Outlaws

by David Aries

  “This is the first place they’ll look,” Titania barked.

  “Let them come. They’re messing with the best-connected woman in the whole damn district.” She threw Titania inside the room.

  Titania jumped to her feet and growled. “I ain’t staying in here!”

  “You fucking well are.”

  “No way! It’s like a prison.”

  “True. I even got you a cellmate.” Gall’s one good eye crept my way.

  I tensed and backed away. “Hold on. You can’t be&emdash;”

  Gall grabbed my collar and launched me inside. I didn’t stand a chance against her gorilla arms.

  “Don’t take the piss!” Titania snapped. “I ain’t staying with him. There ain’t even room.” The bed was a single. We’d have to spoon if we felt like sharing.

  “Tough titties. You’ll grow into it,” Gall responded.

  “Like hell I will. I’m outta here.”

  “No, you ain’t. Hiding you separate is a pain in the cooch.”

  “Don’t care. This ain’t happening. I’m&emdash;”

  Gall closed the door in Titania’s face.

  Titania pushed, but it didn’t budge. She hammered its metal interior. “Open this door!”

  “Yep, doesn’t open from the inside,” Gall laughed. “What a shame. Guess you lovebirds are shacking up for the night.”

  “Don’t gimme that shit! Lemme out!”

  “Play nice or I’ll come in there and thump you.”

  “It’s okay, sweetie,” Esther said. “This is only temporary. We’ll be back to normal soon. Please, cope with it for now.”

  Titania kept grumbling but she stopped making a song and dance out of our predicament. Not that her complaints were unfounded. This room hadn’t been designed for bunk buddies. It was little larger than the back of a van.

  “So much for a bath,” I said, slumping on the bed. “They better bring some food.”

  “Dammit,” Titania growled. “The hell is this? I didn’t do shit and I’m being punished.”

  “It’s my fault.”

  “Like I don’t know that,” Titania said, slumping against the door. “Still, at least you did something. Unlike Boss. I can’t believe she knew.”

  “She was trying to protect you,” I said.

  “I don’t need protecting. I’m not a child. Blair’s the one who needs help. And she didn’t do a thing. Didn’t even tell me.”

  “You know she had a good reason. Look what happened when I didn’t listen.” I highlighted our cozy cell.

  “That’s you. I’m the one who protects Blair. I’ve always protected her.” Titania scrunched her hands into tight trembling fists. “Why? Why didn’t she tell me? Doesn’t she trust me anymore? Did she find out?”

  “I’m sure she does.”

  “Then why?”

  “Maybe she didn’t want to worry you?”

  “It’s too late for that. She should have told me. I would have fixed it.”

  “And we wouldn’t be stuck in here,” I said, falling back on the bed. The mattress felt like a lump of cardboard.

  “Hey! Who said you get the bed?! I ain’t getting the floor.”

  “We could always share.”

  “Die.”

  “It was a joke,” I assured her, holding up my hands.

  “Better be, you damn pervert.”

  I chuckled. My smirk soon vanished as I was relegated to the floor; punishment for causing this. It made me yearn for the stiff mattress occupied by my orc partner in crime.

  “Hey,” she grunted. “You regret what you did?”

  “Dragging you into this? Yep. Getting a bounty on my head? Of course. Upsetting Esther? Obviously. Punching that greasy noble in the kisser? Never.”

  “Good.”

  I smiled. If we were lucky, Frederic wouldn’t risk going near Blair again. I wasn’t holding my breath. Still, it was good to give those who thought they could do whatever they wanted a bloody nose. Literally and figuratively.

  There had to be a way to break the cycle. No matter what Esther said, or Sophie warned, there was no way it was hopeless. We could free Blair. I knew we could.

  How? Sadly, that was still unknown.

  Chapter 9

  It was an uncomfortable night. I was dog-tired and still didn’t get a relaxing sleep. I’d developed two beautiful crutches who made drifting off an easy and pleasant experience. Compared to them, what good was a stone floor?

  I woke up stiff in too many ways.

