"What's got you so down Little Diamond?"

Stella looked up and flashed one of her bright, fake smiles. "Nothin', I'm just thinkin' is all" she said as she resumed unfastening her corset.

"Hope you were thinkin' of me, I paid a lot fer yer company tonight."

Stella flashed him another smile and walked towards him with a sensual sway of her hips. "I can't even begin to know how I could think of anyone else Wesley."

The man laughed. "You never do call me by my true name, why is that?"

Stella lightly pressed her lips to his. "Wesley is more genteel don't ya think?" She winked playfully.

"I think you're right Diamond, I might start gettin' people t' call me Wes." He smiled down at the young girl who was trying and very much succeeding in seducing him. He didn't mind that it was costing him nearly a month's pay of honest work just for two hours, but he was not an honest man or a rich man. In fact John Wesley Hardin liked to rob rich men, so in his eyes the world evened out and he enjoyed the girl's company, she was always bright and cheered his mood, he was willing to pay big for any girl that could do that for him. He'd even thought of stealing her from Johnny Duke and marrying her, but he was too restless right now, perhaps the next time he came through this way, he was sure she wouldn't refuse, not if he added his gun into the equation, no one ever refused him then.

Stella smiled and looked up at her paying customer, he always paid well and she wanted his money. Sometimes he would even tip her extra without Johnny knowing and on top of all that he was good looking, a little sharp featured perhaps but his wit was quick and his presence could draw anyone towards him. He was magnetic and all the girls wanted a night with Wesley, but he always chose Stella and she wanted to keep it this way.

"Wes is good too." She smirked and pulled him down for another kiss.

As their mouths connected she became aware he hadn't touched a drop of drink on this visit, Stella guessed he was saving that pleasure until later and they made their way to the bed. Wesley wasn't a gentle lover but he was considerate in some ways and over the months she had learned many tricks and ways of pleasing a man, Wesley liked to teach and she was willing to learn. They both lay on the bed half covered by one of the cream satin sheets in the after effects of their transaction. Wesley always offered her a cigarette in this moment and she accepted, she did not smoke often but with him it always seemed like the right thing to do.

"Tell me Diamond," he said, rolling the tip of the cigarette along his lips as he pondered. "You seem like a bright girl, don't you want to do anythin' else other than be a whore?"

Stella gave a small, sweet laugh. "If I was anything else we wouldn't get to spend time together." She blew out a cloud of smoke and smiled slyly at him.

"Cut the sweet crap" Wesley said. He was no fool; he knew most whores acted out their affectionate feelings towards their customers.

Stella gave him a sour look. "I don't know." She sighed, sensing the change in his mood, it was a gift she had quickly picked up, to sense when a man's mood changed was not only profitable, it was vital for safety. "I don't know how to be anythin' else."

"Can you cook, sew, all that stuff?"

She shrugged, "Course I can, but this work's easy." She sensed his mood was darkening and the thought of losing all that money, of it not coming her way anymore began to make her panic, she needed this man's money. "Besides, you shouldn't be so hurtful Wes."

He looked over at her, his sharp features studying her face. "When'd I hurt you?"

Stella put out the cigarette in a nearby ashtray and turned her beautiful dark eyes upon him fully. "Sayin' I pretend with you, I don't." She paused and hesitated, the desired effect was to make him think speaking of this was difficult. "You should know I care about you, you aren't just another 'John' to me Wes."

Wesley looked taken aback by her words. "So, if I asked you to marry me right now you'd say yes?"

Stella's eyes lit up and she climbed on top of him. "If you asked me I'd say yes." It was a lie, she knew he wasn't asking her, he was testing her. "But Johnny would never let me run off with you."

Wesley laughed long and hard, this was why he loved spending time with this girl, she was quick witted and a quick liar. "You're a cunning little bitch," he said through laughter. "You'd slit my throat if I had a bundle of money and not even think twice about it."

"Now that ain't fair Wes." She pressed her lips to his. "I would never hurt you."

He smiled again and chuckled, but despite what he knew to be true, it was nice to think this young woman cared about him, she could be very convincing.

"Our time's nearly up" he said, glancing at the clock upon the wall nearby.

