Thank you for the reviews you guys! You're awesome! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own GMW otherwise Maya would be kicking asses for real.
The Bull's Sleaze saloon, just like its name suggested, was sleazy, tacky, and boorish, at least because of the regular outlaws and cowboys who would frequent the bar. But the main reason why it was so popular was due to the fact that this particular saloon was the Mayor's ownership. He had invested a lot to turn this spot into a whore house with all the amenities of a saloon. The only reason Maya came here was because Abigail—the keeper of the saloon—knew her secret and helped her keep it, and also because they had the best alcohol in the entire county.
Maya sat alone at a table, nursing the whisky in her hand, reveling in the feel of the alcohol cooling down her irritation from earlier in the evening. It was particularly loud and rambunctious that night. Apparently, some outlaw had escaped from hanging earlier that morning and now had a larger bounty on his head. Many of the cowboys were making plans to try to capture him and split the loot. They had ordered a lot of booze. And bought a lot of the women. Maya leaned back in her chair watching as some of the town cowboys held giggling girls in their laps, fondling them under their dresses.
Disgusting.
If it weren't for the liquor, Maya would never come to this abomination of an establishment. This was the only whore house in the entire town, and Abigail had told Maya about some pretty nasty rumours surrounding how the whores came to be found. Apparently, the mayor of their town, Jedediah Carson, swindled people of their funds, subjecting them to bankruptcy. The men, he would enslave and send off to work in the mines further west, never to be seen again. The women and daughters? Forced to work as whores until their existent debts were repaid. Many people didn't question the legitimacy of this business, but Maya had a feeling there was some foul play involved.
Maya recognized a few of the girls traipsing about in too small dresses, their cleavage near bulging out of the top of their dresses. Girls she'd grown up with, only to suddenly become workers here when their fathers fell into crippling debt. A cute brunette sauntered by, looking for a customer and winked at Maya as she passed. Maya pulled her hat further over her eyes, slightly embarrassed. This wasn't the first time she had been hit on as Micah, but it didn't make her feel any less uneasy. She was pretty sure that girl's name was Sally. And she was also pretty sure she had broken one of Sally's dolls in their childhood.
The things that happen to people… Damn.
"Lift up your skirt you dirty wench!"
Maya glanced over at the drunk man to her left. Not only was he being entirely too loud, but he was roughhousing the woman he had paid for. He had her wrist in a vice grip and was harshly yanking her around. She was petite and blonde, with her shoulder length hair curled around her face. Maya had seen her around for as long as she'd been coming to the saloon, but never really paid attention to her.
Maya leaned over, lowering her pitch, "Pipe down will you? I can't hear myself think."
He sneered at her, "Mind your own business young man."
Maya rolled her eyes and settled back into her chair. She recognized the man as one of the mayor's lackeys. A real ass of a man and one who came just about every other day to "play". She'd seen many of his decided playthings injured after sessions with him. A despicable married man of no worth. If Maya wouldn't get in trouble for it, she would shoot his balls off to teach him a lesson. Men like him were prime examples why she had no interest in marriage.
"Please let go…" the woman whimpered, her voice sounding strained, "You're hurting me."
"Now you listen to me." he barked, yanking the blonde closer as she struggled against his grip, "I bought you tonight. I'm paying for your wages. So if I tell you to do something, you do it."
Maya heard a whimper and contemplated moving closer to the actual bar as opposed to staying at this table. The bar area was relatively deserted save for a lone man in a black cowboy hat ignoring the going ons around him. It seemed like the best option. She never liked being near the men who had bought girls. She felt wholly uncomfortable having to listen and watch what was happening, but never being able to do anything to help the girls. Unfortunately, they were paid for, and legally, Maya had no right to breach a contract like that.
But that didn't mean she didn't want to help. She glanced at the struggling blonde woman again, who cried out when his grip tightened, and he grabbed hold of her hair with his other meaty paw.
"I'm gonna tear you up tonight." He cackled evilly.
Maya's teeth grit, and she gripped her glass tighter, her anger mounting. No one deserved to be treated this way. She forced herself to look at the table.
Stay out of it Maya… It has nothing to do with you.
"Let go of me." the woman stamped her foot, snatching her arm out of his grasp. "You're horrible."
He laughed in her face, bringing her face close to his, "I like feisty women. I'm gonna have fun with you."
Maya looked up just as the blonde spit in his face. Her eyes widened, impressed by the act of defiance.
He clearly was not.
