Protected by the HERO (45 page)

“I found this on the floor,” he replied. The woman rushed to his side and savagely pulled the weathered piece of paper from his hands.

“You shouldn't stick your nose to other people's business. Do you understand?” she raged at him. Before he was able to reply to her, the upset woman was already heading towards the door. However, when she was almost out of the room, Jack had an unprecedented idea.

“Anne?” The sound of that name made her froze still. Unable to move or talk back to him, she was now staring at the floor. Seemingly, she wanted to say something to explain her reaction, but she thought that it was better to just leave the room.

Now, that was weird.
She was the girl from the letter, Jack thought.
But, why didn't she say a thing? And why is she working as a prostitute if she is waiting for someone?
Somehow he knew that there was only one logical explanation. “He died during the war,” he said.

Before he was able to change his mind, he grabbed his boots and put them on.
I have to learn more about her,
and he knew exactly the person for that. He hastily moved downstairs and found the restless barman talking to one of the men that Jack had been gambling with last night. He walked towards the bar and the two men greeted him.

“Good morning young lad. Is there something I can do for you?” For his own reasons, the barman was looking undeniably happy.
This must be because I spent so much money last night in this shithole. This also means he is still sweetened by the cash and he will probably answer my questions easier.

“Mornin',” Jack replied monotonously. Abruptly, now that he thought about it once again, he was too ashamed to talk about her in front of the stranger man. So, he devised a different way to make his questions.

“Do you know anything about someone named Anne? I think she is working here,” Jack asked, hoping that the barman would pick up on his discretion and reply with discretion himself.

“Oh, you mean the girl you slept with last night?” Jack immediately groaned, ready to hit the old geezer.

“Yes, that girl,” said Jack in a more low-pitched tone.

“Yes, what about her? Did she do anything inappropriate?” He had now caught the attention of the other man at the bar too.

“No, not at all. Could you please tell me a bit more about her? How did she end up... working here?” He carefully emphasized his last words.

“Don't get any ideas lad. She doesn't belong to you, nor me. She only belongs to Ian, the one who... pays her. I would advise you to stay out of this story.” He was now holding one of those crystal clear glasses, again wiping it clean, or cleaner. Jack wasn't happy with the man's answer though.

“I didn't ask for your advice, old man. I thought you were more than happy with the money I gave you last night.” Scornfully, and eloquently, he made the barman put the glass down and cause the other man to move back sneakily.

“Okay, okay. I will tell you, but please leave my name out of your business with Mr. Ian. Is that okay?” Jack quickly nodded. “Our dear little Anne. How did she end up here, you ask? Well, same way every other girl did. They were promised a big wedding and riches by their fiancés, but then all of them went and died in the foolish war. Anne, particularly, was engaged to a very good, but very poor and stupid lad named Toby. He was working for Mr. Ian before the war, and he also had borrowed money from him, with huge interest. But Mr. Ian is ruthless when it comes to money, and after Toby died he sought out his fiancée and demanded his money. Since the poor girl wasn't able to pay him, he made her come with him and work as one of his girls. That's her sorry story, and that's almost every girl's story in here. You and your stupid wars…”

So, she was Anne after all.
And her fiancé had died during the war. He was now feeling bad for making her feel like garbage this morning. He was also feeling disgusted by people like “Mr. Ian”, people whose actions were driven solely by money's sweet song. Even so, his mind was still standing undecided.
Now what? What can I do? What should I do?

In the meantime, Anne had got all dressed up. She was now wearing another long dress, with long sleeves and a big hat. She wasn't looking like a cheap whore anymore, but like a lady worth marrying. Even so, her eyes have lost their spark and her mouth her wit. She looked like someone who would rather be anywhere else, probably traveling in places unknown. Their eyes met only for a second; otherwise Anne made sure to avoid him the whole time, no matter how intensely he was longing for another look.

It was getting late and Jack had neglected his tasks for the day.
Lad is probably famished by now, and I really need those resources. But I will come back,
he thought. So, the lonely cowboy grabbed his hat and moved towards the swinging doors. He took one last glance before pushing them, seeking out Anne's eyes again. This time, he was the one smiling, his wide grin full of promise. He straightened the edge of his hat, nodded, and left.

After turning his back, Anne let herself enjoy a sense of encouragement by his acts. Jack didn't know that the woman had been eavesdropping the whole time, feeling melancholic about her life's story. But Jack had insisted, and clearly defied the barman's warnings.
What if?
she thought.
What if?
It was then that Mr. Ian entered the room.

***

Jack was pleased with himself. He actually managed to get all the supplies he needed, and was ready to go anytime now. All the same, he had paid for two days for the room back in the saloon, and he needed a plan to help take Anne out of there.
I can kidnap her and tie her on the saddle? No, too risky. Maybe I can talk her out of it and help her escape? No, she would probably refuse.

After spending the rest of his morning asking around for Mr. Ian, the most common answers were, don't know, be careful, and keep out.
Why is the whole town so afraid of this man?
That was until he met a lady brave enough to fully explain the situation to him.

“Mr. Ian owns half the city, and is looking to buy the other half. His thugs are everywhere, collecting rent and 'persuading' those not able to pay. If you know your place, stay out of his way. He can have someone kill you with just a nod.” The gray haired woman turned and grabbed her share of the money that Jack was holding in his hand. Then, she moved away before he was able to ask any more questions.

So, he is just a big, rich, bully. Now, that may prove to be a problem.
Still, once he set his mind into something, it was almost impossible for anyone to change his mind. He had decided that he would help her escape, even if that was the last thing he would do. Therefore, while walking all the way back to the saloon, he was thinking of ways to sneak her out. It wasn't until almost outside the shady building that Jack heard a loud laugh coming from inside.

