“So you did her a fucking favor? Do her another one and give her money to set her up in her own place. That’s what I want for her. See to her care and comfort.”
“I bought her foryou. Everything I do is for you.” Tears rushed to Grandda’s eyes. “I love you, boy.”
Johnnie knew that. His grandfather had always loved him.
“Why don’t we retire to the dining room for café con leche and Virtud’s special churros filled with dulce de leche.”
Inside, Paz scampered to the kitchen and brought out a tray with two plates of sugar-coated fried dough loaded with caramel and steaming cups of coffee and milk. Underneath the whirring ceiling fan, her nipples beaded.
Paz looked so fucking young now that Johnnie knew her actual age. No, she’d always looked young. She just lookedyounger. Or, maybe, that was his conscience.
Johnnie decided to finish his dessert as soon as possible. Maybe, Virtud would translate the questions he had for Paz.
“Mauricio!” Grandda called, the moment they finished the churros and coffee.
The large man padded into the room silently. Grandda’s jack-of-all-trades wore a poncho, cotton pants, and leather sandals. He stopped next to the server where a block of cutting knifes stood beside an empty platter that was always filled with delicacies at lunch.
“Johnnie is done with Paz,” Grandda said. “I bought her for him. He doesn’t intend to stay and he won’t fuck her again, so take her away.”
“She can stay here for the night,” Johnnie argued.
“Are you fucking her?”
“No! But that shouldn’t matter since we’re going to help her.”
Grandda nodded at Mauricio and the man directed his steps toward her. The closer he got, the more panic settled into her face.
Johnnie wished his grandfather hadn’t been so forthcoming. Hedidwant to spend his last night with her. Her company was the best part of his trip.
“Wait!” Resigned, he jumped to his feet, wishing he could do more for her. “Tell her I enjoyed my time with her and Grandda will set her up in her own place for everything she did on my behalf.”
Mauricio glanced at Grandda, who nodded. The man turned and spoke to her. She smiled shyly at Johnnie. He hated that his cock jumped.
His grandfather laughed. “You want her. Once you taste young pussy, you’re addicted. It was the same with Joseph. He resisted for years, until he visited me and I got him to fuck girls whose ages he didn’t know. Do you know he cried when he first found out I gave him a fourteen-year-old?” Another laugh that made Johnnie’s skin crawl. “Like you, he tried to fight it.”
Johnnie remained silent.
“She’s all yours, Johnnie. You’ve already stuck your cock in her every day. You don’t have to share her.”
He didn’t have to share the club girls. He just enjoyed it. Also, he and Christopher attracted many of the same women. Sometimes, Johnnie felt as if sharing with Christopher was his only option if he wanted certain chicks.
So far, it had never been a serious rivalry where actual feelings were involved. Under those circumstances, Johnnie couldn’t imagine what he’d do.
If Christopher won, there would be hard feelings.
If Johnnie won, it would be the same. A part of him bought into his grandfather’s hype, revealed at the thought that Johnnie couldn’t imagine losing to Christopher in any way. Especially to a woman.
Paz shifted. Johnnie shoved aside the hypothetical scenario. It was a moot point. Women liked tender words and sweet romance. Christopher didn’t have it in him. A club girl was out of the question. Aunt Patricia would never abide a whore. A good girl was out of Christopher’s reach. She’d have to be used up, insane, or desperate.
Johnnie chuckled at the thought. Paz drew his attention again. She looked so vulnerable, standing in the shadow of Mauricio. Smiling, she walked to Johnnieand placed her hand in his. The adoration in her eyes stole his breath.
“John?”
Grandda’s voice intruded on Johnnie’s rapid thoughts about how best to help her find a better life for herself.
“You haven’t been coming in her, have you?”
“You aren’t on birth control?” Johnnie remembered she didn’t speak English, so he waited until Paz returned to her spot and addressed his grandfather. “She isn’t on birth control?”
