Becoming the Czar: The Delgado Files, #1

By Olivia Gaines

Yuñior Delgado is back with the conclusion of the trilogy, in the first installments of the Delgado files. A great deal of change comes to Las Tierras as Diadra learns more about his life and the other sides of the world belonging to the man who would be Czar.

 

Come back to Colombia and hang out poolside with the Delgados. Share a few laughs with Andres, appreciate the love of a Father's guidance, and gain a whole new respect for Micah. Uneasy may be the head, but becoming the Czar is an entirely different journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Davonshire House Publishing
• Release date: Nov 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393240662

Olivia Gaines

Olivia is a USA Today Best Selling and multiple award-winning author who loves a good laugh coupled with some steam, mixed in with a man and woman finding their way past the words of “I love you.” An author of contemporary romances, she writes heartwarming stories of blossoming relationships about couples not only falling in love but building a life after the sensual love scene. 2015 Swirl Award Winner, Best Erotic Romance, Thursdays in Savannah. 2017 IRAE Award Winner, Best Contemporary Romance, Wyoming Nights 2019 IRAE Award Winner, Favorite Series, The Men of Endurance 2019 IRAE Award Winner, Reader's Choice Award 2019 Nominee, Top Female Authors, The AuthorShow.com When Olivia is not writing, she enjoys quilting, playing Scrabble online against other word lovers and spending time with her family. She is an avid world traveler who writes many of the locations into her stories. Most of the time she can be found sitting quietly with pen and paper plotting more adventures in love. Olivia lives in Hephzibah, Georgia with her husband, son, grandson and snotty evil cat, Katness Evermean. Learn more about her books, upcoming releases and join her bibliophile nation at www.ogaines.com Subscribe to her email list at http://eepurl.com/OulYf Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivia.gaines.31 Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviagaines Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaines.olivia/

Book preview

Becoming the Czar

The Delgado Files- Book 3

Table of Contents

Also by Olivia Gaines

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Chapter One- Strength

Chapter Two- Might

Chapter Three- Meeting with Force

Chapter Four- Vigor

Chapter Five- Energy

Chapter Six- Intensity

Chapter Seven- Potency

Chapter Eight- Oomph

Chapter Nine- Eloquence

Chapter Ten- Cogency

Chapter Eleven- Poke

Chapter Twelve- Grunt

Chapter Thirteen- Brawn

Chapter Fourteen- Juice

Chapter Fifteen- Punch

Chapter Sixteen- Welly

Chapter Seventeen- Effectiveness

Chapter Eighteen- Becoming the Czar

Epilogue - One year later.

Maple Sundaes & Cider Donuts

Chapter One - Gemütlichkeit

Blind Copy

Prologue

Chapter One – Lookalike

About the Author

Pssst...before you go.

Davonshire House Publishing

PO Box 9716

Augusta, GA 30916

This book is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s vivid imagination or are used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely a coincidence.

© 2020 Olivia Gaines, Cheryl Aaron Corbin

Copy Editor: Teri Thompson Blackwell

Cover: Corbin Media, LLC

Olivia Gaines Make-Up and Photograph by Latasla Gardner Photography

ASIN:   

ISBN:  

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means whatsoever.  For information address, Davonshire House Publishing, PO Box 9716, Augusta, GA 30916.

Printed in the United States of America

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  10  9  8

First Davonshire House Publishing November 2020

Also by Olivia Gaines

The Men of Endurance Series

A Walk Through Endurance: Olivia Gaines & Siera London

A Return to Endurance By Olivia Gaines & Siera London

The Art of Persistence By Olivia Gaines

Intervals of Love

Enduring Emily

An Enduring Christmas – Winter 2019

The Technicians Series

Blind Date By Olivia Gaines

Blind Hope By Olivia Gaines

Blind Luck By Olivia Gaines

Love Thy Neighbor Series

Walking the Dawg: A Novella 

Through the Woods: A Novella 

Life of the Party: A Novella

Modern Mail-Order Brides

North to Alaska

Montana

Oregon Trails

Wyoming Nights

On a Rainy Night in Georgia

Bleu, Grass, Bourbon

Buckeye and the Babe

The Tennessee Mountain Man

Stranded in Arizona

Maple Sundaes and Cider Donuts

The Zelda Diaries

It Happened Last Wednesday 

A Frickin' Fantastic Friday 

A Tantalizing Tuesday 

A Marvelous Monday 

A Saucy Sunday 

A Sensual Saturday 

My Thursday Throwback 

Slivers of Love Series

The Deal Breaker  

Naima's Melody  

Santa's Big Helper  

The Christmas Quilts  

Friends with Benefits  

The Cost to Play  

A Menu for Loving  

Thursdays in Savannah  

DEDICATION

For Olivia. Happy Birthday.

