King of Chatham, page 17
part #2 of Kings of the Castle Series
“Stop talking,” Reno ordered.
“Please excuse my son,” Giacomo said to Frank, quickly ushering Reno off to the side. “Why are you being so rude?”
“We’ll pick this up at a later time,” Frank said, tossing back the last of his drink, then cuffing the laptop under his arm.
“I’ll walk you out,” Reno offered, waiting for several minutes while the two men said their goodbyes. “After you.”
Frank crossed the threshold into the dining room with Reno hot on his heels.
Soon as they passed the last of the opened rooms and made it further down the corridor, Reno spoke in a hushed voice, “I don’t know what you’re really up to, but I’m going to make it my mission to find out what it is. In the meantime, lose my dad’s number and let this be the last time you set foot in my parent’s home.”
“You have such a lovely family,” Frank said with a lopsided grin. “I’d hate for anything to happen to them, especially Emma. She’s a foxy old dame.”
Refusing to take the bait, Reno opened the front door. “You’ve been warned. Get out.”
Reno slammed the door so hard that the glass vase sitting on the stand in the hallway rattled.
“What the hell was that?” Giacomo growled, standing off to the side.
“Oh, no. You don’t get to question me. Not after what you’ve done,” Reno spat, pointing a finger as he stormed past.
He grabbed Reno by the arm. “You’ve been disrespectful from the moment you opened your pie hole, and I wanna know why?”
Once again, he jerked out of his father’s grasp. “Don’t touch me.”
“Hey. What’s going on down there?” Vicente asked from the top of the stairs.
“Your Papà’s a traitor and can’t be trusted,” Reno spat in Giacomo’s face. “You told Godfrey where Zuri was after I told you he was a threat to her safety.”
Giacomo flexed. “So, what if I did?”
“Amore,” Emma called out from behind them. “How could you?”
“That girl brings nothing but trouble to this family.”
“Regardless of what you may think.” Emma wagged a finger in her husband’s face. “She was in distress, and Mariano went out of his way to help her. That should’ve been enough for you to keep your trap shut.” Emma planted her hands on her hips. “What if that were Sofia? Would you want her ratted out because someone who wasn’t even involved in her situation felt she was unworthy?”
“That’s different. She’s White.”
“Did you really just say that,” Reno shrieked, pacing the floor to keep from punching his father in the mouth.
“Papà, you know Italian immigrants, such as ourselves, weren’t considered White and acceptable for a long time,” Vicente added, rounding the bottom of the staircase.
“I don’t need a history lesson,” Giacomo growled. “I said what I meant, and I meant what I said. “First, you tell me ...” Giacomo shot his eyes in Reno’s direction. “That her father is forcing her to marry. Then you bring her to my home without my permission–––”
“I gave the okay,” Emma corrected him.
Giacomo angled to scowl at his wife, then turned his focus back on Reno. “You love this girl. I’ve never seen you bend over backward the way that you have for her. Not for any other client, ever. Next thing I know, you’ll be talking about marriage and making babies.”
“Are you delusional?” Reno grasped his hair and pulled. “There’s nothing going on between Zuri and me.”
“I know better,” Giacomo countered. “Maybe not now, but there will be, and she’s better off gone back to backward ass Africa.”
As much as Reno wanted to have a comeback for that last statement, he couldn’t. Things had changed between them, but that didn’t excuse what his father had done.
“She’ll bring nothing but bad fortune our way.”
“No, Papà,” Reno chimed in, poking a finger in his chest. “That’s what you’ve done by having Frank Maddox is this house.”
The front door creaked, drawing everyone’s attention in that direction.
“Hey,” Sofia spoke with slight hesitation. “I just saw the weirdest thing; my patient’s father was sitting at the bottom of the stairs, smoking a cigar.”
Reno charged the front door and snatched it open. He stepped on the landing and scanned the immediate area, the heavy stench of cigar smoke lingered in the air, but no physical sighting of Frank.
“You’re not a pediatrician,” Reno said, shutting the door behind him.
“I know that,” she countered. “What’s going on here?”
“Your patient’s father’s name? Does his name happen to be Frank Maddox?” Reno asked, standing in front of his sister.
Squinting, as though her blue contacts didn’t give her 20/20 vision, Sofia asked, “How did you know that?”
Reno turned around and glared at Giacomo. “Because he just left here. Frank has an eleven-year-old daughter, named Ava, and there’s no way possible you examined his daughter.”
Sofia moved forward, closing the gap between everyone. “I’m breaking doctor-patient confidentiality,” Sofia said, eyeing each of her family members who were gazing at her expectantly. “What I’m about to say, stays here.”
“You may want to be careful disclosing anything private in front of Papà,” Reno shot Giacomo a dirty side-eye. “He doesn’t know what that word means.”
Giacomo opened his mouth to respond, but Emma held up a hand, and he closed it just as fast.
