Reno

by Nini Church

  "Da will be happy to hear about the princess part of your heritage. He's all about family and lineage. So, what’s your full name?”

  “Renegade Mantius Grigor. My creds are solid. True"

  Reno’s blue eyes drilled into Aili as he smiled sheepishly. “Before you now, is a brilliant warrior with amazing skills, and a few secrets, who never once considered – had no fucking clue whatsoever – that you were out there.”

  Aili laughed softly. She loved the way he cursed to add expression to his words – but that was her Reno. All male, all the time. His body was her temple and she so badly wanted to worship and explore it – all those hard muscles, arms like machine guns, tapered waist and a cock that never quit.

  Why couldn’t they just have sex? Without penetration would be fine too – at this point anyway. Seriously, Aili had sex on the brain. But Reno was right. It wasn’t just about sex, but the greater whole that she didn’t want to think about right now. Her brain said: sex first – then talk. “Reno. Honestly?”

  He nodded, blue eyes dropping away as realization dawned that he’d used the same honestly line himself to get away from females who manufactured too much from nothing. Honestly? I’m just passing through. Honestly, something’s come up, I gotta run...

  Fuck, which one was Aili going to use on him?

  Pissed off and growing more so, he waited impatiently for her to drop the bomb.

  Stumped as to why he was withdrawing, she spoke quietly wondering if he would even hear her. Reno wore a scowl like a kid who’d had his toy taken away. What was going on in his brain? “Reno, I’ve met lots of males and not one…is like you.”

  Reno refused to take this laying down and met Aili’s brilliant chocolate eyes. Whatever he’d done, he’d fix it and fast. He hated the way coldness swept over parts of him, his mind shutting down while madly scrambling to pull his emotions back, hide them away as he valiantly attempted to get a fucking grip on what was coming down the pipe at him.

  Strangely, Aili’s eyes shimmered with amusement.

  WTF?

  He leaned towards her.

  “Reno, you had me when you defended me against Conn who automatically said no to the offer to work at the compound. Then again, it might have been when I knocked on your door and you turned out to be a gentle male instead of the Fuck–Every–Female Hollywood you have a rep for and everyone warned me about.” She winked. “If you happen to see him, tell him I’m lookin’ for him."

  Reno's brows shot high, blue eyes masked, telling he took offense – hated what everyone called him behind his back. Aili nailed it square on the head and he didn't care ‘cause that section – portion? – of his life was gone. Nada. No matter now.

  "For the record, Reno, just so you know what I’m all about, I don’t share. No time. Not ever. Truthfully, your scent makes me feel warm and cozy in many ways. And, when you’re close to me I feel safe, wanted, needed. I refuse to mention your gorgeous body or other parts that I love, but... Feck! Sheesh! Tis true – Jinn males do ensorcell! You must be bewitching me and I’m sure your ego is swelling at all my compliments.”

  With no hesitation, Reno answered. “No, I’m not doing anything. You're gonna have to own it.” His heart swelled with happiness – he was back in the zone again and wanted to stay forever. “Keep going, I’m all ears, turning into a sponge here. Lovin’ it.” Reno chuckled moving in fast to ease Aili into his arms. Rock Hard was cool, nestled in her soft belly, bobbing around and stroking his own damn self against her creamy white skin.

  “He’s got a life of his own.” Aili couldn’t take her eyes off Reno’s massive erection. "Not going to go down easy is he?”

  “Never when you’re around. Rock Hard constantly craves you.”

  “Rock Hard?” Her grin was so big it split her face.

  “Yeah, he took on a name when we met. Never had one before, never thought about that shit.” Reno’s matching grin made his face shine with delight. “Aili, I have to speak to your Da about us.”

  She dipped her head. “I know.”

  “I’m gonna get that fucking done. Pronto.”

  Chapter 11

  “You are truly the most beautiful female. I never considered…never imagined there was someone for me. You, me, we. End of, baby.” Reno nodded before adding, “It’s not just your beauty that grabs me, it’s all of you. The whole package, mo leannan. I’m fascinated and crave to know every last fucking inch of you and then some.”

