Betrayed (The New Yorker)

by M. O. Kenyan

  “I’m so sorry, sir. I will take her away,” Rosalinda said and Lisette snorted in reply. Staring at her food she continued eating, and when her mother tried to pull her away she locked her legs around the legs of the chair, and held onto the table for dear life. She wasn’t moving, and no one was going to make her leave.

  “Maybe you should let her finish her food.” Adrian came to her defense. Lisette glared at him suspiciously, waiting for him to ask for something in return. But he didn’t. Instead he put a piece of bacon on her plate. Lisette could feel a tear prickle her eyes. She had vowed never to let anyone to see her weak. So instead of saying thank you she pushed the plate away and left the dining room.

  She found herself welcome in the house. The little boy was always trying to play with her, and no matter what she tried he wouldn’t leave her alone. Then she realized that something else was going on between her mother and Adrian, and there was this other man who kept on bringing his mother flowers. Months flew by and Rosalinda announced to her that she was marrying Adrian Ross. Lisette threw a fit, a tantrum that lasted a week. She would refuse to sleep in her new room, no matter how magnificent it was, she vowed not to let herself succumb to its beauty.

  Lisette wasn’t going to let her mother go through the beatings she went through with Ricardo. Adrian had tried to reach out to her, but even his gifts and care never softened her already hardened heart. A week later her view of Adrian changed. Ricardo had been served with divorce papers and decided it was time to reclaim both his wife and his child. Like the darkness that he was, Ricardo crept into the house. Lisette only knew he was there when his hand covered her mouth and he hauled her out of bed.

  Lisette wasn’t one to be defeated. She kicked and bit him, until finally his hand fell from her mouth and she let out the loudest scream she could muster. The first one to come to her rescue was AJ. He was only a year older and taller, and there was nothing he could do could save her from Ricardo. Her mother and Adrian soon appeared. She screamed while Adrian charged. Somehow Adrian had managed to get her free. But Ricardo was soon overpowering Adrian—

  “Ricardo was standing with his back turned to the stair case. I could see him take something out of his pocket. I remember thinking that if Adrian could just push him a little bit, Ricardo would fall down the stairs. But Adrian wasn’t moving, so I pushed him.” Lisette took a deep breath as a tight knot of nerves settled in her throat. “I ran as fast as I could and I pushed him with all the strength I could muster. I was about to tumble down the stairs when AJ caught me. When the police arrived AJ took the blame. I was so scared when they took him to the police station. They wanted to leave me behind, but I wouldn’t have it. I never left his side.”

  “You never said anything?”

  “Every time I would try he would pinch me under the table.” She chuckled. “Adrian stepped in when he was finally cleared by the EMTs. After a while they took us back home.”

  Lisette waited for what she thought would happen next. A horrible dread tugged at her as she waited for Reno to stand up and run away from the girl who killed her father. But he never left. He sat there in silence, staring at the brightening horizon, his expression closed.

  “I—” Lisette knew it was too much, too soon. She should have waited to tell him later, maybe after they were married and already had their first child, or on her death bed, just before the life was about to leave her body. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you.”

  She began to stand up when Reno pulled her down onto his laps. His arms circled her as her head rested on his strong chest. “You were just trying to protect your family. You were so little and so protective.”

  “That doesn’t turn you off?” Lisette murmured as she let the tears drop freely.

  “Now I’m confident that you are capable of protecting our family.”

  Chapter Five

  From everything that Lisette had told him the night before, only one thing had stuck in his mind. It wasn’t what she had told him but what he had said to her, you can trust me with anything you tell me. He adored her even more. That was a big secret for her to carry around the past few years. He couldn’t imagine the strength it took her to tell him. He felt guilty because he couldn’t even admit to her that Dennis was his biological father.

  “Papa!”

  Reno’s lips curved into a smile as he watched Lisette launch herself into Adrian’s arms. His heart melted even more when Adrian twirled Lisette around the room. Adrian was the kind of father that he wanted to be, the kind he wished he had.

