The Rennillia Series: Volumes 1-5

by M. Sembera

  Irritated, I griped, “Even if it concerns me?”

  Leaning down, he looked me right in the eye, fussing, “You Mrs. Herterand, should be grateful we happened upon the incident when we did and were able to prevent what would have occurred instead of questioning it.”

  Looking down, I didn’t know how to respond.

  I was eternally grateful to them and did not in any way want to come off as anything less that appreciative. However, there was no way in hell I was just going to be told what to do or let him scold me like I was some little kid.

  Taking a step closer to him, I held my head high, stating, “You have no idea how appreciative I am that you and your brother showed up when you did. I will spend the rest of my life thankful to ya’ll but the fact is, I did not place a request. Supposedly you do not do favors, give your real names and everything ya’ll do comes with a price, so I feel as though I deserve to know.”

  I could tell he was clenching his teeth before growling, “The only thing you deserve, Mrs. Herterand, is to be put back into your place. Someone should have…” right before I slapped him in the face.

  Admittedly, I surprised myself with that outburst as I blurted, “I know my place and don’t think for a second I am going to let you or anyone else beat me out of it,” poking him hard with my first two fingers in the chest.

  So close to me that we were almost touching, Ignacio held up his hand. Stating, “Only Five mistakes in all the time I have been in service and I have made them with you, there is no margin for error in what I do.” Then counting down on his fingers, he shared, “I should not have introduced myself to you, involved myself in a situation that did not concern me, lent you my jacket or allowed you to come here unannounced. And that Mrs. Herterand is all the information I am willing to provide.”

  As smart-assy as I could, I stated, “That’s four.”

  Grabbing me by the tops of my arms, Ignacio lifted me off the ground and planted a firm kiss on my lips before setting me down and informing, “Five.”

  Unable to say a word, I just stood there.

  How in the hell did that just happen? Ignacio’s expression seemed to coincide with my mental question as we silently stood there facing each other.

  All of the sudden, he appeared humbled as he offered, “I apologize, Mrs. Herterand. This is not the way we conduct business.”

  Still unable to speak, I wondered why he was using the term we. Deciding, because The Brothers were basically a business, he was also trying to nudge the incident into perspective. The longer I stared at him, the more I noticed features that were insignificant until this moment. He couldn’t have been more than a few years older than me, even if his presence and mannerisms led me to believe otherwise.

  “I appreciate you retuning my suit jacket, have a good evening,” he stated, taking a step back.

  Thinking of a proper response, I should have replied, ‘you’re welcome’ and left. Instead, I stood there like an idiot, without saying a word.

  Beginning to regain my composer, I could tell Ignacio was unsure of what to do next also.

  Taking a deep breath, I questioned, “Why did you do that?”

  “It was inappropriate, I apologize,” he replied.

  Narrowing my eyes at him, I asked, “Do you like me?”

  “I am fond of you, yes,” he stated, continuing to appear uncomfortable.

  “Umm,” was the all that came out of my mouth before he offered, “Mrs. Herterand, please come have a seat,” as he turned a chair in my direction.”

  Walking to the chair, I kept eye contact with him.

  Taking a seat, I asked, “Should I be concerned?”

  “Are you? He questioned, sitting in the chair facing mine.

  Shrugging, I replied, “I’m not sure exactly what I am at the moment.”

  With a slight nod, Ignacio stated, “May I offer some advice, Mrs. Herterand?”

  “Sure,” I said before he imparted, “When you lose your temper, it makes you appear weak.”

  Finding it hard to believe what I was hearing, I blurted, “What?”

  Clearing his throat before answering, he replied, “Losing control makes you vulnerable, regardless of the reason. You have to remain controlled in order for a man to take you seriously.”

  Raising an eyebrow, I questioned, “So just now, you kissed me because you thought I was weak?”

  Breathing in deep, he assured, “I had a momentary lapse in better judgment, that was caused by you shouting and gabbing me in the chest.”

