Page 30 of To Have and To Hold

“Let me show you around. Many of the women are still asleep. The club doesn’t close until three a.m.”

The club. Where these women get paid to have sex.

I continually told myself to not show my parents’ prejudices. It wasn’t easy to ignore the views and biases of the people who raised me. Then again, if this time in San Diego was going to broaden my world, maybe it needed to start with reexamining those beliefs.

That didn’t mean I wouldn’t freak out when I came upon a woman with too much makeup, teased hair, wearing a silk robe over X-rated lingerie and high heels, and smoking a cigarette. My imagination had been running wild ever since Papà told me I was going to San Diego.

Keep it together, Izzy.

Liliana showed me where to leave my purse and started my tour.

Chapter

Thirteen

Isabella

Itook three deep breaths in Mia’s office before venturing out into the unknown. The first hall we went down led to double doors that opened to a library filled with books. There was an English and a Spanish section. Both contained everything from how-to books to fantasy and romance. Besides the shelves and books, the furnishings included multiple tall tables with chairs as well as couches and comfy chairs. As we stepped out to leave, a woman nearly ran into us.

She was pretty in a nondescript way. Wearing blue jeans and a white tank top, she was easily ten years my senior, which didn’t make her old.

“Liliana,” she said, surprised.

“Isla,” Liliana replied. “Are you working in here today?”

“Sí. I’m a little late. Tell Mia I’m sorry. After what happened at the club, it was hard to fall asleep.”

Club.

Is she one of the whores?

No. She looks too normal.

Liliana smiled. “I don’t know what happened, but you’re fine. I think other than us, you’re the first to arrive.” She turned to me. “This is Isabella Luciano. She’s going to help around here while Mia’s out.”

“Hola,SeñoritaLuciano.” Her eyes opened wide. “Luciano. You’re related to Mia. That was her name.”

“I am.” I extended my hand. “Nice to meet you, Isla. Please call me Isabella or Izzy.”

“Izzy.” Her cheeks rose. “Thank you for helping Mia. We miss her.”

“I’m glad to be here.” I looked around. “I think I’ll get lost.”

“Ask any one of us. We’re here to help.”

Liliana’s advice came back to me. ‘It’s simple. Be nice to them, and they’ll be nice to you.’

“Thank you,” I said.

After she walked away, I lowered my voice to a whisper. “She isn’t one of the club’s whores, is she?”

“We told you last night that they are simply women who choose their employment.” I let that sink in as we again passed the front offices. Horace and José could be seen in the front office working on their tablets.

“Why aren’t they following us?” I asked.

“Men aren’t allowed beyond the front office unless they’re guarding the back doors, but they’re covered by surveillance.” She shrugged. “It makes the residents more comfortable. Of course, if there was to be an emergency” —she pointed at a red button on the wall— “these will sound an alarm, and they’ll come.”

“I saw one of those in the library.”

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