Page 52 of His Broken Queen

“I need a fresh place to launder some cash,” Janero said. “I need someone who I trust completely.Someone I know would never betray me.”

“Gio and I owe you our lives,” I said. “We will do what you need.”

“Even if it means your totally legitimate club is the perfect place for you to launder my money?” Janero studied my expression. “Because that’s my price.”

Chapter 15

Luciana

“I win!” I raised my arms in triumph. “That’s three games in a row.”

“You always were the Rummy queen.” Sam gathered up the cards. “You still got it.”

“I missed this.” I smiled because for a couple hours Sam had managed to get my mind off that stupid disagreement I had with Romero. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I am too, Lu.” He pushed the stack of cards back into the box. “After that night Romero had to come and get you, I realized I didn’t belong with the Torrios. My place was with you.”

“What you did to protect me that night was difficult, but if you would have alerted Vincent or the other guards things could have been really different.”

“Romero would have killed me before he let anything happen to you. Besides, it’s always been my job to protect you, no matter who I work for.” He set the cards down on the patio table. “When Romero asked me to come and work for him, I could see how much you meant to him.”

I nodded before taking a sip of my iced tea, trying not to remember how hurt he was last night. When he left today, he didn’t kiss me goodbye. That gutted me.

“Is everything okay?” Sam asked.

“Yeah, it’s been a crazy few days. I’m drained and emotional, and I think it’s taking a toll on Romero.”

“Romero can handle your emotions,” Sam said. “You suffered a traumatic loss. You are entitled to feel how you feel. I’ve been with you a long time. Things haven’t always been easy for you, but you’re a fighter.”

“I’m tired.”

“You’re going to get through this.” He reached across the table and placed his hand on mine. “You’re finally where you belong.”

“I’m going to have to agree with you, Sam.” Romero leaned against the arch that joined the patio to the hall. He looked as impeccable as he had when he left hours earlier, but there was something off in his gaze. “Playing cards?”

“Your wife is a real shark.” Sam stood. “She never lets me win.”

“I didn’t know you could play cards.” Romero joined us on the patio. “I learn something new about you every day.”

Did he mean that as a compliment?

“I’ll leave you two alone,” Sam said.

“Thanks for keeping me company.” I waved as he left through the kitchen.

Romero headed to the bar cart and fixed himself a drink. The staff must have replaced the bottle he took with him to bed last night. He rattled the ice around in his glass before taking a long, slow sip.

“Did Sam teach you how to play cards?” He staggered toward me with the glass and the bottle. He didn’t appear to need any more alcohol this afternoon.

“Vincent, Rocco, and Sandro would never let me play. Sam felt bad for me, so on Friday nights we would have a tournament.”

“I’m glad he’s back with you.”

“Me too.” I ran my finger around the rim of my glass. “I appreciate you doing that for me.”

“I would do anything for you.” He took another drink before pouring more vodka into his glass. “Don’t you know that?”

“I do.”

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