The Priest (23 page)

“Better. Thank you, sir, for sending the
extra food for her,” Lara answered with another big smile.

“Let me know if you need anything else.” The
Priest waved his hand at Lara, who bobbed her head, thanked him
once more and then disappeared behind the open window to paint
another part of the wall.

“Did you send them your dinner?” Lucas asked
with a suspicious tone after the girl was out of sight.

“I wasn’t hungry yesterday, and I hate
wasting food. You know I can’t stand the idea.” Mauricio had hoped
that Lucas wouldn’t discover his little deceptions. It wasn’t the
first time, but he had managed, until now, to hide it
successfully.

“I’ll tell Lorena that you don’t like her
food,” Lucas said with a mock hurt tone for the alleged slight
toward his sister’s culinary skills.

“Good try. Lorena knows I only eat what she
cooks.” Mauricio liked the fact that they could still laugh and
joke, even after so many years of knowing each other.

“Anyway, coming back to whatever we were
talking about before you tried to entertain the girls with your
charm…” Lucas started, but Mauricio stopped him.

“The fathered women would never rebel
against the pure breeds. Although they should, for the way they’re
treated.” His eyes went to the window again to look for the sky
looming brightly through the enormous skylight that illuminated the
inside of the city.

“But—” Lucas couldn’t let it go.

“They would lose what little they have to
help the men. They resent the pure breeds because they want to be
like them. Siding with the slaves is not going to be on their
agenda for a long time, unless something happens to make them
change their minds.” Mauricio closed his eyes and basked in the
sun.

“Well, we’ll have to work on that, then.”
Lucas stood up.

“Have a safe patrol today, and let’s hope
that you can save some lives,” Mauricio offered his usual blessing
and accepted Lucas’ tender hug.

“I will bring you some fresh recruits. I
have a good feeling this morning.” Lucas smiled and turned
around.

Mauricio watched the man until the door
closed behind him and then went to retrieve his box from under his
bed. He opened it reverentially, as usual, and took out the only
picture he had left of Rosie. It was a clipping from the day of her
marriage, and she looked exactly like the last time he had seen
her. She was lovely in her wedding gown and she was looking
straight ahead of her—as if she was looking at him.

“I’ll see you soon, my love.” He stroked the
fading image on the much-abused piece of paper. “We’ll meet in a
place where nobody will tear us apart.”

Backstory and Acknowledgments

While I was writing
Pax in the Land of
Women
, two characters, Rosie and the Priest, came to life. I
thought that their story deserved to be told, but
Pax
was
already on its way to completion, and there wasn’t any space left
in it for them. 2010 Nanowrimo came along, and I jumped at the
opportunity to write 50,000 words around the slave and the
President’s daughter. Last November, while my DH was playing Red
Dead Redemption, I sat by him on the couch and wrote
The
Priest
. And that is the reason why every time I think about
this novel I automatically hear RDR’s soundtrack in my mind.

I feel I have several people to thank. I’ll
start with my parents, from whom I have inherited a passion for
reading. I’ll never thank my father enough for giving me a copy of
I, Robot
when I was seven years old. I owe many thanks to my
friend, and loyal beta reader, Claudia, who has been patient enough
to follow my journey through almost every word I have written. My
everlasting gratitude goes to Alessandro for creating the cover. My
love goes to my kids just for being them. Finally, without my
husband’s support, none of this would be possible. The biggest
thanks of all is to Roberto, who never complains about the ruin
that has become our house, and who has read my stories, even though
they aren’t his cup of tea.

Persons of Interest

A book is never a solitary endeavor,
although the writer oftentimes thinks otherwise.

Amy Eye edited
The Priest
.

Cassie McCown proofread it.

Roberto Ruggeri formatted the novel.

Alessandro Fiorini created the cover.

You, hopefully, read the book.

About the Author

Monica La Porta is an Italian who landed in Seattle several
years ago, where she lives with her family. Despite popular
feelings about the Northwest weather, she finds the mist and the
rain the perfect conditions to write. When Monica isn’t writing or
reading, she can be found painting on her digital tablet or playing
with homemade modeling dough. Whenever the sun shines, she comes
out of her cave and treats her beloved beagle, Nero, to long walks
into the Washington wild.

Web –
http://www.monicalaporta.com

Twitter –
@momilp