"Oh you naughty lads," the old lady said, sighing and her black eyes staring concernedly at the twins who were playing with each other in the Captain's arms. They were in front of her house, two rose beds flanking both wings of the townhouse. She rubbed her thumb over the golden head of her cane, her back hunched.

"Thank you very much," she thanked Captain Asher. "I forgot to close the door; old age, you see." She sighed. "These children never keep their legs in one place."

"It's fine Mrs?" Captain Asher asked.

"Tucker. Jacqueline Tucker." She gestured for the visitors to come in. "Please come in, let me at least offer you something for helping me find them."

Robert walked in behind her, everyone else following him. Inside the house was a ruby-red walled lobby. An ornate staircase with golden railing led to the next floor and Mrs Tucker kept walking down the corridor that connected to the lobby, her cane thudding against the floor.

He followed her and they were led into a living room with three chaise lounges that had red cushions. The lady gestured for them to all seat and they complied. Two windows faced them, beams of sunlight hitting the golden tiles. Outside was a lush view of wide green plains. Compared to the mist-filled busy road and workers outside, this house was a breath of fresh air. Robert assumed she was rich to have such a beautiful home.

But rich people did have maids. He wondered why she didn't have any attending to them. There wasn't even a butler to open the door. Next to him, Captain Asher sat with the twins and they kept giggling, rubbing their sticky palms in his face and kept chanting, "Captain."

"They seem to like you," Mrs Tucker said, smiling approvingly.

"They're adorable," The Captain agreed and Ella squealed next to Robert as she looked dreamily at the children, her voice almost deafening him.

She leaned into Robert's shoulders and nudged his arms. "Do you like children?"

"It's like asking a goat if it likes grass," Robert answered. "Of course I love children."

"I love them too." She put on an affectionate smile. "I would love to have them too. With the right person of course."

Robert's heart rate picked as they locked eyes. They were staring at each other for a while before Mrs Tucker broke the tension their gaze was creating.

"I'm assuming you two are married," she said handing them a plate of biscuits before she went to attend to Howard and The Captain. The make twin Campbell took his biscuit and tried to feed it to him.

Robert cleared his throat. "No, we're not."

"Well you two would make a fine couple," she said sitting on a nursing chair that faced the chaise lounges.

Robert felt like cursing himself when he smiled feebly. He hoped Ella didn't see him. That would be embarrassing. In a bid to change the path of the discussion, he spoke.

"Mrs Tucker, we are here to see you." He settled his plate of biscuits on the coffee table before him.

"You don't say," she said inclining her head. "I barely get any visitors these days since my daughter died and her husband ran away."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Mrs Tucker."

"It's alright."

"Eighteen years ago, a lady named Emily met you and you helped her deliver twins."

She narrowed her beady eyes, her greyed brows locked together. "Emily Putnam. I do remember her."

"We're looking for those children. We think you would know where they are considering you gave them up for adoption."

"Ah, I see you got my letter."

"We did," Robert said, eying the Captain. "He's the father of those children."

"I know who he is." The Lady thumped her cane once on the golden tiles, making everyone flinch. "He's Captain Asher Newman of the fifteenth command of the British Army. I also know he abandoned Emily when he needed her the most."

Captain Asher's lips parted before he mustered the courage to speak. "I was blskjd-" Dorice the female twin put her thumb inside his mouth. He gently put her on his lap and continued to speak. "I was deceived. I trusted the wrong person and it cost me, my dear Emily."

"Late Commander Finley," Mrs Tucker said, nodding her head in accord. "Emily had told me. Still, that doesn't change the fact that-"

The door of the living room flew open and three men in black coats walked in. The two taller, muscular ones held rifles and flanked the shorter one who had ginger hair and a full moustache, a monocle on his eyes. Robert and his mates were already quick, their pistols already drawn and pointed at the intruders. He had Ella protectively hidden behind his, his arm protecting her side from any possible shot.

Captain Asher hid the twins behind his legs, his golden pistol aimed and ready to fire. Howard on the other hand covered the old lady, his gun ready to blast off any bloody wanker. Whoever these people were, they were outnumbered, but still dangerous.

Robert could see the wicked glint in the two big men's eyes. They wouldn't hesitate to shoot if it came to it. By the time the minute was over, the five men were aiming guns at themselves with exception of the man in the middle who looked calm and collected despite the tension brewing.

"Mrs Tucker," the ginger head bloke sang out, lighting up a cigar and popping it off into the air. "I see you bought yourself some protection."

"Protection that wouldn't hesitate to blow your brains off," Howard said, smirking. Knowing him, he could take the three of them on his own.

