Walking into Angie’s the following week Xavier found Liam an old friend sitting at his table he was a big man with short-cropped wavy brown hair and warm and welcoming eyes. “Been a long time since I last saw you.”

Xavier nodded in agreement “I noticed, where have you been?”

Liam shrugged “Went to visit my sister Jane and her new husband and what an asshole he is.”

Xavier looked up at the quiet lurking stranger standing behind Liam, “Are you interested in playing some cards.”

The stranger gave a curt nod and sat down across from him “Thank you kindly.” Angie walked over and smiled already carrying Xavier’s usual drink “What can I get you two?”

Liam winked up at her “A pint of ale will be great honey.”

Angie looked over at the stranger “And for you Sir?”

The stranger shrugged “I’ll have the same as he’s having.”

Angie smiled as she walked away sending her barmaid Amy back with their drinks. When Brodey walked in Xavier looked up from his cards and gave him a sexy smile, thinking he must be looking at a woman both Liam and the stranger turned to see what he was smiling at. Liam laughed “Not to be a dick but what’s with all the smiling, haven’t seen you smile since we were thirteen and sampling are first whores.”

Xavier shook his head “Sorry Liam I’ll try to refrain from here on out.” Liam laughed “Come on Greystone let’s get down to business your pockets may be lined in gold but mine aren’t.”

Xavier nodded “Come now Liam don’t go selling yourself short, don’t forget I know who you are and where you come from.”

Both of them laughed then turned and looked at the stranger sitting silently by looking down at his hand of cards with beads of sweat starting to form on his brow. Both Liam and Xavier watched him as he nervously moved his cards around; Liam shrugged and went back to his cards Xavier glared at him from under the rim of his hat. “What did you say your name was?”

The stranger ran his hand through his oily brown hair avoiding eye contact. “Sam” he mumbled as he shuffled his cards from the back to the front. Brodey watched from the bar waiting for Xavier to figure out he was about to be cheated. Liam started talking about his new asshole brother-in-law making Xavier shake his head. Sam removed a card from his sleeve and Xavier saw him and growled: “You said your name is Sam?”

Sam nodded showing them his winning hand when Liam looked up and saw Xavier’s face he sat back in his chair and crossed his arms “What’s going on with you Xavier?” Xavier shook his head and watched as Sam collected his winnings, “Liam do I look like a stupid man?”

Liam laughed “What are you talking about?”

Xavier scooted out his chair and stood up his legs braced firmly apart “Sam here must think I’m stupid if he thinks he can cheat me and get away with it.”

Sam glanced toward the door; Liam stood up and slammed his fist down onto the table “Don’t even think about moving.”

Brodey eased his way toward them wanting to watch the show. Both Xavier and Liam started to close in around him, in a panic, Sam pulled out his knife and held it out in front of him, Xavier just laughed “Is that supposed to scare me?”

Seeing Brodey Sam sneered as he grabbed a hold of him and held the knife to his throat pissing Xavier off even more. Sam laughed when he saw how it had affected him. “I knew taking this kid would keep you at bay, you care about this trash, don’t you?”

Xavier stepped forward and Sam pressed his knife in deeper causing Brodey to cry out as it drew blood. “Let go of the boy and I’ll let you walk out of here, otherwise you and I have some business to attend to.”

Liam inched closer “Hell looks like you bit off more than you can chew.”

Sam started dragging Brodey toward the door as the entire pub watched in silence. Both Liam and Xavier followed close behind, Brodey couldn’t struggle or get to the blade in his boot, Sam’s knife was pressed into his skin and with every movement, the blade cut deeper into his neck. The concerned face Xavier wore caused Sam to laugh as he backed out the door and onto the porch. “My God in heaven do my eyes deceive me, does our dark Lord have a heart, you actually look worried about this street rat.”

Turning to look for his coach he whistled then smiled when he saw it turn the corner. Xavier and Liam moved in to stop him as he opened the coach’s door and threw Brodey inside when he turned back to Xavier and Liam he smiled “Now I’ve got your money and your little friend too.”

Brodey’s heart raced the thin slices to his throat still bleeding, still lying on his back on the floor of the coach Brodey waited until Sam turned to jump in then kicked him in the face with his boot causing him to fall back. Still wiping at the blood on his neck Brodey jumped out and kicked the stunned man in the face breaking his nose, removing his blade Brodey straddled Sam and held the blade to his neck nicking his skin. “You’re an awful cheat and a pig.”

Brodey laughed as he slammed his fist into Sam’s face “And you just got your ass kicked by a street rat.”

