Page 58 of Fortune's Kiss
“Mierda.”Carlos rubbed his face.“This isn’t how it’s supposed to be!”he shouted.
The alcohol had only made him angrier.But Lo wasn’t scared of him.Deep in her heart, she knew he wouldn’t hurt anyone.Even in this state, he was as harmless as a rabbit.
“I was supposed to fix everything.For both of you.You two weren’t supposed to come here.”He clumsily pressed his fist against the door frame as if he wanted to punch it, but couldn’t quite bring himself to.
Lo’s heart jumped.He was going to fix things—forbothof them?
What was the wishhewanted?
“But now, I could never ask Mayté to give up her dream.And I would never forgive myself if anything happened to either of you.How … how did this happen, Lo?”His voice cracked.“We were supposed to be happy.How did everything go so wrong?”He tried to take a step, but ended up stumbling.
“Careful.”She steadied him, but it was awkward since he was much taller than she was.
He pressed his palms into the wall on either side of Lo and stared down at her.“Most of all,” his voice softened, “I regret not being more open with you.I wish things could have been different.”
The boy you fancy so …
The Banker’s teasing voice filled her head.Lo’s heart pounded.“Me too.”And she truly meant it.“Carlos.”She hugged him.Whether she was doing it to comfort him or herself, she couldn’t decide.
The moment the Robleses had fallen from grace, Carlos had stopped being an option.Her father would never have allowed him to pursue her.They both knew that.Yet the flame inside her heart that glowed for him had never dulled.It wasn’t something as simple as blowing it out.Over the years, she had simply become good at hiding it.
But now there was no one else here to see it.
Carlos may have been a mess in this moment, but the way his eyes took her in made her feel as ifshewere the one who was intoxicated.Seeing him in this state should have repelled her, but instead she found him handsome.Maybe the most handsome he had ever been.His gaze landed on her lips.Lo swallowed.
She wasn’t sure who had leaned in first, but suddenly their lips found each other.The kiss was short, sloppy, and warm.It ended much too fast.
Because even if there was no one to stop them, there was too much at stake to let themselves get swept away.
“We need to”—Lo gulped down air—“find a way for all three of us to win.That’s what Mayté wants more than anything.”
Carlos stumbled past her and sat on the bed.He looked up at her.Not with hunger like her suitors, or with mysterious arrogance like the Banker.Instead, his dark brown eyes gleamed with sorrow.“I don’t know if that’s possible,” he whispered.“But we know at least two can conquer the game.So, no matter what, you and Mayté have to win.”
“But, Carlos—”
He shook his head and stood.“Please, do what you can to protect my sister and yourself.”He strode past her, seemingly sobered up by determination.“I’ll see you later, Lo.”With eyes still full of sadness, he left the room.
THIRTEENMayté
Mayté strode the hallways with determination.Along the way, she passed Don Zelaya and Xiomara exploring the house, their eyes wide with wonder.Was the house leading them to whattheydesired most?Were they aware of the possibility?She certainly hoped not.She and Lo needed every advantage they could get.
She rounded the corner, glad that she remembered the way to the library.Her heart pounded with anticipation.She hoped more than anything that Alejandro would be in there, but even if he wasn’t, maybe she could uncover some clues hidden away in the books.Maybe, just maybe, she could find a way for three people to win.
With a deep breath, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.
But this wasn’t the library.
Instead of endless bookshelves crowding the walls and a cozy fire giving off a soft glow, this room was much simpler and brighter.The blue sky shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, revealing an azure ocean in the distance.This had to be an illusion, right?Fortune’s Kiss had been nestled inland, in the heart of Milagro.
Against the wall was a shelf full of gleaming arrows that looked as if they had been dipped in crystallized light.Next tothem were archery bows gilded in gold.Further ahead were targets.Once upon a time, she had learned archery.Abuelita had insisted that Mayté hone many skills so she could stay well rounded.Back then, it had been a fun way to blow off steam.Her aim had been quite sharp, too.But that was then.After her family had lost everything, they could no longer afford to pay for lessons, and even if they somehow could have, they needed her home to look after her brothers.
Surely she had become quite rusty.Still—
She grabbed a bow and arrow and took aim.That part, she still remembered.Her fingers trembled—and she lowered the bow with a sigh.
A mixture of sorrow and frustration clawed at her throat.
Archery—a reminder of what her life once had been and never could be again.
