Page 2 of The Betas: Rene
“Is it tedious guarding Mr. La Marche’s husband? I’ve heard he’s a potter. He must spend a great deal of time in the studio, leaving you at loose ends.”
Bertrand brought Frankie his drink and he took a sip.
“Sean also goes to NYU,” René explained. “He’s working on a pot to serve as his master’s work. He was going in one direction when he met Armand. After Armand had taken him back to our ranch in New Mexico, he hired a potter from the Jemez Pueblo to teach Sean Native American pottery techniques. He was especially interested in the brushwork in patterns worked from clay. He wants to use the same delicate geometric patterns in a line of porcelain. Since it’s something completely new, there is a lot of trial and error. Armand has encouraged him to follow his dream since he doesn’t have to worry about making a living. I spend a lot of time in the studio with Sean, taking him to his classes at NYU, and traveling with him as he goes to visit friends.”
“Does he need that amount of personal security?” Frankie was surprised at the level of protection Sean seemed to require.
“He was kidnapped once, about two years ago. They also have an adopted daughter, Elena. She was five at the time. Sean brought Elena to the children’s museum in Albuquerque, and a female relative from the ranch took Elena to the restroom, supposedly while she changed her own babies. When neither Elena nor Adele came out after about ten minutes, Sean went in after her. Armand’s enemies drugged Sean and took him out another entrance, so Martin and I didn’t even see them leave. Sean was sorely used.” René grimaced. “Martin and I are still kicking ourselves because we didn’t go in to check on Elena ourselves, and let him go in alone.”
“That is a horror story, but if it’s any comfort, I would have let Sean go alone to get Elena, too. She’d be less embarrassed if her daddy went in to get her instead of me. My inclination would be to stay outside close by the door on the principal that the least amount of men in the ladies’ room would be best. You must have been nuts with worry.”
René nodded. “I second-guessed myself and was debating with Martin when I heard Elena scream. I ran to the door. Only a few minutes had passed since Sean walked in after her. Elena was in the stall and screaming because someone took Daddy. That was the worst moment of my life. They were pulling away in a waiting car when I caught up with them. Dimitri, one of the kidnappers, got off a shot, and I was grazed. We had to take Elena home before we could hunt for The Al…Sean.”
“Another Russian.” Frankie shook his head. “What happened? Did you find him?”
“No, we didn’t. We found Adele’s husband Bernard, and although he had a role in orchestrating the kidnapping, he had no idea where Dimitri took Sean. Sean escaped the kidnapper’s clutches on his own. He made it to the local Walmart with broken bones and had the greeter call us at the ranch. At the time, I was surprised that Armand didn’t have both Martin’s and my head. Fortunately, at least fortunately for us, he had other things to occupy his mind once Sean was safe.”
“I can imagine Dante’s reaction if someone took my mother or my brother.” Frankie shuddered.
“I remember Sal Ferrara was once Dante’s heir. Why wasn’t it you or your brother?”
“I want no part of his business. That distresses my mother because she thinks he imports olive oil and can’t understand why I won’t follow in my stepfather’s footsteps.”
René suppressed a laugh by coughing.
“I know, right—the mob cliché, shades ofThe Godfather.I have a half brother, Dante Jr. He’s seventeen. My stepfather doesn’t want him in the business. My mother can’t understand why he wanted me but not my brother. Blood means a lot to Dante’s people. He wants his son to have the money but not be in the kind of danger the business presents. I’m disposable because I’m adopted.” Frankie took a deep breath and blew it out. “He thought I’d jump at the chance to be the Don. I despise the job and the title, but it doesn’t do me any good. I thought he hired me to make him legit—far from it. However, I refuse to have any part of his criminal activities. I will bend the law for him but not break it, so I get jobs like guarding Richard and managing Dante’s personal finances.”
“With your credentials, that must eat at you, especially since, because of him, you can’t get work elsewhere.” René patted Frankie on the shoulder, and an electric shock surged through his arm. Frankie glanced down and saw a thread. He tried to grab at it, but his arm went right through it.
“What’s wrong?” René’s violet eyes sparkled.
“It’s nothing. I see a thread. I must have a floater in my eye.” René grinned, a playful sparkle lighting his eyes. Frankie liked the way René’s eyes crinkled when he smiled. He was in serious lust. Suddenly, he was ravenous. “Is that a buffet table over there?”
“I believe Aline and Isabel tried to outdo each other.” René made a sweeping gesture with his arm. “Come on, I’ll get you a plate.”
§ § §
“Alpha, I see the pheromones have started to affect Frank Ferone. He’s piling food on his plate at the buffet line.” Martin gestured toward the other side of the room. “How will René’s mating affect the pack?”
“I’m considering hiring Frankie Ferone to fill the position Hughes held,” Armand said. “But if Frankie takes it, I intend to make it more robust. Of course, that is if we can obtain approval of his employment from Don Ferone.”
Julien walked up to join the group. “Armand, I couldn’t help but overhear you talking about Frankie. He spoke to René and me about his employment with his father. He was bound to his father for ten years. That period is over this month. Frankie says Don Ferone is a man of his word and will let him go.”
“But will he let him come to us? Don Ferone doesn’t appreciate that we are a force in this city that rivals his. The only thing that keeps the peace is that he knows we will kill no human. That, and the fact that occasionally, we are of use to each other. That’s why we have a delicate truce. This peace was hard won. We cannot put it in jeopardy.”
Bertrand walked by bearing a beverage tray. Armand turned. “A cognac?”
“Alpha Giraud has some Camus, Alpha.”
“That will do.” The Alpha nodded.
“I’ll have it to you right away, Alpha.” Bertrand headed for the bar.
“Martin, I find I want to be introduced. I’d like to do an informal interview, maybe in Henri’s study. Find Henri and send him there. Bring René and Frankie upstairs to meet with us. Julien, you’re with me. The two of you will make Frankie more comfortable.”
§ § §
“I can’t believe I polished off the whole plate. I must have been ravenous.” Frankie handed his plate to a server.
