Quicksilver Passion by Georgina Gentry - Colorado 01 - Quicksilver Passion Page A

money.He trusts me because I’ve proved to him I won’t let him down. And I’m grateful for everything he’s done for me.”
    Jake Dallinger grunted as he accepted the money and counted it.Plumb touching! Being a trusted fool and looking out for others is what gets a man in trouble. Do you even get your choice of the women? Now I’d like that!”
    Sure,” Al said. He was already thinking about the small, innocent blonde. After all, what difference did it make? Women were born to satisfy men’s appetites. Here she’d at least get fine clothes, jewelry, and a life of ease. If she’d stayed out on the farm where she so obviously belonged, she’d be spreading her thighs for some oaf of a husband who’d work her into an early grave and put a baby in her belly every year. She’d be better off here.
    Jake turned toward the door.She does look innocent, and trusting, don’t she? What do you suppose happened that would cause a beauty like that to run away to the city?”
    Al shook his head.What does it matter? After a few months, she’ll be just like the other girls here who have learned to use their bodies to get what they want. We had a pretty brunette last year that some senator went crazy over and paid Brett to let her go. Now she’s got a fine house, the best of everything, and even her own carriage.”
    Jake guffawed.That purty little blonde ain’t gonna feel so lucky for a while.” His eyes grew thoughtful.Reminds me of a gal I was loco over once a long time ago, but she spurned me for some Cheyenne buck named War Bonnet.”
    Al started to ask more, but the man’s expression warned him off. He shrugged.They’re all just alike. Hell, you can’t tell one from another in the dark and that’s all they’re good for anyway.”
    Dallinger nodded agreement and tucked the money in his smelly fur vest.I’m just passin’ through, had to escort another wagon train out West. I may not see you again soon. But if’fen I’m in the area, I’ll be on the lookout for tender, innocent gals for Brett.” He looked back over his shoulder longingly.I don’t suppose as slow as things is on a late, cold afternoon, that Brett would let me use one of the gals—”
    Not likely,” Al said smoothly, taking him by the elbow and leading him to the ornate front door.These girls are top of the line, Jake, reserved for the richest, most important men in the city. In the next few weeks, little Silver will end up under a bunch of wealthy businessmen or politicians, who’ll pay Brett well for the pleasure.”
    Jake laughed and went out. Al stood shivering in the doorway, watching the rough, dirty frontiersman as he hunched his shoulders against the blowing snow and went off down the street.
     
     
    Blowing snow . Al stared out the window of the Nugget and wondered again what had ever happened to the scout. Certainly Al had not seen him again before he and Silver fled many months later.
    Silver. Where in God’s name was she? Al got up and went to look out the window. The wind whimpered and cried around the corners of the settlement’s buildings like a heartbroken woman.
    Just as Silver had done when she discovered where she actually was that long ago night. Brett had invited the girl to his private quarters to discuss herduties.” He had told Al in advance to bring a bottle of his best wine and two glasses to his room. Business was slow that evening with the weather so bad.
    Hell, she was better off , Al thought as he climbed the stairs, carrying the tray back to the end of the hall and Brett’s fancy private quarters. She could be out in the cold on Chicago’s streets tonight, freezing and hungry. At least she was warm and fed. And she’d be sleeping on satin sheets in the finest of silk nightgowns. Brett always sampled a new girl’s charms first before he put her out for customers’ use. Sometimes he took a shine to a girl and kept her for his private pleasure for a week or so before he allowed wealthy men to pay to use