chapter 5

“Is the bath warm enough

for you dear?” A woman’s soft voice sang as it came through the open door.

Audrey sat in silence as she sat in the huge metal tub in the middle of her

hotel room. Audrey ignored the interference that entered her room and continued

to stare out the window. It was a beautiful sunny day and she could hear the

busy street below her, she had been cooped up in her hotel room for a week and

a half and wanted to desperately get out and see the fort. The woman came and

sat down by Audrey in the tub and started to pull her hair out of her bun and

began to brush it. “It is so nice to have you back with me again my bunny.” The

woman crooned as she combed through Audrey’s thick hair. “Yes mother,” she

replied as coolly as possible. Catching on to her daughter’s coldness she

tugged a little at the back of her head. “Mama!” Audrey pulled away from her

mother and looked at her with questioning eyes. “Oh, I am sorry bunny, I did

not mean to startle you. Maybe we should go shopping today you need a new

dress.” Her smile was cold and Audrey could feel that and she did not smile

back, her mother grew angry and lashed out, “Why can’t you smile for me? I want

to take you shopping, we put you up in a nice hotel and feed you and all you do

is mope around!” She had grabbed onto Audrey’s shoulders and began to shake her

violently; some water fell from the tub all over her dress. Audrey stared in

shock at her mother’s reaction.

“What is all the commotion in here?” Clifford bellowed as he appeared in the doorway of the

room, “Clifford, please our daughter is bathing!” Audrey’s mother dug her dark

red nails into Audrey’s shoulders as hard as she could. “Adelia, just hurry up

I finally got word from the bank and the lawyer that all the paperwork is finally

ready for Audrey’s signature, hurry up and get her ready I want to get this

done and over with.” “Absolutely! my love we shall hurry!” Adelia chirped as

her husband left the doorway; looking down at her daughter who was biting her

lip to keep quiet from the pain wiped a tear from her eye. “You will be a good

girl and get dressed and get down to the bank to sign over your daddy’s will to

me and I will make sure you will have a fair life.” She stood up and Audrey

wiped more tears from her face as quickly as she could before her mother could

see her cry. “I…I want you to let me go back to my husband. I won’t ask

anything from you except leave me here when you leave.” Audrey’s voice gave out

after that with short sobs as she held onto her shoulders where her mother dug

her nails into her.

Standing in the door Adelia smiled, “Now why would I let you go back to such a bad man?” Audrey

turned in the tub, “Bad man? Ian is not a bad man. He helped me and took care

of me.” “Nonsense bunny he used you to get to your inheritance and was going to

rape you of not just your money but your virtue as well, once this is all done

with you are coming back east with us and getting married.” “NO Mama I won’t!

I’m already married.” Adelia frowned at her daughter. “Get out of the tub

before you wrinkle darling, we have business to attend to. Make haste.” She

turned and slammed the door behind her leaving Audrey alone in the room.

“You have a problem,” Adelia stated as she made her way into her hotel room. She sat down at the small

nightstand and grabbed her lipstick and slathered it on her lips. Her lips were

thin and unattractive and looked like that of an old man’s lips; Adelia always

thought the bright red lipstick she wore hid that misfortune from the world.

She pulled the curlers out of her dark red hair and reset her bun as nicely as

she could on top of her head, her red curls were her best feature she thought

and brought out her eyes against her plain white skin. The dark green dress she

dawned helped radiate the red in her hair and lips. The rabbit fur she added to

her shoulders covered her boney frame, being skinny was a sign of restraint and

she deemed all women should have boney collars and tiny frames and thin legs

like herself.

Clifford walked past her and plopped his large body down on the bed making it bow where he sat. “What is

my problem?” He asked coyly, his wife turned to him and scowled, “Audrey wants

to go back to that man Ian.” Clifford rolled his eyes; he didn’t care about the

man or Audrey for that matter but whatever his wife wanted she was always going

to get it. “Let her go back. We don’t need her after we have her sign the

papers. He is of no importance to me.” Adelia slammed her lipstick tube on the

nightstand, “Clifford! I don’t want her to be with him I want her back with us,

I already promised her to one of those high-ranking men in D.C. we need her to

go so we can add the stocks he offered for her hand to our stocks.” Clifford

didn’t like to fight with his stepdaughter she was a thorn in his side but to

get into D.C. would give him a good image and the stock would be better lining

in his pocket when the mine stops producing. “What do you suggest I do then my

sweet?” Clifford finally asked as he pulled on his suspenders.

