CHAPTER 46

Angelo Montoya never liked playing sleuth in his life. For one thing, he was too noticeable. His height and looks often set him apart, making it hard to blend in. For another, he didn’t have the sort of patience it demanded.

But now, he had to do it himself. He already had enough information to go on with; it was now time for action. And what he intended to do was something he could no longer delegate to a hired hand. He picked his way through the crowd, keeping his eye on the ‘subject’ he was trailing.

He could not help but cringe at the word.

God! It’s not like I’m a super spy or something! Heaven help me!

Angelo stepped back farther into the shadows when his subject entered the hotel. He knew that she would be meeting with her lover and as soon as they were together, he would make his presence known. He must confront them together for his plan to work.

A few minutes more and he left the safety of his perch, walking towards the hotel entrance. As usual, appreciative glances followed him the moment he stepped through the door. Before, he would have acknowledged their inviting smiles. The playboy in him was always on the lookout for a potential temporary 'playmate'. This time his eyes swept past them. Ever since he’d given his heart to Louisa, he’d lost interest in even casual dalliances. And it would take a long time for him to recover his usual interest in other women.

Damn! What’s she still doing here? Shouldn’t she now be heading up to Arthur’s suite?

Angelo saw Isabella standing by the front desk conversing with the concierge. He’d expected her to ride up to Arthur’s suite. Instead, she turned and strode back to the hotel front doors.

And that meant Arthur was not in his suite. Angelo had wasted his precious time waiting when the scoundrel was not even around.

Angelo cursed beneath his breath, Double damn! Where could that good for nothing be!

He was debating between following Isabella and confronting her now. But then Isabella lifted her head and immediately caught sight of him.

There’s no avoiding her now! Angelo thought. He squared his shoulders and prepared for the confrontation with the woman who was at the top of his hate list. She played him and Gabriel to perfection and he would not let her, or her lover, get away with it.

Angelo didn't let Isabella recover from her initial shock. He mustered his most charming smile and strode towards her.

“Isabella! What a surprise! Are you here to see Arthur, too?” he asked, extending his hand in greeting.

Dismay flashed in Isabella's eyes, but she hid it behind a fluttering of her lashes.

“Whatever do you mean, Angelo?” she replied, smiling up at him.

“Oh, cut the crap, Isabella. I know all about you and that no-good boyfriend of yours!” Angelo retorted, no longer able to conceal his hatred for the woman before him.

The veneer dropped from Isabella’s face and was replaced by a look of loathing that chilled Angelo’s heart.

“Well, there’s no need to pretend with you, then, is there?” Isabella said.

Angelo grunted and steered Isabella towards one of the empty seats at the far end of the sitting lounge. He then dumped her on a plush, velvet armchair as he took the one opposite it.

“Now, where is your boyfriend, Isabella?” Angelo said.

Isabella’s eyes burned holes through Angelo. But the youngest Montoya had nerves of steel and was not in the slightest bit intimidated.

“I don’t know,” she later replied.

“Come on, Isabella. Quit playing games!”

“I told you the truth, damn it! I don’t know where he is.”

And for the first time, Angelo saw Isabella’s eyes betray her confusion and fear. She truly didn't know where her good-for-nothing boyfriend was.

Angelo sighed then leaned back against the plush armchair. Crossing his arms and legs, he stared across the woman before him, his alleged sister-in-law. Had Isabella been less of a serpent, he would’ve preferred that she be Gabriel’s wife in truth. Because that would mean he’d have a better chance at claiming Louisa for himself. After knowing what he knew about her now, though, he would not even wish such a dreadful fate on his brother. Regardless of his great loss.

“Isabella, how well do you know Arthur?” he said.

A cloud of doubt flickered in Isabella’s eyes. Then, cold disdain returned, and her lips curled into a smirk.

“It’s none of your business but, to pacify your curiosity, I will tell you that I know him quite well,” Isabella replied.

Angelo wanted to blurt out the truth if only so he could wipe the smug look from Isabella’s face. But he still wasn't sure how to proceed. If he revealed what he knew now, Isabella might confront Arthur, giving the man enough time to bolt. And Angelo wanted to have the element of surprise on his side for as long as possible.

“Well, I sure hope you know what you’re saying, Isabella,” he said instead.

Isabella smiled then dug inside her purse, fishing out a slim, gold, and silver cigarette case. She plucked one and lit it with the matching silver and gold lighter. Angelo's throat went dry as a powerful craving for his cigarettes hit him. But he’d made a mental commitment with himself to try and return to his non-smoking lifestyle. He swallowed hard and focused more on the woman before him.

Up until now he still could not figure out Isabella’s motives for playing such a trick on his brother. As far as he knew, she came from a very wealthy family, so it couldn’t be about money. At first, he thought that she loved Gabriel, and was doing it out of desperation, the fear of losing her man. Her relationship with Arthur debunked this theory.

Leaving him with the least probable reason for her actions: revenge!

