Throne Read Online Free PDF

nearly too dark to see, but Paula was visible behind the bar, adding up a bunch of receipts by the register. She was tall, dark, beautiful in a way that made men go crazy, her hair done back in cornrows and falling in slender braids to her narrow shoulders.
    Maya swung herself up onto the barstool, suddenly nervous at showing up at Paula’s place of work. Paula looked over, a casual check, and then her eyes widened before they narrowed. Paula was sharp, razor sharp. The fact that Maya was here and not at work would tell her everything. Reaching up, Maya took off her shades and gave Paula a shaky smile.
    “Hey girl. What’s up with you?” asked Paula, stepping over.
    “I got in trouble at the restaurant,” said Maya, not knowing quite how to phrase it. “Chang—one of the guys who works there—he made a move on me.”
    Paula raised her eyebrows for a moment. “And what did you do?”
    “I kicked him in the nuts.” For a moment Maya had no idea what Paula’s reaction would be—anything from accusing her of being stupid to reaching over the bar to give her a hug. Instead, Paula just nodded her head.
    “Good for you, girl, but now what? You can’t be going back there, can you?”
    “No,” said Maya. She took a breath. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t even know what I’ll tell Mrs. Mercedes.”
    Paula made a clucking sound of annoyance, “Girl, you’d better go to Mrs. Mercedes with a better job lined up. Aunt or no, she’s going to whoop your ass so hard you’ll be knocked right out of your cheap-ass shoes.”
    Maya felt her eyes begin to burn again. Furious with herself, aware of Paula’s hard gaze, she straightened and rubbed her wrist hard against her lashes. “I know. I just need to figure something out. I just need to—I’m just scared she’ll call Immigration on me.”
    Paula laughed then, and it was a cold sound. Her eyes were flat and dull and contemptuous. “Maya, she ain’t never going to call Immigration. That’s a lie to keep you close. She says that to all the girls. She’s going to keep you tied to her apron strings till you’re ready for your real job.”
    Maya paused. “My real job?”
    “Girl, you for real? You think Mercedes needs those fifty bucks you make a day? Hell no. Soon as she can, she’s gonna force you to work at Gold Rush as a waitress or something. And that’ll be just for starters.” Maya just stared at her. Paula laughed again, “Wake up. Why you think Mercedes gives a damn about your ass? Gives you a place to sleep, pretends she cares? It’s that pretty face of yours. You’re, what, sixteen? This is probably just the chance she’s been waiting for. A hundred bucks says she’s gonna force you to get started tonight.”
    Maya suddenly felt wooden, exhausted, dull. Two years, thinking she was so smart, so sharp. Outwitting Senora Mercedes with her little stash of cash, promising herself she’d run. Suddenly it was all clear.
    Paula saw the look on her face, and her own expression softened. She set a beveled glass before Maya and poured her a double shot of whiskey.
    “Look, querida .” She paused, looking for the right words. “It’s not so bad. Actually, it can pay real good. A year, you’ll have enough money to do what you like. Find those parents of yours. Get the best damn lawyer in town. All you have to do is keep your head above water, don’t get involved in no trouble, and sooner or later you’re out. But for now? Best thing you can do is have that drink and hope for comfortable dancing shoes.”
    Maya took the glass. She didn’t like alcohol, but she sipped anyway, almost choked, and then fury welled up inside her and she downed it all, throat burning.
    “Good girl,” said Paula, “Now get out of here. Manny’s going to be back in a few minutes and he’ll take my hide if he catches me serving minors.” She smiled then, and it was the smile that broke Maya’s heart. Worse than Meimei’s backing away, it was Paula’s smile that