Swank, a chairman from the Tops, was introduced to Six's charisma by Six's hands. What else could be expected? These chairmen, too, radiated charisma. In my opinion, though, their version of intoxicating charm both couldn't measure up to Six's and was quite annoying. They talked with funny words and accents while smiling with clean faces and strutting their ironed suits. Six was refreshing. Six was dirty, direct, handsome, smooth, and new. Swank said Benny should be around, and so we started off with the bottom floor.
Woman and men alike looked up at Six with curious eyes. "Is that a scar," "You ever kill people," "You look so strong," "Tell us a story!" I was led by Six's hands as he tightly held mine to make sure I wasn't pushed behind him as he smiled and winked at these people, apologizing as he pushed through.
"My deepest condolences - it's not often you see a man of the wasteland so open to your questions, but I must go," he said, walking towards a hallway with a jutting sign reading, "Restrooms." Ladies yelled to him that it wasn't often wasteland wanderers were so handsome, and he kissed their hands. Six was surely pulling out all of the moves, now.
He checked behind him before shoving me into the girl's bathroom and following me in. Apparently it was too crowded to spot even the ugliest of suits, the trademark of Benny.
"You're going to get in trouble for being in here-"
"That's if I get caught - Here." He smiled and shoved a bag into my hands before I finished. My eyes scrunched in confusion and he ushered me into a stall.
"Change into that. This is where you come in, my lovely Lacey." I snorted at that. I wasn't too good looking, and I wasn't his.
I went in that stall wearing dirty leather armor, and came out in a dark red dress and black heels. I held up the last item from the bag and questioned him, "My necklace?" He chewed his lip and floated towards me.
"You look even more magnificent than I imagined. And yes, the lace choker for Lacey. You're finished once we do this last thing. Well, if those mongrels don't eat you up first." Six took the necklace and moved my hair out of the way. I laughed, he always makes me chuckle. Once he clasped the necklace onto my pale skin, he asked why I laughed.
"They'll surely eat you first," I stated. He smiled - not smirked, but genuinely smiled.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head - I'm used to this."
My eyes stayed focused on his. He searched me up and down, fixing whatever he saw as broken. The waist wasn't tied tightly enough, my feet should be closer together, my lips needed more color, my face should be washed, there was dirt in my hair, blood in my fingernails... All of these things he fixed. A dirty mirror showed a girl who I could now believe was Lacey. It was so unnatural to see me in the red cocktail dress that it had to have been a different person. Yes, this was Lacey, not a girl from the northern Brotherhood ranks. This was Lacey and Six.
Six had apparently wanted Lacey to be a beautiful broad in a dark red, short velvet cocktail dress with a sweetheart neckline and black ruffle on the bottom. He wanted her with her hair done up and black heels to make her fishnet-covered legs longer. Lacey, however, did not like it.
"Why are you dressing me up?" I asked as I watched Six's hands throw my armor into the bag. I already missed the revolver from my hip, the rifle on my back, the magazines in my pockets and the knife in my boot. I was utterly defenseless for the rest of the night.
"Have you seen yourself?" Six asked me, showing me my own reflection for the umpteenth time. Six's hands worked themselves around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder, observing us in the mirror.
"I get that you think I'm beautiful, but I don't understand."
Six went and washed the dirt from his face, which eventually revealed a brutal scar on the front of his head. It was hidden just under the bangs of his hair. I chewed my now red lip as I wondered about it.
"You have to be so beautiful that everyone sees you before me. I know you don't talk much, but I need you to try and be charming. Can you do that? And stop that." He faced me now.
"Stop what? And why am I doing this?"
"Don't chew your lip, I just got the lipstick on them. And because you wanted your necklace back."
I rubbed my lips together to fix their stained color. Six smiled and took my hand in his, "Ready?" He asked as he pulled me out of the bathroom.
The casino was even more packed than before. The lights exposed the thick amount of cigarette and cigar smoke that would forever smell in the walls, floor, and clothes on these people. Everyone had a drink and a smile. I gulped as Six pushed me forward.
He began to whisper frantically, "Ugly black and white checkered suit. You've got to get him to his room, which should be easy because you are so god damn beautiful. I'll be there to help. Just stall and keep him up there, okay?"
My ear went cold when the hot breath from his whispers no longer guided me. I, alone, walked around, very nervous. Attention came my way as soon as I was in the poorly lit and loud room.
"Doll, babe, gorgeous, beautiful, woman, lady, miss, ma'am, honey, lovely," Words were thrown at me like the bullets from a minigun. My eyes searched the men and women surrounding me. None had suits that Six described. When it they withheld their words from me and stood there, eyes sparkling and ears waiting, I panicked. I missed Six's hands guiding me through these people.
