Poker Face

by Melissa Pearl

  She had to be my only focus now.

  If I thought about anything else I’d disintegrate. I couldn’t bring Gramps back to life, but I could still save my girlfriend.

  “I have to keep moving. I have to keep going,” I whispered the words, digging my fingers into my skull. “I need her,” I choked.

  It was the truth.

  I’d lost Gramps. She was all I had left.

  I had to find her. I had to make sure she was safe.

  3

  Caitlyn

  The closer we got to the top floor, the faster my heart galloped. I seriously thought I’d pass out by the time we reached the penthouse. The edges of my vision began to fuzz as my mind exploded with scenarios, dread lacing each one.

  The doors slid open and Shadow Man pulled me into a lavish room with plush, black carpet. My feet sunk into the soft pile, soothing my aches for just a moment. I gazed around the interior, taking in the gold and black striped wallpaper and shiny, black furniture. Everything was square and precise—sharp, cold lines that seemed to encapsulate the tone of the room.

  “Santiago!” the man beside me called. His strong fingers were still pinching into my bicep, a vice-like warning that told me not to try bolting again.

  A tall, broad man appeared in the double doorway, his face was long and horse-like with a large nose. His beard was perfectly trimmed and he actually looked like a charming businessman, in his dark gray trousers and navy shirt. I ripped off his mask the second he appeared and all the charm vanished.

  His large, brown eyes assessed me, traveling down my body and drinking me in, as if savoring a fine wine. His wide lips twitched before breaking into a broad smile. It wasn’t pleasant; there was no warmth in the expression.

  I threw his mask back on to compare and found his couldn’t-care-less poker face easier to absorb. I kept it in place as he sauntered toward me.

  “Well, Bruno did not tell me how beautiful you are.”

  His eyes traveled to the man beside me. “Forgive me, Uncle. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

  They both smirked and I saw Bruno’s haughty victory. I threw his mask back on as well, hoping my eyes and head would let me take a quick break.

  Santiago ascended the two stairs and stopped in front of me, his body brushing mine. He gazed down at me, gently cupping my face and running his thumb over my cut lip and swollen cheek with a light tut.

  I wanted to flinch away, but Bruno slapped his hand on the back of my head and kept me still. My only form of protest was my rapid breathing, which only seemed to encourage them. They were like pit bulls, turned on by the smell of fear.

  Closing my eyes, I forced in a long, slow breath and willed my nerves to stop freaking out. It took a minute, but eventually I found the strength to open my eyes and gaze up at my captor.

  His lips turned up in a half smile.

  “What can you see?” His breath was hot on my face.

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  His eyes shot to Bruno who pinched my arm so hard I couldn’t stop a whimper. Tears burned and I blinked rapidly, willing them not to fall.

  “Tell me I have not wasted one hundred thousand dollars of my money.” His Spanish accent grew thicker the louder his words became. “Tell me that Bruno here is not a liar.”

  “Miguel assured me, Uncle, and I saw—” Bruno began.

  “Shut up.” Santiago snapped his fingers, his eyes still trained on me. “I am not a patient man.”

  I swallowed. “I can see that.”

  His head tipped to the side, his expression rising with amusement before pinching tight. His slap came out of nowhere. It stung my cheek hard and fast.

  I sniffed in a quick breath. That was my fourth slap in two days and I wasn’t growing any fonder of them.

  I fought the urge to fall into a blubbering mess; somehow I knew that wouldn’t fly with this Santiago man. He admired strength; weakness repulsed him.

  Pressing my lips together, I turned back to face him, peeling his mask away and letting it flutter to the floor.

  “I value my money, güera. If you do not give me what I want, I will sell you on.” He picked up one of my curls, rubbing it between his fingers. “Blondes are popular in this town.” Dropping my hair, he placed his large hand on my chest, squeezing me and running his fingers slowly down my body. “Young, firm body, long legs...”

  His fingers inched around to the split in my dress, lightly skimming my exposed skin. He paused, his eyes heating with a malicious smile before he pressed his hand against my hip and moved to investigate a part of my body that had only ever been touched by one man. I’d rather have died than have that fact changed.

