Back To Black : Chapter 5
latest chapters : Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Word Count: 10,355
Writers Notes: Here we are Chapter 5 topping off season 4 and kicking into gear of season 5, I hope you all are enjoying the series so far, I’ve been enjoying writing and watching Peaky Blinders now am I gonna rewatch the show again oh Definitely !!!
shout to @herosneednotapply and her oc Florence
Warning: Show violence and language Suggestive themes
Translations :
So roden si ek divano, = What you seek is an answer
Me gindivas ke mules. = I thought you died
Na daţar = Don’t start
Zhi kai avasa arakhliam pale = Until we meet again
Possiamo già spararle? = Can we shoot her already
Spari quando dico spara = You shoot when I say shoot
Pairing: OC x Canon
( Eleanor Williams ) / Thomas Shelby
(Claudette Williams) / Finn Shelby
(Virginia Williams) / Ada Shelby
Plot: What happens When the Williams Family makes their grand return back to London from a war stricken France to only find the rocks of war and the runts of crime the Shelby family slowly leaking into their world,
1925 14th of April
Dear, Thomas Shelby
When you get this letter, it will be on your wedding day, which I must say congratulations on marrying the whore of the Heath, as Virginia used to tell me. Of course, I'm not jealous or anything. If anything, I want to see you happy.
Elizabeth Stark will make you a happy wife and the mother of your children. Yes, I know you're expecting a daughter. Flo told me when you wrote her. Clearly, you didn't think we women wouldn't talk, and yet we do. I find it foolish that you sent me my grandmother's ring when you had no plan to possibly ask for my hand, and if you did, you'd have come to the states and asked me, not sent me hints that I can't comprehend.
Tommy, I don't understand you, and yet at the same time, I do. At the same time, I can't shake you out of my skin or the memories out of my brain. Or why I feel the most alive when I'm near you, but when I'm away, everything reminds me of you. The Gin at my restaurant was yours, and it cured my sadness, a bit sweeter than I remembered, but I want to love you, but it hurts, so from now on, if you must send me letters,
London
"May it only concern business, Forever yours, Eleanor Vadoma Williams," Tommy growled, his brows furrowed as he threw his whiskey bottle at the wall. "Tommy, are you okay..." Virginia asked, fixing her fedora, "Everyone's waiting for you at the church," she'd seen that face before, a man in love, a man in denial, a man with no plan for the fact that she had been there,
"Leave..." he said, tears pricking at his eyes
"Tommy,"
"FUCKING LEAVE." Tommy had been going through it with the Changretta's at his throat and Arthur spirling down to a hole he'd fear he couldn't pull him out of. The only voice he needed to hear was his own. " Cold feet, I see..." Ada sighed, standing next to Virginia,
"Getting married again for your own personal gain..." she scoffed as Virginia looked at her,
"He's protecting her honour." she shrugged, "I respect that,"
"Marriage is about love, Virginia, not some business deal because two people fucked, and now there's a bun in the oven! " Tommy looked between the two taking his things as he left out the house, something told him this marriage would only end in heartbreak, and perhaps it was actually Polly,
"Charles, keep your hat on," Claudette sighed, "May I never have children," she mumbled, straightening out her dress. It had been a while since she'd been in one of those,
"Alright, I'm ready to fuckin go,"
"Arthur, do you think Tommy's makin' a mistake..."
"Julian Tommy always makes mistakes. We just let 'em fucking figure it out 'imself." handing him a vile of snow, Julian sighed, taking some as Lorcan snorted the rest, "Now that's a fucking Shelby."
Westerham Heights
Tucked away in the camps was a band of Caravans, horses, and clotheslines filled with hanging clothes. In the corner, a red caravan encrusted in gold paint and green. It brought back so many memories of their mother, " So roden si ek divano," Vadoma said as Bernadette turned around, "Me gindivas ke mules." Bernadette growled at her sister, Vadoma laughing, her gold jewelry dangling off her like a queen,
"Thought you swore off learnin' mères tongue."
"I got tired of the women picking on me, so, no, I learned." she smiled,
"Come in for tea, will you?" opening the door, Bernadette had always been envious of her sister's caravan with all of its gold dressing and how spacious it was, but because it was their mothers,
"Wine?"
"You never changed," sitting on her bed as she poured her sister a glass, "What brings you by. The only person who passes is Elizabeth Gray, the princess," Vadoma smiled, thinking about Polly,
"Why does my daughter have our mother's ring?"
"Fate seeks what it wishes to find." Vadoma shrugged her shoulders, "Vadoma...Na daţar," she growled,
"Only the truth of a lover can show the truth of the heart."
"Eleanor is getting engaged, and you're going to fuck it up like you fuck everything up!" Bernadette growled,
"I'm afraid it's been you who's fucked everything up, not just with Eleanor," Bernadette scoffed at her sister. She was right,
"The war with Luca is because you neglected your husband's dreams, Leslie taking over is because you sided with your husband and not your daughter, so yes, fate seeks what it wishes to find," Vadoma gave him a cup of wine, "Fate seeks to destroy your family, and it will if you let it." Bernadette turned away from her sister as Vadoma sighed, "This is why mother taught me her ways and father had you forever stuck in his." her skirt swept up against the floors,
"So giving Thomas Shelby her ring was her plan..."
"You never wanted it. You wanted Louis's excuse of a ring, one only a man in vaudeville could buy you." Vadoma laughed as her sister only began to feel small, "Vadoma Esme wants to see ya,"
" Heed my words," Vadoma warned, "And talk to mother, she'll guide you, "Zhi kai avasa arakhliam pale."
Small Heath - 1926
It had been a year, and the war was still ongoing. Standing in a trashy apartment were Arthur, Finn, Isaiah, and Claudette, "This is complete shite..." Claudette grumbled as Arthur laughed, "It'll do so you can shoot the fuckin Italian bastards, " taking a sip from the flask, "Am I in charge," Finn asked as Arthur glanced at him, "Isaiah's in charge. You make sure Tommy don't get fuckin shot, and Claudette..." he took a deep breath knowing his sentence would drive her into madness, "Yes Arthur,"
"If you don't fuck dis up, consider yourself an official Peaky fucking Blinder,"
"Yes, sir, I won't let you down." Claudette saluted.
"You could learn from her, Finn." Isaiah laughed,
"Alright, so Tommy 'Ill give you a signal to be on the lookout." Finn nodded as Arthur had then left,
"You know, I think we should have the guns ready," Isaiah said, handing Claudette one to clean,
"He's really trusting ya with a gun?"
"Is that a problem, Finn..." Claudette asked,
"I don't get why you have to fight,"
"This is my war as much as it is yours."
