Chapter 42: Broken Ties

Dutch, Lilly, Arthur, John, and the boys rode together toward the big city of Saint Denis, the place Lilly recalled as her personal Hell. She hadn't been there in fifteen years and the closer they got, the more her stomach churned from the anxiety of even being in sight of the smoke stacks of the factories there that she could now see off in the distance. Occasionally she eyeballed Arthur with uncertainty but he apparently did not care to look at her. It was frustrating and she wanted to speak to him privately but she also didn't want to interrupt the conversation between him and her Da.

"Alright, I guess this day ain't over yet," Arthur said casually. He didn't sound too upset but he was good at hiding his emotions when he wanted to. It was either that or he was far too focused on keeping his cool in order to find Jack with a level head.

"Not quite," Dutch responded with a slight touch of exasperation. "Good work back there, Arthur. You too, Lilly. Everything went okay?"

"A few loose ends, nothin' major," Arthur replied as if it had been nothing.

Well, it really hadn't been difficult or anything like that. Arthur, Lilly, and the boys made easy work of the small Leymoyne Raiders group that had been holed up at Shady Belle. Lilly wondered how far away her tent would be from the house. Would it be in the back? The front? The side? She had no idea, but as long as it was away from Arthur, she didn't care that much...unless it was near the swamp. She didn't want to get attacked by alligators in the middle of the night. However, the Irish woman had a feeling she just might have night terrors. Perhaps it was for the best that she be away from mostly everyone, especially if she happened to have a bad dream and ended up...thrashing things about with her mind in her sleep. Lilly still wasn't quite sure what that was all about, but she'd been meaning to get to the bottom of it. She'd been meaning to get to the bottom of a lot of things. Her tree in Ireland, for one thing. What the hell had that been about? Was that how she suddenly became an immortal? Lilly suddenly remembered the name Adair. She had been the goddess her father Jack killed so many years ago before Lilly was even born. Is that why The Morrigan was helping her? And where was Adair's father The Dagda? Didn't he know what was going on? Was he even in existence anymore?

"Lilly," Dutch said. "You're awfully quiet. Somethin' on your mind?"

"I'm just worried about Jack, that's all," she replied coolly.

"We're goin' to get that boy back, whatever it takes," Dutch said with promise in his voice. "John, just keep calm and everythin' will go accordin' to plan."

"I know," John said glumly.

Lilly knew John was taking this hard. She held back a bit on the reins to stroll next to John. "John, we're gonna get him back safe. If it can't be done in a civilized manner, I will personally tear that whole house apart and find that boy. And if anyone harmed him in any way, the boys and I will kill the lot of them. You hear me?"

John nodded with renewed passion. "I will too, Lilly." John stared at Arthur's back for a moment before speaking once more. "Are you and Arthur fightin' again?" he whispered.

Lilly pulled on the reins more, making Doc walk instead of trot. "Yes, but don't worry about that now."

"I have to. I need somethin' to distract me if only for a little bit."

Lilly frowned and gave in. "He thinks I'm lyin' to him about Bronte."

"Are you?"

"No."

John leaned in a bit. "You really are a bad liar, Lilly," he said with a smirk.

Lilly chuckled in defeat. "Okay, you got me. Yes, I'm lyin', but it's for a reason. I promise it has nothin' to do with Jack."

"Fair enough, but are you two goin' to argue again?"

"Apparently not," Lilly frowned. "He's movin' into the house."

"You're kiddin'."

"Nope."

John shook his head. "He really is an idiot."

Lilly grunted. "Most men are, no offense."

"None taken." Lilly spotted the bridge they were about to go over and her heart halted to a stop, or at least it felt like it did. She stared at the city in the distance and suddenly lost her courage. Lilly's hands began to shake and John noticed. "Arthur?" John shouted.

Dutch and Arthur stopped their steeds and turned around. "What is it?" Arthur asked begrudgingly. However, when he took a gander at Lilly, his expression softened. "Lilly? Are you okay?"

Lilly stared wide eyed at the city with her lip trembling. She needed to relax. She needed to get herself under control. Clearing her throat, she put her game face on and gave Arthur a cold glance. "I'm fine. I just needed a moment." She walked Doc past her husband and Dutch. As she got in front, she shut her eyes. "Follow me. I know where to go from here," she said, opening her sapphire eyes again to gaze upon the lion's den of her childhood. It was getting dark, which made Saint Denis look so much more ominous and threatening than it was, but Lilly held her mental ground as the men and the wolves followed her across the bridge. Many emotions were still passing through the young woman but she kept on a straight face, even when they passed one of Cornwall's buildings on the right. It gave her the willies nonetheless. She took the first left they could by the train tracks. "Bronte's house will be down here a ways, on the left," she said.

"You sure do know you're way around, don't you?" Dutch asked.

"Saint Denis is a hard place to forget. Especially when you've spent as much time here as I have."

"How long did you live here?"

"Two years, just about."

"Wow."

"Yes," Lilly chuckled. "Wow."

"Does it look different?"

"There's a lot more city, so yes, but it's relatively the same. This fence to our right is new." Lilly noticed it was still being built.

"So where did you live?" Dutch asked.

"...Deeper into the city," she said, clearing her throat.

Arthur laughed. "You are a horrible liar."

"Shut up, Arthur. I am not speakin' tah yas just now." There was a man they went by who was whistling the song "My Darling Clementine". A carriage passed them by as they got to the gravel part of the road.

"Are you two fightin' again?" A sigh came from Dutch when he asked the question.

"Yes. I'm sure it'll be resolved eventually, as our fights always go," Lilly assured, looking back at Arthur. "That's if he chooses not to leave me."

