saw her smug smile? Was I the only one that questioned her motives? Jules’ words echoed in my mind. “Everyone wants power or money…”
I turned to stare at Jade. She was fuming, and I couldn’t blame her. She’d be the one to ultimately do the hardest job, but Madam B was rallying the troops for me.
It was still strange taking in the anger of the Resistance. They were fueled by revenge, an accumulation of the dissatisfaction they felt for this government and their place in this world. Madam B used their anger to her advantage, convincing them to fight an uncertain battle.
I stared at the stage as Louis grabbed the microphone, jolting everyone out of the momentary camaraderie. “Elite coming!” he hissed while scanning his tablet. Madam B moved with precision towards me as Tallis ran to a side door. Opening it, he revealed a small tunnel that I assumed led outside. The small crowd filed out, each man pushing and shoving at one another to flee as Madam B grabbed my elbow. I winced at her hard grip as she tried pulling me upstairs to the sitting room.
“Where do you think you’re taking her?” Huxley growled out while reaching for my free arm.
“The others are helping remove the evidence of our meeting.” I looked around as the Companions efficiently removed the folding chairs and podium. Shuffling feet stomped loudly along the concrete floor. It was as if they had practiced this many times before. “I need a girl in the sitting room in case they’ve come to call upon a Companion,” Madam B hissed.
Dread swirled in my gut. I wasn’t ready for this, was I?
“Absolutely not,” Huxley replied while yanking me out of her grip and towards his chest. I collided with him, resting my palms on his pecs. For a moment, the room wasn't in chaos, and I wasn't on the verge of panic. It was just Huxley and me.
“I won’t let them take her to the third floor, you idiot. I’ll come up with an excuse of why she can’t, but I need at least one of them with me. You can wait in the hallway if you’re so worried.”
Huxley looked around the room for another moment, debating Madam B’s words while stroking my hair contemplatively. Before letting me go, he firmly said, “Fine. But if I think anything strange is happening, we’re out.”
Madam B didn’t waste any time arguing with Huxley, she merely regained her hold on my arm and yanked me up the short flight of stairs leading to the main floor. Taking a moment to smooth my hair with her fingers and adjust my dress at the nape, she then eased her breathing before guiding me towards the entryway where a man was standing.
“Ah, Master,” she said in a sultry, low tone. “How may I be of assistance?”
My eyes locked onto the Heat strapped to his hip and the orange and black uniform draped over his bulky frame. From what I could tell, he was a member of Cavil's guard.
“I’ve been told this is the best brothel in the Zone, am I correct?” he asked. The guardsman wore his thin hair slicked back. Patches of his white scalp peeked through the thin strands which were greasy and full of product. I breathed in, nearly choking when his too-strong cologne hit the back of my throat. His eyes were hooded as he took me in, and I suddenly felt very exposed in the white dress Madam B made me wear this morning. Although it covered a lot of skin, it still clung tightly to my frame, leaving little to the imagination.
“That would be correct,” Madam B replied with a coy grin, lingering in the handshake a bit longer than I would have. “Are you interested in me preparing one of the rooms upstairs, or…”
“No. Although now that I've seen her, I might have to change my mind.” The guardsman looked me up and down, a hunger in his eyes that was equal parts cruel and lustful. I forced myself not to squirm, comforted by the fact that Huxley was only a few feet away, but I was also embarrassed. Although I’d learned a lot about self-defense while I lived in the deadlands, I still felt an uncontrollable fear where any of Cavil’s guards were concerned. It made me sick to my stomach when I thought of how much their orange and black uniforms affected me. Those colors brought me back to the night Josiah smashed