The Butcher of the Bay Part II - J. Bree Page 0,39
down another road until we’re in the downtown area of the Bay. It’s busy, even this late in the afternoon.
“Paint some of us together. If I’m going to be covering the walls, you better be too.”
It’s my turn to pull a face. There’s no way I want to paint myself, not at all and he chuckles under his breath at me, saying “See? Not so fun, is it? Besides, you’re the beautiful one. If anyone is going up there it’s you, baby girl.”
He parks and gets out before I can argue with him. There’s no point even trying but I think he underestimates how much I adore looking at him. That the idea of covering the walls with his likeness is my idea of perfection.
He opens the door for me and then tucks me into his side as we walk. I have no idea of what fashion is like here in the States and none of the clothing stores we pass look familiar at all. Not that I did a whole lot of shopping back home but I would walk through every new town my father moved us to and look through the windows with longing.
I always wanted to fit in and feel normal, whatever that is.
“Let’s try this one, baby girl. I want to see you in that dress.” Illi points one out and the white dress in the front is very beautiful. It has a red sash around the waist that would look beautiful with a red lipstick.
There are many clothes in the store I would like. Too many, I hesitate to grab anything because it’s all too much money. I didn’t put up too much of a fight about the art supplies because painting and drawing is a part of my soul but to spend this kind of money on clothes?
Mon Monstre looks at me like I’m the most beautiful woman on Earth while I stand in front of my easel in his sweatpants and covered in paint.
What’s the point of beautiful, expensive clothing?
“If you don’t start grabbing things you like, I’ll do it for you and you might not like what I pick out. There’s lingerie in here too but I’ve got that under control.”
I look up to find Illi with a basket already overflowing with lace. I sigh and shrug. “Where would I wear jeans? Where would I ever need to go?”
He grabs the pair from my hands and tucks them into the basket. “Baby, you can go where the fuck you wanna go. Don’t think about it so hard, just pick what you like and we’ll figure out the rest later.”
I insist on trying them on first and I grab a few other items to try along with them.
The jeans feel weird.
I can't actually remember the last time I'd worn a pair. Definitely back in France but even then my father had hated them, telling me no self respecting woman would wear them. I'd found a pair at a small market, second hand and fitting me like a glove, and I'd hidden them from him. Louis had told me I looked beautiful in them, the curves of my ass an inviting sight for such a man.
I buy them.
I buy dozens of shirts and skirts, some sweaters and a good winter coat. I'm not sure the Bay ever really gets cold but the lines of the coat suit my shape and I feel good in it.
Mon Monstre hands over cash to the girl at the store, her hands shaking just a little as she takes it from him. I think she would rather throw herself into oncoming traffic than take money from the infamous Butcher.
He smirks at her as he tucks me under his arm, kissing the top of my head as though we are a normal couple, loved up and out on a date, and I wrap an arm around his waist.
Chapter Eleven
Illi
I put the word out that I need information on the Alcatron and Mecedo cartels. I know that someone somewhere will hear something and it’ll get back to me. The prices I set for the information are fucking high, enough to feed a family for years, and everyone knows I’m good for it.
The only problem is it means I have to hang around in my usual haunts until someone comes forward.
I have no real interest in going to the Dive and fighting but everyone knows I’m usually there on a Friday night, always in the cage destroying some new comer, so I