Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
Jasmine
I stared out the windows, viewing the world as I’d never seen it. It was as if the cold air buzzed with electricity, humming with energy. The ground, covered with millions of diamonds, reflected the city lights. Colorful holiday decorations twinkled. From the interstate, I saw the river. The sky radiated the golden illumination lighting the arches over the bridge connecting Missouri and Kansas.
My circulation raced through my veins with a sense of excitement and adventure.
Two years ago, I never would have left my home with the two men in the front seat of this car, especially without Piero or Armando. I’d grown accustomed to my bodyguards’ presence. Now their absence was magnified.
Dario claimed the alliance was solid and trustworthy.
He couldn’t blame me for believing him and thus trusting Reinaldo and Emiliano.
I didn’t want to think about Dario.
My mind filled with the possibilities of an evening out and away from watchful eyes. The two soldiers with me were conversing in a language I didn’t speak. A few words here and there made sense but not enough to follow their conversation.
Emiliano turned to me. “The website says that the Green Lady is an exclusive jazz lounge with Kansas City jazz musicians and shows every day of the year.”
“And I thought the entire city shut down for Christmas Eve.”
Despite Emiliano’s information, my skin cooled as the surroundings around us changed. Gone were the shiny towers of the financial district. Decorated trees were replaced by generic tall streetlights. Windows were covered with paper from the inside while others were boarded shut.
“Are you sure this is safe?” I asked.
Emiliano chuckled. “Anyone who approaches us isn’t safe. You are safe.”
“I don’t know about this neighborhood.” I ran my palm over my arms.
“We’re not far from the Green Lady Lounge,” Emiliano said.
I reached for my sweatshirt and tugged it over the sparkly halter top, unsure if I wanted the attention the halter would provide. When I put it on, I was thinking of the two men in the car with me. Our change in scenery was making me reconsider.
Rei parked the car on the street in front of a tall building with a limestone facade.
Looking around, I expected large neon-lit signs, but there were none.
Rei opened my door and offered me his hand.
Sparks rekindled as I laid my palm in his much larger one. “Are you sure about this?” I asked.
“Not even a little bit.” His penetrating gaze scanned the street, searching for possible trouble.
“Stay close to me,” he said, speaking near my ear and holding tight to my hand. “If for any reason, I’m not with you, stay close to Em.”
My gaze went from one to the other. “Okay.” I let out a breath. “Let’s do this.”
The Green Lady Lounge was much smaller than I expected. Of course, Emerald Club was my only standard, and it was mammoth in comparison. A small red canopy over the door had the name of the club. Emiliano opened the glass door.
We were met with a sign saying there was a ten-dollar cover charge. Rei’s hand released mine and rested possessively in the small of my back.
I turned to him. “I didn’t bring money.”
“We have you covered.”
Em was the one who paid the cover, peeling bills from his money clip.
The walls inside were painted velvet red. Vintage oil paintings hung from the walls and a colorful variety of lamps, looking like something from a century ago, hung over a massive bar. It was as if we’d stepped back in time. Rei led me to an empty circular booth. I scooted in and each man sat on either side.
All the waiters were dressed in suits and ties and the waitresses in cocktail dresses.
A man with a saxophone was on the main stage beside a large organ and drum set. Music filled the air along with the din of patrons. The eclectic group of customers put my mind a little more at ease. It seemed there were people of all ages, races, and styles.
My sweatshirt felt out of place. Unzipping it, I tugged it off, revealing my halter. Rei’s jaw clenched. His concentrated stare scanned over my top with enough intensity to scorch my skin beneath. Each second his eyes roamed was the strike of a match, igniting synapse after synapse until my flesh peppered with goose bumps and my nipples hardened.
“You’re stunning,” Em said.
My gaze met Rei’s. “You don’t approve?”
“Just hadn’t planned on killing anyone tonight.”
“You’re joking, right?”
Rei and Em exchanged glances in a way that didn’t answer my question.
A blond man at the bar caught my attention. His light blue eyes stared in our direction and his smile seemed sinister, telling me that he was equally as dangerous as the men at my sides.
“Do you know that man?” I asked.
Rei was the one who saw him first. “No, but if he doesn’t stop looking at you, I’ll make it a point to cut out his eyes. ”
I shivered at the thought as a waitress appeared at the table, blocking the blond man’s view.
“Welcome to Green Lady Lounge. Can I interest you in anything from the bar?”
After she took our orders, I looked around. The man was no longer at the bar, easing my nerves. “I took a modern history course last semester,” I said, beginning a new subject. “This place could be a field trip.”
I had their attention.