  “Hey! I’m the youngest and the favorite. Where is my hug?” He heard Catalella demand.

  Reno felt a lump grow in his throat as he watched Adrian with his two daughters. Although technically one wasn’t his, he showed her equal love. So why couldn’t Dennis extend that love to his own children?

  “Morning, Reno, how did you sleep?”

  Reno’s heart froze at the sound of Dennis’ voice. But the anger quickly thawed it out as he whipped his gaze around to meet his. “I’m alive, so I guess that’s a good thing.” Reno smiled, hiding his true feelings.

  “That’s a great thing, to be alive. It means you get the chance to right the wrongs of yesterday and look toward the future.”

  One black brow raised as Reno studied Dennis suspiciously. What the hell was that supposed to mean. Reno didn’t get a chance to ask when he was attacked from behind. “What’s up, Reno?” DJ’s hot breathe tickled his eardrum. “I was wrestling champion three years in a row. Do you think you can get me off you?”

  Reno chuckled, as he felt DJ’s grip get tighter. “I think I can take you.”

  “Get off, DJ,” Lisette barked.

  “Don’t worry, babe, I can take him,” Reno reassured her with a smile.

  “Oh please do, because if I have to listen to him brag about it again, I swear I’m going to scream,” Daniela said as she sauntered into the room.

  “That’s not fair. You are on his back. Get off and start it over again. Uncle Dennis can referee,” Catalella piped in.

  “No wrestling until after breakfast,” Rosalinda declared as she signaled them into the dining room. “DJ, don’t make me get my wooden spoon.”

  “Yes, Aunt Rosa.” DJ let go and took a step back and just as Rosalinda exited the room he said. “I would have beaten you. You are just lucky Aunt Rosa came in when she did.”

  Reno was so preoccupied with what DJ was saying he didn’t see Lisette creep up behind him. He heard a yelp of pain from DJ as he dropped to his knees. “You are not so tough.” Lisette said as she dragged him along.

  “My hero,” Reno murmured in her ear as he kissed her.

  “Maybe you could give me a reward later,” Lisette said with a suggestive wink.

  * * * *

  “Are you sure?” Issadora paced around their bedroom her teeth biting hard on her nails.

  Dennis watched as a sensation of regret slammed into him. He had kept the existence of his other two children a secret for the past twenty-four years. But now that he was sure Reno was his, he had to tell his wife. Issadora didn’t believe him.

  “He’s my son. I met his mother, Kono, a long time before I married you. I loved her and we had two beautiful children. Rhyne is the same age as DJ,” he confessed.

  “You left them for your inheritance?” Fury burned in her eyes as she glared at him. “You chose money over your children. I don’t think I could ever understand that. Why didn’t you just bring them to live with us after your father had died?”

  “I couldn’t. Reno was already ten and living with his mother and Rhyne had disappeared.”

  “What do you mean disappeared?”

  “After father died I asked someone in Hawaii to keep an eye on them. I was sure now that I was CEO no one would question me about where the money was going.” He swallowed hard. “I stayed with them for as long as I could, going back and forth for two years.”

  “Your business trips?” Frustrated and stymied, she stared at hi
m.

  “When you grew suspicious and had the dangerous pregnancy with Daniela, I made a choice,” he said in a low shame-filled voice.

  “And you chose wrong!” She barked at him. “So where is Rhyne now?”

  “She disappeared when she was two. Apparently Kono’s boyfriend gave her away or something.”

  Dennis watched as Issadora shook her head in disbelief. She was ashamed of him, but no amount of shame she felt could shadow his own. His oldest daughter was nowhere to be found while his son was in the backyard, playing touch football with his brother. How could he explain this to everyone when he didn’t have a way to justify his actions?

  “You should be ashamed of yourself, Dennis Kent.” Issadora stuttered through a cloud of tears. “How could you abandon your children?”

