Reno

by Nini Church

A loud whoosh of air erupted from Stryker’s chest as it fell for the last time.

  Conn returned to catch the tail end of Reno taking out Stryker. He’d been busy transporting the human females and making a valiant attempt to erase their memories. It worked, but he hated doing it as all too often it damaged the human mind.

  Reno wiped his hands off on the front of his leathers, shoulders and ribs throbbing like a bitch and a few body parts swollen like hell. He couldn’t hear out of his right ear and his balance was off. Just a little, but enough to make him stagger. Sean stepped up, offering a hard-muscled forearm for Reno to latch onto. He did, gripping hard.

  Jericho checked on the females – all was well with Zulu guarding them.

  Conn bent over Stryker, not finding a pulse or any sign of life, he stated, “Stryker’s dead. By the grace of god may he rot in hell.”

  Esme added her, “Amen.”

  Trevor looped an arm around Ma’s shoulder. Da was going to have a fecking fit about this. Ma was traipsing the countryside with two female cohorts, one her daughter, all armed to the teeth and placing themselves right in the eye of danger. Ma might lose a little cred with the old man over this.

  Aili peered at Stryker, waiting for his eyes to pop open. She shook her head, scared as shit, but watched and waited – holding her breath – almost seeing his chest rise, then fall. It didn’t happen again. She had to be sure.

  A trick of the eye – she kept her beady attention on his chest for long minutes and it didn’t move. Sure now that Stryker was dead and for reassurance, Aili kept repeating, He's dead–dead–dead–dead.

  Reno clapped a bloody hand firmly on Sean’s shoulder. “Thanks. Appreciate it.”

  “Go,” Sean waved his hand. “Me sister needs you right now.”

  A wide white grin and Reno left him in the dust. Sean went to his Ma, safe next to Trevor. They watched Aili with the big male, who had been ready to throw down everyone to get at Stryker.

  “A fine lad, that one.” Esme nodded.

  “Aye, Ma, but a bit wee for Da though.” Trevor kept his eyes on the two, watching the way Reno held his sister gently and with great care, tending to her. “Feck, Ma, is he…”

  “Nae, son,” Esme cut him off, shaking her head. “Did ye no jest hear the wee lad claim yer sister? If he’s what aer Aili wants, then she’ll have him.”

  Sean smirked. “Da won’t go for it.”

  Matty sidled up, hearing their conversation, Zulu’s hand linked firmly with hers. “Yeah, your Dad might go for it. I’ve got Reno taking out Stryker on vid. Wait’ll he sees that!”

  Trevor’s eyes lit up like it was Micklemas. “You did?”

  “Uh huh. At least a lot of it. Most of it.”

  Trevor tapped his earbud. “Caleb, Matty’s got vid.”

  Realizing where they were, Reno snapped back to reality. “Let’s roll,” he bellowed.

  Chapter 10

  Duke McFeerson wore a line in the rug as he trod back and forth. Yes, trod – at his weight it was like horse hooves hitting the plank floor. Fit to be fecking tied, his mate in danger on a secret mission, attempting to protect her daughter, and nary a word of it to him.

  Aye, he knew well why she didn’t mention it. He would’ve forbid it – kept a closer watch over her. Fool of a wonderful female that she was, he loved her more than life.

  Stryker was dead. Finally. Full of pride, he preened – his wee mate and daughter had put an end to this ugly mess.

  Abe watched Duke thundering back and forth until she was dizzy. Fifi rushed out of the kitchen with an unopened bottle of scotch and a heavy glass for Duke. Elron followed, bearing a tray with teapot, cups and for Abe a large glass of milk.

  Cal’s voice came over the house speakers. “On their way. Everyone is okay. ETA less than five. Matty got vid.”

  Duke smiled widely, big shoulders easing into a slump now that he knew everyone was well.

  Abe glanced up the front stairs, hopefully the twins would sleep through any commotion. She just wanted to hold Jericho tightly in her arms without any distractions, including her children.

  Trevor and Sean with Esme between them walked out of a swirling vortex that closed behind them.

  Jericho, Zulu and Conn appeared next to the pool table with Reno in front holding Aili close to his chest, her head nuzzled into his neck, gorgeous red curls flowing over his arms.

