Legend

Between Love & Family

Reggie and Kaelyn moved into a swanky new apartment in Chelsea, a compromised between the East and the West. Kaelyn also compromised with Reggie to take his surname as a hyphenate, having the advantage of both prominent surname as an Astor-Kray. 

She was an excellent partner to Reggie, turning up with him for key events, playing the loving wife in front of cameras and the public. She never quarrelled with him in public, though they came close to exchanging heated arguments being both headstrong people, but Reggie appreciated that she never brought their fights public. 

He would typically give in to her anyway behind closed doors, the moment she gave him that big-eyed look that's between innocent sweetheart and sultry temptress. He termed it the Astor Will-bending look. She gave him so much that Reggie wanted to make sure she never lacks anything. Kaelyn knew her power over Reggie. 

But what she felt powerless was his relationship with Ronnie.

Ronnie was trouble. He was volatile and a ticking time-bomb.

It was 2 am in the morning.Kaelyn was sitting in the bedroom on her chaise, she had deliberately arrangedherself in the position, feet up on the chair, leaning back against thecushions. She knew how she looked and was waiting for Reggie to walk in. Shehad seen his car drive up into the parking lot below and had gotten intoposition. True enough, within minutes, she heard the front door open and close.Reggie walked into the bedroom, loosening his tie. He looked exhausted, butsmiled when he saw his wife still up, waiting for him, looking so beautiful inthat purple silk slip of hers. She raised her eyebrows at him as he walked overand sat down heavily beside her, kissing her in greeting.    

K: How was it?

Reggie sighed. 

He had been called back to the East side where he had his nightclub. Ronnie had been drunk and causing trouble, and the police have been called in. 

Scotland Yard had been looking for all sorts of excuse to shut the Krays down for ages, but since Reggie hired Leslie Payne, they have had the right connections to the right people and many times the local police have looked the other way, and Scotland Yard had no hold on them. And with Reggie connected in marriage to the Astors, they have been deemed untouchables as now even the politicians and royalty are on their side. 

But even then they had to be careful not to overdo things as Scotland Yard would pounce on them if they even had one ounce of solid irrefutable evidence on them. 

Reggie had to go smooth out the local police before Scotland Yard caught wind of it. It was costly and unnecessary, just because Ronnie didn't like the way the bunch of out-of-town businessmen (who should not even be in East London to begin with) were unappreciative of the dance shows in his club. Ronnie had broken 2 of their noses and fractured someone's arm in the fight, and the police had to be called in. 

Reggie had been enjoying dinner with Kaelyn at the Winchester Hotel when he got the call and had to rush off, after getting Frank to send Kaelyn home. Once again he was grateful Kaelyn didn't make a fuss, they simply left the restaurant calmly and she even pecked him goodbye, playing the dutiful understanding wife, though he knew she was seething inside. He knew it was Ronnie she was pissed with, and perhaps him too for giving in to Ronnie, but that was his brother, what was he to do?

Reggie leaned back into the cushions, tight against her. He nuzzled his face against her until he found the nook of her neck. He took in a deep breath, she smelled amazing, like roses and honey. He felt more peaceful at once.

Reg: It was ok. We managed to get it out of the paperwork and the system.

K: And Ronnie? Is he ok?

Reggie smiled.

Reg: Yeah, he's ok. Took a good one in the face but he deserved that.

K: Reggie....

Reg: I know, I know....Ronnie's out of control.

K: And what are you going to do about it?

Reg: I haven't been watching over him. Been busy with the Petite Paris project down at Picadilly that I have not been watching him. I'll head back to the East tomorrow and spend some time with him.

K: Is that your solution? To put the business on hold while you spend time with him?

 Reg: Kae, the business is going fine. I just need to get him back aligned again. He's just acting up cos he needed my attention. (kisses her neck, trying to get her to stop feeling upset)   

K: (sitting up) This is not going to work Reg. You go spend all the time you need with Ronnie then. I'm heading to Monte Carlo tomorrow. My family is there and I want to spend time with them too. (walks off into the bathroom)

Reg: Kae, baby...(Reggie sighed deeply)

True to her word, she had caught the first flight out to Monte Carlo the next morning. Even before Reggie had woken. Reggie headed to his usual gym to get a good knockabout in, frustrated. He knew where Kaelyn was coming from, he was super pissed with his brother as well. But his mother's voice came back to him, "Poor Ronnie is sick. He's not well. You need to take care of Ronnie, Reggie. Promise me you'll take care of your brother?" 

What is Reggie to do? He can't possibly choose between his wife or his brother.