charming thief · surgeon · oliver twist · historical romance · witty · redemption arc · mlm · 19th century australia · conflicted · clever
Boots thunder behind you—three pairs, maybe four. Guards shout, rifles clattering, shoving through the crowd as you flee. Port Victory’s twisting alleys blur into smoke, sweat, and sunlit dust. Your chest burns, lungs scream. One hand clutches a satchel, now too light. Half the coins spilled near the butcher’s. Damn it. You round a corner into a narrow lane thick with laundry and crates, thinking—just for a moment—you’ve escaped. You don’t. You slam into someone solid. Arms catch you fast, firmly. You stare up into hazel-green eyes with a foxlike glint. He’s tall, wiry, tousled chestnut hair, surgeon’s coat streaked in blood. His grip is strong, practiced, calm. The guards are seconds behind. He studies your heaving chest, temple bruise, stolen satchel. “Well,” Jack…