  My sore muscles yearned for hot water. Breakfast beckoned my growling stomach. Neither were available inside our claustrophobic chamber. We needed freedom.

  Gall was happy to let us out but only if we agreed to her terms.

  “If you’re staying under my roof,” she explained, “you’ll do what you’re told.”

  What choice did we have? It was obey or remain locked up.

  The main condition was related to us staying hidden. As long as we were wanted criminals, we were barred from leaving the club. Roaming around the establishment was fine but no going outside.

  Basically, home arrest.

  Our freedom wasn’t permanent. It coincided with the bar being closed. During opening hours, it was back in the cell. Gall wasn’t willing to butcher her income for us. Not to mention a sudden holiday would be a huge red flag. She didn’t want to encourage the authorities, no matter how confident she was. The cellar was staff only so there wasn’t much danger of civilians going down there. Not that Gall was giving us a license to make too much racket. She made that warning very clear.

  Because controlling where we could go wasn’t enough, Gall also made us earn our keep. We were tasked with performing the jobs which needed doing before the club opened. It wasn’t too dissimilar to the kinda stuff I used to do back on Earth. Hell, it was almost like being back at Pauly’s.

  Okay, there was a slight difference.

  “Wow, a criminal. That’s, like, so dangerous,” Bunny giggled. “Like, bad boys are so hot.”

  “Like, totally,” an enticingly busty orc agreed, tracing a finger up my arm.

  “What about me?” a saucy human purred, toying with her crimson locks. “I’m totally a bad girl. We’d be, like, such a perfect match.”

  “Everyone knows bad boys like punishing good girls,” a blue-haired elf protested. She squeezed her breasts together and shimmied hypnotically.

  “I’m, like, so much gooder than you,” a voluptuous, aqua-skinned beauty complained.

  “No way. I’m totes the sweetest. Candy by name, candy by nature.”

  I grinned like a teenage boy on his first visit to a girl’s room. I’d never had colleagues like this on Earth. Sally was a looker but that was like comparing a glass of water to a lake. I was surrounded by barely dressed perfect tens who loved communicating through touch. Hand a professional an airbrush and they couldn’t find anything to improve.

  Gall assured me they could be trusted to keep our existence a secret. I never questioned it. Didn’t cross my mind to doubt them.

  “Like, don’t ignore me,” Bunny cooed, leaning her ample bust into my free arm. Her chest was on the verge of bursting from her red babydoll. “Aren’t I a good girl?”

  “You’re all good,” I chuckled. Spending so much time with Dessa should have prepared me for this, but my training was incomplete. There was so much for my male mind to admire. Jiggling bosoms that flimsy nightwear struggled to handle. Luscious curves that most had to pay top dollar to adore. Thick behinds that wobbled with every skip and bounce. Long, toned legs honed by a life in heels. Any man would be overwhelmed by so many flirtatious airheads. My cheeks burned; my mind was frazzled. Keeping my erection at bay required constant vigilance. One slip, one moment of weakness, and I was pitching for all to see.

  “Oi!” Gall said, smacking the table. “What did I tell youse about flirting?”

  We jumped from our skins. The girls put some distance between us.

  “But, Auntie,” Bunny whin
ed. “He’s such a hottie.”

  “I don’t give a shit if he’s oiled and naked. He’s got work to do.” Gall stared at me. “Get.”

  “Right away,” I said, polishing the table like my life depended on it.

  “Ha,” Titania snorted. “Serves you right!”

  Gall cuffed her niece behind the ear. “You ain’t working either.”

  Titania whined and rubbed her head. “I’m not good at this stuff.”

  “Tough titties. Get to it.”

  She reluctantly obeyed. We’d been roped in because Gall’s girls were employed for their looks rather than their cleaning. Titania wasn’t an improvement.

  It didn’t matter where I went, I couldn’t escape incompetent work colleagues.

  “You’re doing it wrong,” I told her.

  “Shut it,” Titania snapped. “I know what I’m doing.”

  “Do you? You’re smudging it.”

  “I know what I’m doing! Stop treating me like I’m useless.”

