The King and the Courtesan (29 page)

Yogi stuck her head in. “Mimi, I’m going down to the cafeteria. Would you like anything to eat?”

“No, baby, I’m fine.”

Yogi nodded, but came in to collect a wrapper from a mint Mimi had just started sucking on. She leaned over to kiss Mimi’s forehead before leaving.

“Yogi’s such an angel,” Mimi sighed. “We need more girls like her and Rose around. They’ve been waiting on me all week.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be—”

“I know, Melissa. It’s okay.” But it didn’t sound okay. I decided to change the topic.

“Have you ever heard of a guy named Ace?” I knew that Mimi occasionally hung out at the Park, probably more than I did. Joel liked the onion rings there.

“Hmm?”

“Ace. Ring a bell?”

She shook her head. “Nope. Why?”

“I met him when I was at the Park last, and since he’s pals with Juri, I wondered if he was famous and I was just unaware.”

“He’s pals with Juri?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm.” Mimi glanced at me. “So you met a guy?”

I sighed in exasperation. “Shut up, Mimi. I was at the Park. I met a person who happened to be male. We talked. The end. I was just wondering if I missed out on something. Nothing more.”

Mimi smirked. “Maybe I want him for
me
.”

“You don’t even know who he is!”

Mimi laughed. “Sounds like a crush.”

“No, it’s not! Shut up!”

Mimi wouldn’t stop laughing. I pushed her lightly, knowing that some of her aches were still present.

“He’s too old for me.” I sniffed.

“Melissa, you’ve always acted twenty years older than you are.”

“Just forget I asked, okay? Besides, even if I
was
interested—and I’m not—I have this problem called
Ezekiel
. Kind of kills my romantic life.”

Mimi sobered. “Yeah, probably. How’s that going, by the way?”

I shrugged. “It’s no worse than what I was doing before.”

“But it’s not
better
?” Mimi looked over my gray silk dress.

“It’s just that—this may make me sound crazy—but I liked the freedom of my old life. Before, tricks lasted half an hour to an hour. Afterward, I was free to do whatever I wanted. I could hang out with whomever I wanted, sleep where I wanted, and eat what I wanted. Now it’s all scheduled for me, and the only reason I’m allowed to go to Metro at all is because of you.”

Mimi shrugged. “
Psh
, I’d take your life any day.”

“Haven’t you been the one screaming at me for taking a job with a dangerous drug lord?”

Mimi snorted. “Well, yeah. Until my loser ex nearly killed me. You still seem to be in one piece.”

“Doesn’t mean the job isn’t dangerous.”

“
Life
is dangerous. But for once, I wish I could wear something nice like that.” She sighed and sank deeper into her pillow. “You’re lucky, Melissa.”

I didn’t answer.

There was a tap on the door.

“Come in, Yogi,” Mimi muttered, fiddling with another mint.

But it wasn’t Yogi who walked into that room. It was Garrett. And Ezekiel.

I leapt to a stand, but Ezekiel put a hand on my shoulder, guiding me back to my seat. Garrett nodded at me and went back outside, probably to stand by the entrance. Mimi gaped unabashedly at Ezekiel, who most certainly struck an impressive figure in his pitch-black suit and tie, perfect hair, freshly shaven features, and crisp blue eyes. I was reminded that he was a very attractive specimen, despite everything else ugly about him.

“You must be this sister I’ve heard about.” Ezekiel extended a hand dressed up in a silver watch. It was worth as much as Mimi’s car. “Hello, Mimi. I’m Ezekiel.”

“Y-you’re—oh. Um, hello.” Mimi sat up straighter and shook his hand with her good arm. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting…”

“Of course you weren’t. I wasn’t planning on stopping by, but when I passed, I decided I should probably pay my respects.” Ezekiel dropped a hand onto my shoulder. “You have a wonderful sister, Mimi.”

“Yes. Yes, I guess I do.” She turned inquisitive eyes to me. “She’s the one constant in my life. It’s nice to meet you, Ezekiel. I hear lots about you, of course.”

Ezekiel nodded slowly. “I’m sure you do. Though I can’t be sure what sort of rumors pass along. Judging by your expression, you are frightened by me.”

Mimi opened her mouth, stuttered a moment, then quickly tried to get ahold of herself. “Well—I—maybe a little.” She blushed. “After all, you’re—you run this neighborhood.”

