Authors: Destiny's Surrender
“Please don’t tell Drew we discussed this.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t, and if you have any questions, ever, about different positions—”
“Different positions? There’s more than one way?”
“There are dozens. My favorite is astride. Orgasms are more intense.”
Alanza looked so shocked, Billie thought her eyes would pop out and roll around on the parlor floor.
Billie added, “There’s even a place on your body that the Good Lord made strictly for pleasure.”
She scoffed. “That can’t be true.”
“It is, and hopefully Max will show you.”
Alanza shook her head as if she were overwhelmed. “This is too much.”
“You won’t think so when that orgasm hits you. Anything else you want to know?”
She shook her head. “I think I may know too much already.”
Billie smiled. “You’ll be fine. Just remember there’s nothing wrong with screaming when the time comes.”
She still didn’t look as if she believed that, so Billie said no more.
But apparently, Alanza wasn’t done. “Explain what you mean by astride.”
“You can ride a man the same way you do a horse.”
She cocked her head Billie’s way. “You mean with him beneath.”
“And the woman on top. It’s a very nice way, too.”
“Okay. No more questions.”
“That’s fine.”
Alanza rose to her feet and left the room. Watching her go, Billie chuckled softly.
O
n the train ride to San Francisco Drew gazed out his window at the passing countryside and thought about his mission. He couldn’t wait to confront DuChance. The man seemed to have no problem going up against women like Billie’s friend Addy and Emmalina Ruiz, but when faced with an opponent of equal or superior strength he’d probably back down as he’d done the night Drew foiled the beating of the young woman in the alley. Drew’s ire was still high over the wire and wondered if the man thought they’d hide beneath the beds in response.
Soon.
Be it an attempt to frighten, or intimidate, Drew felt neither and he planned to make that clear, just as soon as he got his hands on the bastard. Going to the police about the threat would be futile as Prince could claim the single word meant something different. Drew also couldn’t point the finger at him as the murderer of Emmalina and her servant or Addy’s arsonist because he lacked credible evidence placing the man at either scene. All he had was his anger, guns, and fists. Together and separately he was certain that would be enough.
When he reached the city, he hired a hack. His first stop was the Black Pearl. It was closed and shuttered. “Do you know how long it’s been this way?” he asked the driver.
“Noticed it for the first time a few days back.”
Drew thanked him, paid his fare, and walked the short distance to the brothel owned by Gertie Stiles.
“The place has been closed for a few weeks now,” she informed him as they sat in her office. “Pearl’s dead, you know.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“The day after she was buried, the girls came to work and found the placed shuttered, and Prince nowhere to be found. They couldn’t even get inside to retrieve their belongings.”
“So he hasn’t been seen?”
“Not in the Barbary.” She paused and viewed him speculatively. “Saw the snippet in the paper about you. That whore wasn’t Billie, was it?”
“Yes. She’s my wife now.”
“You married her?”
“I did. That a problem?”
“Of course not. Gives old whores like me hope. Not that I was ever fortunate enough to be with someone like you. Congratulations to you both.”
“Thanks.” He brought her back to the matter at hand. “Any idea where he might be holed up?”
“Not a one. Sounds like he doesn’t want to be found. Why’re you looking for him?”
“Personal.”
“He still after Billie?”
The question caught him off guard. “How’d you know?”
“Word on the street was he was offering a reward to anyone with information on her whereabouts.”
“I see. Maybe I’ll do the same for word on him.” He stood. She’d given him all he’d needed to know. “You’ve been helpful as always, Gertie.”
“Thanks, and I have great respect for anyone who has the balls to marry one of my kind. Give her my regards.”
“I will and thanks again.”
Back out on the streets he tried to decide what to do. Gertie knew the Barbary like the back of her hand and if she said Prince was nowhere to be found he believed her.
Now what?
He certainly had no desire to spend the next few days in a search that would be akin to chasing his own tail. Why had DuChance disappeared and seemingly so suddenly? Hoping he’d pulled up stakes in favor of life elsewhere was an opium dream in light of the wire Billie received. Prince was somewhere hiding and more than likely plotting his next move. With that in mind, he didn’t want to find out the scum was somewhere near Destiny waiting for Drew to leave so he could strike. Not that Logan would let anything happen to her or Antonio, but he’d feel better being home, so he decided to take the first train back in the morning. In the meantime, he’d go to his apartment, retrieve his mail from Mr. Volga and get a good night, but first he needed to go back to see Gertie and ask a favor.
