Chapter 37
Nash
Tonight had been a disaster. Everything from me knocking over a case of very expensive wine and smashing the entire thing.
To my whiskey order being shorted and having to fight with the supplier.
Then as if someone throwing up all over the floor in the men’s bathroom wasn’t bad enough…
Nora suddenly booked time off work for a few days.
Which she was entitled to, but I didn’t have a backup plan in place other than myself.
Luckily, Volatile was closed until Friday, and she said she would be back to work by then. But the gym was still under construction at night, and I had to be there to kick the gym rats out and let the contractor and his crew inside.
On top of that, I had a board meeting scheduled at Collier Enterprises.
The shareholders were still uneasy without my father at the helm.
Go figure. Ethan hadn’t been to any of the meetings, and Emmett was doing his best to keep the skittish flock at bay.
But it was time I stepped in and gave them a comforting speech, backed by numbers.
Then they might leave me alone for another month or two.
All I wanted to do now was find Princess and drag her into my bed.
My car beeped when I locked it, and then my phone rang. Apparently, this day wasn’t done with me.
Pulling it out of my pocket, I answered right away. There were handful of people I never ignored, and Mr. Genovese was one of them.
“Mr. Genovese, hello.”
“We’ve been over this, Nash. It’s Edmundo. We are family now.”
“Sorry, sir. Some habits are hard to break. Are you back from your trip,” I asked, stepping onto the lit path that led to the front doors of Wayward.
“I am.”
“Did you find what you were hoping for?”
I held my breath for the answer. Not sure that I wanted to know.
“Unfortunately, whoever this is covered their tracks well. So, I’m no closer to knowing the real identity of this person who is claiming to be Yuliana.”
My heart slowed, and I let out a sigh. The last thing I wanted to do tonight was to tell Ren that her mother was alive.
“I’m sorry, this must be very frustrating.”
“More painful than frustrating. Grieving the loss of my best friend and love of my life three times was hard enough. I have no answers and only more questions. But on to my other reasons for calling, how is my daughter? And how is everything else running? I hear there is some unrest at Collier, and that Vadin paid another visit despite my warning,” he growled.
Pulling open the large door, I stepped into the foyer. A few kids were hanging out on the new couches, but it was generally quiet at this time of night.
“I’m going to the Collier board meeting tomorrow to calm the current turmoil. It starts at six, if you want to attend?”
“No, I won’t attend this time. You should be the face of Collier going forward.”
Hearing Edmundo say my last name twice reminded me of my conversation with Ren. I stepped inside the elevator, pinching the bridge of my nose. Now was as good a time as any to broach the subject.
“I wanted to ask you something, but maybe it would be best in person?”
“Son, whatever it is, just say it. With the week that I’ve had, I’d rather not guess at the next disaster,” Edmundo said.
What if I asked and he said no? It seemed like a huge request, but considering everything else Edmundo had done for me, it probably paled in comparison. I took a deep breath.
“Hopefully, you won’t find this a disaster. I want to amend my marriage certificate.”
My words were met with dead silence on the other end of the line. Then, Edmundo cleared his throat.
“What are you saying, Nash?”
“I don’t want Ren to be a Collier. That name has caused her, you, and all of us immeasurable pain, and I want to change mine as well.”
I stepped out of the elevator and sat down on one of the empty couches lounge area.
“Okay…I can see that, and I appreciate it, but was there something else?”
Running my hand through my hair, I tried to slow my racing heart.
“Sir…Edmundo, would you be okay…alright…interested in the idea of myself…me…my….” I stopped and collected myself before I sounded any more unhinged.
“Let me try that again. Would you entertain the idea of my taking the name Genovese? Ren will keep the name she was denied for so many years, and I can discard the last stain left by Lawrence. I know it’s a lot to ask, since I’m not a blood relative, but… ”
Edmundo started to laugh on the other end of the line.
Pulling the phone away from my ear, I stared at the screen. Did he think I was crazy? He tried to speak, but then laughed harder. I sat there frozen and confused.
“Nash, my boy, when will you understand what family means?”
I sagged into the couch and took a deep breath. Every time I thought there was no way he could be any more generous, he surprised me yet again.
“Nash, let me explain something to you. From the day you chose to marry my daughter, the day you risked your life to save hers, and every day since, you have been part of my family. Yes, of course, you can take my name. It will bring me great joy watching you and Lilya carry on the Genovese line. You had me going, though. I was expecting something terrible.”
