"Three-way weekend" - читать интересную книгу автора (Spencer Kitty)

CHAPTER NINE

Carlo leaned back in his chair, taking in the scene around him with his usual practiced gaze. Inside, there were only a handful of warmly dressed tourists; outside, all of the patio tables were empty – the impending spring shower had driven all but a few stout-hearted tourists indoors. There was no money to be made today, he thought, as he lifted the cup to his lips, sipping tentatively at its hot contents. Alas, it was just as well; there was much too much to be done anyway. First there was the matter of Nino, and then he had to call Marceau and complete the arrangements for tonight… he let his thoughts drift, speculating on the satisfying possibilities it should bring…

Abruptly, his pleasurable thoughts were interrupted by a group of noisy tourists entering the cafe. "Damn," he swore under his breath, "where is that stupid, pussy-eater? He should have been here by now!" He glanced at his watch again – about the night before – and that sensuous blonde getting fucked silly…; and about the apartment – and how he had managed to sneak out after they had both fallen asleep. But, most of all, it had set him to thinking about tonight – and his plan…

It was simple, really. He knew the one thing above all others that would appeal to Nino. Not a girl. Not sex. No, it was neither of these. He would hit him where he lived – with greed, with the promise of money, wealth. And then he would take over from Nino – with that beautiful, salacious bitch… Elaine. He would teach her things Nino had never even thought of… He would make her beg for cock, and more cock, until she…

The spring shower broke without warning as Nino was hurrying along the street toward the cafe. Cursing, he hastily buttoned the jacket of his new lightweight suit and sprinted the final few yards. But the sudden rain was heavy enough to soak him even in those few minutes. When he entered the cafe, the sight of Carlo comfortably settled in one of the cafe's chairs, his long legs resting on top of another chair, did nothing to improve Nino's temper. Neither did Carlo's amused grin.

"Shit!" Nino spat out. He wrenched off his jacket and hurled it down on a vacant chair. "What a day I've had! And then I get caught in a cloudburst…" He threw himself into an adjacent chair and lit a cigarette.

"You're late," Carlo said. "You said you would be here by two o'clock. It's half-past now. And I told you that I'd be needing the apartment this evening."

The effect of Carlo's remark was explosive. It was what he had expected – and what he had wanted. Nino's face flushed a dull red and he leapt to his feet, his voice rising rapidly as the words gushed out.

"You need the apartment, huh? I suppose you think you own the place? Well, my claim is as good as yours and you know that I've got to have it tonight. I've already told Elaine we'll be going there, and if you think you can get away with this, then you're mistaken; I'll see you in hell first…"

Carlo lit himself another cigarette while Nino raved. When the torrent of words stopped for a second as Nino drew breath to continue his ranting, Carlo threw up his hands and said sharply: "Stop that and listen to me!"

His tone was commanding. In surprise, Nino stopped. "Now listen," Carlo went on when he was sure that he had the other's attention. "There's no need to get hysterical about this. I asked you to meet me so that we could discuss things sensibly."

"Who's getting hysterical?" Nino's voice was still pitched higher than it was normally, but he had slumped down into his chair again.

"It happens to be my turn to use the apartment," Carlo continued. "And for once, I'm going to take advantage of it. You've had the place plenty of times instead of me – in fact, you've been given almost a free run. But this time, I'm not fooling. I am using the apartment tonight."

A sulky pout turned down the corners of Nino's mouth. "I told you," he muttered, "that Elaine thinks we're going there tonight. How do I get out of that, tell me, eh?" He glared at Carlo, accusingly.

The answer he received was brisk and brought him out of his chair, sputteringly.

"What do you mean, Elaine and I are through?" Nino croaked, beating the table with his clenched fist. "Who are you to tell me what I can and can't do!"

Carlo smiled, his thin upper lip curled in contempt. He said nothing. Finally, Nino stopped beating the table, ground his teeth in impotent rage and slumped into his chair. He sat rigid for a few moments, his hands still clenched into tight fists. When he sat upright again, the expression on his face had changed. He adjusted his shirt and his tie, at the same time giving his friend a crafty look.

"Carlo, you know you only use the apartment for telephoning…" he began lamely, waiting.

