Page 32 of Queens and Monsters

Chapter

Eleven

Jasmine

Three months later

With the late March chill, I was still wearing my winter coat as I paced the foyer of the penthouse, waiting for Dario. This was the first time I’d been home since Christmas, and the lack of information was eating at me. Catalina had tried to keep me up-to-date on what she knew about the declared war, or most of it, but that wasn’t much. Despite multiple text messages to both Rei and Em, none had been returned.

My spring break was last week, yet I was ordered home now. Piero and I flew commercially, and we’re now back in KansasCity.

“Oh, you’re home,” Contessa said, coming from upstairs. “I have your room ready.”

“Contessa, what’s happening? Have you heard anything about Reinaldo or Emiliano?”

“No. I haven’t asked. Mr. Luciano has been very busy. I’m sure he’ll tell you what you need to know.” She patted my hand. “When you’re finished with Mr. Luciano, come to the kitchen. I made carfogn with strawberry jam, your favorite.”

Feigning a smile, I nodded, one thing she said repeating in my mind.

What I need to know.

Being back in the penthouse didn’t give me the same joy it once had. If anything, it felt confining as if my skin were too tight.

“Jasmine,” Armando said, “Mr. Luciano is ready to see you now.”

The last time I saw Dario, he told me to leave.

Lifting my chin, I walked toward his open office door. I nodded at the guard standing at the door before entering. Once I was inside, the door closed. Dario looked up from his desk. It took him a second as if he were trying to recall why I was here or even who I was, but finally, he stood, a bit of a smile coming to his face.

He hadn’t changed, if anything, maybe he was a bit grayer. His appearance was as impeccable as it had been the first time we’d met. “Jasmine.” He came around the desk. “Why do you still have your coat on? You’re home.”

I pushed my hands deep into the pockets of the long wool coat. “I guess I’m cold. Why did you call me back? I still have over a month of classes?—”

Dario inhaled, his expression stopping my question.

“You didn’t return for your spring break.”

Swallowing, I stood taller, unwilling to admit that I didn’t feel welcome.

Dario continued. “There’s been a development that I needed to speak to you about—in person.”

Reinaldo.

This was about Reinaldo.

My stomach twisted as I grew warm. Taking off my coat, I folded it and laid it over a chair. It didn’t make sense for my hands to tremble, but they were. I’d been expecting this discussion. Over the last few months, I’d convinced myself that I was ready to be wed. Now that I was facing the reality, I was less sure.

And then another thought came to me. “The war. Has Reinaldo or Emiliano been hurt?”

Dario gestured toward one of the chairs in front of his desk while sitting in the other. “No. This isn’t about them.”

I sat, holding my own hand on my lap to keep it from visibly shaking. “I thought you called me back about marriage.”

He inhaled, his nostrils flaring. “Have you been in contact with either man?”

I shook my head. “I sent text messages, but they haven’t been returned.”

“I could let you think that they didn’t want to respond to you, but that’s not fair.”

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