Reno Gabrini: A Man in Full by Mallory Monroe Read Free Book Online

at her fingernails, as if that was her intention for extending it all along.  “It’s become too much for me to bear.”
    “Oh, yeah?” Reno asked, staring at the pop princess, wondering what it was about her that people were so turned on about.  She couldn’t sing worth a damn, and danced even worse.  And her looks weren’t all that rare to him.  But she had a mammoth following.  “What’s the problem?  What is it you can’t bear?”
    “Everything, Reno.  It’s been too hard.  It shouldn’t be this hard!  And how do you expect me to perform in a suite this small?”
    “You don’t perform in this suite.”
    “You know what I mean!  After I get offstage.  I’m Shay Grayson!  It’s been pointed out to me, and I agree with it, that I should have the best in the PaLargio.  The best suite.”
    “You do have the best suite,” Reno said.  Where in the world, he wondered, was she going with this?
    “You call this the best?” she asked.  “This isn’t the best!  There’s a penthouse suite on the top floor that covers the entirety of that floor.  That’s the best suite.  That’s the suite I should have.”
    Reno stared at that woman as if she had just grown an additional head.  Even Lee couldn’t believe it either.  When he was with her earlier tonight, she was complaining about the staff treatment of her entourage and why she couldn’t be listed in the program credits as the director of her show since every part of the show were all her ideas anyway.  Now her suite wasn’t big enough?  Where did that come from?  Lee shook his head.  This woman obviously, even after all these months, didn’t realize who she was dealing with.
    Reno, however, knew exactly who he was dealing with.  He continued to remain slouched down in his chair, staring at her.  “My family live in the penthouse,” he finally replied in what Lee could only describe as a remarkably measured voice.
    But Shay still didn’t see the danger.  “Exactly!” she replied to Reno, as if he had just agreed with her grievance.  “I think, since I am the hands down star of this establishment, that I should have the penthouse.  At least for my term of contract.  You and your family can move out.  Then, once I’m gone, you and your family can move back in.  As simple as that.  And I want it written in my contract so there can be no mistake about my status.  As simple as that.”
    “Let me make sure I understand you,” Reno said, still remarkably calm.  “You want me to pack up my family, move out of our home upstairs, and turn our home over to you?  Is that what you’re requesting?”
    Shay smiled what the press often called that sweet smile that could melt the sun.  Only it looked reptilian to Reno.  “Yes,” she said.  “That’s exactly what I’m requesting.”
    Reno nodded his head.  And then stood up.  “You can take your request,” he said to her, “and shove it up your ass.” 
    The entire room went silent when he spoke so harshly to their breadwinner. 
    The breadwinner was stunned.  “What did you just say to me?”
    “Shove it up your ass,” Reno said again, even louder, his face frowned with anger.  “If you don’t like the terms, then leave.  Get the hell out.  I’ve got a hundred stars clamoring to take your place.  A thousand stars who’d give a right arm to headline at the PaLargio.  Are you fucking kidding me?  Who the fuck you think you are?  You don’t run this.  I was running this joint when your no-talent ass was shitting in diapers, do you think you’re dealing with some fucking novice here?”  Reno asked this with a look that made him wonder if she really did think he was some newbie to the game.
    He continued.  “You’d better get your shit together, Shay, do you hear me?  I’m tired of your bullshit.  You get your ass downstairs and do your performance like the pro you’re supposed to be and leave me the hell alone.  If I have to come up here