He shot up and near picked her up with one hand by the neck, slamming her down onto his table with a resounding clang. His empty bottles and glasses flew off the table, shattering loudly on the floor. The blonde woman cried out in pain, and he squeezed tighter, cutting off her air. She struggled against his grip, clawing at his wrist and forearm to release her. She was choking. Her face was starting to turn pink, and Maya set her cup down harshly on the table, watching the exchange with growing fury. She wasn't going to sit here while he dehumanized the woman, whore or not.
"You dirty bitch…" he growled as he unbuckled his pants, his rancid alcohol breath cascading on her face. "You know what? I think I'm just gonna fuck you right on this table. And then let all my boys have their turn with you too." When the woman dug her nails into his wrist, drawing blood, he backhanded her, the force knocking her face to the side. She cried out in a rasp and tears leaked from her eyes.
Maya saw red.
She stood up, her eyes shadowed by her hat and without a word, drove her boot into his side. He let go of the blonde in surprise as the force knocked him rolling off the table. He hit the crushed glass on the ground with a sickening thud and the congregation in the general area turned to watch the exchange. The air hummed and buzzed with excitement at the prospect of a bar fight.
Maya helped the woman stand back up off the table, being careful not to hold her injured wrist too hard. She was breathing shakily and coughing.
"Are you alright Miss?" Maya asked, deepening her voice. She silently inspected the woman to make sure she wasn't gravely injured. Where was Abby to keep the particularly rowdy men in check when she needed her?
"Yes I'm fine. Thanks to you." She said softly, her voice wavering as she tried to catch her breath. "How can I repay you?"
"Payment isn't necessary." Maya replied, "I was just doing what anyone…"
Maya stared at the shorter woman's face in shock, her words dying in her throat. With startling clarity, Maya realized there was something oddly familiar about this woman. The woman was of small build and her body looked a little defeated, like life had been kicking her way too many times, but her eyes were a vibrant brown, still untouched by the horrors she probably faced everyday. She wasn't as young as many of the other girls in the saloon, but she still looked young enough to pass off for mid-twenties. Maya knew she'd never held a conversation with this woman before, but there was something about her face that told Maya she knew her.
"You…" Maya tipped her head down and hid her face a little more, "Have we… met?"
"I don't believe so." The blonde looked on the ground warily as the man growled, settling on his hands and knees.
Maya opened her mouth to ask another question when the mayor's lackey suddenly lifted himself off of the floor, his face red and his expression livid. He towered over Maya by a good head and a half, and Maya cursed her short stature. She wasn't easily intimidated but he was imposing, and she was really in a pinch now. Sweat dripped down her side, and she swallowed thickly. She had really fucked up and done it now.
"You…" he growled menacingly, his hand inching toward his hip, no doubt where he stored his gun.
Maya moved the shorter blonde woman out of the way, stepping in front of her with a glare on her features.
"You got something to say, bud?" Maya said, readying herself to dodge. If this was going to devolve into a duel, she had to make sure she moved out of his line of fire before she counterattacked.
"Y-you're gonna pay for this you little twit!" he bellowed, yanking out his revolver and pointing it at Maya's head.
The whole saloon quieted at the sound of a cocking gun and stared at them. But that was not the only reason. The mayor and his little entourage had apparently decided to make an appearance tonight. She could tell by the way the women all quieted and seemed to cower away from his direction.
Maya knew taking her eyes off the ass of a man was a bad idea, but the mayor was just as unpredictable and definitely known for his cruelty and relentless killing of anyone who got on his bad side.
This was bad.
Maya cursed under her breath as the mayor noticed them and walked over, his smile seemingly warm, but green eyes sharp and vengeful. He stopped next to his furious companion, staring down at Maya impassively. She tilted her head slightly further down, so that her entire face was not visible. The mayor had visited the Matthews' ranch a long time ago when Maya had been a bit younger. He had conversed politely with her father the entire visit, but Maya had been appointed by her mother to carry in the drinks for the men. He had most definitely seen her face. If he saw her now, Maya didn't doubt he would recognize her.
"What seems to be the problem, Davis? You know guns are prohibited from being used in the public." He said coldly, though his gaze was trained on Maya. She swallowed.
"Th-this little shit!" Davis spat, "He kicked me and took that whore from me! I paid for her!"
"I see." The mayor replied softly.
Maya licked her lips nervously, her breathing going ragged. She was in trouble.
"Well then I guess there's only one way to settle this…" He smiled, all teeth, and Maya felt chills as realization dawned on her face at the frigid look in his eyes.
Shit was about to hit the fan.
Quicker than her eye could see, the mayor pulled out his pistol and aimed it straight at Maya's head.
"…Death."