𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗

Madeline stood behind John as he buttoned up his dress shirt. She placed her hands on the backs of his shoulders and looked at him through the mirror. A car honked outside and John groaned.

"I'm coming!" He shouted. Madeline refrained from laughing and moved around him, starting to fold over his shirt collar. "I don't think this is a good idea, John. I can't imagine Tommy having anything good in mind when he says you're going to leave your message." She said.

John grabbed his suit jacket and quickly shoved his arms into it. "We'll be fine. We're going for a few drinks then i'll be home." John assured her, holding her face. "What's the worst that could happen?"

Madeline didn't want to think of what the worst that could happen was. "I suppose you're right."

The car honked again and John rolled his eyes. "Right i'm going to have to go. Have a good day and don't listen to Polly if she tried biting your head off about the work today— it's new market today so she'll be off her head." John said jokingly. He kissed her lips quickly and walked out the room, accidentally slamming the front door behind him.

She hovered at the window and pulled back the curtain. "She wouldn't let go of my fucking leg." John huffed, fixing his jacket.

"I bet that's not all she wouldn't let go of." Arthur joked. John glared at him. "You know she's against this, Tom." John spoke. "She's got opinions."

"Nothing wrong with opinions, John." Tommy said, starting up the car.

"Get in the fucking car." Arthur snapped. "Shut up." John hissed, shoving past Arthur to climb into the car.

"Right! The Peaky Blinders are going on fucking holiday!" Arthur shouted as they began driving off. "Sit down you mad bastard." John chuckled, pulling Arthur down by his coat.

Madeline shook her head at their behaviour and got her things together to go over to the wash house. She didn't particularly like going there but she had no other choice.

As Madeline stood patiently to do what she needed to do, she overheard the name Shelby. So of course, she had to eavesdrop.

"We had a Shelby woman at the table, in search of her daughter. Poor woman had to find out her daughter had died." The woman whispered — loud enough for Madeline to hear.

Maddie frowned and discreetly looked at who was talking. The moment she set eyes on her she let out a breath of annoyance. Madeline knew all about that woman and her tricks.

-

"You're against this the same as me, aren't you?" Madeline asked once she sat down in the empty den. Polly avoided her eyes. "Look out for anyone putting big money on Divine Star at three thirty in new market. She's one of ours. Anything over a pound." Polly spoke lowly. "Tell me."

Maddie stood and walked to Polly. "Polly, I don't wish to pry into your business but you should know something. That woman is a trickster."

"What woman?" Polly still avoided her eyes.

"Her sister was in the wash house early. Boasting that there'd been a Shelby at the table." She said. Realisation hit Polly and she looked up. "What woman?"

"Gypsy's talk to each other." Madeline continued.

"What woman?" Polly asked again, this time more stern.

"You went to see Mrs Price in the patch last night. I'm sorry—" Madeline couldn't say anymore because Polly had shot up and pushed her up against the wall aggressively. Madeline's eyes were wide.

"So what do you know?" Polly gritted through her teeth.

Madeline's heart pounding quickly and her chest heaved up and down. "I know they push the glass— the man, it's her cousin, he pushes the glass. It's a trick!" She stuttered, scared that Polly was going to hurt her. "They tell you what you already believe. They set up after the war because of all the widows. Polly, i just thought you should know."

Polly got in her face. "And in this fucking wash house, did they tell you why I went there?" Polly asked.

Madeline stared at her and the strange feeling of fear left her. Polly pulled a small knife and held it to Madeline's face. But a small grin appeared across Maddie's features.

"You tell a soul in this family and I swear I will cut you." Polly threatened.

"I don't need a knife to stop me telling secrets given in confidence. It is a matter of honour." Madeline leaned forward, testing Polly. But she withdrew the knife and walked away.

Madeline wasn't going to let anybody do such a thing to her. No way. She wasn't a coward, no. A coward was the last thing she was.

-

Tommy walked slightly ahead of his two brothers as they approached the Eden Club. He stopped at the door and pulled out some money, shoving it into the hand of the doorman and nodding.

"Much obliged." Arthur said, taking his hat off. They all walked inside, music playing loudly. "It is a fucking freak show!" Arthur shouted, looking around. "What the fuck is that racket?"

"It's what they call music these days Arthur." Tommy said as if it were obvious to a man like Arthur.

"Music?" he scoffed. John watched one of the servers as she walked past, his eyes following her, a grin displayed on his face.

"Ey—" Tommy shouted, interrupting two people who were eating each others faces. "Put it away!" he demanded. The girl quickly removed her hand from underneath the table and looked at Tommy with wide eyes. "Fuck off!" Arthur shouted, making them jump.

