The Rennillia Series: Volumes 1-5

by M. Sembera

  The notary excused herself to Ramsden’s car before I offered to walk him out. Leaving Hert, Emerson and Jackson in the dining room, Ramsden and I walked out of the front door.

  The moment it shut, Ramsden stated, “Tricky.”

  Pretending I had no idea what he was talking about, I snapped, “Pardon?”

  “It is almost admirable, your attempt. However, you just made it easier for me than I ever imagined,” he replied.

  With a slight smile, I questioned, “Mr. Ramsden, is that almost a compliment? And from the only man that can draw up share contracts. Should I feel privileged?”

  Stopping dead in his tracts, he shared, “Still not very bright Mrs. Herterand. Any lawyer can draw up the papers. You will not be in control for long so I will share a secret with you. The best way to appear indispensable is to appear indispensable. Nevertheless, enjoy yourself Mrs. Herterand. While, it is too soon to act without arousing suspicion, I have not forgotten our wager.”

  Slowly making eye contact with him, I gave a smirk, saying, “I don’t plan on losing, Mr. Ramsden.”

  “No one ever does. Next time pick a better ally, Emerson is not intimidating,” he insisted.

  Knowing he was trying to convince me, I didn’t get the best of him today, which I did, I informed, “I know he’s not. But what he told me will go into your file. You know, the one that doesn’t exist.”

  The color seemed to drain from his face as he stated, “It will be my pleasure to tend to you myself.”

  “If you actually get your hands dirty for a change, I will kneel in front of you and welcome my defeat,” I scoffed.

  Leaning close, he flicked my chin with his finger, whispering, “Now what fun would that be,” before turning his back to me and walking to his car.

  Turning toward the house, I clinched my teeth, furious at how easily Ramsden was able to get to me. Regardless, today was still a victory and I needed to call The Brothers before they showed up at my door.

  I changed my shirt, changed my shoes and made my call before heading down the stairs. Hert and Jackson were still in the dining room while Em passed me in the living room.

  Placing my hand on his arm, I asked, “You okay?”

  Appearing shaken, he replied, “I don’t know.”

  “I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” I swore.

  Em nodded, continuing through the living room and up the stairs. The closer I got to the dining room the easier it was to tell Hert and Jackson were arguing.

  Rounding the corner, I heard Hert say, “No one made you.”

  Jackson, argued, “You swore to me. You swore you…” stopping the moment he saw me.

  “There she is. Tell her,” Hert snapped.

  Narrowing my eyes at the two of them, I questioned, “Tell me what?”

  Stepping to me, Jackson handed me a flash drive, saying, “This is the accounting program. My letter of resignation is also on there.”

  Before I had a chance to say anything, Hert fussed, “Oh, nothing to say now? At least I’m man enough to go after what I want.”

  The next thing I knew, Hert was laying on his back with a bloody nose as Jackson stood over him growling, “Get up.”

  Wide eyed, I watched in disbelief as Hert held his hands up, shaking his head.

  “That’s for every time you hurt her,” Jackson informed before warning, “Don’t you ever tell me you know what’s best for her again.”

  Stunned by what had just happened, I watched Jackson storm out slamming the back door.

  Needing a minute to collect my thoughts, I just stood there. Figuring I knew what the conversation was about, I desperately wanted to run after Jacks, throw my arms around him and kiss him. Knowing that would be a mistake, I exhaled loudly and stepped over to Hert.

  Leaning over him, I asked, “First time for everything, huh.”

  “Damn,” he mumbled, sitting up.

  I quickly got him a paper towel with some ice.

  Watching him wince as he held it to his nose, I teased, “You’re not gonna cry are you?”

  A smile formed at the corner of his mouth as he replied, “I think it’s broke.”

  Shaking my head, I offered, “You want me to call Dr. Chepelli before I go?”

  “I’ll do it,” he answered before asking, “Do you know when you’ll be back?”

  Shrugging, I said, “This evening.”