“I…I don’t know what to say.”
“Then say nothing. This is not a hardship for me. You are giving me a wonderful gift.”
“Thank you, you don’t know what this means to me. That name has felt like a noose around my neck for so long. I’ll do my best to make sure you never regret this.”
“Nonsense, just stay on your path and take care of my daughter as you promised. Your loyalty will always be returned tenfold. I’ll get the paperwork drawn up, and the next time you’re over, you can sign it to start the process. Now, what of Vadin?”
“Ren spoke to him. I was with her, and you’d be extremely proud of her. I think it is best if you hear the rest from her, but there is no fear of her falling prey to Vadin’s sob story. Was that what you were worried about?”
“Among other things, yes, it was. But I should’ve known that Lilya would stand her ground. Well, I have a few more calls to make before I’m done for the evening. We will talk again soon.”
Edmundo never let me say goodbye before hanging up. At first, I thought it was odd, but I’d gotten used to it.
Feeling lighter than ten minutes ago, I stood up and headed for my room, but slowed when I spotted the three garbage bags lining the hallway.
“This can’t be good.”
Unlocking my door, I stepped inside and stopped dead in my tracks. The place was spotless. It practically sparkled. Well, all except Ren, who sat at the table, glaring at me.
“Hey,” I said, closing the door.
“Hey,” she said, but she didn’t move, didn’t smile, didn’t do anything other than tap her finger on the table like a miniature drum.
“Where is everyone? I thought someone would be here with you,” I asked, taking off my jacket.
I was about to throw it on the chair, but then Ren raised an eyebrow. Fuck, I turned and hung it up instead while hiding my grin. I fucking loved it when she was pissed. One day, I would talk to a therapist about that.
“I was busy and didn’t want any of them here,” she answered, and again her voice was flat.
My body heated with the dark look in her eyes, and I couldn’t hide my smirk.
“Don’t you dare smirk at me. I’m ready to kill you.”
“You trying to turn me on, Princess?”
She picked up the stress ball sitting in front of her and whipped it at my head. I managed to deflect it and laughed. Ren jumped to her feet like a tiny tiger and came at me all claws. Fuck she was hot.
Blocking her hit, I grabbed her arm and twirled her. I ran my nose up her neck, over her pounding pulse and groaned.
“You smell so fucking good.”
“I want to throat punch you,” she growled, tugging on her trapped hands.
Marching her adorable ass to the wall, I pushed her up against it, caging her in as I nibbled her earlobe.
“If you ever let our room get like this again, and leave it for me to clean up, I swear I’ll castrate you during the night,” she bit out through clenched teeth.
She wiggled as she fought for leverage, and her ass rubbing against me made my eyes roll back in my head. Fuck, I wanted her.
With a quick maneuver, I spun her around and pressed her hands above her head, locking them in place.
“I don’t think you understand how much you being riled up like this makes me want you more.”
Her chest heaved, eyes spitting fire.
“I mean it, Nash. I’m not your maid.”
I looked down, suddenly imagining her in a maid’s outfit, panty-less. My cock was fully at attention now.
“God, the things you do to me.”
“I’m being serious, and stop looking at me like you’re picturing me in that ridiculous outfit,” she said.
I chuckled. “I am.”
“You’re impossible,” she growled and turned her head.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to get so bad. I swear it won’t happen again. Thank you for cleaning up. It looks great.”
“Hmm…”
Ren refused to look at me, so I dropped my lips to her ear and groaned.
“I’ll beg for forgiveness if you want,” I whispered. “I’ll even get on my knees, put your leg over my shoulder, and apologize properly,” I said, kissing a line along her jaw to her lips.
She shivered, and a blush flushed her cheeks.
“The room is not the only reason why I’m upset with you,” she said, and now I was at a loss.
“What did I do,” I asked, peppering her face with soft kisses.
“It’s what you didn’t do.”
Confusion filled me as I slowly stepped back and let Ren go.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
She walked over to the table, picked up a folded piece of paper, and handed it to me.
Fuck.
I didn’t need to read the letter to know exactly what it said. I’d memorized it the day it arrived in the mail. The dream I’d worked so hard for had come true, and I was finally getting my shot at a national team. But I couldn’t go.