Page 91 of Queens and Monsters

“Sí. It’s very big. How do you feel aboutmí madrestaying with us? I know that’s not what every new bride wants to hear.”

She squeezed my hands. “I think I’d love that. Do you know what today is?”

“The day we will meet our nephew?”

Jasmine’s eyes widened. “A boy? They’re having a boy.”

“Shh.” I laid my finger over her lips. “We don’t know that and if you say anything, Jano will never trust me again.”

“How long have you known?”

“Just since we left for Kansas City.”

Jasmine reached for her cup of coffee. “How did things go in Kansas City?”

“We took out Myshkin—both of them—so you will never need to be scared of Zhdan again and the connection with Myshkin and Herrera is broken for good.” I nodded. “We accomplished our goal.”

“Good.” Jasmine reached for her phone. “I should tell you that I received a text message from my mother.”

My brow furrowed as I took her phone and read the message. It was dated two days ago.

“Jasmine,this is your mother. I’d like to talk to you as soon as you feel comfortable. I’ve missed knowing about your life. Maybe you can make a little room for me, now that you’re married. To reach me, follow this link.”

“Did you click the link?”I asked.

Her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth. “I didn’t. Something felt off. For one thing, how would she know we were married? It wasn’t like Dario had it published in the newspaper.”

“We filed a marriage license.”

“Again, why would she be informed?”

“Myshkin knew,” I said, thinking about the problems he caused in Kansas City the night we wed. “Your mother is definitely connected to Myshkin.”

Jasmine exhaled.

“We helped the famiglia out with their problem. Now they’re going to help us out with ours.”

“Is that why Dante is here?”

I nodded.

“You didn’t answer my question about today.”

“It’s our one-week anniversary.”

Chapter

Thirty-Three

Jasmine

Four days later

We’d spent the last few nights at Aléjandro and Mia’s house. Now, with Arianna on her way from Kansas City to meet her grandson, Jorge, it was time for us to move up to Sacramento. We had no way of knowing if Jorge had been the planned name all along, but the way Josefina’s face lit up when she first held the perfect seven-pound, thirteen-ounce bundle of joy confirmed that it was the perfect name.

The first night in our home, just as I settled under the covers of our bed and began reading a new book, the door to our bedroom opened inward, and Rei entered, looking tired and oh so handsome.

“How is your mom doing?” I asked.

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