#vincente changretta

[deadendtracks]

"John starts a gang war, and Arthur either eggs him on or doesn't do anything to stop him."

Great write up but a clarification - Isn't Tommy the one started the war with the Changrettas by burning Angels restaurant in the first place, a gang that has been at peace for 2 years? What other outcome/message that entails between gangsters? John aggravated the situation for sure, but Tommy is the one that made the need for a sit down in the first place. Tommy handled the Angel debacle poorly, inflated ego I think. For a man who is knee deep in strategies and 10 steps ahead of everyone, this was just pure miscalculation especially during this crucial time dealing with Churchill/Russians? Isn't that why he never blamed anyone but himself for how it turned out?

I've posted about it before, but in that post I wasn't specific enough about the initial meeting with Changretta and also didn't talk about the restaurant fire. So I'll dig into it a bit more here.

It got very long.

In 3.01, there's a scene between Arthur, Michael and Lizzie at Arrow House during Tommy 's wedding. Michael talks about how Lizzie was told with all the other office girls about the rule against fraternizing with foreigners and that Angel Changretta has had a bunch of aliases and runs with the "Naples boys" which I guess means he's in the rival gang, as reasons he's off limits, because of Lizzie's important position in the company. This is often framed as Tommy trying to personally control who Lizzie dates, but that's really not what's going on here -- he's knee deep in espionage with the Russian business by then, and rather than tip anyone off by ordering them all to stay away from Russians, he's just banned dating 'foreigners.'

The discussion of the fire never is explicit about who gave the order: Lizzie tells Arthur "You set the fire." Which is probably a collective 'you' meaning the Peaky Blinders. So it's possible Tommy himself ordered it, but it's also possible this was something Arthur and John did on their own to enforce the 'no fraternizing' rule (or because of John's jealousy, see below). It's ambiguous, because at that point Tommy wasn't necessarily micromanaging everything they did -- in season 2 for example they go burn the pub where Isiah was accosted on their own. They like burning pubs.

But let's say Tommy did order the fire. The purpose of the meeting with Vincente Changretta would have been to restore peace, negotiate, not escalate things into an outright gang war. The fire itself wouldn't have been enough to do that, or Vincente wouldn't be accepting a meeting to talk about it. He would have retaliated. He didn't; he was still willing to talk.

That's the important thing, to me, when I talk about John starting the war -- everything that follows, which I'm going to get into detail about, because I think it tends to be glossed over or forgotten.

Unfortunately, Tommy was called away literally at the last minute and had to catch the early train to London to meet the Russian duke. I imagine he may not have given Arthur and John super specific instructions, just to smooth things over with Changretta in a way that lets him save face but maintains Peaky Blinder power, as Polly mentions later.

That's definitely not what happens.

Go back and watch the scene: Arthur and John start out the meeting in an insulting attitude immediately. If you look at how things are set up, they've left a bunch of horse manure on the side of the table the Italians are to sit on, and the side Arthur and John are standing on is clear. Arthur mentions the fine scent of shit. Both of them take a mocking tone with Changretta, showing him little respect, and John is constantly smirking. This is absolutely not how Tommy would have handled it.

Vincente says there's been peace between them for 2 years. Before he can continue, John interrupts and asks if he wants tea. It's obviously not meant to be polite, but to be further disrespectful. This provokes Vincente. He mentions the restaurant being burnt, Arthur and John joke further about Angel and continue to act disrespectfully.

Vincente: But you tell him from me that my son will walk with any woman in this city. Any woman he chooses. Even if that woman works for the Emperor, Thomas Shelby. My son is in love--

At this point, John starts laughing really insultingly.

Vincente: And if he wishes, he will walk with the woman he loves.

John: OK. You know, it'd be hard for your son to walk anywhere with a bullet in each knee, wouldn't it?

Immediately, the tone changes. Arthur gets serious finally. John looks at Vincente with a dangerous expression rather than mocking. He's making a specific threat on Angel Changretta.

John laughs as the Italians walk away in fury, but Arthur knows shit has hit the fan. He tells Isiah to put extra men in their pubs and tells John not to tell Tommy about the Italians breaking a chair (I read this as "don't tell Tommy we fucked this meeting up and they left angry").

Note: Tommy is still in London and has no idea this has happened.

The next scene Polly walks in to confront John. She says she doesn't want him to do anything about the situation :

Polly: Well, [Angel] heard you threatened him directly to shoot him in the knees and now he's going around Nechells telling everybody he's going to kill you. This is Lizzie's fault to start with, Tommy's for leaving it up to you.

John (acting really juvenile the entire time, look at his body language): What are you talking about? We run London. We run the north, we run the whole fucking country. What do we care about some fucking Nechells Green Eyeties?

Polly: We don't need to be getting involved in all these little piss pots. ...We own the city. But we don't need to rub everbody's noses in it. If the old man decides to make a stand, he might get Sabini feeling sentimental-

John: Sabini's done.

Polly: They're all done. And they all pay up. But we don't want rebellions.

I've quoted this at length because it's important to putting what John did in context, why it was so dangerous. By threatening Angel Changretta and treating Vincente so insultingly, John (and Arthur) have made things worse rather than settling them.

Polly goes on with her 'compromise' which is that Lizzie meets Angel and breaks up with him, saying it was all her fault. Setting aside the way Polly frames John and Arthur's fuckup as Tommy and Lizzie's responsibility both here and above, take note of John's reaction!

It's violent. He sweeps things from his desk and gets up, yelling, then starts talking about how this is all Linda's fault for her Christian talk (referring to Arthur wanting to apologize). Ask yourself why he's reacting violently now, at this point -- when Polly mentions Lizzie talking to Angel Changretta.

Notice that John only threatened Angel in the scene with Vincente when Vincente talked about his son being in love with Lizzie.

In both of these cases, John has an outsized reaction to mention of Lizzie being with Angel Changretta -- he's the one who is jealous, he's the one who is angry about the whole thing.

Polly tells John not to do anything, and 'it'll all calm down and nobody will lose face.' Again, an important line, because she's talking about dialing down tension with the Changretta family.

John's response? "I'll take his fucking face. How about that?"

In London, Tommy is only just now meeting with the Russian duke!

Next scene: Angel Changretta is picking up a suit from the tailor. John is there, assaults him, shouts at him to "stay away from Lizzie" and then cuts his face with a razor, disfiguring him.

Only then does Tommy get back from London. By the time he gets back the war has already started. It hadn't started with the restaurant fire, because Vincente didn't retaliate then, he'd only come to talk. The war starts because John deliberately starts it by attacking Angel Changretta!

When Tommy walks into the situation, it's too late for "apologize" and "compromise" because of John, specifically. Possibly if he'd gone to Vincente Changretta at that point and spoken to him, there would have been a way out of the war, but from Tommy's reaction, I think his stance is that once things have escalated that far they'd look weak and open themselves up to more 'rebellions' from other gangs if they didn't react swiftly and harshly.

You mentioned Tommy's flaw being inflated ego here; I don't think that's it at all. I think if you look at the context of the day Tommy had -- meeting the priest, the insinuations about the priest abusing children at Grace's school, being ordered to take the meeting in London, the whole way he's been coerced into this business in the first place -- I do think this contributed to him ordering them to basically squash the "rebellion" by extreme force.

He says the line about "if we lift our heel off their necks now, they'll just come at us." -- It's a wartime reaction, and he's feeling besieged on all sides at this point. This is something he can control and so that's the tactic he takes.

You can argue about whether or not it was a good decision, and it does end tragically, of course.

But he wouldn't have been put in that position if not for John!

The matter of Tommy blaming himself is a complex one -- and I've already written way too much tonight. But to me, he blames himself because he wasn't there at that first meeting, and Polly outright blames him for not being at the meeting. He blames himself because he sees himself in a way as the superior officer who is ultimately responsible for the actions of his soldiers, and because he escalated things when he got back from London. I also think he has a pattern of taking responsibility for the things his brothers do onto himself and tends to never articulate out loud his feelings about some of this but that's a whole other meta.

Of course a lot of this is up to interpretation; but I don't think the fact that John's the one responsible for starting the war with the Changrettas is one of them. That's just factually what happened.

#peaky blinders #meta

[evita-shelby]

Incantatrice

Chapter 13

Taglsit:@thegreatdragonfruta @zablife @babayaga67 @wandawiccan60

Gif by:@hicktown-orchestra

Eva is better now that she has their sweet Rosalba in her arms.

Things have been better, too good if you ask her.

Even if Eva has not had an episode in months, she acts as if it will all come back the second she drops her guard.

But she is better, happy and Luca is relieved to know the worst is over.

Perhaps in a year or so they’ll break the tie and have another baby. This one born in Birmingham or London while they rule the empire his father lost thanks to Angel’s lack of ambition.

“What happened to the nanny?” he asks when he finds his maga changing into a different dress after their sweet Rosina threw up on the previous one.

They were running late for their dinner reservation, and while he did not mind getting a quick look at what he’d be taking off her when they got back, Luca needed to confirm why Carmen is gone.

“I fired her.” she answered as she shimmied into a burgundy velvet dress that matches the shade of lipstick she wears and the red roses holding her low bun.

“Why?” he asks as his show ended when his wife slid the diamond encrusted dagger into the black leather sheath on her garter.

Luca knew the answer lay in Carmen being young and pretty and suggested by the Family who wanted to remind Eva what her place is.

Spinietta was growing tired of Eva’s influence and Luca’s growing power.

Unlike the rest of the consiglieri he can’t replace them by voting in a replacement.

If they get started on taking England, Luca won’t have to worry about anyone giving his maga the kiss of death.

“I do not share, something Carmen did not understand.” She gave him a wicked smile.

Dinner had been perfect, sure there had been no wine due to the presence of undercover cops, but what did they need wine when Luca is enough to make her feel drunk.

It’s been two months since Rosalba was born, but it feels like ages ago when she tries to remember when the last fucked.

“We’ll ruin the sofa, Luca.” She wouldn’t mind ruining the velvet sofa, but she does hate having to stop because Leonardito heard noises in the living room.

At least in the bedroom they can lock the door.

“I’ll buy you another one if you’re a good witch for me, mia vita.” He guides her on top of him, not at all surprised to find her garter hooks undone and her as willing as always.

“What if I want to be a bad witch tonight?” she asked coyly as she slowly undid the rest of his shirt buttons and got rid of his vest, Luca loves being in control and yet she’s never heard him complain when she takes the reigns.

Besides, she needs to remind him he is hers and hers alone.

“I’ll get you a whole fucking new set of couches then.”

It is barely midnight when the encore is interrupted not by a six-year-old boy nor a two-month-old infant, but by a telephone call.

“Let it ring, Eva. ‘s not important.” He said that and in the next heartbeat his wife lost all interest in letting him know she owned him in this life and the next.

“It’s your father. Somethings happened to your family.” Her warm skin goes cold with goosebumps under his touch.

And sure enough, Luca picks up the telephone and hears the last thing he had thought he would ever hear.

“Angel is dead. They killed him, those fucking gypsies killed him!” his father is stone cold on the line, and yet Luca knew Vincente Changretta had been crying even if nothing betrayed the steady voice vowing fire and brimstone on the Shelby Family. “We are leaving for New York once he is buried. I know you loved your brother, but I cannot lose you too.”

“I am so sorry, Luca. If I had known this would’ve happened, I would have not let them leave.” Eva holds him as he cries for the first time in years.

This time, she is the one holding him together.

This time, he is the one broken to pieces.

“I will kill the bastardo who did this, an eye for an eye, a life for a life.” He vowed vengeance and she didn’t dissuade him from it.

“You will avenge him; I have seen it. John Shelby and his family will pay for what they did to your brother.”

A week later, only Audrey Changretta arrives in New York.

His father killed by the orders of Thomas Shelby; Audrey escaped because his brothers had the mercy he had not.

Shelby claims one of them killed his wife so he killed Angel in his hospital bed, Audrey says they never sent an associate to his party and if they had had, they would have gone for John Shelby never the puttana Shelby married.

Who’s to say Shelby didn’t frame them to wipe us out? A man like that is never satisfied with what he has, Audrey said, and Eva stared at her in horror.

Eva who knows what they do and accepts it, and yet cannot stomach all the blood he will spill in this vendetta.

“The Shelbys will pay for this.” Luca vows to his stepmother and put on the signet ring his father wore until he died.

#luca changretta x eva smith #luca changretta x oc #eva smith changretta #incantatrice fic

[normalbrothers]

vincent changretta's own Most Defined Trait and the Reason Why He's There In The First Place being that he's a Father only adds to it

#he tries to approach john and arthur in a fatherly way even (which they mock and dismiss) #he doesn't try the same with tommy but tommy's spiralling/quickly regressing behaviour (sitting in his lap!!!) surely suggests he's reactin #to something there #and that goes beyond grace's death imho

[omarmueller66]

It Attained Gold Document Status In 2023

The chances of the values of gold tumbling are a lot less as in comparison with the worth of the currency. Following an unsuccessful try on Arthur's life and Tommy's remaining outmanoeuvring of Changretta, Tommy confronts Alfie for his betrayal. Roth described American Pastoral and the 2 following novels as a loosely related "American trilogy". Lewis's Ransom Trilogy. College of Massachusetts Press. best gold ira companies , author, biographer and historian; in Attleboro, Massachusetts (d. Leitch, Vincent B.; Cain, William E.; Finke, Laurie A.; Johnson, Barbara E.; McGowan, John; Williams, Jeffrey J. (2001). "William Okay. Wimsatt Jr. and Monroe C. Beardsley". The Davidson Faculty provides both grasp's and doctoral levels.

