Page 29 of Four Cards Exposed

Guerrero’s thick Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “You’ll tell me if anybody bothers you, right?”

“I wasn’t bothering her, man,” James piped up, looking beyond Guerrero at Mendoza and Moore, who were walking towards them.

“What’s going on here?” Moore interjected.

“Nothing, Mr. Moore,” Susan said quickly. “I was just—“

“The girl and I were just talking,” James said, “and suddenly this gorilla shows up.”

“Gorilla?” Guerrero sputtered, flexing his huge trunk-like biceps.

“Relax, Guerrero,” Mendoza said smoothly. I’m sure Jay means it as a compliment. Right, Jay? I know none of Sean’s fighters wouldn’t insult a friend of mine …”

Moore tensed, and for a moment Susan wondered if they were all going to come to blows. Then James looked down. His shoulders slumped forward. “I’m sorry, Mr. Moore, Mr. Mendoza. I meant no disrespect.”

“Apologize to Guerrero,” Moore said, his voice hard as steel.

James swallowed reflexively. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Good. That’s settled, then. Now go home, Jay. Get some sleep. You need to be ready for the next fight.” James didn’t look at her as Moore dragged him away. Soon, Susan found herself alone with Guerrero, the stupid tray still in her arms.

Guerrero’s scarred lips curved upwards. “You sure you’re okay, Milena? I promised your brother I’d take care of you.”

Susan took his large hand in hers. “I’m grateful to you, Guerrero. For bringing me here. But Jay wasn’t hurting me.”

The large man nodded uncertainly. “I have to go away for a few days.”

Susan schooled her face. This had something to do with the conversation the men had been having all night. She was sure of it.

“¿Dónde vas?”

Where are you going?

“A casa. Miguel y yo vamos a casa.”

Home. Miguel and I are going home.

“To Mexico? You’re … you’re working with them now?”

“The less you know about it, the better, Milena. I’ll be back soon, though. And Moore will look out for you in the meantime.”

Shit.

Susan didn’t want Moore looking out for her.

“I need to learn to take care of myself,” she said, knowing her very real fear played in her favor. “Be careful, Guerrero. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I will. I’ll see you back here next week. If that man gives you any trouble—“

“Who, Jay? He’s not going to give me any trouble. He’s harmless,” she lied.

Harmless.

James was the opposite of harmless. He wouldn’t let anybody hurt her, but she felt, intuitively, that her heart wasn’t safe from him.

10

* * *