London -The Red Ruby
"Well, Well, Well, if it ain't Ms. Williams," Luca said, sitting across from Virginia, cigarette in her right hand, dry whiskey in her left, "If it isn't the fumbling bastard who shot me in the fucking ribs." she laughed, "Jessy tells me you serviced her, I assume you paid for her private fee alongside the house fee?" sipping her Whiskey as Luca rolled his eyes, "She was just a quick fuck," he shrugged, "Yeah, that's not how it works here in my whore house Mr. Changretta,"
"Is that so, Ms. Williams, because my house my rules?" he snapped his fingers as two of his soldiers stepped up to her, "Yeah, and in my house, guns get disarmed, so good luck with the shoot out," crossing her leg, every now and then she still felt a bit of pain, but not as bad as when Ada stopped talking to her,
"You queer bitch..."
"Thanks, I know. Now, why are you really here,"
"You crossed me,"
"Don't remember when I did..." Virginia smirked, playing innocent, "The port that night," Luca leaned in closer, trying to intimidate her. She only shrugged,
"You shot one of my fuckin men!"
"That was one of yours?" she pretended to be shocked, "Oh, Mr. Changretta, I'm terribly sorry." she pouted,
" You should be because I'm gonna be karma ready to fuckin rain on ya parade until you and that little girl of yours is dead,"
"I'd like to see you try."
" Possiamo già spararle?"
"Spari quando dico spara!"
"Then shoot me now, go on, kill me, but I warn you, you won't get a cent out of me. Maybe Leslie, who's been embezzling your money, taking your drugs, and doing you dirtier than any of my whores here." tipping her hat at him,
"That's a fuckin lie!"
"Jessy, sweetheart." snapping her fingers,
"Yes, Ms. Williams?" she walked over as Virginia gave her a passionate kiss, "Give him the copies of the books," she ordered,
"Yes, Ms. Williams, anything else for you." Eleanor pointed at his two goons,
"I wanna hear words Williams, fuckin words-"
BLOW!
Jessy then signaled for two other women to remove their bodies,
"Was that a fucking lie Changretta..." Virginia questioned, "Now. If you could, take your books and go, and never fuck with me again." her gun pointing dead center at his nose,
"I got a bullet ready for you, right next to Tommy Shelbys,"
"Mhmm, I'm sure you do, girls." she snapped, "Get 'em out of here before Alfie gets here."
"Yes, Ms. Williams."
Manhattan
"You know, darlin. That ring, it's really something. It doesn't look like no heirloom to me." Sally said, drinking champagne as Eleanor stood in the mirror trying on countless wedding dresses that she had no interest in wearing, "Well, it is," getting short with the woman. Sally was lucky she didn't know the truth about her son, or the fact Eleanor didn't say it to watch the lady kill over,
"You said it's from a friend. Is it a male friend? Oh, not get her another dress. She looks like a pig stuffed in a blanket."
"Tommy would've said I looked fine," she mumbled under her breath,
"So that's his name, the man who's gonna make my boy's wife a cheating whore."
"If that's what you wanna-" a loud thwacking noise across her cheek, "Think," holding her face, Eleanor bit her lip. She knew if all the abuse that had happened here to her in America had happened, in London, she, like the rest of anyone who was being cross with her, would have been added bodies to the floor.
"You are such an ungrateful bitch you know that." Sally asked, "Thinking you can just come into my son's life and ruin it. He doesn't and will never deserve you." her hand wrapped around Eleanor's neck as she pushed her down to the ground, fiddling for her gun in her garter she pulled it out,
"Touch me a fucking gain and see what happens," Eleanor growled, that fire in her eyes still alive and present. Looking over her shoulder, she could see Tommy standing there, something that had been going on for a while. Everything was Tommy, and Tommy was everything,
"I'm... so sorry I have to go." Eleanor got dressed and ran back to her penthouse. She couldn't take it anymore, this wasn't her life anymore, and she was losing control over it,
" Lena, we didn't expect you to be back so early..." Carlton said, trying to cover himself and Walter up with a blanket,
"No need, we need to talk,"
"I'll leave you two to it." Walter walked off in Eleanor's robe. Taking a deep breath, she then looked at Carlton, "We are two different people, and for us to work, I have to actually be honest with you,"
"What do you mean,"
"I mean... I'm Daisy Buchanan, and you're Tom. I'm reaching every night for a light and a life I can't have because it's in England. He's in England,"
"I'm not following?"
"I'm not just some dopey bright eyed Jazz -singer Carlton, "
"Then what are you..."
"A sinner and I come from a line of 'em." she smiled,
"I don't understand,"
"I do the devil's business, and I'm in love with him,"
"Lena, you're scaring me." Carlton gulped. Her eyes had looked darker than he remembered,
"Good..."
Small Heath
"Was that the signal..." Finn asked. It had been a week now, and still no sign of Tommy's plans, which meant that in the meantime of scheming, they'd throw parties and get a bit drunk, Finn and Isaiah would bring home prostitutes, and Claudette kept watch,
"If you 'ave to fuckin ask, it's not the fuckin -"
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Loading up the shotgun the way John and Arthur had shown her in the past was Claudette. Her eyes were focused on her target, two of Changretta's men. This must have been the signal, for nothing else could have been louder than that for it to not have been,
"Don't you think that gun is too big for you, sweetheart," Finn asked as Isaiah grabbed a pistol,
"It's just the right,"
BALAW!
"Size... Is what's the plan!" she shouted, a bit of ringing still in her ear, " I'm going downstairs, Finn top floor, and you," he smirked,
"The roof,"
"Why the fuck do I get the roof!"
"You want to be a Peaky don'tcha,"
"Alright, fine, I'm going..." she rolled her eyes. While on the roof, Claudette had set up her guns, waiting for the real fun to begin. Although she had in the past set traps for The Peaky's or was a distraction, this was the moment to prove herself,
"There she is..." Leslie pointed at Claudette,
"What should we do with her,"
"Kill her,"
Guns fired at Claudette as she hid, shooting back. This was harder than what Arthur told her, but if she could survive France during the war, she could survive this. More bullets flew as more bodies fell, but Claudette still couldn't lose, or so she thought. Reaching for her pistol, she found it missing until she felt the pressure of a heel on her hand.
"Looking for this?"
"I'll fucking kill you!" She spat at her mother's foot,
"If you want to seem threatening, don't go straight for death. Instead, go for how you'll torture me. The way you'll destroy all I stand for." Leslie smirked, removing her foot from her hand, "How you'll blow my brains out. Or knife my eyes out whatever it is those Peakys do," her laughter twisting the knife deeper into Claudette's heart. Leslie could see the fear spread into her eyes the closer she got to her. Leslie could almost taste the sweet victory of killing the life Leslie had created for personal gain. After all, she did kill her brother to climb the ladder of success, "I'll let you grab a weapon of choice first but choose wisely. I don't like to lose." Claudette grabbed her pistol as her mother laughed, pulling out her revolver,
"And to think you're my daughter..."
