Utah Terror : Utah Terror (9781101606971) by Jon Sharpe Read Free Book Online Page B

proudly. “My master spared no expense in building the House of Pleasure.”
    â€œIt’s different,” Fargo said.
    â€œWould you like to see one of the rooms?” Madame Lotus moved to a section of wall that was actually a partition. She slid it aside, revealing a middling-sized room bare of furniture save for a mat and pillows and a small table with a teapot and accessories.
    â€œKind of plain,” Fargo said.
    Madame Lotus entered and motioned. “But functional. One can focus on the pleasure of the senses and not be distracted.”
    â€œIs that so?” Fargo said. Boldly walking up to her, he cupped her bottom and drew her against him. “Why don’t you show me?”
    Madame Lotus smiled and calmly said, “I told you before. I am not to be paid for.”
    â€œThat’s too bad,” Fargo said, and kissed her. “You’d likely curl a man’s toes.”
    Her mouth formed a delightful oval and she gently pushed him away. “I must ask you to behave.”
    â€œI’ll try,” Fargo said.
    She led him back out and closed the partition. “Now that you have seen what we have to offer, may I expect you this evening?”
    â€œYou never know.”
    Suddenly, from the bowels of the building, a faint, fluttering scream wavered. Fargo heard it clearly, and glanced in the direction it came from. “What was that?”
    â€œWhat was what?”
    â€œYou didn’t hear it? It sounded like a woman in pain.”
    Madame Lotus smiled. “This is the House of Pleasure. Some of our customers derive their pleasure
from
pain.”
    â€œWhips and rope?” Fargo said.
    â€œWhatever our customer requires,” Madame Lotus said. “Their happiness is our paramount duty.”
    Fargo suspected there was more to it than that. He had half a mind to go find the screamer. But he let Madame Lotus usher him along the hall to the parlor. “I’m obliged for the tour.”
    â€œIt was my delight,” Madame Lotus said.
    Fargo turned to go, and stopped.
    Nan Kua and the two Tong with bruised faces had just walked in. Nan Kua gave a start and said something to the others. All three glared.
    Madame Lotus smiled and addressed them in Chinese. Whatever Nan Kua snarled in reply brought a look of dismay.
    â€œOh my,” she said.
    â€œWhat is it?” Fargo asked, casually resting his right hand on his Colt.
    â€œIt appears that these three have been looking for you,” Madame Lotus said.
    â€œSome jackasses never learn,” Fargo said.
    Nan Kua spat more Chinese at Madame Lotus. Her dismay deepened.
    â€œI am to tell you that you have been invited to Master Han’s Pagoda. Nan Kua and his friends are to escort you there.”
    â€œNo,” Fargo said.
    â€œYou do not understand,” Madame Lotus said. “You must go with them. An invitation from Master Han is the same as a command.”
    â€œFor you, maybe,” Fargo said. “I couldn’t give a good damn.”
    Nan Kua evidently asked what they were saying and Madame Lotus translated. Fury crackled on the tall Tong’s brow, and he barked at her.
    â€œI am afraid you have no choice. Nan Kua says you are to go with them whether you want to or not.”
    â€œAnd if I don’t want to?”
    â€œPlease. Why are you being so unreasonable?”
    â€œUnreasonable, hell. I’m free to do as I damn well please.”
    â€œI am most sorry,” Madame Lotus said, “but he says that if you refuse to go of your own free will, they will force you.”
    â€œLet them try,” Fargo said.

8
    Nan Kua snarled at Madame Lotus, apparently asking her what Fargo had said. Wringing her slender hands, she translated.
    Fargo thought he was ready. His fingers were curled around the Colt and he was poised to draw. He figured Nan Kua would say something to the other two and all three would come at him at once.
    He was wrong.
    Without another