  The three McFeerson’s went for Duke who held his arms wide, expecting one more, but Aili was held fast by the big male he’d already warned off. Obviously, he didn’t listen too well. Esme crowded his chest, arms holding tight. Sean gripped his shoulder as Trevor held on to the other.

  Esme nodded her head against his big strong chest. “Aye, Duke, I’m in deep trouble with ye an' I know it. But right now there’s much afoot as ye can see.”

  “Aye, lass, I can see, but canna agree.”

  “Duke?” Esme’s tone told her opinion was strong – even with the deep shit she was already in.

  Duke shook his head, smothering his mate to his chest, glancing to both his sons with a nod of thanks for watching over their Ma. Crazy female who took to danger like one of his sons while dragging her daughter and another female along.

  Wheesht! What was he to do with her? Both his sons stepped back as he held Esme tighter, their arms wrapped around one another, her feet dangling off the floor.

  Reno didn’t miss the way Duke held his mate, a female he loved with an obvious passion. Reno wanted that too, held her in his arms, and badly needed to shout it out to the world. He held Aili tighter.

  She groaned. “Hey, big guy, I need to breathe now and then.”

  “No, mo leannan, what you need to do is stay safe. Promise me you won’t sneak off again – won’t put yourself in danger like that. Never again. Your promise and I want it now.” Spoken loudly, his harsh tone carried around the room.

  Silence settled as Abe, Fifi and Matty – all big eyes – were truly astonished at Reno. The consummate bachelor, the one male amongst them who would never ever settle down with one female. He had a long history of bedding many in just one night. Behind his back, they called him Hollywood – a truly gorgeous male with movie star good looks – and Variety was his middle name.

  “Reno?” Aili tilted her head back. “You made my dream come true because Stryker’s dead. You’re a little battered, but you killed my worst nightmare, my worst fear. I’m so grateful for that.” Chocolate brown eyes shining with sincerity and so much more, she watched him swallow hard. He got it. Just like that. “My family’s okay. Your family’s good. No one got hurt. What more could we ask for?”

  Duke’s lips threatened to curl up into a shit–eating grin, but he held fast, recognizing his daughter’s tricks. Feck, how many times had she used them on him, avoiding answers to his very direct, concise questions, damnation – orders even?

  Just as she was doing now – dancing circles around the big Jinn.

  Duke enjoyed that.

  It amused him even more when Esme pushed her sweet bottom between his thighs. Aye, all was well, but Aili was another matter altogether.

  Come hell or high water, Duke meant to find out what this wee lad, Reno, was made of. Second–in–Command to King of the Jinn was nothing to sniff at and Duke knew a warrior when he saw one. Perhaps even a First Blood or Order. Although, he’d never find out from Reno – First Blood and First Order never admitted it – was against their code of honor.

  It did please Duke that Reno carried himself in a manner that bespoke honor and truth. He didn’t hide, but stepped up to the plate. Reno even had the temerity to take a go at him, first chance up, by speaking his mind – stating he wasn’t going to plant his fist down one of his son’s throats, but was going for him directly.

  Hell and damnation, Duke didn’t like it one bit, but had to admit that maybe Reno would be good for his daughter. He nipped that thought in the bud. As Fither and head of the Clan it was his role to be difficult – even ornery – and he meant to play it to
the hilt. As usual.

  Cal walked into the great room tapping his roid. “Had some trouble with the vid on Matty’s cell, but its ready if anyone wants to see it.”

  “Feck, yes,” Sean spoke up.

  Above the massive stone fireplace at the end of the room, a large white screen rolled down.

  Cal warned, “It’s bloody and gory.”

  No one moved or scrambled to leave. Nuh, uh. As one, they felt an invisible connection – different mores and languages, different ways of life and yet they came together as one, each with their own part in this greater family. If Stryker was dead, then Aili was safe. That’s all they cared about.

  Jericho cut into the silence, “Calebre, roll it.”

  The video canted this way and that as Cal layered in, “Tried to get a gimbal on the lens, but it woulda fried the chip. It evens out soon.” He grinned as all heads tilted, trying to anchor onto any recognizable visual image.

  The big screen showed it all. Abe looked away as did Fifi, Elron too.

  Riveted, the males drilled their eyes onto the huge screen as Reno went at the big male. Even a replay was great viewing.

  Trevor demanded, “Cal, frame it down, it’s too fast.”