“I don’t know, have one of your henchmen get rid of him.” She growled turning back to her mirror and

pulling out her powder puff. Clifford sighed and got up to leave, walking past

his wife she sprayed her perfume all around making him choke and cough as he

left the room. Running Audrey right over he grabbed her hand and pulled her off

the ground and continued on his way. “Mama, I am ready I’d like to go shopping

before we go to the lawyer’s office, I’d like to get a new hat,” Audrey asked

as she knocked on the door frame and entered the room. Coughing as she entered,

she waved her hand back and forth in front of her face. Walking to the window

she opened it and her mother turned abruptly in her direction. “How dare you

open that and let in all that awful smell of the town in here! Close it now!”

Slamming it shut she held her breath, “I don’t want to go hat shopping bunny,

I’m not ready to go to the lawyer’s office yet, can you go on your own?”

Getting a little hope in her throat she calmed herself down to not attract attention to her excitement,

“But Mama I don’t have any money on me and you did say you’d take me shopping.”

She gave her mother a pouting look, Adelia sighed at her daughter’s remarks and

reached over and grabbed her husband’s wallet. “Here is five dollars I’m sure

you can find something.” Audrey frowned at her, “But Mama, what if I find

gloves to go with it or a shawl or earrings!” “Enough already Audrey here is 50

dollars go shopping but be back in an hour to go to the lawyers.” She handed

her daughter the money and threw the wallet on the bed and shooed her daughter

away with a single-hand motion.

 Audrey backed out the door and closed it tightly and ran down the hall to the front desk

of the hotel and asked where the Western Union was. After getting directions

she ran her errands to get the things she required to make her way to her

destination. She was the only customer when she stepped inside. Her footsteps

echoed on the wood floor due to the building being hollow underneath. An old

man with a gray beard looked up at her as she approached him. “What can I help

you with today, miss?” The old man asked with a simple smile. Audrey looked out

the two windows at the front of the tiny building then back to the man, she

studied him for a moment, his little black vest with a little gold-plated

nameplate sat handsomely on the left side of his chest. “Charles.” She said out

loud then smiled, “I need help.” She looked around again, Charles leaned

forward, “We are alone in here what do you need?”

Audrey blushed at her weariness of entering the establishment, “I am being taken east

with my mother and her husband against my will, a man will come looking for me

hopefully soon can you give him this letter?” Charles took the letter looked it

over then back to her, “How will I know who this man is?” Audrey sighed, “He

will not be discrete about it. But my father or his henchmen may come in here

asking about what we talked about I need your help with that as well.” He was

not amused by this extra work, she pulled out a wad of bills and handed it to

the man, “There’s a door ‘round back you can make your getaway through there.”

He paused and waited to see her reaction she was nervous and he knew something

was up, she finally let out a sigh of relief and left out the back door.

Getting back to the hotel she stood in the dining room looking to see what there was to

eat trying to act like she was there for a while trying to decide. Her lack of

attention to who was staying at the hotel never seemed to cross her mind. After

her shopping trip items were brought to the hotel for her, was when a group of unruly

men came busting through the doors of the hotel. The young boy that brought her

bags in for her cowered behind her from the big men. Clifford met the unruly

mob after a few moments and told them what he wanted them for and escorted them

to the dining room, Audrey was passed by due to her hiding spot in the large

drapes. Sneaking out from behind the drapes she tipped the young boy and he ran

straight for the door, Audrey ran into her mother moments later, “Come we will

have dinner elsewhere, we aren’t going to the lawyer today, your father has

something important to do.” Adelia grabbed Audrey’s arm and led her out the

doors.

