𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟓

"Wheres Micheal?"

"In the back room," Polly sighed, "afterwards i'm taking Micheal to the museum."  She added. John sighed, "Micheal wanted to come in and say hello-"

"Shut up John, there is nothing of interest to them in this room. Now Tommy get on with it." Polly scolded.

Maeve whistled and continued reading her newspaper which she was in fact not actually reading. Tommy clasped his hands together. "Last night one of our men had his throat cut in Winson Green." he said. "This morning, i had a telegram saying it was Sabini's order."

"Poor Digbeth Kid," Maeve tutted.

"And it says here that Thomas Shelby is next," Arthur stated, pulling out paper.

"If our men think we can't look after them in prison they'll not work for us. Sabini knows that so we need to get the Green sorted out. Scudboat, you and one of the boys, break a couple of windows and get arrested. And if our coppers get you into the Green, you find out who did it."

"Instead of breaking a window can we pinch a car?" Scudboat asked. Finn and John laughed. "What? Everybody else is getting a car. I'm still on a donkey-"

"This isn't funny," Maeve's lips parted as she placed down the paper, "do none of you understand the severity of what you're doing? A boy has died because you set him up to go to jail," Maeve pointed a finger at Tommy, "that poor boy just wanted to be seen, feel like he had friends i suppose. But instead he's been killed, all because you create enemies."

Tommy stood with his hands in his pockets, "how many people have died at your cruel hands, Thomas?" Maeve stood, "there's too many, you can't even count."

"All right, just get yourselves fucking arrested, doesn't matter how. We'll start a fund for his family, Pol."

"Agreed," she nodded. "So is that it? Can I go now?"

"Seriously?" Maeve scoffed, "i can't believe you, you're selfish. Each an every one of you!" She snapped, "and you, Tommy, one day i hope you don't have the upper hand-"

"Maeve." Arthur scolded.

"No, he deserves to know what it feels like! I hope someday, someone dear to you gets ripped away from ya just like how youse rip away kids from their families. It's cruel."

"Maeve- I swear you batter people in school?" John spoke.

"Fighting someone is completely different to taking someone's life..or beating them until they can't breath." She looked at Arthur, no longer caring if she hurt his feelings.

"If you knew what was good for you, you'd shut up." Tommy warned.

"What're you gonna do? Pull a gun on me like you promised?" She taunted, smiling at the gasp that left Polly's mouth.

"You fucking what?" Arthur asked.

"Maeve, you sound insane." Tommy laughed. Suddenly, something inside Maeve snapped and she saw red. It was only seconds before she launched forward, grabbing him by the collar and punching him in the face.

"Maeve- fucking hell, Maeve!" John said, trying to pull her back.

Maeve kneed Thomas in between the legs and tried punching him again but he held her wrists. "Alright, come on stop it." John said, wrapping his arms around her front.

"Sweet Jesus.." Polly muttered, hands on mouth, stepping away.

"Maeve come on, out the room." Arthur grabbed her from John, lifting her slightly and moving her into the house.

Tommy stood, holding his nose as blood dripped from it. "That girls insane, needs to be put on a fucking lead- soon she'll end up like Arthur!" He hissed.

"Tommy." John huffed, "she's just a kid."

"Yeah, a bastard kid." Tommy argued. John bit the inside of his cheek, "she clearly has issues, just like Arthur. You provoked her, nobody else. Let's not forget you threatened to pull a fucking gun on her! Tommy it ain't right!"

Tommy shook his head and turned to Polly, changing the subject.

"Well as company treasurer i need your permission to spend a thousand guineas." Tommy stopped her. "On what?"

"A horse."

"A thousand guineas on a horse?"

"That's right." She looked around. "When was this decided?" she asked. "You've been busy, with Micheal."

"Oh my god. So in the absence of common sense you boys have had an idea." Polly said, genuinely annoyed with the idea. "Polly, there's a thoroughbred quarter Arab filly up for auction at the Doncaster Blood Stock."

"What do we want with an 1000 guinea horse?"

