Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
Reinaldo
I gritted my teeth as Jasmine walked toward Cat. I recalled the sweetness of her lips, the ferocity of her kiss. She shared my hunger. Despite her uncertainty, her body responded to me. Jasmine was meant to be mine. I felt it deep within me. I willed her to turn around. No, this wasn’t her fight. It was mine. She’d already said her piece, defending Em and me. Standing taller, I clenched my hands in front of me, showing that I wasn’t going to pull out a weapon. I was ready to take whatever awaited me. I’d show everyone present that I deserved Jasmine’s hand. This wasn’t the way I had planned on the conversation going down, but it was too late to turn back.
The ring of men grew as others stepped out, encircling Em and me. Not only was the capo dei capi staring us down, but also mí padre—el Patr?n— and Andrés Ruiz, Em’s father. My brother, Jano, met my gaze. He had my back, I knew that. I also knew that this situation put everyone in a difficult position. There were others watching and listening, cartel and famiglia alike. This was the face-off.
Together, Em and I had fought life-and-death battles. We were both still standing to talk about them. This wasn’t our usual fight. We weren’t getting out of this by using the weapons secured to our bodies.
As Jasmine disappeared into the elevator, I wondered if either of us would be allowed to see her again. The thought of not seeing her now that I’d told her about my intentions for her, was equally as unnerving as the stares we were receiving from all the men in attendance.
“We’ll take this upstairs,” the capo said, his dark stare burrowing into both of us.
I started to speak but stopped at the shaking of mí padre’s head.
The capo continued, “This discussion won’t be a spectator sport. Jorge, Andrés, and Dante will join us.” He turned to his uncles. “While we’re meeting, find out what you can about what happened over on Grand Boulevard.” He turned to Dante. “Have you heard the final count?”
“Two of Myshkin’s men are dead.”
“Shot?” I asked.
“Rei, not your concern,” mí padre reprimanded.
“Yes,” Dante answered. “Myshkin’s blaming us. Said we sent cartel soldiers to test our ceasefire.”
Despite my father’s reprimand, I spoke anyway. “You didn’t send me. However, I was the one who fired off a magazine. I didn’t see the victims. It was too dark.”
Dario turned his attention to me. “You? You took Jasmine to the Arts District at night?”
“Yes. We were ambushed?—”
“With Jasmine?”
“Yes,” Em spoke. “Our goal was to get her out of there once we realized Myshkin’s men were present.”
“Fuck.” Dario shook his head as he shot a dark glance toward his brother. “We’ll discuss it upstairs.” He looked around. “Dante, communicate with the soldiers on the street. Everyone else, we’ll see you in the morning for breakfast. Jasmine is safe and for now, so are Emiliano and Reinaldo. As for the fallout with Myshkin, we’ll know more tomorrow.” He turned to his guards. “Follow protocol for tonight. Your jobs haven’t changed. Tomorrow we’ll talk.”
They nodded.
Piero narrowed his eyes at me.
Had he told what he’d seen last night?
Before stepping onto the elevator, Dante came forward. “I need your weapons.”
“We’re supposed to be one big family,” I replied.
“We are,” mí padre said. “Do as Mr. Luciano asked. You’ll get them back.”
Reluctantly, Em and I handed our guns and knives to one of the famiglia’s guards. No one spoke as the elevator whisked our padre , the capo, Dante, Andrés, and us to the penthouse. The doors opened to the familiar foyer. Unlike earlier this evening, the penthouse was eerily quiet .
I glanced around, hoping to see Jasmine. Although I didn’t see her, it was as if I could feel her presence and the aroma of her honeysuckle and jasmine scent. I glanced up the stairs as we headed into Dario’s office, where we’d been earlier in the night when Aléjandro declared we would win the war.
Everyone remained silent as the capo took his time, taking off his suit jacket, loosening his tie, removing his diamond cuff links, and rolling up his sleeves. Finally, he took the seat behind his desk. The entire room held its collective breath.
