“I didn’t know they were coming. Go,” Will said, looking between the two of them. “Run. And fast.”
What was Will doing? Jonny had thought he was here for both of them, and now he was encouraging them to escape?
It was Ada who found common sense first, however, as she grabbed his hand and tugged him forward.
And ran they did.
Jonny would have thought they’d be hampered by Ada’s skirts, but she was surprisingly quick. He supposed much of it was from the training she had done with Emmaline’s women’s football club. Combined with her own determination, it was certainly coming in handy now.
They darted in and out of the alleyways, hand in hand, as their shared knowledge of the area guided them well. They were nearing the docks, and finally, Ada pulled him into a warehouse, through a door that was nearly invisible. Oncethey were inside, they were instantly surrounded by quiet darkness.
“Where are we?” he whispered.
“One of my father’s warehouses,” she said. Jonny took a few deep breaths to try to slow his heartbeat, hearing Ada’s pants becoming less frequent as well. They stood close together, Jonny’s hands on her arms, holding her against him, even though there was no reason to do so, for it was not as though he could shield her if they were happened upon.
Shouts sounded from outside, and Jonny instinctively pulled Ada closer, wrapping his arms around her.
“This way,” she said softly, stepping back slightly, and he looked around them, his eyes having adjusted to the darkness.
She led them around crates to a corner that would be hidden from the door if their shelter was discovered, as the shouts somewhat subsided.
Jonny sat, pulling Ada into his lap, even though he knew he shouldn’t welcome it, that to do so was only sending her the wrong message.
But the protectiveness and urgency flooding through him wouldn’t allow him to do otherwise.
“Why was Will at the tavern?” she finally asked through the quiet.
“To find me. And you,” he said.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“But he let us go.”
“He did,” Jonny said, nodding. He was still perplexed. Why would Will come for them, only to let them slip away?
“I think I might know what Sharpe wants with me,” Ada said. “I heard my father talking to someone. He is behind on a shipment. Sharpe wants more, and my father can’t keep up. At least, so he says. He needs more suppliers.”
“Which your David Carter’s family could help with.”
“I suppose,” she said quietly.
She was warm against him, both a comfort and a distraction.
“I think we’re both at risk, Jonny,” she said softly. “I don’t think it matters whether we are together or not. Sharpe wants both of us, or both of our families at least.”
He let out a breath. “You might be right. I just can’t?—”
“You do notwantto take any responsibility,” she said firmly. “It has nothing to do with what you can or can’t do.”
She was right. He knew it deep within. He just wasn’t sure he could admit it yet.
As he said nothing, the air grew tense between them, a strange vulnerability settling in. Jonny wanted to offer Ada reassurances, but there were none to be had.
And, he realized, she likely didn’t want false promises. She was a woman who preferred the truth and would respond to the situation the best way she knew how.
“What do we do now?” she asked, and he knew she was asking about more than just this moment, but that was all he could address.