The sound of applause brought Brodey out of his rage-filled daze, looking up he found Xavier and his friend Liam smiling down at him and Angie rushing in and pulling him off of the man then ushering him inside and into the back room. Xavier and Liam pummeled the cheat then dragged him into his coach and locked him in from the outside, wanting to check on Brodey Xavier sent Liam to escort Sam to Newgate prison then headed in to see if he was all right. Having noticed Brodey’s binding had come loose Angie quickly helped him to fix them before anyone one else could notice. “Damn Brodey look at you, your breasts are bigger than mine this can’t be comfortable.”

Brodey shrugged as he returned his blonde but dirty hair back into his hat. “Just get used to it I guess, thanks for helping.” Angie smiled then looked up as Xavier walked in “I’ll leave you two alone.”

Xavier smiled and winked at her as she walked out shutting the door behind her. Xavier remained silent as he grabbed a wet rag and wiped away the blood off his neck. “Does it hurt?”

Brodey shrugged “Well it sure in the hell doesn’t feel good.”

Xavier laughed “I’m sorry about all of this, you shouldn’t have been involved and I hate to see you in harm’s way.”

Brodey smiled Xavier’s light touch giving him butterflies in his stomach, he could think of nothing better than Xavier’s hands on his skin and the feel of their lips touching. But as Brodey he knew that it could never happen and wasn’t sure that Xavier would even be attracted to Scarlet; she herself wasn’t even sure what Scarlet would look like. Even when she had sex with Emmett, she was usually dressed like Brodey, and got straight to the point, fully dressed usually just bent over and taken from behind, quick and to the point then over.

Emmett was the only one who had seen her completely naked and she had only taken him to her bed as Scarlet twice. Never had Brodey been cleaned up and dressed like a Lady never had Scarlet truly looked the part. After a long and grueling night Brodey returned to his place with a bottle of rum, all he could think about was Xavier and that he actually cared about him or at least he had acted like he did, it just made Brodey want to change into Scarlet, even more, he wanted to change and be herself she wanted to be loved and have a future as a woman, she couldn’t live as Brodey for much longer and she couldn’t pickpockets for the rest of her life. Damn the more she got to know Xavier the more she wanted a different life for herself.

It was an English summer and had been a cold and rainy mess on the streets all week. When the sun finally came out the day started to look up for Brodey and his luck. He had a method to his madness making his daily rounds. The way he saw it he owned the streets with victim after victim at his fingertips, men, and woman so preoccupied with themselves they never even noticed as he robbed them blind. Brodey had lived on the streets for many years and had many friends more like acquaintances only a few close enough to know his secret. At eighteen he knew his lie wouldn’t last, he was getting older and he was sick of lying and he was turning more and more into Scarlet every day, he had changed so much he hardly recognized himself, no matter how Brodey dressed or sounded Scarlet was a woman inside and out, something had to change.

When Friday came around Xavier was more than ready to get to Angie’s to see Brodey. The sun was setting as he stepped down from his coach, after a quick adjustment of his jacket he gave a casual salute to Silas his driver. It was busy at Angie’s Tavern the tables were hopping, seeing him walk in Angie rushed to greet him. “Hey there Greystone, you’re looking handsome like always, I made sure to save your seat.” Xavier leaned down and kissed her then smiled “Be a doll and get me my usual.”

Right at seven Brodey walked into Angie’s and turned toward Xavier and smiled then went to the bar glancing back at him trying not to melt when their eyes met, he looked so sexy and mysterious Brodey had to force himself not to stare. After watching the boy and winning a few hands Xavier stood to leave as quietly as he had come. Brodey looked at him with longing as he watched him leave then did one last pick on his way out. As he hit the street, he could see that Greystone’s coach had gone so instead of heading home he followed him from pub to pub. Watching him from afar picking the pockets of everyone that crossed his path along the way. At the end of the night, Brodey’s pockets were full, seeing Xavier leave he started toward the door. A red-haired man stepped in front of him along with two of his friends that Brodey had also robbed that night the three of them surround him. “You little shit you have messed with the wrong men.”

Brodey’s heart raced as he was being pulled out into the street then dragged into the alley. The first punch was to his stomach the pain causing him to curl up on the ground as they started to kick him. The Greystone coach was just leaving when Silas Xavier’s driver saw Brodey being pulled into the alley and stopped to tell his employer. “Boy’s in trouble Sir doesn’t look good three against one.”

Xavier jumped out and ran toward the alley staying in the shadows as he crept up behind one of the men and knocked him over the head with the butt of his pistol then rushed the second knocking him out as well. The red-haired man stood over Brodey and laughed. “Do you know who I am?”

Brodey shook his head “Yes I do, but it doesn’t really matter now does it.”

The red-haired man growled as he kicked Brodey in the back. “I’m Owen Paul and it will be a cold day in hell before I let a runt like you disrespect me, get up damn it and face me like a man at least.”