In 1969, Arnold H. Lubasch wrote in The brand new York Instances that the varsity "has supplied the main focus for the fiction of Philip Roth, the novelist who evokes his period at Weequahic High school within the highly acclaimed Portnoy's Complaint. Besides identifying Weequahic High school by name, the novel specifies such websites as the Empire Burlesque, the Weequahic Diner, the Newark Museum and Irvington Park, all local landmarks that helped form the youth of the true Roth and the fictional Portnoy, each graduates of Weequahic class of '50." The 1950 Weequahic Yearbook calls Roth a "boy of real intelligence, combined with wit and customary sense." He was often known as a comedian during his time in school. Kern was upset as a result of he thought that "Blues in the Evening" by Harold Arlen (Music) and Johnny Mercer (lyrics) ought to have gained. Nome is talked about twice in the lyrics. The Hope Sled Dog Race was run between Anadyr, Russia, and Nome after the fall of the Soviet Union. Calcutta Municipal Gazette. Superintendent of Printing, Corporation Press. Ulysses Press. 2011. p. Oxford College Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/36364. The award has solely been given to songs in languages apart from English four instances: in 1960 for "Never on Sunday" (Greek title "Ta Pediá tou Pireá") from By no means on Sunday, in 2004 for the Spanish music "Al otro lado del río" from The Motorcycle Diaries, in 2008 for the Hindi song "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire, and in 2022 for the Telugu music "Naatu Naatu" from RRR.

Although this album was compiled and released by Capitol Data, the tune "Night and Day" introduced here isn't the Capitol model, however the 1962 Reprise model from the album Sinatra and Strings. For instance, in 1965, Robert Goulet performed all the nominated songs on the ceremony. It was introduced soon after that Kendrick Lamar and SZA would now not perform on account of "logistics and timing" issues, making "All the Stars" the one nominee of the 4 not to be carried out live. For his birthday, Mrs. Little one provides him the Zangler theater (Zangler has used all his money on the show in Deadrock). You possibly can switch cash over from a monetary account, rollover a 401k, or via several other means. February - the statue of Eros is taken away from Piccadilly Circus in London so that the new Underground station will be constructed.

Brooklyn Every day Eagle, sponsored his appearance on New York City's WVP radio station. However, circumstances in both winter and summer season are moderated by the town's coastal location; winters are much less extreme than in the Interior, and conversely, summers are lukewarm. A bomb assault at a dinner for members of Hungary's "Democratic Membership" in Budapest killed eight individuals. Alfie is seen when Tommy visits him and proclaims the demise of his uncle Charlie on the Cotton Membership by the hands of Jack Nelson's (James Frecheville) gang from south Boston. best gold ira companies makes its debut on BBC2, starring Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Simon Day, Mark Williams, John Thomson, Caroline Aherne and Arabella Weir. Michael Crichton (as John Lange), Binary (1972) - suspense novel a couple of U.S.

#gold ira

[almightytrashcan]

PUTANGINA ANG GWAPO NI CILLIAN MURPHY LORD IM NOT YOUR STRONGEST FUCKING SOLDIER HE DOESNT HAVE TO BE SO HOT WHILE HES ABOUT TO TORTURE VINCENTE CHANGRETTA

[denimbex1986]

‘...The BBC’s Brummy gangster masterpiece came to a roaring conclusion last month, with a critically acclaimed sixth and final season...

Renowned for stunning cinematography and instantly quotable one liners, the show has featured riveting storylines from the grimy streets of post-war Birmingham all the way to bootlegging havens in the Atlantic. The success of the show has even led to a commission of a feature-length film, which will see the iconic residents of Small Heath return for the epic final chapter in the Shelby saga.

Across the course of a blood-soaked gangster tale, there are bound to be a few deaths that leave a lasting impression. Peaky Blinders was no exception, killing off main characters in shock fashion left, right and centre since the moment the drama hit screens all the way back in 2013.

...10. Vicente Changretta

...A grief-crazed Tommy, describes in bloodcurdling detail how he plans to torture Vicente until dawn, made all the more disturbing by the increasingly unhinged manner in which the transcendent Cillian Murphy delivers Tommy's chilling words. Tommy's implacable rage as he threatens to cut away the mobster's eyelids if he does not look at him as Changretta resolutely prays in Italian is a terrible, frightening spectacle to behold...

...7. Bonnie Gold

...Bonnie’s otherworldly fighting abilities do him no good here. Mocking his status as an elite fighter, McCavern proceeds to mercilessly beat the young gypsy to within in an inch of his life before his goons hoist the barely breathing boxer up onto a wooden cross.

The merciless Scot performs the coup de grace on a crucified Bonnie in front of his anguished father in an unfathomably traumatic scene. McCavern leaves a mocking note on Bonnie's body, issuing a chilling warning that if their demands are not met, Tommy will be next on the cross.

"And there will be no resurrection."

The sheer brutality of the killing coupled with the devastated sobs of a heartbroken father make this one of the most gripping, harrowing death scenes that the BBC, or TV as a whole has ever produced.

In the immortal words of Alfie Solomons, "it was f****** biblical mate".

...4. John Shelby

Peaky Blinders' fourth season begins with a explosive, tragic bang.

...Michael is sent to collect John from his family home. The brash third born Shelby brother and his fiery temper had been an integral part of Peaky Blinders since day one.

No sooner does Michael arrive before hay bales on an inconspicuous truck tumble away to reveal Mafia assassins; they proceed to gun Michael and John down in a hail of automatic gunfire before the audience's jaws even have time to drop.

Viewers are left on an utterly nail biting cliffhanger. The motionless, bullet riddled bodies of two of the main characters give no reassuring indication as to whether either man is still alive. The next episode reveals that while Michael survived the encounter, John became the first victim of the vendetta.

A truly shocking scene that saw one of the mainstays of the series brutally blown away in the very first episode of a brand new season. Just as the audience is becoming reacquainted with brutal criminal world that the Blinders inhabit, the show runners ratchet the intensity levels up roughly 1000% without warning.

A truly unforgettable start to a new season, and an equally unforgettable character death.

3. Grace Shelby

Up until the death of Grace Shelby...fans had been lulled into a false sense of security that the show was not prepared to kill off main characters.

Everyone subsequently got a colossal shock when the crime saga chose to kill off not just any main character, but Grace Shelby, the woman who had brought the shell shocked opium addicted version of Tommy back to life. For the first time in the series, Tommy appears truly happy with his beautiful new wife and son.

The tension in the scenes leading up to Grace's death build up to an agonizing crescendo as the fiercely superstitious Tommy is informed the sapphire he has given to Grace bears a Romani curse. Seconds later, Grace has been gunned down by an Italian assassin sent by the aforementioned Vicente Changretta to avenge the blinding of his son Angel, the unintended recipient of a bullet meant for Tommy.

As his brothers viciously beat the unfortunate assassin to death, the background noise eerily fades out. The Shelby kingpin is left cradling the body of the love of his life, his world crashing in around him in an hauntingly desolate scene that set an ominous new precedent for characters on the show...

2. Ruby Shelby

In an episode that overwhelmed audiences with raw emotion, the tear-jerking death of Tommy's young daughter Ruby is arguably the most purely shocking death in terms of emotional weight.

Tommy returns home frantically after Ruby speaks Romani words alluding to the involvement of the devil; she is soon stricken down by tuberculosis. Tommy believes this is the result of a curse placed by a gypsy woman from his past who blames Tommy for her young daughter's death.

Tommy leaves his daughter promising to find a cure, leading to a crazed search for the woman which culminates in an absolutely maniacal rant in a graveyard. When he is done ripping up the gravestone of the deceased girl and dementedly ranting about paying her mother any sum of money she desires to lift the curse, the audience is absolutely aghast at Tommy's unbridled descent into madness.

In a desolating turn of events Tommy returns to the hospital, convinced he now has the solution to the problem if he can find the dead girl's mother, only to discover his precious daughter has died while he was away.

Natasha O'Keefe's heartbreaking cries and the futile nature of Tommy's failure to bid his little girl goodbye, tug on even the most tightly wound heartstrings. In a show where the Shelby name affords one the luxuries of a king, it is a sobering moment where Tommy stares down the unrelenting reality that all the money and reputation in the world cannot cheat death...’ 

#Peaky Blinders #Vincente Changretta #Bonnie Gold #John Shelby #Grace Shelby #Ruby Shelby

[byorder-fanfic]

A Good Woman

Summary: The man Lizzie loves is put in the hospital by the two other men she thought she loved. So, she does what any woman in her situation would do- she points a gun to their heads.

Word count: 2327

Warnings: Hospital, descriptions of injury and pain, mentions of sex work and sexual abuse, swearing.

Author’s Note: Hi, this is a part two to A Good Man. It’s an AU in which the vendetta doesn’t happen because Lizzie Stark is a badass, and it’s inspired by that scene in S5 when she tells Aberama, Johnny and Tommy to “get out of her house”. Hope you enjoy it xx

Angel was screaming. Lizzie had never heard him in so much pain before, his anguished moans echoing in every corridor of the hospital. Or was it just her mind replaying the sounds that had greeted her as she raced through the nurses and doctors, just trying to find him. She didn't think it could be true- John was a good man, wasn't he? He wouldn't have done this to her. But the bandages wrapped around Angel's face proved otherwise. She leaned her head against the wall, trying to focus on the tapping of shoes on shiny floors, trying to think of anything but the screaming. Lizzie had seen him in pain before; she had taken a bullet from his shoulder after a nasty shoot out. Even then, he was grinning through his winces, trying to flirt with her as she poured spirits on his wound. It made her smile for a second. Then she thought of his face, now forever scarred. That was, if he survived. Lizzie felt tears sting her eyes, and for once in her life, she let herself cry. That was exactly why she isolated herself to this corridor, moving away from his room just so Audrey and Vincente wouldn't see her fall apart. They didn't need her pain. But Lizzie did. She needed to feel the tears stream down her face, needed to feel her throat get dry as she gasped for air. She needed to feel this, just to remind herself how much she loves him. Loves. Not loved. Not yet. Suddenly feeling grumpy at herself, Lizzie brought up her sleeve to wipe away the tears. She would be strong for Angel: she would hold onto his mother and pray with his father, she would give them tears when they cried and whisper hope into their ears. Hope was easy for her, she thought, with a lifetime of hopelessness.

When she came back, Audrey reached up to hold her tight. She was much smaller than Lizzie, her tears warm against her neck as pulled apart with a smile. Angel had stopped screaming.

"He will live," Audrey stated, before more tears fell down her cheek. Lizzie didn't let herself smile just yet, looking up to the white haired man for confirmation. Vincente nodded, and Lizzie grinned and beamed and smiled so much, it felt sore on her face. Thank you, God, she thought, thank you Jeremiah, too. She knew the preacher would've prayed for him, just as he knew she couldn't as long as he screamed like that.

"Have you seen him?" Lizzie's eyes darted to the hospital door, now shut. "Is he awake?"

"Yes, we've spoken," Vincente spoke for his wife, bringing her into his arms as she kept on crying with joy. "He said he'd like to speak to you, too."

"If that's alright," She hesitated, thinking of what he would say. What she could say.

"Of course it is, Lizzie," Vincente smiled kindly. 

When Lizzie walked in, she knew exactly what to expect. White walls, white sheets, white bandages on his face. Yet she still couldn't stop the sudden thrill of happiness that warmed up inside her when she saw him. Angel was smiling, despite the morphine drip connected to his arm (or maybe that was the reason why), eyes lighting up as he saw the tall silhouette he knew all too well enter the room.

"You're here," he grunted out, trying to shift himself to sit up.

Seeing his struggle, Lizzie strode in, resting a hand on his chest as she gently put him down, as she perched on the edge of his bed, careful to check for any wires she might be constricting. Her hand immediately found his, still the same unscarred hand she would hold onto under the table at his restaurant. It was weird at first, since he wasn't wearing the rings she'd grown accustomed to digging into her bony fingers. But it was still him. She reached her other hand up, running her fingers through his matted hair. It was wild and dark with sweat instead of gel keeping it tidy. She tried not to brush against the bandages- a difficult task. They covered most areas of his face like an incomplete patchwork of his likeness, some flecks of blood staining the gauze.

"I'm sorry." The guilt she'd been hoarding since his restaurant burnt down all came pouring out, her voice tearing as she carried on. "If you'd never met me, if I never worked for those Shelby fuckers, then you wouldn't have gotten hurt. It's all...it's all my fault, Angel, I'm so sorry."

"Lizzie, love," Angel smiled as if it amused him, squeezing her pale hand tighter. "This isn't your fault. You're allowed to be with whoever you so choose." A shuffling behind his bandages told her he was giving her that cocky eyebrow lift that drove her insane. "And you choose me. Those Shelby fuckers can deal with that."

"They will," she practically growled it out. "I will make sure they pay for this."

"I know," he nodded gently. "You're a remarkable woman, Lizzie Stark, and you make sure to give them Hell for me, okay?"

"Okay." 

Angel pulled her down to his bed so she was lying next to him, her head resting on the shoulder of his hospital gown and her legs falling off of the bed.

"You look worn out, love," he whispered.

"Aw thanks," she joked.

"Sorry, you look beautiful as always," he corrected himself with a little kiss to the top of her head. "Have you been eating and sleeping alright?"

She thought back to all the days and nights Angel had been in the hospital, all the days and nights she had stayed here too. The hospital staff had tried to kick her out since it's "family only", but Audrey Changretta had insisted Lizzie was family, and, well, no one argues with her. 

"I've been staying in hospital with your parents," she told him. "So, not really. We've all just been worried."

"Well, as soon as I get out of here, I'll make us a big meal," he promised, hand tight around her waist.

"You still want me?" She said it quietly, not quite believing it.

"I'm the one whose hideously scarred, Liz." Even though she couldn't see, she knew he was grinning. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

"You're not hideous," she lifted herself up, staring into his eyes, twinkling under the bandages. "You could never be hideous."

They fell back into comfortable silence as Lizzie laid uncomfortably in the bed, but she didn't care. At least he was here, his chest expanding with each breath that Lizzie anxiously listened to, heart still beating.

