He shrugged, stroking those bone thin shoulders. “I am.”
“So, the old lady is all cared for, and she seems happy. You can visit her soon, they are having lunch now.” She popped a chocolate in her mouth. “Mhm… taste this, it’s excellent. Anyway… she will cost you a fortune, Damian, I hope you know that.”
“Quality always comes at a price. I guess this is my way of making up for whatever fuck-up I had no idea of committing.”
She smiled. “Accidents happen.”
“She was supposed to be on the pill.”
Christine laughed mildly. “You don’t even believe what you’re saying.” Her eyes darted to the silent little boy, and Damian nudged him in the back.
“Go and play with your car, ok?” Armando nodded and darted to the carpet, a bit further from them. Damian turned back to her. “It’s not like I had to worry with us.”
“True. Was she a good fuck, at least?”
He shrugged, vaguely annoyed. “I guess… it made the time pass.”
“What’s the plan now?”
“Buy a house. Do something, now that I’m free as a bird.”I wish…His eyes went to the sky.
“Ever thought of getting into the luxury retirement home business?”
Damian’s eyes focused back on her. “No. But I bet it’s lucrative?” He gave her a small smile.
“Yes, as you well know, being the paying customer.” She sipped her juice. “I need an investor to build more homes and extend the brand.”
“Golden Dusk.” He grinned.
“Yes. Precisely.”
“And what’s in it for me?”
“We can discuss the nitty-gritty details later. But I would make sure you have a golden place for your old age.”
“You’ll be dead by then.”
“Ouch. But it doesn’t matter, right? As an investor, you’d have that guarantee.”
Damian pulled a face. “I won’t grow old in a luxury home, thank you very much, lying in my bed, and having somebody wipe my ass, or the drool off my face. Might as well grow old someplace where I can just end it if my body becomes too decrepit for this planet.”
“I see that savage life has done something to you.”
“Yeah… it has…” Keeping quiet, that ache in his chest.
“So, my offer?”
“I haven’t heard anything yet.”
“But you trust me.”
“Yes.” He sighed. “Alright. I’ll invest in your little business. It’s not like I have anything to do anyway…”
“I won’t need you all the time. Just for the occasional board meetings four times a year. You’ll have access to everything, this goes without saying.”
“Don’t hire Harold for the constructions.”
“Now you’re being tough.” She arched her eyebrows, slightly amused. “Not your best friend anymore?”
