Page 45 of Saving Blood

I snake my arm around her waist and draw her close, my body sated and at peace as my brain twists with all kinds of questions. Most of what she said didn’t match Juan’s intel, which either proves she is lying, or he is spitting bullshit to save his ass. Both scenarios work, but shit, this cat and mouse game is giving me a damn headache.

I thread my fingers through her hair. “You never did tell me how you ended up in Tijuana.”

“I’d tried to get legit fights in the States, but it’s next to impossible if you don’t have an agent. Some people told me there’s a lot of money to be made in underground fighting in Tijuana. Especially for women, and they don’t ask a lot of questions.”

Fact. You could get away with just about anything here. “But now you wanna go back to the States?”

“I didn’t expect I’d get threatened by a cartel boss.”

Interesting.

“How do you know he’s part of the cartel?”

“Ummm, just what people say around the gym.”

“I think you know way more than you’re saying.”

“It doesn’t matter because, a few weeks ago, I lost my passport, so I can’t leave, even if I wanted to.” She looks away from me.

“What about a driver’s license?”

“I . . . ahh, don’t have one.” She bites her bottom lip.

I prop myself up on my elbow and peer down at her. “When are you going to tell me all your secrets?”

“I don’t have any secrets.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “Nice try, babe, but I have a feeling you haven’t even scratched the surface.

“No, really, I’ve told you everything.”

“So, you’ve been in Tijuana a few weeks, Ricky hired you to fight here, then you lost your passport?”

“Yes, crazy story. I was out in a bar one night, and when I got home, my passport was missing from my purse.”

I stare at her for a second too long. “Huh, you get your passport stolen, then you got Hector Rodriquez up your ass.”

“I guess things aren’t working out exactly as I expected in Tijuana.”

“Here’s what I think.” I lean into her. “I don’t doubt Hector’s threatening you, but I also think you know him way more than you’re letting on.” I throw out the insinuation expecting her to react, but she just stares right back at me with those light eyes.

“I also think Hector keeps close tabs on you, and he’s done more than ask you to fight for him.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I think he sent you here to check out our setup and report back to him.”

“I’m no spy.”

I know how Hector works. He’d do anything to get his way.

“Maybe he offered you a better deal, and you’ve already decided to throw in with him.”

He also isn’t above offering her something, then screwing her out of it in the end.

“Or maybe you’ve decided to join his other more lucrative business. I understand his whore houses rake in thousands.”

“Never.”

---