  I sighed. Why did she have to be so stubborn? Was this because of what happened underground? It was unfortunate but it couldn’t be helped. Terix’s greatest warriors couldn’t handle demons unarmed. I was the odd exception. It didn’t mean Titania wasn’t an incredible fighter. It also held no bearing on her cleaning ability. There was a reason Esther handled all the wagon’s chores before my arrival.

  Esther would have been a welcome partner, but she and Dessa weren’t present. There were still preparations to be made that only they could accomplish.

  When Titania wasn’t paying attention, I polished up her shoddy work. If she accepted my help, it would be faster for both of us.

  A knocking interrupted our shift.

  I froze. “You didn’t mention guests, Gall.”

  “Well spotted,” Gall growled, slinking to the door. Her tense shoulders dropped upon inspection. “False alarm. You two got some company.”

  Diarmuid and Blair entered. The latter’s expression perked up when she spotted us. Tears quickly marred her beauty.

  “You’re okay,” she sniffled into her hands.

  “Of course I am,” Titania said. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “I saw the posters. This is all because of me.”

  “Nay, it’s my fault,” Diarmuid said. “I should’ve been there. Bastard caught me off-guard.”

  “Slow down,” I said. “It was my call. Nobody else's.”

  “I pushed you into it. If I’d done my job as a father, it never would have happened. I’m a disgrace.”

  “Dad, no,” Blair sniffled. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have shouted…”

  “Don’t you dare blame yourself. That bastard had it coming.”

  “A punch as well,” I said.

  “Aye, but it should have been me.”

  I shrugged. “Should have taken your chance when you had it.”

  “You cheeky blighter. Do you know how hard it’s been holding back these last few months? Now I’ll never get to lay him out.”

  “Probably for the best,” Gall commented. “Last thing I need is some old geezer hiding here.”

  “Says the spinster. You’d be lucky having a catch like me under roof.”

  “Please. I’m still in the prime of my life.”

  “And I’m fresh out of me mama’s womb.”

  While the oldies battled for supremacy, I checked up on Blair. “How are you feeling? Cheek okay?”

  Blair nodded and covered the small scratch. “It’s fine now.”

  “What about everything else? He still bothering you?”

  “He didn’t show up yesterday. It’s the first he’s missed since the beginning.”

  I flashed a huge smile. “That’s great! Maybe I scared him off.”

  “Maybe.” Her murmur didn’t exactly expire confidence. Nor did her puffy eyes, which played hard to get. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. You did nothing wrong.”

  “But because of me…” Her tears started accumulating.

  “Not because of you. Because of him. It’s all that jerk’s fault.” I looked to Titania for support. “Right?”

  Titania grumbled. She muscled me out of the way and faced Blair. “Why? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Blair squeaked. Her mouth sunk behind a shield of interlocked lilac fingers. “I didn’t want you to get in trouble…”

  “Fuck trouble. I’m your friend. Your best friend. Protecting you’s my job.”

  “That was kid stuff.”

  “And? What difference does that make?” Titania asked.

  “This isn’t Zula calling me names. It’s not Matip or Corinne. He’s a noble, Tina.”

  “I don’t give a shit who he is. I won’t let him take you.”

  “How?” Blair said, staring into Titania’s eyes. “You can’t stop a noble. If you try, you’ll regret it. You weren’t even there and you’ve got a bounty. All the guards are looking for you.”

  “Let them look. As long as you’re safe, I don’t care.”

  “I care!” Blair whined. “You’re my best friend. I don’t want you to suffer. Especially not because of me.”

  “And you’re my best friend! I’m not gonna let some creep have you.”

  Blair sniffled. “This is why I didn’t tell you. I knew you’d be like this.”

  “How else am I supposed to be?”

  “You’re supposed to be smart! You’re gonna throw your life away. Can’t you see that?”

  “What about you?! He’s gonna turn you into a damn slave!”

  “You think I don’t know that?” Blair mumbled. “I know what he’s gonna do to me. I hate it. I hate everything about it but there’s nothing we can do. There’s nothing you can do. You’re gonna ruin your life. You’re gonna throw everything away because of me. I can’t have that, Tina.” Blair buried Titania’s hands under her own six. “Please, I beg you. Don’t get involved. No matter what happens, stay away.”