"Easy reading is damn hard writing."

-  Nathaniel Hawthorne

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To all the fans, friends, and supporters of the dream as well as the Facebook community of writers who keep me focused, inspired, and moving forward.

Write On!

Uneasy is the head that wears a crown. – Shakespeare, Henry IV Part 2

Chapter One- Strength

The sun, seemingly angry at the blood vessels in Yuñior Delgado’s right temple, peered through the thin white sheer curtains reminding the young Czar of several issues, the primary being the headache which throbbed to no end. The second issue that also throbbed was the gunshot wound in his shoulder aching with a ferocity each time he turned over in the bed. The third was the woman who slumbered next to him, nuzzling close to his neck, reminding him of the throb in his lower extremities as well as the inability to please her as he so desired, and the last issue was the weight that seemed to never leave his chest.

I am here, he whispered into the quietness of the room.

A small voice spoke back, also whispering, "I am here too, Hermano."

Yuñior cracked his heavy lids, trying to determine the hour of the morning and to locate the small voice. He didn’t have to look far since the sound attached to the small body was sitting in the middle of his chest. As much as he wanted to be angry with the little lady, he could not. Questions did pop into his head of how she managed to worm her way into his bed chambers, yet again, while his bedroom door had been double bolted and secured with a key.

Isabella, how did you get into my room? he asked, trying to shield his morning breath with his hand.

Yuñior, somebody locked the door, and I couldn’t get in, she said, shifting her weight, forcing a loud grunt and a swoosh of air from his mouth. Isabella waved her hand over her nose, indicating her brother’s breath left a great deal to be desired so early in the morning.

I locked the door so you couldn’t come inside, Isabella. I wanted some privacy, he said calmly, opening both eyes to peer at her small angelic face.

What do you mean, privacy? Like Diadra with no panties on showing her privacy? Yuñior, does she not have any panties? I think you should buy her some, Isabella said, lifting the covers to spot Diadra’s bare bottom. Her tiny index finger pointed at the bare bum to prove her point.

The eldest of Isabella’s brothers did not respond to her question, but instead opted to point out another obvious observation.

Isabella, are you using the back hallways to come into my room? You should not do that. It is not safe, little one.

Lupita was cleaning the cobwebs, and I found the door, and it led to your room. I like to come in here and take my naps. The sheets smell like you, Isabella said proudly, but now it’s time to get up. Papa said we are running the sevens today.

And when did you hear Papa say this? Yuñior asked, knowing his father never mentioned the fields where they would have coffee tastings until the morning of the event. Once Eduardo Delgado decided which fields he wanted to test for quality control, a rider would be sent forward to notify the family in charge of the field to prepare for the arrival of the Fer de Lance, the name of the viper etched into Eduardo’s skin and the deadliest of the vipers in South America. The name fit his father to a tee.

He, on the other hand, wore the yellow eyelash viper on his chest, a small serpent, masterful in camouflage with a nasty bite. The Bocaracá, his viper title, was well-known throughout Central America and was highly feared by many since they were unable to see the pit viper hanging on the branches or nestled in the bushes. The name also fit Yuñior Delgado. What did not fit was his little sister in his bedroom first thing in the morning before he had an opportunity to gather his thoughts.

A knock came at the door. Diadra, his lady love, moaned at the intrusion as she turned over to spot Isabella in the bed with his meddlesome little sister watching her closely. Instinct made Diadra grab for the covers to shield the bare portions of her body. The knock grew louder when he didn’t respond.

Sí? Yuñior answered the knock he knew belonged to his brother.

Papa said we are running the sevens. Fifteen minutes, Andres called out into the heavy wooden door. 

Bueno, he called back, pushing his little sister off his chest, and swinging his legs off the side of the bed. Diadra, you must rise. Wash your face, brush your teeth   and put on jeans, long sleeves, and closed-in shoes. We are running the sevens today.

