by Christina OW
Melody took the elephant’s foreleg and shook it. “Nice to meet you, Nosey.”
He shot his hand out to her too and shook it earnestly, his smile so wide it beamed. Loraine had no idea why that made her want to cry. He was so sweet and friendly and so courageous, considering he was sitting between two complete strangers, slowly opening up to them in a friendly conversation.
Tyler turned to his elephant with the same seriousness as before. “Don’t forget what nanny told us, Nosey, we have to be extra good for daddy. we have to be very nice to Lori because she’s special.”
Loraine pressed her hand to her chest, feeling her heart flutter. She loved getting compliments, and one from a three year old was even better.
“Thank you, Ty…is it okay if I call you Ty?”
He nodded vigorously very pleased with himself, then turned to Melody. “You can call me Ty if you want, because it’s a friend name like Yody.”
His eagerness made Loraine want to cry more. It was clear he really wanted to be accepted. He’s only three; he shouldn’t feel like this.
She watched as Melody blinked back tears. It was great to see she wasn’t the only one getting emotional over this. “I would love that very much, Ty.”
He flashed a heartwarming smile before he looked at Loraine. “I’m hungry.”
Loraine laughed outright. “Of course you are. Let’s go to the kitchen and make some macaroni and cheese.”
He blinked several times, clearly confused. “What’s a kitchen?”
What? “Come, I’ll show you. Would you like me to carry you?”
He nodded breaking out his smile that had a cord attached to Loraine’s heart. “And Nosey, too?”
“And Nosey, too.” Loraine stood up and lifted him, settling him on her hip. It felt too natural holding him like this. She waited to see if any warning bells would go off, but there was nothing. Besides, if she wanted to be with Reno, his kid was included in the package. She better get used to it, and fast.
* * * *
Reno paced in his office, suddenly feeling caged. He never expected this, least of all, he never expected Georgia to do this without an ulterior motive. What was she planning? Was this kid a preview to the real gag? What the hell was she thinking doing this, now?
“Reno, what are you thinking?”
Reno looked at Ruiz, seated in the chair with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked relaxed but the look in his eyes betrayed him. He was worried. Reno had told him a little about Georgia. Ruiz was actually glad she’d skipped on him. His exact words were ‘you dodged a bullet bro, that woman is conniving and nothing but trouble.’
Well, it looked like trouble had come looking.
“That Georgia is up to something and it’s not good.”
He nodded. “What about the kid? He’s definitely your son.”
Reno sighed, halting his pacing. He didn’t know what to think about the kid. At one time, he’d been excited, scared, but excited he was going to be a father. It was the reason he’d married Georgia. It was a fresh start, a chance to do things right and correct the mistakes of his sire. He wasn’t going to allow his kid to grow up without a father like he did. Then Georgia disappeared, and in the aftermath he’d been updated on her promiscuous ways making him doubt he’d fathered her child. He’d been relieved because he’d escaped Georgia’s scheming ways, especially now that the resort was doing so well and he was bringing home five figures. But most of all, he was glad he’d escaped being a father. But that noose was back, quickly tightening around his neck.
It was one thing taking responsibility and another being a father. He’d raised Riana—she was his kid. He’d had Aurora for two years and readily taken on the role of father but he was glad when her real father relieved him of that duty. As much as he loved both his girls, after Georgia left, he realized he was not ready for his own brood.
This kid had just thrown a loop in his life. And Loraine, what would happen with the two of them? Their relationship was so new and fragile. A kid would be the strain needed to break them.
Reno rubbed his face with his hands and groaned loudly. He didn’t need this kind of complication right now!
“Reno, what are you going to do?” Ruiz asked again, but this time his voice was hard.
He tensed wishing he was speaking to anyone else but Ruiz. Allan would be way more helpful right now—he had no daddy issues.
He lowered his hands and looked at his brother. “I don’t know. I didn’t exactly have the best example.”
