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“Scholar’s Mate,” I observed. “I’m impressed. You did study properly, cosita.”
I moved my knight to F6, blocking her.
“Now, we can play,” I declared.
“When did you realize my strategy?” she asked, a small pout plumping her lips.
“I suspected on your first move. I knew by the second.”
“But you didn’t try to stop me.”
“You were so cute, trying to fool me. I thought I’d let it play out for a few moves. You’re not capable of lying to me, Samantha. You can’t play dumb with me, either. I know you better than that.”
Her cheeks colored, and her pout curved into a small smile. “Who do you play with?”
“Believe it or not, I do play online mostly. There’s not
anyone here I’m interested in playing against. It doesn’t compare to sitting across from your opponent, though. Studying you is part of the game.” I could sit and study her all day, and I was sure she’d still find new ways to surprise me.
“You play online? I thought you only got on your laptop to work. There’s like, no technology in this penthouse. I never even see you with a phone.”
“I don’t like to be easily reached once I come home,” I replied honestly. “This is my space. And if you’re worrying that I’m wasting my time playing chess while you’re tied up, don’t.” I recalled all the nights I’d suspended her in my ropes, so I could idly admire her while I worked at my desk. She really was a terrible distraction, moaning and sighing while I tried to focus on my laptop.
My voice dropped deeper. “I’d much rather play games with you. I really am taking care of my business in the evenings. This is the first time I’ve played a game in weeks. Don’t be too disappointed when I win this game,” I added. “I really am impressed with your knowledge of chess. But I’ve known Scholar’s Mate for years. Valentina beat me with it half a dozen times before I caught on.”
“Who’s Valentina?” Her lips twisted around the feminine name.
I didn’t have a chance to parse out the meaning of her expression. My dark emotions shut down my curiosity. “My sister,” I replied tersely.
Her shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry.” She hesitated for a moment, then spoke tentatively. “You lost her?”
“Yes,” I bit out. “I lost her.”
“How—”
“It’s your move.”
I hadn’t spoken Valentina’s name aloud in years. Why had I mentioned her to Samantha? And Abuela? They were my past, and I kept them buried there.
Samantha didn’t pry any more. Instead, she returned most of her focus to the game. But she wasn’t really paying attention, because I managed to beat her in a few coldly calculated moves.
“Can we play again?” she asked timidly.
I blinked, my full attention returning to her rather than remaining caught up in my memories. “You want to?” I’d beaten her with cruel indifference, all earlier joy in the game forgotten. Her request to try again surprised me.
“Yes. I’ll do better next time.” She straightened her spine, seeming to shake off the influence of my dark mood. “I know I can beat you.”
A half-smile tilted my lips. “Tomorrow,” I promised. “I have another game I want to play with my clever gatita.”
There was a way she could help me alleviate the darkness that had claimed my thoughts.
I stood from where we’d been seated at my desk and held out my hand. “Come.”
She took it without question and followed me docilely into the playroom. When I continued our progress toward the spanking bench, her steps faltered.
“Andrés…”
I paused and turned to her so I could cup her cheeks in my hands. I stared down into her eyes, attempting to impose my will on her. Instead, something like desperation gripped my chest.
