Page 60 of Queens and Monsters

I stood taller. “Then we’ll marry.”

The next few hours were spent texting Jano, nursing a glass of bourbon, and pacing between the capo’s living room and office. The man with Zhdanwas identified as Dmitri Makarova. Dario would get his head. I’d fucking deliver it on a silver platter.

Every now and then, I’d receive an update from upstairs. It was either Cat or the housekeeper. Once Camila arrived, she also kept me updated.

I turned as Cat came down the stairs. “Jasmine will be down in a minute.”

My pulse jumped. “How is she?”

“She’s weak and tired, but she’ll be all right.”

Setting my drink on a nearby table, I made my way to the bottom of the staircase. It took all my restraint not to run up the stairs and help her come down. My focus was entirely on the second level, to the point where I didn’t know or care who else was waiting for her descent.

My heart hammered behind my breastbone when she came into view. She and Camila were talking but stopped when her beautiful blue stare met mine. By the time she reached the bottom of the staircase, her cheeks and neck were filled with a crimson hue.

“Rei.”

I offered her my hand. Hesitantly, she took it.

“I’m sorry if I said…I don’t remember?—”

When her sock-covered feet landed on the main-level marble, I fell to one knee. “Jasmine, I’ve never lied to you. I want you as my wife. I’m not a good man. I am an honest man. I want you beside me. I want to make you happy and keep you safe. However…” —I took a breath— “I need to know that it’s what you want. Will you marry me?”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked around.

It was the first time I thought about having an audience.

“Is this real?” she asked, looking at someone behind me. Her attention went to me. “Yes, Rei. I want to marry you. You and only you.”

I stood, still holding her hand. “I don’t have a ring, but we’ll get one, the biggest diamond you’ve ever seen.”

She shook her head. “I don’t need a big diamond. I just want you.” She pushed up on her tiptoes, but before her lips met mine, the capo cleared his throat. We both turned to him.

“Jasmine, we have some miscommunication to discuss.”

Shyly smiling, she took a step back. “When? When will we marry?”

“Tonight,preciosa.”

“Tonight?”

“I guess it depends on what happens during your discussion with the capo.”

Biting her lip, she nodded and hurried toward Dario’s office.

Dante came forward and patted my shoulder. “Huge cajones. Enormous.”

“Didn’t realize there was an audience.”

He retrieved my unfinished glass of bourbon and brought it to me. “Giant.”

Chapter

Twenty-One

Jasmine

Dario waited by the door. As soon as I entered, he closed it. Instead of sitting behind his desk, he took the chair to my side as I sat in the same place where only a day ago, I’d learned my fate with Zhdan. This felt different. For what seemed like an eternity, silence reigned. It wasn’t uncomfortable, more like a warm blanket on a cool night.

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