Wicked Deceptions - Amy Cecil Page 0,29

late,” I reply. There is no way I am going to explain that I was working and Jenny was doing other things, like shagging Lieutenant James.

“You need to find a new boss,” he says, knowing full well who our boss is.

Jenny and I both laugh. “Yeah, tell that to the First Lord of the Admiralty.”

He shrugs. “Well, you’ve got a point there. When this raid is over, I’ll escort you ladies to ensure you arrive safely home.”

“Oh, Lieutenant Stanley, thank you so much!” Jenny exclaims with a smile and bats her eyes. Really? Is she really flirting with him at a time like this? I mean, yes, I want to wrap my arms around him and hug him, but not in the way she would. I’m just so grateful we don’t have to experience this alone and that he is here with us. He makes me feel much safer.

“First of all, call me Ben.”

I smile at Ben. He’s very handsome, tall and broad-shouldered, and looks very good in his uniform. I’ve had a few encounters with him at the office, mainly when he has had meetings with Adam. I never really took a good look at him until now. “Thank you, Ben.”

The sirens continue to wail for more than an hour, and then the all-clear bell rings out. Relief washes over me. We have received the signal that tells us it is safe to leave the tunnel and make our way to our homes.

True to his word, Ben leaves the Underground with us and continues to walk with us to our flats. We get to Jenny’s place first. She gives Ben a hug and thanks him for his kindness. Ben and I then continue toward my flat.

“I’m not much farther,” I say. “Just another block this way.”

He smiles and we continue to walk, engaging in light conversation along the way. He really is charming.

When we get to my door, I turn toward Ben and say, “Thank you again. You definitely made a terrifying situation a little less scary.”

He smiles. “It was my pleasure.”

I turn and begin to walk up the steps toward my door. He touches my arm gently to stop me, causing me to turn back to face him. “Katie, I’d like to see you again.” He makes it sound like we have just returned from a first date or something. Well, if your first date is hiding in the Piccadilly tunnels praying the bombs don’t get to you. I can’t help the giggle that escapes at the thought.

I haven’t dated anyone since I moved to London. After what I have been through lately, I gave up on men. Though, I guess I have been waiting for the handsome Lieutenant Stanley; after all, it’s all part of the job. The thought of finally connecting with my mark makes me smile. “I’d like that,” I reply, and I am so thankful it’s dark out because I can feel the heat rise in my cheeks. Why in the world am I blushing?

Before he turns to leave, he says, “I’ll be in touch. Now get yourself safely inside.”

I nod and go unlock my door. Once I am inside my flat, I watch him linger on my front stoop for a few seconds and then he turns to leave.

Chapter 10

London, England

December 1917

Over the course of the last several weeks, I’ve anxiously waited for Ben to ask me out on a date. To my disappointment, I’ve only seen him a couple of times, and he’s never brought it up. I had assumed that him saying he’d like to see me again meant a date. Could I have misjudged him so erroneously?

It’s now two weeks before Christmas, and I have given up hope. I guess I will be spending another holiday alone. I try not to think about him and his charming smile, but it’s so bloody hard. This is a time for family, and I don’t have any family left. I miss my family, and the holidays were always so special in Russia. Perhaps I am just longing for company or someone to share them with, even if it can never be anything more than a mission that will soon end. There was a time I was very close with my family. It is true what they say; war changes everything. I can attest to that. I was hoping Ben would change things for me this year, but he can’t. Nothing can change things, but at least he can make it