"I'm every nightmare you've ever had."
"Is that so because last time I checked, I was every nightmare you ever had. Since the day you were born," Leslie growled, "I loved you, I really did, but you messed up every plan I had for myself," she nodded,
"You were my beautiful accident."
"I don't understand..."
"A passionate night in Small Heath gone wrong..." she began to pace, "I was young, useless nothings. I trusted that man, I loved him, but I was weak just like you," she laughed, "So very weak... I let him take the best years of my life, and eventually, he left and came back when you were three. He didn't want children, but I couldn't let him hurt you, so I set the house on fire with him in it. And you in hopes you'd have a better life than the shitty one I had." Leslie sighed, trying to pull on the heartstrings of empathy,
"You left me to die... then waste away in an orphanage..." she laughed, "One where they made me use different soap from the other kids because of my skin," Claudette chuckled, "Or where they'd cut my hair because they couldn't tend to such unruly curls!" she nodded, "Yet you think you can storm back here telling me bullshit and I'd trust you!"
"What's wrong. You don't trust your mother,"
"I don't trust backstabbers who try to kill their own family..."
BANG!
"If you see Andre in hell, tell him I'm coming for him next," the bullet lodged in her leg, the scream of pain from her mother causing her to laugh,
"That'll teach you to mess with The Peaky-"
BANG!
"Fucking Blinders, huh..." Leslie smirked, "never turn your back on your enemies,"
London
"I need to speak to Virginia..."
"Who's askin?" Mary asked, her breast nearly hanging out of her dress, "Ada Thorne, it's important," she glanced at the woman. Was this really what Virginia was into. Sure, she'd been by the brothel a few times, but even she knew the women had nothing on her,
"Boss is in 'er room third floor."
"Thank you." walking up the stairs, she passed a few customers, a few clients of their own, cops on the payroll, politicians, and many other scums of London's low life, but she had to hand it to Virginia, for it to be a whore's house it was still the most beautiful thing she ever did see, knocking on the door, Ada took a deep breath, they hadn't seen much of each other since the wedding, in all honesty, it felt like neither of the two cared enough to check on the other either, especially with Virginia and her commitment issues,
"Who's there,"
"It's Ada..." her fur coat wrapped around her tightly, nervous as all get out to how she'd react,
"Mrs. Thorne, come in," a cigar in her mouth as she opened the door,
"I don't see you gettin much of any sleep."Ada commented about the bags under her eyes, "Running The Pearl and keeping Luca off my back," she sighed, sitting down in her silk robe,
"How's Karl," she asked, "Find him a proper father figure yet?"
"Virginia..."
"Screwing some new man, I mean, I get it keeping cover," she laughed, knocking back some pain pills,
"Virginia Claudette's been shot." Virginia dropped her bottle of Brandy on the floor, the glass splattering across as her heart sank, "Where is she..." her bottom lip trembling as her bottom lashes collected teardrops, "The boys rushed her to the hospital,
"Who shot her, when, where-" Ada pulled her close. And she kissed her,
"Get dressed, and I'll tell you on the way,"
In one wing, there was a killing spree, a bloody massacre. The first of its kind. Until The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre of 29, but on the other side of the hospital was Claudette, who was still in surgery. She had a bullet so close to her spine that one wrong move could leave her paralyzed. "Finn Shelby, sit down, will ya," Polly commanded,
"Not til she's alright," he began to pace harder, trying not to panic. Linda hadn't stopped praying since they'd been in the waiting room. Meanwhile, Isaiah had been flirting with a nurse,
"Virginia, glad you could make it," Polly smiled at the two, "Ada told me everything," Virginia sighed, looking at her. she could tell the family was still at each other's necks.
Even she knew when to step down and be cordial, flattening her overcoat as Virginia sat down trembling like a leaf as Ada tried to soothe the other woman. Virginia only had vengeance on her mind,
" I didn't mean for any of this to happen..."
"Shush, it's not your fault,"
"But it is. Our family put you all in this mess,"
"Luca is our mess, too," Polly sighed, "But we'll get through it, you'll get through it," smoking her cigarette, "in due fucking time..."
Heels clicked against the floor as Bernadette entered the hospital, her Chanel fur draped around her body as her usual smile was simply a frown, "Ms. Dupont..." Polly scoffed, looking at the other woman, "Elizabeth Gray..." she smirked,
"Lovely to see you, but I need to speak to your nephew Tommy."
"About what,"
"My daughter."
"Mother now is not the time,"
"But it is Virginia..." she turned to face her, "
"Mum!"
"Let her speak," Polly raised her cigarette in the direction of Virginia, " The War with my sister-in-law is over..." she smirked, "Took matters into my own hand and shot the bitch cold." Bernadette smiled,
"She's out of our hair?" Polly asked, "Completely out of it, no one fucks with my children and lives," Bernadette sat down, "Besides, I did some thinking, and you Shelby's would do wonders with us, Williams." she winked at Virginia, who blushed at Ada,
"Welcome to the shit show then,"
The doors then flew open as a nurse came out, her hands shaking a bit," Well, how is she..." Finn asked, growing paler by the second, "She'll need some help walking again, but Claudette's going to be just fine,"
1926 25th of December
Dear Elle,
Another Christmas has passed, and I know you said to only write about business, so I'll do that. In a year, we've defeated Luca, fixed the problems your brother caused, and formed an alliance. Of course, I was told you received the ring from your aunt. However, I wonder if you're under the mistletoe now, wishing I were there. Or when you see the snow.
Does it make you feel like you're missing home? Like there's a light out in the water you can't reach, and every time you try to touch it, it fades, like leading a horse to drink water,
Seeing that I strayed from talking business, your mother tells me you're returning soon to pick back up on The Pearl.
I told Arthur about the plan, and although he tried to fight Virginia, he eventually came to it. Of course, I also managed to make a few investments in America which the family doesn't know about, but you and Flo do.
I also managed to get Ms. Eden off my trail, and I'm soon heading into politics, something Pol has always thought I'd be good at that, but nevertheless,
I can only try my best hand with the horses that I handle and Change the world.
