by Susanne Beck
I felt her stiffen further, fury literally radiating from every pore, and as I felt her muscles begin to move in what I knew was a prelude to escape, I did the only thing my heart would allow. I threw myself on top of her and held on as tightly as I could. "I’m sorry," I said, half sobbing. "Please, don’t leave. I’m sorry. Please."
After a long moment of intense inner struggle, she relaxed somewhat beneath me, though her eyes still blazed out their anger.
"I’m sorry. I should never have said something like that. I don’t know why I did. Please..."
When several more moments passed in silence, I sighed and rolled away, berating myself internally for picking the exact wrong time to forget how to keep my damned mouth shut.
As if agreeing with me, the wind blew harder suddenly, and even though I was still half covered by the blanket, it was as if I was naked to the world without the living heat of my lover pressed so close against me. I fought against the forming shiver, but it came anyway, making me even more miserable than I already was.
Not more than a second later, I was once again enfolded in wonderful warmth as she eased up behind me, grasping me tight and pulling me close. "Never doubt my love for you, Angel." The low, serious timbre of her voice hummed through me, warming me even more. "Never doubt yourself. Never doubt the gifts you’ve given me."
Her arms tightened their hold around my body. "You haven’t made me weaker, Angel. You’ve made me stronger. You’ve taught me how to feel again. And how to love again." My scalp tingled from the kiss she pressed onto it. "You are a gift beyond price to me, Angel. And anyone who doesn’t believe that, or can’t accept it... can just go straight to Hell." I felt her chest and belly press against my back as she took in a deep breath of air, then let it out slowly. "And if need be, I’ll put them there myself."
Tears trailed down my face. "You’re... incredible."
"’You’re not so bad yourself, sweetheart.’"
The mimicry was damn near perfect and my laughter flowed freely, easing the last of my soul’s somber aches.
Turning easily within the nest of her arms, I pressed my lips to hers in a kiss of profound gratitude which quickly grew into something stronger and more passionate.
The sounds of laughter and tears were slowly replaced by the soft sounds of loving in the cool of a sweet desert night.
* * *
The house was tomb-silent as I stepped inside and closed the door gently behind me. Pushing up the sleeves of the too-large shirt Ice had given me to replace the one she’d ripped to shreds (and let me tell you, the added benefit of seeing Ice sitting astride that stallion in nothing but her jeans and a smile more than made up for the destruction of a one-time favorite shirt) I broke out of my bliss-induced haze just long enough to wonder at the silence and chance a look around.
Nearly a dozen women looked back at me from their places on the couches and chairs in the sunken living room. The expressions of awe on some of the faces caused me to whirl and look behind me, thinking that perhaps Ice had reconsidered and decided to spend the night after all.
But no, the door remained resolutely closed, and I remained alone and standing on something which was quickly coming to resemble a stage.
A piercing whistle shattered the unnatural stillness, and when I whirled back around, I saw Cowgirl coming to her feet, a knowing and incorrigible grin on her face. Throwing me a wink, she brought her hands together and started clapping.
Others stood, joining her, and soon the entire house was filled with wolf whistles, thunderous applause, and comments ribald enough to sear the skin from my face.
In a state of embarrassment more acute than any I’ve ever known, I whirled around again, intending to charge right back outside to escape the spontaneous combustion which was threatening to consume me on the spot. Only to find the way blocked by a leering Pony and a grinning Critter who stared at me, arms crossed against their chests and feet spread wide against any possibility of an escape.
"Don’t make me hurt you again, Pony," I half-growled as I slapped away the hand which was intending to turn me around to face the music, as it were.
"Ooo. More butch lessons from Ice, I see." Her leer grew more pronounced as she tried again. "Were they before or after she..."
"Pony... ," Critter warned, seeing the glint in my eye.
"C’mon, Critter! It ain’t every day someone survives a knife fight with Rio and goes riding off into the desert to get banged by Ice, ya know. I’m just expressing my admiration here."