Diadra Parsons didn’t know what any of that meant and she didn’t care. In the hallway, she could hear the Lady of the Lands, Ryanne Delgado, Yuñior’s stepmother, calling for her daughter. Isabella slid off the side of the bed, trying to hide. Groaning at the early hour, she also frowned at the child who never slept and the man who didn’t seem to either, holding the rumpled covers in her arms and pulling the bedding over her head.

Diadra, rise and dress. We have less than fourteen minutes to be downstairs and ready to go, Yuñior said.

Go on without me. I’ll get up in a minute, shower, pack, and get ready to head home, she said, rolling over to nestle her head into the pillow.

Yuñior was outdone with both Isabella and Diadra this morning. He grabbed for the covers, pulling them back to expose cocoa brown legs, a patch of girl curls which made his blood simmer, and a perfectly shaped breast. If only he had more time this morning and his sister wasn’t in the room, the day could have started differently, with less animosity.

Thirteen minutes. Get up and get dressed. We have to be downstairs. You do not want to make my father wait, Yuñior cautioned, moving to the bedroom door. He turned the large key protruding from the door lock, pulling the wooden entry way open to meet the eyes of his stepmother. Good morning, Señora. Isabella is here.

Ryanne peered in the room to spot the naked butt of Diadra making her way into the bathroom. A scowl crossed her face when she looked at her stepson, not questioning but wondering, then looking at her daughter. The spiderwebs in her hair said she’d been in the back halls, which were a dangerous thing to do.

Did Isabella sleep in here with you two? Ryanne asked her stepson. Isabella materialized from around the side of the bed, offering her mother a brilliant smile.

No, Mama, I slept in my bed. I can’t sleep with Yuñior and Diadra because she doesn’t have any panties. She was nakey under those covers but I think Yuñior likes her like that, Isabella added, although no one asked her.

Yuñior’s only reaction was to usher his sister out the bedroom. He gave a nod of his head to Ryanne and closed the door to complete his dressing and slip on his black boots.

Ten minutes, he said aloud as Diadra came from the bathroom fully dressed, her hair wild and eyes wide.

I don’t want to do anything interesting at this hour of the morning, let alone run the sevens. What are the sevens, and why do I have to participate? she wanted to know, slipping on a pair of brown boots given to her last night by Yuñior’s grandmother. I’m planning to go home today. Ed, I thought you were taking me home.

Diadra, first I must go into the office, settle a few matters, take inventory, and then I will have you home in time for a late lunch, he said.

I’m not awake, she moaned, leaning into him on his good side. "Will this sevens require me to be sociable? I don’t think I can manage sociable this morning."

You will do fine, he replied, tying a green bandana around her neck and placing a baseball cap on her wild hair.

Lead on, Señor, she said, yawning.

To Yuñior, he’d never seen a more stunning sight first thing in the morning. He led the way down the front stairs to be greeted at the base by Andres, his younger brother by two years, who smiled at Diadra, tipping the edge of his Bolero with a morning greeting.

We are opening seven, seventeen, and twenty-seven today, Andres informed his brother, handing Yuñior a tablet. Hermes said it is a good batch, but until we sample the beans, we won’t be certain. The coca leaves on twenty-seven have an infestation and I don’t think the chrysanthemum oil is helping.

And what of seventeen? Yuñior asked.

They have been tasked with breakfast, Andres responded.

Bueno. Did we bring up a horse for the lady?

She will have to ride with either Angel or Micah. The Abuelitos are riding with us this morning. We have no horses to spare, Andres said.

Diadra, listening, but not comprehending fully, squinted as she looked out the door to spot all the horses. She said nothing, making a quiet U-turn to head towards the stairs and go back to bed. It was too early to be riding a horse, too early to be sociable, and too early to sample coca leaves. She wasn’t having any of it.

Micah, the third son of Eduardo Delgado, stared at Diadra as if she were a puzzle he needed to solve before he broke his fast. His eyes were on the lady as he spoke to his oldest brother. He walked around her, looking at her bottom.

Yuñior, she may not be able to ride with me, Micah said, looking at her butt. Diadra, how much do you weigh?

Excuse me? she gawked, turning back around, shocked that he could ask such a question.

Yuñior tapped his brother on the shoulder, pointing towards the door. His eyes too were now on Diadra, eyeing her up and down, and then he smiled, holding his hands palms up as if he were balancing the scales.

Roughly 56 or 57 kilos, he said, smiling at her. She can ride with Angel. Angel, saddle up.