“Don’t think me a bad person. I am merely a businessman. You needn’t worry about your sister. Melissa is worth a great deal to me. A woman like her is too rare to let slip.”

Neither Ezekiel nor I had discussed the morning when Roger hit me. Ezekiel had ordered him to stop after five strikes, then told him he was dismissed. By that time, I was bent over the table, breathing hard and trying to keep from collapsing. Ezekiel ordered Bruce to take me to my room and leave me there until I could be dealt with. I picked up the bandage Ezekiel had cast aside before Bruce escorted me to the bedroom, where I remained for two hours, awaiting my punishment.

But none came.

At least, none after what Roger had done. Ezekiel merely arrived, expecting the usual services from me, acting as if he hadn’t just ordered my ex-bodyguard to beat me. I retained a few bruises, of course, but Ezekiel “suggested” I stay in my room for a few days, probably to think about what I’d done. Oh, I thought about it plenty. When I emerged from that penthouse six days later, I was adamant never to let my feelings run away with me again. He had scared me into submission. I realized that I’d forgotten my place.

This wasn’t a romance or play time. This was my
job
. Keeping Ezekiel happy was just that. And if he wasn’t happy, he was angry. And unlike Blade, who just hit me around a little, Ezekiel hurt others. I didn’t mind abuse—it was nothing new—but when it happened to others because of
me
, that’s when I had a problem.

I was convinced Roger hated me. There was no reason for him not to. I’d practically cost him the job that paid for his wife’s medical treatment. And that really hurt—to think of Roger hating me—because I considered him a friend. A
real
friend. I had so few of those outside of my work at the barbershop. He was one of the first men I had trusted and actually cared about. He never asked for the things men usually wanted, and I wished I’d had the chance to tell him how much I appreciated that. I also wanted to tell Bahiya that no matter what happened, they were really lucky to have each other.

“You weren’t really what I expected,” Mimi murmured.

Ezekiel raised his eyebrows. “Were you expecting someone older, perhaps?”

“Yeah, I guess. You look…twenty-five.”

“Thirty-two, actually.”

“Oh.” Mimi tried smiling, but she looked a bit too terrified to manage the expression.

“It seems you’re missing a tooth.”

“Yeah. Joel kind of—um—took it out, I guess you could say.”

“Did the hospital mention what they plan to do about that?”

“They said it was a cosmetic issue.” Mimi looked at her lap. “And not their responsibility.”

“I can pay for that, if you’d like.”

Mimi stared for a good ten seconds before stuttering an answer. “That would be—you don’t have to—I’m fine, really—”

“It’s nothing.” Ezekiel didn’t smile, only kept his eyes on Mimi, as if searching for something on her face. “It will be done.”

Mimi flushed bright red. “Well, thank you. That’s—that’s very kind of you.”

Don’t worry about it, Mimi
.
Your neighbors’ drug money is being used for it. Thank them
.

“If there’s anything else you require, don’t hesitate to ask. You’re Melissa’s sister, and what is important to her is important to me. Do you need any help with rent?”

“No,” Mimi answered, her voice forced. Ezekiel had no trouble seeing through it. He motioned to Garrett, who returned from the hallway and stepped forward with a briefcase. He flopped it onto the table next to Mimi and opened it, pulling out a small leather book. Ezekiel took it from him without looking.

“How much do you need?”

“I really don’t need—”

“How much?” Ezekiel’s expression left no room for disagreement.

Mimi gulped, glancing briefly at me. I nodded.

“Well, my landlord says I owe about three thousand, which is rent for the past three months, plus interest.” She winced. “I was actually going to go shopping for another apartment, since I can’t afford this one…”

Ezekiel pulled a pen from his pocket and began filling out a check. Mimi kept gaping at me like I had asked for this, but I couldn’t say anything. Ezekiel owed nothing to Mimi, so why was he offering to help her out? Could this be a way to guilt me into doing something for him? Ezekiel did nothing without a motive.

I figured this was his plan. Sure, it seemed generous. But when I thought about it, could I possibly leave him when he had paid for my sister’s rent? Of course not. This could be used as blackmail.

I gulped and stood straighter.

Ezekiel ripped off the check and handed it to her. Mimi could only gape at it.

“B-but this isn’t—”

“Is anything wrong?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Th-this is for fifteen thousand.”

“Yes, it is.”

