Chapter ten: Every drop of blood

Two days.

It had rained for two days and Thomas never called her father in those two days. Kate had no idea what was going on. There were so many emotions pulsating through her that she hardly knew what to do with herself. Those few months had made it clear that she no longer fit into her once close family. She missed Thomas desperately, but she was also terrified that he'd used whatever line he needed to get her on her back so he could have her one more time.

She was anxious, upset and then her father had dropped a bomb on the entire family by announcing that they were moving to Italy! Apparently, her father had wanted to visit some long lost relatives that she'd never heard of! He'd been tense the last two days and Kate couldn't help but wonder if they were in some trouble that he wasn't going to reveal it to her or anyone else for their safety. Everyone in their little village was constantly watching her, as if they could detect the scent of Thomas Shelby on her and wished to avoid her lest they be tainted by her decision to bed a man who would never be one of them.

Unable to take in that news in the small cottage, she'd gone outside for a walk in the forest without a hat or coat. The rain felt refreshing against her skin and she let her hair down, drinking in the peaceful moment. She inhaled and exhaled, breathing in the rich, earthy scent of the air. Kate closed her eyes, looking upward at the sky and living in the moment. She felt peace, but she felt so very alone and as if something was missing.

A branch snapping behind her caused Kate whirled around. To her surprise, Thomas Shelby was standing there, his fists clenched at his sides and he was breathing hard. The rain was dripping off his hair and his perfect cheekbones. That was the finest she'd ever seen him look.

She inhaled, her heart pounding madly in her chest, forcing herself to remain calm. However, Thomas found the words first. "Marry me Kate." He didn't even give her time to think. The words just came out as if he'd been holding them back for too long. "Today."

She blinked. "Yes." He moved towards her and she held a hand out to stop him. "I mean, I can't." His mouth covered hers, causing her to moan as he kissed her passionately. She wanted to resist him, but she so desperately wanted to be with him. After a few moments she broke the kiss. "I can't marry you without my father's permission. It's not right."

"I don't care." He exhaled deeply. "I'll f**king steal you."

She blinks in shock at him. "You would?"

"Yes, I love you that f**king much." His face gave her no cause to doubt him.

She hesitates before asking. "You never called my father. Why?"

"I did, I swear it Kate." He exhales. "I asked him twice. I offered him 500,000 pounds for your hand."

She blinked in shock. "What?"

"He refused."

"But he-

"I cannot go one more day without you as my wife." He grips her shoulders. "Don't refuse me Kate."

Damn, she was a fool. Every single time she was near this man, her head stopped working and her heart took over. She held his gaze as she stated boldly. "Then take me."

Thomas didn't hesitate. He took her firmly by the hand and pulled her alongside the edge of the river. "Your father, has plans to see you married to someone else. But by tonight, you'll be married to me."

"I thought…you didn't want me anymore." He stopped short, spinning her around to look at him. "I hadn't heard a word from you."

"I called you twice, your father hung up, so I had men waiting to tell me when you went off alone." He exhaled, backing her up against a tree to slide a hand up her skirt, causing her to gasp at the light burn his fingers blazed along her skin. "I never stopped wanting you. I f**king want you now."

"Thomas." She gasped as he kissed her. "Not now."

"Now."

"No." she exhaled. "God, I want you so much, I can't believe I'm actually saying no to you. But you're not even supposed to see me till we marry!" He lets out an exhaled of exasperation. "So, let's not tempt fate anymore."

"Superstitious?"

"Only when it comes to you. You make me question everything."

Thomas smiled faintly before gripped her hand and guiding her up towards the road. He helped her up onto the road and from there, she saw his car. He opened the door for her and she scrambled in. she tugged on his arm, pulling him into the seat beside her.

He closed the door and ordered the chauffeur. "Nearest registry office."

"What?" Kate jumps at the sound of another man's voice. She looks up and exhales as she sees Johnny Dogs in the front seat. "Tommy, that's Gold's oldest daughter, Kate."

