“You can leave this place as a free woman. Hell, with my recommendation, I’m certain the comandante would offer you a stipend for your assistance. We’ll even help you go anywhere you’d like.”
Sweat trickled down Ignacio’s back. All Esmeralda had to do to fix her life was tip her head toward this armoire. If she did, he wouldn’t blame her. He’d failed so many people in his life. He was never what anyone wanted him to be—not his father nor his schoolmates or fellow soldiers. Clearly, he had failed her too or she wouldn’t have run away without him.
But he wouldn’t go down without a fight. He’d have to barrel his way through Keara. Which was no easy task. The woman wasn’t his father’s right hand for no reason. She was a vicious combatant. Ignacio had seen her take on three men twice as large as himself. Their bones were snapped in terrible places before she was even out of breath.
He was mentally preparing himself for war.
But Esmeralda simply added more cards to the growing pile on the table.
“I haven’t seen Ignacio Olivera in a year,” she said.
“According to the jailer we spoke to days ago, a girl matching your description was the one to turn him in. Now, I won’t make this offer again,” the general said.
This was it. She was going to tell Keara where he was. Why wouldn’t she? The general was offering her an out.
“Ignacio is not here, and even if he were, there would be nothing you could do about it. We are safe on carnival grounds.”
An arrogant smirk flitted over Keara’s features. “We might have to test that theory. Especially once Comandante Olivera is made aware that instead of serving your kingdom as a soldier, you’re trying to be a big shot at a circus.”
Esmeralda went statue-still. She didn’t even blink.
“You do not frighten me, General,” she said, far more quietly than Ignacio would have expected. Her confidence was wilting.
“Then you are as arrogant as I remember. The comandantewillhear of this. Enjoy your last few days of freedom, girl.”
Esmeralda pulled another card from the deck. Smiling, she spun it to face the general.
“Do you know what this illustration means?” She answered her own question. “This is the queen of thieves. The card speaks of power. Of trust in oneself. It tells me to rely on my gut. And right now, my intuition says I have dozens of customers in the queue, and you’re wasting their time.”
“That is your answer for me, then?” Keara probed. “You will not take the deal?”
“Well, how could I in good conscience when I don’t know Ignacio’s whereabouts?” Esmeralda batted her lashes innocently.
Keara jumped to her feet. “You are a fool.”
“And you are desperate. Not a good look, babe.”
Viper-fast, the general grabbed Esmeralda by the arm. The claws sewn into her gloves dug into Esmeralda’s skin. Her cards fluttered to the floorboards. Ignacio was ready to shove the armoire doors open, but Esmeralda growled, “Don’t.”
He clenched his jaw so tight his teeth ached.
Keara must have thought Esmeralda was speaking to her because she spat, “Don’t what?”
Esmeralda raised her chin. “Don’t let the door hit you on the heinie when you leave.”
“You’ll regret this day,” Keara snarled. “And I’ll be there, front and center, to watch you fall.”
Chapter 23
Esmeralda
The second that leech of a woman left her wagon, Esmeralda stomped to the armoire and tore the doors open. Ignacio tumbled out, landing on his hands and knees with a heavy thud.
“Ouch,” he hissed. But then, he had the audacity to reach for the mint box that had slid near the foot of her cot.
“Oh no you don’t.” She bopped him on the back of the hand and snatched the tin up. “You’re not getting this back until you tell me everything. What is going on? Why is General Keara willing to bribemeto findyou?”
Slowly, Ignacio rose to his feet. He stretched his back and popped his neck. “I can’t believe you can store so many things in one tiny armoire. And you still prefer the scent of jasmine, I see.”