Carlo's amber eyes narrowed. He leaned forward on his chair. "You're wasting your time with that bitch," he said. "You're wasting your time with a girl who had no money."

"Elaine does have money!"

Carlo leapt straight into the attack. He did not want to lose the opportunity of a lifetime – to say nothing of a form of permanent insurance against possible hard times. He knew that, with a little behind-the-scenes manipulation, Nino could swing it. After which his good friend would be set for life. And, should Carlo ever need anything, he could always remind Nino where his gratitude and generosity should point…

"You have to wake up, man!" Carlo said impatiently. "Elaine doesn't have money; she had an allowance. And it isn't all that much, either."

Warming to his subject, Carlo pressed harder. "Remember that girl I introduced you to a couple of days ago – Sue Miller? Listen. She's an heiress. An heiress, you understand? An heiress to over one million dollars. She thinks you're wonderful; she's ready to go for you in a big, big way. This is the chance of a lifetime for you – that chance you've hoped for, for so long. What more could you want?"

Nino made no reply. He drew deeply from his cigarette, his forehead creased in a set frown.

"It's all set up for you, Nino," Carlo urged. "All you have to do is dump Elaine and you're set with Sue and a million dollars." When the youth sat silent, Carlo asked weanly: "Now what's the matter? What's wrong with Sue?"

"She's a lesbian," Nino muttered.

Carlo shot a shrewd glance at Nino. "What gave you that idea? Just because Maria took her in doesn't mean she's a dyke. Christ, the poor girl was lonely. Besides, Maria is a damned good art teacher and she's been helping Sue with her technique. Ask Benito for Christ's sake! He balled her at one of Marceau's parties. He thought she was a terrific fuck…"

"She has thick legs," Nino interjected.

"Christ, man, you want a million bucks and the most beautiful legs in the world too?"

"Well…"

"Look, if it's Elaine that's bothering you, forget it. You pick her up tonight and tell her you're going to a party. When you get to Marceau's, I'll take her around and introduce her to everybody. In the meantime you grab Sue and head for one of the rooftop rooms. I'll keep Elaine busy." He winked at Nino. "After a little of Marceau's refreshments she'll never miss you. It'll be easy." He looked appraisingly at Nino. He judged the younger man had accepted the persuasion. Surpressing a cynical smile, Carlo asked in a tone of serious inquiry: "Well, what do you say, Nino? Are you going to drop Elaine or not?"

There was silence. Nino lit himself another cigarette. Finally: "It's not going to be easy," he muttered.

"Nothing could be simpler!" Carlo could smell victory. "Sue's ready and willing – any idiot can see she's panting for you! She can't wait for you to lay her. And since she has all those lovely dollars, you'd be well advised to forget those thick legs. Just get down to business."

"It's all right for you to talk…" Nino began.

"Listen," Carlo interrupted, "I've screwed a lot worse than Sue, and for a lot less incentive, too. And it hasn't killed me yet. It hasn't even bothered me."

"Nothing's really wrong with her… she's really a pretty good looking broad… it's… just…" Nino's voice trailed off. He stared beyond Carlo – beyond the door and the empty outdoor tables – beyond the street…

What the hell's the matter with him, Carlo wondered. He's plainly weak about the blonde bitch in some way or another. Love? It hardly seemed likely. But this was no time to take chances on love or weakness. Sue was the richest fish Carlo had ever caught upon his diversified hook. She was rich and she had fallen in a jelly-like romantic heap for Nino. That he knew. And one million dollars… It would seem foolish to let sentimentality over Elaine spoil such a golden opportunity. Carlo abhorred sentimentality above all things. And… he wanted Elaine for himself. For now, anyway.

Nino stared directly at him, and even before his friend spoke, Carlo knew that the million dollars had won.

"Okay," he finally said, his voice subdued. "I'll pick her up and bring her to Marceau's. The rest is up to you."

"Done, my friend." Standing up, Carlo went around the table and held out his hand. He'd known all along Nino would see sense in the end. He had been right. He had known all along that in the end – greed would win. They shook.

"See you tonight… Lots to do… phone calls… and I have to be at Marceau's early to take care of the final arrangements." He turned quickly and headed for the door.

Nino stood for a long time, staring vacantly at the street…