Fat Tuesday(125)

Basile had got what he wanted from you, while you, poor dear, wound up with a broken heart."

She glared up at him."You can't keep me locked in this room indefinitely, Pinkie. Sooner or later, some way or another, I'll get out."

"Remy, by the time this night is over, you won't care whether or not you leave this room. You'll be totally indifferent to what happens to you."

"What do you intend to do, keep hitting me until I'd just as soon die as go on living?" She raised her head to a proud angle."You can try, Pinkie. But you'll be surprised by how resilient I've become. You no longer have the power to hurt me. I'm not what you say I am. I know that now. Your insults are wasted on me. I'm immune to them."

"Love has made you strong?" he taunted.

"That's right."

"Really? Brave talk, Remy. But let's see how courageous you are after something that you value is tainted by someone whom you detest."

Remy's chest seemed to crack around the sob that rose out of it.

"Don't touch her."

"Ah, so you've guessed. Sweet Flarra." He kissed his fingertips.

"So ripe, so eager to experience life."

Remy gripped the edge of the nightstand and pulled herself to her feet, then she lunged at him, her fingers going for his eyes. He knocked her away, slinging her down onto the bed.

"The girl is practically bursting with vitality, isn't she?" he said pleasantly, as though they were discussing the merits of a race horse.

"She blatantly declares her sexuality. It crackles around her like electricity. She's got more potential for pleasing a man than even you, Remy. How exciting it'll be for the man who takes her for the first time."

Remy slid off the bed. On her knees, she walked toward him and threw her arms around his thighs, begging him hoarsely, "Please, Pinkie, don't hurt her. I beg you. I'll do anything you say. Anything."

She clutched him tighter, using his clothing for handholds as she climbed him, pulling herself to her feet. Then she kissed him and caressed him through his trousers."Do anything with me, but don't harm her."

He avoided her kisses and pushed her hands away."Stop it Remy."

"Please, Pinkie," she sobbed."Please, don't touch her."

"I don't intend to, darling. Are you under the misconception that I'll replace you in my bed with Flarra? Not at all." He reached out and stroked her cheek."I've given her as a present. To Bardo."

For several seconds after he left, relocking the door from the outside, Remy stood as though nailed to the floor, swaying slightly from his last verbal blow. Bardo. With Flarra.

She crossed her arms over her stomach, and bent forward She stifled a keening sound by biting her lower lip. Then she whispered an earnest prayer of thanksgiving to God for giving her one last chance to save the situation.

Uncurling her fingers, she stared at the key lying in her palm the key she'd picked from Pinkie's pocket while pretending to beg his mercy.

"I don't get it. Why aren't I going straight to Remy's house?"

The girl's naivete was as much a turn-on as mental visions of her out of the school uniform. Seductive, sweet-smelling Flarra was going to be the best time he'd had in a long while. It was all he could do to keep from licking his chops in anticipation of things to come.

"The house is in an uproar," Bardo said by way of explanation.

"They're decorating for the party. Workers so thick you can't stir them with a stick. So your sister asked me to bring you here, where you can get dressed in peace and quiet."

"That seems an odd thing for Remy to do, especially when it's been more than a week since I've seen her. Maybe I should call her."

Bardo sensed her wariness as he led her down the breezeway of the motel toward the room in which he was already registered. He'd thought about reserving a room in a swank hotel but changed his mind. Why waste the money on amenities like room service and scented soap when the outcome of this afternoon was a foregone conclusion?

Besides, if Flarra created a ruckus, it was more likely to be ignored in a place where, with no questions asked, you could sign in as Mickey Mouse so long as you paid cash in advance.

Hoping to allay her apprehension at least until he got her inside the room, he sighed."I wasn't supposed to tell you, but you leave me no choice."

"Tell me what?"

"They're planning a big surprise for you. Something real special.

"That's why they told me to keep you away from the house till they're ready."

"Really?" she squealed, flashing him a thousand-watt smile "What could it be, I wonder."

"I know, but I'm sworn to secrecy."

"Give me a hint. Please, Mr. Bardo?"

"Nothing doing. Both the boss and Mrs. Duvall would skin me alive if I gave away their surprise. I've told you too much already. You've got to promise to act surprised."

"I promise."

He unlocked the door of the room and ushered her inside. The box containing her costume was tucked under his arm. Leave it to Pinkie not to overlook a single detail. As soon as they got to the car, Flarra had lifted the top of the box and taken a peek inside, but had refrained from tearing off the lid and plowing through the tissue paper. When he asked what she was waiting for, she had told him she wanted to savor the anticipation.