  I flinched away from him, but Bruno moved in behind me, holding me steady.

  My struggle was worthless. My only defense was to give him what he wanted.

  “You doubt your purchase,” I spat.

  He paused, his eyes narrowing. “Anyone can see that.”

  I pulled the second layer of his mask free before that grimy hand of his moved another inch. It was hard not to be offended by his expression, but it wasn’t the time to be a princess. I clenched my jaw.

  “Your threats are real. I can see you’re taking pleasure in making me squirm. But you’re only doing it to get me talking. If I’m not what you’re hoping for, and what Miguel Vera promised you, you’ll feel cheated and...” I swallowed, cowering back against Bruno who was standing behind me.

  “And?” Santiago’s eyebrow arched, an amused smirk tugging at his lips.

  “A-and you’ll make me suffer before you sell me on.”

  His eyebrow rose a little higher, making his broad forehead wrinkle. “How do you know I don’t want to keep you...for myself?”

  Throwing his mask on, I caught the lusty look on his face. His eyes traveled down my body, putting on a show.

  I pulled off his mask again and scoffed out a laugh, totally humiliated by the truth. “I have no breasts.”

  For the first time in my life, I was actually grateful for it.

  I cleared my throat. “I can see the disappointment in your eyes. You like a woman with curves, not a stick figure.” His growing smirk was encouraging so I kept going. “You didn’t buy me for my body.”

  “I just told you that.”

  “You know I can see it. You know that I can read people, because you believe that Bruno is not an idiot and he wouldn’t bring you back something that was worthless.” I kept studying him, my eyes narrowing at the corners. “Miguel knows the type of man you are. He wouldn’t have sold you a dud, because he knows you’d hunt him down and 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. “I
t 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?” My breath hitched.

  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 room, closing the door behind him. The lock snapped shut and I stood in the empty space feeling like a lost child. Wrapping my arms around myself, I tripped and stumbled to the window. Inching the curtain aside, I peered into the night sky and gasped.

  I knew exactly where I was, and it did nothing to ease my fears.

  4

  Eric

  It was close to midnight. We’d spent the evening searching the Internet for anything on Kaplan, but nothing came up. Eventually Piper and Scott decided to head to bed. Staying up all night wasn’t achieving anything and we’d all think better after a little shut-eye.

  They were right. Caity’s note said she’d be back, and there was really nothing more we could do. We had to trust her...and the FBI.

  I scowled.

  Pulling Caity’s note out of my pocket, I smoothed it out on my chest before reading it yet again.

  Sorry to put you through this, but I’m working an undercover job and this is the only way to keep you safe.

  I’ll explain everything when I get back. Please trust me.

  Living without you is a foreign concept to me. I could never break your heart.

  I love you so completely.

  Your girl-next-door forever xx C

  It was a slice of heavenly hope, something to cling to.

  But it wasn’t enough.

  I had so many questions I thought my mind might combust, and I had no way to answer them. My entire body felt gnawed on by an ever-growing anxiety.

  Something was wrong.

  I couldn’t even explain how I knew it. Something in my gut told me that Caity needed me, and I couldn’t just sit around and wait for her to get back.

  Blowing out a frustrated sigh, I slapped my laptop closed, pacing into the kitchen to get myself a glass of water. Sculling back the liquid, I placed the glass upside down in the sink and pressed my hands against the stainless steel edge.

  I hated feeling helpless. I hated Kaplan for putting Caity in this position again. I didn’t trust her. She may have been FBI, but she worked outside the boundaries all the time. My mind played back the last sting operation she’d forced Caity into. Waiting in the van while I listened to that Cameron creep try to touch my girlfriend made my insides burn...and everyone just sat there listening to her struggle. Detective Sullivan and I were the only ones who’d kicked up a fuss.

  I stilled.

  Detective Sullivan of the LAPD.

  Yes, this would be out of his jurisdiction, but he was a good guy. He’d help me. He’d find a way.