I know you said no more gifts, but this time it's from Charles, attached to this letter should be a box,
Manhattan
"Merry Christmas and a Happy early Birthday. May we meet again, Thomas Shelby," Eleanor took a breath sitting by the tree next to Florence, "Eleanor, I wouldn't open that box. Remember the ring?" she looked over at her, "Yeah, I do, but this is a gift from Charles, he's like a little God son of mine," she smiled,
"You think a four-year-old would buy you a custom-made dress worth thousands. This is a french silk ribbon." Flo sighed,
"I have to know what's in it." Untying the ribbon, she took out the dress as a loud gasp was heard, "Do you know whose dress this is!?! Flo looked at her, a bit confused, "Daisy's from The Great Gatsby." her tone was sarcastic, "No, it's Norma Shearer's from Upstage!" she smiled, holding the fabric of the dress close to her heart,
"I know I was being sarcastic, so tell me, why are we in here. While Carlton's in the living room."
"He's out there with Rodger..." Eleanor rolled her eyes,
The Garrison
"This is a big fucking day for Claudette, so everything needs to be perfect." Finn commanded, both Tommy and Arthur looking at him as if he were a new person, "It's a big day for you, Shelby's. Winning another race, getting rid of that prick Luca, And Tommy, the soon MP of South Birmingham." Virginia said, looking over at Ada,
"The MP of South Birmingham... impressive, Mr. Shelby," Bernadette nodded, a man who could change the world, yet her daughter was with a man who'd change whatever his parents wanted, "The Black Pearl textile factory would be happy to advocate for you. I'm sure Eleanor would be pleased to see your efforts." Tommy only gave her a nod. Eleanor was just as much of a touchy subject for Tommy as Grace was, "Alright, Claudette will be walking in any minute, so everyone just act fucking normal."
"I'm fine. Really I am," Claudette said as both Lorcan and Julian helped her walk down the street,
"What if you fall..." Julian remarked,
"What if someone targets ya and blows yer damn brains out, Claudi..." Lorcan suggested,
"So is this like a family meeting or a departure or... " Lorcan opened the door, Finn rushing to her side, hugging her as Isaiah walked over,
"You look good,"
"Thanks, Is, " she smiled, hugging Finn back,
"Missed me that much huh..." her head on his shoulder,
"You two lovebirds make me fuckin sick." Arthur walked by them as Johnny Dog. And Virginia laughed,
"They're in love." Ada smiled,
"We're just friends!" Claudette's cheeks were dark pink, and Finn's freckles had a red glow to him,
"What she said."
"Anyways... we got a surprise for ya, Right Tommy?" Lorcan said, smoking his cigarette,
"Is it Whiskey..." she asked, "Or another mission or money or-"
"Claudette, shut up and let Tommy speak." Virginia rolled her eyes as Bernadette sighed,
"Thomas, continue."
"Ms. Dupont, the watch.." he then looked at his brother, Arthur, "Arthur, you go get the other thing..." Bernadette stood by Tommy as Claudette looked surprised and nervous, hoping she didn't do anything wrong,
"I can't fuckin find it, Tommy!"
"Behind the bar..." he shook his head. Finn, Isaiah, Julian, and Lorcan had all been by Tommy's side, making Claudette feel small than she looked,
"Found it."
"Probably fuckin placed it back there..." Julian mumbled,
"I heard that. You fucking idiot..." he grumbled,
"Alright, Tommy, I got it." Arthur walked over,
"What's going on..." Claudette questioned,
"Ms. Dupont, Virginia, would you two do the honours." clipping the pocketwatch to her waistcoat, Virginia was teary-eyed,
"You've grown up to be an amazing young woman. I wish I could be as courageous as you," Virginia smiled, putting the watch in her hand as Bernadette finished clipping it to her,
" I ain't really good at speeches, but," Arthur smiled, "This little lady has been a pain in our asses since she ripped the streets of Birmingham off and had her first taste of Gin at 12 years old." he sniffled, "She's been nothing but the right kind of trouble, always askin about gettin a fuckin hat, being the one kid who's ever loved the Peaky name, and saw it as anything but a curse, and for that... Claudette Hilda, Welcome to The Peaky Fuckin Blinders. You finally got that damn hat you wanted."
Tommy took the hat putting it on her head, as her eyes watered a little, "I won't let you down, Tommy..." she then looked at Bernadette and Virginia with a big grin on her face, wishing Eleanor could have seen her, a shadow the front of The Garrison,
"Claudette, since you're a Peaky, I think it's time you see where we keep the good stuff," Finn said. Claudette took his hand, "What if they notice we're gone?" she glanced, "Everyone except maybe Tommy is drunk," Finn laughed, "Never really seen him drunk, actually," he mumbled, pulling Claudette into the room, cases of every illegally made type of alcohol were in that room, it was heaven for the cops and hell for any gangster if ever caught with it, she was in heaven, "The Pearl has... had a bigger supply..." she winked as Finn laughed, "Yeah well all this is ours," spinning her around as she laughed, he loved her laughter, it always brought a kind of joy to him when he heard it, the bubbling sensation in his stomach as his heart beat faster, that was the feeling Finn craved on nights that were spent with prostitutes or empty lovers, yet Claudette was always there, "Hi..." she said pent up against the wall between Tommy's Gin,
"The moon looks beautiful on your skin," Finn smiled,
"You'd look beautiful on my skin," she gasped,
"I'm so sorry ... did I just-"
"Mhmm," tilting her chin, his eyes on her lips as she became flustered, "Kiss me..." Claudette's knees nearly gave out from under her as he kissed her, the taste of tobacco and Gin on his breath. He smelled like Tommy's cologne, but that did matter. Biting her lip. Finn was pleased with the squeak that left her mouth. This was the big lead. Pulling her closer to him, he grabbed her by the waist as she grabbed him by his suit jacket,
"We're not just friends, and you know it..." Finn said, pulling away from Claudette as she was panting, wanting more from him,
"Finn..."
"If you don't love me, say it..." he kissed her neck as she laughed, Finn!" Claudette laughed. Finn then bit her neck as she closed her eyes, "Damn you, you Shelby..." she bit her lip,
"Say you don't love me, angel,"
CLICK!
The bright bulb nearly blinded the two as Tommy sighed. He wasn't surprised. After all, this hadn't been the first he'd walked in on these types of things,
"We were just, uh..."
"Claudette, sweetheart. Friends don't go off to an abandoned room alone to snog,"
"What about you and your women friends..." Tommy laughed, "They fuck," Finn said, as Claudette smirked, "Out fucking now!" Tommy pointed to Finn as Claudette mouthed sorry to Tommy, "You're a French trotter, and he's like Stallion, so be careful." he looked at Claudette as she nodded.
1929 Arrowhouse
1929 was the year of a blooming new decade, the year that Tommy and Eleanor could feel their lives changing for the worst. Tommy had to deal with the stock market crash and Michael, who brought his wife and ideas back from America to England. Eleanor and her family were starting to get threats by those who once admired their businesses. She had political campaigns to attend to sit and look pretty, while Tommy had to sit and scheme and stew in the frustration that was politics, and
"Mr. Mosley..."
