Page 59 of Four Cards Exposed

19

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Susan

The referee had barely stepped aside when Guerrero threw the first punch. James blocked and dodged, but it seemed to Susan that the tone for the fight was set.

Both men were shirtless. In the low, yellow light their muscles gleamed—Guerrero, thick and rugged. And James, who was pure, lean, masculine strength.

Susan shivered, surprised at how badly she wanted him. Even now, after he’d gone behind her back to get her off the case.

None of the punches they’d traded so far were dangerous, but, eventually, one of them would land a real hit.

She’d caught James’s signal before the fight started. His hand had grazed his left eyebrow, just over his newest scar. Just a quick touch, but it was enough to let her know that Ernesto Mendoza was on the boat.

I’m ready.

She was so fucking ready for this to end.

“Milena, the drinks!” Susan heard Pia as if from a distance. She looked down at the now-empty tray in her hands. Guests had grabbed all the drinks, and she hadn’t even noticed.

“Coming!” she said, staggering to the bar. She grabbed the copper surface to stop herself from pitching face-forward onto a drunk customer.

Was the boat rocking this much, just a few minutes ago?

She didn’t know much about ships, but this didn’t feel great, and a couple of guests looked about as green as she felt. Other waitresses—women with much more experience than her, who were normally adept at carrying drinks without spilling a single drop, were now struggling as well.

Pia took one look at her and sighed. “It looks like it’s going to be one of those nights. Are you going to be okay?” Pia asked. Her cool hand grazed Susan’s cheek.

Am I going to be okay?

Are any of us going to be okay?

But of course Pia didn’t know anything was going to happen. She was talking about the storm, only.

A part of Susan wanted to warn Pia to stay behind the bar, but she couldn’t say anything. She could only hope she and the rest of the women would have the sense to keep their heads down when the time came.

“Damn these heels,” she said, instead.

“You can say that again,” Pia laughed. “Here. Take these drinks back there. There will be some guests with strong stomachs, and they’ll keep right on drinking.”

Susan saw the glasses were only half-full this time around. She took the tray in her hands, steadying it against her side, then headed back towards the fighting ring.

Is that the wind howling above us?

She stopped, transfixed, as James stumbled and stepped right into Guerrero’s crisp hook, which slammed up into his liver.

James groaned, going white as a sheet. For a moment, Susan thought he would faint on the mat.

Maybe that’d be for the best.

Fight over.

But James didn’t fall.

“¿Quieres más, cabrón?” Guerrero taunted.

James straightened with effort, baring his teeth at Guerrero. Susan could see the way his nails dug into his palms.