Page 60 of Fortune's Kiss
But dogs usually lived several years.It seemed a bit premature to want to immortalize them.
“I never got to finish it.I was almost done, but I couldn’t afford to get the supplies I needed.Sorry.”
“Oh, if I had known, I would have bought your supplies and lent you a room in my hacienda to work in peace.”
“Really?”She felt warm, but then a swell of sorrow chased the feeling away.They were both in Fortune’s Kiss.She couldn’t let herself grow attached to another person.Her life, along with Lo’s and Carlos’s lives, depended on it.
“Mayté?”Dominic’s voice softened.
“Yes?”
“I just want you to know, I really am sorry.”
“It’s fine,” she said.“I don’t think the commission was meant to get finished.”
“No, not about that.About the way everyone in las grandes familias treated you.I should’ve defended you.Or, at least, ignored everyone and still talked to you.I think we could’ve been good friends.”
She didn’t know what to say.The young girl inside her who was still so incredibly hurt felt overjoyed, but the rest of her was strangely numb.“I used to have the biggest crush on you, you know.”
Now it was Dominic’s turn to look shocked.“Really?I—I had no idea.”He didn’t add any confession of his own feelings.Mayté knew he had never felt the same way about her, but it was okay.Now that it was out there, the lovestruck girl inside her could get over it.
“It’s fine.I know you’re hoping to win Lo’s affections.Good luck.”
Dominic stammered.It looked like he wanted to say something more, but then closed his mouth.He cleared his throat and shuffled his feet before filling the awkward silence.“Once we get out of here … can you paint a portrait of me instead?I’ve been thinking about that lately, and I would prefer that.”
Mayté frowned.He spoke as if they just had to survive a few more rounds, and then they’d all be free, but no.It wasn’t that simple.Nothing about this place was.“Dominic—”
“I know,” he interrupted.“But then again, anything is possible here.Look at where we’re standing.”He gestured out the window at the sparkling blue sea.“We’ve seen all the terrible stuff that can happen, but surely there are good things that can happen too.”
It was … optimistic.Foolishly so.But in that moment, after all the horror, Mayté truly hoped he was right.“If that happens, I’ll paint you the best portrait you’ve ever seen.”
But until that happened, she had to focus on her own plan.She rubbed the cut on her hand.
“Thanks, Mayté.”Dominic grinned, then patted his stomach.“I’m getting hungry.Want to get some lunch?”
“I’m going to stay a little longer.”
“All right, but make sure you eat something before the next round.”
“Sure.”
After Dominic left, she turned back around and gasped.The painting supplies had returned, and the targets shifted back into canvases.The painting of Alejandro was once again pristine and perfect.
“Is that a painting of me?”
Mayté jolted.She had been so shocked by the morphing painting that she hadn’t heard anyone else approach.
It was Alejandro.
He still wore his uniform, face paint and all.The sight of him brought back a flood of memories from today’s game.Carmen jolting as the bullet pierced her heart.Bright red blood spurting from her chest.The life leaving her eyes in a heartbeat.Then Señor Vásquez, giving up his hopes and dreams so he would not have anyone’s blood on his hands.Did he regret it by now?A lump formed in her throat.
“It is me, right?”Alejandro pointed at the canvas.He looked delighted.
“I—I—” There was no way to hide it or even explain herself.
“You’re very talented.It’s an honor.”His grin sent warmth to her stomach.“Though the hair’s a bit …” He leaned closer, studying the painting.“Is my hair really so flat?”
“Of course not!”Mayté bit back a laugh.“I’m not the best at drawing figures without a reference,” she admitted.
