Page 29 of Queens and Monsters

“One time,” I said. “I disobeyed you once and you’re done with me?”

Catalina came up and wrapped her arm around myshoulders. “Let’s listen to him. He said this is your home. It always will be.”

I nodded, blinking away the tears.

“Reinaldo killed two men tonight.”

“What?”

Dario nodded. “Myshkin is the head of the bratva in Kansas City and St. Louis. He has his soldiers on a mission to find the two cartel members and the redheaded woman with them. Jasmine, sending you back to Barnard early is for your protection.”

“Aren’t I safe here?”

“You’re safer away from here for the time being.” Dario turned toward the door.

“What about Reinaldo and Emiliano?” I asked.

He didn’t turn. “They’ll fight our war. That’s what matters now.” He walked away.

Chapter

Ten

Jasmine

My heart raced as I woke from a troubled sleep, speeding from dreamland into confusion. A sense of panic rose up within me. Scanning my dark bedroom, I pulled my blanket over my breasts and searched the corners, certain I wasn’t alone.

What is happening?

Is our home under attack?

A large figure moved from the shadows a millisecond before a hand covered my mouth, stopping my scream. The scent of alcohol filled the air as warm breath bathed my ear.

“Don’t be scared.”

The familiar deep voice resonated through me as I shook my head. I wasn’t scared—alarmed and caught off guard. My pulse sprinted, causing my heart to thumpagainst my breastbone. The reverberating beat in my ears made it difficult to hear Rei’s question.

“Will you be quiet?”

I nodded as my nostrils flared. As soon as he released my lips, I gasped for air. “Reinaldo?” I whispered as I jumped back. “You can’t be in here. Oh my God. Dario will definitely kill you.” I wished that I was speaking metaphorically, but I wasn’t. “Did anyone see you?”

“No one saw.” The mattress dipped as he sat on the edge of my bed. His usual sandalwood-and-leather scent combined with alcohol emanated around us as he reached for my hand.

Cautiously, I let him have it.

He wrapped his fingers around mine. “If he finds me, he can try.Mí padreis sending Em and me back to California in the morning, early before others wake.”

“On Christmas Day?” The sensation of his touch caused my skin to warm, and my eyes adjusted to the darkness, bringing Reinaldo’s handsome face out of the shadows. The muscles in his cheeks tightened, revealing the chiseled edge of his jaw.

“I couldn’t leave without talking to you.”

I sat up, allowing the blanket to pool around my waist. My pajama top covered me, although my lack of a bra felt a bit scandalous. “I wanted to talk to you too. Was Dario too hard on you and Em?”

Reinaldo scoffed. “Not as hard asmí padre.”

“He said you killed Russians tonight?”

“Sí.”Lifting my hand, he kissed my knuckles. “They want to keep us apart, but I had to tell you that I’m not wrong about you. You’re deserving, more deserving thanto marry a soldier—just a soldier. That’s all that Em is or will be. He can’t offer you what I can. I’m the second son of the kingpin.”

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