"When we make our move on Sabini's racing pitches, any men we get in the betting enclosure will be lifted by his police, a good race horse is a passport to the owners enclosure."

"We'll be in there with all the toffs," Arthur chimed in. "Coppers won't know where to look."

"Yeah, the Epsom Derby Pol," John said. "We'll be drinking with the king."

"The derby?" she asked. "Did he say the Derby?"

Thomas cleared his throat. "That's right. For the last 10 years, Sabini's made it his race, if we're gonna take him down, might as well make it there as a symbol."

"Did you come up with this in the pub?"

"Pol, a good racehorse is an investment, like property. We need to diversify the portfolio.."

"So when is this sale?"

"Tomorrow." Tommy said, hoping she'd finally agree. "Tommys had a death threat so we'll have to go with him." Arthur said.

"Can i come with?" Maeve shouted from the other room, stretching out her fist, crossing her legs. Tommy pursed his lips into a line, thinking. "Is she being serious? Tell me she's not being serious."

"Let her come," John grinned.

Micheal stood, listening from behind the door. He took a breath, pushing the door open slightly. "So we'll have to go with him, as protection," Arthur continued. "So you're going to close up the shop and go out on a piss up and blow 1000 guineas on a horse that's not even whole Arab?" Polly asked.

"Quarter Arab is better." Curly laughed.

John and Polly looked at Micheal who'd appeared behind them. "I thought i told you to lock that door" she hissed at John. "He did, i used the key on the nail. I've been listening, we want to go with them." He blurted out.

"You see!" Polly shouted. "I love horses. I could even help-" Micheal argued.

"Over my dead body." Polly shook her head.

"It'll be alright mum," Micheal pleaded. "I've been to loads of horse auctions with my uncle, they're very respectable, People bring their butlers."

"Yeah, and their posh wives."

"And their mistresses," John teases, tapping him. "Let him come Polly," Arthur said. "We'll go there, buy an horse, come back."

"I'll drop him back at the house in Sutton before it gets dark," John told her.

"No."

Micheal let out a frustrated breath and turned away, slamming the door behind him. "All right that's it, back to work. Come on," Tommy said.

"Aunt Pol, when i was Michaels age, i'd killed a hundred men and seen a thousand die, if you want to scare the kid away forever, carry on how your going. If you want him to stay, let him come."

She stared at him as he walked away.

"She's clearly not in a good mood," Maeve shook her head as John joined her in the house. "Well you seem extra chipper today, what's up with you?" John asked, taking a cigarette and lighting it.

"Well John, if you must know. I'm officially on the countdown for Christmas." She said sarcastically, knowing she wasn't in a good mood at all.

John almost laughed, "it's not even December yet, Maeve?"

"No but in a week it will be, it snowed the other night so it's basically Christmas already. Argue with the wall." She shrugged, "can i have some?" She nodded toward his cigarette.

"Nah, you cant." He teased, walking off quickly. "Bastard," she huffed.

-

"Shelby," Maeve heard her name being called as she turned down the alley way that led to Garrison Lane. Maeve spun on her heels and was met with Max. "What do you want, freak."

Max raised his eyebrows, "excuse me? What are ya on about?"

"You know what i'm on about, you watched me and Isiah through my fucking window!" Maeve hissed, shoving her finger into his chest, "you're honestly perverted."

"Oh come on Maeve, it's not like you actually did anything with him is it? What did youse do, kiss for a while? Nothing new is it?" He said.

Maeve grew angry way too easily than she'd hoped. "Actually, we did. We slept together, Max. We had sex!"

"What a whore you are, just like your mother i see," he said, knowing it'd anger her further. Maeve frowned, "what did you say?" She asked. Max chuckled, "you know what I said. You're a whore, Maeve. Letting Isiah Jesus into your pants so easily."

"We were drunk," Maeve looked away, "drunk and bored."

"Drunk and bored, really? How many times have we been drunk and bored, eh? We have never shagged, not once." Max reminded her.

