SpeakeasySweetheart by Clare Murray Page B

resist running a finger through the fine curls.
    She didn’t want to come between Blaze and his revenge. But
she couldn’t face spending evenings all alone, waiting for him to safely come
back to her.
    On the other hand, would living on her own in the twenties
be worse than if she fled back to her own time? Arguably, it would be
better—the music certainly was more tolerable. With her skills as a singer, she
might even get a gig on Broadway.
    “I would love nothing more than to see Cornell in jail or
dead.” Blaze spoke after a lengthy minute of silence. “But he’s not as
important to me as you are.”
    Relieved, she rested her cheek against his chest. “You’re
important to me too.”
    “I’m glad, baby. But don’t fall asleep on me now.”
    “Mmm. Why not?”
    “I’d like to take you to meet my parents.”
    “Right now?” She jumped up in a panic. “I need to take a
bath. I need to do my hair.”
    “Go right ahead. We still have a few hours ’til dinner.”
    As she soaped herself in a warm bath, Blaze lounged in the
doorway, watching her possessively. “How would you like to eat out tonight?”
    “With your parents?”
    He nodded. “They always eat at our restaurant in Hell’s
Kitchen on a Monday night. Come to think of it, I can give a few of our Coney
Island prizes to Dougal for the kid.”
    “That’ll give us an excuse to win more,” she said. She
couldn’t help but smile at the boyish grin that creased his face. She’d never
had so much fun with…with anyone , really. Living with the threat of a
whackaloon speakeasy owner in the same city was a small price to pay for this
kind of happiness.
    An hour later, hair braided into semi-submission, dressed in
a skirt and a conservative blouse, she slid into the front seat of Blaze’s
Cadillac. “I think this is the first time we’ve not been on the verge of
ripping each other’s clothes off in here.”
    “I figured I would save that for the way back,” he said.
    The car chugged along in the New York traffic, giving Sasha
ample opportunity to look around. It was going to be heaven having all these
bakeries and delicatessens surrounding her.
    Smoke curled into the air, growing thicker and darker as
they continued onward. Blaze frowned, speeding up.
    “What’s wrong?” Sasha asked.
    “If I’m not mistaken, that pillar of smoke is coming from
Cornell’s club.”
    Sasha froze. If the speakeasy was burning, so was her way
back. It was one thing to decide not to go back through. To have the decision
entirely out of her hands was daunting.
    She stole a sideways glance at Blaze. Still, was it really
that bad? This way, she wouldn’t be tempted to flee if they ever had a really
bad fight. If it was gone, it was gone and that was it.
    “It’s the club.” Blaze pulled over to the curb and they both
watched the flames burn from across the street. One of the soot-dusted figures
near the bucket brigade detached himself and came over to the car.
    “Paddy.” Blaze rolled down the window. “What’s happening?”
    “I was just about to go lookin’ for ya. Cornell’s being held
by some capo in Little Italy. I could get you in if ya want first crack
at him?”
    “Not interested. Thanks all the same.”
    “No kiddin’?” Paddy touched his hat. “Won’t be much of him
left soon. Well, enjoy your night.”
    As the man strolled off, Sasha looked up at Blaze. “Are you
all right?”
    He nodded slowly. “I used to think this moment would bring
me great joy. But I don’t feel anything. Only relief that it’s finally over.”
    Sasha reached out, taking his larger hand in both of hers.
The squeal of fire engines neared but the inferno was raging out of control
now. There was no way the club could be saved. Eventually Blaze stirred,
starting the engine again. He looked over at her before they drove off.
    “Your invisible door is going to be destroyed.”
    “I don’t care,” she said, squeezing his hand. As she spoke,
she knew it was the