Silver Linings

I would like to take some of your paintings back with me.”
    Silk put one elbow on the table and rested his broad chin on his hand. “Do you like it slow and easy or hard and fast?” he asked. “I can go either way, but they don't call me Silk for nothin'. I'm at my best when I'm going slow and easy. Maybe with you on top, huh? You're kind of a little thing, and I wouldn't want to accidentally squash you. Yeah, I think slow and easy would be best.”
    Mattie groaned and reluctantly got to her feet. “I think we had better have this conversation at some other time, Silk.”
    “Nonsense. We're doing just fine, Mattie Sharpe. Sit down and keep talking.” Silk's big hand snaked out with an astonishingly quick, flashing movement, locking around her wrist. There was enormous strength in his fingers.
    Mattie gasped as she was jerked back down onto her seat. She stared at the huge paw wrapped around her wrist. Artists were notoriously difficult at times, but this was getting out of hand.
    “Let go of me,” Mattie said very firmly.
    “Now, now, don't be in such a rush, honeypot. Bernard'll be here with your iced tea in a minute or two, and you can drink it while we talk. Then we'll just wander down to the Griffin and fuck each other's brains out. How does that sound?”
    “I said, let go of me.”
    “Now, honeypot, don't go getting impatient. I told you, slow and easy. All in good time.” Silk leered happily at her. “I'll be at my best after another couple of drinks. Smooth as Silk, like they say.”
    “I have no intention of seeing you at your best.” Mattie snatched up his half-finished whiskey with her free hand and hurled the contents straight in Silk's face. The big man yelped and his grip slackened slightly on her wrist. She yanked her hand free and stepped quickly back out of reach.
    “Hey, man, what do you think you're doing?” one of the sailors bellowed, getting to his feet. “Let the lady alone.”
    “Yeah, let the little gal alone!” yelled another man at the same table. “She'd much rather have some civilized company, I'll bet. Wouldn't ya, lady?” The second sailor stood up also, staggering slightly as he found his balance.
    The rest of the men at the table quickly got to their feet, exhibiting varying degrees of stability.
    Instantly chair legs scraped on the scarred wooden floor of the Hellfire as everyone else in the room scrambled to his feet. Enthusiastic shouts rose to a clamor.
    Silk lost interest in Mattie at once. His whole face glowed with a beatific expression as he rose majestically. “Well, now, lads, looks like we have us a slight difference of opinion here. What say we settle the matter like the gentlemen we all are?”
    “Any time, Silk. We'll back you against these sweet little Navy pussies any time. You just say the word.’
    Silk glanced over his shoulder at Mattie. “Don't go nowhere now, Mattie Sharpe. I'll be through here in just a minute or two, and we can carry on right where we left off.”
    With a roar, Silk launched himself toward the group of sailors. The regular patrons of the Hellfire followed suit.
    Mattie was stunned by the speed with which the brawl erupted. With one hand instinctively going to her throat, she sidestepped to avoid a flying chair. Then she backed hurriedly toward the door.
    A man who had apparently abandoned shaving and deodorant upon moving to St. Gabriel made a grab for her arm. “What d'ya say we just kind o' slide on outa here, sweetheart? Nobody's gonna miss us.”
    Mattie rammed her elbow into the man's ribs and extricated herself from his grasp when he bent double. She fumbled with the catch of her shoulder bag.
    “Can you hear me, Silk?” she called out above the din.
    “I can hear you just fine, Mattie Sharpe. Be right with you.” Silk smashed a beefy fist into a hapless face and turned to show Mattie a wide grin.
    Mattie plucked one of her business cards out of her purse and waved it in the air. “I'm going to leave my card here on the bar. I'll look you up tomorrow morning when you're, uh, recovered. I really feel we can do business together, and I—Oh!”
    Mattie's voice rose on a yelp of alarm as her business card was snapped out of her fingers. A familiar male hand closed around her arm with a force that was just short of bruising.
    “Damn,” said Hugh. “I should have known. Can't leave you alone for a minute, can I?”
    “ Hugh .” Mattie breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank heavens it's you. I don't mind