It was the day the doctor told him the news that Al made the decision to betray his boss and help Silver. A man ought to do at least one good thing in his life and Al had never regretted his decision. That day had been a little more than a year ago.
Right now, Al didn’t feel like he’d make it the full two years. He felt sweat bead on his forehead at the agony and he almost doubled over as he stumbled to a chair and took another big drink of the tonic.
He’d never told Silver he was dying. His every waking thought these days was occupied by hiding his pain while he tried to make plans to protect her. She would be so alone when he was gone. If only he could find the right man who, like Al, would be content to adore her from a distance, protect and cherish her.
The problem was, every man who saw her wanted to get between her legs, not understanding her terror at a man’s touch. Like that big half-breed who had drifted in the other night. Al snorted and wiped his brow. He’d never seen such lust and hunger in a man’s eyes. That Cherokee was big enough to protect her, all right, but he was a horse of a man. If he ever got the chance, that Cherokee would ride her like a stallion topping a mare, not caring about anything but satisfying his animal instincts.
Al saw a sudden image in his mind of the two naked together, the big dark body pinning her fragile pale one against a bed. Cherokee would be built big all over, and she was no match for him. With dismay, Al imagined the half-breed covering Silver, meshing his body with hers, ramming deep inside, impaling her against a bed while she beat on his chest and scratched helplessly at his face. Then he would bend his head and put his mouth on Silver’s full, ripe breasts....
The image upset him so, he shook his head to clear it, then stared out the window at the snow flurries.
Snow. It had been snowing the first time Al had ever seen Silver, that winter afternoon in Chicago. . . .
Jake Dallinger, the army scout, had found her wandering the streets and brought her to the elegant Victorian mansion. It looked so respectable, but the business inside wasn’t.
Brett. Bart Brett. The handsome, black sheep son of a wealthy family owned this place. Al remembered standing in the background in Brett’s office, watching the scene.
Jake was the kind of guy who’d steal milk from an orphan’s cup, a big, bearded redneck who carried a bull whip coiled on his belt. He kept his hat pulled low to hide the fact that he was half-scalped from a run-in with Indians in his past.
Jake said, Brett, this here little lady doesn’t seem to have anyplace to go, and I knew you was looking for a cleaning girl.”
Brett stood up, amusement on his handsome face. A cleaning girl? Oh, of course, Miss—?”
The slight blonde looked from one to the other. Uh, Jones. Sylvia Jones,” she said.
Funny,” Brett said, you look Swedish or Norwegian.”
Does it matter?” She seemed nervous and scared.
Al studied her, and decided she was just a kid, not more than seventeen, maybe. If he’d ever found a woman he cared about, who cared about him, Al might have had a daughter this girl’s age. When he looked at her, he saw the young, innocent sweetheart every half-grown boy dreams of and usually never gets.
Brett bowed with smooth charm. Forgive my rudeness, Miss Jones. It just seems that with that dazzling hair, ‘Silver’ would be more appropriate.”
The girl blushed, then smiled, looking at Al with obvious curiosity.
Oh, forgive me, Miss Jones,” Brett said, this is my right-hand man, Mr. Al Trovato.”
The girl curtsied prettily and Al nodded, curious as to how she would react when she realized too late what she had gotten herself into. The elegant mansion was known as the Velvet Kitten, a high-class brothel that catered to an elite, upper-class clientele.
Al had grown hard over the years because of his own past. He’d done time in jail, and had a job unloading crates in a warehouse when Brett first hired him as a bouncer. Gradually, Al had become more than Brett’s employee. He was Brett’s most trusted confidant. Now behind the girl’s back, Brett winked knowingly at him, then at Dallinger.
The scout would get a fat fee for bringing the girl in. An innocent-looking, fragile beauty like this one would put money in Brett’s pockets when wealthy businessmen and politicians came in for an evening’s amusement.
Brett said, Miss Jones, did you say you have relatives in Chicago?”
No. I—I’m an orphan.”
