Finley smiled coolly. I havent even told you who it is, Irish. She kept her gaze focused on him, but her peripheral vision was filled with the sight of a crowd gathering around them. Damnation.
Yere not wanted here came a female voice from behind. Why dont ye just go back from where ye come. It wasnt a question but a command.
Finley turned. The girl was about her own heighta little heavier builtwith dark hair and bright blue eyes. Black Irish, they called it. Behind her was another girl with dusky skin and an exotic prettiness, which was heightened by the emptiness of her lavender, catlike eyes. She was the real danger here, not the mouthpiece in front of her. Still, Finley didnt reckon they were in any immediate danger from catgirl.
Gladly, she replied. As soon as someone tells us where I can find Reno Dalton, well be on our way.
Dalton? It was the dark girlthe one with the catlike eyes that asked. Her voice was low and smooth, with no trace of hostility, yet Finley felt it in the base of her spine. What do you want with him?
No offense, Finley replied, but thats personal. She wasnt about to give Jaspers name and have that get back to Dalton.
The girl nodded. Fair enough.
Shes probably knocked up with his brat, the auburnhaired boy sneered, his gaze raking over Finley like a pair of dirty hands.
The blue-eyed girl stepped forward, flanked by two more who had reddish-brown hair. One of them carried a cricket bat. We dont appreciate strangers comin into our home, bringin their trouble with em.
Finley stood her ground. She turned her face but not her gaze toward Emily. Get out of here, she commanded. Now.
She didnt have time to see if her friend listened to her or not. A fist came flying out of nowhere. She dodged it but got smacked with the bat for her trouble. Pain exploded in her skull. It also woke up that part of her that wasnt used to being welcomed just yet. When the next blow came, she deflected it and countered with one of her own, her fist connecting with a jaw. She struck again and again, but for every one she knocked down, there seemed to be two to take their place. Fast as she was, she couldnt escape them all, and if they got her to the ground shed be in serious trouble.
Suddenly, two of her attackersone of whom had just hit her hard enough in the mouth to make her bleedjerked back, their bodies spasming as though they were having some sort of fit. Then two more did the same. What was left of the gang around her stopped their assault on her to step back.
Finley shook her head to clear the ringing in it and lifted her hand to her mouth before raising her gaze. What she saw was enough to make her grindespite her split lip.
Emily stood but a few feet away, hands out from her sides. She wore gloves with metal fingertips, which sparked and crackled in the sudden silence.
Back off, she snarled. Or Ill give a bit of this to the rest of ye.
Finley could have hugged herif she didnt think shed end up like the droolers in the street. Plus, Emily looked madreally mad.
The lot of ye ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Her voice was strong and clear, despite a tremor of emotion, her accent strong. Look at you. You left Ireland to escape the violence and troubles there, and now see what youve becomebullies whod gang up on a girl only looking for information. Cowards who think with their fists rather than the minds God gave em. If your ancestors could see what youve done to the name and pride of Ireland on this land, theyd weep in their graves.
A wave of shame washed over Finley, and there wasnt even a drop of Irish blood in her veins. She glanced around at those who would have beaten her to death just a few moments ago and saw the guilt in their faces.
A wave of shame washed over Finley, and there wasnt even a drop of Irish blood in her veins. She glanced around at those who would have beaten her to death just a few moments ago and saw the guilt in their faces.
Emily glared at them; her eyes, which could never seem to decide if they were blue or green, sparkled with anger. Ive never been more ashamed than I am right now. You disgrace our homeland.
Not even the formidable Miss Clarkea governess Finley had once punched in the mouthhad ever reduced people to such a glum, self-loathing mass as Emily just had, with her impassioned words and sparking fingers.
Dalton likes to watch the fights at ODooleys, the dark girl told them, as she stepped forward to stand between the girls and the crowd. She directed her attention at Finley, despite Emilys laying low of the mob. Theres one tonight. Thats where youll find him. But take care, theres been a high-and-mighty feller sniffin around after him, as well. Hell be well protected.
Finley didnt glance at Emily for fear of tipping anyone off that they were well acquainted with this high-and-mighty feller. It had to be Griffin.
Feline eyes raked over her. Word is Dalton likes rough girls.
Finley grinned, well aware that there was blood in her mouth. Then he ought to love me.
When they were back at the hotelhaving snuck in through the back entrance so Finley didnt have to walk through the foyer in her ripped and bloodstained clothes Finley made Emily promise not to breathe a word of what had happened in Five Points to Griffin, if their paths crossed. Especially not about the fight that evening.
