Poker Face (The Masks Series Book 4) (13 page)

Eric

I didn’t know what it was about the girl in red and gold, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Dad and I walked as far as The Venetian before turning back to the hotel. Our amble through the streets seemed kind of aimless and only made me jittery. It didn’t take Dad long to pick up on my vibe.

“Let’s head back.”

“Yeah.” I shrugged with a sigh. “I guess so.”

My eyes scanned the streets as we walked past groups of giggling girls, scantily clad couples with their arms around each other, women dressed in bikinis with large feathers sprouting out of their shameless costumes. I couldn’t count the amount of cards with topless women that were thrust at me. It was sick but I took them, checking to make sure Caity wasn’t on any of them before I threw them away.

I don’t know what I would have done if I had seen her. The thought of Caity being forced to do something that degrading made me want to kill something. She’d given herself to me willingly. It had been sweet and perfect...pure. We’d only ever had each other, and the thought of another man violating her... I ground my teeth together, pulling in a few sharp breaths.

Two girls in tight shorts and barely-there tank tops swayed past us, their eyes lingering up my body in appreciation. I wrinkled my nose at them. I didn’t want fake and plastic. I wanted real, soulful, genuine. I wanted Caity.

That’s why I’d barely flinched when we walked passed the black-haired girl in the sparkly dress. She was pretty and everything, with a body much like my girl’s, but she wasn’t my girl and therefore I wasn’t interested.

It actually bugged me that I kept thinking about her.

Shoving my hands into my pockets, I scowled, annoyed that I found myself looking for her as we walked back to the hotel. I’d only given her the briefest glance, but something in her eyes caught me. I’d turned away from it quickly, not wanting to feel that pull of attraction. I was a one-woman man and I’d stay that way until the day I died.

I just hoped I found Caity before that happened.

It was pretty late when we got back to the motel room. We didn’t bother talking, both feeling like our street walk had been a wasted trip. We’d lingered outside of the Palacio del Diablo for a little bit, but Dad didn’t want to go in. Instead he scanned exit routes along The Strip, pointing out good streets to duck down if we were on the run.

“If you hide there for a minute.” He’d point. “That would score you enough time to double-back.”

I listened, only half-interested in his prattle.

Dropping onto the bed, I let out a tired groan, my feet dangling mid-air. I didn’t think sleep would come easily, but my body was begging for it. My eyes were scratchy, my head pounding. Morning would be here soon enough and then we could get on with finding Caity. If I wanted to get there any faster, I needed to sleep.

I closed my eyes and swam towards the blackness, begging it to take me. Much to my dismay, it did, but the figure swimming towards me through my murky dreams was not the blonde beauty I’d fallen in love with, but a girl with raven hair and blue eyes like the ocean.

Caitlyn

Bruno hauled me out of the elevator and threw me across the penthouse floor. I fell down the two short steps, rolling in a heap on the carpet. Sal bent forward to help me up.

“Leave her!” Bruno’s bellowing words drew the attention of the entire suite.

Stomping down the stairs, he jerked my arm and dragged me up, his fist rocketing into my belly. I slumped back to the floor, gasping sobs shaking me as I held my stomach and curled into a ball.

“You failed.” He bent over me, his spittle landing on my cheek. “You hear that?” Brushing back the hair covering my face, he knelt on me, digging his knee into my thigh and whispering into my ear, “And now you’re mine.”

“Bruno, get off her,” Santiago clipped.

Cold-fear laced through me as Bruno remained on top of me, his long fingers running over my shoulder and grabbing a fistful of fabric.

“Bruno!
Apagado
!” Santiago boomed.

With a reluctant huff, Bruno stood, placing his foot on my hip. “She’s mine, Uncle. She lost me two-hundred thousand at that poker game. She failed.”

I looked up from the floor, eyeing Santiago carefully. His lips twitched, his mask falling to show me his deep disappointment. He didn’t want Bruno to have me. He wanted to keep using me.

I had to make this work.

Rising up on my elbow, I kept my eyes on Santiago. “You have to let me explain,” I started softly.

“Shut up!” Bruno’s fist rocked into my cheek.

It was like a cannonball. I gasped, a whimper breaking through my shock.

“Stop it, you fool! Not the face! She’s no good to us bloodied and bruised.” Santiago strode over to us, flicking Bruno’s foot off my hip and helping me stand.

Holding both my arms with an iron grip, he shook me until I was looking at him. I blinked at the tears threatening to fall, trying to pull a poker face that wasn’t interested in appearing.

“Explain, my dear, and do it quickly.”

I swallowed. “I didn’t fail you tonight.”

