Page 24 of Her Patron
“Miquelita,” she thought she was so cute when she used their mother’s nickname for her, “I don’t give Queen Isabel’s left tit who you’re playing with. As long as she’s a semi-decent girl, anyway. Trust me. I did some digging on your sweet Junie.”
“June.”
“Whatever.” Dolores slapped her purse against Miquela’s couch and removed her travel gloves one long finger at a time. “Point is, my private investigator turned up more than your disgusting photos. You know what else he found? Go on, guess.”
“I’m sure you’ll tell me.”
“I don’t even want to say it. Videos, pictures, all sorts of sordid shit that would make our dear mother faint to even acknowledge. Most of your sluts have dirty pasts that landed them in front of a video camera or two. What he found out about her life today was much worse.”
“Cut to the chase, Dolores.”
“Like I said.” Her tone turned curt. “She’s a slimy prostitute.”
Miquela somehow managed not to react.Trust me, I would love to give her a few choice words right now. She had long learned to leave things be in that regard. People like her sister lived for getting a rise out of her.
“You’re not even going to deny it?”
“Is there a point?”
Dolores almost looked disappointed. “I should’ve figured. A woman that relaxed around so much wealth either had to come from it or be a high-priced escort. It was made quite clear she was not the former when we met her.”
“Congratulations, you’ve cracked the code. I’m assuming you haven’t told anyone.”
“Why would I?” Her upper lip curled. “As soon as I found out, though, I hopped on my husband’s plane here. Told everyone I was coming to check in and acted as if you knew about it. Really, though, I wanted to see if you would deny dating a hooker.”
“Do you feel better about yourself, saying these things?” Like Miquela needed her to answer that. “I don’t see how it’s any of your business. If I had anything to do with those photos, I would apologize… but I didn’t, so all you did was fly out here to rub it in my face.”
“True. I also came out here to give you a warning,hermana.” Dolores draped her gloves over the back of the couch. Did she think she was staying a while?Either find a hotel or get back on your plane… my guest room does not have your name on it. “Normally, I wouldn’t go to these measures, but you said that woman was your girlfriend… and both Maria and I agreed that you were smitten with her.”
Miquela didn’t deny that, either.
“Your image problems are your own to deal with, although you really should think of your poor youngest sister, who is in pursuit of her own suitor right now. Think of Mama’s heart, too. It’s not so good anymore, you know.”
“What is the point?”
“The point, Miquela, is that you can’t be serious about such a tramp being your girlfriend. First of all, she’s playing you. You think she really cares about you? She’s after your money. That’s all she thinks about. Everything she does is about setting herself up for life.”
Miquela cocked an eyebrow. “Sounds familiar. By the way, how’s Pierre’s billions?”
“You leave my well-respected husband out of this.”
“I’m just saying, Lola…”
She grimaced at that name. “That is different. I’m not saying I begrudge Ms. Kingsley for playing the game well. She’s clearly good at what she… does…” Dolores cleared her throat. “You just best pick a woman of proper breeding if you are so insistent on bucking the status quo. My dear sister may play the part of a man with her slick style, but a man she isnot.”
“My, you are a real romantic.”
“I’m serious, Miquela!” Ah, there went the fake demeanor. “Don’t you dare fucking sully our family name by getting serious with a prostitute of all people! Not only is it wretched, but…”
“But what?” Miquela was starting to lose her patience… and she had a lot of patience for her sister’s stupid bullshit.This is different. This is about June.The woman she kept demeaning. “Go on. Tell me what ‘this’ is, and why I should feel bad about it.”
“It’s disgusting! Think of your position! Everyone expects you to use women like they’re worthless fucktoys…”
“Excuse you.”
“…But don’t you dare start parading around a hooker like she’s your girlfriend. It’s bad for everyone’s image. If you dare marry her? Papa would disown you. No matter how you do it, Miquela, it’s a disgusting mess. Spare us and cut her loose so the fervor back home can die.”
“Fervor, huh?”
