Page 16 of Now and Forever

The room applauded in appreciation.

Closing the box, I looked to my future sister-in-law. “Thank you.”

“I have it on good authority Dario likes confident women.” She pointed to the gift. “That says confident.”

My gaze went to my cousin’s, praying there was a way for us to sneak away and put all of this off for another few months. Maybe that would give me time to learn more about my fiancé than I could from his sister or from rumors of him at Wanderland.

Mireya smiled a supporting grin. “Confident.”

After the gifts, the waiters refilled our champagne glasses and invited everyone to visit the buffet filled with vegetable appetizers, fruit kabobs, and cakes. It was the first family shower I’d attended that didn’t have more traditional foods such as tacos, tamales, and chiles relleno.

Mireya must have noticed my expression. She reached for my elbow and whispered, “Mama thought a more generic menu would work for Dario’s family.”

I didn’t care about the food. Scanning the room to be sure we weren’t overheard, I softly asked, “Has Nick told you anything about Dario and Wanderland?”

Mireya’s eyes grew wide. “No, but I wouldn’t be surprised. I’m sure the cartel wanted to show the Lucianos a good time. It’s our top club.” Her expression changed. “What did you hear?”

I shook my head. “Em said something, but it doesn’t mesh with the man I met.” I looked down at my ring. Could I really make assumptions about a man I’d spoken to one time?

“Em’s unhappy about the wedding. Nick told me that Patron wanted to put together a bachelor party for Dario and he refused.”

I sucked in a breath. “Dario refused Patron?”

Mireya nodded.

A tight sensation in my chest impeded my breaths. “Was Patron offended?” By my fiancé…?

“Nick said it wasn’t a big deal. Patron figured Dario would rather spend time with his own whores than the cartel’s. Personally, I think a bachelor party was a bad idea. Cartel and Mafia men together drinking…the wedding will be bad enough.” Before I could reply, Mireya added, “I’m sorry, Cat. The wedding won’t be bad.”

I lowered my voice as I thought about Patron’s assessment. “Why does everyone think Dario is out fucking everyone who walks?”

“Maybe because he’s a man,” Mireya said with a shrug.

Before we could discuss it further, Mia joined our conversation.

“Catalina,” she said, coming up beside me. “The champagne is wonderful. And here we were expecting margaritas.”

My teeth clenched.

“I’ll ask the waiter if you want one,” Mireya said in a strained voice.

“No. I was joking.” She waved the air. Despite being Dario’s sister, Mia had lighter hair than her brother, more like her mother’s. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you with that gift.”

Again, my cheeks warmed. “I’m fine. I’ll be married soon. I should get used to it. Obviously, I don’t know Dario well or the kind of woman he prefers.”

Mia’s lips pressed together. “Dario is a private man. He isn’t a saint. I’m sure you realize that there have been other women before and after Josie.”

Josie?

Mireya stepped forward. “As long as those women are past tense.”

Mia seemed surprised by Mireya’s straightforwardness.

“Mia,” I said, “this is my cousin Mireya. She’s only looking out for me.”

“Well,” Mia said to both of us, “I didn’t say that to make you jealous. There’s nothing to look out for. Dario has a job to do, and you’ll help him do that. Forget what I said about other women.”

Forget.

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