Page 235 of Marcello

“I called her again at 7,” he whispered. “She hasn’t called back yet.”

“What about hiring somebody else? Another call girl?”

Eugenio shook his head. “Unh-unh. No way. Everybody knows Esmeralda – she comes around so often, they think I’m in love with her. If I call some other girl, the other guys could get suspicious, and somebody might tell your father.”

Shit.

“Then call Esmeralda again,” I ordered him.

“What’s so important that you have to sneak out tonight?”

“Do you want to get paid double or not?”

Eugenio huffed indignantly, but he put his phone on speakerphone as he called her.

Luckily, Esmeralda answered –

But she wasn’t happy. “Why the fuck do you keep blowing up my phone?!”

I could see from Eugenio’s face that he was about to cuss her out, so I leapt in ahead of him. “Esmeralda, it’s Laura.”

Her tone immediately changed. “Oh – hey, kid! How’s tricks?”

“Can you come over tonight? Please?”

“Wait – aren’t we on for Thursday?”

“Things changed. Can you come over tonight?”

“I wish I could, but I got a big job in Salerno – two nights with a high-roller. We’re going to a sex party.”

Ew.

“I’ll pay you double,” I pleaded.

“Oof… I don’t like turning down money, kid, but if I try to get out of it, I’d be burning all my bridges with him and his buddies.”

“I’ll pay you triple!”

“Babe, I wish I could – ”

“Name your price!”

Eugenio’s eyes bugged out. “What?!”

I held up my finger to shush him. “Please, Esmeralda – I’m begging you.”

She sighed. “I can’t get out of it tonight, but I think I can be at your place tomorrow at eight. Does that work?”

My heart sank, but it would have to do. “Alright.”

“It’s gonna cost you ten times the normal price, though. I’m gonna have to hire TWO girls to take my place to make it up to him.”

“Whatever you want, I’ll pay it.”

“Alright… I’ll see you tomorrow night, doll.”

“Thank you.”