Undeniable

Ch. 8

Thomas let out a shallow sigh before taking a seat inside my office. The smoke blazed off his ciggerate in-between his lips.

"If it's not a company trip why does Michael know about it?"

"Because Michael has a problem getting in everyone's buisness." He spat.

"Why are you going to America?" I crossed my arms unsure if I wanted to know. Hearing Tommy's secrets put me at risk with the family later.

"I have a meeting with a very important man there named Alfred Winchester. He's a stock broker."

"Stocks?"

"As in stock market, yes. Are you familiar ?" He raised an eyebrow.

For a few moments I sat quietly unsure how to anwser. My past clients in America had all but forced me to sign NDA's and as far as I knew they paid very close attention. There was no way that Thomas Shelby would sale me out , but if his secret trip wasn't so secret , I couldn't trust my scandalous past would remain confidential.

"I've heard things. I'm an accountant so word gets around."

"You were an accountant in America I suppose ?"

"For awhile, yes. Until I moved here."

"And did you ever work with the stock market?"

Again I sat silently until he chuckled with realization.

"Wow, are you fucking joking?" He laughed, " You know alot more than you're letting on, Emilia."

"Tommy, I can anwser some of your questions but others I cannot. Please understand that legally , my hands are tied."

"And if I don't understand?"

"Then that's your problem , not mine. I will not be expedited to Manhattan prison just because I dished out some classified information about rich Americans to a Birmingham gangster who isn't used to being denied details."

The muscles in his jaw flexed slightly as he stood to his feet. I watched him saunter over to me so casually,  it took me off guard when he grabbed my waist and aggressively pressed himself against me. I could feel his breathing deepen as each breath hit against my ear. I could feel his lips brush against my skin.

"If you have information that I should know prior to leaving tommorow morning then you should tell me now. If it's dangerous I should know or my blood would be on your hands."

"You aren't dumb, Tommy. You will return safely from America whether I tell you anything or not."

I gazed up at him through my lashes . His lips curved up into a grin . I could see the wheels in his head turning. There was never a moment when Thomas was caught off guard, it was as if he had thought every movement out before he even woke up this morning. He articulated each response with such ease.

"Then I guess you'll just have to come with me." He gave me a sly wink before turning too walk away.

"What? I can't I have paperwork here that-"

"That can be done by someone else. I have a mighty big reputation, Emilia. I'm sure anyone with a fucking brain would be grasping for those papers you so casually ignore." He laughed.

I followed him closely , nearly stepping on his heels. Anger pulsed through my veins and welled into my throat.

"Well I'll have you know Mr. Shelby , I cannot drop everything everytime you beckon and I am not just free to go on a trip to a different country ! Especially with someone like-"

"Like me? Is that right?" He turned so quickly I bumped straight into his chest.  His hand reached up grabbing my face softly and forcing my gaze too meet his, "You wake up every morning and you walk to my office, where you do my paperwork, underneath my company name . Then you march down to the bar in which my brother owns to have a drink . You think going over seas with me is going to give people the wrong idea ?"

"That's not what I meant" my cheeks grew warm.

"Then tell me exactly what you meant"

"I know what you do is Illegal , Thomas. I know that sometimes the paperwork I do gets passed under the table. But I don't want to risk my life over your personal bank account."

"You had no problem risking your life that day at the races." He raised an eyebrow.

"That was different. You could've died."

"I'm not asking you to be my shield, I'm asking for guidance. " His finger traced my bottom lip and I watched his eyes follow, "I'll never let anyone hurt you, Emilia."

For a moment I wanted to protest. I wanted to step away from him and remove my face from his grip. But the longer I stood there the more I craved him . If I didn't go with him too America, I would spend the next two weeks worrying night and day about his safety. The nights would grow longer as i lay sleepless. It would be impossible to file paperwork. I didn't respond quickly because I didn't want Tommy to know these things, I wanted him to think I was weighing the benefits for myself.

"I'll go. Under some conditions."

"Im listening"

"If I say we return to Birmingham,  we return. No matter the time. No matter what has been done and what is still awaiting you, you will come back with me and that will be the end of it." I analyzed his expression but nothing changed. He wasn't phased by this order, "Also, If I tell you someone is bad news, you are not to work with them. I don't care what they offer."

He nodded, running his fingers down across my neck and back through my hair. He was so gentle I almost forgot who he was.

"Good. If you don't follow these rules I'll leave with or without you. I don't think Pol and the others will be to keen to that."

"Of course not, considering my excuse for going." A smirk crept upon his lips.

"And that would be?"

"Ms. Weathers was feeling a bit homesick."

I scoffed peering back at him , "You're using me as an excuse ? And how is that supposed to work? Do you just casually take all of your employees on a paid vacation whenever they get anxious ?"

"You are a .. special case." He traced me up and down with his eyes, "my family would be ignorant if they didn't already know that."

"Are you confessing feelings too me , Thomas Shelby?"

"Considering what happened in my office the other night, you are surprised?'

The heat returned to my cheeks as I looked down avoiding his eye contact. Chills spiraled over my arms and spine and I felt myself shiver.

"I figured you'd had too much to drink."

"And what's my excuse right now?"

My heart beat rang inside my ears as I looked back up at him. His blue eyes pierced back at me, holding my gaze. He leaned in closer pressing his lips to mine. I took in every part of him, from his smoke stained lips to his deep pine scent. He moved against me allowing me to lead. I ran my hands over his chest and up onto his shoulders where I held tightly. With each movement my breathing quickened , anticipating his next move.

It felt like ages that I was in his arms , his lips dancing on mine. His tongue brushing against my bottom lip playfully , enticing me further. But soon it came to an end as he pulled back enough to scan my expression.

"You need too pack , we will leave first thing in the morning."

"I don't want too leave you."

"I'll drive you home."