had arrived. She would have expected a few by now. 'How bad is the trade exactly?'
Jovina had given up fighting. 'Fortuna is smiling on us if we see more than half a dozen clients a day,' she whispered.
Aghast at this paltry number, Fabiola again let her face reveal nothing. 'That few?'
'I've tried everything,' said the madam. 'Special offers, discounts, boys. I even forced the girls to offer more 'specialised' services.'
Fabiola winced, but did not ask more.
'Nothing seems to work. All of them head to that bitch down the road.' Jovina pursed her lips in a brief revival of her former spirit. 'A lifetime of work, and it comes to this,' she exclaimed.
'Something else can be done, surely?' asked Fabiola.
'I've been to all the temples, made plenty of generous offerings. What else is there?' asked Jovina, weariness oozing from her again.
A surge of adrenalin hit Fabiola. Seize the moment, she thought. Take control of the situation. But still she hesitated, suddenly unsure. Whatever she said had to be phrased in just the right way, or Jovina would reject it. Her former owner was not completely on her knees. Equally, her plan must not just fall flat on its face. The Lupanar could prove vital to her preparations for Caesar's downfall. Inspired, Fabiola's lips gave the tiniest twitch. 'Have you ever thought of… retiring?' she asked delicately. 'Taking it easy?'
Jovina snorted; then her beady eyes fixed on Fabiola's, like an eagle on its prey. But this bird had no power left. 'Who would run the place? You, I suppose?'
'It's only a thought,' Fabiola answered smoothly. 'I'd pay a good price, of course. Ignore the state of the books right now and go on last year's figures.' She made an airy gesture. 'If you wished, you could stay on — to oversee the transition period.' Jovina's input would be useful until she got the hang of day-to-day affairs.
The madam looked shocked. 'What's this about?' she demanded. 'After all you went through here, why would you want to take it over?'
Fabiola studied her manicured fingernails. 'I'm bored,' she declared. It wasn't so far from the truth. 'I need something to occupy my time, and this is a job I know well.'
'What about Brutus?'
'He lets me do what I want. I've spent years on campaign with him already and now the damn civil war looks as if it might drag on for a while,' Fabiola complained. 'Greece and Egypt were bad enough. I'm not trailing round Africa and Spain after him as well.'
Jovina fiddled with a thick gold bracelet on one wrist. 'And the price?'
Fabiola had been doing mental arithmetic since the madam had revealed how few clients remained. 'I think a hundred and fifty thousand denarii would suffice.' She let the amount sink in for a moment. 'Five thousand for each girl, and fifty thousand for the building. Any outstanding debts would have to be honoured by you.'
Jovina's eyes nearly popped out of her head. The sum was more than generous. 'You have access to that kind of money?'
Fabiola's smile was serene. 'Brutus is wealthier than you can imagine. He'll pay anything to keep me happy.'
Jovina sat very still, considering her options.
There was a lengthy silence, during which Fabiola watched the madam from the corner of her eye. Jovina's wiliness was not all gone. When her expression suddenly became more calculating, it was time for the killer blow. 'I couldn't pay an as more,' Fabiola said, her tone no longer friendly. 'And I only make a good offer once.'
Jovina sank back in her seat. 'Give me some time,' she whispered. 'A few days.'
She had the old madam now, thought Fabiola jubilantly. 'I don't think so. Two hours should suffice.'
Jovina nodded reluctantly. 'Very well.'
Draining the last of her wine, Fabiola stalked to the door. 'I'll be back by hora sexta.' Triumph filled her. Finally everything is going my way. Romulus is in the army, so he will return to Rome one day and we will be reunited. Brutus might be one of Caesar's right-hand men, but he is utterly faithful to me. The Lupanar will be mine in two hours, and with the women here, I can win more of his comrades over to my cause. To kill Caesar. Fabiola was so absorbed in her thoughts that she did not react to Sextus' hiss of alarm. It was only when he prevented her from leaving that it sank in.
She could see his face was worried. 'What is it?'
'Trouble,' he muttered, pulling his gladius from the scabbard.
Fabiola tried to peer outside, but Sextus would not even let her do this.
Loud voices suddenly carried in from the street. One of them belonged to Vettius. 'Piss off,' he bellowed.
'We're coming in, whether you like it or not,' a man snarled in response. 'My master wants to talk to the old bitch right now.'
'Over my dead body,' Vettius answered.
A burst of laughter rang out, and Fabiola knew that the doorman must be badly outnumbered. Next she heard the distinctive sound of weapons being unsheathed. She cursed. They couldn't just stand by and let this happen. Where was Benignus? She looked at Jovina, who had gone grey under her makeup. 'Who are they?'
'Thugs from the new brothel,' Jovina managed.
'We'll give you one more chance, fool,' said Vettius' adversary. 'Stand aside.'
'Go fuck yourself,' came the loud response. 'I'll kill you all.'
Fabiola's heart swelled with pride. Part of Vettius' refusal to move would be because she was inside. Terror also filled her at what was about to happen.
Shouts of anger rang out and they heard men swarming forward.
'Vettius!' Somehow Jovina's voice carried over the commotion. 'Let them in.'
Silence fell outside.
With bated breath, they waited.
A shadow filled the doorway, and Fabiola found herself shrinking behind Sextus, who ushered her against the wall. A cloaked figure entered, followed by five muscle-bound men with drawn swords. Vettius bustled in next, his club raised. Seeing Fabiola unharmed, he also moved to stand in front of her. For the moment, none of the newcomers had seen her or Sextus. Beads of sweat ran down Fabiola's neck, but her feet were rooted to the spot.
The leader's gaze fell first on Jovina. The old madam visibly quailed. 'What do you want?' she asked in a shrill tone. 'Isn't it enough to take all my business?'
'Jovina,' said the man, acting hurt. 'We only wanted to ask after your health. Word has it that you're not well.'
'Damn your insolence,' snapped the madam. 'I'm fine.'
'Excellent.' There was a mocking bow, and Fabiola's heart hammered in her chest. The gesture was familiar to her. So were the man's thick silver wrist bands and powerful build. Before she could gather her thoughts, though, the stocky figure went on, 'We're worried about you nonetheless. It would be an excellent idea if you left the Lupanar. Took a holiday. Soon.'
Jovina's outburst had drained what little energy she had. 'It's my business,' she said in a low voice. 'What would happen to it? To my girls?'
'We'll look after everything. The building, the doormen, and especially the whores,' said the man, leering at his companions. 'Won't we, lads?'
They laughed unpleasantly.
Fabiola felt the bitter taste of bile in her mouth, and she struggled not to vomit. She knew exactly who this was. Scaevola, the fugitivarius. A choking cough left her throat.
At the sound, he spun round to face her. The fugitivarius took in Vettius and Sextus with a contemptuous glance, but his eyes widened at the sight of Fabiola. A cruel smile creased his face. 'By all the gods,' he breathed. 'Who would have believed it?'
Suddenly lightheaded, Fabiola had to place a hand on Sextus' shoulder. Otherwise she would have fallen.