Her wide, innocent eyes betrayed that she lied. A runaway, Al thought, that was even better. In a big city like Chicago, girls disappeared into whorehouses without a trace.
Dallinger pushed his hat back and scratched the bald spot where he’d been scalped. Like I said, Mr. Brett, I found her on the street, hungry and cold. I told her I knew someone who needed a servant girl and she said she was used to hard work.”
That’s true,” the girl broke in eagerly. Oh, Mr. Brett, I can cook and clean. I’d be ever so grateful for the chance!”
Al almost protested, then fell silent. He must begetting soft in his middle age. What did it matter to him what happened to the girl? After all, no one had ever looked out for him much since he’d been left on the orphanage steps in a basket. Whoever left him there didn’t even care enough to write a note or give him a name, so the nuns gave him one. Trovato. Like the word trove as in treasure trove or something found. A foundling. It was a name nuns sometimes hung on an illegitimate baby. If it hadn’t been for Brett, Al would still be a street tough struggling to survive.
Then it’s settled.” Brett stuck his thumbs in his silk vest and beamed at the girl. I have several other young lady employees. But first, I’ll take you to the kitchen and get you something to eat and maybe one of the other girls will give you some clean clothes. Al, will you, ah, take care of Mr. Dallinger and see him out?”
The blonde heaved a sigh of relief, looking out the window at the blowing snow. Al realized she hadn’t had any place to go tonight and was certainly hungry. Those wide, innocent eyes betrayed that. When she found out what she was into, she would wish she’d stayed on the street and taken her chances, but after tonight, it would be too late.
Brett escorted the girl out of the room and down the hall of the elegant Victorian mansion.
Al sat on the corner of Brett’s desk. I always thought you were a rat, Dallinger, but I think this is a new low, even for you. God, you stink! Don’t you ever take off that smelly fur vest or take a bath?”
The scout laughed and poured himself a drink from the crystal decanter on the polished walnut desk. Gawd Almighty! You don’t hurt my feelings none! If I hadn’t found her, she might have ended up in a worse place than this! At least she won’t be workin’ some cheap crib near the stockyards. Maybe one of the fancy gentlemen will even buy her off Brett!”
She must be either innocent as some country lamb or desperate to trust the likes of you!” Al got up and went to open the safe.
Said she hadn’t et for two days and was lookin’ for work.” Dallinger grinned, helping himself to the expensive cigars in the humidor on the desk. I knew Brett had just the kind of work a beauty like that could do and get me a nice piece of change for bringing her in.”
Al didn’t say anything as he worked the combination. Why was he objecting? Hell, it was no skin off his nose and his allegiance was to Brett. Because of him, Al had a comfortable room here at the house, plenty of pocket money, and a life of virtual ease, except for an occasional bit of action with his fists. He could even take his choice of the girls when he felt the urge and they wouldn’t dare turn him down just because he was ugly. As Brett’s right-hand man, Al Trovato was a man of influence and importance. He counted out the money and closed the safe.
Trovato,” Jake drawled, Brett must sure trust you. You got the combination to his safe and the run of the place?”
Al handed him the money. He trusts me because I’ve proved to him I won’t let him down. And I’m grateful for everything he’s done for me.”
Jake Dallinger grunted as he
accepted the money and counted it. Plumb touching! Being a trusted fool and looking out for others is what gets a man in trouble. Do you even get your choice of the women? Now I’d like that!”
Sure,” Al said. He was already thinking about the small, innocent blonde. After all, what difference did it make? Women were born to satisfy men’s appetites. Here she’d at least get fine clothes, jewelry, and a life of ease. If she’d stayed out on the farm where she so obviously belonged, she’d be spreading her thighs for some oaf of a husband who’d work her into an early grave and put a baby in her belly every year. She’d be better off here.
Jake turned toward the door. She does look innocent, and trusting, don’t she? What do you suppose happened that would cause a beauty like that to run away to the city?”
