“But I don't--”
“No excuses!” Sasha interrupted her. “Now, first, we've got to put your goods on display. Truth be told, you don't have much to work with, sweetie, but that don't matter, because you've got such a pretty face.” Sasha removed Jun's scarf and tugged on her dress, trying to give her a bit more cleavage. “Now, pretend I'm a man and try to flirt with me. What should you say?”
“Uh...” Jun's finger's fidgeted behind her back. “Um... hello?”
“Hello isn't gonna cut it, honey. If you want them to stick around, you need to make these boys feel special. Men are easy. You just gotta stroke their egos a little bit, and they'll do anything for you. You need to make them feel like rainbows fly out of their very special penis,” Sasha coached her. “You need to make them feel like their dick is the dick you've been waiting for your whole life. Now... try again.”
“Um...” Jun drew a deep breath as she tried to think of something decent to say. “You're the man I've been waiting for my whole life?”
“That's a slight improvement, but you need to say it like you mean it. And if you can touch them a little bit while you're strokin' that ego of theirs, that's even better.”
“Um... okay.”
“And you should play with your hair. Men always like it when a girl fiddles with her hair.” Sasha spun her unwilling student in the direction of the saloon's many patrons. “Now... pick a target. I'll watch from over here and see how you do.”
“I guess...” Jun nibbled her lip as her eyes scanned the room. When her gaze finally landed on Nicky Gunn, she said, “him.”
“Good choice. He's a little young, but that just means he'll be easy. If he thinks you like him, he'll keep coming back to this place again and again and again. Trust me.” Sasha gave her pupil a push in Nicky's direction. “Go sit on his lap.”
“What?” Jun shrieked.
“Do it, girl!” Sasha pushed her again. “Do it, or you won't get any supper tonight!”
Jun grumbled inaudibly as she made her way to Nicky Gunn. As much as she hated the idea of sitting on a stranger's lap, she was practically starving. At that particular moment, she would have done anything for a meal.
“Um...” Jun hovered at Nicky's side. “Hello.”
When Nicky glanced up from his cards and saw his foreign beauty standing beside him, his mouth fell open, and he nearly dropped his cards. After several seconds of gaping, he finally replied, as coolly as possible, “Hi.”
“Is, uh...” Jun was already wincing, and she had barely said a word. Flirting was beyond her capabilities. “Is this seat taken?”
“This seat? My seat?” Nicky chuckled. There weren't any empty chairs at the table, so he could only assume she wanted his. “Well, I mean... I'm sitting in it, but if you want it, I'd be happy to relinquish it to you. And I could relinquish my heart while I'm at it.”
Logan and Ed looked thoroughly confused. They didn't understand why the beauty chose Nicky, and they didn't understand the word relinquish.
“No, I mean this seat.” Jun's face puckered as she lowered herself to his lap. “Do you mind if I sit here?”
“Not at all, sweetheart.” Nicky grinned at the Hershall brothers. Even if he didn't win the next pot, he already felt like a winner.
“I think...” Jun's tongue momentarily rebelled against the words. She had to force them through her lips. “I think you're the man I've been waiting for my whole life!”
Nicky's drink slipped from his hand. The half-empty bottle hit the floor and rolled. “Seriously?”
“Uh huh.” Though she smiled on the outside, Jun was groaning on the inside. “What's your name?”
“Nicky Gunn.”
“Well... it's nice to meet you.” Nicky was handsome, relatively clean, and he wasn't trying to touch her in inappropriate places. It could have been worse. “I'm Jun.”
Now that Jun was on his lap, he could barely focus on the card game. Logan tricked him into sliding two large stacks of coins across the table. “Jun, huh? I used to have a dog named Junebug. He was a big, half-blind beagle, and even though he couldn't see for shit, he was a damn good hunter. I have no idea how he did it.”
“Uh huh...” Jun twirled a lock of hair around her finger as she listened to his story.
“God, I miss that dog,” Nicky lamented. “I never had a better companion, I swear.”
Ed sniggered at his tale. “That's because Nicky's never had a woman.”
“Pffft!” The younger man sputtered at the accusation. “Yeah, I have! I've had plenty!”
