Page 39 of Queens and Monsters

I could hardly get the name out between sobs. “Zhdan Myshkin.”

“Myshkin? Fuck no.”

“Rei, what can I do? Maybe if I could get to my mother.”

“First, let me learn what I can about your mother.Mí padrewill call the capo and put an end to the talk of you marrying a Russian. For now, stay with Piero and follow the capo’s rules.”

“I don’t know if your father can change his mind. I’m tired of having rules.”

“No, my rule follower. Soon, they will bemyrules.” There was something about that promise that twisted my insides.

The sound of other voices came through the speaker, voices speaking Spanish. I didn’t want to end the call. “Is everything all right?”

“I must go,preciosa. Do not worry. We will be together.”

Nodding, as more tears streamed down my face, I said, “I want that too.”

Chapter

Thirteen

Reinaldo

Ignoring the filth and debris on the street around our feet, I disconnected the call and turned to my brother, Aléjandro, second-in-command to ourpadre. “Fuck.” I stuffed my phone in the pocket of my jeans to stop myself from throwing it.

“Qué pas??”

“He promised her to a Russian.” My fist connected with the metal dumpster, sending shooting pain up my arm. “Fuck,” I screamed. The pain wasn’t enough. Turning toward the brick wall, I balled my fingers into a fist and reared back.

Jano reached for my arm, holding back my punch. “El alto.” Forcibly turning me, Jano pushed me against the wall. “What the fuck?”

“The capo, he’s promised Jasmine to a Russian—to Myshkin.”

“No.” My brother furrowed his forehead. “That’s not right. He wouldn’t do that.”

“He’s the reason I haven’t been able to reach Jasmine. He put a block on her phone.”

“Fuck, man…” He released me.

Cursing in two languages, I paced behind Wanderland, the cartel’s club near San Diego. “I thought I’d scared her away with my text messages, but no. It was him.”

Jano shook his head. “What the fuck were you texting her? You know the capo probably has access to all her text messages.”

“Then it’s a good thing he blocked me.” Curling my lips was more of a grin than I’d had in a long time. “She wasn’t blowing me off.”

“And it sounds like she never will.”

“He’s wrong. I’m marrying Jasmine even if I have to go Dante-and-Camila on them.”

Jano leaned back against the brick wall. “Don’t do that. Fuck, I thought the house was going to fall and not by gunshots. Dante and Andrés about went to blows. I’m not sure the alliance can take another upheaval.”

“The thought of anyone else touching her…” The pressure I applied to my molars was intense.

Jano laid his hand on my shoulder. “Use that anger down in the basement.” He tilted his chin toward the back of the club. “They have Garcia.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Garcia doesn’t narrow it down. It would be like the famiglia saying they have Rossi.”

“Manuel. Manuel Garcia. New kid to the crew. Has been working cleanup the last few weeks.”

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