  “I see, so it’s my fault you kissed me,” I sarcastically stated before asking, “Slapping you wasn’t serious enough?”

  Looking directly into my eyes, he said, “Any time you touch a man you are taking a risk. For example, you offered me your hand and without thinking, I introduced myself.”

  Narrowing my eyes at him, I suggested, “It seems to me, all you are doing is making me the excuse for your lack of self-control.”

  For the first time, I saw Ignacio smile as he said, “And that is exactly my point. Do not ever give anyone the opportunity to doubt your intentions.”

  I sat there thinking about what he said. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I had always had a gift for pushing people’s buttons but I never realized how easily I could be set off.

  Appreciating Ignacio’s advice, I asked, “If I tell you what I’m planning, can you help me?”

  “I can listen and am willing to advise, I cannot help,” he stated.

  Nodding, I took a breath and shared my idea with him.

  As I explained, there was no expression on Ignacio’s face. The longer I talked the more I wondered, what I sounded like to him.

  Finally, I ended, saying, “Well?”

  “You will never succeed,” he insisted.

  Since I thought my plan was almost brilliant, I questioned, “Why?”

  With a slight scowl, he cleared his throat, saying, “You are trying to fix something you did not break. It will be impossible.”

  A bit irritated, I said, “Well thanks,” as I started to frown.

  “Take a different perspective. Decide what you want to happen then follow through. The only way you will succeed is by letting go of what you want to happen and make a judgment call.” I made a face, as he finished by saying, “What are you willing to do?”

  After taking a moment to think, I replied, “I don’t want to do anything, I can’t undo.”

  “Then make deals with no one. That way you force them to deal with you,” then with a nod, he said, “You have many resources. Use them.”

  Nodding back, I replied, “Thank you. It’s getting late, I should go.”

  Standing up, Ignacio said, “Yes, ma’am. Call when you need us.”

  Knowing he meant not only to call for the next step but I understood he meant not to just drop by unannounced. I smiled before showing myself out. Ignacio’s advice changed my whole outlook one the situation.

  Chapter 11

  Making my first judgment call, I took my first step in the right direction. Hert was already staying home from work, so I placed a call to The Brothers, put two of the files into my purse and made my way downstairs. The idea was, not only to get this over as quickly as possible, then head to HIS house early in the morning and catch HIM off guard by interrupting HIS obsessive cleaning ritual. After spending a great deal of the night thinking of ways to sway HIM in my favor, I picked one that I thought would be easiest on the both of us.

  Almost out of the back door, a voice stopped me.

  “Renni,” Hert said.

  Slowly turning in his direction, I greeted, “Scott.”

  Giving me a look, he urged, “Renni, I know you’re angry but don’t you think you’re getting a little carried away with this.”

  Direct and to the point, I informed, “I’m not angry. I do however know my place now and it will be best for everyone if you knew yours.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” he blurted before
I lied, saying, “I have already cleared it through Mr. Ramsden. Jackson and Emerson are signing their shares over to me.” Stopping for a moment to see his reaction, I continued stating, “I want yours.”

  Narrowing his eyes, he took a step closer, saying, “You have lost your mind.”

  Shaking my head at him, I said, “No Scott, I haven’t. I will have complete and total control of The Office. You can either be on board or not but I would advise you, it is in your best interest to do so.”

  Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out the back door. Proud of the way I was able to handle Hert, now I was ready to recruit my next person.

  Pulling up in The Brothers’ driveway, I watched the two of them walk to my car. My eyes followed them until they separated to get in on opposite sides of the back seat. Both of them wore a white shirt and black tie, the only difference being, Ignacio’s suit was a darker gray than Fiore’s.

  “Mrs. Herterand,” they greeted in unison.

  Inhaling the scent of cigarette that now filled my car, I glanced in the rear view mirror. After catching a glimpse of Ignacio, I noticed Fiore glaring at me.

  Meeting his eyes in the mirror, I said, “I apologize for showing up unannounced last night.”

