Page 10 of Queens and Monsters

“Do I?”

“More than anyone. This is your home and has beenfor over thirteen years. Don’t let last names stand in your way, Jasmine. If Mr. Luciano’s family can accept the cartel, they can accept you. They should have done so a long time ago. Show them they’ve been wrong.”

Smoothing my dress, I lifted my chin and walked toward the voices. Truth be told, I was more comfortable around Catalina’s family than Dario’s. At least her family hadn’t snubbed me for the last fourteen years. Since Catalina and Dario wed and Catalina welcomed me in their home, his family now speaks to me.

A fire crackled in the fireplace as holiday music filled the air. In the corner near the windows was a lighted tree that nearly reached the ceiling, fourteen feet high. I grinned as Catalina took her daughter from her mother’s arms, claiming that the baby was in need of a diaper change before dinner.

As I scanned the room, I couldn’t help but think about Dario’s goal for one family. With a few exceptions, the room was divided into small groupings of like-minded people. The cartel women were mostly gathered together. Josefina Roríguez was seated at Valentina’s side. It was difficult to believe Josefina was Aléjandro and Reinaldo’s mother, as she looked too young and beautiful to be the mother of grown men. Also, the famiglia women were congregated, the exception being those gathered around Ariadna Gia.

Carmine Luciano and Salvatore Luciano, Dario’s uncles, stood guard over their respective families, no doubt not wanting their sons or daughters interacting with the cartel. I hadn’t seen Salvatore’s daughter, Isabella, since Dario’s wedding. She wasn’t a little girlany longer. If Carmine had his way, my guess was that he’d rather have her in a convent than in the presence of cartel men.

Another exception was Mia and Camila seated together with their husbands attentively at their sides. Mia’s baby bump was more than a bump, and Aléjandro was beaming at her side.

“It’s difficult…deciding which team to cheer for?”

I turned to the deep voice, coming face-to-face with the handsome man who last night gave me my first real kiss. Emiliano Ruiz. “According to Dario, we’re all one team.”

“It’s not often you meet a capo who’s also a dreamer.”

A smile curled my lips. “You don’t think it’s possible?”

He shrugged his wide shoulders as his dark stare scanned the room. “I think it’s possible, but shaky.” He lowered his voice. “I hope I didn’t get you in trouble last night.”

Meeting his gaze, I shook my head. “Piero will keep our secret.”

“What if I kissed you here and now?”

My eyes opened wider. “Let’s not test that theory.”

His lips quirked into a sexy grin as he nodded toward the highboy. “Are you a red or white wine lady?”

“White goes best with fish. I like sweet wines.”

The temperature of the room spiked, and I sucked in a breath as Emiliano placed his hand in the small of my back.

“Come with me and I’ll pour you a glass, and you can explain this seven-fishes thing to me.”

Trying to ignore the way his touch sent a tingling sensation through me, I found my voice. “It’s an Italian-American thing. Tradition…” As we crossed the room, I caught Dario staring in our direction.

Overprotective was an understatement.

Is he armed?

Of course he was.

At the highboy, as I continued on about the Christmas Eve tradition, Reinaldo joined us. Suddenly, I was surrounded by two rock-hard bodies. Unlike Dario who always wore a suit, Reinaldo and Emiliano were both dressed in black jeans and button-up shirts. Reinaldo’s was white with the sleeves rolled up showing off his powerful forearms and the fringe of a tattoo. Emiliano’s was light blue. Instead of the boots they often wear, both men were wearing expensive leather loafers. They both wore gold chains around their necks. Their warmth encompassed me as the spicy scent of their cologne filled my senses.

“I see the two of you know one another.” Rei’s stare was intense.

“We met when Cat married the capo.” Em looked at me and grinned. “Would that make you my step-niece?”

Warmth filled my cheeks. “I don’t think that’s how it works. Dario isn’t my father, and Catalina isn’t my stepmother.”

Having the two men together, I could not only sense their different personalities but hear them as well. Emiliano’s accent was barely noticeable compared to Reinaldo’s, probably the result of the former living his entire life in California.

“You never mentioned Jasmine,” Rei said to Em, using the strange pronunciation of my name.

Em stood taller after handing me a glass of moscato. “Have you two met?” He turned to me. “Jasmine, this is Rei, Reinaldo Roríguez.” He turned to Rei. “Rei, this is Jasmine.”

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