Brodey stood on wobbly legs and looked around as he held up his fists and Owen laughed at him, Brodey took the opportunity and pulled his blade from out of his boot and rushed in slicing Owen across his chest Brodey’s heart pounding like crazy. Owen stepped back in shock. “You’re dead, come here I’m going to rip the life right out of you.”

Xavier stood in the shadows and watched ready to move in at any time. Owen moved in swinging and Brodey snuck past him and jumped up onto his back and without even a second thought sliced Owen’s throat from behind, the blood squirted out and down the front of him. Falling first to his knee’s Owen’s hands went to his throat making a gurgling sound before falling to the ground dead. Xavier watched amazed at Brodey’s speed and fire. Turning around Brodey found Owen’s men laid out on the road and Xavier watching him from the shadows wearing a smile. “Come with me now before they wake up and we both get invited to Newgate prison.”

Xavier jumped up into the Greystone coach and Brodey followed sitting on the floor across from him as he tried to catch his breath “What have I done.” Xavier sighed as he removed his hat “You defended yourself.” Brodey was still in shock “If you want you can just drop me off here.”

Xavier shook his head “Your place is nowhere near here, they will be looking for you, stay with me in my townhouse until we get tomorrow’s news. I would hate to see such a talented boy get sent to the gallows and after killing the warden of Newgate that’s exactly where you will be going.”

Brodey peaked out of the window before taking a seat across from him. “I can’t believe what I just did.” Xavier raised his eyebrow “It’s not like you had a choice.” Brodey looked away “I have always hated that man; they put his fat ass in the paper every other day.”

Brodey could smell Xavier from across the coach he had a raw masculine scent mixed with the smell of leather and a hint of vanilla it was and had always been so intoxicating. “I’ll stay with you tonight but after that, I need to move on maybe I’ve been in London too long, things have to change they just do.”

Brodey stared out the window in a daze, when they reached the Greystone townhouse Xavier got out first and looked around then took off his jacket and threw it over Brodey’s head as he ran inside, all Brodey knew was Xavier smelled so good and his jacket felt warm on his skin. The house was dark as Xavier lit a lamp and showed him in guiding Brodey into his study then he lit more candles. Pouring them both a healthy glass of brandy Xavier handed one to Brodey then watched as he walked around looking at all of his books and trinkets.

“I’ve never brought anyone here, funny that the first person I bring here is a boy, but we have known each other for quite a long time are you feeling a little better now, the brandy should help your nerves.”

Brodey smiled and pulled his hat down “I’m feeling better now, as you know this isn’t my first fight but it’s definitely my first kill, I wonder how long it will take them to figure out it was me, Emmett and Angie will worry when I don’t show up, but thank you again for hiding me for a little while at least. Where do you want me to sleep?”

Xavier thought about it then smiled “Upstairs will do my room is right next door if you need anything.”

Xavier walked Brodey to his room and lit a candle. Brodey looked around then turned to face Xavier “Don’t worry I won’t rob you.”

Xavier laughed “You never have, why I don’t know but not once in all this time.” Brodey shrugged “Can’t do it, just seems wrong to steal from you, I like you too much I guess.” Xavier smiled “Get some sleep and I’ll see you in the morning.” Brodey gave a weak smile as he shut the door behind him “Thanks.”

Brodey knew it couldn’t last and tried to prepare himself not wanting to get his hopes up, it had been a long day and his body ached from the beating Owen and his men had given him so after moving the chair to the door and securing it Brodey jumped up onto the softest bed he had ever been on and fell asleep still fully dressed and still in disguise.

Later that night Brodey woke to the sound of a steady thump. Curious he left his room and went to find out what it was. After sneaking down the dark hallway Brodey quietly went down the stairs trying not to make noise as the wooden stairs creaked under his weight. Following the sound to the study, Brodey was happy Xavier’s door was open and that he was naked from the waist up. His chest was wide and muscular as was his stomach that was lightly covered in black hair when he saw him Xavier smiled.

“Trouble sleeping too.” Brodey shrugged “A bit I guess whatcha doing?” Xavier threw his knife at a statue made of wood. “Just blowing off some steam.”

Brodey laughed as he looked at the statue closer so many knife marks, he was unable to figure out what it once was. Brodey smiled as he stepped back, and Xavier started to throw his knives again. “So Brodey tell me are you good with your blade, besides slicing Owen Paul’s throat I mean.”

Brodey smiled then walked up and stood next to him. “Do you care to find out?” Xavier laughed as he collected the knives and handed them to him. “Show me what skills you might have.”

Brodey shook his head and sighed then turned and threw the first knife hitting the center of the statue, then he quickly through the second and then the third each knife hitting the center. “So, what do you think?”

Xavier smiled as he looked at the statue “Maybe I underestimated you being such a scrawny boy with such a sweet face, I should have known better.” Brodey shrugged “Well we all can’t be handsome and strong like you now can we.”