Critter barked out her laughter. "God, Pony, you are so damned crude."
"I call em like I see em, babe."
"Keep calling ‘them’ like that and you’ll never see ‘them’ again," I warned through gritted teeth.
"Enough!"
Turning at the sudden silence in the room, I saw Montana and Corinne striding toward me, identical expressions of serious resolution on their faces. "Everyone to bed." Montana ordered, sweeping the group with her lancing gaze. "Now."
With some good-natured protesting, the group broke up and filtered through the house to return to their rooms and bed down for the night.
"Don’t you have things you should be attending to?" Montana asked as she arrived at my side, pinning Pony to the door she was guarding with a very pointed look.
My friend paled slightly, then blushed, ducking her head very much like a chastised schoolgirl. If there was a pebble on the ground, I think she would have kicked it. "Yes."
"Then I suggest you attend to them."
Muttering something a touch too soft to be easily comprehended, she spun on her heel and took the ready escape I had been seeking just a moment before, closing the door swiftly behind her.
Corinne closed the distance between us, took my hand, and gently ushered me through the house and into my own room, Montana trailing silently behind. Once the three of us were safely ensconced in my room, Corinne released my hand and smiled. "Are you alright?"
"I didn’t think it was possible to die from embarrassment," I said, chuckling slightly. "Now I’m not so sure." I ran my hand through my still damp hair. "But yeah, I’m alright."
Reaching out, she gave me an "around the shoulders" type hug, something most unusual for her. When I looked up as she pulled away, her eyes twinkled and she fingered the fabric of the black top I wore.
I could feel my eyes widen when the realization sunk in. I couldn’t help but grin. "Who knew there was such a pile of warm mush beneath that granite exterior?" I joked, enjoying the blush which briefly suffused her face.
Easily evading her kidding slap, I turned my head to see Montana studying me intently. I felt a blush of my own coming on, and thanked god that the shirt I was wearing, high necked as it was, covered what was no doubt a multitude of sins.
"Are you sure you’re alright?" she asked.
"Pretty much, yes. Is there a reason you’re asking?"
"Do you want to press charges?"
I could feel my head cock as I looked at her. "For being kidded? I don’t think you can arrest someone for embarrassing you. Can you?"
"I was speaking about Rio," she replied with an air of exaggerated patience.
"Oh. Rio." I could feel the bridge of my nose crinkle with distaste. Still... "Um... I don’t think that’ll be necessary. I think she’s pretty much learned her lesson, don’t you?"
"This isn’t about learning lessons, Angel. She came after you with a knife. She could have killed you."
"She could have, yes. But she didn’t."
"Again, you’re missing the point."
Holding up a hand for quiet, I sank wearily down onto the bed. "No I’m not, Montana. I understand your point. And your concern. Believe me, I do. It’s just that..." Steepling my fingers together, I sighed, then looked up at her. "I think people are entitled to second chances. She made a mistake, and I know it was a big one. But it was a mistake just the same. In the end, she realized her mistake and no harm was done."
Corinne snorted. "From wha
t I was given to understand, Angel, Rio didn’t exactly ‘realize’ her mistake on her own. She had it beaten into her."
"She didn’t..." I sighed again. "Ice was very angry."
"And she had every damn right to be," Corinne growled.
I looked up, surprised. Swearing was very unusual for her. As was growling.
"What? She’s just lucky Ice stepped in. Were it me, I would have killed her. Then asked questions."
Smiling slightly, I reached up and took her hand in mine, giving it a fond squeeze. "So no, Montana. I don’t want to press charges. I think that whatever crime she committed has been more than paid for already."
After staring hard at me for another long, tense and silent moment, Montana finally nodded. "Fine. I’ll have her pack her things and be out of here by sunrise." Then she turned to leave.
"No! Wait. Montana, that’s not necessary, is it?"
She turned back to me, a strong sheen of regret easily evident in her eyes. "Rio has broken every oath she has sworn to uphold, Angel. She’s turned the Amazon name into a mockery. That’s not something I can just overlook, no matter how much I might wish to."