  Hert nodded before lying back on his back.

  Unable to help the way I was feeling, I tried to concentrate on having a conversation with HIM instead of Jackson putting Hert on his ass. My unproductive thoughts of Jackson were not easily forced out of my mind but the moment HE cracked the door at Diavolo, I remembered why I was here.

  Stepping into hell, I asked, “Can you tell your uncle something for me?”

  HE made a face before replying, “Yes.”

  Locking the door behind me, HE waited.

  “Tell him I am now in control of The Office,” I barely got the words out before HE shot me a nasty look, questioning, “Since when?”

  Making a face back at HIM, I replied, “This morning.”

  “Go to the back,” he stated, glaring out of the doors.

  Glancing over in that direction, I saw a man standing outside, repeatedly looking at his watch.

  Shaking my head, I argued, “I’m not going back there.”

  Stepping directly in front of me, HE stated, “Go.”

  Breathing heavy my heart started racing as I turned and walked to the back.

  Taking deep breaths, I tried not to look around. In the end, memories won out as I recalled the first time I came here with HIM.

  It had seemed like such a big deal to HIM. On the way, HE must have kissed me twenty or so times. It happened to be a busy day for HIM and I spent most of the day sitting on the table waiting for the next customer to leave. When the last one left, HE came to the back to collect me.

  Leaning over to kiss me, I pulled away griping, “I’m so glad I came. This was so much better than spending the day by myself.”

  “I was busy,” HE defended.

  Rolling my eyes, I hopped off the table.

  Pushing me into the table, HE whispered, “Shop’s closed now.”

  Flicking the buttons open on my shirt, HE kissed all the way to my belly button. Nothing felt as good as being with HIM.

  I jumped a little, hearing the door swing open. HE gave an interested look.

  “Reminiscing?” HE asked.

  I shook my head.

  Before I knew it, HE was right in front of me, questioning, “You sure?”

  Looking up at HIM, I nodded.

  Biting the corner of HIS lip, HE smiled, offering, “You look like you’re in need.”

  Finding my voice, I said, “Well, I’m not.”

  HIS smile turned to a glare as HE stated, “You act like I don’t know you. I know you better than anyone else,”

  Narrowing my eyes at HIM, I whispered, “I need to go.”

  Licking HIS lips, HE said, “You miss me, I can tell.”

  Taking a step back, I snapped, “Let me out.”

  Giving me a bad look, HE walked to the front as I followed.

  Before HE unlocked the door, HE stated, “You remember how I make you feel.”

  Letting out a frustrated groan, I walked out of HIS shop.

  Walking to my car, I knew HE was right. I would never forget. Like an addict remembers the taste, the smell and the feel of something, I remembered. The only reason I wasn’t on my hands and knees right now was because I had spent enough time away, to see how destructive HE was to my life. I had used HIM like a drug and my sobriety was not up for negotiation.

  I couldn’t help heading to The Brothers house. Too much had happened already today for me to obey the rules. Wound tight, there was no other place I could go that would keep me in the right frame of mind.

  Ignacio opened his front door, shaking his head saying, “I knew your self improvement was too good to be true.”r />
  Looking up at him, I asked, “Can I come in?”

  Opening the door wide, so I could step in, Ignacio kept his distance, informing, “Fiore is out for the day.”

  Nodding, I walked straight to the couch and sat down. Controlling my breathing, I didn’t take my eyes off of him. He took the chair, visibly trying to figure out what my problem was.

  “Mrs. Herterand, I am being as respectful as possible when I assure you, whatever it is you are looking for, you will not find it here,” he stated.

  Looking down at my hands, I shared, “Yes I will.”

  His voice was stern as he fussed, “I do not like to repeat myself.”

  “Please, just let me sit here and calm down,” I pleaded with him.

  His tone relaxed as he suggested, “Perhaps you should speak to someone, professional.”