Dutch stopped in the middle of the road. "Arthur, you can't be serious."

Arthur rolled his eyes as he was put on the spot. "No, I'm not. I only said that so Lilly would stop lyin' to me."

"About what?"

"He thinks I know Bronte. Which I don't," Lilly said in a harsh voice. "Let's keep movin', please. The sooner we get Jack, the sooner we can get out of this hellhole of a city."

The entourage resumed their stroll down the street. "This must be the rich part of town," John said.

"It is." Lilly's heart stopped when she spotted her old house. She pointed to it. "There it is. Bronte's mansion." It was dusk now and the sight of the mansion made her want to vomit. As they drew near, Lilly's heart pumped faster and sweat began to bead on her brow. She took her bandana and wiped down her perspiration. "I hope you boys are ready."

"You okay, John?" Dutch inquired as they hitched up their horses across the way.

"I guess," he replied.

They walked up to the locked gate and saw a guard. "You're up, Da," Lilly said.

Dutch approached the metal gates. "Excuse me, sir. We have an appointment to see Mr. Bronte."

The guard closed in. "Who are you?" he asked in an Italian accent.

Dutch reached through the gate and grabbed the man by the collar before slamming him into the metal bars. He let go and pulled out the guard's gun, aiming it at the man. "You get your boss down here and now, so we can talk about this like gentlemen," Dutch said with a low, threatening undertone. He helped the man up. "Run along now, boy." More guards started coming out of the house and Lilly sighed. Dutch whistled and handed the guard his gun back.

"Was that the special Dutch charm I heard so much about?" John asked.

"Relax...I got this." Dutch grinned as he raised his hands up.

The guard came back and opened the gate for them. Lilly, Arthur, and John all lifted their hands up and walked through. Lilly's heart pounded in her chest as she ordered the boys to stay in the yard. Brian and James snarled at the house but Lilly shushed them both. "Deartháireacha, quiet." [Brothers] Brian and James both laid down and Lilly sighed in relief. It would do no good to bring them in and have Brian kill Bronte, much as she wanted to see Papa get eaten alive. It wasn't that bad of an idea, really, but it would have to wait until after they had Jack.

"Deartháireacha?" Arthur asked her. [Brothers?]

"Is iad mo dheartháireacha iad. Mo dheartháireacha réadacha. Thuig mé é níos luaithe inniu," Lilly replied. [They are my brothers. My real brothers. I realized it earlier today.]

"Don't worry, boys. We come in peace," Dutch said as they made their way across the yard. "We just need to straighten a couple of things out with your boss."

Lilly climbed the steps and gulped. This was going to be a doozy of a time. As Lilly wandered in, she took a gander at the place. Nothing had changed in the house as far as she could tell. They made a left into the room and when Lilly saw Papa sitting on the couch with a book and their eyes met, her blood ran cold. Although she kept a straight face, her eyes deceived her and Bronte smirked at her knowingly. "Ah, il mio piccolo fiore è tornato da me," he said, looking directly at her. [Ah, my little flower has come back to me.]

Lilly's eyes glared into his. She hated being called "little flower" no matter what language it was in. "Mr. Bronte. We are here about my nephew."

"Why do you take his son?" Dutch asked, pointing to John.

"Excuse me?" Bronte said as he put down his book and faced Dutch.

"I said, why did you take his son? We ain't got no problems with you, sir, nor you with us, but if you wanna start one," the group lowered their hands. "There is gonna be a lot of folks dead in this room before it's done."

The guards lifted their guns and Bronte scoffed. "So, you walk into my city, stinking of shit and looking like this, and you come into my house, before you have a bath and you tell me how to act? You ask me to show compassion? Have I not shown you almost infinite compassion already by simply allowing you to breathe in my presence?" Bronte hissed.

Dutch raised his hands once more. "Indeed you have." He took a step forward. "Now...we are simple country folk. All we have is each other..." Dutch said as he sat down, "and you have gone, and you have took," he motioned to John, "his son, over some dispute with some inbred ex-slavers. It ain't got nothin' to do with anyone of us."

"You had nothing to do with destroying the liquor business?!" Bronte yelled, making Lilly flinch. She cursed herself for still being swayed by his yelling.

"We was innocent bystanders, and that which we weren't innocent of, well we...we most surely were ignorant of."

"You, you, you twist words, you like shamelessly, you think you are better than everyone else." Bronte said before smiling. "Ti adoro," he said, laughing as he did. "Dai da bere a questi uomini. E la donna." [I love you. Give these men drinks. And the woman.] He stood and held out his hand for a shake as he laughed. "Angelo Bronte."

Dutch stood, laughed, and shook the man's hand. "Dutch van der Linde. Arthur Morgan, his wife Lilly, and John Marston."

"The pleasure is mine, all mine," Bronte said, shaking all the men's hands. He held out his hand to Lilly and she bit her lip as she went to shake it. He kissed it instead. "Such a pleasure."

Lilly wanted to gag and the men sat down. Someone brought out a chair and Lilly sat down in that as another man brought out drinks. "So, can my friend have his son?" Dutch asked.

"Of course, of course..." Bronte said as he grabbed a drink. "But, should I be out of pocket over a misunderstanding? Of course I know you would not want that, eh?"

"Uh, no."

"No, no, no, so, how about this? You perform a simple job for me, and you get your son back," Angelo said as he looked at John.

"What is it?" Arthur asked as he set his glass down.

"A couple of people have taken to grave robbing in the cemetery."

"Heh, that is a fine place for it," Dutch pointed out. "The best."

