The Masks We Hide Behind

Chapter Ten: "LIGHT THE FUSE"

When Roth awoke beside me, we spoke a bit of what had happened the night before. He reassured me about my fears of Evie, promising me that he believed we were strong enough together. I trusted him, and my fears began to fade away.

I got up and dressed first, needing to inform my Rooks on a bit of what events had transpired. The Evie situation, in particular. As well as the fact that I intended to live in Roth’s apartment with him, instead of on the train. 

It wasn’t a difficult conversation to have, for I didn’t tell my Rooks all the details. I didn’t tell them that I loved Roth, or that we had any relationship other than gang rivals. I did manage to convince a few of my newer recruits that Roth was off limits, and that I wanted to finish him myself.

The Evie situation was a bit more draining for me. The realization of everything that had transpired was really starting to hit me hard. I’d never been without Evie before. It had always been the two of us, until we moved to London. 

No matter the rift that was between Evie and I now, I did not regret choosing Roth. Evie could hate me all she wanted, curse my name till the end of time. I loved that man, and I wasn’t turning my back on him. Being in love was a scary thing. I finally had something other than Evie that I was afraid to lose.

By the time I’d run my Rooks up to speed, and they’d updated me on everything that was happening with them, it had started getting late. I made my way back to Roth’s apartment as soon as I could. Before I could even raise my hand to turn the knob, he walked outside.

“Ah, darling,” He smiled warmly, “Did everything with your gang go smoothly?”

“So it did,” I answered, smiling back, “Where are you going?”

“Correction, dear,” He took my hand, kissed it once, and dropped it, “Where are we going.”

I glanced to where he was looking. A carriage was parked just to our right, and Lewis stood with the horses. I met Roth’s gaze, “Alright. Where are we going?”

“I’d like to run some things by you first,” He said, his voice taking on a more serious tone, “It has to do with the events of last night.”

I was worried when he said that. I’d enjoyed myself thoroughly, and I thought he had too. My expression dropped, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” He said, “Quite the opposite, in fact. Now that I know you’re open to more...physical declarations of love, I’d like to have nights like last night more often. I’d like to experiment with you a bit.”

I raised an eyebrow at that, my face warming, “Is that so? I’m with you about last night being amazing, but I’m not sure what you mean by experiment.”

“Nothing too fast. I just mean, we should try some different places. Try some different things. I think it would be fun.”

“Okay,” I agreed, “What exactly did you have in mind?”

He took my hand, and I followed him into the carriage. I sat on one side, and he sat across from me. I was a bit anxious about whatever it was he was planning, but I was excited too. I trusted him.

As the carriage began to move, he met my gaze with a mischievous smirk, “So, Jacob dear, what have you told your Rooks about me?”

“I’m keeping them in the dark for the most part,” I admitted, “But I’ve made sure that none of them will go after you specifically. Have you informed your Blighters of me?”

He sighed, “Under different circumstances, I would have. If they were strictly my Blighters, I’d tell them everything. However, I still report to Starrick, and so do they. If he were to learn of how I feel about you...well. I’ll let you fill in the blanks for that one.”