But, for what? She couldn’t be bitter about Gabriel’s rejection of her. She already had Arthur.

Unless, of course, she was only an unwitting pawn in Arthur’s games.

Could that be it? Could Arthur be playing Isabella as well?

Angelo shifted in his seat. Should he rescue Isabella from the diabolical schemes of her so-called lover? He must first determine if Isabella had genuine feelings for the bloke. Because if she did, and he told her what he knew about her lover, she could warn Arthur before he made his move. And that would be disastrous. He decided to test the waters.

“By the way, I saw Arthur at the casino last night." (which was true, he’d been visiting Arthur’s usual haunts in the hope of catching him in action). "He was with a fabulous-looking blonde." (Which was a complete lie, Arthur was alone – but he needed to see Isabella’s reaction to that one). "I tried to catch his attention." (Another lie – he stayed far away from his ‘subject’) "but since he was losing (True), I decided to keep my distance. But never fear the blonde kept him in high spirits.”

The narrowing of Isabella’s eyes was his reward. It was the typical reaction of a completely clueless and jealous lover. It was brief and fleeting, but it was enough. It confirmed his suspicion. Isabella was a pawn, and she was in love with the chess master. Or at least she thought she was.

Angelo sighed. This was turning out to be messier than he’d anticipated. Now, he had to tread even more carefully. He couldn’t let Isabella get any inkling about his real intention in finding her absentee lover. He must turn the tables around and make Isabella his pawn.

“I don’t believe you. He was meeting with business associates yesterday,” Isabella replied.

“I said I saw him last night, not yesterday.”

“What is this all about, Angelo?” Isabella said as she tapped her cigarette on the ashtray before her.

“Where is Arthur, Isabella? I need to speak with him,” Angelo said.

“I haven’t talked to him today,” Isabella replied, her eyes darting past Angelo, avoiding his steady gaze.

Angelo knew that this conversation was unlikely to turn in his favor. Isabella was being obstinate, and he could recognize a lost cause. This was one of those. Still, he had to make one last stab at it. He could take the risk of revealing a little of what he knew if it would assure him of capturing the opponent’s pawn.

“I thought you were with him last night? Didn’t you stay with him?” He said, adding a bit of mockery in his tone.

Isabella’s eyes were like daggers flying in his direction. He could feel the hatred emanating from her.

“He left early,” was Isabella’s curt reply.

“Hmm. That explains it I guess; you not being able to talk to him, I mean.”

“If there’s nothing else you’d like to discuss, I’d like to leave,” Isabella said as she started to get up from her seat.

“Did Arthur tell you that he worked for the Almendrezes before?” Angelo said.

Isabella froze. She sat back down, her head swiveling to Angelo. Her eyes were wide with incredulity and hurt. For the first time, Angelo felt pity for Isabella.

She didn't know. Oh, Isabella! Arthur played you, too.

“Don’t worry, Arthur does not advertise his sordid past, so you’re not the only one in the dark,” Angelo said.

Isabella appeared nonchalant and declared support for her errant mate. Like most women did when confronted with a truth that would make them look like a fool.

“Of course, he did. I told you I know everything about him,” she said, tossing her luxurious mane over her shoulder.

Angelo smiled to himself. He could feel the cold fury simmering underneath Isabella’s calm exterior. Should he continue baiting her? Or should he drop the bomb? Could he risk losing his advantage on Isabella? Or would it be more helpful if he used her anger to flush out the rat that he was after? He decided to drop the bomb.

“Well, that’s good. Honest lad, isn’t he? I suppose he also told you that Don Ramon threw him out on his ass because of his persistent pursuit of Louisa? Or did he forget that bit, seeing as it’s been so long ago?”

This time, Isabella’s affected mask of self-satisfaction crumbled. Angelo watched the incredible progression of emotions in Isabella's face: shock, incredulity, pain, comprehension, and then fury.

The last one was what Angel was hoping for, the one thing he could use to perfection. He needed to stoke it further to finally isolate his target.

“I gather he forgot to tell you about that one, did he?” Angelo said, feigning sympathy for his present companion.

Isabella did not answer but her eyes spoke volumes and it satisfied Angelo. She would now be putty in his hands. He should feel guilty about what he was about to do. But considering that she had played him false, he dismissed the thought.

“So now Isabella, what can you tell me about Arthur? And what role does he play in this elaborate production of yours?” Angelo asked looking down his nose at Isabella as he leaned back in his chair.

They say that hell hath no fury than a woman scorned. Yet, there was a more dangerous kind of fury–the fury of a woman ill-used or deceived. And Isabella was both.

“What would you like to know?” was her response.

Angelo’s face remained passive, but he was grinning from ear to ear inside.

Bingo! I have you now, little skunk!

“For starters, what are you two up to?” he asked.

Isabella’s grin would’ve chilled even a polar bear’s spine, but for Angelo, it was as sweet as a summer's day.

Finally! Let the games begin!