Stolen Petals Read Free

tell you what the next step is?"
    She forced a grin. "Only if you suppose I gained my reputation on luck, not sweat and blood. Send word for me once you have a time and I'll be there." If she spent any more time in his company, she'd be ready to snap necks. Something about him crawled under her skin and reminded her of the past she'd buried. He stared her down like he knew they were both from the mud, but unlike her, he was ready to roll around in it.
    Her jaw tightened and she finished her absinthe in a gulp. Edward watched, with those teasing, knowing eyes on her every move. The surrounding patrons grew rowdier as the night wore on. This sort of hour, the drink would get to their heads and bad decisions began to happen. Already, a couple men shouted, the veins in their necks bulging and their faces growing redder by the second. The barmaids maneuvered around them, trying to serve food and drink without getting a fist to the back or an elbow in the side. Wariness painted every face of those women and Viola couldn't blame them.
    "If you'll excuse me, sir, I'll be departing now. The hour's much too late for me to be wandering around town." Viola curtsied, not because he deserved her manners, but more because she would be proper regardless. If she stayed any longer, she'd be around when thugs started slinging punches, and that didn't appeal to her.
    To her surprise, Edward stood as well. "And what kind of cad would I be if I didn't see you home?"
    "Please don't trouble yourself," she demurred. Of course, now he wanted to play the gentleman.
    "No trouble at all." He extended his arm out. Viola kept her sigh in and slipped her arm around his. Even against the thick fabric of his navy coat, his hard muscles were defined and tensed for action. Underneath her petticoats, she was in similar form, as anyone would be with proper training. Edward strutted as they strolled through the bar, drawing in stares to Viola's dismay. In a place like this, she preferred to avoid attention, and yet all the Fox wanted to do was tromp around in the flashiest way possible.
    Upon stepping out into the night, the cool breeze caressed her face, carrying with it the smell of rotting leaves. Out of the slums and into the gutter. Overhead the sliver of a moon barely illuminated anything and shadows slunk on every corner. The sound of gunfire exploded as they walked past the alleyways. If she had to guess, ruffians from the airship docks had gotten into another tiff.
    "Lovely weather tonight," Edward commented. Strands of hair poked out from under his ragged top hat.
    "Ignore the reek of feces in the air, the bloodstains on the ground, and you have yourself a glorious night." Viola's voice dripped with sarcasm.
    Edward's eyebrows rose. "Was that a joke? An actual sense of humor from the ice queen? I don't know whether to be impressed or appalled."
    Viola shook her head to hide the smile rising to her face. As they walked along the cobblestone, rats scurried back and forth. Very few autocarts ran late at night and without the hiss and clink of their mechanisms, the streets remained quieter. Edward shifted his arm and the movement caught a glint from the gas lamps lining the street side. The ring on his finger had sparkled under the light, a pure gold piece laced with a red, blue, and white emblem. Viola committed it to memory. With as little as she knew about the man, any bit of information helped.
    She gave his arm a slight tug for direction once they reached the side streets. He complied without argument and picked up quite easily. In the alleys, he grew quiet as did she. These areas, anyone could jump you. At the end of Waterside Street, her apartment stood out, a rose-colored nimbus still lit in the globe lamp.
    "Let me guess, the place with the touch of class is yours." Edward pointed. "Although I'm surprised you live in this section of town."
    Embarrassment pinked her cheeks. Of course, for all the show she put on, she still hadn't made it out of