Chapter twenty-one: All I know

"I love her." Thomas stated, holding her father's gaze. He knew there was no lying to him, Kovach was a clever man, and he knew already and wanted confirmation.

"So, I suspected." Her father exhaled deeply. "This is an unexpected turn of events."

"I wasn't expecting to fall in love with Kate," he stated honestly. "She's such a wonderful woman. Kind, intelligent, gentle and loyal."

"I know that." he exhales and rubs a weary brow

"Do you disapprove of me pursuing her?" Thomas asks. "Even if you do, I will not let her go."

"Why would I disapprove?" Kovach glowers at him. "I specifically said I didn't want her to marry that German." Thomas relaxes slightly as he sits down opposite Mr. Kovach. "However, after this incident, it's becoming less about him being German and more about him being clearly unsuitable for her. Does she love you?"

"I believe she does."

"That's good. I started to suspect that things had changed at the ball, when you wanted to walk her home. But today, your actions today confirmed my suspicions."

"Kate's just holding back."

He nods. "I can understand that. You've seen how Willow is towards her."

Thomas pauses for a moment before saying. "I know, she suffered a lot, but I don't understand how she can push her daughter like that."

"Mr. Shelby," Mr. Kovach says in a firm voice. "the first time I saw Willow, she was tied to a kitchen table, being violated by two men, one woman and a broken broom handle." Thomas blinked in shock at those words. Mr. Kovach's words hit him hard. "I didn't even ask questions, I shot them where they stood. I thank God everyday that the strap on my canteen broke, forcing me to go to that ranch to ask for water. He stills for a moment before stating. "Willow was only 18 when I found her. She always wears gloves, to hide the scars from where she'd been chained to various spots in that hovel. the first few months with her were difficult until, the best thing in my life happened to me," he smiles. "I got bit by a rattlesnake."

Thomas blinks. "How can that be the best thing to have happened to you?"

"Apparently, I said a bunch of things to Willow while fighting off a fever, including that I loved her, while fighting the fever." He chuckles. "No one had told her they'd loved her in almost ten years, so, you can imagine how hard it was for her to hear that. I figured it out what I must have said and finally told her how I felt about her. she told me everything in her past that had happened that night. I think she thought it would chase me away, but, it didn't and I asked her to marry me. as you can see, obviously, she agreed to marry me. a few weeks after that, I struck silver and made my fortune. Willow never said that she loved me until she gave birth to our son Matthew. After that, marital bliss reigned and we were very happy." His face grows serious. "She is a good mother, she always was. I never saw her past start to bother her until the war and Matthew's death upset her far more than she'll ever admit. She sees him on occasion, in her dreams, which she does discuss with me if I ask her about them." he exhales and downs his drink. "Make no mistake, Willow is not an easy woman to love, but she is my woman. No one else is supposed to love her."

Thomas nods before asking. "How many people know about her past?"

"Matthew, Kate, Emmett and now you."

"Why do you think she told me?" he asks. "I'm not family."

"You were so busy shouting at Emmett, that I don't think you realize that my wife was taking your words personally. Because she was in the room and siding with Emmet for the moment, your words could also be aimed at her. She is very defensive about her behavior and most likely felt the need to prove you wrong."

"I'll explain it that it wasn't that way at all. I was objecting to her 'fiance's' treatment towards Kate."

"No need, I told her it was over and so it is."

Thomas finishes his whiskey. "Thank you for confiding in me. I give you my word; I won't say a thing about her past. But if I'm going to marry your daughter, I need to know and understand her mother better."

he nods. "I agree. However, you do have one other problem though. What are you going to do when Kate finds out about the deal we had?"

"She won't. I'm going to break our deal." He states. "You can keep the money and first thing tomorrow, you call your men back."

"That's foolish."

"You and your men did the heavy work already. The Eden Club belongs to the Peaky Blinders."

"You're carrying out an assassination for Churchill." He points out. "Men like that will want to keep you quiet."

"I'm aware, but if I accept anything from you that was a part of the bargain, I'm dishonoring her." he exhales. "I've made arrangements with my sister in case something should go wrong. I'm working with my men to come up with a plan to handle the assassination without your help."

"My head says you're an idiot, but the father in me says you're worthy of my daughter." He stands up and holds his hand to Thomas. "If Kate wants to marry you, you have my blessing. All I've ever wanted was for her to be happy."

Thomas nods. "Thank you. I give you my word, she'll always be safe and loved with me. " he shakes his hand firmly before glancing upwards. "I'm going to go check on her."

"I'll let you go. Will you be joining us for dinner?"

He shakes his head. "I'm not hungry."

Mr. Kovach lets out an understanding chuckle as Thomas leaves the library and hurries up the stairs. He can hear Kate in the room, she's crying again. he pushes the door open, to see her sitting up on the bed, her hands over her eyes. She looks at him, tears swimming in her green eyes. "Help…me."

However, he's already across the room and holding her before she can even say, 'me'. he pulls her into his arms and holds onto her. "I've got you." she exhales raggedly and immediately gets her tears under control. His mind is racing as he looks around this room, it's too confining. She needs some air. "Do you want to get out of here?" she nods and he lifts her up from the bed. "Right, we're going to go for a ride."

Kate opens her eyes as Thomas stops the car. She sits up as he gets out of the car and helps her out. the grass tickles her bare feet as she stares at the beautiful view before them. "Where are we?"

