Page 47 of Queens and Monsters

“After the capo informed you of the upcoming nuptials. The problem is the capo. He thinks he can marry her off to a Russian.”

“That’s what I heard. Did you know,” Mia asked, “that marriages in Mexico are recognized in the United States?”

“You’re suggesting that I kidnap Jasmine and take her out of the country?”

“No. But if you can get her, I know the perfect place for a wedding with your brother, pregnant sister-in-law, and parents.”

Impossible. Jano wouldn’t let Mia travel. And my parents…“My parents are out on Bella.”

“Exactly, floating Mexico off the California coast.”

“Fuck, Mia, you’re a genius. Now how do I get Jasmine?”

“I can’t think of everything. I also can’t take full credit. It was Camila.”

“Camila is in on helping me marry Jasmine?”

“We live in a strange world. Let me get you Dario’s private number. You might not want to lead with your plans to kidnap his…whatever Jasmine is.”

“My future wife is not to be disrespected.”

It was as if I could hear my sister-in-law’s smile. “That’s what you need to show Jasmine and Dario, the irresistible Roríguez possessiveness. Some see it as charm.”

A few minutes later, I heard the ring of my call to the capo dei capi. Another glance at the clock told me it was too early for a shot of tequila.

I hadn’t slept. Didn’t that make it still late?

“Dario here.”

“Sir, this is Reinaldo Roríguez.”

“I know your number, Reinaldo. Why are you calling?”

“I’m concerned about Jasmine.”

His voice deepened. “She isn’t your concern.”

“She is and will be, but that’s not why I’m calling you. I’m calling because I was informed that Leah Renner is out on parole.”

“How would you know about her?”

“Did you know all you could about Cat before you married her?” I asked.

“I’ve learned more important things since then.”

“I meant it when I said that I plan to marry Jasmine. I’ve done my research.Mí padreknows about Jasmine’s mother and her sister. It was recently brought to my attention that Leah Renner was released. This morning, I started to do research?—”

“Not your responsibility.” His voice was firm. “The famiglia will take care of this.”

I jumped to my feet and recited all that I knew before he could hang up on me. Mia might be right about the capo not wanting a lecture. That wasn’t going to stop me. “Before her release, Leah was visited by a man named Dmitri Makarova. He works for Smirnov Properties. Makarova didn’t begin to visit Leah in prison until she was scheduled to have her case reviewed by the parole board. Two members of the parole board received significant deposits of cash into their bank accounts after the board ruled to release Leah early. Both of those deposits were labeled as Jackpot.com. What are the chances that two members of the same board both won Missouri Lottery Prizes?”

“Will you send me that information? I’ll admit, we didn’t have that.”

“I will.” I continued my information dump. “Makarova reports directly to Zhdan Myshkin. Someone?—”

“How do you know about Myshkin?”

“Just listen. From what I can deduce, it appears that one or both of the Myshkins sent Makarova to the women’s prison because Leah was of some value to them. They paid off the board to release her. Why would Leah be of value to the bratva?”

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