I’m not riding on the back of an animal with a ten-year-old, she said.

He is a much better horseman than Micah, Yuñior replied.

Why can’t I ride with you?

The distance we must travel, Thunder will not be able to run with the added weight, he said the last word as he stared into her eyes. Once we begin, you shall understand why. Time’s up. We must ride.

I’m going, but I’m not going to like it, she said, walking outside the door. She bellowed out a good morning to everyone, who was mounting up on their assigned horses. Yuñior grabbed her shin, hoisting her up on the rear of the horse with Angel. The little man, grinning, tugged on Diadra’s hands and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, patting her fingers.

No harm shall come to you, Angel said with a fierce pride. I will not fail my brother.

I know kid, but please don’t fail me either, Diadra whispered in his ear as the boy clicked his tongue and the horses took off down a back path barely visible in the early morning light.

DIADRA HATED HORSES. She despised the smell but more than anything she hated being on the back of one as it made headway through shrubs and low hanging trees. The sun was up and already hotter than the sweat beads between a fat ladies boobies as the family made way through the green fields of the Delgados. The field hands were out working, waved gloved fingers to the family as they rode by. Angel was indeed a good horseman, and he leaned back, talking to her as they rode.

Diadra, soon we must go fast, he said in a soft voice. When the back legs of the horse go down, you raise your butt up. Use the stirrups to push yourself out of the saddle. When the front legs of Gusto go down to the soft earth, so does your butt.

Huh? she asked, holding on.

When Gusto’s back legs hit the ground, raise your butt up, and when his front legs go down to the ground, you sit down in the saddle. It is a constant motion, up and down, up and down. If not, you shall be very sore tonight, Angel told her.

Got it, she said, trying it out. She adjusted herself several times, looking for a rhythm and she knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was doing it all wrong by the expression on Yuñior’s face. The expression was a look of approval which meant more than likely, it looked as if she were pulling a sexy cowgirl ride on the back of the horse. She mouthed the word, Pervert!

Yuñior smiled, pulling away from the pack to ride ahead of the group to an open field. The horses all came in line as he held up his right hand. Everyone lifted bandanas up over their noses and mouths as if they were about to ride into town and rob the local bank. Diadra didn’t know what was about to happen, but the horses did. They pawed at the soft dirt, chomping at their bits, ready to ride. She lifted her bandana over her nose and mouth as well.

Hold tight, Diadra. Hold tight, Angel cautioned as he kicked the sides of his horse and Gusto took off at breakneck speed across the open field. All the voices of the family were silent as they rode with determination. Diadra clung to Angel. Terrified. Exhilarated. Amazed. Then, as quickly as it began, the sprint across the open field ended.

"Abierto Siete!" Yuñior yelled out as they entered into an open field. Yuñior dismounted, along with Micah, Andres and finally Angel, who handed Diadra the reins.

Hold the reins loosely. Do not pull on them or Gusto will start to run, Angel warned and slid off the horse to the ground.

He was so small, yet exuded a confidence which she respected. Watching Yuñior work, she also gained a new respect for him and his knowledge of the land and this world where he would be king. The man who would be Czar stood among his flock. He spoke with a friendliness with the workers who also seemed to like him and not fear the man who issued orders to the workers who listened at him speak with a view of reverence as he issued orders and instructions.

Micah, collect samples of the coffee leaf miners and coffee leaf borers which seem to be flourishing on the plants. If they are not stopped before spreading to the other fields, the coffee crops will be ruined, Yuñior said to his brother.

Sí, Yuñior, Micah replied, taking small jars from his satchel to collect samples to take back to what Diadra assumed would be his lab.

Yuñior continued speaking to the man in charge of field seven. Guillermo, add a quarter cup of lemon oil to the mixture, give a light spray over these once more, and give me an update in the morning, Yuñior said.

Eduardo Delgado sat in the saddle, not commenting but watching the young men take care of the morning routines. He could speak, but he wanted his sons to be prepared to take over the maintenance of the land freeing him to focus more on the business aspects of the organization. Thus far, his sons had not disappointed him. Eduardo’s eyes traveled to the young woman, Diadra, whom his son brought home. Thus far he didn’t really know what to think of the young lady and would reserve judgement until he had a better handle on what she stood for since he had no real way of telling.

Mounting! On to Seventeen! Yuñior called out.

