Page 49 of Queens and Monsters

I turned off the water and faced Camila. “That man, the one who sat next to me at the bar.” My stomach twisted. “Dario said that Zhdan saw me at the Green Lady Lounge. There’s something about that man that seemed familiar—his blue eyes. His accent is Russian, I think.”

“It can’t be him. I mean, what are the chances?”

“I’m sure you’re right. I just wish Rei would call me back or I could reach him. I missed his call when I was in the shower. I’ve tried to call back, and it goes straight to voicemail.”

“Do you think Dario blocked your phone again?”

“I checked. That’s not it. When he did that, I couldn’t even reach voicemail.” Wrapping my arms around my midsection, I inhaled. “I’m freaking out over nothing.”

“You were told yesterday that you must marry someone you’ve never met. It’s perfectly reasonable for you to imagine that every handsome Russian is your future husband.”

Looking at Camila, I broke into a fit of laughter. “There’s absolutely nothing reasonable about anything you just said.”

She locked elbows with me. “True. But you laughed. Let’s go have one more margarita before we head home.”

“One more and I’ll spend the afternoon asleep.”

“Do you have better plans?”

“Sadly, no.” I pulled the door open.

Camila and I stopped dead in our tracks. The man from the bar was there, blocking our exit. I stared at the buttons on his white shirt. Tipping my chin upward, I scanned his thick neck, defined jaw, and up to his blue eyes. Camila had called him handsome. The first time, I only noticed his eyes. My mouth went dry as I took in his becoming features, a negative copy of Rei. This man had blond hair and stunning blue eyes.

“Excuse us,” Camila said.

His gaze was only on me. “You ran away so fast. I wanted to be sure you were okay.”

Russian.

His accent was definitely Russian.

That was my assessment based on the acquired knowledge that came with twenty years of watching TV and movies.

“I-I’m fine.”

“You’re Jasmine Renner.”

My frightened gaze went to Camila.

She disconnected our elbows and offered her hand. “She is, and I’m Camila Luciano. You are?”

Ignoring Camila’s hand, he brought his fingers to my cheek. “More interested in talking to Jasmine.”

I jumped back from his touch.

Camila moved forward. “Now isn’t a good time. We really shouldn’t keep our bodyguards waiting.”

Releasing my cheek, the man reached for the doorjamb, blocking me with his tall, muscled body. Cagednear the wall, the air around us filled with a fog of his musky, spicy cologne. He was close—too close.

His voice reverberated through me in an uneasy way. “The last time I saw you, you were kissing a man, one from a cartel, I believe.”

Saw me—kissing.

He saw me kiss Rei at the Green Lady Lounge.

My mouth went dry. “I think you’re mistaken.”

He shook his head. “Never lie to me. I’m not mistaken. That kiss was very rememberable.”

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