"Y'know," she gave a sly smile. "When you get back, I could cook dinner for you."

And Angel laughed, a loud guffaw that made him grunt a little in pain, as he brought Lizzie closer to his chest.

"Mi amore, I will do anything for you," he declared. "Except for eating your burnt toast."

Lizzie didn't stay at the hospital the next day. With a clap on the back from Vincente, another tight hug from Audrey, and a kiss good luck from Angel, she was marching down Small Heath, a blaze in her eyes that forced everyone to step out of her way. A woman on a mission, with only one target in mind. The betting shop was surrounded by smoking Blinders, each of them giving a blank stare as they watched her storm into Number 6, Watery Lane. She could feel everyone's eyes on her as she charged on through, walking past the Shelby family at the table before reaching her desk. She didn't answer their questions, posed loud and rudely, as she opened up her bottom drawer. She didn't respond when she brought out her revolver. She didn't feel sorry when they screamed at her as she cocked it with a click. She just rose up, graceful as a dancer, and marched back to them, gun pointed at John's head.

"Now, then, Liz," Tommy held hid hands up, trying to get her to surrender. Everyone was on their guard, tense and wide-eyed as they watched her hold the gun, unshaking and unrelenting. She wouldn't let him take the gun from her again. "I know you're upse-"

"Shut up, Tom," she growled, pointing the gun back to him. "For once in your fuckin' life, will you just shut up and sit down?"

"Okay," John spoke, calmly, as he nodded for everyone to sit back down. She tried not to look at the betrayal in his eyes, knowing he didn't like the familiar look in hers.

"What d'ya have to say, Lizzie?" Arthur asked, gruffly.

"You fuckers are lucky," she began. "If Angel died, it wouldn't be me showing up here to point a gun at you. Killing a Changretta would start a vendetta, and you would just keep on killing each other till there was no one left." She looked down a moment. "Cept me, of course. Need someone to put a flower on your grave, right?"

"We weren't trying to hurt you," Tommy said it coldly.

"No, course you weren't," she laughed at the thought. "Cause you never think of me, none of you do. You didn't want me, Tom, and neither did you, John." She glared at them both. "So why the fuck are you getting territorial now? Why do you have to hurt the one good man who loves me?"

"Loves you, huh?" Arthur scoffed a little. 

"Yeah, he does, and I love him," she said it just as coldly as Tommy would've, making sure they could all see her teeth as she snarled at them.

"You've said that before," John said, cruelly.

"I think I did love you, John," she looked at him. "And I didn't see anyone the first week after you proposed." Esme was watching on awkwardly. "But then the money I saved up ran out, and it was either keep my promise to you and starve or lose some dignity and keep a roof over my head."

"We've all been through hard times, Lizzie." Polly looked just like Tommy as she said that, eyes blazing.

"Well I never had a family like you to take care of me," she said, shrugging slightly. The gun was getting heavy in her hands. "All I had was a dad who abandoned me and a mum that drunk herself into an early grave." Everyone flinched- she'd never told anyone but Angel and Jeremiah about her past. "And I was chucked out into the streets with only the clothes on my back. No one would hire me cause I always had mud on my clothes and I bathed in the Cut." She shuddered as she remembered those times, so long ago. "So I became a whore, and I got food in my stomach and I saved up to get myself that dingy little flat, and I was miserable." She shook her head. "And I thought the only way out was with a ring on my finger, so I said yes to John. And then I said yes to Tommy, cause I will not ever go back onto the streets." She put her gun down at last, feeling it swing by her hip. "But I'm not a whore anymore. I'm happy now, with a proper job that I'm proud of and a good man at my side. You will not ruin that for me." She glowered at the three Shelby brothers. "Tommy, John, Arthur, you will go to the liquor shop round the corner and buy a bottle of wine, red, and go to the hospital, and apologise to Angel."

They all started to protest but Lizzie raised the gun again.

"I said shut it," she said firmly. "You will swallow that fuckin' pride of yours and apologise to him, and you will finish this stupid war."

"Or else?" Tommy didn't take her seriously, looking more amused than concerned.

"Or else I'll do what I should've done at the Darby," she pointed her gun to him again, seeing the flicker of recognition in his eyes at the sight.

"What happened at the Darby?" John also remembered seeing her, battered in her pretty dress. Lizzie rolled her eyes.

"You really think I'd've whored myself out if I didn't have to?" She spat out the words, and Tommy had the decency to look ashamed as Arthur and John turned to him with confused looks.

"Tom, you didn't get Liz hurt, didya?" Arthur asked, not believing the word of a whore over his brother. Even though she's not a whore now.

"She wasn't supposed to-"

"Tommy here was too busy chatting up the Irish spy and Lady Carleton to save me in time," Lizzie said. "Because you boys can fuck who you like without us women getting possessive."

She didn't need the comparison to the bandages on Angel's face to the ring on Grace's finger, to the wedding that got his restaurant burnt to a char.

"The Changretta war is over," Polly said sternly, looking over to her nephews. "They will apologise and Lizzie can be free to fuck who she likes."

They all gritted their teeth, but they knew better to fight their aunt and a woman with a gun to their heads.

"Good, and I quit," she said, putting the gun to her side. "I expect a really good letter of recommendation, by the way."

"It'll be done," Polly said. Things were much better when Polly was in charge, like in the war.

"What'll you do?" Despite their complicated relationship, Lizzie was still friends with Esme. She grinned at her friend for a second.

"I'm gonna work as Chief Secretary for a foundation for Women and Girls in need," she said proudly, thinking of how she could help women like her, recover like her. "Oh, and I'm getting married."

They hadn't seen the shining diamond on Lizzie's trigger finger.

#Lizzie Stark #lizzie stark fanfiction #lizzie x angel #John x Lizzie #tommy x lizzie #lizzie stark x angel changretta #angel changretta #Audrey changretta #vincente changretta #tommy shelby #john shelby #Arthur shelby #jeremiah jesus #polly grey #polly gray #peaky blinders #peaky blinders fanfiction #peaky blinders fanfic #peaky blinders fluff #Esme Shelby #esme lee #grace shelby #grace burgess #may carleton

[ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes]

Roguish Women Part 18

Summary: Kate Rosseau is an American who fled to Paris to escape her past life. Now she's dancing and playing the part of a courtesan at the Moulin Rouge. There she meets Tommy Shelby who thinks she can be useful in expanding his empire. But has he been blinded?

Part 18: John cuts Angel Changretta and Kate realizes the danger they’re all in. 

        It was strange returning to Small Heath knowing things would be different. Grace and Tommy were married. Tommy knew how Kate truly felt about him. Churchill was dishing out orders. But Kate continued to work, waking up every morning at the same time and getting to the office at the same time without fail. It was as if she was watching herself go about her routine. Sitting on the sidelines, just watching herself work like a machine. She needed no thanks or acceptance. She just needed reassurance. That reassurance was waking up every morning in a safe place.

           But there was trouble bubbling below the surface. In a strange way, Kate was grateful for it. It was reminiscent of her past. Always keeping on her toes because something bad was always just around the corner. It gave her something else to think of instead of being hung up on Tommy. If she accepted the chaos, there was nothing else to fret about.

           For such a long time, the chaos was a game to her. The dangers were very real, but she tried her best to remove herself emotionally. She couldn’t be scared if she laughed at the danger. But when she played with fire, she got burned.

~~~~~~

           “Kate, you ought to just get a pair of boots to muck up if you’re gonna come down here so often,” Charlie commented from his seat in the yard. He was reading the newspaper, his feet propped up as if he were in a parlor.

           “Lucky for me Tommy pays me to get my shoes dirty.” Kate smiled and picked her way through the muck. It was almost becoming second nature. “I have things that need to be sent to London. Sensitive things, can’t go through the mail.” She explained.

           “To Alfie?”

           “The very same.” She handed Charlie the documents. “I don’t have the time or the patience to go right now.”

           “You have been busy.” He noted. Although Charlie wasn’t one to frequent the office where Kate did most of her work, he had seen her flitting about Birmingham like a bee.

           “Takes my mind off of things.” She explained. That’s when she heard talking around the corner. “You have company?”

           “John ‘n Arthur are meeting with some Italians.” He shrugged.

           Kate immediately froze. The trouble started to seep through the surface. And she didn’t have enough time to run before on older gentleman rounded the corner with two associates. He looked frustrated but that expression faded to recognition when he saw her standing there.

           “Kathleen?”

           She swallowed and felt every muscle in her body lock up. “Um…Charlie, could I have a moment alone?”

           Tommy’s uncle frowned but got up with a grunt. “Fine, s’not like it’s me own fucking yard.” He grumbled under his breath as he made himself scarce.

           “Alone, Vincente.” She reiterated; her eyes flicked to the two burly men flanking him.

           The man nodded and waved the two off. “Go to the car.” He spoke to them in Italian.

           Once they were completely alone, Kate allowed herself to note any escape routes she could take. “Why are you here? I didn’t know you did business with the Shelbys.”

           “Why am I here?” He chuckled. “Cara, I think you have a bit more explaining to do.”

           Defensive, Kate fiddled with the lapel of her coat, knowing her pistol was holstered at her side. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”

           “You’ve been gone for years. We all thought you were dead.” Vincente continued.

           “That doesn’t surprise me, seeing as your son sold me out to Santo.” She retorted.

           After an aggravating meeting with two of the Shelby brothers, Vincente wasn’t looking for more strife. He had never seen the young woman as a threat. “Luca’s busy with things in America. He doesn’t wish you ill.”

           “Good, then he’ll leave me alone. You should all leave me the fuck alone.”

           He tutted and shook his head. “You’ve been running for so long. Perhaps you stop running now.”

           “I have stopped running.” She insisted.

           “Santo is in London.” He informed her.

           The walls were closing in on Kate. She wanted to urgently run. Run somewhere else. Somewhere much farther than she’d been before. Suddenly, Tommy’s protection seemed flimsy. “He should leave London. I have allies there who are much stronger than he is.”

           “Kathleen, you should sit down and talk to him. You never run from your debts.”

           If Tommy’s protection wasn’t enough. If Alfie’s wasn’t enough either, then she only had herself. And although she wanted to disappear again, she was tired. She didn’t want to keep running the rest of her life. So, she stood her ground. “If that man comes near me, the only thing he should expect is a bullet in his head. I don’t care if I start a war. I don’t care if I have to fight off everyone. I will. No one will ever force me into something, not him, not you, no one. I would die before I marry that man.”

           Vincente didn’t seem too uneasy about her threats. “If you won’t listen to me about Santo, then listen to me about these fucking gypsies. They’ll get you killed. Or you’ll get them killed. You won’t have Santo to blame for that, you’ll have yourself to blame for that. That’s why you don’t create ties, cara, you risk their lives.” He nodded, adjusted the collar of his coat and walked past her.

           Kate felt like her heart was in her throat. She wanted to scream, wanted to tear her hair out, she wanted Santo Leoni dead.

~~~~~~~~~

           The news about Santo swirled around Kate’s head but she couldn’t get a hold of Tommy. He seemed all over the place and Polly wasn’t much help getting her in contact with him. She was oblivious to all the other trouble kicking off around the Shelby empire. It was hard to keep track when she had her own issues. She just wasn’t sure how her issues overlapped with the brothers.

           Not until Tommy came into the office, walking like he was storming into war. He stopped by Kate’s desk first.

           “What do you know about jewelry?”

           “That’s the first thing you say to me after I haven’t seen you in days?” She didn’t look up from her paperwork. She had cultivated a rather unhealthy routine of overworking herself in order to become exhausted. That way she didn’t stay up all night, jumping at every little noise thinking it was an intruder.

           “You were never one for pleasantries.” He remarked, pacing back and forth between the small space of her doorway.

           “But I did ask that you speak to me respectfully.” She reminded him of their conversation outside of the wedding reception.

           Tommy stifled a noise of frustration. “Good to see you, Kate, how’ve you been?” He asked sarcastically.

           She looked up. “Absolutely terrible, how about you?”

           “Likewise.”

           “Sit.” She allowed him further into the office. “I need to tell you something.”

           “I’m on a tight schedule.” Even still, he sat down and pulled out a cigarette.

           She took a deep breath and weighed her options. She could further burden Tommy or she could wait for his mess to settle. If it ever did. “Okay, fine.”  

           “What do you know about jewelry?” He asked the question he had entered with again.

           “Some bits, not as much as Alfie. He noticed that one of my necklaces only had two real diamonds from across the room.” She recalled.

           “Alfie…” Tommy stared at the clock on the wall for a moment, suddenly realizing something. “That’s a good idea, Kate.”

           “What is? Why do you need to know about jewelry?” She asked.

           “Tommy!” Michael called from the other end of the hallway.

           He stood up and nodded for Kate to follow. “Walk with me, I’ll tell you more.”

           They headed down the hall to Michael’s office.

