“I simply wandered in here.I’m sorry.”
“No one wanders in here by chance,” he countered.“I don’t take kindly to contestants lying to me.”His voice lowered.“The house will not stand for cheaters.The Banker let you in here, didn’t he?”
Lo’s eyes widened.
“Actually, I did not.”The Banker stepped into the room.
Misterioso growled under his breath.
“I also have to wonder whyyouare in here, Misterioso.”The Banker tilted his head to the side.“This is not your study.”
Then whose was it?The Banker had made reference to another Gamemaker.Was it theirs?
Misterioso said nothing.A vein stood out from his neck.
The Banker’s smirk grew.“But if you allow Lorena to leave, I will not mention this.”
Lo took the opportunity to rush to his side.
Misterioso gritted his teeth.“Very well.Just bear in mind, if a player sniffs around where they do not belong, the outcome may not be good foranyof us.”
It was a threat, yet the Banker didn’t seem the least bit bothered.“I’m well aware.”He offered his arm.Lo let him lead her out of the study.Once they were out of earshot, he turned to her.
“Lorena,” he began, voice soft and serious.
There was his disgusting pity again.It didn’t suit him the least bit.“Whose study is that?”she interrupted.
He frowned.
She thoughtFine.Be that way.“Do you regret gambling here for a woman?”
The Banker stared straight ahead, but Lo felt his forearm tense up.“The outside world no longer matters to me.”
The answer felt stale.Over-rehearsed.
“You followed her here the first chance you got.But here you remain.Which means she must have failed in the games.She’s dead, isn’t she?”
He turned to her, eyes flashing, but then looked away as if putting himself back together.
“A tragedy,” she continued.“One that must have caused you great pain, and yet, now you damn everyone else foolish enough to wager away their souls.How can you live with yourself?”
“Lorena,” he croaked.“I think I know what you want.”
Heknew that she wanted to destroy the house?Not likely.
“I can help you.”
“How?”Now she was intrigued.
He glanced over his shoulder.“Not here.Not like this.It’s a delicate line, and if we are careless, it could have disastrous consequences.”
What was he getting at?What did he think she wanted?
He slipped a golden key into her hand.“On the tenth floor past the fountain, there is a locked elevator.Get onto it and go to the top floor.My chambers are the first door on the left.Meet me there.”Without another word, he walked off.
Lo watched him go.Her fingers wrapped around the key.It could be a trap, but if anyone had the power to destroy the house, it was him.And she would do anything to gain that power, no matter the price.
SEVENTEENMayté
