Page 33 of Queens and Monsters

Exhaling, I let out a breath. That was what I’d thought. “Why haven’t they responded? You said they weren’t hurt.”

“Jasmine, I had to work out some negotiations. Having you communicate with either man would have only provided false hope.”

“What?” I asked. “I don’t understand.”

“I had them blocked from your phone. Your text messages never went out. Things have escalated in Mexico, and I need every soldier from the famiglia and cartel with their minds on our war. Neither Reinaldo nor Emiliano needs a distraction.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I nodded. “Then why am I here?”

“Zhdan Myshkin.”

Lowering my arms, I stared. “I don’t know who that is.”

“He’s the son of the leader of the Kansas City Bratva, Kostya Myshkin.”

“I thought you were at war with the bratva. What does he have to do with me?”

“Kostya has agreed to help us with Herrera in exchange for you wedding his son.”

My stomach sank as if the floor had just been knocked out from below me. “Dario, I don’t know this Zhdan. I can’t marry him.”

“You can. Catalina didn’t know me. I didn’t know her. Aléjandro and Mia had only met once. You will be meeting Zhdan this coming weekend. He’ll be here to formally propose.” Dario stood. “The ill will between the famiglia and the Myshkin bratva began with my father. This is our chance to stand together as we have with the cartel.”

Fighting back tears, I stared at the man I alwaysthought would protect me. Standing, I slapped my hands to my thighs. “You’re sending me away to the bratva? I disobeyed you once, and you’re sending me away.”

“Jasmine, sit down.”

My nostrils flared as I fought to breathe. Instead of sitting, I turned a full circle, taking in his office, the big desk, the bookcases, and the windows. “You said this would always be my home.”

“It is. Your escapade on Christmas Eve brought a few things to light. I’d wanted to wait until after you graduated college for you to marry, but the rest of your education will now be up to your husband.”

“I want to marry Rei.”

“Rei lost his chance when he and Emiliano took you away without permission. Zhdan is older and will keep you safe. We’ve identified another danger and reason to join forces with Myshkin.”

“Older? How much older?”

“He’s thirty-two.”

“Rei is only twenty-five.”

“Jasmine, stop talking about Reinaldo. Your future is set with Zhdan. We’ve identified another reason for you to marry sooner rather than later.”

My temples pounded as I applied more pressure to my teeth. “Sooner?”

Dario nodded. “Your mother, Leah Renner, has been released on parole. You don’t need to know much about her, other than she’s bad news. If she finds out where you’ve been and who you’ve been living with for the last thirteen years, she will try to exploit you. Having thefamiglia and the bratva behind you will make that impossible.”

My mother.

“She’s never tried to contact me. What makes you think she will now?”

“Our soldiers learned that after your appearance at the Green Lady Lounge, your identity was confirmed. Zhdan was at the lounge. His father had already brought up the idea of you wedding Zhdan. Once his son saw you, he became determined.”

“Saw me.” I shook my head. “There were a lot of people there.”

“Your mother has a way of finding the wrong crowd. When she learns that I’m your guardian and Zhdan Myshkin wants to marry you, she’ll see dollar signs. You’re no longer a child. I could handle this my way, but it seemed like you should know what’s happening.”

“Your way…is…” I stood, meeting his gaze. “What?”

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