  “Reno?” Eyes full of luminous chocolate, she stared directly into his baby blues. “It’s the same for me. Your sense of humor is fab and I’m turned on by your hardcore warrior sexiness. For me, you're the most beautiful male I’ve ever seen. I’d love to adore your body and I’m definitely exploring every inch first chance and calling it mine. All mine.”

  “Was all yours from the moment you appeared beside Conn the night the twins were born. I’ve always been yours. For the record, I’m not into sharing you with anybody. And, I’m not stalling on us having sex either. Rock Hard never lays it fuckin’ down.”

  Aili shivered and silence bathed them as Reno held her tightly, neither wanting to shatter this sweet moment. Together they weren’t complicated, but fit like two halves of a whole – yet spiraling around them were many serious complications like her clan, her Ma and Da…mating.

  Nervous as fucking hell, Reno was never one to be shy when he wanted something as bad as he wanted Aili, Reno cupped her chin in one hand and kissed her soundly. “We feel the same about each other. Mo leannan, I want, need and crave you. In my life, every day, all day." He stared into her eyes and almost got lost. With a wide white smile of delight, he asked, "Aili, will you be my mate?”

  She gushed out a long breath, leaving him waiting. Under her palm, his heart hammered harder and harder the longer she stayed quiet. “In a heartbeat. Yes.”

  He crushed her against his chest. His. His mate. For all time. She’d just said yes to him. What did that mean? Yes? She was his? Yes, she wanted to mate him? Holding her tightly, he swung her around, then crushed her against his hard chest again.

  He’d never get enough, never get as close as he wanted.

  Yes?

  Aili just said – Yessss!

  Reno sparred with the new punching bag, the leather stiff enough to split his knuckles and still he powered in, rocking the ten foot bag as it swung out hard. Alone, he tried to gather his thoughts – he knew what he and Aili wanted just had no idea how to get it. Usually Jericho or one of the others dealt with situations calling for tact and diplomacy.

  But Jericho had warned him he better learn diplomacy fast if he was mating into the McFeerson Clan. Diplomacy was something he didn’t have an inch of with his Aili, but he was working his shit hard to do right by her. All bets were off when it came to her. Which only meant, he had to find a way to tell Duke and Esme that Aili had agreed to be his mate. Wasn't gonna be easy – finding a way – the best way – for the reveal.

  A door snapped shut behind him, drawing Reno's attention.

  Duke McFeerson wore a rough pair of sweat pants, a t–shirt with both arms torn off and a few gaping holes tossed in for good measure. One good tug and it would fly off. Unshaven, the big Scot looked like a rough old scrapper – just what Reno needed. Although, he would take it easy on him. The first round or two anyway.

  “Thought you weren’t allowed to fight?” Reno drawled.

  Duke snorted, bowing his body in. “Been waitin’ for a wee moment with ya tae see what ya really got. Fast with your fists, but break an arm or wrist, pop a shoulder and you’re done, lad.”

  Reno grinned. “We’ll spar, no blood work. Agreed?”

  “Feck no. Ye’re takin’ all the fun away. T'isn't a true fight if ye doona get bloody. I’ll not have it. Get used to it, lad, what I want is what I get.” Duke dove at Reno, snapping a big fist against his shoulder, throwing him off balance.

  Rolling on the balls of his feet, Reno shifted, then ducked as two more punches came his way. F
ists flying into Duke’s gut, he was grabbed by his hair, in mid–punch, and his head hauled back.

  A big wide smile, Duke asked, “Lad, what ye be doing? Ye’ve nae enough heft, too scrawny.” He tossed Reno against the wall. “The way you fight, lad, ye gotta get in close and when ye’re up against a bigger male, with longer arms and stronger legs who knows how to fight, ye’re nothing but an accident waitin’ to happen. Ye fair lads over here on the wrong side of the pond don’t know feck all about a good, bracing fight.”

  Obviously, Duke was goading him, but Reno wasn’t taking the bait. He was faster even if Duke was bigger, heavier – and used to having his own way. He shifted around Duke before coming in close enough to drive his shit–kicker into Duke’s kneecap, but he only grunted. “Let’s dance, old man.” Reno used the term purposely, recalling Abe’s father, Metatron, always hated when she did that.

