Ethan held out his hands so that Specter could remove the shackles, but he simply turned and left.
“Are you all right?” asked Ethan.
“I’ve had worse,” Jonas replied.
Ethan gingerly touched his face where Specter had hit him and sucked air through his teeth. “Markus always said my mouth would get me into trouble.”
“It would seem he was right,” Jonas shot back in a distinctly sour tone.
In spite of the barb, Ethan laughed. He sat down and leaned against the bars, trying his best not to think about what was going to happen next…or the cruel fate that had befallen the people of Jaobin. These Imperial soldiers are no better than the damn Krauts, he thought. He closed his eyes and relaxed his breathing. But sleep would not come, and soon the shackles were biting into his flesh.
“As long as we can still draw breath, there’s hope,” Jonas said softly.
“I know,” he replied.
Chapter Six
THE DOOR TO the two story bordello flew open with a mighty crash from Jared’s kick. As he stormed inside, the dozen or so girls gathered there gasped in unison at the sight of their infuriated boss and scrambled to get out of his way.
He paused after a few steps to survey the area. To his right was a small waiting room with cheaply made chairs and a few small tables scattered about. Empty mugs and wine bottles left over from the previous night’s activities littered every available surface, and the scent of stale beer saturated the air.
“Get off your lazy asses and clean this place up!” he roared. “It’s disgusting in here.”
The girls instantly obeyed, rapidly clearing the tables and straightening the chairs. Still scowling, Jared continued on until he reached a door at the far end. He tried the handle, but it was locked.
“Brutis is still sleeping,” said a tiny voice behind him.
Spinning around, Jared let his hand fly. It connected hard with the cheek of a young blond girl no more than twenty years old. Her thin frame was sent sprawling to the floor. With tears in her eyes, she scurried across the stained carpet into the nearest corner. Jared watched her cower with satisfaction.
“Brutis!” he yelled, banging on the door.
There was the sound of a muffled curse from inside, followed by a loud crash. A few seconds later the door cracked open and a head poked halfway out. Brutis was at least a full foot taller than Jared, with close cropped black hair and a square jaw.
“Get up and get the boys together,” ordered Jared.
Brutis rubbed his eyes. “What happened?”
“Specter,” he spat. “That’s what happened. He’s crossed me for the last time.”
“You’re going to kill Specter?” asked Brutis.
“No,” he replied. “You are.”
Brutis heaved a sigh. “Are you sure you…?”
“I don’t pay you to ask questions, you lumbering moron,” Jared snapped. “Just do what you’re told.”
Having issued his orders, he turned on his heels and headed to the stairs, muttering curses along the way. He paused halfway up and snapped his fingers. The room instantly went silent.
“When I come back down, this place had damn well better be clean,” he warned.
With the girls feverishly redoubling their efforts, he continued upstairs and down a long hall lined on either side by poorly furnished bedrooms. After turning right, he unlocked a door at the far end.
His office was as much a mess as the rest of the bordello. Old wine bottles and papers were strewn carelessly all over the tables and floor. A bookshelf positioned in the far right corner doubled up as a liquor cabinet. After snatching a half empty bottle, he plopped down into a chair behind his desk.
“What’s wrong, Jared?” came a familiar voice from behind a small couch in the left corner. “Did you miss me that much?”
He leapt up, at the same time grabbing a small dagger from his desk drawer.
Kat stepped into view and took a seat on the couch. “No need for that.”
“I should skin you alive!” he shouted. “Do you know how much trouble you’ve caused me?” He took a menacing step toward her.
Kat smiled. “I’m sorry. I know I’ve been a pain. But that’s over now. I’m back for good.”
Jared huffed. “You think you can just walk into my office after what you did and all will be forgiven?”
“If you want me to leave…” She moved to get up.
The dagger came flying across the room, its point burying into the floor right next to Kat’s feet. “You’re not going anywhere.”