After scoping out the immediate area to make sure they weren’t followed and to put Zuri’s fear of her father lurking close by to rest, Reno, Kaleb, and Skyler drove Zuri to the transitional apartments.
Exiting the car, Reno walked with Zuri through the quad of the Chatham Village Cooperative. The landscaping was moderate with cement benches, fresh-cut grass, and beautiful rose bushes lining the walkways. Kaleb and Skyler brought up the rear, engrossed in their own conversation.
Tenants of the other apartments assumed Reno was the landlord showing potential renters the property since the only time they laid eyes on him was when a woman was being placed. He gleaned that useful piece of information from one of his clients who lived there.
“Kon’nichiwa,” a soft voice spoke as a woman with long dark hair, carrying a white plastic bag with a smiley face on the side, crossed paths with them.
“Good evening, Reina,” Reno greeted, his eyes wandering down to her hands.
As if she could read his mind, she said, “I am on my way in. I ordered noodles from the Chinese restaurant, and I went to pick it up.”
“Whatever you need, Reina, we can get for you,” Skyler chimed in. “Just call.”
“I know,” she replied. “I did not want to be a bother for something so simple.”
“Your safety comes first,” Reno reminded her.
“It will not happen again, Mr. DeLuca.”
Reina Hamasaki was another client who lived in the adjacent building from Zuri and Olga. She was the lone witness to the arson of her family’s Japanese restaurant fire in Arlington Heights. Her parents, aunts, and six siblings all died in the blaze set by Reina’s boyfriend; a disgruntled ex-employee who was terminated for theft. Now, he was on the hunt for her before the case went to trial. Little did he know, she was right under his nose on the other side of the tracks.
Once Reina entered the brown brick building she was assigned, they went into an identical one next to it and climbed to the second story. The furnished two-bedroom apartment was equipped with stainless steel appliances and a pantry and refrigerator stocked with food and plenty of dishes at her disposal.
Zuri ventured into the bedroom.
“I think she’ll like it here,” Reno whispered to Skyler and Kaleb.
“Dude,” Kaleb said, pressing a few fingers into the plush loveseat, then sofa bed. “This is nicer than my first apartment. The furniture selection and warm color scheme have a feminine touch.” Kaleb shot him a side-eye glance. “I know you didn’t pick this out.”
“I’ll take credit for that,” Skyler chimed in, rubbing her hand along the back of the sofa. “I know what we like. My goal is to make this temporary place feel as much as their own home as possible.”
“I knew it,” Kaleb replied, smiling. “You did a great job.”
Skyler blushed.
Zuri entered the living room. This was the first time she wasn’t clutching her duffel bag. “This is too much. There are linens and fancy towels and two big flat screens. I do not need all of this.” She walked into the kitchen and pulled open the drawers one by one, then examined the contents of the pantry. “Is it food in there, too?” she asked, pointing to the refrigerator.
“Yes,” Reno said, moving closer. “If there’s anything specific you want, let Skyler know, and she’ll order the items for you.”
“I do not want to be a bother.”
“This is what we do,” Reno countered, resisting the natural urge to slide his hand in hers or swipe the loose strands of hair behind her ear. “This drawer right here,” he said, pointing, then extracting a key from his pocket. “Has our contact information. There’s a credit card, five-hundred dollars, a prepaid phone, and the keys to this apartment. The only persons who have access to this unit while you’re staying here are you and me. I have a master key that stays with me at all times. I will never come here without your permission. The management company does not have access to your apartment. If you encounter a problem with anything in your unit, contact them, and they will contact me. Do you understand?”
“I got it.”
“I’m very particular about who I let enter these four buildings. Even the management company isn’t aware of the delicate circumstances. I need to vet everyone, down to the toilet repair guy.”
Zuri’s lips turned upward, and she flashed the most beautiful smile that Reno had ever seen. “Thank you so much for this.”
“You’re welcome.”
Reno’s hands flanked to his midsection as he tried to muffle the abrupt growl of hunger.
Kaleb and Skyler laughed. Zuri did her best to hold back a snicker, but her giggle broke through, and the melody of her voice was joyous. Reno caught a glimpse of what she sounded like when stress wasn’t a dominant factor, and he liked that very much.
“Someone is hungry,” Zuri teased, patting her stomach. “Let me cook you dinner? All of you. That is the least I can do for everything you have done for me today.”
“I’d love a home-cooked meal that I didn’t have to prepare,” Skyler replied, checking her watch. “But I have to get home and relieve the sitter. I’ll grab a bite on the way.” She turned to Kaleb. “Could you take me back to my car?”
“Sure thing.”
“At least let me buy you guys dinner, as promised.” Reno peeled off a one-hundred-dollar bill.
“I got her,” Kaleb shot back, placing a hand over Reno’s wallet and pushing it down to his side. He extended his arm, and Skyler slid her fingers around his bicep. “I’ll call you later.” Then Kaleb turned to Zuri and said, “It was a pleasure meeting you.”
“You take care of her,” Reno warned.
Kaleb continued walking to the front door, and with his back to Reno, he flung his arm above his head and flashed the peace sign, then closed the door behind them.
Reno crossed his arms and shook his head. Unspoken sparks flew, and Reno hoped Skyler knew what she was in for. I wonder if those were the same sparks that Skyler saw between Zuri and me.
The sound of running water snapped Reno from his thoughts. Gracing the kitchen entryway, Reno stood and watched Zuri slide a silk scarf from around her neck and wrap her thick coils in an updo. Her long mahogany neck glistened under the ceiling light. He had an instant sweet tooth for chocolate.
“Thanks for the offer, but I better get going.”
“Are you sure?” Zuri asked, pumping the liquid soap dispenser and lathering her hands. “I do not mind. I love to cook.”
“Yeah, it’s getting late. I’m going to let you get settled in, and I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”
Reno hurried out of there. Not only did he want dinner, but he wanted dessert, too.
The forbidden fruit was always the most tempting.