"Ah yes... if it isn't Carlton Barlow... the black from America... didn't think Thomas would have the likes of your kind here."
"You'd be surprised, what people allow, Mosley, was it?"Carlton asked, "Tell me where you stand on the issues of The Red Scare..." he asked him as his eyes trailed over to something else, a dark blue gown with white beading like peacock feathers was seen from across the room as the big white feather covered the wearers face, he had remembered Tommy telling him that every woman except his wife and the swan were off limits, but Mosley believed that he had laid eyes on God's very own pearl,
"Oh, Thomas, this fine man here has a question for us." Carlton looked at the man, almost startled by his presence and looks. He could understand why Eleanor was very much still in love with him. He would be, too, if a man like Thomas Shelby showed interest in her,
"The names Carl-"
"Carlton Barlow heard a lot about you," Tommy nodded, "This here is my wife, Lizzie, "
"Pleasure to meet you. I assume your travels here weren't too bad?" Lizzie asked as Carlton laughed, "They were just fine, a little peckish at times, but" his wrist a bit limp as Mosley took notice, "Everything was fine, "
"So tell me, how do you feel about the rights of homosexual's should they even have rights, Mr. Barlow." switching the subject to gain attention, "I think it's no one's business what anyone does in their own homes, Oswald." his face heating up,
"I see, and your thoughts Mr. Shelby..." Tommy's eyes locked with what he thought was a ghost, black waves in her hair as her brown skin complimented the dress. Beading adorning her back, he had to know if she were real or if it just was another trick of the mind like his seeing Grace was. His eyes followed her movement. Trying not to lose her in the crowd, but how could he when she was dressed better than the family hosting,
"Tommy..."
"Tommy..."
"Tommy..."
"We need an answer, Thomas,"
"Excuse me," he walked off, Lizzie's eyes catching where his gaze went as she sighed, shaking her head.
"Eleanor, is that you?" Polly asked as she turned to face her.
"Ms. Gray, a pleasure to see you, and might I say you look radiant." she smiled as Polly hugged her, "Please, dear, you call me aunt Polly," Eleanor hugged her back, "I'm sorry aunt Polly," pulling away as she watched her light a cigarette,
"How've things been?"
"Oh horrible, they've changed for the worse, people acting more like animals than the boys do," she shrugged, downing a glass of whiskey,
"What about you, love. Have you seen-"
"Sorry to interrupt you, ladies," Eleanor turned to see Thomas standing behind her. The dress was a perfect fit. And it complimented him well,
"Mind if I steal her for a moment?" Thomas asked,
"Steal... I prefer the term borrow, Mr. Shelby?"Eleanor smiled up at him as she took him by the hand. Polly stood back and smoked her cigarette, and watched the show unfold.
"Why do we always meet at dances... is it because our life is a dance?" Tommy pulled her close by her waist, "You've changed," he mentioned having her in the middle of everyone dancing, "And so it seems you have too." swaying with the rhythm, this was where she was supposed to be, and yet this time something still didn't feel right, was it the timing, or her emotions that she tried to push deep down for him bubbling to the surface,
"How're things in the states..."
"About the same as here but shitty, with shitty accents." Eleanor joked, "And how were things here while I was gone,"
"Shitty, but with the same shitty accents." he smiled at her as she laughed, "Same Tommy Shelby, eh," Eleanor commented as he spun her around, Lizzie had been dancing not too far away with Mosley, who wanted to bring up their past, but her eyes were strictly on Tommy, she knew she couldn't compete for Tommy's love, but Lizzie would try anything to keep her family together, yet from afar Tommy looked happier than she'd ever seen him,
"Tommy... it's an Emergency outside..." Ada said as Virginia wasn't too far from her. That aggravated groan she had missed so much,
"Do you need help..." she asked Tommy, as Tommy glanced at her. Outside the mansion there was a pretty drunk Arthur and a very pissed-off Linda, with Polly trying to deescalate the situation,
"YOU RUINED MY LIFE, DAMN, YOU ALL TO HELL!"
"Linda put the gun down..." Tommy sighed as Ada stood next to Virginia, who gave Eleanor a wink,
"Linda, can't you come back and do this on a Tuesday..." Julian asked as she pointed the gun at him,
"You're a monster. You're all monsters!"
BANG!
Rushing her to the dining room table, Lizzie ran in along with Carlton and Mosley, "Who the fuck are you..." Arthur pointed towards Eleanor, "The woman who can help save your wife," she then ushered Lizzie over,
"You ever taken a bullet out before?"
"No,"
"I have." Ada glanced over her, wondering who this woman was, especially if she was standing next to Tommy, "Lizzie try to keep her head propped up, Virginia, stop drinking the fucking WHISKEY!" she groaned,
"Tommy!"
"Already on it, darling..."
"Eleanor, sweetheart, what's going on. You're scaring me..." grabbing her by the arm, she pulled her gun on him, "I'm so sorry, " she walked out the room as Carlton followed,
"Eleanor... That's not the real you, is it..." he gulped, "What's really going on. Who are you really" she sighed, "The penthouse we lived in, you fucked in. Paid off by drug money. Darling, the cocaine Walter snorts I provide, the horses we visited on public outings together, race horses for races I know how to fix." she laughed, "So, to put it plainly, Carlton Barlow, I'm a gangster, and this is the real fucking me, now are you going to be squeamish or will you fucking help!"
She rushed back in, taking her gloves off, "Here, she can use it as a tourniquet." Eleanor smiled, "Are you sure?" Ada asked as Virginia laughed,
"Clothes mean nothing to my sister,"
"Lizzie, would you do the honours?" Eleanor asked, handing her the silk glove from off her arms. Giving her a nod, Lizzie tied them around Linda's arm,
"Lorcan, Julian, take her upstairs, " they both nodded at Tommy, all that stress in his eyes as Eleanor only looked at him from across the table, "Everyone out..." Polly ushered cigarette in hand,
"You too, Lizzie..."
"We should get back to the celebrating of political minds that will look at Carlton and me as if we don't belong, well he doesn't, and now he knows too much and-" Tommy kissed her, a fire behind it, Eleanor pulled away, her hand on his chest as he held it there,
"Tommy, I shouldn't...But I want to," she sighed,
"He doesn't treat you the way I did, eh sweetheart,"
"Tommy, you sent me my aunt's ring in the post..." she laughed, "You're kissing me when your wife is out there, and..." her eyes trailed to his lips,
"I'm engaged to be married,"
"To the man who could give a shit about being with a woman,"
"How did you..."