           “Polly called.” Tommy’s cousin informed them. “Something happened.”

~~~~~~~~

           Despite not knowing what happened, Tommy brought Kate along to the betting shop. There, Polly and Arthur were already sat at the table by the fire. Tommy made a beeline for the bar, pouring himself a drink. He figured he would need one, no matter what the issue at hand was.

           “What happened?” Kate sat down.

           “John didn’t listen to us,” Arthur said, loud enough so Tommy would hear him on the other side of the shop. “Didn’t apologize or compromise. He went and cut Angel Changretta this morning.”  

           “What?” Kate’s eyes widened.

           A moment later, John entered the betting shop with Finn. Kate didn’t waste time in tearing into him.

           “Are you insane?” She shouted.  

           None of the Shelbys knew what to do. The anger was expected from anyone but Kate who they assumed didn’t have a horse in the race.

           John blinked a few times and looked to his brothers and aunt for any help. But none of them had any.

           Tommy cleared his throat and looked to Kate. “You know the Changrettas?” He asked.

           She chewed on the inside of her cheek, weighing her options. She could confess to a whole lot, or just skirt her way around the full truth. “Vincente’s son, Luca, runs a big organization in America. New York, specifically but he still made it a point to…be a pain in my ass. And now John’s gone and poked a sleeping bear. Are you fucking crazy?”

           “He deserved what was coming to ‘im.” John retorted. “I ain’t gonna compromise or apologize to any wops.”

           Kate was fuming but it was all sourced from fear. “You don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself and the rest of your family into. These men are dangerous, they have armies. If you mess with one of them, you mess with all of them and they won’t stop until you and everyone in your life pays.” She insisted in a harsh tone. “So, you better go to Vincente and get down on your knees for forgiveness. Trust me, groveling a little will be less painful than being killed.

           Polly looked alarmed at the knee-jerk reaction Kate had to just the name of the family. “I agree with Kate. There’s no need to make this into anything bigger. This is the last thing we need.”

           “Kate isn’t in charge. I think you did well, John, you did the right thing.” Tommy said with a cool demeanor.

           “Well?” Kate’s jaw nearly dropped. “Tommy, this is serious!”

           “Then we go on the offensive. We’ll take more of their pubs, we'll take two tonight.” He didn’t fully address her concerns and turned to walk away.

           “You’re going to get your whole fucking family killed!” Kate yelled after him. “How dare you gamble with their lives!”

           Tommy snapped. “Aye? How dare I? How fucking dare I?” He whipped around and stormed towards her. “Because I fucking can and I fucking will. If you’re so scared, then you jog on but you don’t yell at me brother about what he’s done.”

           She didn’t cower away from him. She stood her ground and glared back at him. “You’re so blind. Blind to everything around you. Blind to danger. Blind to threats. Blind to your liar of a wife!” She shouted right in his face before leaving the shop with a huff.

           Polly, John, and Arthur couldn’t do anything but watch in utter shock. The dynamic between Kate and Tommy had changed drastically, and since they weren’t privy to the reason why, it was absolutely dumbfounding. They’d gone from bantering back and forth to acting like they’d torn each other’s hearts out.

           When the door slammed, Tommy flipped over the nearest chair. “Fuck!” He shouted and against his better judgment, he stalked after Kate. The door slammed again and Polly looked over at her nephew’s. She stood up and went to retrieve her book from the other room. As she walked past John, she gave him a well-earned smack upside the head.

~~~~~~~~

           “Kate!”

           She heard Tommy calling after her but continued on down the street, going back home to take get a smoke.

           “Kate!” He shouted after her but when she didn’t turn around, he jogged a few steps to catch up to her.

           She reacted violently when he grabbed her arm to stop her. “Stop touching me!” She snarled and whacked his hand off of her.  

           “If you have something to say about Grace, you better fucking say it. I’ve had enough of your attitude.” He spoke in a low voice as if she were a child he was scolding.

           It made her even more upset. “She’s lied to you before and she’ll lie to you again. That’s not my issue but if you think I’m going to just sit there and let you walk further into trouble then you’re wrong. You’re walking into something dangerous with the Changrettas and you’re in a relationship that’s based on lies.”

           “I make my own decisions. I make decisions for the company. That’s how this works. My relationship is my business.” He tried to keep a steady voice but he was too angry to be cordial.

           “Then stop making it everyone else’s business.” She retorted. “If I say anything, don’t immediately correlate it to how I feel about your wife. Don’t push your insecurities on me.”

           Tommy let out a sarcastic laugh. “Insecurities. Fucking insecurities.” He rolled his eyes.

           Their argument was starting to attract attention. But when people saw it was Tommy Shelby, they were quick to avoid eye contact and keep walking along. “I know what this is about.” He pointed at her. “You’re scared that your protection is going to be compromised. That’s all you’re worried about.”

           Kate’s eyes narrowed and she was so close to slapping him for speaking to her in such a manner. “I’ve been here for years. I was at John and Esme’s wedding. I was there when Karl was born. I was there on Black Star Day. I was there on Derby Day. I’ve been there for you, for everyone! Now you’re acting like I’m just using you?” She spat and made sure she didn’t budge an inch to show him she wasn’t backing down. “I’ve tried leaving so many times because I was afraid of what I would bring to your family. But you never let me leave. You always had me stay. Don’t kid yourself, Tommy. I’m not just some woman who works for you.” She turned to walk away again.      

           He decided not to follow but shouted after her. “You’ll be at Grace’s dinner.”

           “Fuck her dinner!” Kate yelled over her shoulder. "I'm not playing nice with her anymore!"

           “Kate, you better fucking be there!”

           “Well, you better be ready for disappointment because I’m not going!” And with that, she disappeared around the corner.

Permanent Tag: @papa-geralt-of-cirilla​ @giftofdreams​ @biba3434​ @kimmietea​ @karmezii​

Tag list: @radical-gecko​ @actorinfluence​

Masterpost

Masterlist

#tommy shelby #tommy shelby x oc #tommy shelbyxoc #tommy shelby imagine #peaky blinders #peaky blinder imagine #peaky fookin blinders #peaky blinders fanfiction #fanfiction #ofc #oc #arthur shelby #john shelby #luca changretta #angel changretta #vincente changretta #polly gray #michael gray #grace burgess #grace shelby #finn shelby

[plentyoffandoms]

Hi! I’m sorry for rambling! Let me know if this is too much!😅

Can I please request a Finn Shelby x shy!fem!reader where Y/n (same age as Finn) is the youngest daughter of Vicente Changretta, but he doesn’t know she exists (she doesn’t know he’s her father) because her mother hid her away from him. After her mom passes, she finds herself in Small Heath as a teacher of young kids. As Small Heath is a dangerous place, something happens but the four Shelby brothers save her, the Shelbys essentially taking her in as their own. The Shelbys absolutely love her, and see her as a part of their family & are super protective. Awhh & it’d be cute if Finn & Y/n became best friends, eventually much more. But when Changrettas & the Shelbys find out she’s Vicente’s daughter, Tommy & Vicente decide stop the bloodshed by bringing their families together… Through Finn & Y/n (So John lives🥺💜). I imagine she would have mixed feelings about this, shook that her father is a mobster, upset that the Shelbys would use her as a pawn, but she does love Finn (& he loves her) 💜

Better Together

Finn Shelby x f/Reader

Just like all my other stories, this has not been proofread, but please enjoy.

Gifs & photos DO NOT belong to me.

Warnings: swearing, assault, attempted rape, someone getting killed.

So sorry it took me this long to get it out.

Hope you like it

Main Masterlist ♡ Peaky Blinders Masterlist ♡ Finn Shelby Masterlist

Summary: f/Reader is the unknown daughter of Vincent Changretta. She meets Finn and the rest of the Shelby clan.

YN'S POV:

I never thought I would end up in Small Heath. My Mother always told me to stay away from it as it is a disgusting, crime riddled place that no good woman should ever find herself in.

But that all changed when she passed away last year from consumption. It has always been the two of us and I am still reeling at the fact that I am now alone in this world.

I never knew my Father. I learned at a young age not to bring him up as my Mother refused to tell me about him.

And as a single woman with no income, it was either work in a factory in the town I grew up on or take on a job as a school teacher in Small Heath that was desperate for a teacher.

So I became a teacher and realised that I made the best decision once I saw the children.

The children I taught were quite young and I realised that they needed me. Many times for lunch, many of them didn't have any food so I would bring extra food for them and made sure that they got their full.

A few times the students would show up at my small home looking for food, and I always fed them. I could never turn them away.

But besides me teaching and going to the local market, I didn't venture out much. I kept to myself as I knew that was the best way to survive in this place.

But that all changed one night.

I was late leaving the school as I needed to set up the board for the next days lessons. I didn't realise how dark it was and I looked at the small watch on my wrist and noticed that it was almost 6 PM!

It was autumn now, almost winter so our days were shorter and our nights were longer.

I wrapped my shawl tighter around my body as there was a nip in the air and took my usual route to my home.

It was a quiet night and hardly anyone was outside, either enjoying their dinner or down at the local pub.

So I heard the footsteps following me. I looked back quickly and noticed two men following me.

I walked faster, hoping I was wrong and that they just didn't understand personal space.

But they sped up as well.

With my heart beating like crazy, I ran. I ran as fast as I could but the two men caught me.

I was tackled to the ground by one and I screamed as loud as I could as they forced me on my back, hoping someone in this godforsaken place will hear me and come running.

The skirts of my dress were lifted and I tried to push the person off, but he just punched me in the face.

My eye was already swelling as the tears streamed down my face. I knew what was about to happen as I saw him pull down his pants.

I closed my eyes and prayed for some type of miracle.

That is when I heard the gun shot and felt the splattering of blood. The man on top of me collapsed, his body heavy.

I heard the other man try to run but another gun shot and he too went down.

My body was shaking as the dead body was removed from a top of me. I felt a hand touch my face gently and I flinched.

"Shh, it is okay. You are not in danger anymore." I opened my eyes, well the one good eye as the other one did not want to fully open now.

I was not expecting to see the face of Finn Shelby kneeling next to me.

I was most definitely not expecting to see his older brothers there as well.

I knew who they were. How could you not know the men who own and run Small Heath and are slowly making their way through the rest of Birmingham.

"Are you alright Miss?" Arthur asked me. I couldn't speak but I just gave him a thumbs up.

Finn helped me to my feet and had my face in his hands as he looked at the damage those men did to me.

"We should take her to Pol to make sure she is good." Finn said to his brothers.

"Are you okay if we take you to get checked over?" John asked me.

"Yes."

Finn had his arm around my back, guiding me through the cobblestone streets towards a building I have walked by many times, Shelby Company Limited.

I never dared to ever try to knock on the door, as I had no idea what happened behind those doors.

The one neighbour I have become close too told me to stay away from their shop and I have, until this very day.

The five of us walked through the front door and towards the back. I could make out a woman who I am assuming is Polly Gray and her son Michael.

"Pol.." sounded like Tommy was going to speak but she cut him off.

"Sit her down here Finn. You boys know what to grab." I could of laughed at her calling them boys but I didn't.

I felt the calming hands of Polly on my face, her checking me over.

I never imagined that after what happened tonight I would become almost like family to them.

Arthur, Tommy, John and Michael became almost like brothers to me.

Pol became like a mother figure to me. Ada I met later on, and I enjoyed spending time with her and shopping.

But Finn....Finn became my best friend. We became almost inseparable after our first meeting.

And I am thankful to have him in my life. I don't make friends easily but when it came to Finn, it just felt natural. Like he was always supposed to be in my life.

~

I thought back to that day almost one year ago I was just finishing up my day of teaching.

John's son Andrew is in my class and usually I will walk him home, along with his other siblings but not today.

As I was talking with Mary about her day at school, I heard Katie say, "Dad?" I looked up and there was John, along with Finn, Isaiah and Johnny Dogs.

John walked towards us and any other child or parent that was in his path, made sure to move.

"What is going on?" I asked him, trying to remain calm.

"We have to go now. Family meeting at Tommy's." I could of groaned at the thought of driving all the way to the country side, but I didn't.

I just followed John and the children towards the three automobiles that were waiting for us.

Finn took my hand in his and and walked the two of us over to the one, which had Katie and Andrew in it.

I turned to whisper to Finn as the automobile started to move. "What is going on Finn?" He just squeezed my hand.

"I shouldn't say it, but it deals with the Changretta family." It felt like my body went numb. I knew there was a feud between their two families.

The Shelby's have done everything in their power to keep me out of it, but something must of happened if I am now involved.

I didn't ask anymore questions, so I just stared outside the window as Finn and I held hands.

Him trying to be the comforting best friend and me, worrying about not only my life but of the man who I secretly love and his family that have taken me in as their own.

We finally got to Tommy's place and we were all escorted inside by members of the Peaky Blinders.

I noticed that other members were walking around the property on high alert. That just made me grip Finn's arm as we walked inside and headed straight for his office.

I was expecting to be left to deal with the children but all I heard was Tommy call my name and point to a chair that was infront of his desk.

I sat there, looking around at the faces of the Shelby family. Even Uncle Charlie was there.

Finn stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders in comforting way.

"YN you are probably wondering why I have brought you here."

I nodded my head yes, as I dared not to speak. "Well I was sent an envelope full of documents from Luca Changretta and to my suprise, your information is also in the envelope."

I sat there stunned as he continued to talk.

"It is an envelope filled with all the information the Changrettas have on us and everyone who is closely associated with us."

I am confused and it showed on my face. "YN, you always said you didn't know the identity of your Father."

"No, my Mother never told me his name." My voice I notced sounded panicky.

"I believe you, so no need to panic, but one document that was in the envelope was your birth certificate."

Tommy slid the folded paper across the desk at me. With shaky hands I grabbed it and opened it.

I looked over the information and it was in fact my birth certificate. There was my Mom's name and I felt my eyes go wide at the name of the father.

'Vincente Changretta'

"No, no that can't be." I tried to say.

"You are the youngest child of Vincent Changretta YN."

"Tommy, I had no idea I swear.".

"YN, calm down. I know. I actually had a talk with Vincente over the telephone and he too was shocked at the news as your mother never told him."

"So what happens now Tommy?" Arthur asked.

"Because our family has treated YN like one of our own, Vincente and I came to an agreement that will stop this war from going any further."

The whole room waited with baited breath. I felt Finns' grip on my shoulders get tighter.

"There will be peace between our families. YN and Finn will marry by the end of the week."

I can feel each and every Shelby family member look at Finn and I. Finn moved his hands from my shoulders and before I knew it, I was running out of the room and down to the kitchens.

Heading for the entrance outside. I ran until I reached the end of his property and I collapsed on the green grass.

I have no idea how long I stayed out there, my mind trying to wrap around everything that has happened.

My Father is Vincente Changretta. One of the most feared men in England. Who has direct ties to the Mafia in New York.

The man who literally just found out I existed and has decided who I should marry.

Tommy who is using me to end this war between the two families. The man who I get doesn't want any harm to come to his family but to use me?

