Legend

Let Him Go

Reggie got home about 3am that night. Kaelyn was up too. 

Reggie waited outside in his car when he saw the lights were still on. He didn't know what to say to Kaelyn. She was right. Ronnie was a ticking timebomb. He didn't know how compromised Ronnie was, and if this was the beginning of the end. 

He could not drag Kaelyn and her family down. He buried his face in his hands. They were doing so well, expanding into the West side. He had all of London in his hands, why couldn't Ronnie get that? 

They had kept Scotland Yard at bay for the past year through the Astor's connection and Payne keeping them legit for most parts. 

But Ronnie. His liability of a brother. Now he might lose everything because of his brother. But the biggest pain would be if he also lost Kaelyn. He didn't know how he could take the loss.

He ended up falling asleep in the car, exhausted by the stress of it all. He woke up to tapping on the car window. Kaelyn was standing out there in a coat over her negligee. He opened the door, expecting her to yell at him, and asking to leave him.

K: (worriedly) I saw your car but not you. Why didn't you come in?

Reggie was speechless. Kaelyn was not mad, but concerned, and he felt like crying at her kindness. 

Kaelyn knew what cards she had to play right now, and she had to play them right.

R: I...

K: Come in and talk Reg.

They headed into their house where Kaelyn made coffee for Reggie.

K: Tell me. Tell me everything.

So Reggie told Kaelyn about the shooting, and what they had to do to clean it up. Kaelyn listened, and Reggie actually felt relief sharing it with someone. At least it doesn't seem like Kaelyn was looking to leave him.

K: Reggie, listen to me. I have already talked to Richard our lawyer.

R: You're divorcing me?!

K: Reggie, no. He's the family lawyer who deals with criminal cases. Reggie, you have to listen to me ok. (grabbing his hand) 

R: Ok.

K: You have to let Ronnie take the fall for this. He needs to go to prison for this.

R: I....

K: Listen. Prison will be ok. We have connections. I can make sure Ronnie gets a good setup in there with protection. There are people in there we can control and buy. This is not like the old days, we have power and money now to control what happens in there to Ronnie. We can protect him.

R: My ma...

K: Reggie, Ronnie shot someone in public in broad daylight. There is no way we can clean this up. Tell your ma Ronnie needs help, he needs protection from himself. (paused) And if we give Scotland Yard Ronnie, they'll back off from us.

Reggie looked at Kaelyn's pleading eyes and stopped to think. 

He was tired of taking care of his brother. Prison would control Ronnie. He can stop doing harm to the business and to himself. It sounds like a good plan. And Kaelyn is right, Scotland Yard wants the Kray brothers for the violence, but if the violence initiated by Ronnie stops, then they will leave him along. 

But the idea of his brother in prison. But if....if he had everything he wanted in there, he would be ok. Won't he? 

K: I will talk to your Ma if you want me to.

R: No. no...I can...you are right. But...are you sure Ronnie will be ok in prison?

K: Baby, the head warden is my father's golf buddy. And the governor, he came to our wedding. They cannot clean this up because of the witnesses and because someone needs to pay for this crime. It's murder in broad daylight. The news and media is going crazy on this. We cannot stop this, but we can take care of Ronnie in the future. And...you need to settle Richardson's gang. Daddy doesn't want a turf war in London.

R: I know, I know. I'll give them Starlight.

K: That's a good idea. Reggie, we can handle this. If you love me, let Ronnie go. This is for the greater good.

R: (nodding) I've sent Albie after the witnesses.

K: I'll handle that. They will get reassurance from an Astor-Kray that if they talk, nothing will happen to them. I'll ask them to be kind in their statement to the police.

Reggie sighed, feeling a huge stone lifted off his back. He took Kaelyn in his arms and hugged her tight.

R: I don't deserve you.

K: We will handle this together.

So Kaelyn took over the whole situation. She talked to the witnesses and gave them assurances that if they testify against Ronnie, they would not be any repercussions from Reggie. Ronnie was a danger to society and needs to be under control.

At the trial, she also tried to be a pillar of strength to Reggie's Ma, telling her it was for Ronnie's good. She would ensure Ronnie gets a treated nicely in prison. Ronnie was pissed, but he thought it was the witnesses who gave him out, not that his brother and sister-in-law allowed it.

Kaelyn also arranged for Ronnie to be placed in a good cell, isolated from the general public. She also bought over 2 bodyguards for Ronnie, and paid the warden to pay special attention.

Ronnie was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

With Ronnie finally put away, Reggie could concentrate on doing business. With Payne, their control of London widened and prospered. 

A year later, Kaelyn got pregnant with their first child and they had a son James Andrew Astor-Kray. Two years later they had a daughter, Isabelle Victoria Astor-Kray. 4 years after Ronnie's imprisonment, Reggie opened his first five-star luxury golf resort in Casablanca, and brought his Ma over to stay.

His Ma was admiring the view of the ocean when Reggie went up to her.

R: You like this Ma?

Ma: I love it. (sad sigh) If only your brother was here.

R: Ma...

Ma: I know Reggie. I am a simple woman but I can see. Ronnie has always been trouble. He's the one dragging you down. Without him you are flying so high and so proudly. You have a beautiful family. (looks over at Kaelyn who is squatting down and talking to James, while Isabelle slept in her stroller. Reggie smiled contentedly at the sight.) I'm proud of you Reggie. I am. (hugs him) 

A/N**Just one of the stories I wrote up in a week. It's quite rushed, sorry about that, but wanted an alternative to the story of Legend where the female character is strong and smart instead. ** 

Hope you enjoyed it. I might post some more of the other Tom Hardy stories I wrote in the future.