Xavier smiled then laughed as Brodey changed the subject. “So how old are you exactly if I had to guess I’d say mid-twenties.”

Xavier sat down and Brodey sat on the ground by the fire and poked at it. “Twenty- five your sixteen, right?”

Brodey made a strange face as if he was thinking it over “Yes I’m sixteen.”

Brodey couldn’t help but stare at him with longing he just hoped Xavier couldn’t see it as he quickly turned away avoiding eye contact. “Never thought to ask but did you even want company, I know my manners are lacking never really needed them.”

Xavier smiled “I am a private man as you well know, but I’m interested in you and have been since we first met.”

Brodey turned and faced him “Interested, like how, about my life, my past or just the fact that I’m a pickpocket?”

Xavier sat up and leaned on his knees as he thought about it. “None of the above, I figure when you want me to know you’ll tell me.” Brodey smiled “What then?”

Xavier wore a serious expression making Brodey laugh “Just spill it Greystone why are so interested in me?”

Xavier leaned back and looked up at the ceiling “There is something about you, I can’t quite put my finger on it but I see something, hell someone inside you like you have a different personality that your hiding from the world, makes no sense I know but you asked.”

Brodey swallowed hard “Makes perfect sense to me, not that anything is making sense lately.”

Xavier was confused by Brodey’s answer but let it go. “I have to admit you are a credit to your craft. I have never seen someone like you, it’s like you almost drift through the room like a breeze your touch as light as a feather, it’s compelling to watch actually.” Xavier propped his feet up on his desk “You mentioned that you were a Gypsy.”

Brodey nodded as he pulled out his Gypsy medallion and looked at it “Yes I was raised as a Gypsy, but my parents and I left the Tribe when I was nine years old.” Xavier frowned “Why?”

Brodey shrugged “So that my sick mother could prolong her ever coming death, the Gypsy life is hard and my Yemma, my grandmother felt my mother would live a lot longer if we left the Tribe and stayed in one place.” Xavier shrugged “Was she right?” Brodey shrugged “She died within the year and my father couldn’t find it in himself to return to the Tribe without her.” Brodey looked around “You only stay here when you’re in town for the weekend right.”

Xavier shrugged “Only on the weekends, I like living out of town it’s quiet and smells a whole hell of a lot better.”

Brodey laughed “You ever bring women here?”

Xavier shrugged “Like I said before I’ve never brought anyone here. I’d rather not bring a stranger here if I want to have sex with a woman we usually go to their houses or rooms that way I can leave when I want which is always right after we are done.”

Brodey could feel the heat from between his legs and the strong desire that filled him, licking his lips he smiled at Xavier. “What no classy women, I’m sure their hunting you out like packs of starving dogs not to mention Joanna right on your heels.”

Xavier laughed “Starving dogs, that’s funny. Just like Joanna, all the women around here care about is my money and my name. If I’m to marry, I don’t want just any woman and if I have to stay a bachelor then so be it, the dogs as you call them can just forget it and not waste mine or their time.”

Brodey sat up onto his knee’s “The game as you call it that you and I have been playing when did you realize we were even playing?”

Xavier smiled “Before you did, I think, not that it’s really a game more like you and me meeting up every Friday and only talking to each other through are eyes. Although in the recent months you and I have gotten a lot closer hell at least we have been talking. Why I wait all week to see a boy, I can’t fathom but that doesn’t stop me from being there and enjoying our brief moments or I guess you can call what we do flirting but whatever it is I like it.”

Looking at the clock Xavier shook his head “I’m not attracted to boys never have been but for some strange reason what you and I have is well different. It’s getting late we both should try to get some sleep.”

Brodey agreed and they walked to their rooms together. “I enjoyed talking with you.” Xavier smiled “Yeah me too.”

Brodey woke to birds chirping outside his window. After washing his face and checking out his reflection he rolled his eyes “Only a little while longer Scarlet, change is coming I promise.”

When he found Xavier, he was sitting at his desk reading the paper. When Brodey walked in, he folded it and threw it to him “Look Boy they’re calling you a lunatic, a violent killer of the towns honorable Owen Paul. Check it out there is even a sketch of you and it’s not a bad one either not to mention the weighty reward.”

Brodey looked at the paper then stood up Xavier watched him “What are your plans you can’t be seen around here.”

Brodey looked out the window “Ain’t got anyone to stay with maybe I should head north, where north I don’t know.”

Xavier stood up and joined the boy at the window placing his hand on his shoulder giving Brodey a jolt as they touch and Brodey knew Xavier had felt it too. “Come home with me at least until this all blows over.”

Brodey turned and looked up at him “Never got anything for free, I’d be willing to work for room and board.”

Xavier smiled “We leave for home in an hour why don’t we get a bite to eat before we head out.”