Angelo laughed and Lilly rolled her eyes. "I love this guy. I love you. See they've taken not only to desecrating the dead, but they've done so without paying tribute to the living. Thing is, they see my men, of course, they run a mile. So maybe you two head off," he motioned to Arthur and John, "and you, Mr. Van der Linde...why, you tell me more about my manners. And the lady must stay, of course. It is not right for a woman to be doing such a thing."

Lilly's eyes squinted. "No, I can do any job just fine, Mr. Bronte."

"Yes, but please stay. I wish to converse with someone from Ireland. By the way, tell me, do you speak Gaeilge?"

"Yes."

"Any other languages?"

"Polish, German...maybe a few others."

"Ah," Bronte laughed. "Not Italian, eh?"

Lilly's hands clenched. "No."

Bronte leaned forward. "Ricordi le caramelle e i cioccolatini che ti darei? Li amavi così tanto." [Remember the candies and chocolates I would give you? You loved them so much.]

Lilly narrowed her eyes. "I don't know what that means.""

"Hai dimenticato le tue lezioni? Non penso tu l'abbia fatto." [Have you forgotten your lessons? I don't think you did.]

Fuck. "I don't know what you're sayin'," Lilly insisted.

"Questi uomini non sanno di noi, il mio piccolo fiore?" [Don't these men know about us, my little flower?]

Lilly slammed her hands on the table. "Dì di nuovo un piccolo fiore e ti taglio la gola!" [Say little flower again and I'll cut your throat!]

Bronte laughed loudly and Lilly shut her eyes. Shit. "Oh ho ho, so you do speak Italian! What a delight!" His men aimed their guns again but Angelo motioned for them to lower them. Lilly dared a glance at the Van der Linde gang members. Dutch and John looked astonished while Arthur looked nonplussed. "Perché non sanno di me?" [Why don't they know about me?]

"Sanno di "Papa". Questo è tutto ciò che mi interessa dire loro." [They know about "Papa". That's all I'm interested in telling them.]

"Ma perché?" Bronte asked, taking a drink. [But why?]

"Quella parte della mia vita è finita." [That part of my life is over.]

"Lilly, I didn't know you spoke Italian!" Dutch said.

Lilly sighed. "I didn't think it relevant since we've never come across any Italian mob bosses before," she said, crossing her legs and arms.

Bronte burst into hysterics. "I love this kid! So witty!" He cleared his throat. "Okay, okay. Boys, you may go."

Lilly kept her eyes on the floor as Arthur and John got up to leave. Arthur paused near his wife. "Insíonn tú dom gach rud nuair a thiocfaidh mé ar ais," Arthur said before leaving. [You tell me everything when I come back.]

Lily rolled her eyes and kept quiet as Dutch and Bronte got to talking. The two men laughed and had a nice time as Dutch "educated" Bronte on his "manners", but it wasn't long until Angelo directed his attention to Lilly. "I see you haven't drank anything, Mrs. Morgan. Shall I provide something else for you?"

"Oh, no thank you," she replied. "I'm not thirsty."

"Well, perhaps you'd like some food? A cannoli, perhaps? Have you ever had spaghetti?" All the blood drained from Lilly's face. "You know, word gets around. Mrs. Morgan here is a popular subject, what with her wolves and the...other things about her."

"Such as?" Dutch asked suspiciously.

"I heard you are a witch, too," Bronte chuckled. "Not that I believe it, of course, but I have heard you do possess certain talents."

"By whom?" Lilly barked. "Your circle of poker friends?"

"Tuo zio. È vero che ha cercato di ucciderti?" Bronte said with a frown. [Your uncle. Is it true that he tried to kill you?]

Lilly sighed. "Due volte." [Twice.]

"Quel figlio di puttana," Bronte spat. "Se rimani con me, posso proteggerti. Sai che posso." [That son of a bitch. If you stay with me, I can protect you. You know I can.]

"Perché diavolo vorresti proteggermi?" Lilly said with a light snarl. "Hai messo un prezzo sulla mia dannata testa!" [Why the hell would you want to protect me? You put a price on my damn head!]

Dutch looked at them both in puzzlement. "I'm sorry, but could we-"

Bronte leaned forward looking very serious. "Per il tuo ritorno sicuro. Sei sempre stato il mio preferito e mi sei mancato, figlia mia." [For your safe return. You have always been my favorite and I have missed you, my daughter.]

Lilly scowled. "Dutch is my father."

"Oh. I see." Bronte leaned back and chuckled, glancing over at a very confused Dutch. "I apologize. Shall we continue in English?"

"Yes. I'm afraid Italian was never on my agenda of languages to learn," Dutch replied.

Jack came bursting into the sitting room. "Aunt Lilly! Uncle Dutch!"

Lilly smiled. Oh thank God. She went and picked him up with a big hug. "Ó, mo nia! Mo milis, milis nia!" [Oh, my nephew! My sweet, sweet nephew!]

"I missed you, Aunt Lilly!" Jack smiled and looked down. "I missed your bolg borrtha too." [baby bump]

Lilly laughed awkwardly. "Well, I missed you too. Now," Lilly kissed his cheek. "Would you like to see Brian and James? They're just outside."

"Yes! Yes please! But can I say goodbye to Papa Bronte first?" Lilly held Jack close and glared at Bronte before putting Jack down. Jack ran to Bronte and hugged him. Lilly glanced at Dutch who was gaping at her. From that look, Dutch had to put two and two together. She frowned and Jack came back to her. He touched her belly, then out his ear to it. "Can I hear the baby yet?"

Lilly tried not to look at Bronte when he spoke. "Baby? You're pregnant?" he said in shock.

Lilly started to tremble. "Yes."

"Aunt Lilly, why are you shaking?"

