Page 9 of Queens and Monsters

“I’ve never seen this dining room table so long,” I said as I helped Catalina arrange the water goblets at each place setting.

“Contessa has the whole seven-fishes menu down to a science.” Catalina questioned, “Dario didn’t invite his family here for Christmas Eve when you were young?”

My mind went back to my childhood. “Neither Mrs. Luciano nor the capo, Dario’s father, would come to the apartment after my sister and I moved in. They hosted a large celebration at the big house in the Ozarks, but we weren’t invited. Dario wouldn’t go. It was just us.”

Catalina came closer and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “Now, they’re all coming toyourhome, including Arianna.”

I scanned the table, set for nearly thirty. “They’re not all happy about it,” I whispered, thinking about Dario’s uncles Carmine and Salvatore. They’d rather starve than break bread with members of the cartel, includingCatalina. Their opinions weren’t swayed by a small baby.

She smiled knowingly. “They don’t have to be happy. Dario makes the rules. He’s determined to make the alliance work, and to work, we need to be one family.” She lowered her voice. “You’re probably thinking of certain uncles. Truth be told, my uncle Nicolas isn’t thrilled about the famiglia. We can ignore them and show them how wrong they are. I’m glad you’re open to my family.”

“To Dario’s family, my opinion doesn’t matter.”

“You are Dario’s family,” Catalina said. “And your opinion matters to me. I hope you don’t mind that my parents, Em, and Rei are all staying here.”

My lips tingled at the mention of the two men. “Your mother is nice.” I felt my cheeks warm.

Catalina’s eyebrows rose. “Em and Rei?”

I’d seen both of them again this morning, as Dante gave Camila the kitten. “They’re cute” —I thought of Rei— “and intense.”

She laughed. “Cute? I bet they’ve never been called that before. Intense is a good description.”

“Okay, ruggedly handsome.” I shrugged. “You’ve probably figured out that Dario is a bit overprotective. I’ve not had a lot of opportunity around men except for bodyguards. I guess I feel different around them.”

She scanned me up and down. “Be yourself, Jasmine. Yes, I’ve noticed his overprotectiveness. It’s because he loves you. I expect he’ll be the same with Ariadna Gia when men start to notice her.”

“Oh God. He’ll put her in a convent.”

Catalina laughed.

My stomach twisted as I wondered if Piero mentioned what happened last night. “I’m not sure that they notice me?” Yes, after last night I was fishing.

“They do,” she exclaimed. “I’m a little afraid Dario will pull one of his knives on them. Surely, you’ve noticed.”

I had.

Having the attention of one of the two was flattering. Having the attention of both was unbelievable.

“You’re stunning. You’ve grown up since the capo’s wedding.”

“You’re beautiful. You should be told every day.”

Rei’s and Em’s words came back to me. Before I could answer, Contessa came into the dining room carrying trays of shrimp cocktail over beds of ice cubes.

“The men are out of their meeting,” she announced.

“Do you need any last-minute help?” Catalina asked.

“No, thank you,” Contessa replied confidently. “Everyone is in the living room. Mrs. Ruiz is still holding Ariadna Gia.”

Catalina’s eyes opened wide. “Oh, Arianna isn’t happy.”

“You may want to intervene.”

“I can help you, Contessa,” I volunteered as Catalina hurried away.

Contessa’s loving gray eyes settled on me. “I appreciate you.” She lifted her chin. “Go out there with everyone and show them that you belong here.”

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