at Bruno, hating the black expression taking over his features. I didn’t want to nod. What would it mean for those two men? My insides shuddered.
I glanced back at the table, biting my lips together. If I denied what I saw, I’d be the one in hot water. I had to tell Bruno the truth, even if it meant something nasty for the cheaters.
Feeling like a selfish cow, I closed my eyes and nodded.
Bruno’s jaw clenched tight and he yanked out his phone. “Send security down here. As soon as the dealer leaves for his break, I want him brought to the downstairs offices...and have security pick up the guy in the pale jacket when he cashes in his chips.”
“Why don’t you just take them both now?”
Bruno scowled at me then looked to Sal. “Take her back upstairs.” He gritted his teeth. “She’s passed this test.”
The look of icy disappointment made my skin crawl. I may have saved his family some cash today, but he wanted me to screw up so bad I could taste it.
In spite of my guilt at no doubt sentencing these cheaters to some sort of pain or even possibly death, I couldn’t help the light-headed relief of being Bruno-free for one more day.
Sal tugged on my arm and led me back to the elevator another way. We ended up walking a full circle, past the poker rooms for high-end bidders, to another double doorway entitled Siete . Sal explained in his gruff mumble that it represented the seven deadly sins. It was a gourmet restaurant. The very idea made my stomach turn. Finally, we walked through another casino area featuring roulette, black jack and poker tables, plus a big wheel of fortune. This area was colorful and fun, more like a circus, and it didn’t take long to figure out it was designed for the patrons who were just here to have a little Vegas-style entertainment.
The sign on that archway was the only one in English - The Devil’s Playground .
I found this the easiest area to be in and could imagine that it was the type of place Nicole, Dale, Eric and I would have come to. I spotted a four-door entrance as we passed by and strained to see as someone walked in from the street. I saw the road and maybe the fountains? The Devil’s Playground was obviously the main entrance for the casino. It was tempting to make a run for it, but Sal held my elbow with a tight grip and I knew I’d never make it. He’d catch me and Santiago would no doubt count that as a failed test.
I shivered.
The elevator dinged open and Sal guided me inside. Once the doors closed, I looked at him.
“Why didn’t you and Bruno arrest that man and dealer at the table? I thought it would have been a good warning for others not to cheat.”
“Mr. Gomez wants patrons to think we reward the winners. He wants them to keep coming back and giving him their money.”
I nodded. I guessed that made sense. The house always wins . Wasn’t that the saying?
I was grateful that the elevator took us to the penthouse suite; I didn’t want to go back to the security room and face Santiago again. Exhaustion rested heavy on my shoulders. Although I was still functioning at a high level of stress, there was no more adrenaline left and the effects were taking their toll. A soft bed in a dark, undisturbed room sounded more than appealing. I needed oblivion, a short escape before waking up to this nightmare once more.
We reached the penthouse and Sal led me into the living area. He called something in Spanish and a waitress came running. She stopped beside me and gave a little bow.
“Um.” I looked to Sal.
“Tell her what you want to drink and she will get it for you.”
“Oh, um...coffee? With milk and sugar, please.”
The waitress nodded with a little bob and scuttled off.
An awkward silence settled over the room. I fidgeted with my fingers, nibbling on my thumbnail while Sal slowly walked the perimeter of the room with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked like a Marine, standing watch, and I found it more than unnerving.
My coffee
I glanced back at the table, biting my lips together. If I denied what I saw, I’d be the one in hot water. I had to tell Bruno the truth, even if it meant something nasty for the cheaters.
Feeling like a selfish cow, I closed my eyes and nodded.
Bruno’s jaw clenched tight and he yanked out his phone. “Send security down here. As soon as the dealer leaves for his break, I want him brought to the downstairs offices...and have security pick up the guy in the pale jacket when he cashes in his chips.”
“Why don’t you just take them both now?”
Bruno scowled at me then looked to Sal. “Take her back upstairs.” He gritted his teeth. “She’s passed this test.”
The look of icy disappointment made my skin crawl. I may have saved his family some cash today, but he wanted me to screw up so bad I could taste it.
In spite of my guilt at no doubt sentencing these cheaters to some sort of pain or even possibly death, I couldn’t help the light-headed relief of being Bruno-free for one more day.
Sal tugged on my arm and led me back to the elevator another way. We ended up walking a full circle, past the poker rooms for high-end bidders, to another double doorway entitled Siete . Sal explained in his gruff mumble that it represented the seven deadly sins. It was a gourmet restaurant. The very idea made my stomach turn. Finally, we walked through another casino area featuring roulette, black jack and poker tables, plus a big wheel of fortune. This area was colorful and fun, more like a circus, and it didn’t take long to figure out it was designed for the patrons who were just here to have a little Vegas-style entertainment.
The sign on that archway was the only one in English - The Devil’s Playground .
I found this the easiest area to be in and could imagine that it was the type of place Nicole, Dale, Eric and I would have come to. I spotted a four-door entrance as we passed by and strained to see as someone walked in from the street. I saw the road and maybe the fountains? The Devil’s Playground was obviously the main entrance for the casino. It was tempting to make a run for it, but Sal held my elbow with a tight grip and I knew I’d never make it. He’d catch me and Santiago would no doubt count that as a failed test.
I shivered.
The elevator dinged open and Sal guided me inside. Once the doors closed, I looked at him.
“Why didn’t you and Bruno arrest that man and dealer at the table? I thought it would have been a good warning for others not to cheat.”
“Mr. Gomez wants patrons to think we reward the winners. He wants them to keep coming back and giving him their money.”
I nodded. I guessed that made sense. The house always wins . Wasn’t that the saying?
I was grateful that the elevator took us to the penthouse suite; I didn’t want to go back to the security room and face Santiago again. Exhaustion rested heavy on my shoulders. Although I was still functioning at a high level of stress, there was no more adrenaline left and the effects were taking their toll. A soft bed in a dark, undisturbed room sounded more than appealing. I needed oblivion, a short escape before waking up to this nightmare once more.
We reached the penthouse and Sal led me into the living area. He called something in Spanish and a waitress came running. She stopped beside me and gave a little bow.
“Um.” I looked to Sal.
“Tell her what you want to drink and she will get it for you.”
“Oh, um...coffee? With milk and sugar, please.”
The waitress nodded with a little bob and scuttled off.
An awkward silence settled over the room. I fidgeted with my fingers, nibbling on my thumbnail while Sal slowly walked the perimeter of the room with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked like a Marine, standing watch, and I found it more than unnerving.
My coffee
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