  Feeling the sting of Ignacio insinuating I needed therapy, I looked up at him, asking, “About my parents? HIM? Hert? Ramsden? The Office? Salvador? Henry? Who am I supposed to talk to?”

  “I see your point,” he agreed.

  Leaning my head back, I sighed, saying, “I can’t function like this. No sleep, frustrated, afraid…”

  The room was silent. Wondering if he was fixing to ask me to leave, I felt the couch move. Shocked, I looked at Ignacio as he sat down next to me. Even though he looked incredibly uncomfortable, he slid his arm behind my head, resting it on my shoulders. Wanting to lean my head against his shoulder, I was too stunned to move.

  “Better?” he asked.

  Not sure what this was, I nodded.

  Serious in expression, he shared, “This friendship will end the moment our services are no longer necessary.”

  “I thought you didn’t have personal relationships?” I questioned.

  Hesitant at first, he answered, “I don’t,” before saying, “Close your eyes. You look tired”

  Resting my head against his arm, I closed my eyes.

  As soon as I started to drift off, I felt Ignacio scooting away. Barely opening my eyes, I saw him looking at me. Not wanting him to go, I reached over and placed my hand on his chest. He froze in place.

  “Ignacio,” I whispered.

  Closing his eyes for a moment, he drew in a deep breath before saying, “I thought you fell asleep.”

  “Why are you moving?” I quietly asked.

  Glancing at my hand against his chest, he stated, “I will bring you a pillow.”

  Realizing, how uncomfortable I was making him, I said, “That’s okay, I need to go.”

  Pulling my hand from his chest, I stood up. Turning to leave something occurred to me.

  Sitting back down on the edge of the couch, I asked, “How come you never walk me out?”

  Sitting up straight, he questioned, “Why would I find that necessary?”

  Shrugging, I replied, “I was just curious.”

  Nodding, he remained seated as I stood a second time.

  I headed towards the door before turning and walking back to him. Rubbing my palm across my forehead, I needed to say something to him.

  “Even when I no longer require your services, I will still consider you a friend,” I assured reaching my arm around his shoulders.

  Enjoying the comforting smell of smoke, I hugged him.

  Without hugging me back, Ignacio whispered, “This is why I do not walk you to the door.”

  Pulling back slightly, I said, “It’s only a hug,” and patted him on the shoulder.

  I turned to walk off, planning on actually leaving this time.

  Ignacio caught my elbow before I made it past the coffee table. Looking over at him, I waited for him to say something. With a little sigh, I took a step back. Facing my side, Ignacio slid his hand from my elbow down to my hand. Holding the side of my hand, he stared at me. I glanced down at his hand touching mine and faced him.

  Sitting in front of him on the coffee table, I narrowed my eyes at him, urging, “Say something.”

  Letting go of my hand, Ignacio readjusted himself farther back on the couch.

  “Why do you keep coming here?” he questioned before adding, “I have told you multiple times it is inappropriate.”

  Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I snapped, “I was leaving and you stopped me.”

  With a serious expression, he argued, “Which would not have happened had you not shown up again without warning.”

  Feeling my frustration grow to outright irritation, I hopped up and fussed, “Oh, shut up with that! You didn’t have to let me in then.”

  I could tell he was getting irritated as he stood up and stated, “Goodbye Mrs. Herterand.”

  Glaring up at him, I argued, “You know what? There are enough things going on in my life without you, who by the way I hired, giving me hell because you have difficulty with control around a female. So you know what, I’m not leaving until you sit down and talk to me.”

  Ignacio’s face grew solemn as he replied, “Do not speak to me that way in my own home.”

  “I will speak to you however I damn well please,” I insisted.

  In complete and total disbelief that I was challenging him, he ordered, “Get out of my house.”

  Arguing with him was exhilarating. He wouldn’t back down and I wasn’t about to either. Not to mention, the slight hint of fear because I didn’t really know what he would do.

  With a defiant smirk, I took a breath and replied, “Put me out then,” before I insulted him, saying, “Or do you need your little brother to come home and do it for you?”