Lilly grabbed Jack's hand and they quickly ran outside. The wolves barked and greeted Jack happily as Lilly stood on the porch. Dutch joined her after a few minutes. "Lilly, are you okay?"

Lilly nodded without looking at him. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"I was watchin' you. He said things that clearly made you upset. I thought you said you didn't know him, but I think you do."

"Fine. I know him, but I don't wish to discuss it further." Lilly walked off the steps just as Arthur and John got back.

"Well, you took your time," Dutch said.

"Jack!" John shouted.

"Where's your host?" Arthur asked.

"Pa!" Jack went running into John's arms and it made Lilly smile.

"Like I said, you took you time," Dutch repeated.

"Am I glad to see you..." John said to Jack.

"Let's get goin'." Dutch said, putting a hand on Lilly's shoulder. "We should talk later, Iníon." [Daughter.]

"...Okay?" Lilly said in confusion.

"But a fine man. Hey, friend," Dutch said to one of Bronte's men. "Thank Mr. Bronte...for everything."

"You alright?" John asked Jack.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Jack replied.

Lilly shrugged and looked at Arthur. He held out his elbow for her to take it and she rolled her eyes, latching her arm with his. "What's this about?"

"John suggested I be nice to you in front of the boy," Arthur said as they walked.

"Oh." Lilly frowned.

"You know Arthur, Mr. Bronte has invited us to a garden party at the mayor's house," Dutch interjected. "And us, just simple country folk." Arthur led Lilly to Doc and helped her up before mounting up on Tessa. "Let's go. We got a new camp set up, Jack. You're gonna love it. Alright, let's get this boy back to his mother."

The all began to trot down the street. "You sure you're okay, son?" John asked, concerned for his son.

"I'm fine. Papa Bronte said you'd come for me," Jack said innocently.

Lilly shut her eyes and jerked her head as if she'd just been punched in the gut. "I'm...I'm sorry," John spoke with regret in his voice.

"What for?"

"For...that...for takin' so long."

"I had a fun time. I had my own room with a big bed and a toy box. And lots of books."

"Did they...do anything to you?"

"Have you ever had spaghetti?"

Lilly wanted to die when Jack asked that. "What? What's that?" John inquired, sounding confused.

"It's food. It looks like worms but it's delicious."

"Is that right?"

"Papa Bronte said spaghetti was Aunt Lilly's favorite food in the whole wide world!"

Lilly stopped her horse and everyone else did the same. "What?" Arthur asked Jack.

"Jack, don't-" Lilly started to say.

"Aunt Lilly's favorite food was spaghetti and cannolis," Jack explained. "She used to live there. I got to see your old room, Aunt Lilly!"

Lilly gulped. Now her secret was out and she dared not look at anyone. "You...you did, huh?" she stammered awkwardly.

"Yes! It was so exciting! I didn't know you knew Papa Bronte."

Lilly kept her gaze averted. "Yes. Yes I did, once upon a time."

Arthur strolled up to Lilly. She glanced at him briefly, seeing the pained look on his face. He definitely knew she'd lied, so was that why he looked so hurt? "Lillian, I..." he sighed. "Bronte...he's Papa?"

"...Yes," she uttered. "Angelo Bronte is Papa." Lilly saw Arthur's knuckles whiten from how hard he clenched his fists on the reigns. It made Lilly want to cringe. "Níor labhair mé an fhírinne. Tá brón orm," Lilly said with a tone of shame. [I didn't speak the truth. I'm sorry.]

"John? Why don't you and I take the boy home?" Dutch said.

"Okay," John said. "Your mother is worried, kid. Let's go."

Dutch and John galloped off, leaving husband and wife in an awkward silence. Arthur adjusted himself in his seat. "Why did you lie?"

"I was goin' to tell you, but I wanted to get Jack first and I didn't want to cause more...drama."

"I see. Despite all that he put you through, you went in there, even with that bounty on your head. Just to get Jack back." Arthur turned her face to look at him, cupping her cheek. "Tá meas agam ar do mhisneach, mo bhean chéile le croílár na tine. Táim i ngrá leat níos mó ná riamh." [I respect your courage, my wife with the essence of fire. I am in love with you more than ever.]

Lilly palmed the hand on her cheek and shut her eyes. "Go raibh maith agat, mo fhear céile le croí leon. Líonann do thrócaire mé le bród." [Thank you, my husband with a lion heart. Your mercy fills me with pride.]

Arthur leaned in and kissed her softly. "Let's go home."

Lilly and Arthur raced off together with the boys. And when they got back to Shady Belle, a party was in full swing for Jack's homecoming. The couple sat together by the fire, Lilly sitting in Arthur's lap as Javier sang songs in Spanish. Lilly clung to him and the occasional peck was exchanged. "Does this mean you're movin' back in?" Lilly asked Arthur.

"Yes," he said happily. "If you'll have me."

"I will. In more ways than one," she whispered in a seductive voice, nibbling on his ear lobe.

Arthur hissed amd stood with Lilly in his arms. "I believe my wife and I will be retirin' for the evenin," Arthur announced.

