Reno

by Nini Church

  Reno glared at Duke who made it sound like he won the fight. Not by a long shot, not even close. Still his wide, white smile didn’t disappear – a little violence always soothed Reno’s rougher edges.

  More furious than she could ever remember, Abe trounced around the destroyed room, sputtering, “There’s no excuse for this.”

  “Tis your lass.” Duke spoke to Jericho over Abe’s head. “Settle her.”

  Once again, Sean smirked and Marmaduke chuckled softly. Trevor just held his breath – recognizing Da’s ploy.

  Matty and Fifi hightailed it upstairs to tend to the twins. Reno and the others gaped at Duke. He didn't just –

  When Jericho saw Abe’s eyes squint, he grabbed her around the waist and hustled them both out of his trashed office. His back hurt and his eyes were swollen, but Abe was in a fit. McFeerson knew exactly how to poke at a female to set them off. A fine distraction, but it wouldn’t happen again. Duke was gonna learn fast that Abe was off fucking limits. She belonged to Jericho and only him.

  Tightly, he held her as she trembled and raged on about what an asshole, idiot and rude pig Duke McFeerson was. He kissed the top of her head. “Abe, we knew all that before he arrived. But, we hammered out a plan, myn lykyng, and Aili’s coming to live at the compound.”

  Finished ranting, Abe nodded against his chest, then lifted her face to his, a bright smile curving her lips. “How are we going to make sure Hollywood doesn’t bust his moves on her?”

  Jericho chuckled. “Let’s just say that a male knows when his future stares him in the face. There is only one for us. I’m sure now that Aili is it for Reno. He might fuck with her clan, disrupt a little, but he won’t do anything to harm her or her reputation.”

  “I wish I had the faith you do. A male leopard like Reno doesn’t change his spots as easily as you might think.”

  Before Duke left the compound, he presented Abe with an exquisite and enormous cabochon ruby enrobed in a thick, intricate, gold Celtic band. “Tis for luck in life, love and family. A token of me Esme’s appreciation.”

  Abe shook her head. “It’s beautiful. Truly. But...”

  “Enough of that, now, lass. Ye’ll do as I tell ye and accept it, else me Esme will be hurt. I canna have that.”

  Abe squinted at him. “I’d suggest you never order me around again. Nor defer to my mate else I’ll hold it against you. I can keep a grudge a long time.”

  “Aye, me too. We’re alike in that. But, no grudges today. Forgive me. I pledge never to be so rude in your company.”

  Abe smiled. “Fair enough, but we’ll see.”

  Air whooshed out of the room, sucked into a swirling vortex that all four Scots strode into and disappeared.

  Back at Skye, Aili couldn’t settle, never mind trying to sleep. Too excited. Too nervous. Reno, hospitals, Reno, Reno, hospitals. It was almost too much, like a dream come true and she wanted to pinch herself that she might be able to return to the compound, practice medicine and help Abe build her hospitals. Then there was Reno and more Reno and then even more of him.

  Reality moved into the realm of fantasy as her thoughts tumbled and jumbled until she realized this might turn out to be a permanent move away from home. Only time would tell. She thought of Reno again and melted into her bed. Such a lush male. All muscle, sweet lips and hair to die for. She drifted off only to be woken a couple of hours later with Ma hollering at Da.

  “Duke what have ye done this time? Is anybody dead?”

  Aili flew out of bed, throwing a robe over her shoulders and knotting it tight at the waist. Heart pounding, she breathed deep, needing calm instead of running right into the thick of it downstairs.

  If Da and her brothers were roughed up, it didn't bode well for negotiations. Her heart pounded harder. She had her sights set on returning to the compound, practicing medicine, building hospitals and getting to know a delicious male better. Suddenly, her life was full of potential and it was heart breaking to think it all came down to her Da and his temper.

  She waited impatiently, it was best to let Ma get her piece said.

  Duke, broken nose healing along with his heavily bruised and swollen face, leaned against the counter of the big country kitchen and drank down two fingers of fine Balvenie. Sean and Marm did the same.