  Furious with me, Ignacio grabbed hold of me.

  Holding me by the tops of my arms, Ignacio started to lift me off the table. I gasped, startled that he was actually going to physically remove me from his house. The moment I did, he quickly let go. Balling his hands up in a fist, he made sort of a growling noise and walked to his kitchen. When he was no longer in the room with me, the high I felt arguing with him, faded into guilt. With a heavy sigh, I felt terrible for practically terrorizing him. None of this was his fault and not only did he truly save my life, he had been incredibly helpful in my situation.

  Standing up, I walked out of the living room and into his kitchen. As I turned the corner, I saw Ignacio hunched over with his palms firmly planted on the counter top.

  “Hey, I’m really sorry,” I apologized. As he looked over at me, like he hated me, I added, “I promise, I won’t just show up here ever again. I’m sorry.”

  Shaking his head in disagreement, Ignacio stated, “Yes you will.”

  “No, I promise, I won’t,” I insisted.

  Standing up straight, he glared down at me informing, “Your mother was crying when we showed up. She was on her knees holding onto your father, begging us not to hurt him.” In shock, I stood there as he continued, sharing, “Our cousin is Mr. Ramsden’s driver. He stopped by after he took Mr. Ramsden to the airport. No one knows we are of service to you. He just found it interesting enough to share. You look so much like her. I have been in service long enough to know what was taking place. I imagined you like that, on your knees crying.” Stopping for a moment, he relaxed his composure, saying, “Looks are very deceiving because you are nothing like her.”

  I wanted to smile but it didn’t seem to fit the moment as I said, “I thought all my temper tantrums made me weak.”

  After a long pause, he stated, “Although I feel you should keep your hands to yourself, at all times, in that particular instance….” Quickly cutting him off, I said, “You already expressed your feelings on that.”

  Giving me a ‘don’t interrupt me stare,’ he shared, “The impression we have made on each other is temporary. Much like our service to you, it will end.”

  Taking a breath, I nodded at him.

  Knowing exactly what he meant, I agreed but didn’t really want that to be the case. How do you move on from something like this? How do you say it doesn’t matter what you did for me? Every other man in my life could be settled with it’s for the best no matter how bad it
hurt. This man wasn’t in danger because of me, he wasn’t lost trying to find his way and he wasn’t obligated or devoted to anything. He was Ignacio, an expert in ‘special services,’ one of The Brothers and the only reason I was standing here or anywhere for that matter.

  I could accept the reasons why I felt the way I did and appreciate that he wasn’t good for me. However, there was no way I wasn’t going to acknowledge it.

  With a deep breath, I said, “I understand what you are saying but you did kiss me and sorta held my hand so I think it’s only fair that I get a hug.”

  “I apologize,” he stated.

  Frustrated, I snapped, “Why are you being that way?”

  “Mrs. Herterand, I will not invade another man’s territory,” he informed.

  Taken aback by his blunt statement, I corrected, “Um, I am no man’s territory and even if I was somehow considered property, I am getting divorced.” Stopping to let the insult sink in, I added, “And furthermore, what makes you think I would let you invade me?”

  “I did not mean to imply that and I was not referring to Mr. Herterand,” he snapped back at me.

  Giving him a dirty look, I griped, “Then who the hell…”

  I couldn’t even finish. I knew who he was talking about before he shared, “I saw how he looked at you outside the lawyer’s office. He was not afraid for himself.”

  “We’re not together,” I replied as my heart started sinking.

  Almost as if he understood what I was going through with Jackson, he replied, “You looked at him the same way.”

  With a heavy sigh, I shook my head saying, “He’s my daughter’s godfather.”

  Tilting his head so he could look directly into my eyes, Ignacio questioned, “You trust him with your daughter but not yourself?”

  “It isn’t about trust it’s about what’s right,” I snapped, suddenly feeling the need to defend myself to him.