Page 95 of Four Cards Exposed

It only made her cry harder.

* * *

Susan

Susan had thought that the instant where she’d woken up and found herself locked inside a dog crate would forever remain the worst moment of her life, but she was wrong.

Watching James stroll into the courtyard, his hands handcuffed in front of his body, flanked by Mendoza and two of his men, was much worse.

She hadn’t wanted to believe it when Mendoza had said James was on his way.

She could no longer ignore it. She knew exactly what the bait had been to get him here.

Me.

James’s strong lips curled up into a small smile, just for her. The brave, foolish man probably thought it would reassure her.

He didn’t realize that his being here was intolerable for her. That knowing he was safe was the only thing that’d kept her sane.

She didn’t want to see him die. She wanted him to live a rich, full life—even if she wasn’t there to see it. And now, they would both die.

Susan snarled at Mendoza.

“¿Qué estás haciendo, Miguel?” she shouted, her voice hoarse from all the crying and shouting she’d done.

She felt faint—she’d been out here most of the day, had been given nothing to eat or drink—and at the same time full of energy.

Miguel soaked up her fear and panic. He fed off of it. It was an aphrodisiac, for him, and just for that, she wished she could turn it off, but of course, she couldn’t.

James didn’t fight as the two men flanking him dragged him to a second pole standing next to hers. They ran a chain through his cuffs. It was a thick chain—thicker than the one holding her—the kind that would be used to drag a car.

Susan looked around. Now that darkness had fallen, the only illumination came from torches and hanging lanterns strategically placed around the courtyard.

Such a showman.

That’s what Miguel Mendoza is—a showman.

And we’re the show.

The men who’s been milling around the courtyard, cooking dinner or chatting with their colleagues, drifted closer to them. They gave the two of them wide berth, forming a circle around them.

Like a fight ring.

Susan’s stomach clenched and she wretched, but there was nothing for her to vomit.

More men drifted outside from the different buildings. Word must have gone out that the show was about to start.

Miguel waited patiently.

“How are you doing, sweetheart?” James asked.

Susan stared at him as if he’d landed from another planet.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she croaked. “Don’t you realize you’re making everything worse?”

James’s smile faltered.

“I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t,” he said quietly.