Criminal Royalty

Alone With Kimber

The car ride with Kimber was tense. All Rose could think about was the events that were sure to play out once they made it back to his place. She did not know what to do. A girl of short stature, she was fully aware of the vulnerability that went along with being so petite, and knew she stood no chance against a man like Kimber if he truly wanted something. Despite her troubles with religion, she couldn't help but pray to whatever was out there that she would be okay.

Pulling up to Kimber's mansion, she hated herself for being mildly impressed. How could such a foul man live in such a beautiful home? It seemed terribly unfair. Then again, when had the world ever been fair? She knew that as well as anyone did.

Born out of wedlock, she was the bastard child that unionised two opposing families: the gypsies and the Jews. Fate or at the very least, society, did not look well upon either group and even less so a Frankenstein version of the pair. She didn't fit in at the synagogue with her Solomons brothers and sisters but nor was she fully at home in the nomadic life of her Lee brethren. For them, she was a sister whom they loved dearly but Lottie was also a physical reminder of their parent's betrayal. Perhaps it was more an internal conflict than an absence of belonging but that's why she had gone out on her own, moved to Birmingham during the war, in search of a place where she could belong.

The opening of the door drew Rose out of her musings; right now, she had bigger priorities. There was no knight in shining armour, and she was about to walk into the dragon's lair.

...

Tommy was in a car of his own, having finished up with Kimber's accountant. Everything was going to plan; he had a deal for the racetracks. A good deal. A deal that would be the start of his legal empire. So why was he feeling so guilty?

He'd all but sold Rose to the enemy camp but what did it matter to him? Despite what Polly said, the girl was not family, and he had no reason to feel guilty for having her sweeten the deal. Yet that gnawing feeling in his stomach would not abate and he knew why. As much as he tried to convince himself otherwise, he felt a sense of responsibility for the girl and her predicament. Tommy knew what type of man Billy Kimber was, had heard the rumours of how he treated women both willing and not. Could he really let that happen to Rose? A girl who seemed so sweet and innocent, who only ever tried to help his family.

His mind made up, he changed directions and began the drive to Kimber's mansion. A man seemingly forsaken by God, he still prayed to get there in time.

Meanwhile, Rose was making a decision. Men like Kimber were dangerous when they were angry, and she would actively avoid that until she had to. She cursed herself for getting into this situation in the first place but accepted that she would have to be the one to get her out of it.

Smiling sweetly at him, she attempted to disarm him with a flirty demeanour. She did not want to touch him but for her plan, she may have to. If she could get close to him, make him relax so to speak, she could kick him where it hurts and make a run for it. The very thought disgusted her, but she reassured herself it was necessary. Thomas' deal be damned, she was not a whore, and she wasn't about to become one now.

She let him kiss her neck, silently willing herself not to recoil from his touch as she waited for the opportune moment. Turning her around was a mistake on Kimber's part but one that she was glad he had made so early. The moment was within reach, she positioned her knee ready to make a blow.

Bang! The door opened to reveal a secretly concerned Tommy. Luckily for him, he had made it in time to be both the hero and maintain his business deal before Rose's attack ruined his chances at both.

"What the fuck are you doing here? I've got hours left with the girl".

Tommy tacked his brain for an explanation. To be honest, he wasn't really sure why he was risking their deal for a girl.

"She's got the clap, I'm sorry I thought I could do it, but my conscience got the better of me."

Kimber turned to look at Rose, his lust not forgotten but a sense of disgust taking over his gaze. At the revelation, he wanted her out of his sight and commanded the pair to leave.

In Tommy's car, Rose sat in silence. She was relieved to be away from that dirty man but that didn't mean she wasn't annoyed at Thomas. Yes, she knew what she was getting herself into, but did he have to put her in such a position. When they arrived at her house, she left without so much of a thank you.

Tommy still felt guilty, but he was relieved to see her practically unharmed.