Chapter 5

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?”