Al shook his head. What does it matter? After a few months, she’ll be just like the other girls here who have learned to use their bodies to get what they want. We had a pretty brunette last year that some senator went crazy over and paid Brett to let her go. Now she’s got a fine house, the best of everything, and even her own carriage.”
Jake guffawed. That purty little blonde ain’t gonna feel so lucky for a while.” His eyes grew thoughtful. Reminds me of a gal I was loco over once a long time ago, but she spurned me for some Cheyenne buck named War Bonnet.”
Al started to ask more, but the man’s expression warned him off. He shrugged. They’re all just alike. Hell, you can’t tell one from another in the dark and that’s all they’re good for anyway.”
Dallinger nodded agreement and tucked the money in his smelly fur vest. I’m just passin’ through, had to escort another wagon train out West. I may not see you again soon. But if’fen I’m in the area, I’ll be on the lookout for tender, innocent gals for Brett.” He looked back over his shoulder longingly. I don’t suppose as slow as things is on a late, cold afternoon, that Brett would let me use one of the gals—”
Not likely,” Al said smoothly, taking him by the elbow and leading him to the ornate front door. These girls are top of the line, Jake, reserved for the richest, most important men in the city. In the next few weeks, little Silver will end up under a bunch of wealthy businessmen or politicians, who’ll pay Brett well for the pleasure.”
Jake laughed and went out. Al stood shivering in the doorway, watching the rough, dirty frontiersman as he hunched his shoulders against the blowing snow and went off down the street.
Blowing snow. Al stared out the window of the Nugget and wondered again what had ever happened to the scout. Certainly Al had not seen him again before he and Silver fled many months later.
Silver. Where in God’s name was she? Al got up and went to look out the window. The wind whimpered and cried around the corners of the settlement’s buildings like a heartbroken woman.
Just as Silver had done when she discovered where she actually was that long ago night. Brett had invited the girl to his private quarters to discuss her duties.” He had told Al in advance to bring a bottle of his best wine and two glasses to his room. Business was slow that evening with the weather so bad.
Hell, she was better off, Al thought as he climbed the stairs, carrying the tray back to the end of the hall and Brett’s fancy private quarters. She could be out in the cold on Chicago’s streets tonight, freezing and hungry. At least she was warm and fed. And she’d be sleeping on satin sheets in the finest of silk nightgowns. Brett always sampled a new girl’s charms first before he put her out for customers’ use. Sometimes he took a shine to a girl and kept her for his private pleasure for a week or so before he allowed wealthy men to pay to use her.
Al came into the room and set the bottle and glasses next to Brett’s chair. The small blonde sat across from him, twisting her hands together nervously. Really, Mr. Brett, you’re being awfully nice to a hired girl.”
Brett laughed and poured two drinks. Oh, I’m very democratic. After all, Miss Jones, you’re going to be like a member of the family the way all my employes are!”
Al sneaked a look at her face. He saw the loneliness there, the eagerness to be loved and accepted. The way Brett looked at her betrayed the fact that he was smitten by her charms. Al had seen it happen before. In a week or two, the boss would tire of her, and she’d be available to any wealthy man who felt his manhood harden when he looked over the merchandise. Is that all, boss?”
Sure, Al. You can go. Miss Jones and I are going to have a drink and discuss her duties. See that we’re not disturbed.”
The girl held up a hand in protest as Brett offered the goblet. Oh, but I’ve never—”
Then you should try it,” Brett said smoothly and smiled as he put the glass in her hand. It’s a vintage year. I’d be insulted if you don’t join me.”
She hesitated, but she took it, looking up at Al uncertainly. He ignored her look and busied himself around the room.
Al, I said you could go,” Brett said a little more pointedly.
Al shrugged and went out. He paused in the hall and heard Brett get up, come to the door, and lock it. Then he heard the girl’s voice, slightly nervous and protesting. Brett told her to finish her drink and he didn’t sound polite this time.
Al went down to the grandiose parlor where a few gentlemen were beginning to arrive. As always, he looked after all the details, saw to it that the gentlemen had cigars, and took their money. Brett trusted Al with every detail.