"Yes."

"What's she doin' coming with us?"

Kate smiles as Thomas states bluntly. "She's marrying me." Johnny's mouth drops open in shock. "We'll need you to perform the blood ceremony afterwards, making it legitimate."

"No." Johnny states with a shake of his head. "I want no part in this!"

"Johnny-

"No tom."

"And why not?" Kate inquired. "You surely wouldn't deny us the right of a blood bond!"

"Your father will kill me without a second thought."

"And you think I won't?" Thomas states firmly.

Johnny isn't fazed by Thomas's threat. "I'm too valuable tom, and you know it. Besides, why are you two getting married like this? Things have to be done proper and-

"We don't care for proper right now." Kate says calmly. "Neither of us."

Johnny blinks and states. "Christ Tom! You didn't!"

"Didn't what?"

"Get her up the duff!"

"Oh, for God's sake!" Kate blushes hard.

Thomas, however, if he is embarrassed he doesn't show it. "Work in progress, Johnny."

Johnny stares. "You already….why am I even asking this?" he shakes his head. "You don't understand I'll be the one in trouble for this!"

"I need to be with him." Kate's tone causes Johnny to pause. "Thomas did everything properly and according to tradition. My father, rejected his offers, so Thomas came and asked me to marry him."

"She accepted," Thomas stated as he pulled her into his side. "and I'm making sure that no one is taking her away from me. My girl's got the wild heart of a gypsy and I'm marrying her, with or without the bond. So, best make up your mind Johnny of who you're standing with."

That evening.

Kate let out a moan as Thomas kissed the shallow cut on her hand. He smiled faintly as he brushed her hair back from her face. "No going back now, wife."

"I know." She kissed him back. The ceremony had gone beautifully. It was in a registry office, she didn't have a wedding dress, but it felt like them. Johnny had finally caved and cut their hands. This whole thing was forbidden, yet exciting. Thomas hadn't taken her home, he took her to a fancy hotel and had the staff set up the bridal suite. They'd eaten downstairs first, and then Thomas took her up to their suite where he laid claim to her for the last few hours. "How could something so wrong…feel so right?"

"My beautiful Kate." he exhales deeply as he runs a finger over her collarbone. "Could have lost you so easy for a stupid penny bet."

Kate runs a hand down his cheek. "I'm glad you didn't. I really wasn't sure if you were going to force me that day."

"I wouldn't have forced you." He kisses her nose. "I knew I'd get you in the end."

"Arrogant sod." She lets out a sigh as she snuggles closer to him. "Do you know…I was supposed to marry John?" he frowns, causing her to smile inwardly. It would be a good reminder to him in the years to come not to take her for granted. "I was, but I refused and Esme was the second choice."

"I didn't."

"I crashed into you at John's wedding and I remember looking at you and thinking to myself, 'dear God, what if I made a mistake?" imagine my relief when I found out your name wasn't John."

He nods. "I remember you. Thought you were a pretty girl. I looked for you at the party, but didn't see you."

"Why were you looking for me?"

He smiles at her. "What do you think?"

She chuckles as he kisses her neck. "I can't possibly imagine." He arches a silent brow at her. "If I had been married to john …there was no way I wouldn't have fallen in love with you. And I don't think John being your brother would have stopped you, if you felt the same as I did."

Thomas shrugs. "Might have happened. John would have been p**sed."

"I think, a part of me knew the moment I saw you that…you were the man for me."

"I can't swear to it was that exact moment, but," he gets ontop of her. "let's just say….that I knew that I needed to have you with me for the rest of our lives. And now, I have you," he leaned forward to kiss her. "and I don't intend to let you go."

She smiles as she firmly grasps his hand in hers. He glances down at their hands as she whispers. "I'm yours…till the last drop of blood flows from my veins Mr. Shelby." After those words were spoken, Kate surrendered to burning passion her husband released on her. She made a note to talk about children names, she knew it was just a matter of time before she became a mother for the first time.