Stardust // Reggie Mantle (3)

Chapter Eighteen

With the new rules of minimum contact being enforced at school, it seemed the only place Reggie and Caia could get any time together was at Le Bonne Nuit. And even then, the large crowds drawn by the quarantine often stole both Caia and Reggie's attention, as they both had respective duties to do.

However, that didn't stop a little PDA every once in a while. In fact, this particular night, Caia and Reggie had found a deserted corner and their lips were connected, Caia's hands tangled in Reggie's hair. In the background, Josie's voice floated over the speakers.

Reggie broke away from the kiss. "Did I tell you yet that you look beautiful tonight?" Reggie questioned softly, his forehead pressed against Caia's.

Caia smiled up at him. "Only about a hundread times. Which makes me think," she began, pulling herself away from Reggie. "That it's time for you to make another round?"

Reggie smiled sheepishly, running his fingers through his hair. "You got me," he replied. "Sorry. I'll come back soon. But, duty calls, you know." Reggie pulled Caia close to press a kiss into her hair. "Go get yourself a drink, find some friends. I'll be back soon." With that, Reggie turned around, making his way to check the stock of alcohol and money boxes.

Caia watched him leave, turning only when he disappeared out of her sight. She made her way to where she knew Cheryl and Toni would be sitting, grabbing a Champagne flute from a waiter's tray as he passed. She downed it in one swig, a smile appearing on her face and it disappeared down her throat.

Life was good, even if it was quite strange.

*

Caia was in the passenger seat of the delivery truck Veronica supplied for beer runs. Reggie drove. It was commonplace for Caia to tag along on these trips if she could, because it was nice for Reggie to have a little company on the long and dangerous trips out of town. Caia didn't tell him, but it was also nice for her at the moment, since she might be living in a house with a stranger.

The radio played some old time country music. Caia was about to make fun of Reggie for his taste in music when the truck went over a large bump in the road. Caia flew up in her seat as Reggie stopped the truck. "Shit," he cursed, turning off the engine. He opened his door, beginning to hop out before turning back. "Stay here," he commanded.

Caia nodded, giving a mock salute. "Yes sir," she teased.

Reggie investigated, looking at the tire. "Shoot," he muttered. "Tire's popped," he called into the cab, informing Caia of what had happened. Caia sighed. They were gonna be here for a while.

Suddenly, Caia became aware of footsteps approaching Reggie on the driver side of the car. She furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to glimpse who it was. Through the mirror she could just see that it was a man in a black jacket and gargoyle mask.

Reggie turned to face the man. "What the hell, man?" He demanded, immediately getting the impression that he was the guy who had caused the popped tire.

"Veronica Lodge hasn't paid what she owes," the man stated, his voice coming out clunky and disguised.

Suddnely, two more men came almost out of nowhere, grabbing Reggie's arms from behind. Reggie struggled to knock them away from him, but it was to no avail. They were too strong. They began punching him as the first man disappeared.

Caia gasped, springing into action. She unbuckled her seatbelt and lifted the front of her shirt, grasping the butt of the gun hidden there, and pulled it out. She slammed open her door and sprinted around the front of the truck.

Caia cocked the gun, holding it up in front of her face, pointed straight at the back of one of the assailants heads. "Let him go!" She yelled. The two men turned around, bringing Reggie with them. Caia couldn't see the expression of the two gargoyles, but Reggie's eyes grew wide. "Let him go, or I shoot. And I won't miss." Caia may have been bluffing a little bit, but no one had to know that.