Owned by the Ocean Read Free

flounced away.
    “ Leo, that was sad.”
    “ How so, my friend?”
    “ The girl is desperate for guys like us to take a liking to
her. They all are. Those silly dresses they wear leave very little
for the imagination, and she still thinks that a bit of attention
from a guy like you or me will take her out of this hell hole and
into our lives. It's sad. I'd rather pay a whore like Claire than
play this game.”
    Leo's eyes
flashed. “Don't call her a whore.”
    “ That's what she is, Leo. She's a nice girl and I wish just as
much as you that she didn't have to sell herself but that is the
reality of things. Don't be angry with me that you're falling in
love with a common prostitute.”
    Brant knew it
was a low blow. He could see how his friend felt about the girl and
he felt bad that Leo could never find the happiness he was
searching for in Claire. They were of completely different classes
and she was a scarlet letter. A harlot. If she was anyone, anyone
at all other than what she was, Leo could risk bringing her into
his world. But as a working girl, never.
    Leo's face
twisted in anger. “I'm not in love with her.”
    “ No? I understand that you can't be in love with her, but don't
lie to me; you're falling for her and you're too far gone to break
it off. For goodness sake, Leo, you have to pay her to spend time with
you!”
    “ That can change. She could leave the brothel.”
    “ But do you honestly think she will? You called me naive
earlier but now who is acting naive? She has seen too much of the
world. She knows no one like you or I are going to make good on
taking her out of this life. As much as you might want to she knows
you can't. Your family and society would never allow it. She's
stuck with the hand she was dealt and the only thing you can do is
continue to pay her to spend time with you.”
    “ In two years I'm leaving for Jamaica. I can pay her passage
and she can come along.”
    “ Can she? Do you really think your father would allow you to
run his plantation if you're keeping a mistress and having her
gallivant around as a real lady?”
    “ He doesn't have to know.”
    “ You're right, he doesn't and I hope for yours and Claire's
sakes that you can find a way to make it work, but it's unlikely.
If you really want to make it work you may have to stoop down a
level, leave your family name and fortune behind and make it on
your own.”
    Leo got up and
slammed his glass down. “When did I ask you for advice about my
life, Brant? When did I ever ask for your input?”
    “ When did I ask for yours? You tell me I'm silly all the time
but what are you?”
    “ I'll see you tomorrow. I'm not looking for advice from a
sixteen year old that doesn't know anything about life. Not
tonight. Not ever.”
    Leo threw a
few coins on the table to cover the tab and left the bar. Brant
knew he was off to see Claire and he would be back for breakfast
tomorrow, so he didn’t worry. His friend had to blow off some
steam.
    Once Brant
finished his drink he waved over the nearest girl and ordered
another, leaning back in his seat and lighting another cigarette.
Sarah, the serving girl came over, all smiles, drink in hand.
“Where's your friend?”
    “ He left.”
    “ That's too bad. I don't suppose he'll be coming
back?”
    “ No. Can I ask you something, Sarah?”
    “ Sure.”
    “ Why do you do it? Why do you flounce around, smile and let
people man-handle you? Will it get you anywhere?”
    “ It’ll get me tips and put food on the table.”
    “ I wish you would have more self-esteem, Sarah. You're worth
more than this.”
    Sarah laughed
bitterly. “Thank you, but I think I know what I'm worth. Not
everyone can be born into wealth and privilege. Some of us have to
paste on a smile, pull our necklines a little lower, and hope we
come home with enough coin at the end of the day to get a family
fed.” She didn’t stick around to hear Brant’s response, and he was
glad she didn’t. He wasn’t really sure what