Corinne, beside me, looked thoughtful. "Perhaps if she was stripped of her membership, yet allowed to make restitution with the possibility of regaining her status within the group?"
Montana frowned slightly, but after a moment, her expression cleared. "You’ve given me something to think about, Corinne. I’ll let everyone know of my decision in the morning." Looking at me, she smiled slightly. "I’m glad you weren’t harmed, Angel. You’re a very special person."
"Thanks," I replied, returning her smile. "You’re pretty special too."
As soon as the door closed quietly behind her, I let out the deep breath I’d been holding and fell back onto the bed, my feet still planted firmly on the floor, my arms flung wide. "God. What a mess."
"It could have been worse," Corinne observed, coming to sit down beside me and shoving one of my arms out of the way.
"True. I could be lying dead in a pile of horse manure right now."
Chuckling softly, she grabbed my hand and gave it a pat. Reaching out with her free hand, she again plucked at the long-sleeved black shirt I wore, rubbing the fabric between her fingers. "So...how was she?"
"Corinne!" My shock was, of course, feigned. This was Corinne, after all.
"Now whose mind is in the gutter, hmmm?" Her grin was merciless. "I simply wish to know how she’s doing, Angel. Not what she’s like in bed. I have a pretty good idea of that already."
Moaning, I covered my face with my hands, feeling the heat of embarrassment warm the skin of my palms. "Is tonight ‘Kill the Blonde’ night and someone forgot to mention it to me?" As plaintive wails went, it was a pretty good one, if I do say so myself.
She laughed, then ruffled her fingers through my hair. "So?"
"She’s... good. I think those months in jail affected her more than she’s willing to let on—she’s lost a bit of weight—but otherwise, she’s doing alright."
"Now tell me something I don’t know," she teased.
Pulling my hands away from my face, I sighed. So much for snuggling down under the covers and letting the memories of the wonderful night I had just spent with Ice lull me to sleep. Rolling over to my side, I tried a diversionary tactic. "We really didn’t spend that much time talking, Corinne."
"Nice parry, Angel. And I just might be willing to buy that load of fertilizer you’re trying to sell. If it was coming from anyone else. Now spill it."
"Can’t it wait until tomorrow? Please? I’m exhausted." Maybe the old ‘end around’ would work.
"I’ll just bet you are, my dear." Nope. Didn’t work.
"Fine," I said, rolling back onto my back. "What is it you want to know."
"Everything you do, of course."
Chuckling, I shook my head, eyeing her. "Is that all?"
"Pretty much, yes."
And so I told her everything I knew, which wasn’t, of course, very much at all. I explained to her how, by Ice’s telling, Cavallo was a small cog in a very big wheel. The spokes of that wheel were made up of bribery, kickback schemes, money laundering, jury tampering and other like crimes all situated within the judicial arm of the state government. Not only was Cavallo himself participating in many, if not all, of the criminal activities taking place, he was also, it was believed, in possession of a very important list. A list which contained the names of many of his co-conspirators, some of which he was also practicing his own extortion schemes on in return for his silence in those matters.
A very special, very secret probe, made up of members of the Commonwealth bureaucracy, was very interested in what Cavallo knew. Very interested. And they figured that if they could just get a hold of him, they could make him crack.
"That doesn’t sound very plausible. They already had their chance at him. He didn’t crack."
"Oh, but he did, Corinne. Ice said he sang like a canary."
"Then why... ?"
"He was under the influence of narcotics at the time. They’d just finished plucking eight bullets out of him, remember?"
"Ahh yes, now that you mention it."
"So, his statements were inadmissible as evidence, and by the time they got around to trying again, his lawyer had him trussed up and gagged and that was the end of that."
"Well, if they want him so badly, why don’t they just get off of their fat posteriors and hunt him down themselves?"
"Believe me, Corinne, I asked that question a time or ten myself."
"And?"
