"Ya think ya see ya self loving an old, rough outlaw like myself?"
"No....I see myself loving a broken man who just needs a little bit of love."
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Gwendolyn Washington was born into a wealthy Australian family, all she knew was being higher cl...
"the best way out is always through" ~ robert frost
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Gwen wasn't sure what to think when her father announced to her and her brother that the three men were hired to rob a train owned by Leviticus Cornwall. A wealthy and well known oil man, she was flabbergasted at her father's plan to take the man down. All because he felt threatened. Christopher Washington was a nasty man.
While Gwen thought of ways to change her father's mind, Jacob stood conflicted. He loved his sister dearly but he also enjoyed the life they lived.
"we're a wealthy family Gwendolyn and we make sacrifices to stay that way...even if it means hiring three goons to do your dirty work."
Christopher's words floated through the young girls mind. Sacrifices....like the lives of the three men he hired. Gwen was disgusted with her father. She wondered how he could be so cruel and nasty.
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Gwendolyn and Jacob stood side by side in the back courtyard as Fredrick brought out the guests. They were having yet another one of their famous dinner parties, it was the night before Christopher's plan to take down the train owned by Leviticus Cornwall were to be set in motion. Christopher, dressed in his nicest tuxedo, and dark hair slicked back. A charming smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Welcome!"the older man boomed at his guests grabbing their attention.
"Please enjoy yourselves, and the drinks." Gwen rolled her eyes at her father as she reached for a glass of bubbly liquid. "Same old stuff...different day." She murmured as she sipped from her glass. Her green eyes scanning the party guests, searching for the three mysterious men. Her eyes locked onto the men who stood conversing quietly to themselves over in a far off corner of the courtyard. A familiar pair of blue eyes locked onto Gwen's causing her heart rate to pick up.
Arthur, who stood next to "Jim Milton", let a small smile tug at the corner of his lips. He knew the kind of effect he had on the Washington girl. He wasn't looking for any type of romantic relationship. Not after Eliza or Mary...he always knew he wasn't capable of being loved. And Mary proved him right after going off and getting married, she couldn't accept the life he lived. And he knew Gwen couldn't either.
He also knew how flustered the young girl got around him. But only because she had no clue who he actually was. Once she found out she would surely run the other way, she was delicate like a flower. And he wouldn't ruin her or her life. Arthur mumbled a few words to his partners before walking through the crowd, heading towards the gazebo that sat on the farthest end of the courtyard; away from the party guests.
Gwen watched the man as he pushed his way through the crowd of party guests. She downs the last of her champagne before setting the empty glass on the tray Fredrick held out to her. "Miss Washington—"the butler calls out to the young girl as she begins pushing her way through the guests.
She had to find out more about Arthur and why he was actually here.
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After searching for a moment or two Gwen finally finds the older man sat in the gazebo. She let out a huff of breath as she gathered the fabric of her dress in her fingers and approached the man. "Ya stalking me or something?"his gruff voice called out as a cigarette hung loosely from his lips. "Oh don't be daft." Gwen let out a light laugh at his words, she stepped further into the gazebo as green eyes met blue eyes. "Just ....curious."she added with a purse of her lips as she wracked her brain trying to figure the stranger out.
"How my father came to meet the likes of you three....and why yall are doing his dirty work." her accent sounded soft and angelic as she spoke; reaching over to snatch the cigarette from between the man's lips. Arthur chuckled at that with a shake of his head. His eyes scanned her face, noticing the way her green eyes shone in the moonlight.
"Ya ain't like them are ya?"Arthur questioned in a curious tone as he stood trying to figure the young girl out. Watching the way her bright red painted lips wrapped around the cigarette as she inhaled the smoke.
Gwen smiled at his words as she took a puff from the white stick she held between her pointer and middle finger. "You're a smart man Mr. Callahan."she replied with a small smirk as she outstretched her arm towards Arthur, offering him back the cigarette. He accepted never breaking eye contact from the girl.
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So for the next couple of hours that's where Gwen sat. Under the gazebo talking to Arthur Callahan. She didn't learn much, she noticed he was fairly closed off and didn't talk much about why they were helping her father. Which only made her grow more curious about him, all she knew was his name and he was 36. Only 13 years older than her. Gwen could feeling her cheeks heat up at the thought. "Ya 'lright?"Arthurs gruff voice pulled her back to reality.
She gasped in shock feeling her cheeks heat up more. "Oh yes! What makes you ask?" her voice was quiet as she glanced up at Arthur through her eyelashes. Arthur scratched the back of his neck nervously"ya just seemed a bit...out of it I 'spose" the sound of footsteps approaching the gazebo broke their eye contact.
Jacob's tall figure appeared from the darkness of the night with his face being illuminated by only the moonlight. "Gwendolyn."he said in a cold tone as he shot a glare towards Arthur, who sat beside his sister. She knew he was upset because he almost always called her Gwen, "mother and father have been searching for you. Tell Mr. Callahan goodbye." Jacob clenched his jaw as he stared at Arthur, when it finally clicked. He was the man Gwen was talking to that night.
Gwen stood with a sigh mumbling a farewell to Arthur as she stepped out of the gazebo. Jacob shot one last glare towards Arthur before following after her whilst Arthur just sat there watching their disappearing figures. "g'bye Gwen."Arthur mumbled to himself as he lit himself another cigarette. Taking a minute for himself, before re-joining the party. Keeping a close distance from Jacob Washington; who made sure to shoot glares at him every chance he got.
Authors Note:
Who doesn't love overprotective brothers?! 🤣 I don't have a brother so I wouldn't know💀