“I bet you ain't!” Ed barked back at him. “Hell, boy, I bet you ain't never even touched a titty!”
Naturally, Nicky's gaze dropped to Jun's chest. And he immediately felt guilty, especially when Jun tried to pull up her dress and cover herself. When Logan won the next round, he felt even worse. In just a couple of short minutes, Nicky lost half of his winnings. For his brother's sake, he was determined to win it back.
But he didn't.
Two rounds later, when Ed Hershall claimed the last of his coins, Nicky was practically in tears. “B-b-b-b-but... I was distracted!” he whined. It wasn't a lie. Ever since he laid eyes on Jun, his brain had suffered a debilitating fog. “You don't understand! I need this money!”
“That's too damn bad for you!” Logan's cigar dangled from his mouth as he spoke.
“But...b-but!” Nicky reached across the table and tried to grab a few of Logan's coins. “Can't you let me keep some of it? My brother needs--”
Ed suddenly slammed his knife into the tabletop. Its glinting blade barely missed Nicky's shaking fingers. “I'll tell you what my brother needs,” Ed's voice rumbled as he spoke. “He needs you to shut your goddamn mouth!”
“But listen, I--”
Logan leaned forward, swiping the hat from Nicky's head. Then he tapped his cigar, releasing its ashes into Nicky's hair. Jun, who was still sitting on Nicky's lap, had to dodge the scattering ash. “I'll be taking your hat, too, if that's alright with you.”
“But it's not alright! I really like that hat!” Nicky whimpered. “I--”
Logan pulled out his revolver and pressed it against Nicky's forehead. “No more whining, you piece of shit!” He shoved his cigar between his lips, jingled the coins in his pockets, and strolled away with a chuckle. Ed followed, puckering his lips at Jun as he left the table.
“I'm sorry...” Jun tried to offer some sympathy to the crestfallen Nicky. “I'm really sorry that happened. It looks like you lost a lot.”
“Yeah.” Nicky's head dropped between his shoulders. “You could say that.”
“I'm sorry,” she repeated her apology. When the Hershalls vacated the table, Jun claimed one of their chairs. “It wasn't my fault, was it?”
“Nope. This idiot can only blame himself!” Nicky tapped his thumb against his chest. “Well, on the bright side, I've still got my winnings from the other day. At least I'm not starting with nothing!”
“I feel sad for you.”
“I feel sad for me too,” Nicky said with a sigh. “And to be honest... I feel sad for you too, Miss Jun. Don't get me wrong, you're real pretty, but you've got sadness in your eyes.”
“I do?”
“Yeah.” Nicky nervously scratched his head, which was still covered in ash. “I mean... I'm not wrong, am I?”
“No.” Jun looked down at her hands, which were folded neatly in her lap. “You're not wrong.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No.” While she would have liked to ask for his help, she didn't want to trouble him. After what happened to Quan, she was reluctant to rely on anyone else. “But thanks for asking.”
“Well, if there's ever anything I can do, you just let me know! For a pretty girl like you, there's just about nothing I wouldn't do!”
Jun's lips were tempted into the tiniest of smiles. Nicky was kinder than she expected him to be. After the last few days, Jun was relieved to find a friendly face. “Well...” As
her tentative smile disappeared, Jun sluggishly rose from her hair. “It was really nice meeting you, Mr. Gunn, but I really should get going.”
“Nice meeting you too,” he echoed the sentiment, and with a wink, he added, “Junebug.”
As he watched her walk away, Nicky heaved an enamored sigh.
He had never wanted anyone more than her.
Ten
“Remember when I said I wouldn't force you to sleep with anybody?” Sasha's crimson lips pursed as she delivered the news. “Well, sweetie, I guess I lied.”
“What?” Jun gasped. “Are you saying I'm going to have to have sex with somebody?”
“Yeah, honey, I'm afraid that's what I'm saying. Now, I usually don't like to force you girls into anything that might make you uncomfortable, but sometimes you get an offer that's too good to refuse.” Sasha pointed across the room, where a filthy-faced Ed Hershall was picking his teeth with the tip of a dagger.
Jun eyed the saloon's front door, where the two bulky bouncers were guarding the exit. Escape was impossible. “You can't make me do this!”