  “Yes Ma’am,” Fiore replied, softening his expression slightly.

  Feeling good about my apology, I backed out of the driveway and headed to HIS house.

  The moment I pulled up past the gate, I started to feel uncomfortable. This was a place I never wanted to return to. Everything that is, was or had been wrong with me, was not only shared in that house but relished by HIM.

  “Mrs. Herterand, are you alright?” Ignacio questioned from the back seat.

  Nodding, I replied, “Give me ten minutes. If I don’t come back out…please come get me.”

  I heard him say, “Yes ma’am,” as I stepped out of my car and onto the path to HIS house.

  Walking down the path to HIS door, I worked hard at remembering my approach.

  I knocked several times before I received a response.

  Slowly opening the door, HE looked at my eye then down at my feet before saying, “Last time you weren’t wearing shoes.”

  My heart seemed to tighten as I assured, “I’m here for a different reason this time.”

  When I entered the house, the lemony bleach smell sent my mind back to the first time I was there.

  When HE stated, “Sit,” my body gave an involuntary little jerk that did not go unnoticed.

  “I have a proposition for you,” I stated, ready to ask, get my answer and leave.

  Biting the corner of HIS lip, HE suggested, “You can tell me who did that to your face while I bend you over and…” before I cut him off, snapping, “Not that kind of proposition!”

  After displaying a sinister grin, he asked, “What kind?”

  I took a breath and said, “The give and take kind.”

  Giving me a bad look, HE questioned, “What?”

  I knew HE was getting irritated waiting for my point, so I got to it, saying, “I want to know how your uncle finds things out.”

  With a dead stare, HE stated, “No.”

  “Why not? He doesn’t even care about you,” I stressed before informing, “He’s willing to sacrifice you to get me.”

  Stepping right in front of me, HE growled, “Shut your mouth.”

  Working hard at keeping my feet from moving, I argued, “I can prove it.”

  Less than an inch from my face, HE demanded, “How?”

  “I promise I can, just answer my question first,” I replied.

  Visibly angry, HE griped, “Like you promised to never leave.”

  With that, I had to step away. Quickly realizing that wasn’t a possibility, I felt HIS hands tighten around the tops of my arms.

  HE let go the moment HIS front door opened. Fear and uncertainty reflected in HIS eyes as HE backed away from me.

  “Hello friend,” Fiore said as he made his way around me next to HIM.

  Ignacio was at my side as I watched his brother put HIM on HIS knees.

  “Wait,” I blurted as the wicked smile on Fiore’s face faded back to his usual expression.

  “Mrs. Herterand?” Ignacio questioned.

  Looking at HIM, I ordered, “I am fine. Please, wait outside the door for me.”

  Fiore leaned down to HIS ear, assuring, “Next time,” in a low tone before glancing at his brother and following him outside.

  HE remained on HIS knees, making no effort to get up.

  Crouching down in front of HIM, I shared, “I will wait if you need me to.”

  Standing up, HE walked to his room.

  Returning with a different shirt on, HE stared at me. HE was afraid. I could see it in HIS eyes.

  With a soft tone, I asked, “Please help me.”

  “Why?” HE questioned as fear gave way to anger.

  Seeing only one option left, I answered, “Henley, I don’t want to hurt you any more than I already have. I am not asking for your help for myself, it’s so my daughter…” before HE stopped me, stating, “I don’t give a damn about you and Herterand’s kid.”

  Taking a chance, I asked, “I know you don’t but what if it was your daughter? Wouldn’t you want better for her?”

  Curling HIS top lip as HE narrowed HIS eyes at me, HE growled, “I know why you left.”

  Suddenly my mouth was dry as I asked, “What?”

  “You said you had a doctor’s appointment. That night you said no. Six years, you said no once and left me the next day,” HE said before concluding, “I didn’t get it right away. You screwed Herterand then left me.”

  More relieved than I had been in my entire life, I pretended HE wasn’t way off, by saying, “I’m sorry.”

