Read Virgin for Free Online Page B

said.
    "No
matter. I liked what I came up with. Too good to waste. So I let the priest
have it."
    "With both
barrels."
    The senador smiled
and nudged Emilio with an elbow. "You of all people should understand
that."
    Emilio nodded.
He understood. One of his rules had always
been: Don't aim a gun if you have no intention of pulling the trigger. And if
you do pull the trigger, shoot to kill. Emilio's
cellular phone trilled softly in his breast pocket. He pulled it out and tapped
the send button.
    "Sanchez."
    "We've
found him."
    Emilio
recognized Decker's voice.
    "Good
work. Where is he?"
    The senador stiffened
beside him. "Charlie? They've located him?"
    Emilio nodded
as he listened to Decker's reply.
    "The
West Village. Where else?"
    "Public or
private?"
    "A dive
called The Dog Collar, believe it or not. On West Street. Want me to bring him
in?"
    "No. Wait
for me outside. And make sure he doesn't leave before I get there."
    "Will
do. I called Mol. He's coming over. We'll meet you here."
    "Good."
    Emilio stared
straight ahead as he punched the end button.
    "Charlie
is in a bar in Greenwich Village. Want me to bring him back to the hotel?"
    The senador sighed
and rubbed his eyes for a long moment. Then: "No. Who knows what shape
he's in? I don't want a scene. Use the jet to take him home, then send it back
for me. I won't be leaving until tomorrow night anyway."
    "Very
well. I should be back by early afternoon."
    "No. Not
you. I want you to stay with Charlie. Do not let him off the grounds. Do not
let him out of your sight until I get back."
    "If that
is your wish, then that is the way it will be."
    The senador laughed
softly. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if that were true with everything. I'd
have wished Charlie to be a different sort than he is. Let us pray that he'll
cooperate this time."
    He took Emilio's hand in his and bowed his head. Emilio set his jaw. The very
thought of holding another man's hand, even in prayer, even if it was the senador, made him queasy. He bowed his head but he did not pray. That was for women.
Old women. This incessant praying was the only part of the senador's character
he did not respect. It was unmanly.
    But in all
other matters he revered him.
    That did not
mean that he understood him. Why track down Charlie and bring him back to
Paraiso? He had done a good job of hiding himself away. Why ferret him out? Let
him stay hidden. Let sleeping dogs lie. . .
    If you're going
to do anything, Emilio thought as the senador prayed, do something
permanent. As much as I like Charlie, just say the word and he will really disappear.
Without a trace. Forever.
    But he knew the senador would never order the death of his maricon son.
    After dropping the senador at the Plaza and seeing him
safely to his suite, Emilio returned to the limousine, but this time he took
the front passenger seat.
    "You'll
probably be more comfortable in the back," the driver said.
    "I will
not argue with that, Frederick," Emilio said. He knew the man's name, home
address, and driving record. He'd checked all that out before letting the senador into the limo. "But I wish to speak to you as we drive."
    "Okay,"
the driver said. Emilio detected wariness in his tone. That was good. "But
you can call me Fred. Where to?"
    "Downtown?"
    "Any
particular--?"
    "Just
drive, Fred."
    As Fred turned
onto Fifth Avenue, Emilio said, "Have you chauffeured many famous people
around?"
    Fred grinned.
"You kidding? You name 'em, and if they've been to the Apple, I've driven
them around. Madonna, Redford, Luke Perry, Winona Ryder, Cher, Axl Rose. . .
the list goes on and on. Too many to mention."
    "I'll bet
you can write a book about what's gone on in the rear section of this
car."
    "A
book?" He laughed. "Try ten books--all of them X-rated!"
    "Tell me
some of the stories. The juiciest ones."
    "Uh-uh. No
way. My lips are sealed. Why y'think all those folks hire me? Why y'think they
always ask for Fred? Because Fred gets Alzheimer's when people come sniffing
around