 Sliding off his horse Ian dragged his feet over to the manager of the livery paid the

man what was left from the money of the broach being sold, to have Caesar taken

care of for the next few days, and made his way to the hotel where he saw

Clifford walk in a few moments before he put up his horse for the night. Taking

the old man’s advice and following the river to the fort, Ian came to the

realization that it was twice as long a journey then it would have been going

on the main trail. Ian asked for a room away from everyone and paid extra for

it and penned his name into the book I.R. Harrison. Making it to his

room and throwing down his Stetson on the table and saddlebags on the floor Ian

fell into the mattress with a blue quilt on it. ‘I hope to hell Audrey sees it

and catches on to the name.’ Ian fell fast asleep.

For the next few days, Ian started following all of Clifford’s movements and making notes

of all the men that he was gathering Ian was confused about why he needed all

these men. Ian hadn’t seen Audrey yet and was hoping to get a glimpse of her at

dinner but missed her by ten minutes the first night and fifteen the next

night. Now he needed to figure out how to let her know he was there without

physically letting her know he was there. Leaving a note with the hotel clerk

may work but if she was with her mother or if he gave it to Clifford his rouse

would be up. Dressing all in black from the Stetson on his head to the boots on

his feet he kept his face covered and made his way down the second-floor hall

towards Audrey’s room and was stopped by Clifford. “Can I help ya fella?”

Clifford glared at him for a moment and shoved his hands into his pants

pockets, Audrey opened her door to see why people were outside her door.

“Clifford?” “Get back inside Audrey, just checking to see why this feller was

heading to your door. What’s your name mister?” Ian started to feel the sweat starting

to bead on his forehead and took a deep breath; Audrey was fine and looked like

she was being taken well care of. “What’s yer name boy?” Clifford barked, “Beghard.

Victor Beghard.” Ian gruffed into his handkerchief that was covering everything

but his eyes.

“Beghard? Hmm, you looking for a job?” Clifford pulled up his pants and situated himself.

Ian nodded. “Good, come with me!” He grabbed Ian and pushed him along with him

and his bodyguard down the hall to the front parlor of the hotel. Audrey was

already back in her room not amused by Clifford’s antics. Ian escaped

Clifford’s grasp and sunk back into his room when it was dark out and fell into

his bed, he wanted to see Audrey but knew that it wasn’t going to do him any

good. He was going to have to play up this ruse until he would be able to get

to her and be alone with her. He was going to have to prove himself useful to

Clifford in the next few days to gain his trust.

The sun rose that morning and it was nowhere in sight, the storm clouds that had

followed Ian for the last few weeks were finally here and planning on putting

on a performance in this little town. A sharp knock on his door roused him the

rest of the way out of his slumber and in two large strides he was at the door.

Throwing it open as he shoved his hat on his head to hide his appearance, he

met Audrey’s gaze at the open door. “M…My step-father wants me to have a bodyguard

while I am out of the hotel and since you are the newest man on his payroll, he

wants you for the job.” Audrey was wringing her hands together not sure of the

situation she was putting herself in with this stranger. “Yes, Ma’am Miss

MacDavonson.” He gruffed out trying not to give her any hint on who he was. At

first, he wanted her to know who he was but now after being around Clifford his

curiosity was getting the best of him. Audrey cleared her throat, “It’s Ruger.”

“Beg your pardon?” Ian replied. “Mr. Beghard I am a married woman my name is

Audrey Ruger.” Feeling a little pride and realizing she was happy to be married

to him, Ian felt ten feet tall but couldn’t express his feelings over the

matter. “Yes, Ma’am. If’n you’re wanting to leave I can be dressed in five

minutes.” Audrey instantly looked down and turned red realizing that the man

she had been talking to about escorting her around town was standing before her

in his long johns. “Yes! Very well! Five minutes it is!” She squeaked covering

her face and darting away.

