“It wouldn’t be the same thing.”
“In a sense, it would be. I need to learn how to make it on my own. I hope you understand.”
He nodded. “I do. I can ask Muerto if he has any vacancies at his rentals. He owns several properties.”
Her eyes sparkled and it made him smile. “That’d be great.”
When Diablo was showered and dressed, he told Fallon he’d meet her downstairs. Taking the stairs two at a time, he walked into the main room. He spotted Muerto by the bar and moseyed up to him.
“How was your trip to Denver?” Muerto said.
“Good. How’s Raven?”
“She’s kicking ass. She just sold a few more paintings at that gallery she’s at in Denver. Looks like we’ll be making the trip to the big city soon.”
“That’s fuckin’ awesome.” He picked up the can of Coors the prospect placed on the bar.
Goldie came over and slapped Diablo’s back. “Dude. How’s Fallon? Shit, I still can’t believe you got a woman. You were always the one who didn’t seem much interested in pussy.”
“I’ve always been interested in pussy, just not rabid like all of you.”
Muerto and Goldie laughed. “I gotta admit I didn’t see that coming. I mean, you seemed good with Lucy and Maria. I didn’t know you were looking.” Muerto picked up his shot of tequila.
“I wasn’t. You got any vacancies in any of your rentals?” he asked.
“A couple. One’s the front of the duplex where Raven lived and the other is an apartment. You planning on moving out?”
Goldie sniggered. “There’s no way you’re giving up Lena’s cooking and the washing and cleaning the club girls do around here.”
“It’s not for me. It’s for Fallon. She wants to get out on her own. It’s about fuckin’ time.”
“Gotcha. Since it’s for her, then I’d say the apartment is best. Raven loved the duplex, but Walter creeped her out. The next tenant I’m putting in there is gonna be a dude. I can arrange for her to see the apartment sometime next week.”
“I’ll let her know.”
“Here comes your former playmate, and she looks pissed.” Goldie chuckled.
Diablo turned around and saw Maria approaching him, a deep crease in her brow. “Later,” he said to Goldie and Muerto. He went over to a table and sat down. She came up to him. “Sit down.” He kicked out a chair.
She slipped in. “You have a woman.” It was a fact. Her voice didn’t hold any malice or accusation, just disappointment. He nodded. “That explains why you’ve been ignoring me and Lucy.”
He nodded again.
“I…. We know the score. I just wish you would’ve told me. I guess I expected something different from you. You seem more mature than the other guys around here. It would’ve been nice to have known. Just out of respect, you know?” Her brown eyes fixed on his.
“I didn’t think about it. What we had was some fun and fuckin’, same as what you have with most of the brothers. Didn’t seem like something I’d think to tell you.”
She reached out and stroked his hand. “I get it. As I said, I know the score. I hope you’re happy with her. If you ever need another woman, you let me know.” She stood up and gave him a big hug.
The gasp thudded in his ears. He looked at the bar and saw Fallon staring at him, her face mottled with red blotches. He gently pushed Maria away, and she glanced at the bar and smiled. Before she walked away, she leaned down and whispered, “Sorry to have gotten you in trouble, honey.” She walked away, her curvy hips swaying.
Fallon stormed up to him. “Couldn’t you wait until I was gone, at least?”
He laughed and tried to draw her to him but she resisted. “You’re not serious, are you?”
She jerked her hand out of his and marched outside. He quickly followed her as she struggled to walk fast.
“Fallon. This is fuckin’ stupid. I was just talking to Maria.”