I shrugged. "Ice guesses it’s because they don’t know who the good guys are anymore. That’s not the reason they’ve given her, but it’s the one she thinks is the truth."
"They don’t even trust their own?" Corinne’s eyes were round with disbelief behind her glasses.
"Makes you think, doesn’t it."
She shook her head. "And they call us criminals."
I laughed softly, though in truth, the situation was as far from amusing as it was possible to get.
"So, they offer Ice a deal she can’t refuse and set her up as a tasty little sacrificial lamb."
"That’s about the gist of it, yeah."
"And if she should fail..."
A leaden ball settled itself into my stomach. Failing was definitely number one on my list of things not to even consider.
Corinne gazed at me with eyes filled with compassion. "Forget I said that."
Nodding, I gave her a grateful smile, shoving the notion to the deepest recesses of my mind, where it would linger and, I was sure, come out in nightmares, each worse than the last until a cold sweat would become my nightly companion.
Giving my hand a final squeeze, Corinne stood up and smiled down at me. "Thank you for indulging my rampant curiosity, Angel. I’ll leave you to your dreams. May they be sweet ones."
"Thanks, Corinne. Yours too."
Her gentle smile became a leering grin. "Living in a house surrounded by a bevy of naked bathing beauties? How could they be anything but?"
As she gently closed the door on my laughter, I dragged myself up from the bed and walked to the window, pulling the heavy blinds aside just enough to look out into the dark desert night. "Thanks," I whispered before turning away slipping under the covers, allowing the scent of my lover still clinging to the shirt I wore to lull me into the place dreams were born.
And they were sweet.
PART 4
THE NEXT SEVERAL days passed quickly and, I’ll be the first to admit, almost without notice, wrapped up as I was in a haze of sweet memories. After learning of Montana’s decision to allow Rio to stay on, albeit without her membership in the Amazons, part of me wanted very much to finally clear the air with my one-time nemesis. Every time I thought to approach her, however, Pony or Critter would sweep down and give the poor woman yet another back-breaking chore to accomplish.
Still, on the few occasions our eyes chanced to meet, her expression was one of such
supreme sorrow and regret that I felt my heart going out to her in a way it had never done for the people who had tormented me in the past. So I made myself a firm promise that we would get together and talk. Soon.
Early one afternoon, as I was making my way from the house to the stables, a bit of commotion stirred the women walking the grounds, and when I turned around to look, a dusty pickup was pulling the last several yards into the driveway.
As soon as it stopped, an attractive young woman—blonde, with a California tan and a beaming smile—hopped down from the cab. Seemingly from nowhere, Cowgirl blew by me and, with a loud whoop of joy, leapt into the woman’s arms, pinning her against the truck and melding their lips together in a kiss which sent the already warm temperature up another ten degrees.
"Cheeto," came Montana’s voice from behind my right shoulder.
Turning my head, I looked at her, a question in my eyes.
"Don’t ask," she replied, smirking.
"Probably best that I don’t," I agreed.
After a very long, heated moment, the strangely-named Amazon—at least I assumed she was an Amazon, though her parents could well have been flower children with a fondness for Frito-Lay products for all I knew—released Cowgirl, grinned broadly, and waved to the rest of us.
Then, walking over to the passenger’s side of the truck, Cheeto opened the door and helped a young woman exit the cab, holding the woman’s arm until her feet gingerly came into contact with the ground.
A gasp went through the small crowd of onlookers as the young woman looked up, tucking a length of light brown hair behind one ear and smiling shyly at the gathered women.
I heard my own gasp join the rest as I saw the tragically marred beauty of the woman before me. Dark eyes peered out through swollen, blackened flesh. Her cheeks were puffed out to what I believed to be at least twice their normal size, the left one sporting a knot the size of a cue ball. Ugly black bruising stained the skin of her jaws and neck, where it disappeared beneath the collar of her shirt.
"Bastard." The snarled epithet came from somewhere behind me, and I could feel the crowd’s anger radiate through the yard.