Page 37 of Victorious Vice

“Thank you,” I say, “but again, I must decline.”

She bites on her firm lower lip. The expression in her eyes has turned from flirty to…frightened?

“Is everything all right?” I ask.

“It’s just… If Idon’tentertain you, my father will be angry.”

I lean in, lower my voice. “Why would he be angry?”

“He’ll think you didn’t find me attractive enough. That I didn’t do my job.”

“You’re perfectly attractive, Daniela. You and I both know that. But you’re way too young. Tell him I’m an old prude or something.”

She looks down. “Men don’t turn me down, Señor.”

“I’m afraid this manisturning you down.”

“He’ll punish me.” She grabs my hand, squeezing tight. “Please… Let me come to your room.”

“No. I can’t do that.”

“Please…” She looks around nervously.

“May we not speak freely?” I ask in a whisper.

“I don’t know.”

The staff comes in to clear the dishes from the first course.

I rise. “If you’ll excuse me, Ms. Agudelo, I’m going to go out on the front veranda and have a smoke before dinner.”

I don’t smoke, of course, but I did bring a few cigarillos. I nod to Elmo, who’s in the next room. He rises and follows me out.

“Everything okay, Mr. Gallo?” Elmo asks.

I look around. “May we speak freely here?”

He frowns. “There are cameras here. But if we walk away from the house, they shouldn’t be able to capture any sound.”

I nod, and we move away as I light my cigarillo. I inhale, letting the smoke float over my tongue.

“She thinks I want to bed her.”

Elmo doesn’t look overly surprised.

Why would he be? He’s been working for Mario for years. He knows the drill.

“I don’t understand it,” I say. “If Agudelo wants to give me the gift of a woman, why not hire a professional? He’s pimping out his own daughter?”

Elmo presses his lips together. “In his defense, she’s gorgeous. Probably way better-looking than most professionals.”

Seriously? My opinion of Elmo just went down several notches. “I’m sure he could find the most beautiful women in Colombia to be of service,” I say. “No, Elmo. There’s something else at work here. Something much more sinister.”

“You think so?”

I nod, taking another drag on my cigarillo.

“She seems fearful. That if I don’t let her entertain me, she’ll get in trouble. Be punished.”

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