Chapter 29
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Jasmine
W hen I entered the dining room for breakfast, the somber mood was palpable. I took the seat across from Mia, Josefina to my side at one end where she always sat.
“Any word?” I asked, pulling out my chair.
Mia shook her head.
It had been three days since we’d said goodbye to our husbands on the boat ramp. Three days since we stood next to one another and watched the long cigarette boat soar out of sight.
Immediately, members of the staff were present, filling my coffee cup and serving me fresh fruit.
“Your omelet, Senora , will be a few minutes. ”
“No, thank you,” I said. “Maybe just an English muffin.”
When the staff member walked away, Josefina reached toward me. “Jasmine, not eating won’t bring Rei back any sooner. I don’t want him upset with me if you lose weight.”
“I’m really not hungry, and I don’t want to waste your food.”
“It is our food. You need protein.”
Mia watched our conversation with an amused expression. “Jasmine, you might as well give in. I promise you won’t win. Especially if Josefina thinks there’s a remote chance you could be pregnant.”
“There’s not.”
Josefina opened her big brown eyes wider. “There’s always a chance. You need to take care of yourself.”
“I’m pretty sure you have to actually have intercourse to get pregnant.”
“You’re married,” she replied.
Lifting my napkin from my lap, I laid it on the table. “I’m not entirely comfortable with this conversation.”
“Jasmine,” Mia said, “stay and eat.” She turned to Josefina. “Jano and I didn’t have intercourse for almost a week after we were married.” She smiled at me. “If Rei is anything like his brother, they’re good men who respect their wives. I think that’s where this conversation should center.”
I sighed with relief. “We are only now getting to know one another.”
Josefina leaned back as the server brought my English muffin. “ Ella tambi?n comerá tocino.”
The server nodded and walked away.
“I’m getting more food?”
Our mother-in-law smiled. “ Sí . You are too thin.”
I didn’t think I was too thin. If anything, I thought I could stand to lose a few pounds.
“See, I told you,” Mia said with a grin. She turned to Josefina. “Where’s Jorge?”
She shook her head. “In his office. All he tells me is that the boys are safe. But I know my husband, he’s stressed.” She glanced between the two of us. “Not for the boys.”
Boys.
I was pretty sure Reinaldo and Aléjandro were men—I knew it.
“About Herrera,” she went on. “I heard him speaking to Silas. When they find him, it won’t be good.” She inhaled and pressed her lips together as a plate with five pieces of bacon was delivered to me. “Protein.”
“Speaking of Silas…” Mia said. Directing her speech toward me, she added, “Silas is the head of Jano’s and my security. He and his wife Viviana used to work in Mexico for Jorge and Josefina.” She turned to Josefina. “My mother wants to visit. I’m afraid she’s not willing to wait until my due date. Has Silas given you any idea when I can tell her we’ll be back to the mainland?”
Josefina feigned a smile. “Arianna is welcome on Bella.”
Mia met my gaze and shook her head.
A truce of sorts had been worked out between Mia and me. Arianna Luciano would be a whole other level of problem. I wasn’t certain I’d ever heard her speak my name.
Mia continued, “I don’t think having Mom on Bella will work, but she can stay with Silas and Viviana until I return.” She ran her hand over her midsection. “Jano joked about having an obstetrician on Bella. If he doesn’t get back with good news soon, that may be what we need.”
“Are you feeling anything?”
“Just very large.”
A few hours later, I was lying near the pool, fully sunscreened and wearing a big floppy hat, both worn at the persistence of my mother-in-law when she took the lounge chair at my side.
“Did I mention that I have shelves of books in my office. You’re welcome to borrow one.” She pulled a book from her bag. I couldn’t read the title. Before I could ask, she added, “Don’t worry. I have many in English as well.”
“Rei showed me your office, but I can’t remember where it was, and I’m trying not to wander.”
“On the first level. Child, you’re welcome to wander. This is now my home and you’re family.” She scrunched her nose. “The only place to avoid is Jorge’s office. I don’t go there unless invited.”
“Thank you for making me feel welcome.” I laid my head back against the chair and closed my eyes. “This isn’t the way I imagined spending my first days as a married woman.”
