Poker Face (The Masks Series Book 4) Read Free Page A

kill him. I’m guessing he’s more afraid of you than he is of Diego Mendez.”
    “So he should be.” Santiago’s hand left my body.
    Thank God!
    He stepped away from me, folding his arms across his broad chest. If Bruno hadn’t been holding me, I would have crumpled to the floor. Sheer relief pulsed through me.
    I blinked, trying to clear my mounting tears so I could see my captor properly. The fear of being sold and abused made me search for more, anything that could save me.
    “I had to tell Miguel the truth to save my life. He was going to kill me, or hand me over to Mendez. I could see how much he needed money, so I told him I could win him some big cash at poker. He made me prove it, and I didn’t let him down.”
    “Your skills won him out of debt.”
    “Yes.” My shaky head bobbed.
    “A debt he owed me.”
    I swallowed.
    “That was why Bruno was at the game. He was there to make sure Mr. Vera paid me back.”
    “But he—he did. He earned enough to cover his debt. I could see when we left that he...” I blinked, realization dawning on me way too slowly.
    He'd looked annoyed, unsettled, resigned.
    My shoulders sagged with a sigh.
    Santiago’s lips twitched. “You, my dear, are the interest incurred on his loan. He is now a free man.” He snorted with a soft laugh. “It was a foolish move on his part. That idiot has never been able to think past tomorrow. So impulsive.” He scoffed and wagged his finger at me. “But if you can do what he says you can, I will be the richer man.”
    “What are you going to do with me?”
    His lower lip stuck out as he bobbed his head. “I need to sleep on it, but I have had a few ideas.”
    The dark smile was back and I shrunk away from it.
    He chuckled. “Oh, you do see well.” Flicking his gaze back to Bruno, he tipped his head to the left. “Put her in the second guest room.”
    Bruno nodded. With his mask off, I saw his tongue glide over his lips again. I tugged against him, digging my heels into the carpet. I could see exactly where he intended to put me, and what he intended to do once he put me there.
    “No, please.” I strained and pulled, my feet slipping on the carpet. “I won’t help you if you let him touch me!”
    Santiago paused, turning to look at his nephew. His eyes narrowed and I threw Bruno’s mask on, scoffing at his completely innocent confusion.
    “That’s not what I’m seeing!” I pointed at his face.
    Santiago’s lips twitched, his soft chuckle growing into triumphant laughter. He wagged his finger at me again and bobbed his head, running his tongue over his bottom teeth and looking damn pleased with himself.
    “No one touches her tonight,” he finally muttered.
    “But Uncle...”
    “No one.” He snapped his fingers and pointed at Bruno, his look of warning clear for all to read. “I want her fresh for the morning.”
    Bruno let out a disappointed tut. “Yes, Uncle.”
    He roughly swung me around. I tripped over my long dress and he caught me against him.
    His hungry smirk made me shiver, but it was snapped away by Santiago’s loud, “Bruno!”
    We both flinched, looking across at the man. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he shot his nephew a look that had him reluctantly stepping away.
    I wobbled on my legs, feeling like a newborn foal.
    “Sal.” Santiago clicked his fingers. Moments later, a tall man with arms like tree trunks appeared behind him.
    “Sí, señor.”
    Santiago pointed at me. “Take her to the second guest room. Guard the door. No one in or out.”
    Sal nodded and approached me, gently taking my arm and leading me past a seething Bruno.
    He walked me into a plush room with a king-sized bed. Silky, cream sheets were tucked neatly around the mattress. Heavy gold drapes hid me from the outside world. Flicking on the lights, Sal turned to face me and I snatched off his mask. I expelled a soft breath, tears of relief welling in my eyes.
    Sal would obey his boss.
    With a swift nod, he left me in the