New York, North America, March 1st, 1920

  “I’m tellin’ ya Bill, Boss won’t be happy about this.” Tony groaned.

  ”What do you mean? We got the liquor, quit the glum Tony.” Bill answered.

  ”I know, I know, but I just think we got a bit less than last time.” Tony said.

  ”Ant, I think you’re forgetting over the fact that we have a freeloader with us.” Frank chimed in.

  ”And how’d that happen, huh? Who decided to bring a dame like this back with us? For Pete’s sake, where’d we even get her from?” Bill asked.

  ”Keep your eyes on the road Bill, and look, it’s not my fault this happened. I just figured we could take her back with us. Maybe hold her for ransom.” Tony answered.

  ”Ransom? That’s if the Boss doesn’t put us on ice first. Doubt anyone would even go looking for her to begin with.” Frank spat.

  Tony sighed and turned his attention to the woman next to him. Her crème colored fur coat and dark brown hair neatly blending into the leather seat. She was sound asleep despite the hectic mess that was Bill’s driving. That was until the cab came to a sudden stop, causing her and Tony to jerk forward.

  ”Bill! I told you to watch where you’re going!” Tony growled.

  ”I was, but some snob just had to cut me off!” Bill replied.

  ”Great, now our passenger is waking up.” Frank sighed.

  Tony watched as the woman awoke in a panic. She immediately hit her head on the roof of the car before growling. Her orange eyes frantically darting around the cab as she tried to piece together what was going on. She then looked over at Tony, her gaze seeming a bit puzzled.

  ”Where am I?” She yawned.

  ”New York, miss..?” Tony answered.

  ”Bethany, or Beth for short, and you?” The woman replied as she stretched out her hand.

  “Antonio Barichi, though you could just call me Tony.” Tony smiled.

  ”Always the polite one.” Frank groaned.

  Beth then turned her attention to Frank and almost seemed to hiss at him. Frank recoiled slightly as the cab began to pick up speed again. Beth let out a small yelp before looking out the window. She smiled as the cab buzzed down the street, passing a few stores as it drove. Tony chuckled and lit a cigarette before tapping Beth on the shoulder. Immediately her ears perked up as she turned her head to look at him.

  ”Say, what’s that necklace of yours worth?” He asked.

  “Not for sale, if that’s what you wanted to know.” Beth growled slightly.

  ”My apologies, I just wanted to know where you got it.” Tony said.

  ”You should have phrased it better then, darling.” Beth cooed.

  She then snatched the cigarette from him before smothering it in the ashtray.

  ”Hey! What gives!” Tony snapped.

  ”The smoke hurts my eyes honey. And here I was thinking you’d have the curtesy to not do such a thing.” Beth chided.

  ”How was I supposed to know that!” Tony answered.

  Beth just glared at him and smiled before slouching slightly.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  ”Bill, honey, how much longer till we’re at our destination?” Beth asked.

  ”First, don’t call me honey, and second, just let me keep driving. Capeesh?” Bill answered.

  Beth just sighed and let out a growl of sorts. She then turned her attention back to the window as the cab turned a corner and quickly came to a stop.

  ”We’re here now, don’t even know why you asked.” Bill groaned.

  ”Well, I was just curious is all.” Beth answered.

  Frank and Bill exited the cab first, followed by Tony who then opened the door for Beth. The four of them then made their way into a nearby restaurant. The bell ringing as Frank held the door, letting the rest of them step inside. Beth trotted over to a table and sat down. She waved to Tony as Bill and him headed to the back into the kitchen. Frank entered the building and quickly followed after them.

  ”Just sit tight, boss should see you soon, ok?” Frank said as he shut the door behind him.

  Beth just looked at him and nodded before looking around the restaurant. She started absentmindedly tapping her fingers on the table as her eyes darted all over the room. Then her ears perked up and she could hear the faint sound of whistling from outside. Beth turned her head to a nearby window and gazed outside.

  An eloquent gentleman in a black and gold pinstripe suit immediately caught her eye. She watched as he entered the establishment and walked over to her, occasionally tapping his cane against the floor as he did. He bowed before sitting down at the other end of the table.

