Page 29 of Fortune's Kiss
“Ah, very good point, my boy.”Misterioso materialized behind Dominic, giving his back a hearty pat.“Of course, our version of the game is much more exciting.I could explain, but I think it’ll become clearer once we begin.Our first round will be unique.In most instances, we choose the cards, or as some say, the cards will choose one of you, but this is your opportunity to be the one in control.Do I have any volunteers?”
“Me!”Mayté’s hand shot up.
“Oh, no, no, no!”Señora Montoya stood.“If anyone should go first, it should beme.”She waved around her cigarette, dumping ashes onto the player next to her.“That is the way Dios would have it.”
Mayté’s nostrils flared.“We aren’t still living in the time of the crown, and anyhow, all of us were chosen.We’re all on equal standing here.So I don’t—”
Lo grabbed her arm.“Just let her go first,” she whispered.“Then we’ll see how this game is played.”
A few croupiers at the nearest table snickered to each other.Lo glared at them.
Mayté’s face reddened.“Fine.”She slapped some beans away from the table.
“Very well,” the Banker said.The cards floated in front of him, back sides facing Señora Montoya and the rest of the players.“Choose a card, choose your fate,” he said, deep voice smooth and alluring.
“I will.”Señora Montoya grabbed one of the cards and flipped it over.“Mmm.”With a smirk, she appraised her board.“El Gorrito.”She grabbed a bean between her thumb and index finger and placed it on her board.The bean glowed and melted away.With a flash, a giant El Gorrito card appeared in front of her, depicting a silky pink bonnet with white lace ruffles.Sofía and Sera had worn bonnets like that when they were babies.A tiny pang poked Lo’s heart at the thought of her sisters.
“What is your wager?”the Banker asked.
“What is she supposed to bet?”Carlos said.“We don’t have anything with us.”
Lo patted her cloak and the realization hit her that Mamá’s comb was gone along with her satchel.Mayté dug her hands through her skirt pockets, her painting must have been gone too.
“Ah, never fear.”Misterioso waggled his finger.“For this round, you may wager whatever your heart desires.The house always finds a way to claim what it’s owed.”
“Mm.”Señora Montoya tapped her nails against the table in contemplation.“What shall I wager?”
“Maríana, you’d best make it something good,” Don Zelaya said.“We want to start on a strong note.”
Xiomara Fernandez leaned in and spoke softly to him.Her dark brown eyes looked almost fiery.
Señora Montoya’s lips curled, and she turned away as if she had witnessed something vile and disgusting.“And you, Martín, best not shame our people with whom you associate.”La Orden saw even the middle class as far beneath them.Still, Lo thought it was a smart strategy for Xiomara to find favor with Don Zelaya.“Enough banter, I wager a sizable amount of my family’s fortune.I have so much of it, it’s impossible to keep track of how big it is.”Señora Montoya sneered.“Now, let’s get this started.”
“Ah, if you insist, señora.”Misterioso shrugged, then snapped his fingers.
“Quickly, bebé,” an eerie voice rumbled.“Like a good child, obey my words.Put on your bonnet and follow my lead.”The same bonnet from the card appeared and flew to Señora Montoya.
Don Zelaya, Xiomara, and a couple of others at the table chuckled.
“What?”Señora Montoya swatted the bonnet away as if it were a fly.Her pale face flushed red.“What kind of nonsense is this?”
“Hurry, hurry,” the card groaned as if in pain.“Put me on.”
A pit formed in Lo’s stomach.Mayté frowned, forehead creased.Dominic pressed a knuckle against his lips.Carlos folded his arms and squinted.
“Hurry …,” the card urged again.
“No,” Señora Montoya snapped.“I’m not going to put on this silly thing.I thought this would be a real game.Is this entire thing just one big farce?”
The card flashed red.
Señora Montoya shrieked as she stumbled back.Bare feet poked out from under her gown.Her gaudy hat vanished, then her golden jewelry.Her gown transformed into tattered rags.
Don Zelaya and the others’ amused whispers ceased.
“You lose,” the Banker said, voice matter-of-fact.“You’ve lost your fortune and place as a noble.Your children are now destitute.”
“What is the meaning of this?”Señora Montoya pounded her palms on the table, and beans went flying.
