Guns of Perdition by Jessica Bakkers

Author:Jessica Bakkers [Bakkers, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780648498605
Published: 2020-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Ruby’s private room was larger than the room Jessie had woken in. She had a small dining table, chairs, lounge suite, and a separate powder room. Although luxurious, Ruby’s room did not bear the trappings of a typical brothel boudoir. The bed linens were crisp cotton and the furniture designed for practicality over aesthetic value. Tokota hovered near the curtains and peered outside from time to time. Jessie sat opposite Ruby at the polished mahogany table, and Grace paced. It was obvious she was doing her best to give Ruby time to tell her story. It was also painfully obvious she was chafing to launch into action.

Ruby tipped back the last dregs of her bourbon. It was her third straight and her cheeks were flushed. Jessie was about to suggest she quit drinking, but as she began her narrative, he understood her need to fortify herself and reached for his own glass of liquid courage.

“I was a bebette when he came for me. We lived in N’awlins. We were never wealthy but we survived, and we were happy. And then he came along. The gree gree man. He slaughtered my family. Butchered Mama and Papa. Shot my brothers and sisters. Smothered the beb in her cot...”

Ruby’s voice was matter of fact as though this old hurt no longer touched her. Jessie cleared his throat and glanced at Grace. The gunfighter’s expression was closed; he couldn’t read her.

“We rode for miles through the bayous. I didn’t know what he wanted or where he was taking me. My heart was broken with grief. Then we came to a small town—this town—a shanty town with a run-down general store and dilapidated brothel. And here his purpose was revealed. He purchased the brothel, brought in the girls, and set me to live and work among them. At first, I fought. Oh, how I fought and screamed. But I was beaten and starved until I obeyed. Over time I learned to hold my tongue and endure the depravity. Eventually, he offered me the position of madame. I would no longer faire l’amour but would instead keep order and see the girls were undisturbed in their...activities.”

“So you knew what they were doing?” Grace accused.

Ruby nodded. “Weh. I’ve seen their art of entrapment many times. They seduce a man, then feed on his blood. Once their venom is in his blood, he can’t help but come back again and again. The man, he gets nasty...aggressive...possessive.”

“The entire town’s menfolk are seduced, ain’t they?” Jessie asked.

Ruby nodded again. “Weh. Temerity is theirs. Temerity is his.”

“And you, the madame of this dang place, hold it in your pretty palm for him. Make sure the girls get their juice and ain’t disturbed. Well, ain’t that just swell? Bet the Gunman is right proud of his little whore,” Grace snarled.

Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “You think I have a choice? Couillon! Do you know what he would do to me if I were to defy him?”

“Kill you?” Jessie asked.

Ruby snorted. “Worse.”

Jessie frowned. What was worse than death?

Grace sighed and said, “He’d set you on your back again.

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