Ian approached Audrey in the parlor of the hotel and started for the door, she was

wearing a green dress with a matching hat and mint-colored gloves. She was

lovely and Ian had not seen her in fanciful dresses before she seemed to be one

who liked comfortable or relaxed dresses that were of more earthy tones that

brought out her eyes. Ian studied her from the tip of her flowered hat to the

tips of her dark green heels peeking out from the lace at the bottom of her

skirts. Clifford had appeared and pushed them back into the building and looked

questioningly at the pair. Audrey squared her shoulders and lifted her chin to

her step-father, “I’m going shopping. I did as you asked and got your

watchdog.” The man and Clifford scowled at her, “Stop acting like a child. I

gave you three more days before I need you to sign those papers so get over

your attitude.” “You know I cannot sign them over to you. I have to sign them

for myself and my husband Ian. The man I am married to. Apparently, you nor

mother like to remember that little detail.” Audrey turned on her heel quickly

and made her exit.

Audrey had been walking so quickly away from the hotel Ian had to rush up to her and

stop her so he could catch his breath after chasing after her. Caught out of

her thoughts she looked at the man holding on to her arm. “Geeze lady if I

wanted to chase tail, I would have done it at the saloon, not after you.”

Audrey backs up from him and gazed up at him. There was something familiar

about him but she couldn’t put her finger on it. “I’m just here to do a job and

keep you safe.” “If you really want me to stay safe find my husband or get me

away from Clifford.” She barked as she twisted and made her way into the

Western Union slamming the door behind her, her companion almost walked into

the door. Grasping the door handle and cracking it open he heard part of the

conversation the old man and Audrey were having. “My… Letter hasn’t been picked

up yet.”

The old man shook his head ‘no’ and Audrey sighed, thanked him and met Ian at the

entrance, and pushed past him. She walked slowly down the wooden sidewalk and

stopped before the door to the hotel. Ian stopped behind her and waited. “I…I

never told him how I felt about him or that I even cared about him.” She looked

back behind her at the big man towering over her. “I never missed anyone before

but I miss Ian. I wish he knew where I was, to take me away from this all.

Maybe I should give up clearing my father’s name and just run away to find him

and live in a little house miles away from town just the two of us.” Her

shoulders dropped and she forced herself through the threshold of the hotel.

Ian felt like shit at that moment and made his way back to the Western Union and

walked through the doors swiftly. The old man hiding behind the counter pulled

out a shotgun and aimed it at Ian’s chest. “You back on out of here if you know

what’s good for you.” Ian took two long strides and pushed the shotgun away

from his chest and leaned over the counter, “I need that letter she was

enquiring on.” The old man pulled with all his might the gun away from the

masked man. “I don’t reckon I know what you’re talking about fella.” Ian sighed

and rubbed his face and pulled down the handkerchief and eyeballed the man. “I

am her husband, the man she was asking about.” He said in a low voice so no one

around could hear them. “And I’ll believe that when I see pigs fly. You better

git on outta here if you know what’s good for you.”

Ian inhaled deeply and looked at the man then began to let out a huge stink about

what it took to get to the damned town to rescue her. The old man lifted his

gray brows as high as they would go to get a good look at the man before him.

“Ok.” The old man replied shrugging and went under the desk and pulled out the

envelope. “Ok?” Ian questioned, “She said a man would come in here and cause

such a scene I wouldn’t believe it and that it would be the man looking for

her.” The old man winked at Ian, Ian fell to the ground cross-legged and opened

up the package. The last two broaches fell out with a note three pages long. Ian

put his head in his hand and read all the pages before grunting and getting off

the ground, he placed the items back in their envelope and put it in his inside

coat pocket.

The old man studied Ian for a long time, finally, he spoke, “What are you going to do

now?” “I don’t know. At first, I thought her stepfather was the bad guy now I’m

not so sure.” Ian combed his fingers through his dark brown hair and struggled

to think of what to do next. “A stiff drink usually helps me remember things or

forget about them as well.” Ian looked at the old man nodded and left the

establishment once he fixed his disguise. Big Al, Clifford’s right-hand man

came busting out of the saloon with a rather large ***** attached to his arm.

He had won big at the tables at the gambling hall in the building across the

street and was looking to spend his money, Ian was ignored while he pushed

through the crowd to get to his hotel.

