Jacob Frye x Reader

Chapter 24 - Research and Development

"Internal combustion engines?"

"Eight small syllables that mean a great deal of money. The engines will be delivered to Millner by train. Secure them for me and he will be...devastated." It was quiet for a few moments before Jacob spoke up.

"I'll need a second train to pull this off...And I think I know just the man." I could hear the door begin to open and, just as I was about to jump off the carriage to make sure I wouldn't be seen, I heard Pearl speak once again.

"So, we have a deal, Mr. Frye?"

"You're fortunate I like you, Miss Attaway." With that said, he opened the door and, as fast and as carefully as I could, I ran from the carriage, my heart shattering as I go. 'Well, that settles that then.' I think as I begin to run, a few tears running down my cheeks, but I wipe them away as soon as they fall. 'I'm an idiot for caring for a man who simply doesn't feel the same way. George was right, we should never allow ourselves to feel something for someone, for those feelings only get in the way. It's even worse when they don't feel the same way about you.' Without another thought, I ran into a crowd of people, blending in with society as I made my way back to the train.

Jacob's POV

As soon as I opened the door, I could've sworn that I had footsteps running away from near the carriage. Looking around, I notice how there seems to be nothing out of the ordinary happening around me. 'I could've sworn someone was here.' I thought, but then dismissed it. With a shake of the head, I roamed the streets of London, looking for a certain Ned Wynert. As I searched, I happened to have stumbled upon a police convey. With curiosity coursing through my veins, I begin to tail them.

"The captain's been looking for you for some time, Wynert." The policeman at the front spoke, and I knew then and there that I had found the man I was looking for. Making sure to not be seen, I walked closer to the front, thinking of a way to get Ned out of this situation.

"There are law against arresting an innocent?" I heard Ned reply.

"Shut your trap." Nothing more was said as I jumped onto the first carriage, kicked the policeman on the left off the carriage and then pushed the one on the right before grabbing a hold of the reins and spurring the horses on. Of course, the others did not take this too well, so they begin to give chase.

"What the hell's going on out there?" Ned asks.

"A change of plans, that's what's going on!" I shouted out in reply.

"Frye? God, damn it! Where do you come off rescuing me?"

"I believe it's pronounced 'thank you,' you ingrate!"

"I operate on a strict policy of keeping people indebted to me, not the other way around. I hate having to return favours!"

"I could leave you here for the police to collect you."

"No, it's too late now. Just get us out of here." Nothing more was said as I begin to get away from the other policeman.

Time skip

After finally losing sight of the police, I hopped off the carriage and made my way to the back, where I see Ned in handcuffs and sitting on one of the seats.

"So, what do you want, Frye?" He asks as soon as he sees me.

"What makes you so sure I want something? Perhaps I saved you out of the kindness of my own heart?" At my reply, he simply laughed. "Come on, let me tell you about the job."

Mini time skip

After rounding up a few Rooks to help, we managed to 'borrow' a train and prepared ourselves to attack Millner's.

"Millner's pulling a lot of cargo there!" Ned calls out as he sees Millner's train.

"Just be sure to make the transfer!" I say. Just before I jump onto his train, Ned says,

"Give em' hell." To which I simply smirked and then make the leap onto the train. Once aboard, I search for the cargo.

I look up ahead and notice two Blighters who seem to be guarding a crate. With a smile on my face, I pulled out a throwing knife and my kukri. Without even seeing me, I threw both the knife and the kukri straight at the Blighters, embedding the weapons deep within their skulls, killing them instantly. Then, I walked up to them, grabbed my throwing knife and kukri, and put them in my jacket before opening the crate.

"Not this one." I say before closing the crate. Before moving onto the next, I detached the wagon so that any Blighters that may be on there are unable to reach the rest of the train. I walk on and notice how three Blighters seem to be guarding the second crate. I stealthily made my way over and, without hesitation, rammed my kukri and hidden blade into two of them just as the third one notice.

"You bastard!" He shouted out as he grabbed his weapon and lunged straight for me. Knowing that he was aiming for my stomach, I jumped out of the way before slashing my weapon as his stomach, managing to cut him. With a slight wince, he lunged again, however, his movement were a little sloppy, thus I could slash him across the throat and ended his life. With that out of the way, I opened the second crate.

"Not what I'm after." I said and then closed the lid before continuing.

"Oi, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Another Blighter shouted out as I made my way to the third crate. Without saying a word, I flicked my wrist and slashed his throat with my hidden blade.

"Here we go!" I said as I searched the crate and found exactly what I was looking for. I made my way to the front of the wagon and detached it from the rest of the train, waiting for the other train to catch up so the engines can be transferred.

Mini time skip

"The internal combustion engine." I begin to say as I open the crate and show it to Ned. "The end of horse-drawn transport. It's like looking into the future."

"And what is the going rate for the future, do you think?" At his words, I pulled out the piece of paper Pearl had given me and gave it to him as is said,

"Oh, we're not selling them."

"You're giving them to your contact?"

"You'll be paid all the same."

"Who is this Pearl, anyway? How long have you been working with her?"

"She's a business partner. That's all you need to know."