Page 54 of Queens and Monsters

“Does she have Piero with her?”

The capo nodded. “Camila is also with her, which means Giovanni is also there.”

I exhaled and sat. “My parents are out on Bella. I’m going to take Jasmine out there. She isn’t safe in Kansas City, and you know it.” I narrowed my eyes. “What does Myshkin have on you that you would be willing to sacrifice Jasmine?”

Dario laid his hands flat on the top of hisdesk. His dark gaze burned with intensity as he stared in my direction. “I don’t owe you an explanation, but I’ll give you a history lesson. The war with Myshkin began between my father and Smirnov long before you were born. It’s an ongoing nuisance, like a fucking splinter under your fingernail. You want to deal with bigger issues, but it’s always there, irritating, annoying, distracting. In reality, we’d agreed to cohabitate in the city before the alliance with Roríguez put us in Herrera’s crosshairs. Herrera offered Myshkin the famiglia’s territory if he helped eliminate us. Eliminating Herrera is a better answer.”

“You think that you can partner with both us and Myshkin?”

He continued to stare at me.

“You can’t. No man can serve two masters. Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other.”

“Quoting the Bible?”

“If the verse fits.”

“I’m not the servant in this scenario.”

“You are,” I said. “Myshkin can’t eliminate Herrera. He’s playing you. He wants you to get comfortable with this agreement, and when you’re distracted with Herrera, he’ll double-cross you. The information I sent you shows that he’s been working on this plan since last October. Hell, probably before. That’s where Leah Renner comes in. Why else would Myshkin give a fuck if she rots in prison? He sees a use for her.”

“I’ve given him my word,” the capo said.

“You gavemí padreyour word.”

“Jasmine isn’t a?—”

I was back on my feet. “Don’t fucking say that again.” I pointed in his direction. “Why is Piero with Jasmine?”

“To keep her safe.”

“Why does he travel to New York with her?”

“Same reason.”

“Why did you bring her back to Kansas City?”

He nodded. “I care about her.”

“Then stop fucking disrespecting her. Either she’s your princess or she’s not. I don’t mean by blood. I mean in your cold, dead heart.”

His voice cooled to a degree above frozen. “I’m not the one who took her into public and kissed her, made a spectacle of her. That was disrespecting.”

It was suddenly difficult to swallow. “I won’t deny it. I kissed her. Jasmine is a beautiful and sensual woman.”

“Stop.”

Furrowing my brow, I narrowed my eyes. “Why is that difficult for you to face? Fuck, in the last two months, you’ve had three men make offers for her.”

His nostrils flared. “Is that it, Reinaldo? Is this a pissing contest? Do you want Jasmine, or do you not want anyone else to have her?”

“It’s not a contest. I want her, andsí, the thought of anyone else touching her is unfathomable.” I opened my eyes wider. “Have you spoken to Zhdan Myshkin in person?”

“No, I’ve negotiated with Kostya.”

“I’m man enough to face you in your home.” I pulled the kid’s knife from my holster and laid it on top of the big desk. “I surrendered my weapons. I took down your soldier. I’m the one who will walk through the gates ofhell for Jasmine.” When he didn’t respond, I went on. “You don’t want to see Myshkin’s double cross, but I see it. I also know the famiglia and cartel have proven themselves to one another time after time. Fuck, Jano and Mia’s baby is due in a month. Giving Jasmine to me will further cement our alliance. Don’t you want to look into your wife’s and daughter’s eyes and know that you’ve done all you can for both legacies?” The capo looked as if he were about to explode. Yet I didn’t stop. “Or are you willing to risk all that’s been accomplished for a pipe dream of losing a fucking splinter?”

The door to the office opened and the tall guard from outside came rushing in. I stood, reaching for the knife I had just laid on the desk.

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