"Yes because i didn't want to fuck you!" She blurted out, "you've gone all weird, i don't like it. Ever since ya came back from London things have changed."

"Yeah, you let Isiah Jesus take your virginity, Maeve. That's what's changed. Are you not ashamed of yourself? Tell me you're ashamed, cause i would be." He taunted.

"Stop chatting shit Max, i'm sick of you. I've had enough." As she tried to walk away, he grabbed her wrist, spinning her back around and pressing her up against the wall. "Get off, what're you doing?"

"Well you've shagged someone now, not innocent anymore are you?" He whispered, his breath against her neck giving her chills. "Max please don't." She begged as his hand slipped under her shirt.

"A Shelby begging? Don't make me laugh."

Maeve reached into her pocket and her heart dropped. She didn't have it, her knife. She didn't have it.

-

"Alright i'm off, have to go get Maeve. Promised i'd take her the Marquis for a bit," Isiah dismissed himself, throwing down his cigarette into the thin layer of snow and walked toward Garrison lane where Maeve said she'd meet him.

Just as he turned the corner, he froze at the sight and sound of Maeve's pleads. "Get off!"

"What the fuck.." he whispered, walking forward, "she said get off-"

He was shocked when he was met with the face of Max Montgomery. "Lad." Isiah smirked, taking his cap off his head and pulling Max by the shoulder, pushing the blade in the seam against his cheek. "She said fucking get off, did ya mum never teach you that no means no?"

A shout left Max's mouth as blood poured from his cheek. Maeve had taken the opportunity to step away, taking her jacket from the floor and shoving her arms through it. Never once had Maeve been afraid of anyone, especially not Max.

She watched, completely frozen as Isiah shoved Max into the floor, kicking him over and over again. A wide smile sat on Isiah's face as he watched Max hold his stomach and shield his head.

"Bastard," Isiah grunted, dragging Max by his shirt and sending his fist into the boys jaw, "not so confident now are ya? Pathetic, fucking pathetic." Isiah shoved him back into the floor, spitting on the ground beside him.

Isiah looked up at Maeve who stared at him, her eyes full of fear. "Come on," he said, pulling her by the arm when he realised she wasn't going to move.

"Why do you always fucking turn up?" She asked. Isiah faced her, "you're not going to thank me? I've just helped you and you're complaining?"

"No- no i'm not complaining. It's just- oh forget i ever said anything," she shook her head. Isiah could hear her voice start to tremble and he softened his expression. "Maeve.." he gently touched her shoulder.

"Get off, no i'm fine." She refused, trying to push him away. "Maeve, don't fight me." Isiah said, grabbing her wrists to stop her resisting. She gave up and allowed him to embrace her.

"He came out of nowhere, Siah. Scared the shit out of me, should've seen his eyes.." She whispered, gripping onto his shirt.

Isiah held the back of her head, "You're fine now, i promise. Max Montgomery is nothing, means fucking nothing." He assured her.

"But he meant something to me!"

"Then let him become nothing, Maeve. You can't hold onto things that hurt you." He said, pulling away and grabbing her cold face. "Can tell your dad is a fucking preacher," she said, placing her hands over his.

The corners of Isiah's mouth turned upward and Maeve looked away. "After what's just happened, you're cracking jokes."

"Cant help it, it's what happens when you grow up as a Shelby. If you don't get on with it, might as well not be a Shelby. That's what my grandad would say. Said we aren't allowed to be vulnerable."

Isiah felt for her, he really did. It showed that some of the things she did were a type of trauma response. It was definitely clear that she didn't like being pitied. But Isiah knew he'd be the one to try help all of that. He'd try his best to make sure she was okay.

It was his job..right?

-

Maeve followed in the boys as they entered the building. "Alright lads this is a respectable event and you'll behave accordingly," Tommy instructed. "No weapons, no drinking. John we will stay together an when the horse comes up i'll do the bidding. Already registered my interests with the auctioneer and they're expecting my bids."

"Can i run a hand over her Tommy?" Curly stuttered.