  Titania grunted. “It’s fine if Jake does it but not me?”

  “That’s not it.”

  “That’s what it sounds like. He’s allowed to scare them off but I can’t be trusted. I’m not strong enough. Is that it?”

  “It’s not like that at all!” Blair squeaked.

  “Seriously, you’ve got it all wrong,” I interjected.

  “I ain’t got nothing wrong,” Titania snapped. “I’m no longer trusted. I’m no longer good enough. I’m just a traitor.”

  “That’s not true!” Blair said.

  “Why else would you keep it secret from me?!”

  “Don’t act like you tell me everything!” Blair squealed. “All this about trust and secrets when you won’t trust me at all. You’ve never told me why you ran away. It makes you so sad and you won’t tell me anything.” She steadied herself and faced Titania head-on. “If it means so much to you, tell me.”

  Titania backed away. She lost the power to look Blair in the eye. “It’s none of your business.”

  Blair puffed her cheeks. “Well, this is none of yours. I don’t want you getting involved.”

  “Fine! Be that way. I don’t care anymore.”

  “Good! I don’t want or need your help.” Blair rushed to the door.

  “Blair, sweetie,” Diarmuid said. He was one of many who had been frozen.

  “We’re going,” Blair bluntly responded.

  “Sweetie…”

  “We’re going!” Her voice cracked. She was trying so hard to act tough but her shoulders were shaking. Sniffles snuck across the club.

  Gall escorted the two of them out.

  “What the hell?!” I snapped at Titania. “She was looking out for you and you treated her like a damn villain.”

  Titania folded her arms and huffed. “I don’t need protecting.”

  “You need something, alright. How could you say those things?”

  “Were you listening?! She’s gonna be a fucking slave and I’m supposed to be okay with that?!”

  I stumbled. “Wel
l… no.”

  “I’ve always protected her and now she’s shutting me out. It’s not right, dammit.”

  “It’s not right but Blair wasn’t wrong,” Gall said upon returning. “You went too far.”

  “I said nothing wrong.”

  “You said plenty,” I said. “Blair cares about you. There’s no way she thinks you’re a traitor.”

  “How would you know?!” Titania snapped. “You barely know her!”

  “It’s that obvious. You’re the only one who can’t see it.”

  “He’s right,” Gall confirmed. “If an idiot like him noticed, anyone can.”

  “Hey!”

  Titania clicked her tongue. She had to know Blair didn’t think that way.

  A loud knocking interrupted our chatter.

  “Good timing,” I said, heading to answer the door. “You should tell Blair you’re sorry.”

  “Stop,” Gall ordered, baring her teeth. “That ain’t them.”

  The knocking registered more prominently the second time. It was a loud thumping slam, demanding entry. The aggression wasn’t fitting of our previous guests, even after what had transpired.

  Gall made her move. She twisted one of the tables until something clicked. The entire thing, floor included, pulled up. It revealed another secret room. “In, now.” That wasn’t a suggestion.

  Even Titania didn’t argue. We crammed into a foxhole smaller than the one in the cellar. Apart from a hatch in the floor, it was empty. Our shoulders rubbed together.

  “Not a sound,” Gall warned. “If anything happens, escape through there.” She locked us in.

  My heart raced. I grabbed the hatch handle and prepared for anything.

  The refuge wasn’t soundproofed. Gall’s footsteps trailed toward the insistent thumping. “Hold on, I’m coming. Keep your knickers on.” She heaved the door open.

  “Where is she?” somebody asked.

  I’d never heard the voice before. Titania was a different story. She gasped. The room was too compact to miss her quivering.

  “Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Gall replied.

  “Don’t play dumb.” Footsteps approached, creaking to a halt almost exactly above us. “Where is she hiding?” The woman’s tone was the perfect mix of ice cold and ruthlessly demanding.

  “Come on, Maggie. We ain’t seen each other in yonks. Not even a hello?”