Carlos growled.“It really pisses me off how you’re acting so friendly and familiar with her.Why now?You wanted nothing to do with either of us before.”
Mayté’s shoulders shook and her face was just as red as Carlos’s.She looked as if she might burst into tears.
“I know it won’t mean much to you,” Dominic said.“But I’ve been occupied with some other matters—”
Carlos drew back his fist, ready to punch.
“Stop!”Lo jumped up from her seat.Not for Dominic, but for Mayté.Carlos froze instantly, as if her words were infused with magic.She had that effect, even on him, without trying.“Enough, Carlos.”She grasped his arm.He didn’t look particularly muscular, but his arms were strong.Likely from the strenuous odd jobshe had to do to keep his family afloat.“It won’t help anyone if you make a scene.”She looked up at Carlos.
“Yes, please don’t do that.”A new voice chimed in.
Lo and the boys whirled around with a jolt.Misterioso stood inches behind them.When had he even arrived?With a jovial grin, he tipped his white top hat.
Lo’s heart skipped several beats.“Thank you,” she said.
He gave Carlos and Dominic a hardy smack on the back, before turning to the table now filled with the rest of the players.Just like last night, one seat remained empty.“Top of the morning to you, dear contestants.I hope everyone rested well.”
No one said they had.Someone coughed.Another person mumbled something under their breath.
Misterioso ignored the lukewarm response.“Our next game will be in …” He checked his giant hourglass.“An hour’s time.Don’t be tardy.Our croupiers and most certainly our Banker do not enjoy waiting.Now, then.I’m sure you’re curious about what’s to come.Each day, there will be two rounds.”He held up two fingers.Even when wearing gloves, it was obvious that his fingers were long and bony.“One in the afternoon, and one in the evening.This will go on day by day until the winner or winners are declared.”
Lo’s stomach lurched.
“In the past, the eliminations have taken as long as a week.I wish you all the best of luck and a satisfying breakfast,” he said with a bow.
Carlos turned back to Mayté, but she still refused to look his way.His face twisted with pain and anger.“Tch.”He stomped to the elevator.
Mayté lowered her head and roughly wiped at her eyes.
“Listen,” Lo whispered.“Try not to let him get to you.Remember our plan.”
“I know,” Mayté’s voice cracked, but then with a stubborn grunt she took a big bite of food.Good.
Lo needed to focus on her plan too.From the corner of her eye, she watched Misterioso as he moved around the table.Her heart beat faster as she plotted and planned.Maybe he was the one she should have pursued all along instead of searching for Mamá last night.She shoveled down the rest of her breakfast before turning to Mayté.“I’ll see you in the next round.”There wasn’t any time to explain herself.She practically jumped out of her seat and rushed after Misterioso as he stepped into the elevator.“Mind if I join you?”She slipped through the doors just before they closed.
“Oh!Lorena.”Misterioso looked surprised and eyed her up and down.Displeasure sparked in his dark eyes, visible even behind his mask.“Shouldn’t you finish your meal?There will be no time for eating once the next round begins.”
That wasn’t the reaction she had been expecting.Most men would be more than pleased to have a private moment with her like this, but Misterioso pulled out a cigar and began puffing away.He seemed less than interested.
Lo carried on, undeterred.“I’m a light eater,” she replied.The elevator slowed to a stop.She needed to hurry.“And I wanted to make sure all was well after last night.I hope it’s okay that I accepted that key from the Banker.”She twirled one of her curls.Come on.Take the bait.
Misterioso exhaled a puff of smoke and pulled the cigar away from his lips.A few glowing cinders flitted to the floor, transforming into marigold petals.His narrowed gaze turned almost wary.“All will be well as long as you remember you are simply a contestant.Nothing more.”
Lo’s eyes widened.“I—”
“Do not get it confused.”With a ding, the door opened and Misterioso stepped out, leaving behind a puff of smoke.For a moment, it looked like a skull.
“Wait.”She tried to follow, but someone grabbed her arm.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”The Banker stood among the smoky haze.Had he been in the elevator this entire time?He smirked, as if amused by her shock.
Lo recovered quickly.“Oh, so I have a guardian angel now?”
The Banker let out a breath, a mixture between a sigh and laugh.“You could say I’m looking out for you.Trust me when I say Misterioso holds his cards close to his chest.”
Very well, Lo thought.Change of plans.The energy coming off the Banker was decidedly different from Misterioso’s.“What about you?”Lo curled her lips into a smile.She didn’t make a move to pull her arm out of his grasp.
“Whataboutme?”The Banker raised an eyebrow, blue eyes gleaming.