Josefina sat up and put her feet on the ground toward me. “It occurred to me that you were raised by your sister? ”
I nodded. “Pretty much all I can remember.”
“And she’s gone?”
My heart ached. “She was killed a few years ago.”
Josefina reached over to my arm. “My favorite job in this world is being a mother. Jano and Rei are my life. I’m not trying to take Catalina’s place, but being away from home can be difficult. If you ever want to have someone to talk to, you can always talk to me.”
“Thank you. Catalina is more of a friend.” I sighed. “The thing is, I have a mother.”
“You do?”
“ El Patr?n must not have told you because Rei said Jorge knew. My mother was incarcerated when I was very young. Just before leaving Kansas City, I learned that she is out on parole.”
“Do you want to see her?”
I shrugged. “I can’t answer that. Josie, my sister, never spoke about her. Dario doesn’t have a high opinion. I tried to get ahold of her before Rei proposed, but I haven’t heard anything from her.”
When I sat up, I realized Mia was seated at an umbrella table behind us.
“Sorry for eavesdropping,” she said. “I didn’t know your mom was out of prison.”
“Yeah, another reason to not like me.”
Mia came forward and stood by our chairs. “I have a better reason for you to never forgive me.”
Twisting my legs to the side of the lounge chair, I faced Josefina and turned to Mia. “Why?”
“Rocco is the one who killed Josie.” Distress showed in Mia’s expression. “I’ve known that since it happened. I never told Dario. I probably shouldn’t be telling you.”
My breath caught. “Your husband…why?”
“My dead husband, may he rot in hell. He was ordered to do it.” She tilted her head. “Just like Jano and Rei follow orders, Rocco did too. Hell, he wasn’t smart enough to come up with the shit on his own. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to grovel and prove his fidelity to my father. Murder wasn’t even his worst sin.”
“Your father put out the hit on my sister?” I asked incredulously.
“I also think that Rocco was the one who scared you before classes started your freshman year in New York.” She exhaled. “He didn’t tell me that. I put the pieces together when Catalina told me what happened to you. Rocco had been out of town for a couple of days and when he came back, his arm was bandaged.”
I nodded. “I knew that. Piero shot the intruder in the arm. When Rocco came to the apartment with his arm bandaged, Catalina and I realized he was the intruder.”
“I’m sorry, Jasmine. Part of the reason I’ve avoided you was that since Josie’s death, I felt guilty.”
“We need to tell Dario,” I said.
“Rocco is dead. I don’t think there is any more punishment possible.”
“But still, he should know the truth.”
“That’s up to you. At least now you know the truth.”
My gaze briefly met Josefina’s before I took a deep breath, stood, and walked a few steps to where Mia was standing. “Thank you for telling me. We knew she was targeted but thought it might have been the bratva. ”
“That’s what you were supposed to think.”
I looked into her hazel stare. “Maybe we can try to start over, as Roríguez wives.”
Mia shook her head. “You should hate me.”
“I’ve done that already. It’s time for something new.” I had a thought. “Does Mrs. Luciano know about Rocco and Josie?”
“I don’t think so. The only person I’ve ever talked to about it was Rocco and now you.”
Josefina stood and wrapped her arms around both of our shoulders. “God, he works in mysterious ways. This is good for the two of you.” Her hands came down clutching our hands. “My daughters, you’re now sisters.”
I squeezed her hand back. “I think I’m going to try to find your office. Fiction sounds like a nice escape.” Although I initially headed for the stairs to the first level, I sidetracked and made my way to Rei’s and my stateroom. By the time I found my phone, my hands were shaking.
Swiping my contact list, I hit Dario’s contact. My diamond ring caught my attention. “I’m so sorry, Josie,” I said aloud as Dario’s phone rang in my ear. After the beep, I hesitated. This wasn’t something I wanted to leave on his voicemail.
As I hung up, I received a text message. Praying it was from Rei, I went to my messages. Disappointment washed over me at the unknown number. I clicked on the message .
“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.”
Something felt wrong.
How does she know I am married?