“How—I don’t—that’s far too much—”

“The surgery to correct that tooth would be, by my estimates, about three thousand. That is, of course, the price of the best cosmetic dentist I know. He’s in Ralston. I can give you his name and address, and I insist you visit him, because he does excellent work. And he doesn’t ask questions.” Ezekiel slipped the pen into his pocket. “The rest should cover the rent you owe and then some. You may use the extra for what you like. I would simply advise that you not use it for drugs.” A trace of a smile touched his mouth. “There’s no need to give me any of that money back.”

Mimi gaped at him, completely speechless.

“Now I must be going. Melissa, I would prefer you come home with me. Do you object?”

I shook my head.

“Very well.” Ezekiel turned to leave as Garrett closed the briefcase and picked it up.

“Wait!” Mimi extended an arm. “How can I possibly thank you for this? It’s—it’s…” Mimi just shook her head, staring back down at the check.

“No need. This is simply a gift. If anything, thank your sister for being such a loyal and dependable employee.”

Mimi’s eyes slid to me. Mine moved to the floor. I didn’t want this type of transaction riding me. If I messed up, if I faltered, Ezekiel might expect compensation from my sister. She was now involved in this. That was the
last
thing I needed after almost getting Roger fired. I wanted everyone to stay away from me before I could hurt them. Of course, Mimi could never try to reject the offer. That would be worse than accepting it.

Mimi was only thinking of the fifteen thousand, not of the consequences it could lead to. I could picture what she was imagining—maybe a new car or a bigger wardrobe. Perhaps a few nights at a fancy restaurant. I really wished I could have seen that hopeful look on her face without Ezekiel’s money having caused it.

“Thank you,” Mimi whispered, clearly trying not to cry.

Ezekiel nodded and stepped out. I quickly hugged Mimi and left as well, following Ezekiel on his right side, my usual place.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I whispered as we walked. My bodyguard joined us from behind.

“No. I didn’t.”

“But thank you.” Even though I didn’t want to thank him, I felt like I had to.

He nodded. I noticed a few people gaping at us in the hall. We were pretty odd, dressed in formal black. Ezekiel looked like part of the secret service, and Garrett was large enough to draw attention. A bit of a tattoo peeked out from underneath the collar of his shirt, and there was a scar that ran down the left side of his face, one of the features I used to tell him apart from Bruce.

My bodyguard held the back door open for me. I slipped in before Ezekiel. He’d been busy lately, so I hadn’t spent much time around him. I was suddenly more nervous than usual. I took his offering to Mimi as some sort of warning. For what, I didn’t know.

“Ezekiel?” I asked slowly and carefully.

“Yes?”

“Um, is everything okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

I rubbed my thighs. “I don’t know. I just wondered…”

“I wanted to tell you that you’d best pack your things tonight.”

“What?”

“We’re leaving for Jahral tomorrow morning.”

I blinked in shock. “J-Jahral?”

“Yes. Only for a few days.” I noticed one of his hands tightening into a fist as it rested on his leg, but his face was smooth, so I wasn’t sure if it meant anything. “It seems a couple of my…managers have decided to test my patience. I think I should remind them
personally
of who they’re working with.” His eyes hardened. “I really hate it when people test me.”

I dropped my gaze. “Why do I have to come?”

“You don’t want to go? I assure you, it will be perfectly comfortable. I own a house just as nice as this one here—nicer even. I own six hundred acres in Jahral, some of which are manicured gardens you can wander, if you’d like.”

“I just—won’t it be dangerous?”

“Not for you. Don’t worry. It’s not the Yentis we have to fear, and they’re the only real threat.” When my anxiety didn’t appear cured, he reached out and stroked my cheek before gripping my chin softly in his hand. “I wouldn’t put one of my most valuable assets in danger of being harmed. It would be stupid to threaten something I’ve spent so much on, don’t you think?”

I nodded.

He straightened, releasing me. “Very well. You’ll be ready for travel in the morning.”

I sighed as the car pulled away from the hospital. Looked like I had to prepare for yet another trip. And this time, I didn’t have Roger to keep me company.

I wasn’t terribly uncomfortable during our flight, as gourmet meals were provided and there were plenty of cushions to lounge around on. Ezekiel would excuse himself occasionally to have a private conference with someone via his computer. I read a little—Ezekiel provided books along with the street dust, like a complementary chocolate or something—and then stared down at the ocean underneath us. I had always imagined it as fierce and alive, like an organism. From up here, it looked like an expanse of calm, blue, stagnant land.