“I lost my money!” Bruno flicked his hand in the air.

“We were caught. I couldn’t let him win.”

“What!” Santiago’s word was a gunshot, silencing the room.

Bruno went still, his eyes narrowing.

Breathing in, I scrambled for the lie I’d conjured on my terrifying walk from one casino to the other. “There was a man at the table. He was watching us closely. I know I was disguised tonight, but something in his gaze was suspicious.”

“I saw nothing like that.”

“I wasn’t looking at masked faces the way you were.” I tried to keep my voice firm and even. “I picked up on it within the first few hands. He wouldn’t stop watching me, my hands. I had to start adapting my movements. I had to let you lose or you would have been caught and lost a lot more than just your money.”

Bruno didn’t believe me. His face told me everything. He didn’t
want
to believe me. He was hungry for my flesh. I looked away from his lusty expression and stared at Santiago.

“Please, I was only trying to protect him. I couldn’t have said anything there.”

“You could have whispered in my ear!”

“That would have just given us away!” I argued back.

“
Callate
! Both of you.”

I figured Santiago had said something like ‘shut up’, because Bruno pressed his lips together and glared at his uncle’s back.

Santiago gave me nothing. Both masked and unmasked expressions showed indecision, disbelief. My lips trembled as I awaited his verdict. He was either going to throw me to Bruno or give me one more night of peace.

“I want to believe you.” He let me go and I sagged against the table behind me. “But you still lost my family a lot of money tonight.”

I swallowed, knowing his fist was coming before it hit me. I doubled over, the punch feeling like a baseball bat to my ribcage. I couldn’t contain my sob; my body shook as I cradled my aching side.

“You saved Bruno’s reputation and for that, I will let you sleep alone, but do not forget, Carlotta, that I do not give out idle threats. If you are no use to me, Bruno can have you and when he’s done, we’ll sell you on.” He pulled my hair, yanking the wig off.

I cried out as the pins holding it in place ripped at my scalp.

Yanking the net off my head, he pulled my blond locks free, rubbing them between his fingers, tipping his head as he scrutinized me.

“The blonde beauty with eyes like the ocean. That’s how we’ll sell you. Men will be lining up around a corner for just a taste.” Using my hair, he pulled me towards him, sniffing my locks and running his tongue up my neck.

I tried to lean away from his hot touch but he grabbed my side, digging his thumb into my bruised ribs.

Tears broke free, cascading over my cheeks. I fought my wobbling lips, biting down to contain my disgusted wail.

He stepped away from my quivering form with a little snicker before glancing at his enraged nephew. “Oh, come, Bruno. You know she only has so many lives. You will get her eventually.” He flicked his head towards the living area. “Have a nightcap with me.”

With a huff, Bruno brushed past me, sticking me with his molten glare before stepping past his uncle. Santiago grinned at me, his smile smug and slap-worthy.

Turning to Sal, he clipped, “Lock her in her room and then ask Monique to come and clean her up.”

I stayed against the table while Santiago walked away. Sal’s hand was gentle on my arm. It hurt to move too quickly and I gasped as he pulled me up the stairs. He gave me a sympathetic smile, slowing his pace to a snail’s crawl. I inched my way into the room and gingerly perched on the end of my bed. The click of the lock was actually comforting.

Drooping my head, I fought a fresh wave of tears. I didn’t want to dissolve right now, I wanted to focus on the fact that I’d seen Eric. He was in Las Vegas! I wasn’t a hundred percent sure why, but maybe...just maybe it was for me.

A shaky laugh burst from my mouth, my lips forming their first genuine smile in what felt like months.

“Please keep looking,” I whispered. “Don’t give up.”

Closing my eyes, I gently lay back on my bed and curled to my side, imagining Eric’s arm tenderly weaving around me, wrapping me in a bubble where no one could harm me again.

Eric

My dreams remained murky and dark throughout the night. I was tossed in an ocean, surging over the waves. I kept flipping off my board, my body crashing below the surface as I struggled for air. Finally I’d pop free and gulp in some oxygen, only to be tugged below. I’d open my eyes beneath the salty water and be met by the girl with black hair and blue eyes. I tried to swim away from her but she chased me, her strokes long and fast. Grabbing my ankle, she kept screaming at me under the water, her bubbly cries growing desperate before she’d start to sink. My gut instinct was to dive after her, but the dream would always return to the beginning before I could.

It wasn’t until the sky began to grow light and my body stirred out of slumber that I was able to take control of the dream. This time when she sank, I kicked hard and powered after her. The ocean grew dark around her falling figure, her pale hand outstretched to me...and then she opened her eyes. Her blue gaze punched through me, her head of dark hair finally floating free to reveal...