Where’s Brett?” one of the girls asked.
Busy,” Al said, like you should be, making a little money for him.”
A gorgeous redhead laughed. Good old loyal Al! I wonder if Brett knows what a treasure you are.”
I owe him,” Al snapped, but his mind was imagining what must be happening upstairs. Brett was a big man—a lusty man—and the girl was small and probably as innocent as she looked. For a long moment, he had a terrible urge to save the girl—to run back up those stairs, bang on the door, and stop Brett.
Al went about his duties mechanically for the rest of the evening. Pity was a new emotion to him. Ugly as he was, even the sisters at the orphanage had not given him the love and warmth he needed. From the age of twelve, he was on his own on the mean streets, doing whatever it took to survive. If Brett hadn’t given him a job . . .
To take his mind off the girl, when the place closed down and he’d put the money in the safe and locked up, Al chose a girl at random. Maybe it was only a coincidence that she was blond.
Aw, Al,” the whore complained, you know how many guys I already had tonight?”
So what’s one more?” He took her by the arm, led her to her room, and used her. She didn’t dare complain—not with him being Brett’s right-hand man. But he didn’t get any pleasure out of it. All he could think of was the young innocent being raped repeatedly tonight.
On the way back to his own room, Al stopped to listen at Brett’s door. He heard Brett’s snoring and the girl’s soft weeping.
Hell, in a few days, she’d get used to the idea and the soft life. There were thousands of overworked factory and farm girls who’d jump at this chance if they had the looks for it.
The next morning, Brett looked up at him thoughtfully from his coffeecup when Al came into the office. There were scratches down his handsome face. Brett was probably madder than hell at the little spitfire.
Al said, With the holiday season, boss, we have a big convention of cattle brokers in town. One of them specifically asked for a big-breasted blonde if we have one. Should I set him up with that new girl?”
No,” Brett said, reaching up to touch the marks on his face. She’s different, Al.”
Al made a noise of derision. How different can any of them be? You told me yourself not to get emotionally attached to any woman. She’s just one of your business assets, that’s all. After you’ve made a nice profit off her, somewhere down the line, some wealthy old codger will decide he can’t live without her, and you’ll charge him a fortune to take her out of here.”
Brett stared into space. You’re right, Al. I kno
w I should listen to you; you always look after my best interests. But for a while anyway, she’s not to be touched by any customer—not at any price.”
Al shrugged. Okay. It’s your financial loss until you come to your senses.”
Take some coffee up to my room for her. She ought to be up by now.”
Can’t one of the maids do it?” Somehow he didn’t want to see the girl this morning. He had a feeling he couldn’t look her in the eye. Shame and pity were new experiences for Al.
Brett ignored him, staring into space like a lovesick, half-grown boy. And Al, call some of the better stores, have them bring over some things for her to chose from, you know, furs, jewels, the works.”
Al whistled softly. Boss, remember, she’s just merchandise. How special can she be?”
Brett just stared down at his desk. There’s something different about her. I don’t know. Maybe in a few weeks, this feeling will wear off. I never felt this way about a girl before.”
There wasn’t any point in discussing it, Al thought with a shrug of his wide shoulders. Brett would get over it. Al took the tray upstairs.
She sat wrapped in one of Brett’s expensive velvet smoking jackets, staring out the window. Al put the tray on the table next to her chair. Her cheap dress, torn down the front, lay thrown across the foot of the bed.
Al said, You’re lucky, you know. First time I’ve seen him so smitten by a girl. You can have anything in the world you want if you play your cards right.”
She looked up at him, still spunky, but wounded, her tear-filled eyes as haunted as her soul. What I want is to leave.”
Don’t be a fool! He’s not going to let you go. That flawless face just bought you a chance most farm girls would never get.”
Then why don’t I feel lucky?” She got up, went to the mirror over the bureau, and stared at her reflection. Ma always said I was worthless except for my looks.”
Quicksilver Passion Page 7