Some of the adults laughed and excused them. Dutch and Hosea smiled at them as they walked by toward the back of camp where the Morgan tent was placed. It was a little closer to the swamp than Lilly preferred but at least they would have privacy for their "recreational activities." Arthur carried her in and set her down, taking his time to unbutton her shirt. He exposed her chest and lightly bit her neck, kneeling down leisurely and kissing his way down to Lilly's navel. He looked up at her lovingly as he undid her pants, unbuckled her gun belt, took it off, pulled her pants down, and spread her thighs a little. He grasped her rump and placed soft, warm kisses on ger inner thighs before licking her honeypot. Lilly grunted, removing Arthur's hat and swirling her fingers through his hair. He scooted forward on his knees to guide Lilly to the bed and she laid down on her back. Arthur removed her boots and pants before pulling her legs apart and going back to kissing and tasting her womanhood. Lilly's head arched back from the pleasure of his tongue sliding along her slit and nub. Her legs bent at the knees and her hands gripped his hair. Lilly moaned out loudly as he suckled her. He put a finger in and started swiveling it around, making her gasp and moan more. When Arthur inserted a second finger, her inner muscles twitched.

"Someone is so close already," Arthur chuckled, his lips vibrating against her labia.

"Yes," she said breathlessly.

Arthur moved his digits in and out of her fiercely as he licked her nub, flicking and massaging his fingertips on Lilly's g-spot. Her thighs spread more and her respirations flowed more quickly as her hips arched up and she came. Fluid came squirting from her and Arthur sucked it all up. He raised his head and chuckled.

"You taste so sweet." Lilly chuckled in content. Suddenly she felt a fluttering in her stomach and she gasped. "What's wrong?"

She put a hand on her stomach. "I think I felt the baby move."

Arthur pressed a hand on her belly as the tiny movements inside her continued. He frowned. "I don't feel anythin'."

Lilly pressed his hands back. "You will eventually, mo chuisle."

Lilly woke the next morning to find her husband gone. Content as a kitten full on its mother's milk from last night's festivities, Lilly got dressed and brushed her hair while humming a random tune. She braided some of her hair in celtic knots and left the tent in a dark maroon buttoned down shirt and a pair of dark blue pants that were slightly bigger than her usual size. She'd started piling up on clothes that she could wear as her belly grew. Lilly spotted a letter on the nightstand and began to read it.

Dear Arthur,

I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to thank you for your help with Jamie. He and Daddy are still arguing but I understand Jamie is thinking about going back to college. Whatever happens, I believe you saved his life and we are all truly grateful.

Oh, Arthur. I have made such a mess of my life, time and again. Why can I not change and be the woman I want to be? Why couldn't you change and be a man and put down all those fantasies that shroud your judgment?

Lilly scoffed. "Be a man? Fantasies? That feckin' little..." Lilly continued reading.

Life is very confusing and I see now that I am not very good at it. I am afraid we have got ourselves into another mess. It's not my fault but I need your help. I'm staying at the Hotel Grand in Saint Denis. Oh Arthur, I know it is wrong to ask you, but I have nobody else and for what we once had together, I beg of you, even though I am ashamed to do so.

Yours,

Mary

"...As ucht Dé," she sighed, then she started laughing. "Oh, Mary, ya have no idea how much of a man my Arthur is, ya poor feckin' sap! And oooh, ya asked me husband fer help, did ya? Fer what ya once had together, aye?"

Lilly crumpled up the letter. Mary fuckin' Gillis. Linton now, she corrected herself. But she was a widow now, and Lilly was not about to let Mary sink her nasty, manipulative claws into her husband...not that she didn't trust Arthur, of course, but still, the nerve of that bitch. Lilly used to like Mary, until she broke Arthur's heart and their engagement. Lilly started remembering how that night went down.

Arthur was drinking bourbon around the campfire one night, and 9-year-old Lilly came walking up to him. Lilly knew he was...distraught. Mary Gillis had called off the wedding, and he'd spent most of the afternoon and evening drinking. Lilly felt bad for him. She sat down on the log he was sitting on.

"Hey, Arthur," she said. "How many of those have you had?"

Arthur whipped around and cackled drunkenly. "Oh, I dunno...a lot, I guess."

Lilly sighed and grabbed the bottle. She sniffed it. "That smells awful."

Arthur laughed. "It tastes almost as bad as it smells."

"Huh." Lilly went to try it but he grabbed it from her.

"Lilly, sweetheart, you're way too young for that."

"I only wanted to try it!"

Arthur handed it back to her. "Just one sip, little lady."

"I ain't a lady!" Lilly sniffed it again, made a sour face, then took a sip. It burned. She spit it out and wiped her mouth. "Blah! Bleh! That is feckin' disgustin', man!"

Arthur broke into hysterics and took the bottle from her. "And you claim to be Irish."

"I am Irish, ya slobberin' drunk!" she snapped.

Lilly and Arthur started laughing at each other. He patted her back and took a drink. "Mmm, well, just wait until you're old enough to drink. Then you can prove your roots."

"I bet! I'll drink ya under the table!" Lilly giggled.

Arthur put his arm around her and pulled her to his side. "You're alright, kid. You're alright!" he laughed.

Lilly snuggled into his arm. "Arthur?"

"Mmm?"

"May I ask why Mary...ya know..."

Arthur huffed. "She's a lady, I'm an outlaw. Her family hates me, and, well, she wants me to change and I don't think I can."

"Oh, bullocks! That is such horseshite!"

Arthur eyeballed her with a grin. "Lillian Rose O'Callaghan, you have such a mouth on you!" he laughed.

"So? Why does she want you to change? There ain't nothin' wrong with you."

"Thanks, kid. That means a lot." Arthur took a drink.

"I...you know I don't speak on my folks so much, but...I remember they were very much in love with each other."

"Hmm," Arthur shook her lovingly. "Holdin' hands and the like?"

"They'd..." Lilly covered her mouth and laughed loudly.

"They'd what, kid?"

Lilly grinned up at him. "They'd make weird noises all the time and they'd say weird things when they was alone."

Arthur chuckled. "Like what?" He went to take a drink.