Ruiz smirked. “And yet Riana is the best person I’ve ever met, commanding such loyalty that we are all ready to take a bullet for her. I feel like that after just one meeting. Yeah bro, the old man destroyed your paternal instincts.” He finished sarcastically.
Reno clenched his fists in anger. “Don’t start. You’re not the one who’s had a kid dropped on his lap and expected to instantly be an excellent parent.”
Ruiz pushed himself out of the chair. “Considering who his mother is you don’t have much of a choice, big brother. I, on the other hand, choose to be the best uncle I can be until you get your act together.”
As Ruiz passed Reno to walk to the door he said, “I didn’t ask for this!”
“You should have used a condom then,” he threw over his shoulder before he shut the door behind him.
Reno kicked at the chair, wishing he was anywhere else but here. He needed some time alone to think. He walked out of his office and headed for the stairs. He stopped when he heard the laughter coming from the kitchen; the kid’s echoing louder than the rest, considering it was small. And happy, he noted. He could hear it right in his heart.
When he had walked in with Loraine, the kid had been cowering behind Melody looking terrified. It was amazing that in just a few minutes he was laughing happily like he’d known Loraine, Melody and Ruiz all his life. He was right at home and currently not Reno’s problem. He took the stairs two at a time and headed for his room. He needed a relaxing shower then sleep, pretending he had no son.
But after two hours of lying in bed, he couldn’t fall asleep. He’d tossed and turned fighting for slumber until he gave up. Now he just stared at the ceiling, waiting for morning or Loraine to come and distract him from reality. He was glad she was taking this kid thing well. Maybe it meant their relationship wouldn’t have to change. He just hoped she wouldn’t mind looking after him as he went to work. He would have to find someone to look after him for the time being until he…
Until I what? Send him back to Georgia or give him up?
He didn’t have time to think about it because the door opened, and Loraine walked in.
“Reno, are you asleep?”
He pushed himself up on his elbows and watched as she stripped with a smile. “Oh, I’m wide awake now. So is another part of me.”
She rolled her eyes, covering her nakedness with her satin sleeping shorts and a matching strappy top.
Reno frowned. “What are you doing?”
She gave him an incredulous look. “What does it look like? I’m getting ready for bed.”
He pulled the covers away as she approached the bed and tossed them over her once she climbed in. “You don’t need clothes for that.”
She chuckled, “Yes I do. There is a three year old sleeping across the hall.”
Reno groaned, falling back on the bed. The kid was already changing his life and he’d been here just a few hours.
Loraine frowned, lying on his chest. “Why did you do that?”
He rested his arm over his eyes. “Do what?”
“Groan like you are upset. Tyler is three and in a strange place. He might get scared and I told him he could come sleep with us if he does.”
Reno groaned again and yelped right after when Loraine pinched him. “Why do you keep doing that?”
Reno moved his arm and looked at her. “Could we please not discuss this right now? I’m exhausted.”
Her brow rose and her lips spread in a grin. He knew
he was in trouble because there was nothing happy about that grin. “What’s his name Reno?”
“What?”
“What’s your son’s name Reno?” she demanded angrily.
“Tyler,” he answered and he only knew that because she’d said it just a few minutes ago. He’d come with an envelope full of papers about him but Reno hadn’t bothered to look inside it. He didn’t want to know.
Loraine sat up. “One point for you, Mr. Albury. Now if you ever want to have sex with me again, you’ll think real long and hard about this next question—”
The soft knock on the door made them both turn toward it. The handle lowered and it slowly slide open revealing a little boy in blue pajamas clutching an elephant to his chest. And something twisted in Reno’s chest. He looked scared.
Loraine quickly crawled off the bed and went to him. “Tyler, what’s wrong honey?”
“I’m scared,” he whispered. “I don’t want to sleep alone.”
Reno wanted to laugh at the irony. He was seeking comfort from two people who were slowly getting over their own fears of the night.
