Page 89 of Now and Forever

“Vincent or Dario?”

He nodded.

“I’d like to keep Jasmine distracted. Is it safe for you to go to the storage space and retrieve Jasmine’s things for her bedroom?”

A genuine smile came to his lips. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll have Piero stay in the apartment to be safe.”

“I’d like to meet him.”

Piero was a tall, lean man who appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties based on the sprinkling of gray in his dark hair. “You were with Jasmine when she was attacked?” I asked.

For a dangerous man, his expression turned sheepish. “Ma’am, I think I was drugged. When I woke, I heard Ms. Renner fighting, and then my arms were heavy, and it was like my legs were in quicksand. I fought the man. Thought I’d shot him, but he took off. I made the decision to stay with Ms. Renner. I should have gone after him.”

“That’s a conversation for my husband. It sounds to me like you may have very well saved her life.”

Piero took over the front sitting room while Armando left to gather Jasmine’s belongings. When I entered the kitchen, Jasmine was seated at the counter talking to Contessa. Seeing me, they both silenced.

Only the clinking of utensils could be heard as I approached. “Something smells wonderful.”

“Lasagna,” Jasmine said. “My favorite.”

Speaking to Contessa, I said, “It sounds as if Dario will be out late. Instead of placing Jasmine and I in the dining room, I think it would be nice if the five of us ate together in here.”

“Five?”

“Jasmine, you, Armando, Piero, and me.”

Contessa nodded. “That’s a good suggestion.”

Jasmine hopped down from the stool. “I can set the table in here.”

It took Armando three trips with a rolling cart to get all of Jasmine’s things from storage. I wasn’t even sure how many trips we all did going up and down the stairs with boxes and totes in our hands. By the time we had the room filled with Jasmine’s belongings, Contessa announced it was time for our dinner. Perhaps it was the physical labor, but as we gathered around the kitchen table, I realized I was famished.

We were almost done eating when my phone buzzed with a text message. I checked the screen, seeing Camila’s name and reading her message.

“I miss you already.I made it home. Papá, Em, Uncle Nicolas, and Nick are headed to Kansas City to get you.”

After givingan excuse to those gathered around the table, I stepped away, going toward the library, and called Camila. “What are you talking about?” I said as soon as the call was answered.

“I just landed. Mom and Luis picked us up. Mom said about an hour ago, Papá received a call from Patron. She said Papá, Uncle Nicolas, Em, and Nick are on their way to Kansas City.”

“For me? Why?”

“Papá didn’t share with Mom.”

I didn’t understand. “Why would Patron send them here?”

“I don’t know. Mama said she was happy I was home and said she wants you here too.”

What does this mean?

Is this what Dario was worried about? Is Patron sending men to help Dario or Vincent?

My pulse kicked up. “I need to go,” I said. “I have to call Dario.” I disconnected the call.

ChapterTwenty-Four

Dario

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