Ian dropped to his mattress and kicked his boots off and breathed in deeply his

feather pillow. After a few huffs, he rolled over and undid his pants, and

threw his shirt on the ground next to his boots. The room was dark with the

storm coming in, it always seemed to come often out here, he didn’t mind it

when he had a roof over his head but he wanted to be under the stars. He missed

his bachelor’s life without even being a husband for two weeks now. Now worrying

about a woman, his wife that he’s only kissed a handful of times to trying to

find out the truth behind her father and inheritance, and then Harrison. He

couldn’t forget Harrison, why was this situation so much simpler when he just

wanted revenge. He didn’t want revenge anymore. He wanted to help Audrey but

she is being held captive by her mother and stepfather, he didn’t know what was

going to happen to her once she signed the paperwork but she is married so that

should help her… Ian remembered the old man at his first stop blowing his nose

in Ian’s marriage certificate. Far as Clifford was concerned, she was a single

woman, a fair game to whatever he wanted to do with her.

Making it to his feet he made his way to the window and opened it up wide, the

curtains blew up with a gust of wind and the rain started to come in. The room

was dark all around him except for what light was coming in from the window. It

was quiet but the low rumble of the thunder was a familiar sound that he

enjoyed thoroughly. Ian pressed his head against the window and felt the

coolness on his skin, he closed his eyes and let the rain embrace him. Hearing

a light tap on the door Ian woke from his moment and looked at the door. Not

thinking he opened the door. The light broke the threshold of his room to show big

blue eyes staring back at him. Audrey’s mouth was agape and she froze in

position Ian grabbed her and pulled her roughly into the room and slammed the

door shut.

Lighting the lantern in the small room lit up Audrey’s face, the shock was still hitting

her that he was there in the room with her. “HOW ARE YOU HERE?!” Ian slapped

his hand over her mouth as quickly as she spoke and put his finger to his lips,

“Clifford and his chumps are listening in everywhere, you have to act like you

have no idea who or what I look like.” Ignoring his request, she pulled his

hand away from her mouth and leaned into him, and planted a kiss on his lips. He

pulled back after a moment and smiled at her and looked at how different she

was from when he first met her. Her smile was weak and she had bags under her

eyes from crying and she looked like she wasn’t sleeping well. “You’re acting

like you missed me huh?” Ian softened his smile at her and watched the tears

fall down her cheeks.

“I was scared that you got hurt or decided that I wasn’t worth coming after.” She let out a

deep sob and shoved her face into his chest and wrapped her arms around him

hoping to never let him go again. “I’ve missed you so much, they are going to

take me back to east and make me marry someone I don’t know.” Ian chuckled

softly at her, “You’re doing a fine job at marrying men you don’t know.”

Audrey’s face turned pink in the lamplight. “Please take me away with you.” She

pressed her palms into the scarred skin on his back and shoved her face into

his chest, his chest hair tickled her nose and she turned her face away and

looked out the window and frowned. Ian stood stiff with her he could feel the

tears from her cheeks dripping onto his chest.

The lightning flashed across the sky lighting up the little town and then went dark

again, the thunder rolled casually in when the lighting stopped. The curtains

picked up height when the wind blew in through the window out the bottom of his

door. It was quiet for too long and Ian began to speak when Audrey cried out,

“Let me stay with you tonight.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and

pulled her closer to him and took in a deep breath of her hair and sighed.

Putting her at arm’s length he looked her in the eyes trying to find the words.

“No.” Came the answer and the tears poured from her eyes like the rain coming

down outside.

“I cannot risk blowing my cover yet I need to know what Clifford has planned and to tell you the truth I

don’t think he killed your father nor Harrison.” Audrey sniffed back the tears

and wiped her cheeks dry and gazed into her husband’s eyes wondering what he

was thinking. “I think someone was pulling Clifford’s strings.” He didn’t want

to give away his thought and scare her in the process. She frowned and lowered

her head onto him again, he rubbed her head and stayed with her for a moment

longer before he wiped her tears and lifted her face to his and kissed her with

everything he had.

