Page 48 of Four Cards Exposed

James turned his bright blue eyes on her. For a moment, she thought he was going to shout at her as well. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down in his throat as he swallowed. Finally, he nodded and released the driver, who scampered back onto his truck and quickly disappeared, leaving the overflowing trashcans.

Susan looked for the skateboard, which had rolled over to the curb. She stepped onto the center of the skateboard’s tail and held her hand out, picking up the board by the nose.

She brought it back to the board’s owner, who’d joined the group of gawkers.

“Gracias,” she told the teen, grinning at his shocked expression. She felt good about herself. Maybe she’d pick up skateboarding again when she got back home.

James grabbed her elbow and guided her away.

“Jesus,” he hissed. He looked like he was going to punch something. “Do you understand the meaning of not calling attention to yourself?” She turned to give him a piece of her mind, but then realized he was also holding back a smile. “Come on, let’s go.”

15

* * *

Susan

Somebody tap-tapped Susan on the shoulder. She turned with a start, and it was pure luck that she didn’t drop the tray in her hands.

“Milena,” Guerrero said, stepping right into her personal space. “¿Cómo estás?”

Susan steadied the tray before replying, glad she hadn’t lost any drinks. “Guerrero, you’re back.”

“Did you miss me?” he asked, a broad smile on his face. He seemed different, somehow—bolder, more confident. As if something had happened in Mexico that cemented his position in this world, and he wanted everybody to know about it.

Susan smiled. She’d learned in recent weeks that a smile often made men forget they’d even asked her a question.

She looked up to see Moore and James walking towards them.

Despite James’s bold words a week earlier, when he’d informed Moore that he was going to pursue a relationship with her, he hadn’t touched her again. Most of his time, as far as Susan could tell, had been spent sparring in the gym or cozying up to Moore and his lieutenants. But today he’d come to the bar early and had been watching her all evening, an expression on his face that could only be described as hungry.

Susan shivered.

Does he want me, or is he simply playing a role?

Did he know Guerrero was coming back?

She trusted James implicitly, but hated feeling like she was in the dark.

Moore shook Mendoza’s hand first, the smaller man’s hand disappearing between Moore’s two large paws.

“Miguel,” Moore boomed. “How was the trip?”

“Good, good. My brother sends his regards,” Mendoza said, adding a meaningful pause.

Moore puffed up, looking like an overgrown blow fish. “Excellent. Guerrero,” Moore said, finally including Guerrero in the conversation.

“And what did your brother think about our idea?” Moore asked, looking around to include James in the conversation. “My boy here is ready to fight.”

Mendoza’s lips stretched into a thin line under his mustache.

Susan made as if to retreat, realizing she’d been standing there idle for too long, but Mendoza stopped her with a raised hand. He snapped his carefully manicured fingers.

“Muchacha. Unas cervezas.”

Susan looked down at the beers on her tray, offering him his choice, but Mendoza shook his head in distaste. “Cerveza mexicana, mujer.”

“Corona,” Susan said quietly, citing the name of the only Mexican beer the bar carried. Corona was one of the most popular beer brand in the world, but one not usually favored by Mexican men. She waited patiently for the outburst.