"Well, Johnny don't have to know if we run over a little." She pulled away the sheets that covered him and slowly lowered herself down. He gave a hiss of pleasure at the unexpected action. Stella moved her hips as he looked at her, fully startled. He'd never had any whore risk a beating for him before, but then he'd never met anyone quite like Stella. She could almost convince jaded John Wesley Hardin that she could love him, that she would never forget him, that she would mourn him if he was shot down… Perhaps if Johnny ever beat her he'd kill him and the world would even out once more in John Wesley Hardin's mind…

They had stayed together for nearly an hour after the agreed time but Wesley was not worried, why should he worry over such a thing, he would pay Johnny Duke an extra few dollars and keep the greedy man happy. Stella lay resting her cheek against his chest; it was an almost blissful feeling to just be lying here in contentment, it was something he rarely experienced.

"What's your real name Stella?" he asked softly, brushing a few stray hairs from the girl's cheek.

She glanced up at him. "That ain't a gentlemanly question," she said playfully, "don't you like Stella?" She paused, studying him. "It's my real name now." She smiled and rested her chin upon his chest, watching him a moment.

"I just want to know is all; I wonder sometimes what your ma called you."

Stella pulled a face. "I never liked it anyway, it don't have any meaning, the name means nothin'."

"I'll pay you twenty dollars if you tell me." Wesley said with a grin.

Stella huffed. "Twenty? For my name, you must be crazy!"

"You know I am," he proclaimed, "now tell me."

"Give me the money first."

He gave a low sigh before searching out to his jacket and fishing the money out of one of the pockets, he held it before her but would not let go when she tried to take it. "Tell me an' it's yours."

Stella laughed. "My name is Marie-Kai" she said, and pulled again at the money.

"Marie-Kai? What sort of name is that?!" Wesley said playfully, still not releasing his grip.

"My ma said my father was an Indian, he saw my ma in a field workin'. She was only my age then and he fell so in love with her he kidnapped my ma from her family and she lived with his tribe for a time, I was born under a willow tree so they named me Kai, in his tongue it means willow tree, now give me the money."

Wesley gave a long, loud laugh and allowed her to pull the money away, his hand came to rest upon her chin and he turned her face this way and that. "I guess ya could be part Injun, but I think you're full of shit." He laughed again. "But you spin a good story from nothin' I'll give you that, and cause of that fact ya can keep the money, even if ya are a liar." He paused. "I guess you'll never tell me the truth."

Stella smiled, her fist closing around the money. "I guess you'll never find out when I'm tellin' the truth if you always think I'm lyin'."

He chuckled. "I guess so." He finally got up from the bed and pulled his trousers on. "Will you still be workin' here next time I pass on through?"

Stella pulled the satin sheet over herself, covering her nakedness. "Maybe, I might not be though, in a few months Johnny reckons I won't be workin'."

He looked up and squinted at her dark outline in the dim light. "Oh he does, does he?"

"He's buyin' me a cottage so I don't have t' work." She smiled a little smugly almost expecting Wesley to be impressed but instead he laughed in a booming, mocking way.

"Don't tell me you're that naive little Diamond!" he said, trying to control his laughter.

Stella glared at him, "What do you mean?"

"Johnny Duke ain't gonna buy you any cottage!" He said it as if talking to someone who was stupid, the tone annoying her further. "Men like him always promise things they'll never do, he's like me!" He grinned. "You'll only be at the top till he tires of you an' another girl comes along that takes his likin', with all the money you make Diamond you could have already bought yourself a cottage and a proper livin'." He chuckled cruelly. "I didn't know Diamonds could be so dim."

"You're wrong, Johnny loves me!" Stella said, unable to keep her temper in check.

"Men like him don't love anyone, open your eyes and see the world fer what it is. No one really cares what happens to you, you're just a whore, a pretty one an' a good one but still… Once you start losing your charms he'll throw you out, you'll be used up and unable to do anythin' but go work at a cow ranch on some lonely trail, selling what you got left." He knew his words were harsh but he liked being harsh. Although he liked Stella's brightness, he always liked to tease her, to see such a woman put in her place always made him smile.

Stella didn't reply, she just stared at him with dangerous dark eyes. He wouldn't have put it past the young girl to lunge at him if he provoked her further, she had a temper and he had seen it a few times. Maybe one day he would push her that little bit further to see how far she would go.

"See ya Diamond." He had finished dressing and gave a small nod in her direction. He walked out of the room and closed the door behind him, it seemed just in time, as a vase shattered on the other side. He gave a low chuckle and set off in search of Johnny to pay his debt.

---

"What did you say?" Johnny asked, staring at the young girl before him.