"Uh, what?" I asked, cheeks turning to roses at the laughter from all of them. I twiddled my fingers and nervously smiled with them. No, Six, I could not be charming.
Once again they bombarded me with questions and I grew dizzy from the confusion. I couldn't keep up with their hungry stares and loud words. I took a step back and they continued to drool and praise. My head spun - the smoke in my nose, the laughter in my ears, the light in my eyes - I started to fall when I was suddenly caught by strong arms.
"Baby, a few too many, huh?" Said the voice behind me, followed by his chuckle mixing with everyone else's. I was turned around, barely able to take the small steps in these tall heels, and Six's strong arms held me close to him. He dismissed the people who lingered - most of the men had left when they saw that Lacey belonged with Six. My eyes stared up at him.
"You went even more pale than usual out there, kid," he told me before planting a kiss on my lips. He pulled away before my brain had time to register what just happened. He locked out arms and began to walk the farther end of the casino.
"I'm not a kid," I said. He ignored me.
"Don't linger on that move, it's just for show," he told me. I gulped and looked at the ground. Six no longer wore his boots - he now had nice black shoes. He changed from his wasteland outfit into black sleeks and a white tee covered with an open black blazer. Once again, he whispered to me.
"He's surrounded by those chairmen over there," he said to me before quickly walking to towards the gambling tables. I continued taking steps towards that checker-board suit. What would I do? What would I say?
Apparently nothing.
A chairman gently took my hand and led me to Benny. He spoke of how I looked ravishing and Benny wanted to speak. He asked if I was willing but Benny kissed my hand before I could even answer.
"Not many classy dolls like you wander into here. What's your name, you beautiful broad?" Benny asked as he held my hands in front of us.
"Lacey," I said nervously, my gaze looking at our intertwined fingers. He pulled me closer.
"May I ask what you're here for, pussycat?" My eyes met his with the strange nickname. He was smiling and watching me very closely.
"I just wanted to find someone," I told him. I'd never been a good liar, so walking around it could be a better option.
He held up a glass of wine and I shook my head to decline the offer. "And who should be so lucky?" He asked before taking a small sip of the dark red liquid.
"Anyone," I breathed. Benny's arm snaked around my waist and held me close to his side.
"Hmm," he feigned a thought, "Do I count as anyone?" He asked. I suppose now was my chance.
"It appears as though I've caught your attention," I perceived. He chuckled.
"Maybe it was the innocent face, maybe the dress, or your hair? Heck, it could be those mile long legs, baby, you've been the only broad in my eye since you stepped that velvet stiletto in here."
I caught the eyes of girls who weren't paying attention to Six. Their gazes all lingered on Benny. "These girls want you," I tell him. He nods.
"Brainless. They like my looks - I think some could be nice, but I'd love to get to know a girl so we can stick together, ya dig?" My heart sped up as I used my finger on his chin to force his gaze upon mine, a move I've seen Six do to charm his way into information. My hands were far shakier than Six's hands.
"I'd love that," I told him. He smiled and planted a kiss on my cheek.
"There's still no shame in fun, though," he told me and began to walk away. It wasn't until my arm stretched out in front of me that I realized he had my hand in his.
Benny's hands were not as rough as Six's hands. His were soft, clean, and warm. He leisurely walked with me lagging behind him until we came to an elevator. He stepped in first, and I turned my head before entering. My eyes met with Six's dark ones just as I stepped inside.
I was against the wall in a flash, his hands on the sides of my head and lips crashing into mine. I barely had the skill to keep up with him, but he lead me on anyway. A quiet "ding" followed by the sliding of doors lead Benny to hoist me up, my legs around his waist. My mind was racing with anxiety. I really, really, really did not want to have sex with this man.
Benny laid me down on a bed - when did we get into a room? - and straddled me. Panicked rose in my chest, escaping as short, quick breaths. He sat up and began sliding off his suit jacket. I watched as he slowly slid out one arm, and just as the other was out of its sleeve, I built up enough courage to speak.
My mouth opened, "Benny, it's been a while," The air was hitched in my throat. They were not my words. Benny was frozen above me. My heart sped up its beating when Six's voice spoke again.
"I'm leaving you no time for excuses, Benny. You fucked with my head, ya know. That bullet took my memory" a gun cocked, "Mine will take your last breath."
Benny was ripped from being upon me, his back landing harshly on the ground. No words had the chance to beg or apologize or explain. Benny was murdered by Six's hands.