“Drunks this early in the morning? What a shame,” he murmured while passing in front of a bunch of armed men. He could see their hands resting on the back of their guns. Jack lowered his hat and then put his hands inside his pockets, and started whistling. He didn't want to draw any more attention to himself, and from his experience he knew that if he covered his face it was easier for him to pass unnoticed.

His steps were small and relaxed, and his whistling soft and reassuring. It also helped the fact that these guys were dull-witted and unable to think.
This is like stealing candy from a baby,
Jack thought, although he wasn't quite sure why he was so plainly hiding from these guys.
Supposedly, they don't know that I'm going to talk to Anne.
However, his gut was telling him not to doubt himself and just cover his face.
You never know.

Finally, he managed to get close to the swinging doors. By now, the laughing had turned into a thunderous quarrel between an old man and a woman. Before getting inside, Jack stopped and listened.
This voice is somehow familiar.
Suddenly, he realized that it belonged to Anne. He brutally punched the swinging doors, but that didn't seem to help relieve the stress between the two adults. Both of them were standing on the other side of the room, yelling to each other.

“I couldn't do anything,” said Anne. “I had something to do, and when I returned all of the customers were already occupied!” Her face was a blend of anger and fear. The man on the other side was the only new face around here; a 65-year-old, pompous man, with freckles around his face and white hair everywhere. His face looked deep-lined, but fat had stretched his skin so much that his neck had vanished and his cheeks were rosy like a little child's.

“Always you and your excuses. The poor little Anne who wants to travel and get out of this town. I have one piece of advice for your kid; stop having illusions. You're stuck here for rest of your life, doing what you know best; being a whore.” His words really seemed to have an impact on her, quickly silencing her. But it seemed he still hadn't had enough. “After all this barking you suddenly decide to shut up? Come here, you bitch,” he said, and grabbed her hand roughly.

For a plump man he was sure strong, making the frail woman scream and fight off his grasp. Jack was silently watching the whole scene unravel, but hearing Anne shouting woke something bad inside him. His mind had blacked out; he moved towards the barman and smoothly took his hat off and left it on the bar. Then, with his face emitting a dark aura, he took two huge strides, raised his fist, and punched Mr. Ian in the face.

The fat man let go of Anne before tripping on a table's leg and falling on the floor with a big bang. Jack was still panting from anger, and his gaze scorched the fallen man. Unable to stand up by himself, Jack didn't miss his chance and moved above him. With his hands around his neck, he was unable to talk.

“Who the fuck are you?” the man squalled with his neck between the strong man's hands.

“I'm the one who's gonna take Anne and go,” said Jack. Ian was ready to fight, but Jack quickly pulled a sharp knife from the right side of his belt. “If you say anything, I'm going to cut your throat. Just nod and I will let you live for another day. Understood?” The plump man nodded slowly, defeated. Anne was standing dumbstruck behind him. Jack was holding the knife in place, but at the same time he turned his head and saw the shocked woman.

“Go get ready. We're leaving.” At first, she seemed like she didn't quite understand what Jack said to her, but before long she let a big smile and ran upstairs. Now, Jack turned his attention back to Ian. Without taking his eyes away from him, he started talking to the barman. “Get me a rope and a piece of cloth. I want to tie this pig up before he starts squealing.” The old man squirmed, but after Jack brought the knife closer to Ian's neck, Ian started shouting, “Do it!”

After fifteen minutes, or so, Ian was tied on a chair, unable to talk, and Anne had prepared a small briefcase with some of her things. She was now waiting for Jack to finish. “Hear me,” he said to the barman, “after we leave you're going to act like nothing happened. When his men come in, tell them that I did it and you were unconscious all this time.”

Even so, the man started complaining. “But, I was not. They're going to kill me.” But, before he was able to complete his sentence, Jack used the back of his knife to hit the old man to the head. The hit left the man unconscious, and with a good excuse as to why he wasn't able to follow them. After that, Jack turned his head and found comfort in Anne's lips. After their deep kiss, she still had a quizzical expression her face.

“But...why?” she managed to ask.

“Because I fell for your shining, brown eyes. Also, because I was a soldier too, and most of my friends were engaged before the war. I always felt guilty for destroying so many lives by killing many fathers, and sons, and fiancés on the other side. Nevertheless, we have to hurry. These brutes, they’re gonna get in here sooner or later. Are you ready for your adventure my lady?” he said with a smile on his face.

“Of course Jack. Just Jack, my own, private cowboy.” She gave him a quick kiss and they started running away from the dark, hazy, saloon. Before they were out, Jack stopped. “One sec, I forgot my hat.” He hastily returned back to the bar and grabbed it. He put it on and returned to her. Then, Anne led him to a back door that they could use to sneak out undetected. Before they knew it, they were both riding Lad. Their destination? South.

***

After five long hours of intense riding, and after the sun had long given its place to the moon, Jack decided it was time for them to stop running. “Here, this is a nice place. We’ll camp here,” he said.

“I knew that desert was cold, but I never imagined that it would be this cold,” she said, shivering.

Jack laughed at her, and continued talking until the tent was ready to receive both of them. “This is not as impressive as your old room, but this is freedom. You better get used to it.”

Anne dismounted and moved closer to Jack. Before he was able to make a move, she started kissing him deeply. Her hand quickly moved towards his crotch, and she started caressing him over his tight jeans. “It seems someone got excited,” she said.

“It didn't help that your breasts were touching my back all the way here,” he said and groped her ass. She playfully hit him to the chest and started laughing. Right then, Jack lifted her to his arms and moved her inside the small tent. It truly wasn't anything special, but in her eyes looked ten times more beautiful than her old room. She didn't have time to enjoy the view, though.