Page 84 of Queens and Monsters

Josefina reached over to my arm. “My favorite job in this world is being a mother. Jano and Rei are my life. I’m not trying to take Catalina’s place, but being away from home can be difficult. If you ever want to have someone to talk to, you can always talk to me.”

“Thank you. Catalina is more of a friend.” I sighed. “The thing is, I have a mother.”

“You do?”

“El Patr?nmust not have told you because Rei said Jorge knew. My mother was incarcerated when I was very young. Just before leaving Kansas City, I learned that she is out on parole.”

“Do you want to see her?”

I shrugged. “I can’t answer that. Josie, my sister, never spoke about her. Dario doesn’t have a high opinion. I tried to get ahold of her before Rei proposed, but I haven’t heard anything from her.”

When I sat up, I realized Mia was seated at an umbrella table behind us.

“Sorry for eavesdropping,” she said. “I didn’t know your mom was out of prison.”

“Yeah, another reason to not like me.”

Mia came forward and stood by our chairs. “I have a better reason for you to never forgive me.”

Twisting my legs to the side of the lounge chair, I faced Josefina and turned to Mia. “Why?”

“Rocco is the one who killed Josie.” Distress showed in Mia’s expression. “I’ve known that since ithappened. I never told Dario. I probably shouldn’t be telling you.”

My breath caught. “Your husband…why?”

“Mydeadhusband, may he rot in hell. He was ordered to do it.” She tilted her head. “Just like Jano and Rei follow orders, Rocco did too. Hell, he wasn’t smart enough to come up with the shit on his own. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to grovel and prove his fidelity to my father. Murder wasn’t even his worst sin.”

“Your father put out the hit on my sister?” I asked incredulously.

“I also think that Rocco was the one who scared you before classes started your freshman year in New York.” She exhaled. “He didn’t tell me that. I put the pieces together when Catalina told me what happened to you. Rocco had been out of town for a couple of days and when he came back, his arm was bandaged.”

I nodded. “I knew that. Piero shot the intruder in the arm. When Rocco came to the apartment with his arm bandaged, Catalina and I realized he was the intruder.”

“I’m sorry, Jasmine. Part of the reason I’ve avoided you was that since Josie’s death, I felt guilty.”

“We need to tell Dario,” I said.

“Rocco is dead. I don’t think there is any more punishment possible.”

“But still, he should know the truth.”

“That’s up to you. At least now you know the truth.”

My gaze briefly met Josefina’s before I took a deep breath, stood, and walked a few steps to where Mia was standing. “Thank you for telling me. We knew she was targeted but thought it might have been the bratva.”

“That’s what you were supposed to think.”

I looked into her hazel stare. “Maybe we can try to start over, as Roríguez wives.”

Mia shook her head. “You should hate me.”

“I’ve done that already. It’s time for something new.” I had a thought. “Does Mrs. Luciano know about Rocco and Josie?”

“I don’t think so. The only person I’ve ever talked to about it was Rocco and now you.”

Josefina stood and wrapped her arms around both of our shoulders. “God, he works in mysterious ways. This is good for the two of you.” Her hands came down clutching our hands. “My daughters, you’re now sisters.”

I squeezed her hand back. “I think I’m going to try to find your office. Fiction sounds like a nice escape.” Although I initially headed for the stairs to the first level, I sidetracked and made my way to Rei’s and my stateroom. By the time I found my phone, my hands were shaking.

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