Loraine picked him up, quietly soothing him as she rubbed his back. “You came to the right place. I sleep here because I’m scared to sleep alone at night too.”
Reno was surprised at her honesty; it momentarily distracted him from the fact Loraine was bringing the kid to his bed. He watched as she placed him on her other side, sliding down in bed with him cradled on her chest. She pulled the covers around them, her arms going around him. The entire time she was settling them in, the kid—Tyler was watching him carefully like he was waiting for Reno to do something.
“Would you like to know why I sleep here?” she went on.
There was silence for a moment before his timid voice filled the room. “Because daddy is here to keep you safe.”
Something in Reno’s chest twisted again as Tyler’s gaze went from cautious to admiration. Reno swallowed hard, Tyler’s voice as he called him daddy echoing in his heart.
Loraine brushed Reno’s cheek with the back of her hand. “That’s right. Daddy keeps all my nightmares away and I sleep all night like a baby. Why don’t you try and go to sleep.” She brushed his black curls away from his forehead then pressed her lips there in a tender kiss. “Your daddy and I are going to keep you safe. Okay?”
He nodded slowly. “Okay.”
“Goodnight, honey.” She placed her hand behind Reno’s neck and pulled him closer to press her lips against his. “Have a good night, Reno. You are going to need it.”
Reno heard the threat in her statement but Tyler’s gaze held him hostage. Then the kid surprised him by jumping over Loraine to rest between them, still holding Reno’s gaze with his own. Reno fought the instinct to run from the bed, hell, from the room. Having him so close made Reno tense. It was easier to ignore him when he wasn’t right next to him.
Loraine turned to her other side facing him, cradling Tyler against her, his head resting on her arm and watched Reno with a warning in her eye. The gesture was so predictable for a mother—very protective—which unsettled him even more. She was getting comfortable with their current predicament. Though it should be a good thing, it still unsettled him.
Tentatively, Tyler reached for Reno’s hand, grabbing hold of two of his fingers which barely fit in his small hand. Then he waited, watching to see his reaction. Reno felt like his heart was about to burst out of his chest. What was this kid doing?
“Goodnight daddy,” he whispered softly.
Reno stared at him, his tongue dead in his mouth. He then felt Loraine’s fingers at his chin and then she pinched him, prompting him to reciprocate.
“Goodnight…Tyler,” he responded, his voice faltering.
He smiled then proceeded to close his eyes as he lifted Reno’s hand to rest close to his face and tucked himself into Loraine. Reno finally let out the breath he was holding, catching Loraine’s smile.
“Thank you,” she mouthed closing her eyes and falling asleep with the smile still on her face.
Reno turned off his bedside lamp, flooding the room in darkness. He then closed his eyes and listened to his mistress outside his window as she crushed against the rocks, willing her to work her magic. After a few minutes he was still tense. Her wills weren’t working on him. He opened his eyes and turned to face the two sleeping soundly next to him. The moon fell on them casting a beautiful shadow of them. They looked perfect together. A sane man would have felt pride and joy at this moment. He only felt panic. There was something wrong with this picture. He didn’t belong in it.
He stared at the ceiling, one thought assailing him.
This isn’t my life.
* * * *
Loraine watched Tyler as he played with his action figures on the carpet on the floor in the living room. For the past two days it had been nice watching him come out of his shell, though he still refused to go outside. He enjoyed exploring the house, going from room to room like they each held an exciting secret he was anxious to figure out. It had shocked her when he asked for permission before he ventured to any part of the house. Apparently the witch had him segregated to one room all his life. It pissed her off and that rage festered as Reno continued to ignore him.
For the past two days, Reno would leave early in the morning and come back late in the evening. He was avoiding her as well, avoiding the discussion she wanted to have with him about Tyler. Since she was still frightened of her haunting nightmares, she stayed awake holding Tyler as he slept waiting until she felt Reno’s body lie behind her before she allowed herself to sleep.