"I said I want out, I'm tired of workin' an' I'm tired of waitin' for you to tell me that I can stop, you promised me Johnny!" Stella's voice was desperate and she hated it, hated this life, hated everything. Many months had passed and things had only gotten worse. Johnny had ended up getting her pregnant and instead of being caring he was callous and cruel, forcing her to let Evey get rid of the 'little problem'. The remembrance of the pain, the blood, the gin and the guilt still caused her to shudder. She'd been out of work for a few weeks, too sick to even move. She'd been scared she'd die, the bleeding just seemed to go on and on and now she didn't feel so certain about her future or about Johnny. She didn't want it to happen again.

Wesley's words had begun to affect her more than she would like to admit. She hated this job, she wanted it over, she wanted Johnny to keep his promise, but there was always an excuse as to why she couldn't stop and why the cottage wasn't ready. She began to get a growing feeling of dread that Wesley had been telling the truth.

"I told you another year at the most an'…"

"I don't want to work another year! I don't want to work another day!" She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at him. "I don't want it to happen again." Her look hardened. "If ya don't pull me out… I'm leavin'."

"Leavin'?" Johnny bowed his head and gave a low laugh that held no humor. "After everythin' I've done you'd just up an' leave me?"

Stella sensed the change in his voice and backed up a step. "I'm not sayin' I want to leave you I'm just…"

Johnny stood abruptly from his seat behind his desk. "You don't leave me!" He said, his voice booming with anger. He quickly walked towards her and Stella cringed away.

"Johnny…" she tried again, but it was too late, his anger was in control…

---

Stella sat upon her bed and sniffed loudly, her clothes were ripped, her best day dress was ruined by tears and blood stains. She couldn't quite believe what had just happened, she'd been hit once before by a drunken customer, but it had only been a slap… Johnny had used his fists and her body had borne the brunt of his anger. Her face he hadn't touched, she couldn't work if her face was beaten, so he had beaten her body black and blue, the bruises were already beginning to appear across her stomach and torso and the small cut on her shoulder was only just beginning to congeal… She knew everything would change now, she'd seen it in Johnny's eyes, he no longer wanted his Little Diamond Stella by his side and he would punish her for thinking she was above him. She now knew some of the despair that Pearl must have felt, to be trapped with no way out. Stella could see how ending your own life could be a pleasant option, but she wouldn't, she could not let Johnny win. Her pride would keep her going even if nothing else did.

---

It had been two long months since she had spoken out to Johnny; Stella had paid for it ever since, more so than she ever thought she would. Even Annie, who had taunted her and taken great pleasure in her downfall, now looked upon her in pity. Stella no longer had the best room, a new girl had her place, and she lived in the attic room where Pearl had died, a room none of the other girl's wanted… Johnny sent all the worst customers to Stella, the rough men that didn't have much of a liking for women, only for the pleasures they offered and if she spoke out of turn or did anything they didn't like it usually resulted in a beating. The latest had broken two of her fingers in his drunken struggle to take her how he pleased; her fingers were now supported with stiff cloth. She knew they would heal soon but they still pained her. As the weeks took their toll the rich men stopped asking for her by name, Johnny always tried to persuade them to use his new girl and such men's loyalties were fleeting.

Stella had quickly learnt that being at the top never lasted and the fall back down was harder than she could have imagined. Blanche and Katie had taken pity upon her but it didn't help ease the rapings or beatings that were hers alone almost every night. She fought constantly with her own mind to keep herself alive, to hold onto that spark of hope that things would change.

All the girls sat downstairs, reclining upon chairs and long sofas waiting for the first wave of evening customers. Stella as always, was put far at the back so that she would not get a chance at the richer men. Lillie, the new girl, was positioned right at the front. She was beautiful, only a year older than Stella, with long golden hair and bright, light blue eyes. Her complexion was pale and flawless, she used lemon juice everyday to make sure the sun did not tan her skin and the men loved her, she was like an expensive toy doll they all wanted to play with.

"No!"

The gruff voice drew all the remaining girl's attentions, Blanche and Annie had already retired with their regular men. Stella saw that it was Wesley and he was arguing with Johnny.

"I don't want your new girl I want my Diamond!" he said. It was obvious he had been drinking, but the sight of him made her smile broadly despite herself.

"But Lillie is new and your money may well be better spent on her."

"Johnny if you don't start listenin' to me I'm goin' to kill you." Wesley said simply.

Johnny sighed; annoyed he couldn't squeeze more money out of this man for his new girl. "She's over there" he said, gesturing distractedly to where Stella sat.