“I’ve got to find out something so you’ve gotta help me out and keep my cover. I promise you; you

won’t go to the east and get married I promise.” Ian held eye contact with her as

long as he could to get her to understand and trust him in this matter. Audrey

nodded and they walked to the door arm in arm and peeked out the cracked open

door. “Get some sleep sweetheart and I’ll see you in the morning.” Audrey

nodded and made her way to the main stairway and disappeared up the stairs. Ian

stood by the door a moment longer listening for her footprints to disappear. He

hated himself at that moment but he had to think of her safety first and

foremost when it came to this ruse.

Morning came with a burst of thunder crackling throughout the valley and shook Ian out of his slumber.

Ian fell back on his pillow in a cold sweat and breathing heavily. He dropped

his left arm over his face and mentally kicked himself for letting Audrey know

his identity so early. Getting dressed that morning was a battle unto itself

and setting his gun belt right on his hip the way he liked it he added his coat

and looked over at the mirror staring back at him.

 He looked like a gunman, he smirked at himself

a few years ago he would have loved to look dangerous but now thinking about

Audrey, he didn’t want her to see what his real nature was. He would never

admit to anyone that he loved the war. He loved the danger and the life and

anyone that said they didn’t were lying he thought. The war turned him into a

man and for the life of him he knew he needed it without Harrison he was

reckless and wanted to push his limits, but with Audrey now in his life, the

worry seemed to creep into the back of his mind about living and dying.

Wrapping the blue handkerchief onto his face he pulled his Stetson down hard onto his head to

cover up any indication of who he was and exited his room. The hallway seemed

longer than usual and Ian began to feel uneasy about the place and took his

time making it to the desk at the front of the hotel. Ian would look down at

his watch and then up at the main doors several times before jumping when a

small voice came from behind him. “Good morning Mr. Beghard.” Audrey and her

mother appeared from out of thin air behind him and it took a moment to get his

breathing under control.

“If a little voice made you jump like that, I don’t understand why my Clifford would hire you on as our

only daughter’s protection.” The red-haired woman announced pushing past him to

the dining room. She was wearing a gaudy-looking pink dress that made her

backside three sizes bigger than what it really was with an ugly little pink

hat to match. Audrey was dressed in a lavender dress similar to the red-heads. “Mother

thought it was best if we dressed similarly today when we walked over to the

lawyer’s office,” Audrey announced to the crowd as she followed in suit.

Ian followed and stood quietly behind them while they got their meals. “Adelia dear!” a bellowing

voice echoed through the hall, “I said take your time, I didn’t expect you to

come down and eat.” “Calm down Clifford, our daughter needs to have a full

stomach to have a clear mind when she is doing all her paperwork. I wouldn’t

ever worry about her doing such a laborious task on an empty stomach.” Adelia

looked at Ian and winked, he turned away from her gaze. Clifford gruffed at her

and left after he told her that he was heading down to the bank early to talk

to the manager about the issues.

Adelia stood up as Audrey was finishing her cup of tea and walked over to the bodyguard and put her hands

on him, she was smiling and giggling and they had seemed to be getting along

famously. Audrey had started to curse under her breath; “Come along darling the

sooner we get this done the sooner we can go back east.” She grabbed the

bodyguard’s gun belt and gave it a tug to follow her, Audrey all but knocked

over the table getting up to stop her mother from touching him. Adelia took the

lead and Audrey stayed back to interrogate her bodyguard.

“Don’t look at me like that. She’s been harassing me for a week now.” Audrey folded her arms and

pouted as they followed her mother. “I don’t like it! She’s, she’s acting like

you two have…” She looked at the building across the street from them. Ian smirked,

“Don’t worry sweetheart the gun’s never left its holster, not since you’ve come

tumbling into my life.” Audrey turned red with embarrassment and couldn’t look

at him. Letting himself forget for a moment where they were he let out a hearty

laugh that stopped Adelia in her tracks to glare at them.

“Don’t you go and get sweet with my daughter Mr. Beghard! She is an engaged woman and will be getting

married in a month.” She saw the look of confusion on the bodyguard’s face. “If

she has told you she is a married woman she, isn’t she is just trying to get pity

from anyone that will listen to her. She should be excited she’s going to be

marrying an officer in the army.” Audrey’s shoulders dropped as Adelia pulled

open the door to the bank and followed her daughter in. Ian stood outside the

door and watched through the window.