And poor Finn. Finn has no say at all in this but he knows this could of happened to him. It happened to John when he had to marry Esme to stop the feud between the Shelby's and Lee family.

I heard footsteps coming from my right and I looked over. I saw Finn walking towards me his head down and his hands in his pockets.

"Can I sit." I patted the spot next to me.

"How are you holding up?" He asked me.

"This is all just so much to take in. I find out who my Father is and I don't know how to feel about it being Vincente Changretta. Being used to end a war and marrying a man who I have no idea if he wants to even marry me."

"I want to marry you YN."

"Finn you're just saying that because you are being forced to marry me."

"For someone who is so smart, you sure are acting very foolish. I love you YN. I have since that day you decided you were going to help me learn how to read and write."

"That long?"

"Yes and even though I wanted to do this on my own terms and take you out on dates and show you how you are the one for me, I am thankful and very happy that it is you I am marrying."

I wanted to give Finn a kiss but I always told Finn I want my first kiss to be on my wedding day.

~

The week ended and now I am walking down the aisle on my father's arm. If I had my way it would of been Arthur but I got to meet Vincente a few times over the last couple of days.

He told me stories about my mother and how they met. I am still not a fan at the fact that I am the result from a four month long affair but I can't change the past.

Luca and Angel seem nice enough, but I know I won't be seeing Luca again after the wedding, which is fine with me. Angel, who lives here, had his own restaurant to run.

Vincente and his wife will be going back to America with Luca, which I am thankful for.

She seems like a nice enough woman, but she is holding it together well for someone who found out their husband cheated on her and had a child and is walking said child down the aisle.

Now I am standing next to Finn, saying our vows and I do's.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Finn held my face in his hands, looking into my eyes to make sure this was okay. I nodded softly and he smiled.

Our lips connected for the first time and it felt like fireworks went off. Finn deepened the kiss but we broke apart to as his brothers were hollering at us.

I looked into Finn's eyes and then into the small crowd of people. This isn't how I expected my wedding day to be or how it waa planned.

But I am sure glad I got to marry the man I love and now be officially apart of his family.

#finn shelby x y/n #finn shelby x reader #finn shelby imagine #finn shelby x you #finn shelby #peaky blinders imagines #peaky blinders fluff #peaky blinders x reader #peaky blinders #peaky blinders x y/n #peaky blinders x you

[litterae-ignotae]

@litterae-ignotae @deadendtracks  your theory that tommy was taken/sent away as a kid is gaining more momentum ...

audrey and vincente changretta acting like tommy is a stranger to them, as opposed to arthur and john, because they literally didn't know him (at a crucial time)

oh i’m already sold on that theory, i subscribe to it 100% now. it just makes sense.

#i think it adds to the feeling of tommy as a ghost of sorts #literally or not he was absent #but i think it was literally yeah #so many references to children being taken from their families...

[evita-shelby]

Incantatrice

Chapter 11

Cw: inappropriate drug and alcohol use, miscarriage and grief

Taglist: @zablife @thegreatdragonfruta @wandawiccan60 @babayaga67

Gif by @twvstedsouls

The Eva that left New York is different from the Eva who comes back from Italy.

For one, Eva comes back officially pregnant and happier than she left.

She loves waking up beside him, to feel him there with her, to hear his heart under his chest.

To know she is not alone anymore is the greatest thing of all.

Audrey and Vincente have left and she is relieved. Even more so when learns Audrey has not told anyone about her episode before the wedding.

“Mm, why do you, why do want to know why that bitch talked to me about you, Evuccia?” he asks drunk on cheap wine and high on the cocaine she used as an anesthetic to patch him up.

Luca had gotten cut up badly and the doctor who normally did this was unavailable. Eva had developed a talent for these things and provided her the opportunity to get him to talk.

He avoided giving her a real answer when he was sober, no matter how she tried to get it out of him.

“Just curious.” She lied as she bandaged his torso with great care.

“She said you were bad luck; told her I’d be the judge of that.” He said with a smirk.

Maybe you will be proven wrong, the witch thought.

“I love you, in good luck and bad luck, Evuccia.” He said high and drunk and trying to kiss her.

“Tell me that tomorrow when you’re sober, Lucito.”

----

It is two months later when the chill of death returns.

“I love you,” Luca had kissed her goodbye after breakfast and then the cold and evil wind sets in her bones like a bitter winter.

Eva stops by the wooden ships that remind her of the one she had as a little girl when the chill sets in her bones and before she knows it, she is bleeding on the floor and crying because she knows her baby is dead.

Leonardo Changretta, they had decided on the name this morning as they’d dangled Luca’s wedding band over her belly and saw it was a boy.

He was dead before her body expelled him in the hospital bed after the doctors and midwives tried everything to stop it.

He was dead before she even woke up in an ambulance rushing to the closest hospital.

He was dead before she even had a chance to tell anyone else, she was pregnant.

“I’m cursed.” She weeps into Luca’s shoulder and tells him it’s her fault that their baby is dead.

“You’re not, these things, these things happen to everyone, Evuccia.” He said being strong for the both of them and holding her until she feels like she has run out of tears.

Eva had thought her tears gone, when she buried Gabriel in Chihuahua in 1916 and her eyes simply refused to cry as she walked into the desert with the intention of dying.

Now, she feels like she might drown in her agony.

“There will be others.” He kissed the top of her head.

But never Leonardo, never the baby boy with olive skin and laughing green eyes and Luca’s smile.

She comes home the next day, but she is not the same woman he left after breakfast yesterday.

Yesterday she had been filled with life and now she is empty.

Yesterday she had seen her little Leo fit in the hand of the midwives as her body expelled him from inside her.

Yesterday she had set out to begin decorating a nursery for the perfect baby boy she’d have.

Eva had already chosen the theme, how she would remodel the room and find a way to get a skilled woodworker to make a toy ship like the one she used to have as a girl.

And now that will never happen.

She could have a thousand little boys with Luca’s eyes and smile, but they will never be Leonardo. She will never be able to hold him or see him grow or hear his first laugh.

Eventually the bleeding stops and her body has seemed to have healed, but her heart hasn’t.

Days turns to months and Eva hates how people want her to try again because somehow that will make it better.

Eva hates the pity and those stupid sayings like God wanted another angel. She hates that women aren’t supposed to even acknowledge their pain because you weren’t supposed to be so attached to something not yet born.

Luca had made it worse by having the housekeeper just lock up the empty nursery so she won’t have to see it.

Easier to move on if you can’t see it.

But that isn’t her way, her way is to be confronted with it, to know it happened and to live with it.

This morning Eva steels herself and goes into the nursery.

It’s empty, with only a few dressers and the half-assembled crib that had arrived that day.

Even in its emptiness it hurt her like knife to her heart. It is plunged deeply into her, something she can never get out of her no matter how much people think she can.

Eva falls to her knees and for the first time in ages, lets herself grieve for the baby that would never be.

“It wasn’t your fault, Evuccia,” she doesn’t hear or feel him come in, its only when he comes and holds her on the dusty rug as she cries that she knows he’s really there. “These accidents happen.”

Eventually it will pass, she knows this, there will be good days and bad ones, but it will pass.

And it does, in 1921 Eva finds herself hopeful and swallows the feeling of doom down with Luca’s wine and tells him she wants to try again.

But the evil chill she felt on her wedding day and that damned day at the shop doesn’t leave even after she gives birth to the perfect son she had dreamed off, it lingers there like a shadow.

A shadow only Audrey sees as she holds baby Leonardo Gabriel Changretta nine months after.

“I pray your curse is satisfied with the dead bambino, strega.” The woman says, gently rocking the baby boy she has claimed as her grandson even if he has not a single drop of her blood. “To lose one child is punishment enough.”

But Eva isn’t hurt by her words.

She sees her boy live and grow into a man, takes after his father, same green eyes, same smile, but none of the blood and violence of Luca.

“Leo is destined to live, Audrey, he will be everything we have dreamed of and more.” Eva said filled with hope and joy as she ignored the shadow only the two women see.

#eva smith changretta #luca changretta x eva smith #luca changretta x oc #incantatrice #tw: miscarriage

[deadendtracks]

i think one thing that makes cillian murphy a compelling actor, especially on peaky blinders but also in live theater, is that you just have no idea what the fuck he is going to do next and it's honestly sometimes a little terrifying.

and a lot of the characters he plays start off seeming pretty normal or in control of themselves and then just... turn on a dime into a crow, for example, or scale a wall, or do whatever the fuck it is he's doing in that scene with Vincente Changretta, or that contortion of his face in the last scene of s5.

#like the dude has no vanity as a performer at all? #he'll go so far right over the line into ugliness

[poge-life]

The Cut } Finn Shelby chap. 3

Chapter one   chapter two

Things were slowly going back to normal in Birmingham. The Longfield's had returned to Small Heath two days after the wedding, not wanting to be away from business any longer.

David had informed Penelope that she and James would be going with him to meet Vincente Changretta, as Tommy and Camden would be away on business. Whenever David had business with Tommy, he would send Camden since he would be the one looking over the books for David's businesses and knew he would do what's best for business.

Finn and Isaiah were to search Mr Changretta and his men when they arrived at Charlie's yard to make sure they wouldn't be carrying anything. Penelope was sat on John's right with David sat in the middle with Arthur on his left and James on the end; Charlie and Curly a little further back.

Finn moved to stand behind Penelope as Isaiah was behind Arthur and David.

"You asked for a meeting out in the open," Arthur started, "fresh air and the fine aroma of shit."

Penelope and John let out a quiet laugh at the oldest Shelby's choice of words as James spoke," 'neutral ground' you said."

"This is hardly neutral ground," Vincente replied, looking around Charlie's yard. Penelope leaned back in her seat as Finn placed a hand on her shoulder, "well, it's what you've got."

"So, por favor," Arthur spoke, purposely speaking Spanish, "please sit down."

"Where is Thomas?"

"He got called away," David answered, "I'm one of Tom's most trusted advisor's, so you'll be doing business with me."

"He said he'd be here." Vincente spoke, hostility in his voice

"Yeah, he's busy." Arthur answered

"And we just told you he got called away, "John spoke, "what do you want?"

It was clear to everyone that no one wanted to be here. Penelope knew Arthur, Michael, and Camden had set fire to Angel Changretta's restaurant the night before Tommy's wedding to prevent him from attending with Lizzie.

Penelope knew that no one crosses the Italians unless you have a death wish. The Changretta's took their vendetta seriously. And Penelope hoped no one said anything to piss Vincente Changretta off.

"There has been peace between the Peaky Blinders and the Changretta family for two years now." Vincente spoke

John had interrupted the man by asking him if he wanted tea and Penelope shared a look with her brother, knowing John would be the one to piss off Vincente.

"We don't want fucking tea!" Vincente spat, "we want an explanation."

"Well, I'll have fucking tea, "Arthur said, pouring himself and James a cup

"Explanation for what?" David asked, lighting a cigarette

"The Little Venice restaurant on Forge street was burnt down," Vincente said, causing James to interrupt him this time, "no. Couldn't have been us. We were at a wedding."

"You burnt it down to stop my son from being at that wedding." Vincente replied.

"Forgive me, Mr Changretta," Penelope spoke, "But what do we have to do with your son's restaurant burning down? When Lizzie happens to be a very good friend to all of us. And we wouldn't do anything to ruin her happiness."

"A woman has no business speaking without being spoken to."

Finn's grip had tightened on Penelope's shoulder as James and David sat up straighter, "Mr Changretta, it would be wise for you to advise your men to watch how they speak to my daughter."

Vincente turned to face the two men, speaking in Italian before turning back to face the table, "You are such big boys now. And such a beautiful young woman. But once you borrowed clothes from us to look like men."

"And we repaid you for that," James spoke, "we always repay our debt."

"How's the tea, Arthur? Is it..."

Arthur and James dumped their tea out before answering, "it's cold."

Vincente turned his attention to David, realizing he would be getting nowhere with John and Arthur, "Tell Tommy that we pay him whatever he asks us to pay. We stay out of the city and off the tracks."

"But you tell him from me," he continued, looking over at Penelope, "that my son will walk with any woman in this city. Any woman he chooses. Even if that woman works for the Emperor, Thomas Shelby. Even if that woman is already with a Shelby."

James quickly stood up at Vincente's words as Isaiah moved closer to the table and Finn moved to stand next to her instead. David let out a dark chuckle as Penelope stood up and grabbed onto Finn's hand, "You'd find that your son would not get past my brother, Mr Changretta."

"And if he wishes, he will walk with the woman he loves." Vincente spoke, looking between John, Arthur, and David.

John leaned forward to pour himself tea before speaking, "You know, it would be hard for your son to walk anywhere with a bullet in each knee, wouldn't it?"

Penelope shut her eyes at John's words, tightening her grip on Finn's hand. John just started a war with Vincente Changretta. And she knew nothing good would come out of it.

Vincente stood up straighter as David shared a look with Arthur.

"Too much," Vincente had pointed at John, "you said too much, my friend. Sabini said 'Suck and Swallow'. But no. Too much. I spit."

Vincente spat at John's feet before walking away as one of his men started cursing in Italian, smashing one of the chairs to bits. Penelope sat down on her chair as Finn gave her hand a squeeze, letting her know that he was there.

The Italian's were prideful men. They valued family and loyalty over everything. And John knew that. He was told to let David and Arthur handle the business. But he let his pride get in the way.

"Isaiah," Arthur spoke, "Put two extra men on our pubs in Nechells."

"James, tell your brother to go to London and have him take a few blinders to the casino's and pubs." David spoke before walking away

"We're not scared of fucking eyeties anymore." John told his brother

"Don't tell Tommy about the chair and clean this fucking shit up." Arthur said, following after David as John called out after him, "We're not scared of fucking wops!"

"You're a right fucking idiot, John," Penelope spoke, turning to face him, "you just threatened to shoot his son in the knees. You know how serious they take those threats. You just started a war."

