I smiled as I felt fingertips run through my hair. I opened my eyes sluggishly, letting the handsome man sitting on the floor beside me come into view.

"Hi you." I said as I stroked his cheek. In return, he pressed his face into my palm, his eyes tightly closed.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I was being stupid." I sighed, the roughness of his facial hair comforting me. "I'm just scared right now. I just don't want to lose you."

He kissed my palm. "I'm yours, Gwen. For as long as I live."

Sensing the openness I'd longed for, I confessed my feelings. "I've never been this in love before. It really does scare me."

"That makes two of us." He traced the veins in my wrist with his lips. "You mean the world to me."

"Me too." I giggled. "But about you."

He opened his eyes, green seas staring deeply into mine with all the honesty he could give. "There's no one else. As long as you'll allow me, I'll always be devoted to you. I swear."

"I believe you, Jacob." I lifted my head from the pillow and kissed him. "Maybe we need to take some time to get used to these feelings. I'm not going anywhere so we have all the time in the world. Our relationship's been running full speed since the moment we met. Let's just stroll along instead of rushing to the finish line. You know what I mean?"

He nodded slowly. "Of course, my darling."

"Why, Jacob Frye, you're actually being reasonable for once."

"I can be when it serves a purpose." He shot me a raised eyebrow smile. "However, I won't stop seducing you at every opportunity."

I laughed as I hauled him on top of me. "Do your worst, Mr. Frye. Just remember: turnabout is fair play."

"Oh, I intended to, Miss King." Lowering his body onto mine, he laughed. "I intend to."

His kiss was like fire as he shoved himself into me, letting me feel his muscles tense just from my nearness. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, drawing in as much of him as I could. He made me weak with need every time he touched me; he was the most profound drug I'd ever taken. As he pulled back and I left out a grunt of annoyance due to the loss.

"As much as I'd love to have you, my darling," he rumbled, slowly moving back until he was hovering above me. "I need your talents."

I smirked as I dragged him down again. "Whatever you like, Jacob dear. Twice if you're a good boy."

"As tempting as it is, those aren't the talents I require. At least, not at the moment." He teased before sitting up completely while simultaneously pulling me into his side so he could play with my hair. "I need help with a job."

I smiled up at him. He hadn't asked me to help with a job since my return and, though I saw the other Rooks almost daily on the train, I was eager to earn my way again. "What kind of a job?"

He grinned. "A simple one. Fair warning, though, you won't like it very much."

I shrugged. "As long as I'm getting paid, I can handle anything. Just tell me what you want me to do."

An hour later, I looked down at the obscenely low neckline of the emerald green dress he'd chosen for me to wear and realized I wasn't willing to do anything after all. Shooting him a sidelong glance, I grumbled, "I hate you."

He laughed as he unlooped our arms. "I told you you wouldn't like it. Still, you really are lovely in green. Remember what I told you?"
"Don't I always?" I shot him a dirty look but repeated his instructions anyway. "Trip, swoon, distract. The rest is on you."

He flicked the tip of my nose playfully. "That's my clever darling. I'll see you shortly."

"Wait. We haven't discussed my pay yet." I called after him as he headed toward the alleyway. "I better be getting good money for this."

"Of course," he answered. "So long as you earn it."

I rolled my eyes and started walking in the other direction. Less than a block away, I saw the police coach moving slowly down the road in front of me. I stood at the crosswalk, tugging at the hem of my dress to give the coach a few seconds to approach before I ventured out into the street pretending to be oblivious.

"Whoa now!" The driver called suddenly, bringing the coach to a stop only a few feet from me. "Clear the way."

"I'm so sorry," I muttered as I staggered back and swooned, resting my hand on my forehead for dramatic effect. I continued to sway for a few seconds before gracefully falling to my knees. "Oh my."

"Miss," one of the officers on the coach hollered as he jumped down and hurried over to me. Helping me to my feet, he asked, "Are you all right, Miss?"