Youll tell him, right? the redhead asked once they reached their floor. She followed Finley to her room.
Finley glanced at her out of the corner of her eye as she slipped her key into the lock. Sure. Nice work with those conductive gloves.
People think they can hurt me because Im small. Im not going to let anyone hurt me again. There was something in her eyes that made Finley want to hug her, but think better of it.
Fair enough. She knew better than to ask. Emily would share her secrets when and if she was ready.
When are you going to tell him? Emily demanded, changing the subject as Finley opened the door.
Maybe when he barges in here and announces that he and Sam are attending a fight tonight and that its no place for girls. She knew better than to hope that Griffin hadnt found out about ODooleys.
Emily scowled, wrinkling her little, freckled nose. But he knows you can look after yourself.
Mmm, but hes miffed at me right now. Her own ire rose. Maybe I wont tell him at all. Wont that stick a bee in his bonnet if you and I show up and do what he and Sam cant? She flashed a grin at the other girl.
Emily raised a browa wealth of warning in that simple gesture. This is about helping Jasper, not you sticking it to Griffin. Whys he all scurvy with you, anyway?
Finley gestured toward the dresser and the vase of flowers there. Theyre from Jack.
Oh. Emilys big eyes widened even more as she studied the arrangement of roses. Theyre beautiful. How did he know where to send them?
Finley chuckled, even though the situation really wasnt that funny. Griffin assumes he went through all manner of trouble tracking me down. Knowing Jack he simply grinned at one of the housemaids. He probably wanted to needle Griff. Regardless, it wasnt meant as a romantic gesture.
They look pretty romantic to me, Emily replied, slightly awed as she lowered her face to smell the beautiful blooms.
If Jack Dandy wanted to woo me, that arrangement would have a personality of its ownone that complemented mine. Roses are just his way of saying hello.
Emily sighed. I wish someone would say hello to me.
Finley crossed the carpet to the dresser and plucked the most perfect rose from the bouquet. She offered it to her friend. Hullo, Em.
Her friendit still felt wonderfully odd to call her that beamed. Pale arms wrapped around Finleys torso. Thank you. Like most Irish, she dropped the h, and it came out tank.
Finley gave her a squeeze before releasing her. Smoothing her hands over her violet corsetthankfully none the worse for wearshe turned her mind once again to Jasper, pushing all thoughts of Jack, and especially Griffin, away.
Im going to need my steel corset, and were going to need to rough you up a bit so you look like you could fit in with the Irish gangs. Though, you certainly made an impression on them today.
Emilys spine stiffened. Dont you worry about me, Finley Jayne. Ill look the part. Ive got the earbuds, so we can communicate with each other. I just wish I had time to graft metal to your knuckles. It would make you hit that much harder.
The idea of Emily cutting open her hands and brass plating her bones made Finley vaguely queasynever mind that she had witnessed the girl cracking open Sams chest cavity like an oyster.
Ill wrap my hands the way Jasper taught me, she said. A silence fell between them as they both thought of him.
Hes not a killer, Emily insisted. No more than you or I are.
Anyone can kill for the right reason, Finley remarked absently as she picked up the newspaper Emily had brought in with her. A photograph of a man named Nikola Tesla stared up from the page. Shed heard Emily talk about him before. Apparently he had a laboratory here in New York.
Theres a right reason to kill someone? The smaller girls tone was incredulous at best.
Finley dropped the newspaper onto the dresser once again. If someone tried to kill you, wouldnt you fight back?
Of course!
You might kill him. Saving yourself is a good reason. Saving someone else is an even better one.
Bright eyes narrowed. Do ye think Jasper might have been protecting someone, then?
Dunno. Finley leaned her head to one side, sighing as a loud popping noise filled the room. Then she repeated with the other side. But Jaspers not the type to kill for no good reason.
Emily gave a quick, determined nod. We need to find out the truth about what happened. And stop doing that. It turns my stomach every time some part of you pops and snaps.
Well find the truth. Finleys stomach growled. Good Lord, Im starving. Im going to ring the kitchen for some food. You want something, too, or is your delicate stomach still suffering from my pops and snaps?
Emily made a face at her, but it was obvious the jest didnt really bother her. They decided to order tea, sandwiches, fruit and cakes. For once Finley didnt feel the least bit guilty knowing that Griffin would be paying for their indulgence. He had been perfectly awful to her last night. Worse, hed hurt her feelings when he told her that he wouldnt fight for her affection. Why ever not? Isnt that what heroes did when faced with the notion of losing their heroine?