Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
Jasmine
A fter scrubbing my face, I dropped the washcloth, cupped my hands and splashed water to remove the soap. Opening my eyes, I saw that my flesh was pink. Still, dark circles remained. I dabbed makeup remover on a cotton ball and wiped away the remaining mascara and eyeliner as my mind replayed the evening. If only I’d said no. If only I’d done what I usually did and followed the rules.
If I were honest with myself, I wanted another kiss. The one Em and I shared last night had run repeatedly through my mind. Never in my life had I been kissed like that. That wasn’t true any longer.
Staring in the mirror, I ran my fingertip over my lips and sighed.
Rei’s kiss in the booth.
Just thinking about it did something to my insides.
While Em’s kiss set a high bar, Rei’s kiss pole-vaulted over that bar. There was nothing tentative about Rei. What had he said last night in the living room? He’d said danger excited and turned me on. That was what it was like to kiss him, dangerous, exciting, and sexually awakening.
And to think the kiss I’d wanted was another from Em.
When he whispered in my ear and asked if I was ready to get out of here, I didn’t consider the consequences. It was as much my body that wanted to go as my mind, probably more so.
The boots, jeans, and sparkly top were gone and replaced with pajamas by the time Catalina knocked on my bedroom door. “Come in.”
The door opened, and to my surprise, my visitor wasn’t Catalina.
Contessa’s red and puffy eyes brought back my emotions. “Jasmine, child.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Are you hurt?” She came closer, reaching for my hands. “I was so worried. I’ve been praying.” She scanned me up and down. “Did they…?”
From the first day we arrived in Dario’s home, Contessa welcomed both my sister and me with open arms. More than a housekeeper or house manager, Contessa had been the grandparent I’d lost too early to remember.
I squeezed her hands. “No, I’m not hurt. I went with them willingly. We just wanted to have some fun and see the city without the normal restrictions.”
Contessa took a step back. “You left willingly? With two dangerous men?”
“Aren’t they all dangerous? Isn’t Dario? Isn’t Dante?” I spun in a slow circle, remembering Rei’s comments about them being monsters. “Every man down there tonight at dinner is a killer. It’s what they do.”
“Not the same,” she said. “The famiglia has honor.”
My head tilted. “I’ve never heard you say anything bad against anyone before.”
“Jasmine, you’ve been sheltered. There’s a side of life you don’t know about. Horrible things can happen to a young woman like yourself. Monsters lurk behind handsome faces.”
But were all monsters bad?
Contessa continued. “Josie wanted to protect you. We’ve all helped to do that, but one day you’ll need to grow up. Not all men are the same as Mr. Luciano or Dante. Those young men. I see the way they look at you. You’re not safe with them.”
My neck stiffened with each of her words as a need to defend Reinaldo and Emiliano surfaced. “You are wrong about them.”
“If Josie were here?—”
“If she were here,” I interrupted, “she’d want me to be happy.”
“If she were here” —she paused— “a lot of things would be different.”
Dario wouldn’t be capo. The alliance never would have happened. Catalina would be only one of the cartel, not in our lives. None of them would be present. I missed my sister. That didn’t mean I wasn’t happy with the family we’d created.
“You know what Josie taught me?” I didn’t wait for an answer. “She taught me to see the good in people. She could always find a reason to be hopeful. She also showed me what it’s like to live a life that others don’t think you’re good enough to live. I would never think less of the men I’ve met from the cartel just because we have different backgrounds.”
Contessa inhaled. “I’m not saying?—”
“You are and that disappoints me. You can welcome Catalina and Camila but not the men in their family?”
“I worry for you.”
My door opened and Catalina stepped in. “I’m sorry. Ariadna was awake. It took longer than I planned to help her settle.”
“Do you need me to check on her?” Contessa asked.
Catalina smiled. “No, she’s sleeping now. I think the company has her off schedule.” She looked at me. “I can leave.”
“Please don’t.”
Catalina nodded, closing the door and stepping inside my room. “Am I interrupting?”
Contessa reached for my hand. “I just want you to be safe.”
“I am.” I swallowed. “I love you.”
Fresh tears formed in Contessa’s eyes. “I love you. You’re right about what you said. Even old women can learn to do better.” She walked toward the door. “I’ll let the two of you talk. ”
Once Contessa was gone, I sat on the floor, crossing my legs. “Will Dario come talk to me after he’s done downstairs?”