Lilly squinted her eyes up at Arthur. "Things like..." Lilly cleared her throat and went down in pitch. "Oh, Mrs. O'Callaghan, yer bobbles and knobs are sooo hypnotizin'."

Arthur spit out the drink and went into hysterics. "You heard them say that?!"

"Yes! They'd do shite like that everywhere! Always talkin' about wantin' to scratch and bite each other! It was silly!"

Arthur kept laughing. "Well, some couples do that."

"I found it odd, but...they loved each other so much, they could be silly like that."

Arthur patted her head. "That's the best kind of love there is."

"Is that what you and Mary have?"

Arthur took another drink. "...well, we ain't allowed to do those things. Not until we're married. But...no, we weren't very silly with each other, either."

"Then you deserve better, Arthur," Lilly kissed his cheek and stood up. "And any woman who loved you that much would be so lucky to have you. So Mary can shove off, for all I care."

Arthur squinted at her. "I thought you liked Mary?"

Lilly put her hands on her hips. "Well I don't now since Mary thinks she's too good for you! Fuck that wench!"

Arthur laughed then shushed her. "Lilly, that ain't nice to say. It's not all her fault."

"Doesn't matter to me, Arthur. You matter to me. And I will always have your back, remember?"

Arthur pulled the Irish girl to him and hugged her. "Likewise, kid. Thanks."

Lilly giggled. "And ya know what? If ya can't find a bonnie lass to marry you, then I will marry you!"

Arthur gently pushed her back and smiled. "Nah, by the time you get to the marryin' age, I'll be an old man."

Lilly patted his head. "Just don't change, Arthur. The right one will come along soon enough."

"How..." Arthur burped. "Ugh, excuse me...how did you get to be this smart?"

"Annabelle has romance novels she lets me read."

"Oh good grief."

Lilly laughed. "Nothin' inappropriate, but...just..." Lilly kissed his cheek and skipped away. "Think about what I said!" and she ran off back to her tent.

Lilly opened up the crumpled paper. It was dated one day ago. Lilly looked around for the envelope and found it. The postage was dated today. "Hmm. The Hotel Grand. Well...I wonder if he stopped by to visit her."

Lilly folded the letter and put it in her satchel. She walked out of the tent towards the main part of camp. She noticed her boys and Rose were gone. Lilly got to Liath, saddled up and left camp.

It was a bit late in the day when Lilly found her way to Saint Denis. And now, Lilly was just around the corner from the Hotel Grand. She'd left Liath half a block down, and she purchased a black duster coat and a black mountain beaver hat. She tucked all her red hair inside the hat. She stayed at the corner, awaiting something. Maybe Arthur and Mary already left. Maybe he hadn't come at all. Maybe he was out hunting. This was stupid. Lilly knew Arthur would not...cheat. It was Mary she didn't trust. And she wanted to know what that...possible home wrecker was up to.

"Arthur! Arthur!" Lilly heard Mary call out. "You came!"

Lilly peaked around and saw her husband...clean shaven, hair cut...and dressed in a dress shirt, a fancy red vest, black fancy pants, and...what the hell kind of shoes was he wearing? They sure as hell weren't boots. "Yeah, I came," Arthur replied with a chuckle.

Lilly scowled. "Mac soith!" she hissed. [Son of a bitch!]

"Wait there!" Mary shouted. "I'm comin' straight down."

Lilly shut her eyes tightly and pressed her back to the wall. "Lilly, calm down. Give yer husband the benefit of the doubt. He would never, never, cheat on ya. Especially not with that heart-breakin' harlot!" she growled the last two words.

Lilly peaked again. Arthur was twitching about and moving around. Was he nervous? Why the fuck was he nervous?! Lilly saw him rub his teeth with a finger. Her heart dropped. Arthur wanted to look nice, apparently. For his ex. Lilly saw Mary come out.

Lilly kept her head down and walked along the sidewalk, then went to a small corner of the building on the side and waited.

"...Whenever you call for me, I'll come," Arthur said to Mary. Lilly rolled her eyes.

"Uh..." Mary gasped. "Oh Arthur."

"What's wrong?"

"Daddy..."

"Your father?! I'm a bigger fool than I even thought."

Lilly bit her knuckles and giggled. "Serves ya right, ya bastard," Lilly whispered to herself.

"I'm begging you, Arthur! I know Daddy was not...kind to you, but...but surely you cannot hate a man for the sin of loving his daughter and wanting better for her than...t-than..."

"Than me?" Arthur finished for her.

Lilly growled under her breath. This was exactly why she didn't like Mary. Making her husband feel bad about himself for being who he was. The fucking nerve!

"T-Than the choices you make!"

"What choice did I have?" Arthur shouted. "Did I ever have?"

"Oh, I know," Mary mocked. "You had to live by your code, but your code is, well it's not right!" Mary yelped.

Lilly growled. How dare she say something like that!

"Has your way been right, Mary?" Arthur huffed bitterly. "With you? With Jamie joinin' a bunch of crazies...and hypocritical Daddy with his drinkin' and whorin' and gamblin', huh? Is that what a pure life has gotten you? Beggin' me for help!?"

"Oh, Arthur," Mary pleaded. "Be kind to me. Please..."

Lilly wanted to shoot Mary. If she had to hear 'oh Arthur' one more god damn time...Arthur had every right to be god damn mad. And...oh, well, that was probably why he dressed up. To feel better about himself. Oh, this bitch. Lilly wasn't the slightest bit jealous anymore. She was pissed off at this woman acting so high and mighty. She was a fucking hypocrite.

"Sorry," Arthur said.

"I am...I should have asked someone else...but..."

"...But I'm the best guy you know at frightenin' decent people."