“Paint?” she echoed in response to his request.
“Yes. Do you have any? And a brush.”
“Probably. Let me ask.”
She returned with a can of red that matched the color of her front door.
“Thanks, I won’t need much. I’ll return this shortly.”
He carried the can to the Pearl. Brush in hand, he left Prince a message of his own on the shuttered windows:
SOON YOU BASTARD! A. Y.
With that done, he walked past the small crowd of curious onlookers that gathered while he’d been painting and returned the can to Gertie. Thanking her again he hailed a hack for the ride across town.
His landlord was pleased to see him. “Back from Spain so soon? How’s your grandmother?”
“She made such a miraculous recovery it wasn’t necessary for the family to go at all.”
“That’s wonderful.”
Drew was glad he’d remembered the lie. “Things been quiet here?”
“Very. No more surprise visitors.”
“Good. May I have my mail?”
“Certainly.”
Once it was retrieved, Drew thanked him and went upstairs to his apartment.
There were only a few letters. The first one he opened contained an invitation to a dinner Consuela and James Anderson were having at their home. He realized the date of the event was that evening. Knowing he wouldn’t be attending, he set it aside. Next were two notices from the courts postponing his land claims hearings yet again. Frustrated, he set them aside as well. In light of the talk he’d had with Judge Ross he’d have to make a decision about what to do with those clients and soon. But the next letter he opened took that decision out of his hands. It was written in Spanish and addressed to Senor York. In short, it stated that due to the scandalous rumors tied to his having fathered an illicit child, his services were no longer desired. The families, and there were five of them who’d affixed signatures to the bottom of the letter, didn’t wish to be associated with such indecency nor have their names or claims linked to a man who held such little regard for decency and the tenets of the church. They’d included a bank draft with the hopes it would cover what was owed and that they would undertake a search for a new lawyer on their own. He balled up the letter and threw it across the room. He’d been so worried about the scandal splashing on his mother, it never occurred to him that it might also impact his livelihood. Rather than spend the remainder of the day brooding, he took a short nap, then got up and dressed for the Anderson soiree. He hadn’t planned to attend, but changed his mind. He needed the distraction.
Consuela met him at the door. “Good evening Drew. How are you?”
“I’m well. Just got back in town.” As always the house was packed with guests.
“I’ve done my best to dispel the nasty rumors about you.”
“Not rumors, truth. I have a son and I’ve married his mother. She’s lovely and I can’t wait to introduce the two of you.”
“She isn’t with you now, is she?” She glanced behind him in what appeared to be fear.
Drew studied her for a long moment. “No, she isn’t. Why?”
She leaned in and said quietly, “I care for you a great deal, but you must know I can’t entertain a woman like that in my home. At least not publicly.”
Holding on to his fury, he said evenly, “I see, then I’ll take my leave, Consuela. My regards to Jim.” He bowed frostily. “Have a nice evening.” Turning on his heel he went out the door.
“Drew!” she called.
He didn’t slow.
Back home in his apartment, he paced in anger. A less-confident man might have questioned the decisions he made. Marrying Billie had people slamming doors in his face everywhere he turned, it seemed, but he loved her and he loved his son. If anyone thought he’d turn his back on either of them, they could kiss his arse.
P
rince DuChance knocked at the door of his pawn. When it opened, the surprise on her face made him smile. “Hello, Wanda.”
“What do you want you?” she asked angrily.
“Now, is that any way to greet an old friend?” He’d expected the anger. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
“No. State your business and go.”
“And here I came all this way to see my son.”
She stiffened.
He gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “How is he, by the way?”
“He’s fine. How’d you find me?”
“I saw your mother the other day. She told me where you were living, so I thought I’d stop by to see him and have you do me a favor.”
“No favors.”
“Then you won’t mind me telling your new husband who you really are. Fine, upstanding, hardworking man that he is, maybe he won’t care that Jenna Lane is really Wanda Russell, the two-bit whore of a two-bit whore who’d spread her legs for any yokel with a dime in his pocket.”
She slapped him.
He grabbed her by the throat and forced her against the door. “Listen to me, bitch. You are going to do what I ask because you don’t have a choice. And if you do it well, maybe I’ll let you and the brat live.”
He ruthlessly tossed her aside and he went into her house.