  Video automatically slowed as Cal framed it at sixty percent.

  Reno groaned and tried to turn Aili away. She shook him off with a light lunge to his shin, driving his shit–kicker sideways and unbalancing him. He grabbed for her, but she twisted around, “I might have to watch this a million times,” and shimmied against him, ass all over him and eyes planted on the screen.

  Reno couldn’t believe it. After everything Aili had been through and she still wanted more blood and gore. He smiled widely – his kinda female.

  Duke huffed his displeasure. Loudly.

  On his Da’s shoulder, Sean took a firmer grip as did Trevor. Esme turned to the side, arms lacing around Duke’s middle. He wanted to reach out and strangle the heathen. The fecking bastard wasn’t even a Scot and by the expression of sheer happiness on his Aili's face, he knew the fecking Jinn held his daughter’s heart in the verra palm of his hand.

  Esme was grateful there was no sound with the video – she’d not be able to contain him if Duke heard Reno laying claim to their daughter. Still, she dug in. “If he’s what aer Aili wants, tis what she’ll have.” Esme’s tone soothed, but her words set Duke to simmering.

  Sean's hand slipped away as his Da’s back locked, gaining several inches in height, his shoulders spreading and chest swelling. “Da, we’ve got all the time in the world to deal with that one.” Sean eyed Reno, but nodded towards the big screen. “This you gotta see, Da.” Watching Reno take down Stryker the first time had been awesome in the extreme. The big Jinn knew how to maximize damage with his bare hands, not to mention Reno had the expertise to kill with one final blow. To see it again was something Sean didn’t want to miss.

  Most were riveted on Reno drilling on Stryker. It was soon evident Reno was holding back and when he let go Stryker never had a chance. When Reno struck that killing blow, silence lay thick over the room.

  Cal flicked the vid off, big screen rising over the massive fireplace.

  Aili yawned so hard her neck snapped, but she chuckled loudly when glancing at Ma.

  Esme, her face still somewhat blackened with more of it on Duke now than her, smiled widely. “T’was a good night’s work daughter. Now, let’s get on with the living.”

  “Aye, lass.” Duke nuzzled the top of her head, nose buried in her hair. “Let’s go home, luvy.”

  “Nae, Duke. There's still work to be done here. But ye can stay the night with me if ye wish.”

  Everyone took that as the signal to make their exits. Aili hung back after giving Reno a light kiss and then a sly wink. He left the great room, pounding up the front stairs.

  It didn’t escape Duke that the wee lad left all too easily. Aye, his daughter was forgetting he had once been a young ‘un. Esme, too. Softly into her ear, he said, “Mither, ye shall sleep with aer daughter. There’s too much afoot.”

  “I won’t be awake long without you to distract me. You know I sleep like the dead. She’ll just sneak out if that’s what she intends.”

  “Ah, Mither, you do put up a good argument, I’ll say. We can’t just leave her to her own devices. There’s trouble here and we both know it.”

  “Indeed, mate. Ye can stew on it all night after ye distract me. Let’s get to bed. I’ll tuck aer wee lass in for the night. Lay on the trust and honor – thickly, if I must. We’ll see. She’s a grown female, Duke.”

  “Aye, luvy, but what worries me most is aer Aili is ripe for the plucking.”

  Ma’s words echoed. Aili had heard the same spiel a million times before about honor and trust and doing the right thing even when you didn’t want to. This time, Ma’s words were sinking in, taking on new meaning, holding no one else, but her responsible for whatever actions she might take.

  Whatever they may be, she’d lie in the bed she made, Ma reminded on her way out as Aili’s bedroom door meaningfully clicked solidly shut behind her.

  All Aili could think about was what she wanted. No, what she needed. Reno. Then, more Reno. More again and then, Reno forever. Did he want her the same way? Warmth spreading through her was answer enough. She couldn’t be wrong about him. Could she?

  Rustling from inside the closet startled her and she jumped onto the middle of the bed, pillow clutched to her chest as protection. Big blue eyes peeked around the closet door as she scented him, nose tilted in the air. Yeah, smoky and sea fresh.

  Reno’s smile was brilliant white as he stepped into the room. “Mo leannan, what are you doing?”

