“Do tell,” Tommy said, intrigued now.
“We’re going to take down Sharpe and install someone new at the head of the operation.”
Ada sucked in a breath before nearly whispering, “Will,” following his thoughts.
“Will,” he said with a grim nod. “Then he’ll bring them down from the inside, give Finch everything he needs to end it once and for all.”
“Do you trust him?” Tommy asked.
Jonny gave a curt nod. “I do. It might be folly, for I’ve trusted him before, but I looked him in the eye when he told me the story, and I know him nearly as well as anyone. I don’t think he’s lying to me.”
“So just how do we do this?” Emmaline asked, making it clear that she wasn’t going anywhere. Jonny thought of his words not long ago, when he had told the women that they shouldn’t be involved in any plans. He had thought it would keep them safe but look where that had gotten them. If it wasn’t for the women, they wouldn’t still be here.
“That,” he said, “is a very good question.”
He launched into their plans, which they all agreed to, their faces contemplative.
Only Rhys had one objection.
“You do realize we have a game this weekend.”
“We do,” Jonny said. “Not to worry. I’ll be there. I’m ready. And after that? We take down Sharpe.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Lily and Colin didn’t stay long as they had to return to their daughter, but Lily gave Ada the longest, most comforting embrace as she left.
“If you need to stay with us, please do send a note and we will make it happen,” she said, and Ada nodded in thanks before saying her farewells to Minnie and Tommy, who also had to get home to their baby. Finally, only Emmaline and Rhys remained with them.
“I must return to the bank,” Rhys said, leaning down and giving his wife a kiss. “But you are more than welcome to stay here. You need to be safe, Ada, understand?”
She nodded, before only Emmaline remained with them, her lips quirking up in a grin. “I would also offer for you to stay here, Ada, but I have a feeling you have other plans.”
Her eyes flicked over to Jonny with a mischievous grin, and Ada’s entire face warmed as she couldn’t bring herself to look up at Jonny.
“We… have a lot to speak about,” she finally finished.
Jonny obviously cared for her, yes, but he had also told her time and again that he had no wish to be married nor to givehis life to another person. She appreciated all that he had done for her, his willingness to see her happy and free, but she would have to be satisfied with that, no matter what she felt for him, which was more than she would like.
“Ready?” he asked her, and she nodded, not telling him the truth – that she would likely follow him anywhere he led. Her parents had always provided for her, yes, but she had never had anyone who looked out for her best interests above all else.
“Where are we going?” she asked as they descended the outside stairs to the street beyond.
“Home,” he said.
“Whose home?”
“Mine.”
She said nothing as she followed him, understanding the implications of what he was saying. If anyone found out that she was staying with a single man, she would be thoroughly ruined, and he would take much of the blame. Ada wondered what her father would do if he found out. He would never force Jonny to marry her, that was nearly certain. Knowing her parents, they would still try to insist marriage to David, no matter how ruined she was.
She would rather be a ruined woman than married to a man she didn’t want.
As for Jonny… he was a mystery entirely.
They walked through winding streets and up a gently sloping road to a row of terraced houses. The small green space was visible behind, as Jonny unlocked a door nearly identical to all of the others that stood in a row down the street. He led Ada into the house, saying nothing as he closed the door behind her. He walked through the front home, the sound of a struck match echoing before the hiss and pop of the gas jet. A faint whiff of sulfur curled into the air before the light steadied into a warm, wavering glow.
Shadows leapt along the walls, softening the worn edges of the furniture.
