Page 67 of Now and Forever

The idea of a cellar high in the Kansas City skyline made me smile. I wasn’t in the mood for more wine, but I wouldn’t mind seeing the selection we had. Around a corner near the pantry was a second door. I hadn’t paid much attention to it in the past.

I looked around, wondering if Contessa was in her suite. Going to the door, I turned the handle—or I tried. The door was locked.

Why would Dario need to lock the door? The entire apartment was safe, only accessible from the elevator and then only if someone had the magic card for the sensor.

I felt around the top of the doorframe but didn’t find a key. Shaking my head, I made my way up to our suite.

I met Dario in the hallway. “There you are. I need to check on something. I shouldn’t be too late.”

He’s leaving.

“Do you have a minute?”

Dario nodded and followed me to our suite. Once we were inside, I turned to face him. “I just spoke to Camila. She said she overheard Papá and our uncles talking on the plane back to California.” I had Dario’s attention. “According to what she heard, Patron was also upset about the Herreras’ attendance at the wedding.” I wrung my hands. “I don’t know if that’s significant, but I thought you should know.”

Dario nodded. “Thank you. I didn’t marry you so you would spy for me.”

My chest felt heavy. “I feel like I’m in a tough place. I want us to work and the alliance. I don’t want a war to break out between the cartel and the famiglia with us in the middle.”

“Did she say anything else?”

A smile came to my lips. “Not spying, right?”

“Just curious.”

“Patron’s son Aléjandro was in a fight after the reception. Did you hear anything about that?”

His eyebrows danced. “I was busy after the reception.”

The glint in his dark eyes made my body react. “I just wondered if it was with someone in the famiglia. Maybe I should talk to my father.”

“I heard about it,” Dario admitted. “It wasn’t a fight. Dante could give you the details.”

My eyes opened wide. “Dante got in a fight with Aléjandro?”

“No,” he scoffed. “If there had been a fight, Aléjandro Roríguez would be dead. Dante reminded him that he was a visitor in our city and when in our city, he’s to abide by our rules.”

I smirked. “Honestly, I’m not upset that someone gave Aléjandro a bit of his own. He’s been a cocky bastard for as long as I can remember.” My assessment earned me a scoff from Dario. “Hopefully, the Herreras will go back to Mexico sooner rather than later.”

“I received confirmation from the famiglia in New York that Elizondro was in the city today. They’re keeping an eye on him.” Dario reached for my hand. “Thank you for telling me about Jorge. I’ll reach out to him and let him know we weren’t expecting the Herreras’ presence.”

“And if he asks you about his son?”

“He won’t.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure some loud-mouthed drug lord wannabe won’t bring down this alliance. Jorge needs us more than we need him.”

He leaned closer, brushing his lips over my cheek. “Don’t wait up.”

“There’s something else I want to talk to you about, but I don’t want to do it when you’re on the way out the door.”

He tilted his head.

“Never mind. When you get home, you can wake me.”

“To talk?”

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