“Caity.”

I sat up, her name a whisper on my lips.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I rubbed them with my thumb and forefinger, trying to figure out the watery images. That girl with the black hair had been Caity all along. I knew it wasn’t true, the dream was only conjuring my desire, but it was unsettling enough to get me out of bed.

I checked my watch; it was just after six. Dad was still snoring softly into his pillow. I straightened out my clothes and snuck into the bathroom. Splashing some water on my face, I tied my hair into a low ponytail. A few hairs broke free and I tucked them behind my ears.

Snatching up my phone, I paused at the door and hoped Dad wouldn’t be too pissed with me for leaving. Not that I should care or anything. I crept out of the room and flicked my hoodie up as I descended the stairs.

I had no idea where I was going. I just knew I wanted to be out in Vegas. I had a snowball’s chance in hell of finding Caity holed up in some motel room. I didn’t care that the city would only just be rising. I needed to be out in it, looking.

The morning air was crisp and refreshing. The sun was creeping up the horizon, hitting the tall buildings with a golden light. I walked the Strip, passing homeless people with their cardboard signs and groups of party animals that were only just stumbling to their beds. One father was out with a stroller, looking sleep-deprived as he sipped his coffee.

I started on the corner of the MGM Grand and the Tropicana. Stopping at a vendor, I bought myself a coffee and enjoyed the hot wake-me-up as I ambled past the large Coke bottle and the M&M store. This place was pretty damn cool. It would have been awesome to be here under different circumstances, enjoying what the city had to offer with a carefree Caity by my side. It hurt to think it may never happen.

No, I couldn’t give in to that thought.

She had to be here, somewhere. My dreams told me so.

I made it all the way to the Venetian before crossing over to The Mirage. Taking my time, I actually ducked into casinos, soaking in the non-stop atmosphere of Caesars Palace. That atrium with the blue, cloudy roof was damn cool. I meandered through, finding an access that took me straight to the Bellagio. Talk about high-class. The amount of money floating through that place must have been insane.

I popped back onto the street, walking around the fountains. The sun was up now and the sidewalk was starting to crowd with morning traffic. It felt a little safer than the night before. Tourist families were out with their young kids, taking photos beside the monuments.

I saw lots of cheesy smiles and peace signs. Shaking my head with a melancholy smile, I stopped outside New York New York and admired the Brooklyn Bridge replica. Plonking down on the steps, I checked my watch. I’d been out for two hours, just cruising around. It was probably time for me to head back, but I just wasn’t ready to go.

My phone buzzed in my back pocket. Sliding it free, I read the screen.

Where R U?

It was Caity’s phone again. Rhodes was no doubt using it.

Just walking the Strip and buying breakfast. Don’t worry, I’m being safe.

I got no reply. I assumed Dad was huffing and scowling at Rhodes, who was probably shrugging and saying it was probably a harmless venture.

Figuring I better stay true to my word, I popped into New York New York and grabbed myself a churro. Yeah, yeah, not the healthiest breakfast, but it meant I could eat and walk.

I stepped back out into the sunshine and knew if I turned right I could cross the road and head back to the motel, but my body took me left, back to the point where I had spotted that black-haired girl. The chances of her being there were zip. Even if by some miracle she was, I couldn’t do much about it. Her sharp-faced boyfriend had looked like a pretty mean guy and then there was the gigantor standing with them. Like I could take him on.

No, I had to save up my strength for whoever held Caity. I’d take on a tornado for her if I could. If I saw her, I knew nothing could stop me from getting to her.

I crossed the road and paused. This was the place. The Cleopatra girl had stood right there. I gazed down at the spot, picturing her thin figure and blue eyes, framed with that ebony hair. The image was so clear I felt like I could reach out and touch her.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and then started ringing. I pulled it out.

“Yeah.”

“Finished your breakfast yet?” Dad snipped.

I wiped the sugar crumbs off my lips. “Yeah.”

“Then get your butt back here. Rhodes just got confirmation from his contact that the Carlotta girl at Friday night’s game matches Caity’s description and she was there with Santiago Gomez.”

“The guy who owns the casino?”

“Yes, which means Vera must have sold Caity to him. We need to make a plan.”

“Okay.” I nodded. “I’m coming.”

Hanging up, I shoved the phone back in my pocket, my nerves zinging with the idea that Caity was that much closer to me. I turned to head back to the motel and noticed that I was standing right in front of Palacio del Diablo.

“That’s his casino,” I mumbled.

Before thought could stop me, I surged for the door.