9
I didn't have to look back as Mr. Heisenberg's men were running past me and into the room behind me. I ignored the sound of men scuffling and objects being tossed.
"OUT! GET OUT YOU MANGY DOGS!" Shauna was spouting. People were still drinking and laughing as if the brawl in the other room hadn't touched them. But of course, the alcohol was too good right now. I found Mary with some of the other colored's whores and we talked and stayed together.
"You startin' fights now, Minnie?" Mary asked as she inhaled the tobacco from the pipe she shared with the other girls. I laughed and glanced back my shoulder at the mad house across the hall.
"I have to keep this place alive with entertainment, don't I?" I teased. She handed me the pipe and I took a long drag from it. The smoke filled my lungs and it was rich and tough. I blew smoke into the air and laughed as some drunken men began to drape their arms around us. Now I could hear feet running fast on the ground and we looked over to see the two gangs fighting with Mr. Heisenberg's men as they were being tossed out. One short shaven headed man stumbled back toward the open door frowning some. I could tell he was a dead rabbit. He wasn't nicely dressed like the Native men were.
"No German nigger is gonna kick me out of this place!" he said spitting at Mr. Heisenberg's feet. Bad idea. Mr. Heisenberg responded with a firm punch right to the face and immediately he was out flying out the door.
"FUCK OFF- HEY DON'T PUT YOUR HANDS ON ME UNLESS YOU WANT TO LOSE EM! WE'RE LEAVING!" I could hear Bill say. He had a busted lip and cut atop of his head as he was moving toward the door with his men. Just like that he and his men were gone. Now more men were being thrown out and the quick fight died down and everyone's attention back on themselves.
Shauna was loudly cursing as she cleaned up the now trashed room. I decided to help her clean up the broken bottles and wipe down the tables.
"Thank you, Minnie. God those animals almost ruined tonight. Now we need new tables to replace the broken ones and more booze." she said angrily. I could tell she was in a ranting mood so I didn't respond. I just listened and did as I was told. If I was helping that meant I didn't have to parade tits to the drunk men out there. No one wanted to bother the girl they felt was a lowly servant.
"Why would the Native and the Dead Rabbits even sit in the same room together if they hated each other?" I asked.
"You know how men are, trying to puff their chests and challenge each other. They were holding their own honestly. The booze they had kept them under control. But of course that means nothing to the two men who want each other dead. God it's like they purposely provoked each other. Well next time I'm shooting every last one of 'em. Gonna come into my bar and wreck my beautiful brothel up!" she began to mutter to herself and so I kept quiet and cleaned. Midnight rolled around and now and the place was clearing itself out.
I had fucked enough bodies tonight. As a shoe maker was leaving my room, I slumped over into my desk. I was so tired. I glanced out my window to notice a group of men walking from the brothel. I leaned up some and saw that it was Mr. Heisenberg leading some men out into the night. I wondered where they were going. Maybe it was to send a message to the man who beat Sarah.
Speaking of. I moved out of my room and down the hall and slowly moved to her room. I took hold of the handle and firmly twisted the door and slowly pushed until it opened. The door lock was cheap, but most men who came across a whore's locked door would assume a man was in there and not disturb them. I peeked into the dark room. Sarah was in bed where I had left her and she was still with the blankets pulled over her.
For my own piece of mind, I entered, closing the door behind me and moved over to her. I quietly sat on the side of her bed and gently rubbed the top of her head. When her body moved, she let out a gentle groan and rolled over onto her side. I got up and left the room closing the door behind me, ensuring it was locked. By this time, the brothel was calming down and soon empty of patrons. I headed back to my room still energized from the earlier day. I walked into my room preparing to close it when I feel a hard hand clamp around my mouth.
Immediately I scream, my body coming to life as I'm suddenly pressed against a firm body. The body behind me is shushing me hard.
"Minerva stop, it's me Priest." he whispered harshly. That didn't make me feel any better. But I was not about to keep struggling and risk a blade across my throat. "I ain't gonna hurt you."