  Trevor abstained. He hated the stuff, always had. Tasted like rotten tires. He downed a beer instead.

  They all stayed quiet as Da attempted an explanation for Ma until he finally couldn’t hide any longer that he’d enjoyed the fight and roared with delight. “T’was marvelous, my luv. They be fine warriors to guard aer Aili. Gave the lads and me a real run for it, they did. They’ll keep aer Aili safe they will. She’ll be well where she’s going.”

  “And you had to prove this? You’re too old for that malarkey.” Esme’s eyes landed on Trevor first – a few bruises, blood around his mouth and she knew he was fine. Marm appeared the same, only a bit of roughing up, both hands well bloodied and one eye swollen shut. Sean fared far worse as he was always the first to leap in. “Nae, I’ll not tend ye. Go on, now, drink yer pain away.”

  Esme was angry as hell that her mate had been fighting. She wanted to keep him as long as possible, not lose him after a hard fight.

  Unable to wait any longer Aili lunged downstairs, passing her Mither storming up the stairs.

  Head high, but assuming the worst, Aili didn’t flinch or blink as she walked into the utterly silent kitchen. Her heart in her mouth, she softly whispered, “Da? Need I ask?”

  Duke was in a fine mood and wanted a bit of a tease. “Nae, daughter. It all went to hell.”

  “Oh, no. Da, I wanted this so badly.”

  Regretfully, Duke shook his head, chin dipping down to his broad chest to hide his sloppy grin. “Ye can leave as soon as you’re ready.”

  Defensively, Aili crossed her arms as her face began to crumple and tears lined her muddy brown eyes. Wheels spinning, she tried to absorb… “Da? Hell... What?”

  Again, Duke laughed full out. Almost gleefully. “I said, ye can leave as soon as ye’re ready, lass. Frank and Forst will attend as your protection. Yer brothers, Sean and Trevor, aer also going with you.”

  Aili leapt on her Da, not caring he was bloody, still bruised or sore. Kissing the very tip of his nose, she smiled with delight. “I’m going to help Abe build the first Jericho’s Hospital, Da!”

  “Imagine that.” He held Aili close, realizing his wee lass was going out into the big world to be part of an opportunity that really excited her. Esme, too. It broke his heart to lose his daughter, but he showed nary a hint of it. Without a mate, he’d worry relentlessly, but no doubt, he’d have a strong hand in every decision concerning Aili.

  All too aware of the unspoken undercurrents eddying around them, her three brothers remained silent, drinking heavily. Da had just given his seal of approval for Aili to go on her merry way, leaving home, leaving the family, leaving them.

  Young enough and not too set in their ways yet, the three brothers instinctively sensed Aili may never return to Skye. Perhaps, their time was nearing too and maybe why they drank even more.

  It’d be lonely without Aili’s laughter filling this big old house and the stray animals she collected.

  Currently, it was a big barn owl – named Rusty. An old curmudgeon with one clipped wing so he couldn’t fly great distances anymore – was allowed to nest in the rafters outside the kitchen door. And, also the two cats with four kittens each which were now almost six months old.

  Marmaduke scrubbed his face with one big paw. Change, she sat in his bones. Aili without a mate and the first to leave the family was a shock, hitting him right in the face – square, like.

  Chapter 7

  From the first, everyone conspired for Aili and Reno. Automatically, they always found ways to divert attention, cause a distraction or just let shit play out the way it normally did.

  Especially since – pissed as hell at Duke for fighting – Esme arrived at the compound two
days ago and within hours made herself invaluable to Abe. Seems the McFeerson clan had connections with many races, humans included.

  Esme chose not to notice what her daughter and Reno were up to, keeping busy lining up tradesmen and general contractors to get the initial phase of the new hospital into real time.

  Of course, as a Mither, she’d not let things get out hand with Aili – nae, not at all – but it proved to be refreshing and energizing to see her daughter so happy. Good male that Reno, he showed more than a willingness to comply with anything Aili wanted.

  As much as possible, Abe and Jericho tried to stay out of it – ignorance was bliss to new parents with twins. That was their story and they were sticking to it. Yet, they both kept keen eyes on Reno and, of course, Aili.