  ”Hopefully my boys weren’t too rough with you.” He chuckled.

  ”Who… are you?” Beth asked.

  ”Me? Mr. Germaine, Hans Germaine, at your service.” The man answered.

  ”Bethany, Bethany Auti-“ Beth said

  ”Autiere, yes yes, I already know. But is that really your name? Ms. Bethany Autiere?” Germaine asked.

  ”Are you playing coy with me sir?” Beth replied.

  ”Are you?” Germaine scowled.

  ”Do I even have to answer that question?” Beth growled.

  Germaine didn’t reply and pulled out a pocket watch before muttering something under his breath. A few moments later Tony exited the kitchen and sprinted over to the table.

  ”Antonio, my boy, you’re late.” Germaine snapped.

  ”As is the sommelier, sir.” Tony answered.

  ”Just fetch me some red wine boy!” Germaine smiled.

  ”Pinot or…?” Tony asked.

  ”Pinot is fine, just get the wine, please?” Germaine groaned.

  Tony gave Beth a nervous smile and scurried back into the kitchen.

  ”He’s a good lad, a little rough around the edges, but still a good lad.” Germaine sighed.

  ”That he is, sir, that he is.” Beth answered.

  “Now, back to you, I’ve been looking for you for a long time.” Germaine chuckled.

  ”Why’d you come looking for little old me?” Beth cooed as she shifted back to her more draconian form.

  ”My father, told me stories about you, he did.” Germaine answered.

  “Really? Your father was a fisherman then, I take it?” Beth asked.

  ”Dock worker actually, but close enough, at least for you it was.” Germaine clarified.

  ”The sea calls to all of you, as do I.” Beth smiled.

  Germaine looked at her and simply nodded as Tony returned holding a bottle of Pinot. He set the bottle down on the table and began to pour, but stopped after noticing Beth.

  ”What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” Beth chuckled.

  Tony didn’t answer as he finished pouring two glasses and handed one to Beth. She held it up to her nose and smelled it before setting it down on the table. She sighed as Tony returned to the kitchen for the third time.

  ”Germaine honey, you know I don’t drink, right?” Beth asked.

  ”No, as a matter of fact, I didn’t know that.” Germaine answered.

  “Your father should have told you that, boy.” Beth growled.

  ”Sadly he didn’t, as he seemed to share your distaste for wine.” Germaine sighed.

  “So, what exactly did your men bring me here for anyways?” Beth asked.

  ”I wanted to make a contract with you. To ask for your protection is all.” Germaine said.

  ”Really? Thought the one I made with your father held up.” Beth replied.

  Germaine shook his head and took a sip of wine. Beth just stared at him as she raked her claws against the table.

  “Careful, I just bought this table, cost me a fortune.” Germaine hissed.

  ”Really? Here I was thinking you were a rich bastard.” Beth cackled.

  A wicked grin spread across her face as she trotted over to Germaine. He put down his wine glass and began to rummage through his pocket as she approached. Beth glared down at Germaine as he pulled out a 1911 and pressed it against her forehead. Despite the cold of the metal against her scales, she didn’t break eye contact with him.

  ”Think a bullet is going to stop me?” She growled.

  ”Since when did you get so… violent?” Germaine asked.

  ”Darling, I was always like this.” Beth cooed.

  Germaine pressed his index to the trigger and watched as Beth’s pupils shrank. Then pain shot through his chest and the gun fell from his grasp. Beth gave a low growl and leaned in closer to her prey.

  ”Next time, don’t be late.” She spat.

  Beth removed her claw from his chest before heading outside. Just before she reached the exit, the kitchen door swung open, causing Beth to turn around. It was Tony, who had come out of the kitchen wearing a chef’s apron and carrying a plate of spaghetti. He glanced over at her and then at Germaine, whose body was slumped over the table. Beth looked at Tony and put a claw to her lips before scurrying out of the restaurant. She darted down the street as Tony rushed back into the kitchen in a panic. She could hear him yelling as she sprinted down an alleyway.