He stood for a long while with his hands in his pockets watching the three. Clifford’s right-hand man

walked over and stopped next to Ian and watched along with him. Big Al pulled

out a cigar and lit it and watched Ian intensely. “Got a problem?” Ian asked

not looking up at the man. Big Al took a long puff of his cigar and let out a

huge puff of white smoke above their heads. “Miz. Adelia seems to be getting

pretty close to you.” He looked at Ian out of the corner of his eye. “I ain’t

interested,” Ian grunted. “You better not be, she’s with me.” Ian turned his

head slightly to look at the man. Ian placed his hand on the butt of his gun,

“Like I said I’m not interested now and I won’t be later.” Ian pulled out a

cigarette and lit it, the man kept watching him. “You got a woman?” “Something

like that,” Ian replied. “Good.”

Big Al flicked his cigar onto the street and walked a few steps towards Ian, “You keep your mouth shut

about me and Adelia, you can work for me and I’ll pay you better than what

Clifford does and even give you some of that inheritance money he is getting

from that brat.” Ian looked up at Al with a raised eyebrow, Al had gotten his

attention real quick. “What’s gonna happen to the bastard?” “What’s it to ya?”

Al asked as he pulled the cigarette out of Ian’s mouth and puffed on it. “I

need money,” Ian said looking over his shoulder to see if anyone was listening.

“What if I give you more than money?” Al had all of Ian’s attention at that

point.

“I don’t want to hurt the girl she has nothing to do with any of this. I’ll give you ten grand and her

and you work in the shadows for me for a few years.” “What do I gotta do?” Ian

asked with great interest. “Get rid of the twerp,” Al said using his hands to

make quotations. “So, I get the girl no matter what? And ten grand? When would

this have to be paid back?” Ian started to worry about what this deal was going

to be really like.

Al puffed the rest of the cigarette and threw the butt into the road with his cigar. “I’ll make you a

deal let me worry about the Clifford stuff and let me get established with

Adelia and the business and I’ll send for you.” “How can you trust me? You just

warned me about Adelia getting too close to me.” Ian turned to leave Al grabbed

his shoulder. “I’ve been watching you. The brat seems to take a liking to you

which will be easy to lead her off and I will take care of Adelia. I like the

kind of man you are. A no-bullshit man. So do we have a deal?” Al asked holding

his hand out to be shaken, Ian looked at it momentarily and then shook it.

The door to the bank swung open with such force it almost broke off its hinges. “I swore that son of

a bitch had more money in that account than what was handed over to you!

Something doesn’t seem to add up!” Clifford yelled as he looked over the

paperwork. Audrey’s head was down and her mother pulled the paperwork from her

husband’s hands, “That is everything in the account Clifford it hasn’t been

touched in years it’s a two million dollars you should be happy you got it all

and not Audrey.” Clifford stopped in his tracks at his wife’s remarks. He

turned and looked down at Audrey whose head was still down and her arms in

front of her grasping tightly at her dress.

“Well, I guess it is a lot of money to take care of for her, we should treat her to a nice dinner at

least before we leave in the morning back to Virginia.” Audrey looked up immediately,

“We are leaving in the morning?!” She panicked as her mother placed her hands

on her shoulders. “Yes, it is for the best! And my bank is back there so we

need to get back to transfer the money from my name to Clifford’s.” She smiled

elegantly at her husband, “Besides that will give us time to get home and get

planning the wedding. Did you know with your marriage you are bringing another

million dollars into this family?”

“Do I receive any of this money?” Audrey questioned as her mother stepped back and gasped at her

daughter’s question. “The audacity of this child Clifford. We give her

everything and she still wants more.” She gave Audrey a little shove away from

her into Ian and she turned to Clifford and grabbed his arm and strolled him

into their hotel. Big Al had followed Adelia into the hotel leaving Ian and

Audrey alone for a moment. “They are just using me as a cash cow.” Audrey

finally said wiping a few stray tears from her face.

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