"...It wasn't that I didn't love you, Arthur. You know that."

"I know," Arthur grumbled.

Lilly narrowed her eyes. Mary had no idea what love is.

"Oh, Arthur..."

That was it. Lilly took off her hat and popped out from around the corner. Lilly saw them sitting on the steps. "Ahem! Excuse me!"

Mary and Arthur looked up at her. Arthur's face went pale. "Lilly. Uh..." his voice drifted off. He knew he was in trouble.

Lilly rolled her eyes at him. "Speak up, mo fhear céile." [my husband.]

"Lillian?" Mary gasped. "Lillian O'Callaghan, is that you?"

Lilly leaned a hand on the building, looking at Mary with a smirk. "Well, it ain't O'Callaghan no more," Lilly sneered at Arthur. "Isn't that right, mo fhear céile?!" Lilly growled. She looked at his ring finger. The ring was still on, so that was a brownie point for him. Arthur still looked like he wanted to die, though.

"Did you get married, Lilly?" Mary asked.

Lilly feigned a smile at Mary. "As a matter of fact, I did. Did Arthur not tell ya?" Lilly gasped dramatically and looked at Arthur. "Oh, shame on you, ya silly man!"

Arthur stood up and glared at Lilly. "Did you follow me, woman?!"

"Not the whole way, I found her letter!" Lilly snarled. "Where are me bráithre?!" Lilly yelled. [wolves?!]

"They're out in the swamps, I suppose!"

"Cén fáth an ifreann rinne tusa ní insint mise faoi seo beag bídeach cruinniú?" Lilly barked out. [Why the hell did you not tell me about this tiny meeting?]

"Rinne mé ní smaoineamh é tábhachtach!" Arthur replied angrily. [I did not think it was important!]

"Ní raibh sé tábhachtach a chur in iúl dom go raibh tú ag bualadh le do shean chailín?" Lilly pointed at him, her lips tightened and her eyes narrowed. "Ní hé sin an fáth a bhfuil mé anseo. [It was not important to let me know that you were meeting your old girlfriend? This is not even why I am here!]

"Ansin cén fáth a bhfuil tú anseo?!" Arthur yelled as people started to stare at them. [Then why are you here?!]

"Mar gheall ar an bacach beag seo!" Lilly motioned to Mary. "Ag caint síos chun tusa! Déanamh tusa mothaigh dona faoi tú féin! Aisteoireacht taitin le tá tú ní maith go leor!" [Because of this little lamb! Talking down to you! Making you feel bad about yourself! Acting like you are not good enough!]

Arthur laughed. "I'm sorry, that...what does aiste...god, you know I'm bad with them big ass words."

Lilly smiled at him in frustration, then punched him gently in the shoulder. "Actin', ya eejit! It means actin'."

"Ow!" Arthur laughed, rubbing his shoulder. "Tá brón orm, mo bhean chéile." [Sorry, my wife.]

"Um, sorry, uh," Mary interjected. "When did Arthur start speakin'...uh..."

Lilly rolled her eyes at Mary. "Gaeilge. Or Irish, if you can't pronounce Gaeilge properly."

"Yes...Irish. When did you start speaking Irish, Arthur?"

"Four years ago," he sighed. "When Lilly and I started...um, courtin', you could say."

"Courting? Oh, so..." Mary looked at their hands. "You two got married? To each other?"

Lilly growled at Mary. "Yes! And ya know why I married him? Because I love the bastard fer who he is! And I would never ask him tah change any god damn thing about himself, unlike SOME people!"

"Lilly-" Arthur started.

Lilly glared at him. "Táim ag caint, mo fhear céile!" [I'm talking, my husband!"]

Arthur chuckled and took a step back with his palms up. "Sea, mo bhean chéile." [Yes, my wife.]

Lilly's expression softened and she smirked at him. "Buachaill maith." [Good boy.] Lilly turned back to Mary. "Now ya listen here, Mrs. Linton. Me husband is a good man! A fine man! And he has certainly made better choices than yer dear old Daddy, ya feckin' hypocritical harlot!

"Lillian!" Mary scolded. "You don't need to use that kind of language!

Arthur laughed. "Ah, shit. Now she's just gonna curse more, Mary."

Lilly coughed into her hand. "Mrs. Linton, ya know in yer letter, you asked Arthur why he could not be a man. Well guess what? He is twice the man yer god damn daddy was, is, and ever will be! And fer ya tah ask Arthur fer help...twice, and then treat him like some common criminal...oh, he may be a criminal, but he ain't common! Yer father, on the other hand..."

Mary stood up and huffed. "My daddy is not a criminal!"

"Why?" Lilly snapped. "Because he is a law-abidin' citizen?! That don't mean he got more honor than Arthur! Arthur does what he does fer survival, not fer greed or to satisfy baser needs!" Lilly paused and looked up out of the corner of her eye with a squint. "Well, he does satisfy his baser needs," Lilly spoke more calmly and faced Mary. "But he only does that with me," she smirked.

Lilly heard Arthur groan. Mary gawked at the Irish woman and blushed. "A-A lady shouldn't speak such things!"

"I ain't a lady! And if ya knew how fantastic of a lover he is, I guarantee ya never woulda left him! Ya woulda said tah hell with dear old Daddy and married Arthur anyway! But it worked out in the end because now I have him, and I took an oath to love, honor, cherish, and protect this man! And I will protect him. From you!"

"Lillian, darlin'," Arthur said to try and reason with his wife.

Lilly held up a finger to her husband while still glaring at Mary. "I'm not done yet, mo fhear céile onórach..." [my honorable husband...] When Arthur didn't respond, she lowered her hand. "He won't be helpin' you. I will."