Catalina shrugged as she sat on the edge of my bed. “I don’t know. I’m not sure how long he’ll be down there.”
“Reinaldo and Emiliano stayed up here last night.”
“They did. This place has too many bedrooms. Besides, it seemed weird to have Rei stay with Dante and Camila.”
Yeah, he was supposed to marry her. I didn’t mention that. Instead, I asked one of the questions on my mind. “Will Dario let them stay?”
“Em is my brother. Dario won’t kick him out. To kick out Reinaldo would be an insult to el Patr?n . Of course, Rei could go stay at the mansion with his parents.”
“I’m sure Mrs. Luciano would love that.”
Catalina scoffed. “Arianna has more bedrooms than we do. And she has the space to house the Roríguez soldiers.” She looked down at her hands and back up. “I’m sorry to pry, but as I was nearing your room, I heard your voice…were you angry with Contessa?” She tilted her head. “And I heard your sister’s name.”
Exhaling, I sat back against my outstretched arms. “Contessa thinks I’ve been sheltered. It was what Josie wanted.”
“It makes sense from what little I know about your sister’s history.”
I sat forward. “I’m sorry if it bothers you to hear Josie’s name.”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t. You loved her. Dario loved her. Her memory shouldn’t disappear just because I’m here.”
“I know Josie’s history and mine, but I can’t remember life before Dario and Contessa. I probably am sheltered. No, I definitely am. That was what I wanted to do tonight, have a chance to see life the way others see it.”
“Contessa thought you were wrong to trust Rei and Em because they’re cartel.”
There was no reason to lie to Catalina. “She said I don’t understand what horrible things could have happened to me. The thing is, I do. I’m sheltered but not na?ve. I know why I have bodyguards. I trusted Rei and Em, and they didn’t betray that trust.”
She inhaled and exhaled. “I’m happy to hear that.”
“They said something else.”
“What did they say?”
“Reinaldo said he wants to ask for me. Marriage.”
Catalina didn’t act surprised. “What did you say?”
“Well, there’s more. It seems they both are interested.”
Catalina sat taller. “Dario will not approve of that.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think they were talking about sharing, more that one would choose me.”
“If you could choose, who would it be?”
Lifting my hands to my face, I sighed. “That’s the thing. I’ve been protected by being under Dario’s supervision, but I also lost the ability to choose. If I wed, the groom will be Dario’s choice. And after tonight, it may not be either one of them. ”
“He’s an open-minded man, Dario is. He would take your opinion into consideration.”
Before I could respond, there was a knock on my door. My eyes widened. “Speak of the devil.” I stood and walked to the door.
Dario scanned my washed face approvingly before taking a step inside. “There’s no way to sugarcoat this, Jasmine. I’m disappointed in your judgment.”
“They didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Taking you away without consulting anyone. You lied to Piero.”
“I told him I was going up to my room. I did.”
Dario inhaled and exhaled. “Pack your things. Tomorrow after Christmas breakfast, you’re headed back to Barnard.”
“Dario?” Catalina questioned.
I spun toward Catalina, who was now standing. “He’s kicking me out.” I reached for my own hand, realizing it was trembling.
“No,” Dario said.
Slowly, I turned back to him, unable to form words.
“Jasmine.” His voice was less harsh. “This is your home and will always be your home. After we discussed things with Reinaldo and Emiliano, Dante and I received reports from a few of our capos on the street.”
He was kicking me out.
Anything else he said was just noise.
Josie’s fear had happened.
“One time,” I said. “I disobeyed you once and you’re done with me?”
Catalina came up and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “Let’s listen to him. He said this is your home. It always will be.”
I nodded, blinking away the tears.
“Reinaldo killed two men tonight.”
“What?”
Dario nodded. “Myshkin is the head of the bratva in Kansas City and St. Louis. He has his soldiers on a mission to find the two cartel members and the redheaded woman with them. Jasmine, sending you back to Barnard early is for your protection.”
“Aren’t I safe here?”
“You’re safer away from here for the time being.” Dario turned toward the door.
“What about Reinaldo and Emiliano?” I asked.
He didn’t turn. “They’ll fight our war. That’s what matters now.” He walked away.