  On the other hand, Conn’s position was dicey at best. He tried hard not to notice, but as a learned Scot with a degree or two it was hard to play dumb when Aili and Reno slipped away. On their own and Reno a fecking marauder! He’d get called out on it, no doubt.

  For Conn, it meant a heck of a lot that Aili enjoyed everything – tending to the twins and the whole extended family while helping plan the new hospital with Abe. He didn’t have the heart to interfere for it was obvious his cousin, Aili, was living her dream.

  Coward that he truly was, Conn decided to take the high road – follow Esme’s lead in the matter with Aili. Esme would bear as much blame as him if anything happened – if not more – in Duke’s eyes anyway. Feck, who was he kidding? Shite! Duke would blame him first and his mate never.

  Reno – on cloud nine that Aili was here on the same continent and in the same room with him – regarded her as the most beautiful female with her rich red hair knotted on top of her head, long curls dangling enticingly around her exquisite neck and shoulders.

  His many attempts to stop staring at her met with dismal failure as he was naturally drawn to her red lips, incredible breasts – pert and happy under her t–shirt – along with her delightful and expressive chocolate eyes. Aili’s tight fitting jeans cupped the gorgeous curves of her ass so sweetly, he was itching to reach out and palm both cheeks.

  From the moment they met, he liked what he saw – was incredibly drawn to her as if a moth to a flame. Only Aili was the moth and he was the flame. Protective instincts made Reno edgy and he stayed on point – even deep sixing his primal sexual urges – it was telling on him with dark shadows under his eyes and the way he unnecessarily elbowed Sean when the Scot jostled him a time too many.

  Sean had always been like that – niggling at people – until he got what he wanted – always a fight.

  Jericho didn’t need Sean poking at Reno – dangerous shit that – and took matters into his own hands, stepping Sean to the side, warning him off. At first, the big Scot refused to back down until Jericho made it known he wasn’t gonna touch Reno. His Second in Command, Jericho revealed to Sean, was off limits and he’d take him down if he went for Reno.

  Aili or not.

  Brother or not.

  What Sean didn’t fucking understand and Jericho did, but wasn’t sharing – was that when a male first found his mate – it was a very volatile time of almost scatterbrained confusion. Even worse if the warrior were a male of Reno’s calibre – a finely tuned killer. Only an idiot would poke at that.

  Sean finally shrugged, conceding to Jericho – let the chips fall where they may. It irritated him like a rash that Reno had gone at his Da and that the King seemed to believe Reno could take down Sean – and win. Maybe.

  He wasn’t sure, though. Even his Da had gone a wee bit easy on Reno. All his sons had seen it. The old man was never predictable and when he was outta sorts, Da might swing the other way and go after Reno anyway. Give the wee Jinn a well–deserved thumping. Sean smirked – Reno should watch his back and sleep fecking light.

  Sean and Frank, Forst and Trevor, kept busy renovating an old stone outbuilding. They needed more housing. It took a week or two before the drywall was finally hung with only plastering and painting left. Aili and Abe as well as the other females had fun buying furnishings online. They were just itching to get in to add the final touches.

  Reno worked alongside the Scots. He monitored the installation of the security system, ensuring it was hard wired into the main system so they’d know if anyone decided to wander. Duke McFeerson had already shown keen interest in how they ran the compound. No doubt, his sons were also on an intel gathering mission. The overall plan was to stay on top of them by keeping a ready, steady eye on the Scot boys.

  A bright, sunny day, it proved to be a good workout for him when he offered to help build and frame the roof. He didn't talk much, but noticed Sean and Trevor kept a close watch on him.

  Many hours later, Reno announced to the crew, "Storm's coming, boys. We should wrap it up here." He didn't smile, climbing down the ladder, hearing everyone on the roof laughing and Reno joined in, but not for the reason they did.

  Within minutes, the four males working on the roof cursed loudly as wild gusts of slashing cold rain soaked them to the skin, slicking the roof tiles as they slid, scrambling for the ladder.

