Disgusted with Malvey's loud talk and his raw attitude toward Boca,
Pete sat in the moon-flung shadows of the portal and smoked and gazed
at the stars. He was half-asleep when he heard Boca tell Malvey that
he was a pig and the son of a pig. Malvey laughed. There came the
sound of a scuffle. Pete glanced over his shoulder. Malvey had his
arm around the girl and was trying to kiss her. Flores was watching
them, grinning in a kind of drunken indifference.
Pete hesitated. He was there on sufferance--a stranger. After all,
this was none of his business. Boca's father and mother were also
there . . .
Boca screamed. Malvey let go of her and swung round as Pete stepped
up. "What's the idee, Malvey?"
"You don't draw no cards in this deal," snarled Malvey.
"Then we shuffle and cut for a new deal," said Pete.
Malvey's loose mouth hardened as he backed toward the corner of the
room, where Boca cringed, her hands covering her face. Suddenly the
girl sprang up and caught Malvey's arm, "No! No!" she cried.
He flung her aside and reached for his gun--but Pete was too quick for
him.
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