“Oh, hun... I'm afraid I can. All of this was spelled out in that contract you signed! But don't worry.” Sasha laid a hand on Jun's back and steered her in the direction of Ed's table. “When your contract's up, you'll get a portion of the money. If you take a lover here and there, you could be a very rich woman at the end of all this!”
“I don't want to!” Jun shrieked. “You can't make me!”
Sasha shook her head. “I can, actually. Believe me, I don't want to, but that man offered me fifty dollars for a night with you. I couldn't say no.”
With a yelp, Jun broke free of Sasha and ran back to Nicky Gunn's table. It had only been a few hours since they spoke, but he already had a new hat, and it didn't quite fit his ensemble. A fancy black top hat wasn't usually worn with a long black coat and denim breeches. When she approached, he was quietly smoking a cigarette and sulking to himself.
“Nicky!” Jun gasped. “Nicky, I need your help! You said you'd help me, right?”
“Oh, hey Junebug!” Nicky sat up and extinguished his cigarette on the table's edge. “You need something?”
“Yes!” Jun exclaimed. Naturally, Sasha was heading in their direction, so she needed to enlist his help as quickly as she could. “She's going to make me have sex with that man over there!”
Nicky followed her pointing finger to one of the Hershall brothers. “Ed? You're going to sleep with Ed?”
“Uh huh.” Jun desperately seized and squeezed Nicky's arm. “I can't do it, though! I can't! I just can't!”
“Yeah, I don't blame you. I can't imagine anyone would want to sleep with a man like Ed Hershall.” When Sasha arrived at their table, Nicky rose from his chair and pushed Jun behind him, shielding her with his body.
“Please step aside, young man,” Sasha entreated him. “I don't want an incident.” The bouncers were already moving across the room, but Sasha held up a hand, momentarily halting their advance.
“You're going to make her sleep with Ed Hershall? Really?” Nicky asked with a snort. “I didn't realize that kind of shady business took place in The Hole. I thought this place was better than that.”
“Hon, we're called The Hole for a reason.”
“Why? Because you permit the rape of young women?”
“I assure you, no one's being raped, Mr. Gunn,” Sasha said with a roll of her eyes. “The young woman standing behind you is under contract with us. For the next two years, her body is ours to do with as we please.”
Nicky was tall, so Jun had to stand on the tips of her toes to whisper in his ear. “She made me sign it!”
“You made her sign it?” Nicky's eyes narrowed as he repeated the claim.
“No, young man, no one has been forced to do anything. It was completely voluntary. Unfortunately, that young woman is trying to manipulate you, and it appears to be working.” Sasha's arms crossed over her heaping cleavage. “Now, unless you want to deal with my bouncers... and unless you can beat Mr. Hershall's offer... I suggest you stand aside.”
“How much is he paying?” Nicky stroked his chin as he asked the question.
“Fifty dollars.”
“Fifty dollars?” Nicky felt the answer like a punch to the gut. “Well then, uh... I'll pay fifty-five.”
“Hmph.” Sasha glared at him down her long, beak-like nose. “I doubt you have that kind of money.”
“I do! I won a lot last night at The Grand Saloon.” Even though it was true, Nicky was hesitant to part with his money—after all, he needed it to get his brother out of jail. But if Jun needed him, and her threat was more immediate, he couldn't let her down.
“I'll pay sixty!” snarled a sneering Ed Hershall, who suddenly appeared behind Sasha, who spun around with a gasp.
“Very good, Mr. Hershall!” Sasha had to force a smile onto her lips. It was difficult to feign friendliness in the presence of Ed's vile visage. “She'll be worth every penny, I promise.”
“Then I'll pay seventy!” Nicky spoke up again.
“Seventy-five!” roared the younger Hershall brother.
“Eighty!” Nicky could only hope Jun's price wouldn't climb much higher than that, since he was dangerously close to reaching the extent of his funds.
With a furrowing brow, Ed Hershall reluctantly croaked, “Eighty... one.” Clearly, he was also reaching his limit.
“Eighty-three!” Nicky nibbled his lip and silently prayed the rogue wouldn't outbid him again.
“Aw, hell!” Ed leaned forward and spat on the floor, right between Nicky's boots. “You can have her! There ain't no woman worth that kind of money!” Muttering a curse, Ed turned his back to them and stomped away.
