Free The King and the Courtesan by Angela Walker Page A

money to. But he’s not lending me anything. He’s actually paying me, so—”
    “Do you think it matters to him who’s lending and who’s buying? He doesn’t have a conscience. I thought everyone in Metro knew that.”
    “I wouldn’t go as far to say he doesn’t have a conscience. I mean, he’s a little
anal
maybe—”
    Mimi finally let go of me, running trembling fingers through her thin, greasy hair and mumbling something under her breath. She stalked into the kitchen and I followed, noticing that Joel was not there. Perhaps he had slipped out to give us some privacy. That didn’t seem likely, so maybe he was in the other room eavesdropping.
    “I can take care of myself,” I told her.
    “You think so, eh?” Mimi glared at me. “Well, you’re doing a
fantastic
job. Sleeping with Blade for drugs and then sleeping with strangers for everything else.”
    “Oh, shut up. You’re no princess, either. Don’t lie to me. The only reason you’re still clinging to Joel is because he’s got a job and buys you things. Don’t get all high and mighty, thinking you’re better than me. At least I get paid well to hang out with sleazy creeps. You do it for a note and a handshake.”
    “Don’t start this again, Melissa. Please. I can’t take it.” Mimi pinched the bridge of her nose and inhaled sharply. “This isn’t about me, okay? This is about you. Has it ever occurred to you that I’m simply terrified for you?”
    “No, it hasn’t.”
    “Why
else
would I have a problem with this?”
    “Because now I won’t owe you money for rent.”
    Mimi’s jaw dropped, and she gasped. “How
dare
you! You’re my goddamn sister. You think the only reason I live with you is for the money you make? Hell, I die a little every time you give me money, because I know how it’s all made.” Tears gathered in her eyes.
    “Now I get everything I want from him,” I told her. “I can help you, too.”
    “I don’t want anything to do with this. I don’t want to be implicated. At all. I know enough to stay far away from Ezekiel and his minions. I don’t want him showing up on
my
doorstep.”
    “Well, I didn’t ask him to show up on mine, either!”
    Mimi didn’t reply. She pouted and stared at me with big, glassy eyes.
    “I only stopped by to tell you where I am,” I muttered. “So you don’t worry. Maybe you can stop by for a visit if you want. He’s probably got a pool on the roof.”
    “Don’t joke about this, sis. Please, don’t.”
    Her reaction upset me. I felt a bubble of despair clog up my throat, and I struggled to keep it hidden. “I was always in danger. You know that. I’m not in any more danger now than I was in some sleazy hotel room with a stranger. Any man can pull a trigger.”
    Mimi shook her head and turned to the kitchen counter, staring at the sticky rings left by glasses of beer and soda.
    “If you need help—rent, furniture, clothes, food, bills—remember my offer.” With that, I put my wallet back into my purse and drew myself up taller. “Good-bye, Mimi.”
    “Why do I have this feeling that you’ll walk through that door and never come back?” Mimi asked.
    “You have that feeling every time I leave,” I whispered. I spun on my heel and walked out without looking back.
    * * *
    Ezekiel had a private elevator and an operator to work it. The operator didn’t look like I’d imagined. He was a dark-eyed young man in a suit who never even met my eyes. There was a gun nestled in his belt. I gulped and pressed closer to Ezekiel. Ezekiel noticed the direction of my gaze and chuckled. He put an arm around my shoulders.
    “You’ll have to get used to that,” he whispered. “I’m always well protected.”
    The penthouse was a masterpiece of glass and steel without a colorful surface to be found. The foyer alone had a black marble floor and an opposite wall made of windows overlooking Ralston and the furthest outreaches of downtown. A staircase with a metal railing twirled up to