  Spinning around, I raced to my room, practically ripping the zipper on my bag trying to yank it open. Snatching out my wallet, I found Detective Sullivan’s business card and dialed his personal number. He’d given it to me last year when we’d worked together to expose the drug/gambling operation at UCLA.

  I raked my fingers through my hair as I waited for Sullivan to answer.

  “Kyle speaking,” he answered groggily.

  “Detective Sullivan. Hey, it’s Eric Shore.”

  “Who?” he muttered. I could picture his round face puckering with annoyance.

  “Um.” I cleared my throat. “We worked together last year at UCLA. My girlfriend, Caitlyn Davis, went undercover to expose Professor Hoffman and Ca—”

  “Oh, yeah, yeah.” I could sense him struggling to wake up. “So why the hell are you calling me in the middle of the night on a holiday weekend?”

  “I, ah, need your help.”

  “Listen, kid, I’ve had a really big day. You don’t know my extended family, but...” He sighed. “Can’t this wait until morning?”

  I checked my watch and cringed. “No, I’m sorry, it can’t. It’s about Caity. She’s gone and I need to find her.”

  He paused. “What do you mean?”

  “She left me a note, saying she was working undercover and that she’d explain everything when she got back, but—”

  “She’s work—what?”

  There was a quick shuffling and I thought I heard the click of a light.

  I sighed, repeating slowly. “She left me a note, saying she’s working undercover and she couldn’t tell me because she needed to keep me safe.”

  “Who’s she working for?”

  “I think Kaplan’s involved.”

  Sullivan muttered a curse. “Are you sure? Do you have proof of that?”

  “No.” I kicked at the carpet. “It’s just a gut feeling. Who else would rope her into something like this?”

  There was a long pause and then a heavy sigh came through the phone. “I always thought your girl would make a good interrogator with that eyesight of hers. Kaplan wouldn’t have forgotten about her either.”

  “I know. It’s the only thing that makes sense to me, but I can’t get in touch with her. Caity’s not answering her phone and I can’t find any contact details for Kaplan. I don’t know what to do. I have no idea where Caity is, or if she’s in trouble. I’m going insane. I don’t— How do I—? What the hell do I do?”

  “It’s okay. Calm down. I’ll look into it for you, okay? Just tell me everything you know.”

  I spent the next thirty minutes rattling off the details. He kept telling me to slow down and repeat stuff. I manage
d to keep on point and avoided all talk of Gramps. Sullivan was a homicide detective, I should have been calling Gramps’ murder into him, but somehow I felt like it was bigger than the LAPD. Whoever those guys were from my dad’s past were way shady and I couldn’t wrap my head around both crises.

  “All right.” Sullivan clicked his tongue. “I’ll make some calls, see what I can find out.”

  I closed my eyes, relief whistling through me. “Thank you.” I swallowed the boulder in my throat. “Thank you.”

  “I can’t promise you anything, kid, but I’ll do what I can.”

  I nodded.

  “Try to get some sleep, okay? I’ll call you as soon as I have something.”

  “Okay.”

  The line went dead. I threw the phone onto my bed and clenched my jaw.

  Sleep. What a frickin’ joke. As if I’d be able to.

  The second I closed my eyes I’d relive it. The gunshot, the look in Gramps’ eyes...that twitching foot.

  Slumping onto my bed, I lay on my back and tucked my hands behind my head. Staring up at the ceiling, I tried to picture my beautiful girl. I could feel her nestled beside me, her head tucked against my chest as she drew patterns over my body.

  My eyes drifted shut.

  “Caity, wherever you are, I’m going to find you. I promise.”

  5

  Caitlyn

  I slept on the floor in my torn gown. I couldn’t bring myself to climb up on the bed, too freaked out by images of what other bodies had been doing between those silky sheets. Nightmares of rough hands tearing my clothes off haunted me as I huddled against the wall beneath the window. I was snapped awake countless times throughout the night. The only thing to calm me down was memories of Eric, his body covering me, keeping me safe. But his body would swiftly dissolve, only to be replaced by men with malicious eyes and evil smiles.

  My eyes flicked open and I jerked to attention. There was a thin line of light dividing the room in half. I turned to look up at the small crack I’d left in the curtains.