  Bullseye.

  Duke’s face went purple as he took the insult to heart – just the way it was meant – swinging powerful arms out with both fists clenched, he pounded into the tops of both Reno’s arms. Pummeling muscles across his chest and then moving to his shoulders, weakening the big Jinn.

  Reno’s hands tingled before realizing Duke's intentions – trying to prove that without his fists he couldn’t win any fight.

  Uh, huh.

  Sure.

  A sharp elbow drove into Duke’s diaphragm as hot breath whooshed out, massive fists pulling back as Reno attempted a leg sweep only causing Duke to totter before regaining his feet. It made his shin ache after connecting with the solid Scot built like a fucking sequoia tree.

  They wrestled, powerful hands clamped on shoulders, legs braced to force their opponent down using simple body strength and their backs. Occasionally, Duke let go of one hand to maw Reno in the jaw, then a second time with a sweet, solid drive to the side of his head. He got away with it twice, but didn’t tempt fate by taking a third go at Reno. Duke grinned evilly, knowing how much it was pissing off the big Jinn. Would he lose his temper? Go for blood now?

  Reno began to talk.

  It threw Duke off his game – he was expecting anything but that.

  "My family name is Grigor. I am Renegade Mantius Grigor." Reno drove forward, forcing Duke to step back leaving him a bit off balance. "I’m First Order and First Blood. Unsurpassed as a male Jinn, although Jericho did take me down once. I will ever stand fucking tall and fucking proud in the face of your clan and it's not because of my lineage, but who I am. True."

  Reno backed off, throwing his hands up, massive shoulders spreading, muscles rippling. He wasn’t going to do Aili’s father even if he would be a real hard ass to take down. With a bow, Reno dropped the bomb. “Aili has agreed to be my mate. Will you honor it?”

  Duke roared, arms spread, fists clenched into massive weapons. “Tis a Fither’s decision, not the lad’s nor me daughter's. Us McFeerson’s mate for life. Words mean nothing, ye mayhap embellished your family line, like. I'll see to yer background meself.

  "Tis true, aye, I’m pleased I am that ye’ve a temper, but can keep it when need be. So far ye’ve given me little to complain about. Except, Aili’s me daughter and I won’t be telling ye again to keep yer fecking hands off her. If you don’t, t’would be askin’ for trouble, like.”

  They both struck blows and lost blood, it was a good match, a fair match and a far too gentle match.

  Duke didn’t push the Jinn much – there was something about the big warrior that stopped him. T’was his nature to push, to goad, to rile. But – he sensed a line he wasn’t sure he wanted to cross with this male.

  Besides, it might be wise to tether his ability to rile since the big Jinn had admitted his last name was Grigor. If he was any part of that infamous family, then Duke's instincts to be wary were right on target.

  The ruler of the Grigor family was Moros Nemesis Grigor, a battle–hardened warrior with legends behind him. Duke had only heard of him and his many powerful abilities. Called The Doombringer behind his back – it was a well earned moniker.

  He’d watched Renegade Mantius Grigor kill Stryker with his bare hands. When a fight really meant something to the lad, he was full on. Otherwise, he held back. T’was good to know about the Jinn warrior and not something to forget.

  Finally, Reno turned away. “I’m heading for the shower and then a drink. You in?”

  Duke talked non–stop throughout the shower, explaining what needed to happen. Hand–fasting and something about twelve months. By the time he had his clothes on, Reno’s eyes were rolling into the back of his head as Duke droned on. “Quit now, man, while you’re ahead.”

  Duke chuckled, his grin wicked. “Ye threatening me, lad? Ye’ll follow to the letter everything I explained to ye.”

  It was Reno’s turn to laugh as he clapped his hand on Duke’s shoulder. “You are truly a fucking idiot if you think either of us is going to have a say as to the details of Aili’s mating. Your aging brain has forgotten a key ingredient in all your blathering. Her name’s Esme.” Again, he laughed.

  Totally unoffended, Duke huffed. “Well, I do like to pretend now and then that I still have some sort of control even if tis only a smidgen. It helps me ego, like.”

  Reno smiled widely. "Hell, if it works just keep doin' it, man.”

