She takes it well, leaving me alone for the rest of the night.

The mood is different the next time you meet with Delilah. She’s more than a girl. She’s more human than you’ve ever allowed yourself to think. You didn’t dare tell Arabella about it because it felt too personal to be sharing. The relationship you had with Delilah became sacred in a moment, and now that you’ve been introduced to the surface of her problems, you knew you weren’t ready for it.

Could you be faithful to her? Indeed, by now, if something happened between you and another woman, the news wouldn’t absolutely break her heart. The last time you had these thoughts were before you left your hometown; even then, they weren’t this deep. Delilah eventually catches your gaze and tilts her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you lied.

Her eyes narrowed.

“I don’t want to upset you,” you sigh. “I didn’t realize how… much you loved me.”

“Oh,” Delilah says. “I’ll have my ups and downs, so you have to worry all the time.”

Delilah managed a smile, her eyes washing over you. She swallows and then folds her hands together, suddenly feeling awkward around you. “I hope I didn’t put too much on your mind last night. It all just kind of came out all at once for some reason.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m glad you told me. I meant every word I told you and will help you as much as possible.”

Her smile becomes toothy, and she hugs you. “Warren…thank you. You’re…something else. I don’t know. Just talking to you makes my mind all buggy.” She laughs, studying you like you are the most amazing thing she’s ever seen.

“Will we see each other again today?” She inquires.

Truth to be told, you came down to the lobby suspecting of running into Scarlet. Still, you already forgot about her when you saw Delilah. She must’ve noticed how you were dressed and figured you were going out to make another contract, but you more or less had everything completed for the year.

You looked at Delilah and felt awkward. Dealing with strangers was less stressful when you already had yourself to worry about, but now Delilah is a part of your life (more or less, at least); it seemed much more dangerous than usual. Contracting would never be the same…

“Maybe not,” you say. “I’ll try to, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

…

…

Scarlet is found at Blair’s Bar. She’s the only one there and sticks out like a sore thumb. She’s dressed in all black. She might’ve been hidden in the shadows if it weren’t for her blonde hair outlining her position in the bar.

Her dark blue eyes are almost black when they lock onto you. They’re cold, as usual, and twice as intelligent as your average contractor. They were as cool as a snakes and as soulless too.

“Warren,” she greeted you with a cigarette between her lips. Somehow you knew you’d find her here, which confirms your worry that she was following you yesterday. Your poker-face smile as you greet her.

She emits a plume of white smoke from her mouth before she runs her tongue over her lips. It’s oddly seductive, but your mind is guarded against such distractions. “Fancy meeting you.”

She pulls the cigarette away from her mouth as her smile becomes a tight smirk. Her eyes dart all over you. She’s got you sized up and counted all her advantages on you.

“I followed you here,” she admits without fear. “I figured you’d come back around this time when I was out front your Tiny's..."

You shrug. “Alas. Here I am.”

Scarlet purrs, bringing the cigarette back to her mouth. “Here you are~.”

“What did you want to do with me exactly?” You ask, getting right to business.

“Well,” Scarlet slides into a stool at the bar and taps the counter, signaling the heavy-weight bartender over. She orders two shots of Old Forester bourbon and waves you to join her. “Kenji has his hands full with some important matters, so I was going to ask you to keep me company on some leftover contracts.”

“Moving a bit fast, aren’t we?”

The shots are laid out and given. She takes the first glass into her hand before sliding the next over to you. You provide a small protest saying it’s too early to drink, but all this does is make Scarlet’s expression becomes dull. “It isn’t very nice to reject a drink from a girl.”

You take the shot and twirl it. It was your preferred drink… you wait for her to down her shot before you. “I trust you.”

She stretches and yawns. “Besides that, I could use a different face backing me up. Cabin fever and whatnot, catch me?”

You smack your lips. “I’ve almost always worked alone, so I’m afraid I don’t catch it.”

“Shame,” she says. “I hope you don’t get hurt while we conduct business over the next month and a half.”

A threat? A warning? You can’t tell, and you don’t dare ask what she could possibly mean by that. Scarlet was difficult to read and challenging to understand. Yet, your interest was peaked by her voice and invitations.

“What kind of help did you need?”

She snuffs her **** in an ashtray and sucks on her teeth. “Just need someone to watch my back and all. You mind getting close to your targets?”

“I prefer not to,” you answer.

She nods like she was expecting that. “Not a lot of people do. Takes a rather odd character to enjoy going ‘hands-on’ with targets.”

“Depending on the task, it also levels the playing field.”

Again, she nods. “Or makes it unfair, depending on how the task is executed…”

Your eyes lock. Her eyes are colder than the winter wind you felt on the way here. She seemed like the type that liked gambling in close quarters, regardless of her weight class.

“That’s why I like having a backup, though,” she says suddenly. “I might misjudge or slip up on something, and having an extra pair of hands nearby gives me that sense of security I need for confidence.”

You smile this time and tilt your head down. “I catch you.”

Scarlet smiles. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

“So, when can I expect to lend some help to you?”

“Now,” she says. “Don’t worry about bringing anything. Just follow me and stick close. We don’t even need to leave town.”

She pushes off the stool and looks at you. “You coming or what?”