey. "She's too good for this world, but I can't let her go. I'm selfish, and I don't deserve her."

"She loves you," Calvin raised an eyebrow. "If she's chosen to give you her love, then she must believe you deserve it."

"It's not like she had much of a choice," Victor sighed, finishing his whiskey.

"Another, sir?" Calvin asked, ready to pour another drink.

"No, Vincent is waiting for me," Victor sighed, getting up from his seat. "Lock up when I leave and spend the day with your family."

"Thank you, sir," Calvin smiled. "Tell Grace I said hi."

Victor nodded, fully aware that he wouldn't be relaying Calvin's message to Grace. He walked to his car and drove the short distance home, where Vincent and the other Brennan siblings awaited him in his office.

Debbie stood defiantly in front of Victor in his office. "You didn't even let us say goodbye to her, and now you're shipping us off to Italy for God knows how long?" she snapped.

"Debs..." Vincent began, attempting to calm her down by placing a hand on her shoulder, which she promptly shrugged off.

"I understand that everything happened quickly, but it was necessary," Victor said, his tone leaving no room for discussion.

"How long will we have to stay there?" Debbie folded her arms, her frustration evident.

"A few months," Victor replied, his gaze shifting to Owen, who appeared unusually pensive.

"This is ridiculous," Debbie snapped, storming out of Victor's office.

"Where are you going?" Vincent called after her.

"To pack," Debbie snapped back.

"I know it's not ideal, Owen, but it's what's best," Victor said, addressing Owen as Debbie and

Vincent left the office.

"I know, and I understand," Owen began, his thoughts running deep. "But I don't want to leave."

"You have to," Victor sighed, the weight of his decisions heavy upon him.

"I can't, not after everything that's happened. I want to help you find Demani. Grace is my sister, and she's protected me my whole life. I want to protect her too," Owen pleaded, his heart pounding in his chest. "Please let me work with you."

Victor contemplated Owen's request. He knew Grace would not be pleased, but with Owen turning eighteen in just a month, it would be more beneficial for him to learn how to protect himself and his family.

"If it's truly what you want, then you can start training with Vincent tomorrow," Victor nodded, a bright smile illuminating Owen's face.

"Thank you," Owen said gratefully before dashing out of the office.

Victor sighed, reaching for his phone in his pocket. Being away from Grace had left him on edge and miserable. He would give anything to hold her in his arms, to kiss her, and express how much she brightened his life. Without her, everything seemed dark and meaningless. He found himself constantly irritable and sullen, and sleeping in their bed without her felt foreign and uncomfortable. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he dialed Sergio's number. After a short ring, Sergio answered.

"Boss?" Sergio's voice carried no emotion.

"How is she?" Victor inquired anxiously.

"She hasn't left her room," Sergio reported in a neutral tone. "She woke up last night, read your letter, and went back to bed. I haven't spoken to her since."

Victor absorbed the information, concern for her thoughts and well-being weighing heavily on his mind. He worried that the medication he had used to sedate her might be affecting her adversely.

"Has she eaten?"

"No, sir. I offered, but she said she's not hungry," Sergio replied.

"Make sure she eats, and call me if anything changes," Victor instructed before ending the call.

Guilt gnawed at Victor's chest as he realized he had broken his promise to never leave her. Now, he felt consumed by remorse. However, he justified his actions as necessary for her safety. At least, that's what he kept telling himself.