  “I was young and stupid. All I wanted was to take over my father’s empire. When he threatened me I made a decision. I can’t say it was the wrong decision because I have DJ and Daniela, and I am happy with you,” he defended himself.

  “How about Kono, Reno and Rhyne. How do you think they felt about your decision?” she cried. “At least you know where Reno is, but what about Rhyne? She could be dead or stuck in a place she doesn’t want to be. What if she’s with an abusive man or she’s doing drugs? What consequences is Rhyne facing just because of your decision?”

  “I want to believe that she’s all right.”

  “What you want to believe and what is actually happening are sometimes two different things, Dennis. I’m ashamed of you.”

  Dennis watched as Issadora stormed out of the room. He decided to follow her, but when he stepped out into the hallway he came face to face with his eldest son. Lost for words, Dennis just watched Reno as the glare in his eyes told him that Reno knew the truth. But why was he here? Why now?

  “Can I talk to you for a second, son?”

  “First of all I am not your son and second, you and I have nothing to talk about.” Reno growled at him.

  Dennis was just about to say something when he heard Daniela call out for Reno. His heart broke at the familiarity in her voice. Reno had come to New York with a plan in mind, but because of Daniela and DJ he seemed to have either cancelled his plan or put it on hold. Dennis watched as his son walked away from him. He promised to make it right before the mess he made turned worse.

  * * * *

  “Are you all right?” Lisette watched as Reno tried to hide the scowl that had claimed the hard planes of his face. She could see and feel the anger that radiated from his slit eyes, as his taut body was clenched as tightly as a fist.

  “I’m fine,” he said in a firm voice.

  “I don’t believe you. When you are ready, I’ll be here to listen.”

  “Hello? Is anyone in here?”

  Lisette turned her gaze to the front door.

  Lisette let out an oath and a groan as Michael walked into the house, a stack of files in his hands. “Why are you here? This isn’t the office, where I have to tolerate you.”

  “Hallo to you too, Lisette.” Michael smirked. “I just brought some files your father requested.”

  “You’re lying. We both know my father doesn’t work during the holidays.” She stared at him without blinking, studying him suspiciously.

  “Why would I be here on the Fourth of July if it wasn’t true?”

  “I don’t know, you worm. You might have found a way to wiggle yourself back into my life.”

  “Reno, Papa wants you to man the grill. AJ and DJ keep on burning the burgers,” Catalella said.

  Lisette watched as Michael’s gaze left her and landed on her little sister. She recognized the look in his eyes anywhere. It was lust and desire, the usual response Catalella seemed to get from men. But she wasn’t going to let this man anywhere near her little sister.

  “Oh, who’s this?” The tone in Catalella’s voice was also something Lisette knew too well. She had to nip Catalella’s interest in the bud.

  “Put them on the coffee table and leave, Michael,” Lisette said, stepping in front of Catalella’s path, facing her. “You should go back and help Mama.”

  “Daniela and Aunt Issadora are with her,” Catalella whined.

  “Let’s go, Catalella.”

  Lisette breathed a sigh of relief when Reno stepped in. At least she knew she could rely on Catalella’s crush on Reno to help her out. She would tolerate it, as long as it kept Catalella out of trouble.

  “Why are you trying to keep your sister away from me?” Michael smirked as he walked toward her. “I like her—she’s pretty.”

  “She also has an older brother who would bash your face in if you hit on her,” Lisette spat out.

  “I’m sure little Catalella gets whatever she wants. I’m sure she can wrap her big brother around her finger.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Reading between the lines was something Lisette had learned when she began to work with Dennis. She could hear Michael’s intentions.

  “Maybe if you would go out with me, my interest in the youngest Ross could be squashed.”

  That was a threat if she ever heard one. Lisette took a purposeful step toward him. She was going to rip him apart, but her intentions were interrupted by her father.

  “Michael, Catalella told me you were here. Do you have the papers we asked you to bring?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Sweetheart, go call your uncle for me.”

  Lisette didn’t move for a while, unsure whether or not she should out the creep to her father.

