We’d just come down the stairs to the brothel’s foyer. The house wasn’t decadent as were the establishments in Denver that catered to the rich, but it was large enough to support the patronage of the miners and other men in the area. It also had an excellent supply of whiskey to help the men to see past any kind of deficiency. Loose women eager for a wild ride also helped.
I turned toward the voice, Spur taking the last step and then standing beside me. Two big, young, redheaded men were before us, a scantily clad girl wrapped around each one of them, almost clinging like a vine.
I lifted an eyebrow in way of response. I ached after spending time with Lil, knowing she would be gone soon. I mourned her and she wasn’t even dead yet. Just visiting with her brought up my past, made me want to hit something and throw up all at the same time. But I’d had decades of practice tamping down the hell I’d endured and only waited patiently for the man to speak.
“I understand you own the town’s mine.”
The men were definitely brothers, their facial features similar. Both had blue eyes and fair skin, but one sported a beard. They were dressed well enough, but I gained no clue as to their profession besides knowing they weren’t miners. Their hands were too clean. If they wanted to be miners, I’d direct them to the new owner’s foreman. Their size would be an asset.
“That’s right. I’m Lane Haskins.”
“I’m Jed Dare, and my brother—” he tilted his head toward the other man, “—Knox. We’re looking for our sister and we understand you might know where she is.”
“Oh?” I asked, flicking my gaze toward Spur.
“I’m not familiar with a Miss Dare. I’m sorry.” I turned to leave.
“Her name’s Piper and has hair like ours.”
I stilled, my hand just over the knob. Looked back at them over my shoulder.
I have five older brothers.
There weren’t too many red-haired men about, let alone two who looked alike. I saw no resemblance to Piper in their features. She was at least a foot shorter and had no facial hair or Adam’s apple, yet there was no doubt these two were her siblings. If the other three brothers were of similar size, I felt pity for their mother. No wonder no suitors got anywhere near Piper. I was a little afraid of them and I was already married to her.
“You do know of her,” Jed Dare said, obviously seeing the awareness on my face. He looked to Knox and gave a quick smile, sighed.
Spur stepped forward. “I’m Spurgeon Drews.”
“Spurgeon, what kind of name is that?”
Spur was used to people mocking his name and he took no offense by the usual surprise.
“One my mother stuck me with. I go by Spur. For Piper, she calls me husband.”
Both men’s mouths fell open and stared at Spur wide-eyed.
“She’s… your wife?”
Spur nodded. “A little over two weeks now.”
“If you’re married to Piper, then why the fuck are you in a brothel?” Knox asked, glancing down at the dark-haired woman who clung to him, her corset-covered breasts pressed against his side, but ignoring her eagerness.
His hands clenched into fists.
I didn’t blame him. We did look bad coming from the second floor of a brothel. It was basically the same question Piper had put to us two weeks ago before the mine collapsed. I hadn’t wanted to tell her then about Lil, and didn’t want to now, but it seemed I was outnumbered. What had seemed an innocent attempt to keep my past in the past had turned into a complete fuck-up. Spur had been bothered by it since… forever. I had Piper angry, and knowing her temper, after two weeks she would probably shoot me on sight. Lil was upset and these two men were ready to beat the shit out of me.
Fuck.
“Perhaps we can speak of this outside, or do you have interest in the ladies first?” I asked, eying the women who were hanging on to our every word just as much as the brawny men.
Having forgotten the women, the Dare brothers untangled themselves and stormed out the front door and onto the quiet street.
“Start talking,” Jed said, arms crossed over his chest.
“What is Piper’s real name?” I asked.
They looked to me, turning their anger my way.