Penelope stood and turned to look at Finn, "Pop around our house later? I have to go to Mum's office before heading over to see Cam."

Finn nodded his head before leaning down to give her a kiss. Penelope fixed his Peaky cap before giving him a peck, making her way through Charlie's yard.

James followed after his sister, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, "what do you have to talk to Cam about?"

"One of us has to tell him what John did because if Arthur or Tommy does it, you'll know Cam will no doubt try to kill John himself."

The older boy nodded, knowing she was right. The Longfield's had no business nor problems with the Italians due to them being temperamental so Cam and David did everything in their power to make sure there was no bad blood between the two families and since ⅗ Longfield's were at the meeting, the Longfield's were now involved with the Italians.

"Pol's gonna kill John," James mumbled, opening the car door, Penelope following, "If dad doesn't do it first."

Penelope made her way through Shelby Company ltd, walking past Michael's office towards Camden's before backtracking to stop in front of Michael's, turning to face him.

Said boy was sitting at his desk, cigarette in hand as he looked at Penelope who had a smirk on her face, "What?"

"See you and Willow made up." Penelope answered, walking into his office as she looked around, only being in his office once

"What makes you say that?"

Penelope walked over to the desk before bending down before leaning down to pick up Willow's bra, holding it up for Michael to see, "because I bought her this for her birthday."

With that, Willow slowly stood up from her spot behind Michael's desk as he closed his eyes in defeat as she gave a little wave, "Hi Penny."

"You're lucky it was me and not Tommy." Penelope smirked, looking between the two, knowing she had something on them now.

"Why are they lucky it was you and not Tommy?"

The three turned to see Camden and Tommy standing in the doorway. Willow quickly snatched her bra out of Penelope's hand before the two older man could see it and let Isaiah know, even though Willow knew Penelope was bound to tell him.

"You two wanna tell them or should we wait for 'Siah to be here, too?" Penelope teased as Willow and Michael looked at each other.

Penelope was having a field day with whatever she knew about them and Tommy and Camden could tell, the big grin on her face giving it away.

"Penny caught us together and knew Tommy would make a bigger deal about it." Willow sighed, avoiding eye contact with Tommy and Camden.

"You left your bra on the floor, didn't you?" Cam smirked, leaning against the door, causing Willow to go red as Michael let out a sigh. Penelope struggled to hold her laugh in as Willow sent her a look.

"Don't let it happen again here." Tommy spoke, the couple nodding

"Polly said that you should call her. There's been some trouble." Michael told his cousin, causing Penelope and Camden to look at each other

"What trouble?"

" I'm guessing the stuff she doesn't like to tell me about." Michael responded, irritation laced in his voice

Anybody could tell Michael hated that Polly wouldn't let him be involved with the business, despite being one of the people Tommy trusted the most. Penelope wasn't a blinder nor involved with Tommy's business but she always knew what was going on. Mainly because Camden would tell her what was going on; Finn doing the same when he was allowed to be involved.

"Cam, I need to talk to you." Penelope said, walking to his office. Camden was one of the book keepers for the company, dealing with David's business that he did with Tommy and Alfie Solomans.

Camden sat in his chair as Penelope flopped down on the couch in his office, taking many naps in her brother's office.

"What's going on, Pen?"

"John fucked up, Cam," She spoke in a quiet voice, "we had that meeting with Vincente Changretta about Angel's restaurant. And John threatened to put bullets in Angel's knees."

"He fucking did what?" Camden exclaimed, looking over at his sister. Camden had a short temper. Everyone knew that. The war caused it. Camden had been tortured and held captive during the war before being let go. He didn't speak for weeks when he came back to camp. Only telling them when the tunnels collapsed. Camden was the protector of the family. After thinking he would never see them again; he always made sure his family was safe. And now that John had possibly started a war with the Changretta's and involving his family?

"Mr Changretta said there was nothing we could do to prevent Angel from being with Lizzie and John said it would be hard to do that with bullets in his knees." Penelope exclaimed, running her hand over her face as she looked over at her brother. Camden's hands were curled into fists and he was clenching his jaw to the point where the muscle in it twitched.

"What did dad do?"

"Told James to tell you to take a few Peaky boys to London to watch over at the pubs and casinos." She answered as Camden nodded

"I don't want you and James involved," Camden started, "you let dad and meself handle this. You two are to stay out of this."

Penelope nodded as Tommy walked into Camden's office, causing Penelope to roll her eyes, "Sure Tommy. Come right in."

Tommy didn't even bat an eye as he responded to the blonde, "I own the building Penny. I'll do as I please."

Penelope rolled her eyes as she laid down, shutting her eyes for a moment, "C'mon. Meeting at Polly's."

The blonde let out a groan before begrudgingly following after her brother and Tommy. Walking past Michael's office, Willow called her in, causing her to turn and walk into the accountants office, "What?"

"Just letting you know that I wouldn't want to sit in any of the chairs in here for a while." Willow avoided eye contact with Penelope as she spoke, causing Michael to choke on the whiskey he was drinking.

"Oh, I'm sure that's what Willow sounded like earlier." Penelope laughed, running out of the office before either could say anything.

Penelope greeted Finn with a kiss as she walked through the betting den and into the kitchen that connected the Watery Lane house to the building they used for bets on race day. David was sat at the table with James, Arthur, and Polly as John was standing by the mantle.

"Thanks for coming Finn, "Arthur spoke, "Now fuck off."

Finn rolled his eyes before walking through the den, being stopped by Tommy and Camden, "Finn, you can stay."

The red head immediately slunk to his girlfriend's side, the blonde wrapping her arm around his back, leaning into his side.

Tommy took a breath before looking at his younger brother, "Sit down, John."

"You cut Angel Changretta, even though Arthur and myself told you to apologize." David spoke, causing Penelope to nearly give herself whiplash at how fast she turned to look at John.

That was it. John officially started a war with the Changretta's. Dragging her family with them.

"Polly told you to compromise," Tommy looked between his older brother and aunt before looking back at John, "you chose not to listen to Mr apologize or Mrs compromise, and now I've got an Italian walking around my backyard saying he's going to kill my brother."

"So, what should we do, John? Do we apologize? Or do we compromise?" David asked, leaning towards the boy as Arthur spoke up, "it was just something he said as a joke."

The Shelby boys never like disappointing David. He was practically their father, as theirs ran off before Finn was even born. Letting David down was one of the worst feelings ever.

"Yes, but he's your brother too, Arthur." Tommy commented, "And I don't want to start a war over something John said without meaning it."

Penelope noticed that James and Camden were unusually quiet, considering they always had something to say but Penelope thought it might have to do with the fact that her family wasn't directly involved with this business.

"So, should we apologize in Italian or English? Or should we just ask them which fucking language they prefer? I'm not clear."

"You said while this business was going on in London, you wanted peace here." Arthur said to Tommy.

The three Shelby brothers wanted nothing more than to be done with the Italians but they all wanted three different ways to solve the problem.

"And the only way to guarantee peace, is by making the prospect of war seem hopeless," David spoke as Tommy agreed, "If John apologizes once, you do it again and again and again. Like taking bricks out of the wall of your fucking house."

Tommy turned to look at Arthur, "Do you want to bring the house down, Arthur? If you're soft on rebellion, it'll grow."

"Bloody 'soft on rebellion' " Arthur scoffed

"You did the right thing, John. Now, we go to the offensive. We take two of Changretta's pubs, we take them tonight."

"That's it?" Polly scoffed, " For Christ's sake, why?"

"Because we fucking can! Because we fucking can, and if we can, we do!" Tommy yelled as Camden agreed, "And if we lift our heel off their necks now, they'll come at us. Remember, these are the bastards that wanted Danny Whizz-bang dead!"

Arthur had turned away from the conversation at this point, not wanting to hear anymore. Tommy had noticed and scoffed at his older brother, "You're getting soft, brother. Soft and weak. Save the bible for Sunday's, eh?"

Everyone knew the reason behind Arthur's change of heart. Linda was a very religious woman and she was practically forcing Arthur away from the only life he knew.

"Finn, I need to get to Hockney, then home. It's been a long day." Tommy said to the youngest Shelby. Finn nodded his head, pressing a kiss to Penelope's head before making his way out of the building.

"You take the Wrexem. You take the Five Bells. You get them signed over to us in the morning. You make sure to keep the coppers away. And don't use the bloody phone, someone's listening."

David pulled out his cigarette case, offering his children one before focusing on the two Shelby's, "You didn't just threaten Angel Changretta. You did it with two of my kids present. Therefore, involving my family in this war. You cut Vincente's son. They don't just lie there and take it, like the rest of Birmingham does when it comes to you lot. An eye for an eye. They'll stop at nothing to make sure this vendetta is paid. No matter who gets in the way. Any harm comes to my family, my wife or my kids, because you two decide to go against Tommy's orders and do as you please, you won't like how it ends."

Never in all the years David has taken care of the Shelby family, has he ever threatened them. But he loved his own family more and wouldn't think twice about harming anyone who hurt his family, Shelby or not.

"Dave..." John spoke in a quiet voice. John had grown up seeking David's approval for everything. He considered David more of a father than his own.

"Do the right thing, John Boy." David told him, patting his shoulder as he made his way through the betting den.

"James, Penny," Camden spoke, causing the two blonde's to look at their older brother, "go wait in the car."

They knew better than to argue with Camden. So they nodded, saying their farewells. Penelope leaned down to wrap her arms around John, pressing a kiss to his cheek, "It'll be alright John."

The two blondes made their way out of the building, making their way to their fathers car, "Think John'll apologize?"

James just shrugged, for once not being able to determine his best friends actions, "For everyone's sake...i hope so."

Penelope was laying with her mum in her parents room as David was in his office. Penelope was watching her mother with a content look on her face as Audrey came up with designs for the dresses Grace had asked her to design for the foundation this Sunday.

The content feeling didn't last long though.

James came bounding through the doorway, flopping on top of his sister, who let out a groan at the sudden weight, "get off me, you knob."

"You don't want to spend quality time with your brother?" James teased, maneuvering so he was laying with his head on Penelope's stomach.

"Not when your fat arse just drops on me." Penelope smacked the back of his head as Audrey laughed at her two youngest children.

Growing up, James and Penelope were as close as any siblings could be. James felt the need to protect his sister whenever Camden went with their father on business; being the man of the house. James, John, and Camden had broken the nose and many bones of the boy who referred to Penelope as the 'Peaky Whore' because she was close with the Shelby's. After that, no one ever made comments about her again.

While Camden showed his love for Penelope through his words, James did it through his actions. He would always hug Penelope, have his arm around her shoulder, or place a kiss on her head; something he got from their father.

"Where's your brother?" Audrey asked, glancing over at James who was playing with the rings on Penelope's hand.

"Went with John, Isaiah, Arthur...and Finn to take the Changretta's pubs."

"They let Finn go with them?" Penelope asked, worry laced in her voice

While she was happy that he was being included in the business, she just wished it wasn't the violent stuff. She knew he could handle himself, being trained by her father and oldest brother but she knew how often the Shelby brothers got hurt. And since there's a possible war brewing with the Italians? Her nerves were at an all time high.

"Cam's looking out for him. He knows to pull him before things get serious." James explained, looking up at his sister.

Any time the youngest Shelby would come with them, James and Camden would make sure Finn was never in harm's way; knowing his brothers would be too occupied with making sure Finn was safe.

David had walked into the room and felt himself smile at the sight. Growing up, Camden, James, and Penelope would climb into the bed with them and just talk about anything and nothing. Penelope spent most nights in her parents room after her brothers got drafted for the war. And when the boys returned, they spent many nights in their parents bed, wanting to be around each other after being away for four years.

"Sweetheart," David called, causing Audrey to look over at him, "seems like our bed has been infested with pests."

The two youngest Longfield children let out yells of protests at their fathers words as David and Audrey let out laughs.

David gestured for James to move his legs so he could lay down. Audrey had placed her sketchbook on her night table as she laid on her side, alternating with her husband with playing with their kids hair.

You would think James and Penelope weren't David and Audrey's kids due to their blonde hair but David's hair was blonde when he was young, passing that gene onto his two youngest while Camden got their mothers auburn hair.

James and Camden were quite the ladies men in Birmingham. They both were strapping young men; chiseled jawlines, both with muscle from the war, eyes that every girl seemed to fall for. And they were in a gang. Any girl in Birmingham wanted to take a blinder to bed and James and Camden often agreed to it.

Penelope was also a good looking Longfield. Often were people jealous of the good looks that all the Longfield's possessed. Penelope was one of the most beautiful girls in Birmingham. She had blonde hair that fell to just below her shoulders, stunning eyes. But once she grew a figure, men often stopped paying attention to her looks and focused more on her body and tried to bed her; well those brave enough to. But Penelope never bat an eye. Not when she had one of the most strapping young men in Birmingham on her arm the last year and a half. She had been enamored with Finn since they were 10. But her feelings grew stronger as her and Finn grew up. About two years ago to be exact.

Penelope knew she always had feelings for the boy. Finn had always defended her honor growing up. Made sure no one ever spoke bad about her. Penelope was told by her mum to get Camden from Tommy's gym and she had walked in just to see Finn take down his opponent. She pulled him aside and told him how she felt. Finn feeling the same.

"Do you think John will apologize?" Penelope asked, looking between her parents. David and Audrey looked at each other for a few seconds before David spoke, "I'm hoping I talked some sense into him. But, you can never tell with John. He needs to realize he dragged us into this war. It won't just be them who Vincente Changretta targets."

"You'd think he got enough of war in the actual war." James mumbled, letting out a sigh. Penelope grabbed her brother's hand and gave it a squeeze.

James was 17 when they got drafted for the war. He was too young. Too innocent to see so much violence. So much death. He didn't talk for weeks when he came home. But he got better. John and Camden were by his side everyday to reassure him that he was safe and that the war was over.