D
rew arrived home late the following afternoon. It was naptime and he found Billie reading in his library. “Drew!” she cried happily and rose from the sofa to meet him. He took her in his arms, savoring her smells, softness, and how perfectly she fit against him.
”So glad to see you,” she whispered.
“Glad to see you as well.”
She drew back. “I didn’t expect you so soon.”
“I know, but Prince is nowhere to be found.”
He used the next few minutes to give her the details, but left out the parts pertaining to the letter from his now former clients and his visit with Consuela.
“I like the part about the paint.”
He kissed her brow. “I knew you would. How’s the little one?”
“Testy but fine.”
“Things here been quiet.”
“They have. I worried about you though.”
“And I worried that Prince would try something while I was away.”
“Do you think he’s here someplace?”
“I don’t know.”
“If he is I’ll fill his arse full of lead.”
With a laugh he drew her back into his hold. “My bloodthirsty little wife.” Drew had no idea what he’d do if he lost her. Go insane with grief, more than likely. “I didn’t see Mama when I arrived.”
“She and the Gutierrez family left for Sacramento a little while ago.”
“That’s right. Today is Saturday, isn’t it?” His mother, Hector, Lupe, and their three boys attended the Catholic church in Sacramento. Because of the travel time involved they departed on Saturday and spent the night with Lupe’s family members. They’d return to Destiny late on Sunday.
“Have you eaten?” she asked. “Bonnie left plenty in the kitchen.”
“What I’m hungry for is not in the kitchen.”
She grinned.
He kissed her and as they parted, Antonio came toddling in. Billie’s eyes widened. “How on earth did you get out of the crib?”
He grinned and clapped happily.
“Oh my goodness.” She walked over and picked him up.
Drew cracked, “Thanks for ruining my lunch, son.”
“What are we going to do with him?”
“Not sure,” Drew said smiling, but looked forward to all the surprises the future held.
That evening, after putting Tonio to bed for the night, Billie sat with Drew out on the verandah. She was happy that he’d returned home so quickly and in one piece, but the looming specter of Prince remained.
“There was a letter waiting for me at my office from the families I’ve been representing.”
“The land claim families?”
“Yes. They no longer want me as their advocate.”
She stared. “Why not?”
“They saw the notice in the newspaper and they don’t wish to be tied to me and my low character.”
She felt sick. “Oh, Drew no. I’m so sorry. Are you going to meet with them and try to change their minds?”
“No. It isn’t going to matter.” He told her then about the conversation he’d had with his judge friend and how the color line was affecting his practice and others. Hearing that made her angry.
“So even if my character weren’t in question, I’d still be out of work.”
“You’d think in this day and age—”
“I know darling, but we meet the challenge and keep going.”
“What are you going to do?”
He shrugged. “We won’t starve and there’s plenty of money for Antonio’s education and any other essentials, but I’m not cut out to be a man of leisure.”
Billie felt so badly for him. She leaned into him and he eased her into his side. “I love you,” she said sincerely.
“And that means more than anything.” He kissed her brow and they sat and watched the moon rise above.
The next seven days were the hottest of the summer. Temperatures soared and the men building the house worked under a blazing sun. In spite of the searing heat, the construction stayed on schedule and according to Max’s estimate, Drew and Billie would be able to move in before the wedding. Billie’s gun ladies were no longer in need of instruction, so the lessons were canceled, and with the passing of the bloom season for the roses, she was free to enjoy chasing after her child by day and making love to her husband at night. Alanza had yet to hear from Noah, but stayed on track with the wedding plans with the hope that he’d show up in time for the festivities.
On the eighth day, the weather was not only hot but windy. Everything not tied down or weighed down blew away. With the outside framing done and the walls up and secured, the workers plied their skills inside.
That evening, just as the sun was going down, Eli came tearing up to the site on his horse. “Naomi’s diner’s on fire! She needs help! Soon as I grab a fresh mount I’m heading back!”
The men dropped everything and ran for their horses. Drew, Logan, and Max stopped off at the house to let the women know what was happening.
“Go on! Go on!” Alanza implored, “Bonnie and I will load up the wagon and follow. If anyone is hurt, we can help.” She ran from the room to change clothes.
Mariah and Billie were forced to stay behind. Fires were no places for babies.
“Be careful,” Billie said giving her grim-faced husband a kiss farewell.
Mariah mirrored the actions with her own husband and both women stood on the porch and watched tensely as the men rode off. A few seconds later, Alanza, Lupe, and Bonnie followed in the wagon.