"I'll have a vets report, Curly. Keep an eye on her when she walks." Tommy said. "It's just I- I got a feeling Tom, something isn't right."

"It's alright Curly, you're just in an unfamiliar place. We all are."

"I get feelings sometimes-" Curly continued, panic lacing his voice.

"It's all right Curly," Tommy assured. "Shut up Curly," Arthur hissed. They looked down at the horse and Maeve leaned on the railing, letting out a breath.

"Do i hear 450? Do i hear 500,500, 1600? 1,700, thank you-" the man below shouted. "1,900, 2000, 2100,2200." The announcer continued announcing prices. "Morals of Marcus, Sedgemere Stud , well start the bidding at 800 guineas!" The next horse was brought out.

"It's beautiful," Maeve stood straight, admiring the horse.

Tommy leaned forward, watching the horse walk around. "Do i hear 800 guineas?" the man asked. "850?" Tommy nodded. "Do i hear nine? Nine, am i bid."

The man continued. "One thousand, do i hear one thousand and fifty-" Tommy nodded again. The prices rose, getting closer to their budget. "That's it Tom." Charlie said. "You have to stop."

"You don't have it in your belt," Arthur said. "Yes i do, i'm having the horse," Tommy refused. "She's a sweet beast, Tom but stop i feel something bad." Curly mentioned again. "Shut up, Curly."

The prices continued getting higher.

"Two thousand and fifty? Sold to Mr?"

"Thomas Shelby." Tommy announced, his hands in his pockets. They waited as the horse got signed over to Tommy.

"You beat us to it?" A dark haired woman asked Tommy as he left the room. "Did i?"

"Well i was trying to nab a filly for my stud." She looked over at the group, frowning. "I'm sorry." he shrugged. "Thomas Shelby, from where?" she asked. "Birmingham." he said bluntly. "Goodness." She sighed.

"No not much."

"May Carleton," she held her hand out. "I breed racehorses and train them, what is it you do?"

"I rarely answer questions is what i do."

"Tommy! Come on, hurry up, we've got to go!" Arthur shouted. John snorted of laughter at the interaction between Tom and the woman. "Tommy we've got to get these kids back by dark or Polly will have your balls!" John shouts.

"She will av em," Arthur tormented, sniggering. The rest of the Shelby men laughed, waiting for Tommy. "Tommy we have to get back to the caravans, the chickens are hungry!" Arthur said..

Micheal laughed, looking at Maeve for a moment.

They all walked back out, John and Micheal still laughing. "It's the fucking truth John boy, Rich women these days," Arthur spoke. "All they want is working class cock."

Maeve suddenly felt her body crawl with goosebumps and she rubbed her arms in attempt to get rid of them.

"Tommy, maybe she was the something i had a bad feeling about," Curly mentioned. "She looked all right to me, Curly." John said.

A man sat at the table, his head down. "Dad." Maeve whispered, pulling at his sleeve.

"Micheal you drive," Tommy threw the keys at him. "Thomas Shelby." the man spoke, pulling out a gun. Maeve pulled out a gun from the back of her trousers and cocked it, shooting the man in the shoulder. Arthur grabbed the man's wrist, pointing it upwards and head butting him.

Another came round the corner. "Tommy down!" John shouted, attempting to shoot him but being too late as Maeve had beaten him to it. "Where the fuck did you get a gun!" John shouted.

Tommy pointed his gun in the air, looking around.

"Tommy Shelby? How about fucking Arthur!" Arthur continuously punched the man's face, blood flying everywhere. Micheal stood behind Maeve, eyes wide. They ragged Arthur away.

"He's still breathing, don't get blood on the kid. Micheal, you didn't see a thing. This didn't happen. Give me the keys. Micheal give me the keys."

"I'm all right to drive," Micheal whispered. "Alright go on," Tommy nodded.

Maeve moved in a circle, her gun pointed in the air as she ensured nobody else was waiting for them. "Who the bloody hell was that, Tommy, eh?" She asked, "who the fuck is after you now!"

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i didn't proof read this.