Wesley walked briskly over to her. "Shall we?" he said, offering his arm.

Stella gave him a smile and for the first time in a long while she really meant it.

They retired to her new room and Wesley glanced over it, his sharp eyes taking in the smaller accommodation.

"What happened to your old room? I liked that room."

"Me and Johnny… we had a fight and, well, I ended up in here after he found Lillie… he likes Lillie now," she added, "you were right about him."

"Course I was" he said simply, turning his attention to her and studying her intently. The girl before him seemed different somehow. She was still beautiful and her curves beckoned him to take her but her eyes were sad and tired, she wasn't as cocky as she had once been. "You don't seem yourself."

Stella gave a bitter laugh, she hadn't meant to, in another situation it would have been repaid by a slap but Wesley had never hit her and she felt comfortable to an extent in his presence. "I guess things ain't goin' so well for me no more." She tried to smile but it was weak and lacked conviction. "Johnny won't forgive me, see." She paused. "He sends all the rough men to me and… they're rough men" she finished, her words deflated.

"I don't like this" Wesley said, pacing a little. He felt annoyed, he liked his whores to make him feel good, he liked his Little Diamond when she sparkled. He'd come forty miles out of his way to see her and all he got was this. He was irritated that he was not getting the same feeling from her, that she was not making him happy. "What's happened to you?"

Stella shrugged. "I'm sorry Wes, I guess what you predicted came true." She paused, "I am a dim diamond."

"I was just teasin' ya, be yourself again" he said, scowling at her.

"I don't know how," Stella said sadly, "I think that girl is gone for good."

He shook his head violently. "Nope, I don't like this." He gave a small chuckle that grew into a crazy laugh. "I guess," he said, trying to control his laughter, he wasn't amused, he just liked to laugh sometimes when something irritated him, "you'll keep on becoming more and more like all the unappealing whores around here, Johnny'll throw you out and you really will end up at a cow ranch." He paced a little more, throwing agitated glances her way. "Well I can't let that happen" he said under his breath. "One way or another."

Before Stella could even begin to react he lunged at her, pushing her onto her stomach on the bed, he then sat on top of her, pinning her arms to her sides. She gave a noise of surprise and tried to look at him.

"What are you doin'!" Stella said, panic edging her voice. "I'll do whatever you want, you don't need t' beat me!"

"See," he said calmly, pulling out his gun and studying it in the candlelight. "That ain't my Diamond, my Diamond would have fought me, would have told me to go to hell… let's see if she's still in there." He drew back the hammer and Stella felt the cool end of the barrel push against her temple.

She pressed her lips together, she'd always known Wesley was crazy, that he was an outlaw of some sort but she'd never imagined his violence would be directed at her. She didn't know if he intended to kill her or if he was just teasing her… she was dispirited to find she didn't really care. She hoped he did pull the trigger and end it all, she was tired and just wanted to rest without the fear of what the next night would bring.

"I don't think you want to fight me at all, I don't think you have much life left in you" Wesley said, watching her with his sharp, perceptive eyes.

"Then just do it!" Stella said, her tone annoyed, why was he talking so much about her faults if he wanted to kill her, why didn't he just pull the damn trigger and get it over with.

He gave a chuckle. "So, you are still in there somewhere."

Stella shot him a resentful look but remained silent.

"See, seems to me," Wesley continued, the gun still pressed to her temple, "you got two choices." Stella's eyes narrowed further. "Okay, I'll give you two choices." He grinned. "Either I can squeeze this trigger and make a mess of your pretty face, that don't appeal to me so much, I like your face Diamond but I'll do it, cruel to be kind if you get me." He chuckled again and licked his lips, he was enjoying this game. "Or I can let you up, you can pack up your belongings and leave town with me, I'll take you as far as White Oaks… I hear tell that a woman named Greathouse is good to her whores, you go work there an', well, ya can just give me a discount if I ever pass through that way."

The pressure of his weight was beginning to hurt Stella's back and she gave a vain struggle against him.

"Well, what'll it be? my finger's getting' tired and so's my patience."

Stella's mind raced, she wasn't sure which option she wanted, to be killed here and now, quickly and without much pain, it would end the unhappiness… or to just get up and leave with this man she hardly knew, depending on him to take her somewhere that may or may not be better than her current situation.

She looked up at him, fighting back unwanted tears. Finally she nodded. "I'll leave" she said in a small whisper.