"Dunno exactly," she smiles faintly at his accent. "found it one day a few years back. Can see all of London." She nods as he pulls out a few blankets from the back seat of the car and moves a short distance from the car. She helps him spread the blankets on the ground before lying down on them to look up at the sky.

Thomas removes his gun, putting it within reach, should he need it. he lies down beside her, propped up on his side, keeping an eye on her. She smiles faintly. "You don't have to worry about me, Thomas. I feel much better now."

"Eh, maybe I want to worry about you." he states as he runs his knuckle down her arm. "I don't want to see anyone hurt you like that again."

"I'm sure he had the best intentions."

"So was the road to Hell, from what I've heard."

She exhales as she looks up at the sky above them. "Tell me, if we were married…where would you have taken me for our honeymoon?"

"Anywhere you wanted, but, if I were to surprise you, somewhere with a beach. You like to stay close to home, so, maybe Ireland." She smiles, causing him to grin. "Did I guess right?"

She nods. "Yes. How do you that?"

"You seem like the kind of girl who'd enjoy walking along the beach, a romp in a field of heather, picnic by a river or a night under the stars in a forest."

"That… does sound rather nice." She bites her lip before asking. "About France, do you think I-

"No." he shakes his head. "I saw France too. I'm never going back there." he places a hand on hers. "He knew your wishes and deliberately went against them."

She sniffled and kept her gaze fixed on the horizon. "You must think me to be a weak, hysterical woman after today."

Thomas exhales deeply as he moves closer to her, holding her hand tightly. "I think…you're a very strong woman, who couldn't hold it back any longer. Hey, look at me." she looks at him, her gaze dancing nervously over his face. She can't look him dead in the eye because he saw her weak and vulnerable. "You've spent so much time trying to help others like Arthur that you forgot to take care of yourself." He leans forward kiss her. "It's time, you start looking out for yourself," she closes her eyes as she feels his lips lightly against her cheek. He starts kissing his way towards her mouth. "and let me take care of you."

Her arms go around his neck and she clings to him as Thomas kisses her deeply. her head is spinning as they fall back onto the blankets. She moans as she feels him between her legs, something subconsciously prompts her to move her hips against him. he lets out a groan and starts moving against her entrance, causing heat to flood her entire body. She grabs a hold of his shoulders, her fingers digging in tight as she wraps her legs around his waist.

Her world is spinning out of control, but she wants this, she wants him. Thomas frees her blouse from the waistband of her skirt. She moans, arching under his touch as he runs his hand up her stomach, towards her heaving breast. When he finally touches her there, she cries out against his mouth. He takes advantage of that moment to slip his tongue inside her mouth. She needs him, he's filled with a hunger that matches hers; a hunger that she didn't even know needed to be satisfied.

He breaks the kiss, his gaze going to her legs. He uses a knee to spread her legs a bit wider. She inhales as he runs a knuckle along the inside of her thigh before slipping his hand inside her undergarments. "God!" She cries out, digging her nails into the grass as she feels a finger inside her wet, throbbing heat. "Thomas!" she closes her eyes, arching against the sensation.

Thomas lets out a long, hard groan. Then, he suddenly curses, removes his hand and rolls off her! Kate opens her eyes and turns her head to look at him. He's looking up at the sky, breathing hard, a clenched fist on his stomach and he's rubbing his eyes with his other hand. "F**king hell Kate. I'm sorry."

She's confused, she can't comprehend why he stopped. Her hearts pounding in her chest, her body is warm and throbbing and she wants more. She looks at him. "I-I don't…understand." He looks at her as she struggles to understand him. "I thought…I thought you wanted me."

"I do want you Kate." he turns towards her, running a hand down her cheek. "God knows how much I want you now."

"You can have me now." She reaches for his hand and holds it tightly. "You want me. You've always wanted me."

"I still do…but it's because I love you, I'm going to stop this now."

"But-

"Kate, you're still upset about today. I know the feeling, I've tried to find comfort with a woman or two and right now, I just happen to be the nearest man for you. I want better for you. do you understand me?"

She sighs in disappointment and nods at him. "I do." She exhales. "Of all the times…for you to be a gentleman."

"Well, a gentleman" his tone makes her turns towards him as he runs his hand down the front of her stomach. "wouldn't offer to…how shall I say it? help you find your satisfaction without compromising your virtue."

She laughs lightly. "That's not really you."

"No, it's not."

"Say it your way then." She nods and wraps her arms around his neck. "I trust you, Thomas."

"Oh, you know me, I wouldn't tell you." she gasps as that finger slides inside her again. "I'd just do it to you." she whimpers as he slides a second finger inside her, his voice low and rough as he starts pumping his fingers inside her. She moans and tightens her muscles, drawing him in a bit further than intended, causing her to cry out at the intrusion. "Relax, relax," he says gently. "it's alright, close your eyes, breathe and let me love you Kate." she does as he says. Kate closes her eyes, lets Thomas Shelby take her down an untraveled road, and she knows that she'll never be able to come back from this road again.

Guest: I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Idcam: Yes, Rosemary certain takes after Polly, it should be interesting when those two meet, if they get to meet in this story.

Thehoodedassassin: Lol, you were correct about the surprises. Things got a little steamy in this chapter between those two.