“Well then, Mr. Gunn, it seems we have some business to discuss.” Sasha took his arm and escorted him to her office. “Jun, honey, go wait in room two-twenty-one.”
They temporarily parted ways, and Nicky Gunn was drained for practically every penny he was worth. His financial situation was so dire, he wondered if he should have bet eighty-two dollars before he made the jump to eighty-three. However, he didn't feel too terrible, because Jun was worth it. Before joining her on the second floor, Nicky rushed outside to pluck a daisy, then he ran back inside and climbed the stairs. On the way to his destination, he saw an intoxicated Logan Hershall being dragged into a room by a very voluptuous blonde.
“You know,” the woman giggled as she threw her scarf around Logan's neck, “for a real rough rascal, you've got beautiful lips!”
When he saw Logan's “beautiful” lips dive between the woman's huge breasts, Nicky breezed past them and increased his pace. A few long strides later, he was standing in front of door two-twenty-one. As he stepped into the room, Nicky held up his daisy and put a smile on his face.
But he didn't see Jun. His shoulders fell, his heart sank, and even his daisy seemed to droop. Nicky staggered to the bed, rolled on top of it, and heaved a sigh so sharp, it would have made hounds howl.
“Thanks for saving me.”
As soon as he heard Jun's voice, Nicky sat up in bed, as stiff as a board. She emerged from the adjacent room with a towel in her hands. Nicky raised the daisy, but she didn't seem to notice it right away.
“I really do appreciate it,” Jun said as she paced across the room. “I don't know how to repay you, Mr. Gunn. But... wait! I don't really have to sleep with you, do I?”
“Ha! No! I was saving you from having to do something like that!” Under his breath, he added, “But, you know, if you wanted to sleep with me, I certainly wouldn't object...”
“I feel bad that you had to spend your money on me.”
“Ehh... it was nothing.” Nicky wagged the flower in his hand, but she still didn't seem interested in it, so he gave up. With a frown, he slipped the daisy into the pocket of his coat.
“Is eighty-three dollars a lot of money?” asked a pouting Jun. “Because I haven't been in this country very long, so I don't know if it's a lot of money or
a little bit of money.”
“Well... it's not a little bit of money, I can tell you that much.” In reality, eighty-three dollars was a small fortune for a guy like him, but he didn't want to make her feel guiltier than she already did. “So, uh... if we're not going to have sex, what are we going to do for the rest of the night, Junebug?”
“To be honest, I'm still kind of hungry.” As if on cue, Jun's stomach rumbled. “Sasha promised me food, then she forgot to feed me. I don't think I've eaten anything for the last two days.”
“Hang on! I'll getcha something!” Nicky rolled out of bed and dashed to the door. “Don't go anywhere! Wait right here!” He was afraid he would return to an empty room, so he wanted to get back as fast as possible. He ran back to the saloon, ordered some “food,” and returned with two bowls and spoons. By the time he got back, he was panting.
One of Jun's black eyebrows raised when she saw him. “Why are you running?”
“Oh, I was just afraid you'd leave me,” Nicky said. The love of his life was sitting on the bed, so he kicked off his boots and flopped down beside her.
“Why? You've bought my company for the rest of the night.”
“Right. Exactly. Bought. It ain't like you'd willingly spend your time with me,” Nicky said as he handed over one of the bowls. “As of tomorrow, I'm sure I'll never see you again. You'll forget all about Nicky Gunn.”
He hoped she would protest, but she didn't. She was less interested in Nicky's self-effacing prophecies and more interested in the contents of the bowl. “What's this?”
“It's ice cream. And look, it's got fresh strawberries in it!”
“Ice... cream?”
“Yep!” Nicky's spoon dove into his bowl and brought a heaping pile of cold cream and strawberries to his lips. When he threw it into his mouth, he moaned, “Mmmm mm MMM! Damn, that's good!”
“Is this some kind of soup?”
“It will be, if you let it melt.”
Jun timidly sampled the contents of her dish. Her eyes swelled at the sudden burst of chill and flavor. “Oh wow! It's so cold!”
The Emperor's Bride Page 7