  “Lisette?”

  “Yes, Papa.” Lisette turned around and headed to the backyard where they were all grilling. After giving Dennis her father’s message she sat next to Reno.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “I’m fine,” she lied.

  * * * *

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Adrian asked once he and Dennis were alone in his office.

  Adrian had had his most trusted associate draw up papers that stated Dennis was transferring his family business to all four of his children upon his death, with Reno at the helm of things. In his way he was making things right, and Adrian had to admire Dennis’s attempt. But he didn’t think Reno wanted money. He wanted something that he would never get—memories and a happy childhood.

  “What about Rhyne?”

  “I hired an investigator. For what I am paying him, he’d better find my daughter tomorrow,” Dennis swore.

  “I don’t think it will be that easy. Kono and the boyfriend are both dead, and I don’t think Reno will remember anything.” Adrian studied his friend’s broken expression. “You could ask him.”

  Dennis barked out a laugh and gazed at Adrian incredulously. “Just after I told Issadora the truth I met him in the hallway. I made the mistake of calling him son. I swear I thought he was going to break me in half.”

  “What stopped him?”

  “Daniela, he heard her voice and it was like nothing else mattered.”

  “He already loves his sister.”

  “That is why I desperately need to find Rhyne. I want to tell them the truth when all four of them are with me.”

  “I’m not judging you but—” Adrian paused, his head shaking in disbelief. “I could never leave my children.”

  “You are a better man than I am.”

  * * * *

  Reno watched how Lisette was studying Michael and Catalella as they talked. He noticed AJ watching them too, but couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t step in. “If I were you I would get Catalella away from that man.”

  “No,” Lisette and AJ answered in unison.

  “Once Catalella saw Mama prepare a bowl of chili for her Tacos, she wasn’t interested in it until my father told her she couldn’t have any,” AJ explained.

  “The forbidden fruit,” Reno muttered.

  “If we tell her no, she’ll start asking why and if you don’t have an answer that will satisfy her, she’ll go after Michael with everything she’s g
ot,” Lisette said. “I have a better idea, let’s drown him in the ocean and let the sharks eat him.”

  “That’s a crime, sweetheart.” Reno pulled a grim Lisette into his arms and kissed her. He watched Daniela with her boyfriend and wondered what he would do if she was dating someone he didn’t approve of.

  “We’ll just keep an eye on Michael. If he tries something, I’m going to beat him to within an inch of his life,” AJ swore.

  “I thought you were a doctor. You are supposed to save lives,” DJ teased.

  “I thought you were her teenage crush. Go do something that will distract her from that leach,” AJ retorted.

  “Dude, she’s over me.”

  Reno chuckled, but the laughter froze in his throat when he turned around and found Adrian and Dennis studying him. The two didn’t bother looking away after they were caught. They were speaking in harsh tones, and the expression on their faces told him whatever they were discussing was serious. He just hoped it wasn’t about him. When Adrian waved him over, Reno realized he was actually the topic of discussion. He followed the two men to the study, and once the door was closed he turned toward them expectantly.

  Adrian glanced at Dennis and Reno realized his supposed father was meant to start the conversation, but when the silence rolled through minutes, Adrian took over.

  “We know who you are.”

  “Who is that, sir?” Reno tried to keep the steel out of his voice. He was angry at Dennis but loathed the fact that Adrian was assuming his responsibilities.

  “We know you are my son,” Dennis finally said.

  “No, I’m not.” Reno saw the panic register in both their faces. “You are just the man who got my mother pregnant twice, then left when you found a new family. You are the man who was supposed to protect us, but left us at the mercy of a drunk and an abuser. You were nowhere in sight when that man sold my sister to the highest bidder. You are not my father—you just happen to be the man my mother had the misfortune of meeting.” Reno let out a pained bark of laughter. “’Till the day she died she still believed you were a saint. A saint wouldn’t have left her to be killed by her crazy boyfriend.”