"I do my research, just like you have a racehorse named Tommy. Not to mention he's out there fucking dancing with the fan I gave you," he winked at her as she pushed him playfully, "So Charlie didn't pick the dress out. You, sir, are a pain in my ass." she grumbled as Tommy looked at her, "You confuse me, yet if only you understood what it was that you do to me." looking into his clear water blue eyes,
"Why do you think I sent the ring..."
"Thomas... I love you, but I'm not yours..." the train of her dress trailed behind her as Mosley walked in, taking a quick whiff of her scent.
"Didn't think women of your... race could afford such lavish... fragrances,"
"I didn't think God could make such an asshole..." ignoring his gaze on her figure, "Carlton, let's go..." holding his hand,
London
The Connolly Mansion
It was now three weeks after the events of Arrowhouse and. The mansion had felt empty to Eleanor, not because it obviously was but because the laughter in it that was her father Louis was gone. Passing the pictures in his old study. She began to remember the memories of each photo, some from when they were in France. There was one with her aunt Vadoma, her mother, Leslie, and her father all posed in front of a Caravan,
"Couldn't sleep?" Bernadette asked,
"I was getting some early paperwork done for Carlton. He doesn't understand a single thing about his campaign. Also, he won't talk to me," she laughed, "Something to do with being the sinners he was warned about," she rolled her eyes,
"He'll come around, and in due time you'll learn to love each other," Bernadette smiled, "Just about as much as I loved your father," she took a deep breath,
"He can't love me..."
"Oh, Carlton, I know. I was talking about Thomas. Don't think I haven't noticed how you look at him," she watched her daughter sit down, reading into his political campaign.
"He's married,
"So was Vadoma, but it didn't stop her from seeing Elizabeth Gray," she smirked as Eleanor pieced it together,
"You see, fate seeks what it wishes to find, so what do you wish it to find."
"The truth..." Eleanor nodded, "A purpose to this madness, the reason money is missing. I don't mean from the crash. We can recover from that on a horrible night," she shrugged. Eleanor had only been back for two years total, and still, she never missed a beat with the business,
"We can trace the funds, I can meet with Tommy, and-"
CLASH!
The sounds of glass smashing from downstairs were heard, hitting the top of the left drawer. Eleanor took her father's hidden gun out as she raced downstairs, "Virginia, fucking stop it, it's not that damn serious..."
"Ada's pregnant... Jul's," she laughed. Her hair was ruffled up, and her clothes frumpy on her,
"I love her... I would... Would I'd give up everythin... to fuckin marry her, " she laughed harder,
"Ginia..."
"Juls fuckin listen to me!" she growled, "I'd give up everything for that woman, the whoring, the smoking, I'd give up my life for Ada, YOU TELL ARTHUR FUCKING SHELBY THAT HUH!" she turned her face, Eleanor dropped her gun, the blood on it making her heart shatter, "You tell the damn coppers an... and the-"
"Who did that to her..."
"Nora, just a few asshole nobodies..."
"Julian Shelby, who did that to her,"
"Nora, don't..."
"Do you want me to shoot you?"
"Alright, it was The Billy Boys, the same men who killed Aberama's son." he heard footsteps trailing back upstairs,
"You can't fight them, Nora..."
"I had to wake up to fucking burning crosses at night in America. I can handle a group of fascists who nearly beat my sister into a fucking pulp!"
"I'll phone Tommy for backup. God knows he'd burn the world down if something happened to you." he mumbled, "He'd what..." she stopped walking,
"Burn it to hell, he would..."
"I'd do that for Ada..." reaching for the cocaine in Julian's coat pocket, snorting the remainder that he had left,
"I'll replace it by tomorrow..." she grumbled,
"Oh, and Julian..."
"Yeah..."
"If you're gonna call Tommy, tell him to meet me at The Pearl in an hour."
"Nora, I don't fuckin work for ya,"
" Just fucking do it, Jules!" she sighed,
"Esmeralda, could you gather my papers," the young maid nodded, "Of course,"
"What am I supposed to do,"
"Call Thomas!" she ran upstairs, passing her mother, "Where are you going."
"To put the fate of the future in my own hands."
The Pearl
"We could get caught," Claudette laughed, standing on the stage, "Seems we always do, so fuck it." Finn winked, lighting his cigarette. She'd never seen the club at this angle in her 20 years of living. She could see why Eleanor had loved to sing on it all those years ago, "How's it feel..."
"Costumes a bit itchy, but... I can see us ownin one of these bad boys... Sex, drugs, booze, and all the jazz in the world." she laughed, "No one could tell us no, well maybe except for Tommy, but," she sighed,
"I couldn't own a thing like this..."
"And why not. You can plan a hit, shoot any target,"
"'Ave you ever heard me sing," Claudette laughed, her waved hair reflecting the stage lights,
"No," he lied, "But enlighten me." sitting back in the booth, taking a deep breath, Claudette opened her mouth and sang the first song that came to her mind,
" I wanna be loved by you, just you," she swayed on the stage, a smile on Finn's face as he admired her beauty,
"I wanna kissed by you, just you. Nobody else but you." waving for one of the waitresses who was still there, she poured him a glass of Gin and sat it on the table. Claudette watched how he eyed her as if he'd have his way with her on the table. Stepping off the stage, she remembered a trick that had always seemed to work,
" I couldn't aspire to anything higher than, filled with desire to make you my own!" she sat in Finn's lap, kissing the corner of his mouth as she took his cigarette, and smoked it, red lipstick tinting the top of it as he smirked, pulling her closer, he couldn't deny that he didn't love her,
"Will you Marr-"
"Finn..."
"Claudette..."
"We know, we know out..." She groaned, "At least go upstairs... if you're gonna fuck," Eleanor grumbled. Claudette rolled her eyes, "You're just mad 'cause you don't get any..." the glare her sister shot her could send chills through the dead as she went behind the stage towards her office,
"What's gotten into her knickers..."
"Definitely not Tommy." Finn laughed, flinching when he felt a hand smack him in the back of his head. Claudette laughed as Tommy looked at the two, a smile in his eyes that only Claudette could see.
"Where's she..."
"Office."
