Well, so much for that. He wasn’t going to lead Ada into something with a man who would prefer many treasures to just one. Ada wasn’t that kind of woman.
“Are you going to say good evening?”
He finally turned to her stoically. “‘Evening, Ada. Emmaline.”
Emmaline, from her place beside Ada, eyed him with interest. “Where’s your smile tonight, Jonny?”
“He’s focused,” Rhys answered for him, for once on his side. “As he should be.”
“Don’t listen to Captain Grumpy over here,” Tommy said as he and Minnie joined them. “He just likes having company.”
Jonny managed to join them in a chuckle for that, although he remained somewhat silent as the rest of them conversed. He was too busy lost in the ramifications of what his actions tonight would be. Best case, no one would notice a thing. Worst case… well, his entire life as he knew it could be completely destroyed.
He sat through their chatter, finished his ale, and then decided now was as good of a time as any. That, and he had scouted the police office for a few days. This was the time when the fewest men would be on duty.
“It’s been a long day, so I think I’m going to head out early. Goodnight,” he said, hoping his yawn was convincing as he rose and made his farewells before heading to the men’s room and then slipping out the back door, not wanting to catch anyone’s attention.
No such luck. There she was, waiting for him in the alleyway, arms crossed, an unreadable expression on her face. Jonny sighed.
"What are you doing out here, Ada?"
"I think you know," she said evenly. "You're going after that ledger tonight, aren't you?"
He glanced around furtively. "Keep your voice down! I don't know what you're talking about."
She stepped closer, her voice lowering to an urgent whisper. "Don't play games with me, Jonny Tate. I saw the look on your face in there. You're planning something reckless and stupid, and I'm not about to let you endanger everything you've built here."
Anger flared in his chest. "It's not your concern, all right? I'm handling it."
"Like hell you are," she hissed. "You'll get yourself arrested or worse. Let me help you."
"No!" The word came out harsher than he intended. He took a breath, trying to gentle his tone. "No. I appreciate theoffer, but I need to do this alone. The less you're involved, the better. You cannot be caught having any part of this. Your life would be ruined.”
“As opposed to yours?”
“I’ll be fine.”
She let out a wry laugh. “Jonny. My life is already ruined if it follows its current trajectory. At least let me help you. You stole this to help our friends. I’ll steal it back with you.”
He reached out, placing his hands on her shoulders. As much as he didn’t want to deny her of anything she asked, there was no way he could ever live with himself if something happened to her while she was helping him.
“You cannot come with me, Ada,” he said. “I’m sorry, but you just can’t. If you were ever caught, I would never forgive myself.”
She held his gaze long enough to nearly wear him down.
“Fine,” she finally said. “Do what you want. But when you are caught without backup, just know it could have been different.”
She made to step around him, and he reached out and gently cupped her arm. “Thank you for offering, Ada. I mean that. Truly.”
She nodded curtly before stepping to the side and out of his grasp.
He hated letting her walk away.
But it was the only thing that made sense.
For both of them.
Chapter Seven