"Tommy'll get through to him." Audrey reassured him, sharing a look with David that went unnoticed by their children.

It was the day of the Shelby Charitable Foundation Ball that Grace had been working so hard to put together.

David and Audrey led their family through the crowd as Penelope had her arms linked with her brothers. Audrey had outdone herself yet again. She had slaved many hours over various fabrics, needles, jewels, etc...

Penelope was wearing a floor length light gray dress that had jewels along the bodice and the hips with strings of pearls all along the skirt of the dress. Penelope's blonde hair was pulled into a low bun with a jeweled headband to top it off.

Grace had requested that Audrey and her had similar colored dresses due to wanting to show her thanks for everything she had done for her.

Audrey and Grace had gotten close since Tommy told them they were getting married and Grace had come to Audrey on how to deal with the lifestyle. Audrey had very often helped with blinder business, not wanting to tarnish the name of her business. Audrey had told Grace it was better to not ask questions she didn't want the answer to and to wait for Tommy to come to her about it rather than prying.

Audrey was wearing a floor length rose-gold dress that had jewels all over the dress.

Penelope quickly spotted Willow and dragged her brothers with her. Willow was wearing a floor length gown with gold silk fabric under a layer of maroon, gold, and silver jewels.

"Well, you might just be the best looking woman in here." Penelope teased, slinking to her best friend's side. Willow let out a laugh as she greeted the Longfield brothers with a kiss to their cheeks before linking arms with Penelope, leading her over to the group of Shelby men, "I do believe your mother has outdone herself once again, Penny."

John had nudged his younger brother and motioned behind them. Finn had made the mistake of taking a drink as he turned around, causing him to choke on it. The two girls laughed as they walked closer as John and Michael were patting the boy on the back.

"You alright?" Penelope asked, stopping in front of Finn. Finn nodded his head as he turned to place his glass on a tray nearby, "You look...absolutely stunning."

Penelope felt her face heat up at his words as she placed her hand on his chest, "Ever so handsome, Mr Shelby."

Finn gave her a smile as he leaned down to place his lips on hers.

"Right," Camden spoke, causing the to to pull away from each other, "That's enough of that."

Penelope shot her older brother a look as he just smiled at her. James was hiding his smile behind his glass. The two boys loved teasing their sister when it came to Finn. They often dragged the couple away from each other during events, interrupting them before they could kiss.

"Everything went alright last night?" Penelope asked, looking between the group of boys. By now, Willow and Michael had joined in as Arthur and John went to find their wives.

Camden, Michael, and Finn had looked over at James, who shut his eyes as Camden smacked the back of his head, "You weren't supposed to tell her."

"Dad would have told me anyways. Or I would have found out."

Willow looked lost at what they were going on about so Michael had explained everything to her that happened over the last few days. Including how Isaiah was also involved.

"Oh bloody fucking hell." Willow whispered, downing the rest of Michael's drink.

"Everything went fine." Camden told Penelope, "But they won't just lie there and take it. They will retaliate."

Penelope took a deep breath, knowing Camden was right. Finn pulled her tighter against her as he placed a kiss on her forehead. Penelope shut her eyes and leaned into Finn's embrace, savoring the small moments with him

"And we'll be ready when they do." Michael spoke, pulling Willow into his side. James and Camden had left to go talk to John and Arthur as Isaiah had made his way over to the group.

Penelope had perked up at the sight of the oldest Jesus sibling and sent Willow a big grin as she realized what she was gonna do, "Penelope Haven, if you say what I think you're going to..."

"Isaiah!" Penelope cheered, "Just the boy I was looking for!"

Isaiah had shared a look with Finn who just looked as lost as he was as Michael had flushed in realization of what Penelope was about to do.

"Did you take snow before you came here?" Isaiah asked, causing Penelope to shake her head, "Just thought you might be interested in what I found your sister and best mate doing in his office the other day."

Finn had turned to hide his face in Penelope's hair as Isaiah quickly turned to face Willow and Michael, "What were you two doing in his office?"

"Shut up, Penny." Willow snapped as Penelope was laughing, Finn failing miserably to hide his laughter. Michael had placed some distance between him and his girlfriend, knowing that Isaiah wouldn't want to see them touching with the information he was just given.

"I need a fucking drink." Isaiah mumbled, turning to grab one of a table. After Isaiah had processed the information he was given, he started a conversation with Michael and Finn as Penelope and Willow talked about Audrey's dresses. Willow had noticed that Michael had tensed up under her arm and turned to face him, "Mikey, you alright?"

Michael stiffly nodded before excusing himself from the conversation. Penelope looked around where Michael was staring and only saw Tommy walking into the concert hall.

"Any idea what that was about?" Willow turned to face her brother and Finn, who just shrugged, "You're his girlfriend. You tell us."

Willow sent an exasperated look to her brother, "You're his best mate. Figured you would know."

"Doesn't mean I keep a book about him," Isaiah spoke, giving Willow the same look, "got better things to do with my life then watch 'Mikey', Willy."

Finn and Penelope glanced at each other, amused looks on their faces. The couple was often present for the many arguments of the Jesus twins, the two loving to rile each other up.

"Okay," Penelope spoke, pulling Willow to her side as Finn pulled Isaiah to his, "You guys can fight when we're not in the presence of Birmingham's finest. For Grace's sake."

The Jesus siblings looked at each before begrudgingly agreeing.

Willow had excused herself to find Michael as Isaiah followed after her. Penelope turned to look up at Finn who took a drag off his cigarette. And Penelope would be lying if she said it wasn't one of her favorite sights.

Like his brothers, he also took up the habit of always having a cigarette in his hand. Penelope smoked occasionally, mainly when she was with Finn.

"You really do look stunning, Pen." Finn smiled, looking at the blonde who smiled up at him, "Despite you wearing something like this everyday, you always look very handsome."

Finn gave her a short but sweet kiss as they made their way over to their brothers, who were now joined by Michael, Willow, and Isaiah.

Finn grabbed two glasses of whiskey off a tray as a waiter was walking by, handing the second one to Penelope. The blonde placed a kiss on his cheek as she wrapped her arm around him, leaning into his side.

Audrey had nudged her husband who was talking to one of his business partners from London. David turned to look at his wife, who motioned towards their daughter.

"I don't think I've ever seen her this happy before." Audrey had a smile on her face as she watched the young couple.

"They balance each other out," David spoke, "She keeps him grounded and he keeps her on her toes."

Audrey snorted in response as she leaned into her husband, "hell, he keeps all of us on our toes. But she's there to bring him back."

"He's not like his brothers. He's not as aggressive or violent as they are. Finn thinks before he does anything. He's more of an emotional being than he is physical. She needs that." David said, placing a kiss on Audrey's head.

"I look at them," Audrey started, " and I see us when we were young. In love and willing to risk everything to be together."

Audrey's parents didn't approve of her relationship with David when they were teens. Her parents were super religious and with David's family not believing at all, they didn't want her daughter with him. But they didn't care. They risked everything to be with each other. The same way they knew Finn and Penelope would also risk everything.

The gong for dinner rang and he asked everyone to raise a toast to the king. John had smacked Finn on the back of his head as he went to raise his glass as Penelope hid her smile behind her glass as she took a drink.

Finn offered his arm to the blonde as he went to lead them through the dining hall.

"For Angel!"

Everyone heard the gunshot before they could process what happened. Arthur had tackled the man as Finn, Camden, and John had joined the oldest Shelby sibling in beating the man.

James, Willow, Michael, and Isaiah rushed over to Penelope as they watched Tommy hold onto a bleeding Grace; David and Audrey rushing over to them. James held onto Penelope as the tears started to fall, Michael and Isaiah doing the same to Willow.

Not only was that the day Grace Shelby had died but it was also the day that Thomas Shelby stopped feeling

A/N

Please let me know if anyone is interested in being tagged in any upcoming parts for this series!

#finn shelby #finn shelby imagines #finn shelby imagine #finn shelby fanfic #harry kirton #peaky blinders #peaky blinder imagine #peaky blinder fanfic #peaky blinders imagines #peaky blinders imagine

[songtoyou]

Chapter 1: The Pope, The Rabbi, and The Gypsy

Tolerate It

Paring: Modern!Tommy Shelby x Original Female Character

Story Rating: R (No minors should read this fic).

Word Count: 1,795

Warnings: Talks of sexual content.

Description: Tommy Shelby is the owner and CEO of Shelby Company Limited. Starting out as a Bookmaker, Tommy had big ideas to expand his riches. In the past ten years, the company has grown rapidly to expand its business ventures from bars to producing alcohol, manufacturing motor vehicle parts, and exporting. One of the richest men in Great Britain, Tommy Shelby, has it all. Unfortunately, the death of his wife, Grace, left the multi-millionaire mogul alone and depressed. He needed someone to fulfill his needs and deepest darkest desires.

A/N: I was very pleased with the positive reaction to the prologue of this fic. I am glad that some of you are liking it. For this chapter, we learn a little more about the OC, and how she will meet Tommy. We also learn about the owners and some of Excelsior's clientele, the secret exclusive club in downtown London. Tommy looks for a new girl now that Lizzie is gone. 

Note: Italics represent the past or past conversations.

Feedback is wonderful. It is nice knowing if people actually like this fic. I do not permit my work to be posted on any other site without my permission.

Excelsior was an exclusive invite-only club located in downtown London. Members included high profile men from actors, musicians, politicians, and business moguls. The activities that occur at Excelsior were top secret. Members and workers at the club were bound by a non-disclosure agreement to ensure nothing was made public. Excelsior was merely a very high-end gentlemen's club to the unassuming public, but underneath, it allowed members to succumb to their deepest desires.

Owned and run by "Duchess" Izabella Petrovna and her niece, "Princess" Tatiana Petrovna, the club was steeped in excess and glamour. No suspecting individual would ever think to confuse the establishment as an underground sex club. While the Duchess ran the business side of the operations, the Princess recruited the women. There was a certain criterion that the Princess enforced when it came to employing. First, the women had to be between the ages of twenty-one to thirty-five. The women underwent an extensive background check, along with a psych evaluation. Many of the employees found it hilarious that the Duchess and Princess required a psych evaluation considering that they themselves were equally eccentric…or insane, to put it mildly. Birth control was a non-negotiable requirement the women had to abide by. The women at the club had to partake in monthly STD tests to ensure they were clean and healthy. 

While the Duchess and Princess were an oddball pairing, there was no denying that they cared for their girls and valued the work they did for the members. Their business endeavor allowed the Petrovna's to continue to live in luxuries that Russia no longer was able to provide. They paid well.

It was how Rose Turner provided a decent life for herself and her son, Louis. Rose had been working at the club for six years and in that time had garnered quite the clientele. However, it would be three men who would have a tumultuous impact on Rose's life. She referred to them as the Pope, the Rabbi, and the Gypsy. 

The Pope was Luca Changretta, an Italian man from New York. Luca was a prominent businessman whose family still resided in England. While Audrey Changretta was a former school teacher, her husband Vincent, and youngest son Angel, owned restaurants and bars from Manchester to Birmingham, to London. They also dabbled in the real estate business and owned numerous high rise apartment buildings. The Changretta family was viewed as a rival to the Shelby clan. Both have tried to partner on business ventures with no deal ever emerging. The two families did not trust one another. 

With Luca stationed over in the States, he would visit his family throughout the year during holidays, for birthdays, weddings, funerals, openings of new Changretta establishments. Time home also allowed for Luca to engage in his pleasures. His visits to Excelsior were always a big deal. Everything had to be perfect, according to Izabella. Tatiana assigned Rose to Luca. 

"You are his type, no," Tatiana would say. "He likes the way you look. That innocent and doe-eyed look. Hooker with a heart of gold, they say, right."

Rose did not question Tatiana. She read through Luca's file to find out more about her new client and what he liked. The man was noticeably big into role play, especially in a religious aspect. He loved playing the part of a holy man while Rose played the Catholic school girl or nun. It was how Luca got the nickname, "The Pope." The man thankfully always managed to be a gentleman. He respected the rules of the club and never went overboard. If Rose was uncomfortable with acting out a scene, she knew it was okay to voice her worries. Luca never tried to fight her or manipulate her into partaking in a scene. He respected Rose's boundaries. She was one of his favorites at the club. 

Alfie Solomons was nicknamed "The Rabbi" and another important client at Excelsior. He had his fill of women during his time at the club. So much so that the girls would talk openly with one another about his particular habits. For instance, Alfie never partook in actual intercourse with the women. Instead, he relied on toys such as dildos or vibrators to bring pleasure to his women. He would also make sure to wear black latex gloves while touching the women. Many assumed it was to keep himself clean and pure since he participated in activities that would be deemed excruciatingly unholy. Alfie made sure that Tatiana only gave him gentile women.

"No Jewish women, love. They are holy creatures and should be remained as such, okay," Alfie demanded.

When Rose saw Alfie for the first time, she was intimidated by his big stature. However, Alfie proved to be one of Rose's favorite clients. The man knew how to pleasure a woman. He always made scenes fun and intense. Some women would even fight over who got to be with Alfie on certain nights he was at the club. They all loved him. 

As the son of a Russian Jewish woman and working-class Londoner father, Alfie worked his way up in the world. It would be the distillery business where Alfie would make his fortunes. From rum and vodka to gin, beer, and cider, Solomons & Sons was the top distillery company in the United Kingdom. It did not take long for the Shelby family came knocking on Alfie's door to partner with on business endeavors. While Alfie would continue to remain skeptical about the Shelby family, he knew the business deal with them would be too good to pass up. He loved having a go at Tommy Shelby from time-to-time to see how far he could push the Birmingham lad. 

In fact, it was Alfie who told Tommy about Excelsior. 

"You go from whore to whore with no care in the world. It is like you got a death wish. Seriously, don't you ever worry about getting the clap? I'll tell ya what…let me talk with one of my associates about inviting you to join this club I frequent. It will have everything you ever wanted and more. Trust me," Alfie shared with Tommy at one of their business meetings two years ago. 

