Page 19 of Starshine
And that night, the brothel was filled with more than just miners. A rowdy group of men and women had taken up residence at the biggest table. Travelers, possibly mercenaries by the looks of them. Yet only one was likely be a problem if he decided to start something.
It was rare a human matched Garrett in size and muscle, but the big Tinari man in the corner looked like he could give him a run for his money. Fortunately, out of all of them, he seemed the least interested in being there. He kept quiet, arms crossed sullenly over his chest even as Bridgette laughed and chatted with the silver-haired man that seemed to be their leader.
She seemed to be enjoying herself, so it was no surprise when she came over to Garrett’s table a few minutes later. “I think I’m going to take that silver fox of a gentleman upstairs,” she said before she stifled a cough with the back of her hand.
“Bri, just because Monika’s making you work doesn’t mean you have to do this.”
Bridgette shrugged before clearing her throat. “I want to, though. He’s charming and seems far more interesting than most of the payday fare.”
Garrett sighed as he glanced over at the man. He was handsome, and likely rich if his clothes were any indication. Definitely not one of her regulars. “You want me to come check on you?”
With a raised eyebrow, Bridgette looked around the over-full room. “If you think you’ll have time.”
“I’ll make time,” Garrett said. “Be careful.”
Bridgette winked at him. “I always am.”
Garrett watched as she returned to the table to take the man’s hand, yet as they headed upstairs, Monika’s voice rang out from behind the bar. “Garrett, go grab the other cask of wine from the cellar.”
He waved to let her know he’d heard before snatching the key from the wall. The ice in the alley nearly twisted his ankle, but he managed to retrieve the heavy cask from the cellar unscathed. Yet as soon as he set it behind the bar, there was a shout from one of tables. The third scuffle of the night broke out over gods only knew what, and Garrett let out a growl of frustration as he hurried over to break it up.
Sorting the mess out took far longer than he wanted it to. He ended up booting three people for the scrap; two for actually being involved, and a third for the “fucking boar” murmured in his direction. It was not the godsdamned night.
It was nearly half an hour later when he was finally able to make good on his promise to check in. He bounded up the stairs only to come face to face with the silver-haired man Bridgette had taken up. The man smirked, tipping his hat to Garrett as he brushed past him.
Usually the girls escorted their guests out, but there was no sign of Bridgette. Moans and laughter sounded from Julienne’s room, but Bridgette’s was quiet, the door left carelessly ajar. Dread settled in his stomach.
“Bri?”
He rushed forward and shoved the door open. In the dim light, Bridgette sat on the edge of the bed, a sheet clutched over her bare chest. Her face was pale and drawn, and it seemed to take her a second to even notice him. And then Garrett noticed the stain of blood on the linen.
He rushed forward to kneel in front of her, grabbing her hand. “What happened?”
Bridgette’s voice shook as she said, “He pulled a knife on me.”
Garrett’s swore. “Where?”
Bridgette’s shaking hand lifted the sheet aside to show the cuts that had been left on the inside of her thigh. The three even lines bled sluggishly, and Garrett swore as he balled up the sheets and pressed it over the wound. “MONIKA!”
The Madam rushed to the door a moment later, and her eyes went wide as she caught sight of the blood on Bridgette’s sheets. “Out, Garrett.”
“Ma’am, I have a-”
“I don’t care!” she snapped. “Out!”
Garrett glanced up at Bridgette, but she barely seemed to notice him. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before he reluctantly backed out of the room. Monika closed the door on him, but he lingered, trying to hear what they were saying. The sounds coming from Julienne’s room made it hard to catch anything, and he swore before he hurried downstairs. Vaguely, he realized that the large group had disappeared along with the silver-haired man. He couldn’t dwell on it as he ducked behind the bar.
Isolde yelped, nearly spilling the beer she was pouring in Monika’s stead. “Everything alright?”
Garrett shook his head as he snatched up his pack before hurrying back upstairs. He reached Bridgette’s door just in time to hear her pleading. She sounded close to tears as she said, “I can’t do another tonight.Please,Monika!”
“Like hell you can’t,” Monika snapped. “You have a mouth, don’t you?”
Garrett felt the Madam’s words like a punch in the stomach. He gaped as Monika swept from the room a moment later. The second she saw him, her eyes narrowed. “What the hell are you doing? I’m not paying you to listen in up here.”
“You can’t possibly make her go back down tonight.”
Monika’s glare darkened. “Don’t youdarepresume to tell me what I can and can’t do with my girls. After her sick days, she has a few nights to make up to me.”