Angel returned to the horse. Diadra removed her foot from the stirrup, giving him room to slip his boot in the holder. She also offered him her hand since the saddle didn’t have a pommel to grip. Angel took her hand, pulling a little before hoisting himself up into the saddle and throwing his leg over the animal. They were moving before she had a chance to say a word.

The ride wasn’t a very long one before Yuñior called out seventeen. At the edge of a field, near a well, an entire family prepared a morning meal over an open fire. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the smell of sausage sizzling made her mouth water. The small home was modest but had indoor lighting and plumbing. The daughters of the father of the home poured cool cups of water and passed it out to each family member as they stepped down from their mounts. Diadra was nervous on how to get down from the horse. Angel spotted the anxiety displayed on her face.

Foot in stirrup, hold my left hand, swing your leg over, step down, Angel told her.

Diadra followed his instructions, getting to the ground without falling on her butt or making a fool of herself. Until now, she hadn’t realized that Isabella had been on the horse with her father, swaddled in an African styled Kanga. Ryanne also had one wrapped around her body to hold Catarina. Diadra was uncertain of what to do, so she watched The Lady of The Lands. Ryanne greeted each family member, praising them for the hard work, the preparation of the food, and accepting a cup of coffee. A milk cow that appeared to have seen better days, stood quietly as Angel tugged on her teats to secure a cup of milk to mix with the morning coffee. Diadra was having loads of doubts about drinking any of it, but Ryanne gave her a smile.

Thank you, Diadra said to the lady of the house and accepting the coffee. "Everything smells amazing; estoy muy hambriento."

The Spanish the woman spoke in return was foreign to her ears. It was a mixture of old world Colombian Indian Spanish mixed with a Central America Spanish with a few words here and there Diadra understood. Accepting a plate of scrambled eggs mixed with sausage and a version of sweet potatoes with a side of rice, she took a seat on a handcrafted chair with no back. Diadra held onto her plate until Ryanne ate. When Ryanne started to eat, she did as well.

Isabella wanted to be free and run to play and had no plans to eat any of the food. She slipped past her father, skirting his grasp, but Diadra caught her by the hand. Isabella’s face contorted in a frown, looking as if she were ready to throw a tantrum.

I am so hungry, Isabella, but I don’t think I can eat all this food by myself. Do you want to help me? she asked the little lady.

It’s not that much food, Isabella said.

No, but it’s too much for me to eat by myself.

Then I shall help you, Isabella said, climbing into her lap. An additional fork was requested as they sat quietly on a small chair sharing a plate of food. Diadra would take a forkful, followed by Isabella until it was all gone. The excitement of the morning was taking its toll on the little girl who had entered the back hallways of the home just after dawn.

It didn’t take long for the child’s eyelids to start drooping. She climbed into Diadra’s arms, cradling her head into the breasts of the woman her brother seemed to really like, and she drifted off to sleep. Diadra held the child as she slumbered, sipping on the worst coffee she’d ever drank in her life, imagining her sweat soaked body under the jets of a cool shower, and a fresh piece of fruit and possibly a seafood dinner at an air-conditioned restaurant in Brooklyn tonight. All of the jaunts into nature and beauty of another country was cool, but there was nothing like the noise of the big city with car horns honking, people yelling out of windows, and the smell of food wafting down the streets.

Diadra didn’t notice all of the eyes which watched her carefully with the child since she’d disappeared into her own mind. Isabella continued to sleep as the family thanked their hosts and climbed aboard their horses, preparing to leave. The movement of the others jolted her from the daydream as she looked up to see Yuñior watching her closely. She offered him a warm smile as he pointed at the child in her hands. Diadra looked down at Isabella, thinking the child had to be the most adorable thing she’d ever seen in her life. Instinct kicked in as she lowered her head and planted a soft kiss on top of the child’s head before rising to her feet and passing the toddler to her father on the horse.

Eduardo Delgado had nothing to say to the woman as she walked over to his youngest son, took the boy’s hand, stuck her foot in the stirrup and hoisted herself into the saddle behind him as if it were a thing she did every day. Yuñior called out twenty-seven, and they were off. Eduardo admired the manner in which Diadra handled his daughter, and it brought back a fond memory of Ryanne and

Reviews for Becoming the Czar

[Sisanda Dudumashe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love it. It is funny. I felt good reading it. Smiled and laughed.