Eleanor took a deep breath as if she were singing. There was so much on her mind she needed to cover, but first, it had to be business, "You called..." she nodded,
"Well, Julian called, and I was doing some campaign work for Carlton, though he's in a hotel, phones his sister," she sighed. Tommy poured her a glass of whiskey on the bar, handing her the cup, "The point, dear," he glanced at her, pulling out his glasses as she nearly stuttered,
"Point is the stock market crashed. This is the perfect time to conjoin our businesses," Thomas looked at her, "What can you offer me that Michael couldn't..." sitting on her desk, her legs crossed, she looked at Tommy. The two took a quick glance at each other,
"75% of the Black Pearl Company, you'd be like the chief of staff, considering you're a businessman yourself," rolling his cigarette on his lips as he lit it,
"How would that benefit me, sweetheart..." looking up at her, her eyes catching the dim lighting in her eyes, but yet behind them was pain, a highly unshakeable pain, "How wouldn't it. We are one of the highest crime families here in London. We provide top tire textiles, drugs, women, booze, gambling, and entertainment, not to mention our exports..." she smirked, "We're getting morphine and heroin, discreetly packaged,"
"Eleanor... "
"What more can I say, your connection for opium and our connections here, we'd be richer than the fucking king." she smiled,
"Eleanor, darling,"
"I get it if it's a bad idea, and of course, I'd have to talk to your Board of Directors." sipping her glass of whiskey, "I don't mind. I'll get through to them all. They'll see it as I do, and-"
"We'll have a fucking empire, my love. You are a genius," he smiled wholeheartedly, her heart melting at his smile. Kissing her hand, he helped her off her desk,
"How fast can you be at The Garrison tomorrow."
"I can pack a quick bag and stay in a hotel, an-" she thought, "You know what, it's my business proposal, the least I can do is welcome your family to my home," she nodded,
"I'll get meself a hotel and-"
"You will stay with me as my guest. Julian is already there, probably drunk on the floor and not to mention Finn and Claudette and their other friend-"
"Then why the hell are we still here," Tommy joked as she rolled her eyes, "Patience Thomas Shelby," the hairs on his neck standing from the way she said his name. He hadn't felt that way in a long time, except for maybe Grace, who became more of a ghost to him than the lover he once remembered. Hitting the back of the door, both she and Tommy heard an abrupt ouch,
"You'd think they'd stop doing that by now."
The Connolly Mansion
Claudette sighed as she sat in the study, melancholy taking over. Staring at the pictures brought her joy, in a way, comfort. That everything broken could still be fixed. In front of her was a picture of Leslie, Vadoma, Bernadette, Andre, Eleanor, and Virginia, but in Vadoma's arms was a baby that she held as her own, looking at the year it was 1908, the year she was born, but why was she holding her instead of-
"Sweetheart..." Finn knocked,
"Yes, handsome?" she asked, looking up at Finn, who had the biggest grin on his face, "Isaiah and I are gonna go look for some trouble before the rest get here. You wanna come?" he asked,
"What kind of trouble are we talking about?"
"Booze, some whoring maybe..." he smirked as Claudette sighed again, this one a bit worrying. He could see her face turn into concern and jealousy,
"What's wrong..."
"I thought maybe... tonight I'd be the only whore you'd need, but..." she looked away from him,
"Risk your chances, I guess." she laughed, "You know... I love you. I try so hard to excuse everything you do. Because I do everything but whore around because I don't want anyone else to make me feel good but you," Claudette stood up as Finn kept his gaze on her. She was right. Lately, he hadn't been giving her the attention she needed and should've, but here she was in front of him,
"Aye, Finn, you coming," Isaiah asked,
"Go without me," Finn smirked,
"You sure?"
"I got something to take care of,"
Downstairs there sat a sobering Virginia, who had still been sulking about a love that could never happen. "Ya know Tommy, can I call ya Tommy, fuck it, Tommy, there comes a time in ones life where you realize, you don't wanna keep diving in the streets to be under the arms of anyone, ya wanna settle down an- and be with that one person raise a family with that one person..." Tommy took a drag of his cigarette, nodding to what she had to say in her semi-drunken state of mind, "Fuck it have an empire with that person... cause none of this?" she leaned in, pointing at everything in the living room, "Means shit without love, not any love true pure love, like in those Disney toon thingys." Virginia laughed, rolling over, hitting the floor,
"Get my drift?" she laughed harder, "Dropped my joint!"
"I see your point..." he nodded, sitting there thinking about the times he and Eleanor shared together,
Eleanor brought the good out of him. Her smile alone could brighten up his day, but their witty banter was always his favorite like he could be himself around her,
"Of course, I was talking about Ada and I... But take my words... and he's gone..."
Eleanor sat in an oversized sweater by her window as she heard raindrops fall against her window. She could only hope that his family would arrive safely. Watching the drops come into one another, footsteps by her bedroom as she shrugged it off,
"You know rain means unhappiness..." Eleanor kept her gaze at the window,
"Odd, I was told rain means many things..."
"What does it mean, Mr. Shelby?' turning to face him, her curls looming over the side of her face, "The first kiss of a first love, melancholy, lost lovers?" he mentioned walking in, taking sight of the portrait of herself on the wall, if only they knew each other during the war,
"You're starting to sound like." she faced him,
"I haven't noticed, " he charmingly smiled, "By the way, is that my jumper,"
"It helps me sleep, " Eleanor shrugged, "Couldn't sleep with dear ol Carlton, eh," showing him her hand, the ring that was once there was gone. Tommy, on the outside, had shown empathy. But, inside, he was happy she was a freed woman. "Sorry about your engagement.."
"He came from a family of assholes and deserved to be free from me." she laughed a little. Although she didn't want to marry him, it still hurt that he left her, that at that very moment, he was in a hotel room leaving to go back to America.
" Elle..."
"I mean, who would ever love a monster like me..." she looked out the window, tears blending with the raindrops, "Who would want to say, Eleanor Vadoma Williams, will you marry me," she sniffled,
"Elle,"
"Instead, his sister and mother nearly tried to kill me!-" her breathing began to get heavy, "My father died, I wasn't there. My brother faked his own fucking death. I wasn't there!!!" her hands in her hair, shaking her head furiously, Tommy rushed over to her, scooping her in his arms as "Hey, hey, hey it's alright I got you, love," Tommy kissed her on the crown of her head,
"Tommy, you don't understand... I'm not strong like you..." her body shaking as he sat her in his lap, her head resting on his legs,
"Can I tell you something," Eleanor looked up at him, "Tell me what..."
"You're stronger than I could ever be. You are a force not to fuck with. I'm just a scared little boy still out there on that fuckin battlefield thinkin a medal, a gun makes me a fuckin man, and it doesn't, Ellie, it doesn't." he laughed as she listened to him, "I'm runnin from death, you probably laugh in his face."
"Tommy..."