She didn’t understand him, why did he behave like this? Did he know something more about the situation that she didn’t? If that was the case, why didn’t he explain it to her? He was being a complete jerk ass!
“I’m not exactly sure what to say. This isn’t like Reno,” Melody spoke. “Has he said anything to you?”
Loraine shook her head. “He’s avoiding me.”
“Why don’t you go to the resort and confront him there?”
She snorted. “To do that I’d have to tie him to the chair. Whenever I call he’s never available, always out somewhere with some guest or investor.”
Melody gave her a sad smile. “You do know what that means?”
“Yeah, my father has done that to me quite a few times. Reno is giving me the brush off.”
“This complicates things even more in your relationship, doesn’t it?”
Loraine tried to smile but failed. She was on the verge of being a teary mess. “This was one thing I needed to go right in my life. He’s the only thing that keeps me steady and now he’s avoiding me. I’m barely sleeping again and I’m scared I’m going to have a relapse.”
Melody spied on Tyler to make sure his complete attention was taken by his toys and Loraine used that moment to wipe away stray tears. Melody moved to sit next to her, taking Loraine’s hand in hers.
“You want to tell me what’s going on?”
Loraine sighed. Maybe it was time to share her nightmare with someone else—the complete story.
“When I was eighteen I went to Paris on a student exchange program for my final semester in high school. I met this guy, Pierre, and being the silly girl that I was reveling in my rebellion I thought myself in love. We spent so much time together that I ignored the girls I went with. They did their own thing and I did mine, I even moved hotels. I didn’t want them seducing Pierre away,” she chortled. “Now I wish I did.”
Melody squeezed her hand encouragingly. Loraine wished she had confessed this to Riana but having Melody was great too. She didn’t judge her on her stupid decisions like her father had implied a few times. It was reliving to speak freely about her one stupid mistake in her entire life.
“One night, while I was walking to my room after my date with Pierre, I was hit over the head and blacked out. I woke up in my underwear, tied to a bed. At first I couldn’t see his face because it was dark but when he…when he climbed over
me I recognized him. It was Pierre.”
“Oh, Loraine!” Melody lamented.
This time Loraine gave her hand a comforting squeeze. “Don’t worry, he didn’t do anything. Jeb, my bodyguard, came in just in time. It took me a year to get over it, before I could go outside without Jeb or even sleep alone in my room. I changed everything about myself. My eyes and hair color, the major I was going to take in college. Everything he liked about me I changed. I was doing great, until I came back from Paris the second time.”
“Culinary school,” Melody interjected.
“Yup. I was fine the entire time until I came back home. Then the nightmares started and I couldn’t function anymore.”
Melody nodded. “I noticed something at the wedding. Does this have anything to do with your house turning into Fort Knox?”
Loraine chuckled. “My dad went a little overboard, but when my psycho added onto his credentials and became an international stalking psycho after almost eight years, who can blame him?”
Melody gasped loudly and Loraine shushed her when Tyler looked up at them quizzically. She smiled at him reassuringly and he went back to his toys.
“He knows where you live! That’s why you were so eager to leave the States!” Melody whispered harshly.
She nodded. “That and the fact that I was slowly loosing my mind being imprisoned in that house. I needed to get out, come here to Reno.”
Melody’s brow raised in question. “Reno? What does he have to do with this?”
“He keeps the nightmares away,” she shrugged. “I don’t know why or how but Reno keeps Pierre away and I feel safe with him.”
Melody troubled her lower lip before she spoke. “Your nightmares, you see Pierre…the things he did to you.”
Loraine shuddered, feeling the familiar terror rush through her like a cold chill. “That’s the thing, I don’t remember much because I was out cold most of the time. He didn’t rape me but he must have done something when I was unconscious. And I can’t see his face anymore. I worked hard to forget it and now all I see is his eyes. Grey and deep with malice and lust…and I feel his hands on me as he tries to kiss me and that’s when I wake up screaming.”