night. She was shivering, yet she was still displaying as much of her

emaciated

body as she could, hoping to attract some customers. She obviously needed

money

very badly. Perhaps she could not afford to turn him down.

"Evenin', luv," said Joey, stepping up to her and trying hard to sound

casual.

"Nice night for a stroll, eh? 'Ow's about—"

Mary recoiled from him in disgust. " 'G-wahn wif ya!" she shrilled. "Git out

of

it, ya ugly brute! Gorblimey, what a bloody stench—"

Without thinking, Joey uncorked a right cross at her jaw and dropped her like

stone. He stood there, quivering with fury, his fists clenched, and he felt

like

giving her a savage kick in the ribs for good measure before he left, but

then

another idea occurred to him. He quickly looked around, picked the

unconscious

whore up by the ankles, and dragged her into a dark alley.

He quickly tore off all her clothing. So what if she was unconscious? He'd

have

her, anyway, leave her to come to naked in the alley. It would serve her

right,

he thought. Maybe he'd even wait around till she came to and pound on her

some

more, make her beg for it, beat some of that bloody arrogance out of her.

"Serve the bleedin' bitch right if I killed 'er," Joey said, the hate boiling

up

within him.

"Why don't you?" a soft voice behind him said.

Joey gasped and spun around, the color draining from his face.

About twenty feet away, near the mouth of the alley, stood a strikingly

good-looking man dressed in elegant evening clothes with a generous amount of

lace at the throat and cuffs. A long, dark coat was thrown over his

shoulders.

He was clean-shaven, with an angular jaw and high cheekbones. His mouth was

wide

and sensual, his green eyes had a mocking, knowing look. His hair was flaming

red, full in the front, and swept back at the sides. He slowly sauntered

toward

Joey, a wry smile on his face.

"Go on," he said, casually lighting a cigarette. "Kill her. You know you want

to."

"'Ere, stay back, you!" yelled Joey, panicking. "You stop right there! You

stay

away from me!"

The red-haired man stopped momentarily and smiled in a friendly manner.

"No need to be afraid, Joey," he said. "I won't harm you. In fact, I