“Tell us more,” Em said.
“During Prohibition these types of cocktail lounges were a major part of American social life.”
“They were illegal,” Rei said.
“Yes,” I agreed. “Usually set up and run by criminals like Al Capone.”
“The Mafia gets all the good crime stories,” Em said.
Reinaldo shook his head. “It’s time Jasmine broadens her criminal exposure.”
After our drinks arrived, Em laid his hand on my thigh. “How does it feel?”
“Exciting.” I didn’t try to contain my grin. “Like I was saying, this place is like something out of an old black-and-white movie.” I lifted the martini glass. “Down to every detail.”
“You could never be in a black-and-white movie,” he said.
“I couldn’t?”
Em’s fingers gently squeezed my thigh. “It wouldn’t do you justice. You’re far too beautiful and colorful to be monochrome. ”
Reinaldo’s nostrils flared, and the muscles pulled taut in his cheeks.
“There’s another stage downstairs,” Em said. “Come with me and check it out.”
When I started to move, Rei covered my hand with his. “She’s staying here.”
“I would like to see?—”
Rei released my hand and lifted his bourbon. “Check it out and come back,” he said to Em. “She’s safe sitting here with me.”
“Jasmine?” Em asked.
I shook my head. “I’m happy here.”
After Em walked away, Rei turned toward me. “Are you?”
“That was my question. Am I safe with you?”
For the first time since we’d left the penthouse, a smile curled his lips. “You’re safe from other monsters.”
My quickened pulse returned. “Other monsters? Are you a monster? Is Em?”
“We all are. It’s how we live another day and how we can live with ourselves when we finally sleep. You’re not unaccustomed to monsters. You’ve lived with one for most of your life.” Reinaldo laid his arm on the top of the booth behind me. “I’ve been thinking about last night.”
Warmth filled my cheeks as I released the stem of my glass. “Me too.”
“Now that we’ve been formally introduced, I’d like to get to know you better.”
My breathing hitched as I found myself lost in his black orbs. They pulled me in, such as a black hole in space. I was powerless to back away. He reached for my hand, sending electrical current through my circulation. I found it difficult to take a full breath as his warm lips brushed my knuckles.
Silence ensued despite the busy lounge around us. Rei and I were in a bubble of our own. Rei’s gape continued. It was as if he looked away for even a millisecond, I might disappear. There was more than black to his eyes. Swirls of emotions lightened the darkness within.
“How much better?” I asked.
“Do you remember my question last night?”
“Not verbatim.”
“I asked if any man has ever touched you before, brought you pleasure.”
I sucked in a breath. “I remember that.”
“You didn’t answer me.”
“No man has touched me before you last night.”
His almost-smile reappeared. “That’s what I want, to be the man who touches you, kisses you, and brings you pleasure like you’ve never dared to imagine.”
“I don’t know you.”
“You know Emiliano?” There was something in his tone that made me uneasy.
“Not well, but I’ve known him since the wedding. I just met you.”
Rei shook his head. “We met at the wedding too. Jano introduced me. I’m apparently not memorable.”
A scoff escaped my lips. “That’s not true at all. You’re very memorable. The wedding was a bit stressful. I wasn’t supposed to be there. It’s more of a blur.”
“I remember you.” Again, he reached for a strand of my hair and ran it through his fingers. “You’re not easy to forget. But back then, the alliance was just beginning. As you know, it’s grown. And there are problems.”
It was the most I’d heard him say. “Problems?”
“ Sí , another cartel wants to take over our outfit.” He sat taller. “It won’t happen. We’re stronger as an alliance.” He cupped my cheek.
I leaned toward his warm touch.
“I want to kiss you.”
Words were beyond me as I nodded.
Our lips met, stealing my breath. Unlike Em, Rei wasn’t soft and tentative. He wasn’t testing the waters. No, just like his personality, Rei’s kiss was powerful, a race car going from zero to two hundred in the blink of an eye.
I didn’t know how he did it. The sensation of his lips wasn’t confined to my lips. I felt him everywhere. From the tingling in my toes to awareness in my scalp. Heat flooded my circulation.
His hands left a ghost of a touch over my arms until he cupped the back of my neck. Sparks smoldering within the ashes of last night’s encounter ignited within me. I leaned closer, pressing my breasts against his solid chest until I remembered we weren’t alone. Pulling away, my lips felt swollen. I looked down, concentrating on the gold chain around his neck.
Rei lifted my chin, bringing our gazes together. “That is how I want to know you better. Only me, Jasmine.”
Only him.
My thoughts went to Em.