"You're right. It was a coward move of me to not come to see you. Or ask to marry you, but I was scared I would fuck up the one good thing in my life." he sighed. Eleanor looked up at him as her hand touched his cheek, a tear rolling down his face,
"What about Lizzie or Grace. She's an amazing woman, and Grace, you loved so-" Tommy kissed her hand, then up her arm as he eventually reached her lips. Pulling him down, Eleanor flipped him over, pulling away from him, "You are the first thing on me mind, the last thought before sleep, and the truest love." Tommy said, moving her hair to the side as he pulled her back down, kissing her neck as she moaned,
"So you like me?" Tommy flipped her over again. Tommy rolled his eyes as he kissed her again, a bit more passionately than they had ever kissed. Her lips had a lingering taste of his Gin, while Tommy had a taste of her wine and cigarettes on them. Eleanor tangled her fingers in his hair as her leg was over his waist. Biting her bottom lip, he heard another moan escape from her mouth, nearly driving him crazy. Both of their tongues had been knocking into each other like waves on a ship as the heat between them only became hotter,
"You tell me..."
"Ms. Williams, your guest arrived-" Esmeralda blushed, "I'm sorry I-"
"No need, it's okay... See to it that they have drinks if you please," she blushed hard, "Tommy, you should go and uh... mmm," she stood up as her knees went a bit weak,
"I'll be downstairs." he fixed himself up,
"Oh, and Elle..."
"Yes, Tommy,"
"Did that kiss answer your question?" she gave him a nod as she got dressed, a pair of knickers, Tommy's sweater, and her oxfords, tussling her hair a bit,
"Nice fuckin house..." Arthur looked around. There were portraits and crushed velvet drapes, and art deco sculptures with art nouveau in the mix of it,
"Oi Lorcan, Karl, put those down before you steal something and break something!" Ada shouted, her fur coat around her shoulders,
"May I get that for you..." Virginia offered as Bernadette watched from the shadows, "You may..." a cold shoulder towards her as Virginia nodded,
"What's gotten into them?" Claudette asked, her hair disheveled, " I wouldn't know," he nuzzled into her neck as she giggled,
Last but not least was "Polly Gray..." Bernadette crept out of the shadows, "Bernadette Connolly..." she gave her a hug,
"I assume your daughter threw this meeting together?"
"I would assume so," she shrugged as Polly gave her a cigarette,
"How have you been..."
"Alone, you know, it feels like something is missing," Bernadette sighed, "I know he died years ago, but he died a broken man." she sighed,
"He died with only me by his side, not his children..." Polly hugged her tightly, "I don't want that for Ellie..."
"You visited Vadoma, didn't ya."
"What gave it away,"
"Everything."
"Do we really have to go to this shit Michael..." Claudette nearly groaned at the sight of her as Finn shook his head, "Yes, Gina, we do. Let's hear what Bullshit comes out his mouth and go from there..." Michael said, holding his wife's hand, " Look what the cat dragged in... a wet skank, I mean Yank." she heard a few laughs from her comment,
"Oh, sweetie, maybe when you mature, you can own a house like this one."
"Gina darling, this is my house..." Finn pointed towards the portrait of her on the wall, "And Michael staying out of jail?"
"Claudette..." he looked at her, his eyes not leaving hers, "See something you like, Michael..." Finn glanced at him as he pulled her closer,
"I know it's late and storming, but."
"Tommy, why the fuck are we 'ere at fuckin 2am." Arthur grumbled, "Hear him out; it's not his fault," Eleanor said from the stairwell, "It's actually mine." she stated,
"Who the hell are you..." Michael asked as Gina nudged him, "That's fucking Eleanor Williams... " Gina blinked, "Owner of The Cell Block club in Manhattan, I own her records." Eleanor only laughed at the young girls' reaction. She could always appreciate a fan.
"If you would all please join me in the dining room, we can all get this meeting over with," walking down the steps as Thomas helped her. Arthur took another look at her as it hit him. She was the woman from the club those years ago and the same woman who'd been sending letters. Now, something was fishy with having half her family around his own.
"Ms. Williams, can I get you anything?"
"Tea would be great. For the table," she nodded as the maid went away, "Now, where was I," she stood up as Tommy watched, "For those of you who don't know, I am Eleanor Williams, Leader and CEO of The Black Pearl Oyster Company, my board of directors," she pointed towards Virginia and Bernadette, "To make things short I have an offer you can't refuse."
"You think you can offer Shelby limited some fuckin thin, huh," Arthur laughed, "With the market crashin and shit,"
"You must be Arthur... The treasurer is just the man I wanna talk to," she smirked, "But not just yet. I want to talk to the number cruncher of the company,"
"That would be me, Michael Shelby,"
"Mmm, the one who ran the numbers to shit... "
"I could cut your eyes out right here and now." Michael gritted his teeth at her response to him, "In 1922, Shelby Limited was up to 28% in Gin sales; and being that it sold for a year at my club, that brought us to 1 billion and half of it to 500,000,000 for The Shelby company," she then looked at Tommy as he nodded for her to continue, both Bernadette and Polly listening, "In the states, we shipped over 5.4 Million liters of Gin-"
"Those are great numbers, sweetheart, but what's that going to do for us," Gina asked, "I have a baby on the way and-"
"Mrs. Gray, how about you listen and don't fucking interrupt me," Virginia, Claudette, and Arthur looked away as Eleanor sighed, "Now, Tommy and I were talking and thought, with the need for heroin, morphine, and opium ever rising we'd give you 75% ownership of our companies, you all would become board members, Tommy Cheif of Staff, you'd have stocks with the company and access to the inventory, so Finn, Virginia, Dette, Juli go easy on it,"
"You think we'd partner up with you so you can take down our fucking business, and a woman like yourself at that," Michael scoffed, "Tommy would have to be fucking stupid to go through with this. It's best if you all keep in your place, Gina. We're leaving-"
Bernadette hit her first on the table, startling everyone. The fire in her eyes rose as she looked at Michael, "If I had put a bullet in everyone who took a potshot at this company for not keeping in our place..." Bernadette laughed, "The entire shithole of a world would be littered with the bodies of dead pricks like you."
"That's the Bernadette I remember," Polly grinned, "As the chairman of the company, I say, what have we got to lose."
"An awful lot Pol..." Arthur said, "Ow, do we know we can trust em..."
"You trust Virginia enough, be around Ada..." Eleanor stated, "You trusted Claudette to make her a Peaky. We, Williams, are Loyal. We are who you want to have in your pocket, just like you, Shelby's are,"
"Now, have we got a deal."
"Darling..." Tommy looked over at her, "Are you sure about this,"
"More than rain." she looked into his eyes, the two in lovestruck bliss. They'd never seen Tommy like this before, and if they had, they couldn't remember,
"Then, by Order of The Peaky Blinders, you have an alliance." he smiled,
"Welcome to the family," Eleanor smiled,
"Wait..." Finn said, standing up, "There's something I want to say..."
"Spit it out, Finn boy," Julian said,
"Claudette and I are getting married."
Eleanor nearly choked on her tea as Tommy blinked,
"We're in love..." Claudette smiled, "It's only right,"