"Mrs Tucker, I'm yet to receive my hundred grand," the man said, licking his teeth. "My patience is wearing thin."

"Mrs Tucker, what's he talking about?" Robert asked, looking over his shoulders.

Mrs Tucker came out of Howard's shield. "It's nothing, don't worry yourselves. Mr Pitsburry. This is between us, leave them out of this."

"Your son-in-law bet me fifty grand on a boxing match and my fighter. Our additional condition was that if he wasn't able to pay," he trailed off looking at the scared twins hiding behind Captain Asher's legs. "I would take his children."

What sort of mean were these? They were willing to take little children as collateral. And what sort of father would do this to his children? Mrs Tucker mentioned that he left. Maybe he ran away once he was unable to pay his debt.

"You vile mutt, "Captain Asher hissed. "Don't you have no shame?"

Then a flash of light gleamed past the monocle on Pitburry's eyes as he smirked. "I lost my honour a long time ago, Sir."

"I don't care what you say, you're not taking these children," he added, putting a hand protectively on Campbell's round head.

"And definitely not on my watch," Ella added and Robert felt like tossing her out of the window. Did she realise she was one of the people here with no guns?

Robert leaned and whispered. "Don't talk, it's dangerous."

"I can fight for myself, you know?" She said back.

"With what? Those pretty hands?" He glanced at one of the large men. "Do you need to be reminded that they have guns?"

"This wouldn't have happened if you got me a gun too."

"Last time you held a gun you fell into a river and went unconscious for a full week," he teased.

She rolled her eyes. "You're unbelievable."

'It's one of my many traits," he smirked smugly and locked eyes with Pitburry. "Like my mate said, you're not getting those lads."

"I will, and soon." He burnt out his cigar in an ashtray calmly. His brown eyes freckled with the golden light from the sun. "I will be back tomorrow Mrs Tucker. And better have my money."

He retreated first, giving off a salute. Once his guards were sure he was out of sight, they turned around and left. Robert let out a heavy sigh, tucking his gun back into his tailcoat and everyone went back to their positions except Mrs Tucker, who was biting her lower lip, her hand on the cane trembling. She was scared. But considering how rich this house looked, she could probably have that kind of money.

"It's fine, love," Captian Asher said to Dorice who was sobbing softly into his shoulders. "Nothing would happen to you, I swear."

"Do you have the money, Mrs Tucker?" Howard asked.

"If I did, do you think I wouldn't pay them off? Their stupid father gambled all the family's money away. Including my daughter's dowry." She sat back in her nursing chair, her hands shaking. Her eyes wetted, tears rolling down her saggy cheeks. "They'll take my lovelies."

Ella sighing with affection, walked up to her and massaged her shoulders. "They would not take your lads, we promise. We'll figure out something."

Robert had more than enough to pay whoever this man was. But paying him didn't guarantee Mrs Tucker's safety. He could decide to still take the children. He had thought of it before, he could still do it. Who knew if he was into that kind of business?

Mrs Tucker cleaned her eyes and looked at Captain Asher. "What I'm about to do is selfish. But I have no choice. I'm willing to strike a deal with you."

"What is it?" He asked.

"I'll tell you who your children are and where they are."

"But?"

"That'll be after you help me deal with Pittsbury. I'm not the only one he makes that kind of deal with."

It was a good deal and slightly selfish. But the woman had to do what she had to do to protect her lads. Captain Asher's eyes turned arduous and he nodded his head. They had come this far there was no backing out.

"Do we have a deal?" She asked.

"Aye, we do," he said, running his hand through Campbell's soft hair and massaging the back of a now sleeping Dorice. "Besides, I'll do anything to protect these children. I've made a mistake in my past. It would not be repeated."

Robert knew what the Captain meant. He saw this as a chance to maybe atone a tad bit for his past sins. For now, he didn't know who his children were, but these adorable ones needed him. And it would be evil of him not to protect them. Besides, when they were done, they would get what they came here for and everybody would win. Then Gerrard could stick it up where the sun didn't shine.

"I know a way you can do that," Mrs Tucker said, resting both hands on the head of her cane.

"What is that?" Robert asked, leaning forward with interest.

"Boxing. We make him a bet and fix a boxing match. He can't resist one as long as you provide a large amount of money."

"How much would be enough?" Ella asked.

"Thirty thousand grand is enough."

Robert smiled at Howard. "Good thing I'm rich."

Captain smirked. "And it's a good thing I was the best boxer in my command."

"Then it's settled then," the Lady said. "We'll strike Mr Pittsbury where it hurts. But you have to train. Because his fighter is an absolute beast."

******