  “Scenting you. I love how you smell. Your scent is wonderful.” Aili buttoned her lip. Nervous and gushing was not her style. When it came to Reno, she had sex on the brain. Were they gonna have sex? Huh? Now? Please…

  Reno crawled up the end of the bed, causing shivers to run over Aili’s body as heat and dampness soaked her panties. “What do I smell like, mo leannan?”

  “Uhmm, the sea and smoky like a hickory fire. Sea fresh and smoky.”

  He took Aili’s lips, scenting her as he did. Magnolia and strawberries flooded him. Tongue exploring, Aili sucked the tip and Rock Hock, on point for days now, did his dance, sashaying around like a stripper.

  Aili noticed, still locked in their deep kiss, she dropped both hands to the front of his low riders to firmly cup his thick hard cock – and began gliding her hand up and down in a slow–mo sensual pump. She’d practiced it many times on Mr. V.

  A guttural purr erupted from Reno as he thrust his hips. His cock throbbed and pulsed, a wet stain spreading over the bottom of his t–shirt.

  It was powerful how he filled her hands as she moved them up and down before he grabbed both her wrists, pulling her away.

  Exasperated, she demanded, “No fair! Stop doing that.”

  “Aili? As much as I want you, mo leannan, we have to talk first. Your world and mine are gonna clash if we’re not real careful. I, uh, we need to do what’s best for us.”

  “But you’re ready!”

  Reno grinned, incredible smile on display. “I’m always ready for you.”

  Aili let out a long harsh breath, wading back in the bed. In seconds, she scooted off the side. The bed wasn't a good place for talking, it wasn’t meant for that. “Okay. You’re right. We do need to talk, but can we do it later?”

  “Why later?”

  “’Cause I wanna have sex now. Talk later.”

  Reno blinked rapidly, his mind moving a million miles an hour. Was she a virgin or not? If not, they had no problems. He eased back. Oh yeah, they did cause he wanted to know who took her virginity and when. Then, he’d kill the fucker dead. “Aili? Uh, hell! Shit…er...are you…”

  An eternity passed before she answered, her mocha eyes sad. “Yes, Reno, I am. I don’t know whether to be offended or laugh. Truly.”

  “I'm not asking just to get you down on the floor �
� uh, the bed. Sometimes you says things that make me think you’re experienced. If that’s the case, I'm cool with it, but I still wanna kill the fucker who took your virginity.” Reno scrubbed his face with one big paw. “Aili the truth is we need to get to know one another better. This isn’t only about sex.”

  Aili bit her lip. No way in hell was she ever admitting to owning or knowing anything about Mr. Vibrator snug in his leather case with extra attachments she’d never had the nerve to try – hidden in a shoe box stuffed at the back of her closet at home. With Ma and Da and her brothers. Heaven help her, she had to get rid of him. Sorry Mr. V.

  “Tell me about Aili. I want to know the real Aili.”

  “Reno you saw the real Aili tonight. I’m fierce and brave when I have to be. It might shock you, but I’ll go for the kill, so will Ma if no one else steps up. Da made sure we were all well trained in warfare and combat during his survival camps. My family's version of a summer vacation, but we learned to be warriors in our own way. So, you can understand why the females of my clan don’t like to be shunted aside simply because we’re female.”

  Big chocolate eyes on him, she let her ire out, twang hanging heavy. “T’would be like ye sayin’ ye canna see me as a doctor since I be female. Me mind is strong and I’m obstinate when I’m right. By the way, I’m right most of the time. What about you, Reno? Where do you come from?”

  “Born and raised in what’s now called Texas. The Lone Star state. A very long time ago, my parents were ambushed and murdered by a master Vampire, who as you can imagine didn’t live long afterwards. He was my first kill. I was only fourteen summers then.” Reno didn’t wait to see if all the bad shit from his past bothered her. He wanted to get to the good stuff. “My father was right hand to Jericho’s grandfather and then his father. My family are protectors of our King. Me and Jericho were raised together. I'm his Champion. Strangely enough, he's also mine. We were raised as equals and that has never changed, King or not, Champion or not.

  “I was born from both lines of First Order and First Blood males. First Order were those who originally protected the Jinn throne and the mark is carried down through generations. First Blood basically the same. We never admit or speak about it, Aili, it’s part of the code of silence for Firsts. My Mom was born a princess, but I don’t think it ever mattered to my Dad. He loved her to fucking bits, Aili. That’s the short version."