  Apparently it was confirmation of HIS statement that HE was after because HE snapped, “Get out!”

  Giving up, I turned and headed for the door.

  Realizing I was still holding the files, I looked down at them and turned to HIM.

  Setting them on the coffee table, I informed, “The top one is yours, the bottom one is your mother’s.”

  Wishing my idea would have worked, I stopped when I heard HIM ask, “What did he say?”

  Turning, I questioned, “What?”

  Scowling, HE said, “My uncle, what did he say about me?”

  Thinking of something I could share without giving what Salvador had on me away, I replied, “He said, ‘There comes a time in every man’s life, when he has to face the things he has done. Not every man can live with himself when that day comes’.”

  I waited a moment, when there was no response I walked out of HIS house.

  Ignacio and Fiore were waiting right outside the door. Frantically thinking of a different way to find out what I needed to know, the three of us headed down the path to my car. About half way, I heard footsteps rapidly making their way towards us. In the time it took for me to turn around, Fiore had HIM on HIS back with his knee on HIS chest and Ignacio’s hands were gripping my shoulders.

  Almost giddy, Fiore looked up at me begging, “Let me have HIM.”

  Shaking my head, I stated, “Wait for me in the car.”

  Tilting his head to the side with an irritated sigh, Fiore complied, giving me a dirty look the whole time. Ignacio released me and joined his brother.

  After waiting for The Brothers to get into my car and shut the doors, I leaned over HIM asking, “Well?”

  Still trying to catch HIS breath after having the wind knocked out of HIM, HE choked out, “Ramsden.” As I scowled at HIM, HE clarified, “That’s where my uncle gets his information. Ramsden.”

  “Thank you,” I appreciated before HE asked, “Can I see her?”

  Shrugging, I offered, “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Sitting up, HE questioned, “When?”

  “Not until it’s over,” I answered.

  Getting to HIS feet, HE said, “I can help.”

  It was an uncomfortable idea but having
someone Salvador trusted on my side, would be beneficial, so I agreed, “I’ll be in touch.”

  HE nodded before turning to walk back to HIS house.

  The ride back to The Brothers’ house was silent. I wanted to ask Fiore how he knew HIM but I knew he wouldn’t tell me, even if he wasn’t furious with me. When we made it back to their house, I asked Ignacio if I could come inside and speak with him. Hesitant at first, he agreed.

  I wasn’t a foot inside their house when Fiore griped, “I could have had HIM,” to his brother.

  Scowling at him, Ignacio cautioned, “Now is not the time.”

  After glancing over at me, Fiore fussed, “I only get to break the rules if I have a hard on for our client?”

  Instantly looking at the floor, I was embarrassed and a little irritated too.

  Ignacio must have made a face at him because Fiore then stated, “Don’t look at me like that. Lei è un cliente. Non la tua ragazza. Avete dimenticato che è sposata? Sapete anche che tipo di donna è? Lei è di proteggere lui! Che fa lei…”

  “Chiudi la bocca, Lei è una donna buona,” Ignacio argued.

  I looked up to see Fiore, in his brother’s face as he snapped, “Is she? Or because you lei desidera nel tuo letto?”

  Unable to stay out of it any longer, I shared, “No I’m probably not a good woman,” as they both turned to look at me.

  “You know what I said?” Fiore questioned, giving me a serious look.

  Shaking my head, I replied, “Some of it,” as I remembered words I knew like client, married, and girlfriend. Not to mention the very clear ‘want her in your bed’ he ended with.

  Inhaling deep through his nose, Fiore stated, “I don’t care what you are.”

  Working at keeping my temper in check, I assured, “I don’t need you to. All I need is for you to do the job you were hired to do.”

  There was a fierceness in his eyes as he stated, “You are no different than any other client we have had.”

  Narrowing my eyes at him, I suggested, “Then stop being disrespectful towards me and act accordingly.”

  He appeared as though there was a lot more he wanted to say.

  Directing his attention to Ignacio, he asked, “Was this our only job today?”