𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘿𝙪𝙤 ; 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙗𝙮 [ BOOK 2 ]

FIFTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN; RESURRECTED 

"Your presence is being requested outside the arena, missus Shelby."

Caroline shot a brow of dismissal to Polly who seemed unnerved. "And who by?"

The man in the tux licked his lips nervously as he scanned her face for any sudden movements. "I'm not entirely sure, but he's Jewish."

Polly snorted rudely. "Looks like your prayers have been answered, sweetheart."

"Definitely not. Alfie Solomons would be the last man I'd ask God for."

"What about my son?"

Caroline stood up and smoothed her dress down. "I'd rather not keep it in the family."

Her heart thumped erratically in its cage as she made her way past hundreds of people. If they didn't part ways upon her arrival, they were cruelly informed to believe that she was a submissive woman, because she pushed them out of her way, spewing venomous words in their direction before continuing her warpath.

She walked like someone who'd been in some armed service or other - there was a marching quality to it. And in a way, she had been. As a nurse, she was adequately trained to defend herself but overall, obtain a suitable appearance. But, as a criminal, she walked in strides, fearing those who surrounded her and cowering them into submission. With a wicked smirk, she enjoyed the quiet whispers in the hallway from those who questioned her singularity as it was uncommon to see her without Thomas.

The night came with such a bitterness that the rutted brown fields took on the appearance of a sugared cobbler under the moonlight. The cold stole every bit of water from the air it could in its frenzy to frost over the countryside, but the weather was no match for the blizzard Caroline Shelby was, because when she exited the arena and saw Alfie with his lips parted in bafflement, she couldn't feel a thing.

"You look fucking perfect, Caroline."

With twinkling eyes, she slowly made her way down the steps. "I wouldn't say perfect."

"I would." He playfully twirled her thin form. "I mean, look at you! If you weren't a full time criminal, you'd be a fucking model!"

After a dry chuckle, Caroline sighed. "What is the meaning of this, Alfie? We both have a fight to attend."

"Is it true that you and Thomas are divorcing?"

She pursed her lips. "No, but we are separating. Who told you?"

He shrugged his shoulders barely. "I asked about you earlier and his face fell. Sorta gave it away, really."

"So you requested my presence for a question?"

"More like for an opinion." Alfie cleared his throat after she beckoned for him to continue. "What if a man asked a woman out for a date even though she's still married?"

Devilishly, she grinned slowly. "Well, what if the woman's husband had already moved on, now it is her time to enjoy life to the best of her ability after all the shit she's dealt with?"

"This third person shit is beginning to confuse me." Alfie muttered under his breath. "What I'm trying to suggest is that I would like to take you out to dinner."

Caroline glanced to make sure the coast was clear. "I don't think that would be a good look on either of us."

"Alright, then I'll take you in to dinner."