I was still, but not because I believed him. Once he let me go, I quickly moved from him and turned to face him as he closed my door and locked. I shook my head immediately tensed.
"What are you doing here, I'm off work." I replied quickly, voice trembling. I noticed his face was bruised and different colors. His knuckles were bloody and he raised his hand to me.
"I'm sorry. I snuck into your room through the window." he said. I groaned.
"Why?" I asked and he sighed some.
"Look the main reason I even came here in the first place… was to continue what we started earlier. But that fucking Bill Cutting got in the way and changed my plans and well…" he said holding up his knuckles to me. I shook my head. He could not be here especially if one of the mercs caught him.
"Look the brothel is closed and I'm tired." I replied. Like any white man would ever care about the feelings of a negress. But he nodded, eyes soft and understanding.
"I understand. Truth be told I am too. But I know there's some Natives out there still lurking about and ready to jump me if they catch me alone." he said.
"Where are your men?" I asked.
"Got separated. Most of em are probably home after being kicked out." he said moving toward me and I tensed and moved back. Instead he walked around me and moved toward the window and glanced out it, but didn't move fully in front of it. I stared at him for a moment shaking my head.
"You could have snuck in and asked any other whore to stay with them. I'm sure they'd let you." I replied staring at the back of his dark curls. He looked back to face me.
"I know but I chose you." he said. Why though? He approached me pulling out two five dollar bills. "Look it's not much, but right now it's all I've got. Just for one night here. I won't try anything with you and I won't threaten violence against you." he promised looking me over. I looked at the money still unsure. Honestly, it's not like I could say no and my word be respected. "I'll even sleep on the floor." This was crazy and already I felt it was a bad idea. I mean why me? I looked from the money to him and shook my head and finally took the money.
"Fine." I replied. He smiled and I moved over to my bed and got on my knees on the side. I leaned over and pulled out an old brief case. Inside was a spare blanket I had. I got up and looked at Priest to see him removing his shoes and sliding off his jacket and putting it over my chair. I came over to him and handed the blanket to him and he looked at it and then me almost taken back. He took the blanket slowly and smiled.
"Thank you." he said and I just nodded and turned from him as he turned from me. I slid off my dress and moved over to my small dresser and pulled out a pale white gown I slept in. I looked over my shoulder at Priest to catch his reflection looking at me. He had immediately looked away and I just shook my head. This was insane. I did not need to be involved with him or any other gang member for that matter. But once he was down to his shirt and pants he gave me a quick glance nodding in thanks before just moving down to the floor and placing the blanket over him. I didn't feel safe with him here. But what choice did I have right now. So I moved over to my candle and blew it out before getting into the bed. I just melted into it now happy to be done for the day.
I could hear mild movement in the darkness from Priest moving about on the floor. I've had to lie on my own floor sometimes and I knew it was not comfortable. I could hear him shuffling trying to be still after a moment then shuffling again. I closed my eyes knowing this would not help me sleep faster.
"Priest-"
"I'm sorry I'll be still." he assured.
"Look I know my floors and you won't be able to be still all night so… you may sleep here but if you try anything…" My threat was meaningless I knew, but I had to try at least to sound like I could protect myself. There was movement again and I could hear the floor creek as I could hear him getting to his feet. The bed dipped at the end and I could feel him moving to the head of the bed. Now he was lying down and there was silence. I was tensed of course, making sure to keep to my side of the bed.
"Minerva." he said lowly and I fought back the groan of annoyance.
"Yes?" I asked stiffly.
"I'm not a weak man but… would it cost extra to hold you for a bit?" he asked. I felt completely thrown off by his request but was lucky that he could not see it in the dark. Why would he want?
"If it will help you sleep then fine." I replied. I could hear shuffling then suddenly felt firm arms wrap around my body and pull me into a hardened chest. His arms reminded me of Mr. Heisenberg's arms. They were strong and I could feel the strength of them as held me. My body was still sense and I found it hard to relax in his hold. However, I could hear light snoring after a few minutes and was lucky he was truly asleep. I lied away in his hold for a bit longer before closing myself and just listening to the world around me. Finally sleep took me.
