Page 70 of Fortune's Kiss
His hazel eyes were wide and brimming with something she couldn’t quite recognize.If emotions were paint, her best guess would have been to mix together awe and terror, but quickly the fear took over.He opened his mouth to say something, but then looked down and drummed his fingers on the table.Instead, he pulled out a napkin from his pocket and scrawled something on it.He slid it to Mayté face down, but shook his head before she could grab it.“After the round,” he said, voice thick with trepidation.
She nodded and slipped the napkin into her pocket.Normally, curiosity would have gnawed at her, but right now she just needed to survive.Carlosneeded to survive too.
Carlos looked between Mayté and Alejandro in confusion.Mayté shook her head.She would explain things to him later.When they were safe.Carlos nodded in understanding.
“L-let’s get this over with, I suppose.”The shopkeeper pulled out the seat next to her, but Rodrigo shoved him out of the way.
Mayté’s heart dropped to the icy depths of her stomach.
“Sorry, amigo, but this seat’s taken.”Rodrigo plopped down and turned to Mayté and Carlos with a nasty grin.“I was hopin’ to get a game in with Robles’s kids.This’ll be fun.”He cracked his knuckles.
“Ay yai yai.Not for the rest of us.”With a grumble, the shopkeeper took the last available seat.
This was the worst possible combination for Mayté.Stuck in a game with her brother who needed to survive, the stingy shopkeeper who hated her, and this thug who was out to get her.Also, he had the El Valiente card, which would give him access to a dagger.That made him the most dangerous player at the table.
At the other table sat Lo, Dominic, Don Zelaya, and Xiomara.At least Lo would have an easier time surviving.The only one of that bunch who was a threat was Don Zelaya.
The same masked dancers came over and passed out goblets of drinks to all eight contestants.Their bright gowns sashayed around them as they moved from person to person.Mayté pushed her drink away.It wouldn’t help her.
Alejandro shuffled the cards.They flew from hand to hand and swirled around his body, unleashing a chilly breeze.Alejandro closed his eyes in concentration.He looked serene and graceful.One with the wind.Like San Viento.
“Stop,” Rodrigo barked.
Alejandro jolted, but easily caught every last card before any could fall.
“I’ll make this nice and quick for everyone.”Rodrigo’s lips slithered into a snakelike grin.
Blood pounded in Mayté’s ear.
Rodrigo took a big slurp of his drink and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.“Each of you needs to give me something.”His slimy gaze skimmed over the shopkeeper and then Carlos, before lingering on Mayté.“Whoever has the least to offer me dies.”He held up his El Valiente card.“Easy as that.”
“Wha—?”the shopkeeper sputtered.
“Can he really do that?”Carlos demanded.
Mayté shot Alejandro a frantic look.
“We need to play the game properly,” Alejandro said, voice clipped.“It’s not your turn.”
“Nonsense!”Misterioso drawled.“It’s a legal move.El Valiente can be thrown whenever the player chooses.Unless—areyoutrying to meddle with my players as well?”
Alejandro’s eyes flickered with fear.“Of course not.”He looked down.“Proceed.”
Mayté couldn’t breathe.
Rodrigo leaned back in his seat, resting his boots on the table.“Start making offers.Wow me.”
“Very well.”The shopkeeper sighed and stroked his mustache.His eyes gleamed and his fretting frown turned smug.“Spare my life and you can take my shop.Do with it as you please.”Instead of looking to see Rodrigo’s reaction, he turned to Mayté and Carlos.His face oozed with triumph.They all knew that neither of them could trump his offer.
“Ah, your shop, hmm?”Rodrigo twirled his stubby sausage of a finger.“Yes, yes, I could sell it for quite a lot.I’m sure.Now you.”He nodded at Carlos.
What could he possibly offer?Neither he nor Mayté had much of anything.
She gripped the table to keep from slipping out of her seat.What was there for her to give?A few paintings?
“I’ll give my winnings from the last round,” Carlos said.“And anything else I win in the coming rounds as well, but only if you leave me and my sister alone.”
“Carlos,” Mayté gasped.“You don’t have to—”