I pressed my lips together. “I’m certain Dario wouldn’t approve. ”
“He will. I’ve made up my mind.”
Straightening my neck, I met his gaze. “You’ve made up your mind? What about me?”
A smug smile lifted his cheeks. “Your nipples are hard beneath this top. They were last night too.” He lowered his face to my neck and inhaled. “I’d place money that your panties are damp. You smell like the sweetest arousal.” He lifted his brow. “That is, if you’re wearing them. Tell me if you’re wearing panties.”
I blinked. “I can’t— No one has ever spoken to me?—”
“If anyone does, I’ll kill them. Only me.”
That was the second time he’d said that.
“Your body has told me what your words haven’t. Jasmine, you’re meant to be mine.”
This was moving too fast. “The thing is…I’m not a Luciano, but that doesn’t mean I’m easy or I’m less. Dario’s rules still apply.” Before he could respond, I let my anger be known. “I’m not a Luciano. You’re the son of the drug lord. What are you offering, Rei? Maybe I could be your mistress? I know, a piece on the side but not one you bring home to Mom and Dad?”
Reinaldo’s phone vibrated and his eyes opened wide as he released my hand. “Fuck no. I didn’t intend to insinuate...” He pulled his phone from his pocket and read the screen. His attention came back to me. “I don’t give a fuck about your last name, only that because of your relationship with the capo, mí padre has agreed to talk to Dario.”
“About me?”
His jaw clenched as he disconnected the incoming call and tossed his phone on the table. “ Sí . He has spoken with the capo. My intentions should be made public before anyone else thinks they have a chance.”
This was insane. “I’m not a hot commodity. I’m not Mia, the daughter of the capo. Vincent, Dario’s father, wouldn’t even speak to me.”
“He was an ass. Mí padre was leery of him. Dario, he trusts. The current capo dei capi knows your worth. That’s why currently, Piero is having his ass chewed.”
I scrunched my nose. “I don’t want Piero in trouble.”
“Those calls were from Jano. We’re probably screwed.”
Before I could reply, the music stopped, and the patrons clapped. Once the applause quieted, I turned back to Rei. “I don’t want to think about what will happen when we get back, but I do think you’re wrong about me.”
“I’m not.”
“Catalina says that Dario wants me to finish my bachelor’s degree before I consider marriage.”
“Forgive me,” he said, “but that was what was said about Camila.” Rei took a drink of his bourbon. “And she’s married.”
“You missed out on her, so you want to put your name on me?” I began to scoot away from him and toward the end of the booth.
Reinaldo reached again for my hand. “Stop.”
I looked at his hand and back up to his dark gaze. A moment ago, I wanted to continue our kiss. Now, I wanted to leave. His phone vibrated again on the table.
“Great night, Rei. I’m ready to go home. Maybe I am second class—or second choice. ”
He shook his head, bringing his face to mine. His words came out as more of a growl. “If we were alone, I’d place you over my knee. Do not put words in my mouth.”
Over his knee.
Is he serious?
“I’m not a child to be punished.”
“You’re not a child. You’re being unreasonable.”
“Me?” My voice was louder than I intended. “I think you’re refusing to face facts. Dario won’t let me marry and even if he would, I’m not good enough for you.”
Rei closed his eyes and exhaled, his nostrils flaring. “Listen to me. You are neither second class nor second choice. Mí padre wanted me to marry Camila. She wasn’t my choice. You are.”
A cascade of thoughts avalanched through my mind.
“What exactly are you asking?”
“ Mí padre is currently in negotiations for your hand.”
His phone vibrated again on the table.
Rei reached for his phone and turned it off.
Before I could respond, Em appeared before our table. If I didn’t know him, his expression and the way his jaw was clenched and tendons pulled tight in his neck would frighten me.
I knew him, and they did.
“Qué pas??” Rei asked.
Emiliano’s gaze narrowed. “Is something going on between you two?” He pulled his money clip from his jean pocket, peeled off a hundred-dollar bill, and slapped it on the table. “Tell me in the car. Vamonos . We’re going.”
The next part of the conversation occurred in Spanish as I scrambled for my sweatshirt and hurried from the booth. Em was the one to place his hand in the small of my back. Tension emanated from both men as they led me through the tables toward the front door.
Out on the street, large snowflakes landed on my hair and eyelashes. I wrapped my sweatshirt around me and asked, “What is it?”
“Myshkin’s men,” Rei answered.
Myshkin. I’d heard that name, but I didn’t know where or when.
“Kansas City bratva,” Em said as he rushed me toward the car.
I was almost inside the back seat when the gunshots echoed like firecrackers, and the windows shattered at our side.