"I'm… I'm not sure." I gripped his forearm, pretending to still feel weak. "I suddenly feel so dizzy. Perhaps if I sit down."

"Of course, Miss." Covering my hand with his, he gingerly led me to a covered bench in front of a nearby building. Once comfortably seated, he smiled. "Better?"

Before I could answer, the driver called out, "Hurry up, Jonesy."

As he started to turn to his companion, I took his hand, drawing his eyes back to me, and smiled. "Thank you so much. You've been such a gentleman. I hate to be a bother, but could you stay with me just a moment longer."

He glanced down at our joined hands before returning my smile, a slight blush creeping along his collar to his cheeks. "No bother a'tall, Miss. Shall I fetch you a doctor?"

I shook my head. "No, thank you. I'll be fine, I think. I'm beginning to feel a little better already."

He was still smiling when Jacob came up behind him and wrapped his arms around the officer's eyes and throat, cutting off his air supply. He struggled against Jacob before he began to slowly relax before losing consciousness and finally going limp. I quickly swept the street for witnesses while Jacob hoisted the young officer over his shoulder and carried him back to the coach where he tossed him inside with three other unconscious officers. With a slam of the door, he turned to me with a smile.

"Well done, darling." He grabbed me around the waist and kissed me. "You were marvelous."

"As much as I hate to interrupt," A man dressed in a gray double-breasted suit and wire-framed glasses said. "I don't think we wanna be here when they wake up."

"Not interested in going with them anymore?" Jacob teased, letting me down but keeping hold of my hand. "C'mon. Let's go talk business."

"I'll head back to the train then." I started to tug my hand out of his, but he pulled back.

"Not going to finish the job, Miss King?"

I turned to look at his smug grin. "Coming, Mr. Frye."

"Ned Wynert, allow me to introduce Gwen King," Jacob said as we made our way onto another street where he hailed a cab for us. Once inside, he finished, "Gwen, Ned Wynert. He... works in transportation."

"Pleasure, Miss King." Ned nodded politely. "So, the job?"

Jacob relaxed into the slow-moving carriage. "I need a train to procure some cargo."

Ned scoffed. "That all?"

"That's all." Jacob reached into his coat and retrieved a folded sheet of paper. Handing it to Ned, he explained. "Everything you need to know is there. Once we have it, you'll get your usual rate."

Ned scanned the page cautiously. "It's a big job. Might need a little extra to pull it off. Say, twenty percent?"

"Or I could just take you back where I found you." Jacob raised an eyebrow. "So, you'll be ready?"

Ned nodded as they shook hands. "You got yourself a train, Frye. I'll be ready."

With the deal done, Jacob and I got off at the closest station to wait for the train. Finding a relatively dark corner far from prying eyes, he drew me in and kissed me passionately.

"You really were marvelous, darling," he whispered as he leaned me against a wall. "Absolutely marvelous."

"Jacob, I feel bad about what we did," I confessed, remembering the young officer's expression. "Wasn't there another way?"

"Hmm." He nibbled my chin. "I can think of several ways right now."

"I didn't mean that." I placed my hands against his chest, forcing some distance between us before he robbed me of all my good sense. "It just feels like you're more interested in doing what you want than protecting London from the Templars. We should be helping Evie find the Shroud."

He groaned. "Taking down Starrick's forces will cripple the Templars in London. Defeat them, then we can search for the Shroud."

"You say that like you don't believe it's real." The look on his face made me shake my head. "I can't believe you sometimes. You saw the Wheel. You know the pieces of Eden are powerful and very much real."

"I know that rock took you away from me, but we have it now." He flicked my nose. "Once London is free, we'll take whatever bobble the Templars have. Trust me, darling."

"I do trust you." I sighed, giving up trying to convince him. "We'll do it your way. I just hope you're right."

He grinned. "Aren't I always?"