  Duke shook his head heading upstairs behind the big Jinn, eager for a dram or two of the good stuff.

  It didn’t escape Reno that Duke hadn’t agreed or disagreed to honor Aili’s choice of mate.

  At the top of the stairs, Duke called to Reno. "Question."

  Reno nodded and turned to Duke, suspecting what was coming.

  "Grigor? As in Moros Grigor? The Doombringer?"

  A mischievous grin quirked up the corners of Reno's mouth. "My granddad. And, I wouldn’t ever call him that if it were me. Just a suggestion."

  Duke shook his head as Reno made for the bar next to the pool table in the great room. Why the feck hadn't he mentioned that one wee fact before? Moros Grigor – The Doombringer. It had a feck of a lot of bearing on the situation to Duke's mind.

  Feck of a lot.

  After Reno explained to Aili what her father revealed – hand fasting for almost a year and then a clan council to agree to their mating – she’d laughed herself hoarse. Duke had snookered him with a long load of bullshit. One for him, but not for long.

  She grilled him about what Da had said to him until Reno's eyes did roll back in his head. To her satisfaction and finally his – they agreed when Reno mentioned their mating to Duke he did not outright object nor deny the request.

  For Aili it was simple really, Da would check out Reno’s background and all would be well. Da hadn’t outright told Reno No. Technically. Brilliantly, she caught something else that Reno missed – “Da didn’t voice any real objections which means we’re free to mate. Legally we can too."

  "It's not the legal shit I'm concerned about, mo leannan."

  “I know that! What I’m saying is we are well within our rights to go ahead and mate.”

  “Aili, I’m not sneaking around either.”

  “That's not what we're doing, Reno. We’re simply taking control of our lives, our decisions, not letting others tells us who, where or when. Why is it necessary to share our every step just because my family expects it? Your family here at the compound doesn’t do that, they let us be.”

  “Touché.”

  It didn't end there.

  Later, in the kitchen, Reno asked Aili if she was absolutely sure their mating wouldn’t cause problems, especially since they didn’t have formal approval. He needed reassurance ‘cause the last thing he wanted to come from their mating was to have the McFeerson clan as his enemy.

  Reno wandered into Jericho’s office to talk. He needed to know the fucking rules.

  Jericho set him straight from the get go. “Duke fucking McFeerson knows what natural mates are like when they first meet. It happened to him with Esme. Nothing stops the process – nothing, man. Mates are mates,
meaning you and Aili. Your creds couldn’t be better, Reno. Stand tall and proud, I vouch. Go mate your female, man. You choose. Now, today, tomorrow. And, congrats by the way.”

  Now, an hour later after rearranging schedules and begging a few favors, Reno couldn’t wait to escape with Aili to a secret apartment in the barn they’d patched together with extras from recent refurbishing. Cal wired the new space tight for security with a safe room and a load of weapons, including Satnav phones.

  Fifi ensured the suite was clean and fresh, adding a couple of small posies of mixed flowers and candles when someone booked off private time.

  Reno strode into the kitchen, winking at Aili.

  Fifi hustled around them packing a hamper. Elron added several bottles of wine before loading the large wicker hamper into the back of his golf cart and whirring away up the back drive.

  Reno grabbed Aili’s hand, leading her out into the summery evening. “Care to take a walk with me?”

  “Aye, I like walking with you.” They walked up the back drive and over beds of lush grass until Aili lifted a brow in question and Reno winked again.

  Outside the dilapidated big barn, they went in a side door, up a hidden flight of stairs into a gorgeous space with a single bedroom off the kitchen. It was all state of the art, colorful and simple. Aili had bought some of the furnishings online, but had never been allowed inside. It was a sweet spot to curl up and enjoy. She had a few ideas how to do just that.

  Reno pawed through the wicker basket Elron had just left, digging out a bottle of wine. They sat together, toasting and drinking.

  With his heart thruming away and on edge, he couldn’t wait any longer and slid off the couch onto both knees, pulling out a brown velvet box. “Aili, as my mate, I will protect you with my life. You are my everything. You will be under my care for all your days and be known as only mine. All mine, mo leannan. Forever more.”