Page 17 of Liar

Oh, how I’m itching to wipe that smile from his face.

I move forward and pick my way through the throngs of men, heading in the opposite direction of the lap dance at the head of the table.

No one pays me any mind. The men are busy eating grilled meat from paper plates and drinking craft beer. Good food, good drink, and smart planning on the Bastard’s part and former enemies mingle like old friends.

That’s Loreto for you, the ugly mixed in with the beautiful.

I’m halfway around the foot of the table when a shout rings out over the conversations.

“You!”

Not me. It can’t be. Ignacio has to have forgotten about me. Of course, he has—his appetite for fresh conquests keeps him busy, right? I suck my bottom lip between my teeth and wait.

“Tamale girl!” Heads turn my way. “Get over here, now!”

A sideways glance his way—and at the finger pointed in my direction—has me retreating back around the table. Not running, because that’d raise awareness when what I need to do is fade into the crowd. Not walking, because Ignacio’s ego won’t withstand my escaping him a second time.

Someone places a hand on my arm.

I jerk free and squeeze between two men deep in conversation.

The person who grabbed me curses as he’s now forced to cut around the two mountain-size men. I take full advantage of this, picking up the pace as I backtrack my steps. If I can just reach the hallway ...

A murderous scream has everyone turning toward the head of the table.

I keep moving yet can’t resist looking.

My eyebrows raise in surprise. Marifer has knocked the woman off the Bastard’s lap and has her in a choke hold.

“Stop!” the Bastard’s voice thunders.

I freeze, as does everyone except the woman Marifer released. I watch her scurry away, coughing and wheezing as she goes.

Were they fighting overhim? Or something else?

And does Marifer even realize that she just obeyed another boss’s order? A shame a woman in power is once again undermined by a man. But it’s a blessing too, considering the kind of person she is.

The Bastard rises to his feet. “An easy life. Great wealth. Everlasting peace. These are false promises I won’t make. What I do promise is that, if you join me, you’ll learn the survival skills necessary to thrive in this environment long after I’m gone.”

He pauses, allowing everyone time to process what he’snotsaying.

Connected to the Spanish mafia.

The real deal.

A bad motherfucking bastard.

I reach the corridor and exit the room, as puzzled by the Bastard’s lie as I am disappointed in not having spoken with Diego. He’s Italian, not Spanish like everyone believes. How can these men—my brother—pledge loyalty to a man they know nothing about?

Or did he lie to me? Broken promises. Lies. They’re one and the same.

I’m halfway down the hallway and struggling to decide what to do next when I’m grabbed from behind, hauled off my feet, and dragged into the nearest room. I curse myself for letting this man sneak up on me and for believing Ignacio’s men were as heavy-footed as their boss.

The room’s dimly lit and empty except for a large bed, chair and desk. There’s a second door leading into the adjacent room and another option to escape through.

I wait until my captor moves further inside before kicking my heel back into his family jewels.

He grunts and immediately releases me.