His commanding voice filled the office. “If you had harmed Jasmine in any way, you would not be alive. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Em and I replied.
He stood, his hands splayed upon the top of his desk as he leaned forward. “Emiliano, you’re my wife’s brother. And you, Reinaldo, are Jorge’s son. Because of that, your death wouldn’t be assigned to a soldier. It would come directly from me.” His nostrils flared and tendons pulled tight in his neck as he produced a long blade from a hidden holster and laid it on top of his desk. “My knife would have your blood.” His volume rose. “Both of yours.”
The capo sat, a vein in his neck visibly thumping.
“Dario,” Jorge Roríguez said, taking a step forward. “If these two men were guilty of atrocities against your” —he hesitated— “daughter, I would condone their sentence. It sounds as if instead of monsters…” —he turned to us— “they were reckless, irresponsible, and pe rhaps impulsive. For that, I will be responsible for their punishment.”
“You took her into enemy territory,” the capo said.
“We didn’t know,” Em said.
“All my negotiations and you fucked it up.”
Dante spoke up. “Make your case. Explain to my brother your intentions.”
Inhaling, Em and I looked at one another.
Em spoke first. “Our intention was to have a little fun. Jasmine was never meant to be in danger.”
“We wanted to break free from everyone for a little while.”
“How did you end up in the Arts District?” Dario asked.
“Green Lady Lounge,” I said. “It was open. Live music. The bratva men weren’t planned. We weren’t looking for them.”
“That’s their territory,” Dante said. “One of the few areas on this side of the river where we cohabitate. The new relationship is strained. Killing two of their men on Christmas Eve could fuck up our arrangement.”
“Then they fucking shouldn’t have started by shooting at us,” I said.
The capo lifted his hand. “They shot first?”
“Yes,” we said together.
“There are bullet holes in the rear of the rental car,” I went on. “Once Em saw them in the lounge, we immediately left to ensure that nothing would go down with Jasmine present. On the street, we were fired at. Em got Jasmine in the car, and I emptied a magazine into the dark toward the direction the shots came from. ”
The capo leaned back against his chair and turned to mí padre . “I trust you to make sure this never happens again?”
El Patr?n nodded.
“Our alliance,” the capo said, standing, “is still strong. We need to be on the same side to bring down Herrera. I will talk to Myshkin.”
Papá came forward and the two men shook hands.
There was a sigh of relief until I said what was at the forefront in my mind. “Capo and Papá , this is probably the worst time, but as for my intentions with Jasmine…” They were both looking at me in a way that would have shut down a levelheaded, thinking soldier. “I want to marry her.”
“Jasmine is not available to be wed,” the capo said.
“Shouldn’t that be her decision?” I looked to Dante for help.
Dante spoke, “Jasmine is in school.”
“Camila is reenrolled,” I countered. “Jasmine is an adult, and it’s time for her to leave the nest. She should leave with me.”
“Fuck,” the capo said, looking around. “I wasn’t planning on this conversation tonight. Jorge and Andrés have each mentioned the possibility that you both have interest. She won’t wed either of you.” He lifted his brows. “I’m in negotiations with someone else.”
“What the fuck?” I asked, determined to not allow that to happen.
“She’s not a Luciano.”
“We know that too,” I said. “Who? Who are you negotiating with? ”
“If you were paying attention, you’d know the answer. Since you haven’t been, I don’t need to answer to you, boy.”
Boy?
“Rei, that’s enough,” mí padre said.
“We have an alliance in place,” I said. “Respectfully, her current last name isn’t as important to me as her future last name.” I took a step forward. “Sir, you know Jasmine’s worth. It’s why you keep her so very well protected.” I brought my right fist to my chest. “I will do the same. With me, she will be my queen.”
The capo pressed his lips together. “This will not be mentioned again during the holidays. You’re welcome to remain in my city and my home through tomorrow. Stay away from Jasmine. My wife has plans for the holiday, and we will indulge her. Our minds need to be on winning our war. Is everyone agreed?”