She makes a face. “I suppose I can’t talk you out of it.”
“Out of marrying Tatiana? No.”
“I meant Reino.” She takes two cups from the cupboard and serves the tea. “Can’t Ulysses drive us?”
“I need him here to watch Noah.”
“We can take Noah with us.”
“Sending the two of you out into the streets is risky enough.”
Handing me one of the cups, she tilts her head. “Then why are you doing it?”
“The dressmaker can’t do the fitting here. She wants to make any necessary adjustments on site. There won’t be time for two fittings.”
Jasper takes the other cup and lifts it to her lips before blowing on the steaming liquid. “That’s what you get for rushing a wedding.”
“It is what it is. I want to marry Tatiana before her brother finds out she’s back. Just be there for her, Jasper. She’s going to need you.”
“That’s the only reason I’m here.”
I utter a laugh. “Do you think you have a choice?”
“No, but for what it’s worth, I’m here willingly, Dante. For Tiana.”
“Good.”
She studies me. “What exactly is your plan for her?”
“What do you mean, my plan?”
“What do you want from Tiana, Dante?”
“Tatiana and Noah are my responsibility. I want to take care of them.”
“Is that all?”
I shrug. “I want to get to know my son.” When she only continues to observe me as if she’s searching for a lie, I let out a breath. “I want to make their lives easier and keep them safe. Isn’t that what any father would want to do?”
She narrows her kohl-rimmed eyes. “So you don’t want to kill her? Or me?”
Amused, I smile. “No, Jasper. I definitely don’t want to kill her or you. I missed out on a lot, and I want to make up for that. Tatiana may not see it like this now, but marrying her is the only way of keeping her safe. You know what Teszner will do if he finds her.”
“Fine,” she says slowly. “I believe you.” She steps forward and presses a long, glittery nail on my chest. “But give me any reason to doubt your motivations, and I mean any reason at all, and I’ll off you so quickly you won’t have time to say dead.”
A smile pulls at my lips. “Why, Jasper. I didn’t take you for a killer. That’s my job description. Do you even know how to shoot a gun?”
“Oh, I don’t need a gun.” She smiles sweetly. “If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t do it with a bullet.” Her smile turns pure evil as she leans closer. “I’ll make sure it’s slow and painful. Maybe I’ll slip a little poison in your drink.”
She’s funny. Grinning, I lift the mug to my lips. “Then I better make sure not to disappoint you.”
She taps her nail on my chest. “You do that.” And then she walks to the door.
Looking after her, I shake my head. I’m not sure Jasper is a good influence on Tatiana. I wouldn’t want her to plant any ideas in my future wife’s head.
Jasper pauses in the door frame. She looks back and motions at the cup in my hand. “Oh, and I wouldn’t drink that if I were you.”
With a wink, she’s gone.