Mary backed up a step. "You will? Why?"

"Because ya need help. And Arthur came runnin' like the knight in shinin' armor he is! So I will do it fer him. Besides...I'm even scarier than he is. Now," Lilly grabbed Mary by the arm and dragged her along the sidewalk. "Ya can tell me on the way what ya need!" Lilly stopped and looked at Arthur with a sneer. "Ya stay put, Mr. Morgan! When I come back, we are gonna have a dialogue, ya hear me?"

Arthur slowly nodded with a sheepish smile. "Yes, Mrs. Morgan."

Lilly flashed her teeth at him. "Ya know what that does to me, bithiúnach."

"Tá a fhios agam freisin cad ag caint Gaeilge a dhéanann duit..." Arthur smiled with a seductive twinkle in his eyes. "Agus de mise coinín. Faigheann sé sáithithe." [I also know what Irish does to you. And to your pussy. It gets soaked.]

Lilly blushed. "Tá tú uafásach. Cinnte uafásach." [You are terrible. Absolutely terrible.] Lilly looked back at Mary who looked oblivious and out of place. "Come on, let's go." Lilly walked with Mary down the sidewalk. "Now, please explain yer dire situation, Mrs. Linton."

"Well, Daddy's been drinkin' and gamblin' and...other things."

Lilly shook her head. "Ooooh, how dare he," Lilly teased. "Where is he at?"

"He said he was going down to the Theadore Eckhart Stables. Something about a horse."

"Ah, I know the place. Over by the warehouse district. By the water."

"Have you been here before, Lilly?"

Lilly chuckled. "I used to live here, Mrs. Linton. Did Arthur not mention that?"

"No," Mary sighed. "He never mentioned...a lot of things about you, but...I do feel bad about that dress. For your birthday."

Lilly laughed. "Oh, relax. Not even Da, Athair, or Arthur knew little dresses were a...trigger for me." Lilly motioned to Liath. "Well, shall we?"

Mary's eyes went wide. "Oh my, what a beautiful Ardennes."

"Yes," Lilly helped Mary onto the back of Liath, then Lilly saddled up herself. "A gift. From Arthur."

"Really?"

Lilly smiled to herself. Oh, she was going to enjoy making this woman regret hurting Arthur, but Lilly had a feeling she was going to enjoy hurting Mr. Gillis more. "Yep." Lilly turned the horse and they trotted down the street. "Arthur goes to the highest degree to gratify me."

"Yes, he always was a big gifter. Especially when we fought."

Lilly laughed. "Now...about Mr. Gillis. How bad is it?"

"It's gotten worse," Mary spoke sadly. "He's drinkin' and gamblin' more than ever. Pawnin' things off left and right. Mixin' with bad people. I'm just scared for him."

Lilly felt a little guilty. It wasn't Mary's fault Mr. Gillis was a drunken arse. "Don't you worry now, Mrs. Linton. I'll set him straight."

"...You can call me Mary, you know."

"Alright, Mary. Oh, here we are."

Lilly slowed Liath, got off, and hitched the horse. The women made their way to the stable doors, but Mary stopped and looked at Lilly. "Let me go in and see what kind of a state he's in."

Lilly guffawed. "Oh please. He might make Arthur shake in his boots, but not me." Lilly shoved the doors open and skimmed the area. She spotted Mr. Gillis arguing with a man. "Hey! Mr. Gillis!" Lilly ambled on over. "I need tah have a chat with ya!"

Mr. Gillis saw Lilly and scoffed. "Excuse me!? Who are you?!"

Lilly stood a few inches from the man. "I am here on behalf of Mary, ya sorry excuse of a man!"

"Do you know who you're talkin' to?!" he shouted in her face.

"Oooh, I know very well who I'm talkin' to," she chuckled viciously then shoved him. He fell right on his ass. "I am talkin' to Mr. Gillis. Gambler. Whoremongerer. Alcoholic. Father of one begrieved, worried, and very upset Mary Linton!" Lilly took a step forward and Mr. Gillis scooted back. "What the hell is wrong with ya?! Why have ya turned into such a damn fool?!"

Mr. Gillis stood up...with difficulty. "You have no right to talk to me!"

"Oh ho ho, but I do! I'm actually a countess, so not only do I got the right tah talk tah ya, I got the right tah talk down tah yas!" Lilly took another step and Mr. Gillis backed up. "Yer daughter sent a letter tah my husband beggin' fer his help in dealin' with ya! One Arthur Morgan! Ya remember him, don'tcha?!

Mr. Gillis growled. "That man?! That no good unlawful deviant?!"

Lilly slapped the man in the face and pointed at him. "Do not speak about me husband that way or I'll rip out yer innards, ya filthy old fart!"

"Lilly!" Mary gasped loudly.

"How dare you!" Mr. Gillis went to hit her but Lilly grabbed his arm and gave him daggers with her eyes. "No. How dare you, Mr. Gillis. Makin' yer daughter sick with worry over ya, drivin' off yer son so bad he went and joined a turtle worshippin' cult...however, Mr. Morgan persuaded Jamie out of it. By talkin' to him nicely. Now..." Lilly grabbed two stools, one for her and one for the drunk. "Sit."

Mr. Gillis shook his head. "I will not sit on that filthy-"

"SIT THE FUCK DOWN, MR. GILLIS!" Lilly's voice boomed. The horses stomped and hit their gates. "NOW!" He sat down on the stool immediately. Lilly looked back at Mary and winked. "Told ya." Lilly sat on the stool in front of Mr. Gillis and studied him. Yes, he was frightened enough. "Now...shall we begin the dialogue, Mr. Gillis?"