Page 25 of Queens and Monsters

Everyone remained silent as the capo took his time, taking off his suit jacket, loosening his tie, removing his diamond cuff links, and rolling up his sleeves. Finally, he took the seat behind his desk. The entire room held its collective breath.

His commanding voice filled the office. “If you had harmed Jasmine in any way, you would not be alive. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Em and I replied.

He stood, his hands splayed upon the top of his desk as he leaned forward. “Emiliano, you’re my wife’s brother. And you, Reinaldo, are Jorge’s son. Because of that, your death wouldn’t be assigned to a soldier. It would come directly from me.” His nostrils flared and tendons pulled tight in his neck as he produced a long blade from a hidden holster and laid it on top of his desk. “My knife would have your blood.” His volume rose. “Both of yours.”

The capo sat, a vein in his neck visibly thumping.

“Dario,” Jorge Roríguez said, taking a step forward. “If these two men were guilty of atrocities against your” —he hesitated— “daughter, I would condone their sentence. It sounds as if instead of monsters…” —he turned to us— “they were reckless, irresponsible, and perhaps impulsive. For that, I will be responsible for their punishment.”

“You took her into enemy territory,” the capo said.

“We didn’t know,” Em said.

“All my negotiations and you fucked it up.”

Dante spoke up. “Make your case. Explain to my brother your intentions.”

Inhaling, Em and I looked at one another.

Em spoke first. “Our intention was to have a little fun. Jasmine was never meant to be in danger.”

“We wanted to break free from everyone for a little while.”

“How did you end up in the Arts District?” Dario asked.

“Green Lady Lounge,” I said. “It was open. Live music. The bratva men weren’t planned. We weren’t looking for them.”

“That’s their territory,” Dante said. “One of the few areas on this side of the river where we cohabitate. The new relationship is strained. Killing two of their men on Christmas Eve could fuck up our arrangement.”

“Then they fucking shouldn’t have started by shooting at us,” I said.

The capo lifted his hand. “They shot first?”

“Yes,” we said together.

“There are bullet holes in the rear of the rental car,” I went on. “Once Em saw them in the lounge, we immediately left to ensure that nothing would go down with Jasmine present. On the street, we were fired at. Em got Jasmine in the car, and I emptied a magazine into the dark toward the direction the shots came from.”

The capo leaned back against his chair and turned tomí padre. “I trust you to make sure this never happens again?”

El Patr?nnodded.

“Our alliance,” the capo said, standing, “is still strong. We need to be on the same side to bring down Herrera. I will talk to Myshkin.”

Papácame forward and the two men shook hands.

There was a sigh of relief until I said what was at the forefront in my mind. “Capo andPapá, this is probably the worst time, but as for my intentions with Jasmine…” They were both looking at me in a way that would have shut down a levelheaded, thinking soldier. “I want to marry her.”

“Jasmine is not available to be wed,” the capo said.

“Shouldn’t that be her decision?” I looked to Dante for help.

Dante spoke, “Jasmine is in school.”

“Camila is reenrolled,” I countered. “Jasmine is an adult, and it’s time for her to leave the nest. She should leave with me.”

“Fuck,” the capo said, looking around. “I wasn’t planning on this conversation tonight. Jorge and Andrés have each mentioned the possibility that you both have interest. She won’t wed either of you.” He lifted his brows. “I’m in negotiations with someone else.”

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