“My patient is eighteen years old. She speaks very little English, but I found it odd that her father accompanies her to every appointment.” Sofia’s lips turned downward. “I’ve always wondered why not her mother or sister? I checked her file, and everything on paper was legit, so I had no grounds to dig deeper.”
Reno mulled a few things over in his mind. “Is she Russian?”
“Now that you mentioned it, yes. Why is that important?”
The Castle meeting where Vikkas explained some of the backhanded dealings with the mafia, dirty politicians, missing girls, and women came to the forefront.
Reno’s jaw clenched. “We believe that Frank Maddox is smuggling undocumented Russian and European women to the U.S. for sex trafficking.”
“Noooooo.” Vicente shook his head and lowered his bottom onto the stairs with a loud thud.
Emma’s hand flew to her mouth.
“And this is the kind of man you’re in cahoots with, Papà.” Reno reprimanded. “He, who is more lily White than you, me, and all of us put together, managed to become the new leader of the Sovereign Kings gang. He’s sent his foot-soldiers to sling dope in the transitional apartments. But I’ve solved that problem.”
Sofia lowered to the long beige tufted bench along the wall in the foyer.
“I didn’t know,” Giacomo said, stepping toward Reno, who backed away.
“The only reason he’d reached out to you was to let me know that he could get to my family,” Reno admitted, releasing a deep sigh. “And you let him walk right in without vetting him first. And gave him the ammunition he needed to buy up those properties through back-door channels.”
Walking away before Giacomo came close enough to touch him, Reno stood next to the place Sofia was seated.
“I may need your help, sis.”
“Whatever it is, you can count on me,” Sofia responded, hugging him.
“How can I fix this?” Giacomo asked, his eyes pleading with everyone to understand.
“Take care of them.” Reno gestured to Emma, Vicente, and Sofia. “Don’t talk to Frank or Godfrey ever again if you know what’s good for you and this family and stay the hell away from me.”
CHAPTER 25
The two-hour drive back to the city did nothing for Reno’s peace of mind. He wanted to choke Giacomo for the role he played in this mess, making things worse than they had to be. His misguided way of thinking could’ve cost Zuri her life. He’d never forgive him for that betrayal. At least no time soon.
Reno pulled into the garage of the condo, parked, and hopped on the elevator, taking the time to mellow his thoughts on the ride to the penthouse suite. He didn’t want to bring that negative energy to Zuri; he’d already left her earlier on a sour note.
He was fiddling with the apartment keys when the elevator chimed. The steel panels separated, and Reno took a step forward. The base of his foot never touched the landing. Bryson’s six-foot-seven frame darkened the opening.
“It’s me,” Reno announced, standing face to face with the barrel of Bryson’s gun pointed between his eyes.
“Sorry, Mr. DeLuca,” Bryson said, retracting the weapon. “I stay ready.”
“Indeed.”
“How’ve things been around here?” Reno asked before sticking a key in the lock.
“Quiet,” he responded, returning the gun to its holster. “Besides the background noise from the television. It has been an uneventful afternoon and evening. And in my line of work, that’s the best kind of day to have.”
“No doubt,” Reno said, extending his hand. “I appreciate your service, especially on such short notice. Your money, plus a little something extra, has already been deposited into your account.”
“Thank you,” Bryson replied, shaking his hand. “It’s been a pleasure working for you.”
“I’ll take it from here.”
Bryson nodded, moving toward the elevator, pressing the square-shaped down button.
Reno entered the condo. Zuri was sprawled out on the sofa, wearing an orange tank top and high-waisted African print skirt, sleeping with one of his favorite novels, Great Expectations, laid face down on her chest. Smiling, Reno glanced in the direction of the bookshelf to see if it was the one he owned or if she brought it with her. The empty slot confirmed it was his copy.
“Hey, sleeping beauty.” Reno lifted the book and placed it on the end table, sliding a receipt from his pocket and using it as a bookmark to hold the page. “I’m back.”
He didn’t want to disturb her, but Reno also didn’t want Zuri to wake up to the unexpected movement in the background. Last time Zuri was caught off guard, she nearly sliced his hand in half.
Squatting in front of her, Reno called out again, “Zuri.” He tapped her shoulder, then gave her a slight nudge. She began to stir after a few seconds.
Yawning, extending her arms above her head, she asked, “When did you get back?”
“Just now,” he answered, gazing into her beautiful russet orbs.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked, shifting into an upright position. “I can see the worry etched in your face.”
The corners of his lip turned upward.
“Do not try to hide behind that charming smile of yours,” Zuri countered, scooting over, giving Reno room to sit. “I see something is bothering you.”
He parted his lips to protest but opted to claim the seat next to Zuri instead. How could he argue knowing she was right? Reno pulled her legs onto his lap, resting a hand on her knee. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” she inquired, peering through slits; her expression perplexed.
