Page 62 of Now and Forever

“I’ll let you know when Mrs. Luciano is ready to leave.”

Armando nodded, leaving me behind as he shut the door.

Dario stepped around his desk, each step slow and deliberate.

“Why did you—” I began to ask.

He lifted his hand, inhaled, and leaned against the front edge of his desk. The muscles in the side of his face pulled tight. His fingers blanched as they gripped the solid wood surface on either side of his long legs. Yet his volume and tone were even—too even. “Elizondro Herrera? Your first time to leave our home and you go to the hotel suite rented by Elizondro Herrera?”

Had Armando reported my whereabouts?

I never told him Ana’s name. And then I remembered I’d said it to the man standing guard, the man Armando had been forced to stay with.

“I went to visit Ana. Elizondro wasn’t there. He’s in New York.”

Dario lifted a hand and curled one finger, bidding me to come closer. Steeling my shoulders, I did as he silently asked. He led me around the desk to the side with a view of three large monitors. He moved the mouse, and a grainy picture came into view. “Who is that?”

Leaning forward, I looked closer at the man. “It’s difficult to tell.”

“Give it a try.” His voice was as cold as ice.

The man was without question Latino, large and imposing. My stomach twisted. “Is it Elizondro?”

“Very good.”

I met my husband’s stare. “Ana said he is in New York. She said he had business there. She just wanted to talk.”

“My security brought me this photo this morning,” Dario said. “I don’t know where Herrera is at the moment, but last night, he was here in Emerald Club.” Taking a breath, he took a step toward the windows behind his desk and turned back to face me. “Think about that, Catalina. A cartel drug lord, one who is openly challenging the Roríguez cartel, was in our club last night and then today, my new wife, the woman about to be wife of the KC capo, visits his hotel suite.”

“Dario, I went to see a friend. I don’t know anyone in this city. I was excited to receive her invitation.”

“What did she say? Did she ask questions about the famiglia or about any of our businesses?”

“Of course not,” I replied, my agitation building. “You and I have only been married a short time. I don’t even know your favorite color. I sure as hell don’t know about all of your businesses.”

Setting his jaw, Dario spun his large leather chair around and held it in place. “Have a seat. I want you to think about what was said. You were with her for nearly an hour.”

Instead of sitting, I stood my ground. “Armando reported my activity.” It wasn’t a question.

“I knew where you were from your phone. When I called Armando, he confirmed my suspicions.”

“Your suspicions?” My volume rose. “Armando texted you before we left. You were the one who told me I could go wherever I wanted to go as long as I had Armando or Giovanni.”

He inhaled, his nostrils flaring. “And I’m thankful you listened.” Dario held tight to the chair. “Sit.” He softened his tone. “Please. This is important.”

Releasing a breath, I took the seat.

He stepped back. “Think. What did you discuss?”

His chair was soft and firm at the same time, like the man who sat here.

“Marriage.” I tried to recall Ana’s and my discussion. “The wedding. Children. She’s pregnant with their third child. We discussed New York.”

“The famiglia there?”

“No, the city and crowds.” As I spoke, I recalled part of our conversation. My eyes opened wide as I looked up, catching Dario’s gaze. If I told him what I remembered, was I choosing the famiglia over the cartel?

“I need you to be completely honest.”

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