I rolled my eyes. "Stubborn and smug. What am I going to do with you?"

"I still have a few ideas if you're game." He kissed me again just as the now familiar whistle of Bertha rang through the station.

"Too bad it's time to go." I left his embrace only for him to grab my wrist and pull me back.

With a wicked grin, he said, "We'll catch it later."

Feeling mischievous, I pushed him away and ran toward the train. I heard him chuckling just steps behind me as I grabbed the handrail and boarded. As I made it into the car and was about to shut the door on him, he caught it and forced his way in. I took several steps back, giggling while he stalked toward me.

"Wicked girl," he growled, the smile never leaving him. "I'll teach you to run away from me."

"Oh good. You're back." Evie said casually just as he was about to grab me. Stepping between us, she handed me an envelope. "Gwen, would you be so kind as to take this message to Mr. Green and wait for his response?"

"Not now." Jacob sidestepped her and took my hand, hauling me into his arms. "We have messengers for that, you know."

She narrowed her eyes. "This is too important for your ruffians. Honestly, Jacob. Gwen can speak for herself."

He stiffened. "I speak for her."

"Excuse me. I don't think so." I interjected. "Gwen can speak for herself and she – I – don't like being talked about like I'm not here."

"Fine." He tugged away and headed for the sofa. "But hurry back. We still have work to do."

I nodded and followed Evie out to the platform. I could tell by her posture something was on her mind but waited until we were out of earshot to ask. "What's wrong, bestie?"

She just shook her head. "It's nothing."

"You passing up a chance to see Henry is something." I nudged her shoulder. "So, spill it."

"I'd like to keep some distance between myself and Mr. Green for the time being." She sighed. "To ensure personal feelings don't compromise the mission."

I rolled my eyes and groaned. "Let me guess. Jacob's wisdom, right?"

"He has a point."

"No, he doesn't." I stepped in front of her. "Evie, what's the point in protecting freedom if you can't enjoy it? You deserve to be happy too and Henry makes you happy."

"But –"

I cut her off. "No but's. What does your heart say?"

"That Henry is a gentle, kind man and…" A smile crept onto her face and lit her eyes. "I'm quite fond of him."

I smiled as I slid the note back into her hands. "Go see him. Just remember to tell me all about it when you get back."

"Thank you." The double whistle of the train sounded suddenly. "I'll see you soon."

I climbed back aboard just as the train got underway again, my joy morphing into annoyance when I saw Jacob casually sprawled out on the sofa.

"Well, that didn't take long." He patted his lap. "Shall we?"

"Why did you tell Evie not to get involved with Henry Green?" I demanded, making sure he heard my irritation in every word. "You had no right interfering with their relationship."

"Why are you encouraging her?" He shot back, matching me tone for tone. "Our parents were assassins and look where they ended up?"

"In a long and happy marriage based on love and trust?" I huffed. "If only we could all be so lucky."

"Dead." He snapped. "They're dead."

"That doesn't mean Henry and Evie will end up that way." I threw my hands in the air. "She loves him."

"Then I pity her." His eyes widened, realizing what he'd said, but the damage was already done.

"Is that really how you feel?" I asked softly, trying to keep my voice even.

"Darling, I didn't mean – I only meant –" He ran his fingers through his hair nervously. "I love you, Gwen."

"That's not an answer." I left out a bitter laugh. "The worst part is that I can't even get mad at you for it. You're just being who you are."
"Gwen." He stood and tried to take me in his arms, but I held up a hand to stop him. "Darling."

"We can't do this now. You have a job to do." I lowered my hand. "We'll talk when you come back."

"You're not coming?"

I shook my head. "I won't be any use to you. Just be careful and come back in one piece."

As he started to leave, he paused and caught my hand. Giving it a tender squeeze, he whispered, "I do love you. You know that."

I nodded but didn't meet his eyes. I didn't want him to worry that he'd made me cry.