Reno dropped his head as he tried to find the words to explain what had happened. It wasn’t his fault, but that didn’t keep him from feeling responsible for Giacomo’s betrayal.
“My father,” Reno whispered, shaking his head in disbelief, then looked Zuri square in the eye. “He was the one who told Godfrey you were at the shelter. He is the reason–––”
“Shhhh.” Zuri placed an index finger to his lips. “None of that matters now. I am secure as long as I am with you.”
Reno puckered his lips, gently kissing her finger. “That doesn’t change what he did. How can I ever trust him again? He intentionally put your safety at risk.”
Zuri caressed his face. Her soft hands on his skin made him feel a little better. “It seems both of our fathers are a piece of work.”
“That’s the understatement of the century,” Reno remarked, causing them both to chuckle.
“I know he did a bad thing, but at least you have your mother to help you figure things out and get through it,” she added, moving in closer. Whispers of her breath swept across his neck.
Her last comment made him think. Zuri was alone in her new life. Although Reno’s father was a complete waste of space, he did have Emma, and she would do anything to protect her children, even go to war with Giacomo. Zuri’s mom was snuffed out, and here she was, giving him words of encouragement.
“With everything you’ve been through,” Reno said, twirling loose strands of her hair. “Your continuous positive spirit is amazing.”
Zuri didn’t utter a word. Instead, she kissed his cheek, peeling off of the couch, then reached a hand down to Reno. He glanced upward, locking a pointed gaze at Zuri, sliding a hand in hers. She guided him toward the bedroom, and he followed like an obedient child.
Going up on her tippy-toes, Zuri whispered, “I think we should finish what we started.”
Pausing for a second, Reno raised her chin as he lowered his head until their eyes met. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she replied in a sensual tone, slipping her arms around the back of his neck.
Inhaling her scent, Reno eased Zuri’s skirt over her ample bottom, letting the flowing fabric fall to the floor. Then, he lifted her into his arms, firmly holding her backside as she wrapped her legs around his back. They kissed like passionate lovers who hadn’t seen one another in years. Reno trailed kisses down her neck, sliding the thin tank top strap over her shoulder with his teeth. She squirmed in response.
“That tickles,” she said, releasing the gripping hold of her legs and standing. Glancing up at him, Zuri rested her hand on the waistband of his pants. After a moment, she eased them and his boxers down to Reno’s ankles, then gazed at him expectantly.
His erection throbbed under her intense stare. Working Zuri’s tank top over her head, Reno lowered his lips to her firm nipples, giving them all of his attention before Zuri pulled away with a throaty moan, backing to the bed and sitting.
He smiled, reaching into the nightstand drawer for a gold square foil. Reno grabbed the ends with his fingertips to open the contraceptive, but Zuri took it from his hands before he plucked the sheath from the package. “Not yet,” she purred.
“Do you want me to stop?” he asked, searching her eyes. Maybe she was having second thoughts, but her sensual tone said otherwise. “It’s okay if you do.”
Reno reached to guide Zuri to a standing position, but she pulled him down onto the bed and rolled him onto his back. Reno chuckled as she laid on his chest and kissed him with such a force that he almost forgot she didn’t have any experience. “Turnabout is fair play.” She grinned, licking his chin, and planting kisses on his Adam’s apple that jumped every time she touched it. He moaned in pleasure as Zuri kneaded his nipples and massaged his testicles at the same time.
This has to be what heaven feels like.
She gave him the ultimate hand job, and when she wrapped her soft lips around his shaft, he convulsed as hard as she had, and then some, growling in ecstasy.
“You left me earlier in a state of bliss that I did not know how to handle, but now we are even,” Zuri teased with a satisfying smile that split her face.
Reno couldn’t help but grin at her playful banter. She was in full control of her sexuality, wielding a power that he wasn’t sure Zuri realized she had. The seasoned partners he had in the past weren’t this comfortable in their sensuality.
Zuri sat upright, grabbing the foil packet from the bed. Reno held out his hand, but she pulled away. “Let me do it,” she said, carefully removing the condom from the package and placing it on the tip. He watched in pure amazement. For a novice, she mastered rolling the rubber over his shaft on the first attempt.
She glanced up at him and said, “Cucumber practice. There is an app for that.” Zuri climbed on top of Reno as he roared with laughter.
“No, sweetheart,” he warned, holding her in place as the head of his erection pressed against her midsection. “I’ll take it from here.”
Zuri would be in a world of hurt if she tried to lower onto him, not knowing what to expect. That’s the last thing he wanted. Reno lifted her petite frame and laid her body down next to him. Rolling over, he plucked a bottle of flavored lubricant from the drawer and coated his shaft and Zuri’s vaginal lips. Placing his body over hers, he spread her thighs open. “There’s going to be a little pain. Just a little, but I promise to bring you such pleasure, you’ll forget that part.”