Tommy merely scoffed as he took a drag of his cigarette. "Trust you. Not likely, Alfie. As I recall, it was because of you that the deal with the Changrettas fell apart. Something about mentioning how my brother John got into a fight with Angel Changretta over a girl they both were seeing at the time."

With a shit-eating grin, Alfie replied, "I am a beacon of truth, eh."

"More like a pain in my ass," Tommy smirked. 

As promised, Alfie talked with Tatiana about inviting Tommy to the club. She was adamant about meeting with the self-made millionaire. The Princess wanted to make sure he was suitable to partake in her establishment. If Tatiana had the ability, she would have kept Tommy all to herself if she could. 

"None of those whores deserve you, Thomas," said Tatiana as she laid in bed next to him.

"No, they deserve better. Better than me, that is for sure. But…they are all I got. So, I need your help in finding the best one for me. One that I can take out in public if need be. One who can be presentable to society at certain functions I have to attend. That way, I can keep up the appearance of a family man who still grieves the loss of his wife while trying to move on with my life."

Lizzie Stark filled that position for two years before her sudden and unexpected departure at Excelsior. Now Tatiana had to find a new girl to assign for Tommy, which was no easy task with his certain expectations. The man was rather picky, to say the least. Perusing her girls' files, she realized that there was only one who could meet the requests of Tommy Shelby.

"Rose Turner," announced Tatiana and handed Tommy her file. "She has been with us for a couple of years. She is considered top-quality—good reviews from our top clients. As you can see, she is beautiful, no. She can be elegant if need be for your functions. Adventurous…flexible, if you know what I mean. She'd be perfect for you. What do you think?"

Tommy looked over Rose's file. Her birthdate indicated she was in her early thirties and from Blackpool, a seaside resort town on England's Irish Sea coast. It was England's very own Coney Island. Ada took Karl and Charlie there for a weekend getaway not long after Grace died to cheer up her nephew.

"How many men does she see regularly?" Tommy asked.

"Rose is considered top quality. Her clientele is small. She has no more than four regulars. One does not live here full-time. He only sees her when he visits family. The others…well, they are people from your circle of business partners."

"Is that so. Who would these men be?" Tommy inquired as he continued to look through Rose's file.

"I am not at liberty to tell you such vital information…"

"Well, Tatiana, let me take a guess. Could Alfie Solomons be one of Rose's clients? How about Darby Sabini? Is he on the list? Billy Kimber before his untimely departure on this Earth?" Tommy took a drag of his cigarette and tossed Rose's file on Tatiana's desk. "Set up a meeting for me with Rose. Not here, though. Tell her to meet me at The Savoy Hotel this Saturday night. Give her this as well," Tommy handed Tatiana an envelope she assumed had cash in it. "Tell her to buy something nice for the occasion. The two of us can talk over dinner, and if all goes well, we can end the night on a good note. Just know this Princess, if all goes well, then Rose becomes mine. Her other clients can fuck off for all I care. I am not one to share what is mine."

So here Rose was, at one of London's top boutiques picking out a dress for Saturday night. Tatiana explained the possible arrangement with Mr. Shelby, and if things went well, he would be Rose's main client. Meaning he would become Rose's only client. She had reservations about it until Tatiana shared how much Mr. Shelby was willing to pay. It was more money than Rose originally would make. Tatiana shared that Mr. Shelby would provide Rose a weekly allowance on top of her services' standard fees. The deal with too good to pass up. However, Tatiana was adamant to Rose that meeting Tommy first would be wise before agreeing to any deals. 

All Rose knew was that she had a date with The Gypsy. 

#tommy shelby #tommy shelby x oc #tommy shelby fic #peaky blinders #peaky blinders fic

[zodiyack]

Taglists (Comment to be added)

Not all taglists have been included as there are so many fandoms I’m in, I simply cannot list them all. If you’ve read a fic from a fandom (or celebrity with characters I write for and you want to be tagged in all of the celeb’s, and their character’s, fics-) you’d like to be tagged in, please feel free to comment!

Everything Taglist

@matth1w, @redspaceace-writes, @fandom-puff, @darling-i-read-it, @simonsbluee, @sebastianstanslefteyebrow, @tlivou, @bubsonnobx, @bunnyweasley23

Everything Henry Cavill Taglist

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#taglist #taglists #tag list #tagging #tag #tags #tag lists #x reader #all readers #reader insert #x you #x y/n #imagine #one shot #drabble #fic #fanfiction #fanfic #comment! #comments #zodiyack

[byorder-fanfic]

A Good Man

Summary: After all that she’s been through and all she’s done, Lizzie deserves a good man. She thought John could save her from prostitution, she hoped Tommy could see her as more than a whore. Soon she realises, she deserves better than a good man- she deserves a good man who loves her.

Word count: 1994

Warnings: Swearing, mentions of sexual abuse and harassment

Authors Note: Hi, this is my first ever fanfiction I’ve posted, so feedback would really be appreciated! Hope you enjoy it xx

Lizzie was tired. Tommy told her no more customers, no more lying down for faceless men and imagining she was anywhere else, with anyone else. She used to dream of finding a good man, one that would take her to bed with the only payment of love. So, when John proposed, she said yes. He was good. As simple as that. In truth, he didn't love her and she didn't love him. But he made her smile, and she would be a good mother. Mother. Kids in her arms and a husband at her side- it didn't seem real. But money wasn't easy to come by; her visible bones were enough to prove that. Her promise to John wouldn't pay for her meals or the rent on her leaking apartment and, as long as her last name was Stark, she would not take John's money. The only part of her flat that was safe from dishevelment was her bed, a bed she couldn't sleep on for the pain that still lingered in her memory. Bruises were easy enough to cover up (she'd learnt that young) but memories couldn't be so easily concealed with a splash of cheap powder and a cool spoon. She was a good woman, she repeated under her breath, Tommy's money still heavy in her coat, she just didn't do good things. It sounded fake, even in her thoughts. John had been calm when he broke off the engagement. She tried to leave with as much grace as she could. In different clothes, in a different life, she could've been a dancer, she thought. Her limbs were long and strong, even if she could count all her ribs when she took off her dress. But she walked with poise, a sense of dignity that had left her heart a long time ago.

Things seemed to be getting better. When Grace had left Tommy in pieces, Lizzie gave him company on lonely nights. He wasn't ever fucking her, she knew. Why else would she always be face down? She was just a thing for him to forget, but for her, she dared to dream he could save her. He was a good man, a good brother to John. Yet every night, after a smoke and a smile, he'd leave the money in her hands. She was still a whore to him. Then things seemed to get better: she traded in getting bent over the desk to being the one who types on it. It was finally her chance to make honest money, be a good woman. It was good, even if her reputation still buried its way deep into their hungry eyes. Only, this time, she could afford to say no. Then Tommy invited her to the Derby. Jeremiah had told her she looked like a proper rich lady, the type that belonged in these sorts of places. It made her smile the whole way there, as she constantly smoothed down her dress. It was nice, nicer than any she'd ever worn before, and virginial white. Maybe Tommy wasn't seeing her as a whore any more, she dared to think. Maybe he saw her as Lizzie Stark, the graceful lady in a pretty dress, who belonged at the races. Hope fell into betrayal as he pointed to the soldier behind her. No more customers, he had said. Unless it suited him, he'd forgotten that part- a fine print she skimmed over. Just as he had broken every other promise, he didn't save her. Her dress was torn, a purple bruise prominent on her thin cheek. When she waved that gun in her hand, she would've killed him. Tommy wasn't a good man, but she was a good woman. She was. Even when John cradled her face and looked at her with those sad eyes, she didn't tell him that his brother was the one who did this. He didn't have Tommy's cold eyes. John was a good man, and he had to stay around for Esme and those beautiful kids of his. She didn’t.

She didn't hand in her notice. She should've, but she didn't. Tommy finally had Grace for real now, so he wouldn't bother her. John and her were on friendly terms, and she'd even gotten close to his wife, Esme. The two dark-haired women were so similar in certain areas (i.e. hating the blue-eyed crook that they worked for), their friendship was hardly a surprise for the Shelby family. Polly still saw her as a whore, she knew, but that wasn't something she could fight. They all saw her as a whore before a secretary. Except Jeremiah, of course. Now, that was a friendship that shocked everyone. Lizzie knew she wasn't a Madonna, but the preacher seemed to be the only one that made her think she had more worth than how far she could spread her legs. Or, how well she could type. It was her pride and joy, watching her skeleton fingers hurry over the buttons with precision and speed. It was good work, work she was good at, work that she could proudly take the money from Tommy's hands. She'd moved into a new, clean flat, and got a new bed she could sleep peacefully in. It was becoming easier to look at herself in the mirror, easier to look at the blooming curves that were beginning to hide the taut skin stretched over bones. She was a good woman, she said with a smile, and she had saved herself.

She was focused on the typewriter most days, and that was exactly what she was doing when Tommy was having a meeting with the Italians. Bloody wops, Arthur had grumbled all day when he heard they were coming. John was no better. They still remembered the green, white and red from the wrong side of Flanders field. But Tommy had insisted. Business was business, he'd said. And business was all he cared about, Lizzie silently finished for him. The white haired Changretta sat with the three brothers, leaving a gaggle of hulking Italians in their fine clothes to wander around the betting shop under Polly's watchful eyes. But Lizzie was focused on her work. That was until a slam on her desk sounded over her rapid typing. With a sigh, she looked up. He was tall with the typical olive skin, dressed in a refined way that did not reach his eyes: wild, hungry eyes that she recognised with a racing of her heart.

"You're Lizzie Stark, aren't you?" He asked. She forced herself to look down from his lustful look, down to his broad hand on her desk, which covered up some paper notes. This was not the Derby, she chanted, she would not let him.

"Yeah, and?" Her rough, Brummie accent was so in contrast with her newfound elegance.

"I think this is your usual rate," his snarl was enough to get her to cringe. Nevertheless, she looked up at him with a determined fire in her brown eyes. He looked like the nasty kind. Before, she would just lie back and think of England for those sorts, but now? She was going to be nasty back. A gun was tucked away in her drawer, her fingers wrapped over the cold metal. Tommy was still conversing with Vincente Changretta just next door, and he would not be happy if Lizzie decided to put a hole in his office, or in an Italian lackey. But Lizzie would not let the Derby repeat itself. No more customers. If Tommy wouldn't save her, she would save herself.

"Unless you want a secretary, I'm afraid I can't help you."

"A secretary, huh?" He gave an amused laugh as he slumped back in the chair opposite hers, heedless of her violent glare. The paper money stood out amongst the brown wood of the desk. "See, I thought you were a whore."

Before she could snap back, a hand gripped onto the Italian opposite her. The sudden motion caused him to jump up, cocky snarl replaced with pale fear. The man behind him was taller, a long coat covering his broad figure. He was handsome, with a round face, and the same hooked nose as the older man, still in Tommy's office.

"Now then, Alberti," he began with a soft voice, thinly veiling his menace. "I'd hate to tell my father that you've been harassing the Shelby's loveliest secretary." He gave a flirtatious grin to Lizzie, who was watching him with furrowed brows, hands not leaving the gun.

"Sorry, Mr Changretta." The quiet stutter in his voice was enough to satisfy the Changretta, who let his grip on him go as he motioned for him to leave. The newly identified Alberti reached over to grab the money from in front of Lizzie, only for it to be taken away by the other man. "Call it compensation for the distress you've caused Miss Stark."

Miss Stark. She hadn't been called that before. He smiled as he watched Alberti trudge away, hands in his pocket.

"Miss Stark," he turned to extend his hand. It was polite, not the kind of introduction she was used to. Hesitantly, she let go of the gun and shook his hand. "My name is Angel Changretta."

"It's just Lizzie," she replied. Angel tried to pass the paper notes to Lizzie, but she shoved her palms against her desk as she shook her head.

"I'm not a whore."

"I know." He looked like he was being honest, although Lizzie wasn't too sure what that looked like any more.

"I can't take that. I won't."

"Fine." With a sigh, he placed it in the pocket on the breast of his coat. Angel looked up to her with another smile. "At least let me spend it on a meal for us."

"Us?" Lizzie froze. The drawer was still open, gun glinting in her peripheral. She didn't know if Angel could see it, he was just staring at her with his dark eyes. 

"Yes, I'd like to take you to my restaurant." She looked him up and down for any hint of a joke, the slightest tinge of evil intentions. "If that would be alright with you?"

She bit her lip. Men never bought her food, especially not without expecting some sort of invitation home. Despite that fact that weighed down in her mind, she managed to force back a smile.

"As a date?"

Angel blushed a little, scratching the back of his dark hair. It was shiny under the lights, indicating he'd applied a fair bit of gel in there. She wondered, quite bashfully, how it would feel to run her fingers through it.

"Well...um...yes." With a shrug, he managed to regain the confidence he had been oozing only seconds before. "Lizzie Stark, will you go on a date with me?"

It sent a schoolgirl-like thrill through her chest to hear that. He sounded so polite, like she was one of those proper ladies he could be courting, or whatever the hell those posh fucks called it. 

"Just dinner," she wagged her finger in warning, more teasingly than not.

"My lady," he bowed a little, hand on his chest in theatrical earnestness. "I am a man of my word." The grin gracing his handsome face was infectious, causing Lizzie to beam back up at him. "Is that a yes?"

"My shift finishes at five," she told him. A date, she was going on a date, just like normal people do. "Don't be late."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

His grin didn't leave his face as his father walked out of the office with the three Shelby brothers in tow, his dark eyes totally fixated on her as they all left. She found herself watching him leave too, not quite believing it herself. The boys were looking at her funny, as if they couldn't quite understand what was going on. To Lizzie, it was simple: she was a good woman, she deserved a good man.

Read Part Two here

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