  Stretched out on his bed, Reno reached for his beeping cell. A text from Aili.

  Which one is your balcony?

  Adrenaline rushed him, his neck snapping as his head flew up – scanning the small balcony off his bedroom. WTF?! Furiously, his fingers flew, texting her back, I’ll come to you, when his cell beeped.

  Already on it. See u soon.

  In a fucking lather, Reno jumped off the bed and ran for the balcony – which turned out to be empty and no sign of Aili climbing the wall. Relief flooded him and he chuckled, recalling Aili had made it quite clear – she wasn’t a risk taker.

  Behind him, he heard a faint click, and returned to sprawl over the bed. His grin stayed in place – he was fucking tickled and surprised that Aili was coming to him. Rock Hard danced around uncomfortably in his low riders, semi–hard forever.

  Less than a minute later, Aili slipped into his room through the hidden door inside the closet. Only Jericho’s core team knew about the secret passages, connecting rooms, and providing an escape exit from the compound. His grin turned to delight.

  “Surprise! You didn’t think I was outside did you?”

  “You had me, mo leannan. I did consider it briefly, but you’re not a risk taker remember?” All big blue eyes, amused and delighted, but worried and angry at the risk she was taking.

  Warmth drilled through him and Reno’s heart feathered against his chest. It had never done that before – feathered with deep drilling, incredible emotion.

  His Aili was taking a huge risk coming to him – her brothers and warriors almost on her doorstep. But at sight of her – the strong, steady beat of his heart met hers and synchronized, beating as one.

  Big chocolate brown eyes met his, full of wonder as they swept over him. Made him feel like a male model in a catalogue. He could live with it. True.

  Only Aili looked at him like that, searching for something she knew was there, but not yet finding it – he’d hunt it down, high and low, scope out the location until nailing it. Somehow.

  As she got closer, she nervously scanned his bedroom and Reno reached out to her. “Nuh, no cameras here. Not in our quarters.” He curled his palm around her waist, but didn't draw her in.

  Aili heaved a big sigh, relieved they finally had some real privacy. It had bothered her since returning to the compound – did Reno feel the same way about her? He seemed to, but she needed to get it spelled out. Well aware that most males didn’t enjoy talking about emotions and their more feminine side – Aili was still intent on pushing for answers. Either it was something or nothing – between them.

  A red blush covered her cheeks, but she didn't look away from him. “I’m here because I needed to talk to you privately. Uh, well…about what’s going on between us.”

  He drew her in, folding her in his arms as she nestled into his chest. A kiss to the top of her head, then fiv
e more and he couldn’t get enough of her scent. First, the sweetness of magnolia, then the tang of strawberries and somewhere in between the slightest hint of pure vanilla.

  Rock Hard bounced around, calling to Aili in a big way, but Reno didn’t pull back – just part and parcel of his whole package. Aili had to know how much he wanted her, craved her with a burning need that never stopped. When she wasn’t in the room, he would go in search of her with a sizzling longing.

  Eyes wide with pleasure and full of chocolate, Aili pulled back to glance down at his massive staff jutting under his t–shirt. Rock Hard having snuck under the waist of his low riders. “Oooh, is that for me?” She reached out, but Reno linked long fingers around her wrist drawing her hands away.

  “Mo leannan, let’s not rush," he drawled, in complete disbelief at what was coming out of his mouth. He never took time with any female, just got her pants off and usually fucked both their brains out. Back then, he didn’t mess around, didn’t need to waste time with any of the details or wants and needs of anyone, but himself.

  Now, though, it was very different – he didn’t have to grab and run and never look back. He was done with that shit. Forever. "I need a kiss.”

  He knew she was still a virgin, she just didn’t know that he knew it. With Aili, it was going to be slow and then slow some more. Take the time to enjoy each other and have a meet and greet of their bodies in the best way. Slow and easy. His speciality when it came to Aili.

  Aili lifted her head as Reno bent down and their lips met. The world tilted, then righted itself as they explored, then smoothly danced with their tongues, both slightly panting when the kiss broke.