The two rushed away from the table and Tommy sat down.

"Look at this spot, eh?" John laughed, looking around. "It alright isn't it." Tommy replied proudly.

"Fucking hell, i recognise a few of these lads." John told them, "Sabini's cousin over there." Arthur shouted over the music.

"That's right Arthur, this is Sabini's club." Tommy shouted back. "Jesus Christ—" John whispered. "Everybody here is a fucking face."

"Just the lieutenants John, no sign of the officers." Tommy assured him.

But a face they hadn't seen yet was the face of the one Lee boy John they weren't particularly fond of. Theodore Lee— Madeline's younger brother who was now almost sixteen.

Men approached the table, placing a hand on Arthurs back. "Gentlemen, there's been a mistake, you're gonna have to leave."

Arthur looked at the hand on his shoulder and raised his eyebrows.

"We just bought a fuckin bottle—" John told them angrily. "Some of the men here recognise you from the racetrack in the North." The man in the suit said. "Yeah, we get that a lot." Arthur told them.

"They say you have no business coming south of the line without prior agreement." The man added.

"And what line would that be my friend?" Tommy asked. "They say this is provocation." the man said. "Right well you tell them, we're on holiday." Tommy raised a glass.

"You're breaking the rules. They say you are the Peaky Blinders."

Theo had noticed the three sat not too far from him and he nudged one of the boys he was sat with, taking an empty glass and standing up.

"Peaky scum!" He shouted, throwing the glass to the floor and causing it to smash.

John looked over his shoulder and it was only seconds before a fight broke out. John grabbed Theo by his arms and pulled him away from the table, head butting him in the nose.

Theo sent punches into John's face and stomach. They were pulling each other about, fighting like animals. "You dirty bastard!" John hissed, throwing him into the floor and punching him again.

John took his cap and without thinking, sliced Theo's cheek open. Theodore screamed in agony and tried to pull away from John.

Then a gun sounded, the music stopping as well as the fight.

John moved from the Lee boy whilst he held his face, blood staining his palms. John wiped his nose and looked at the blood that had transferred onto his sleeve.

"Get out!" the man with the gun demanded. Tommy stared at him. "Yeah? Are you gonna use that?" Tommy taunted. "Didn't think so." He whispered.

Arthur grabbed John's shoulder and shook him slightly. "You alright, brother?" He asked. John sniffed and nodded. "That was Madeline's bastard brother— fucking scum." John hissed, glaring at the boy from across the room.

"We came here not to make enemies, no, we came here to make new friends." Tommy shouted to catch the attention of everyone. "Those of you who are last will soon be first," he pointed "and those of you who are down trodden, will rise up."

"You know where to find us." He said before leading them outside. John grabbed a bottle of whiskey as he passed a table and kept his head up.

"Maddie's going to kill me." He muttered under his breath. Tommy grinned and snatched the bottle from his hand. "She'll do no such thing." Tommy said to him.

"Have you met her, Tom?" John looked over at his brother. "She can be bloody mental at times— i've witnessed it." John said. Tommy laughed at him and shook his head. "Did you not see her the day we defeated Kimber?"

Tommy looked at John in confusion.

"She went off on one about how our dad killed hers— I swear i've never been scared of a woman until then. Her eyes were fucking dark, i'm telling you. She could've killed me if i'd let her." John said, remembering the day as if it were yesterday.

"Oh please— the daughter of James Reynolds can't be that bad." Tommy refused.

John scoffed and laughed. "Trust me." He said. "She's bloody strong as well. If it weren't for Polly, only god knows what could've happened." John shook his head.

Arthur was practically laughing his head off at this point. Never would he have ever imagined John to find a girl scary. Especially not his own wife. "Marriage changes your life, John boy. That's something you should've realised a long time ago." Arthur chimed in.

John ignored Arthur's comment because that's not at all what John was inferring. He loved being married to Madeline — he loved Madeline.

"Yeah, Arthur— but i do love her. I do." John said quickly.

"Enough talk about love and marriage. We have a job to do, boys. If we're planning on expansion we need to people of London to know our fucking faces." Tommy said plainly.

-

John stumbled into the house, laughing quietly at himself as he knocked into the wall. He swore under his breath when he walked into the table, almost causing a glass to fall to the floor.

Madeline emerged from their bedroom, a furious look on her face.

"Oh, Mads!" John exclaimed. "Oh, my beautiful Maddie." He smiled widely, walking to her with his hands out. She remained still and he grabbed her face. "You won't guess what happened tonight!" John said, searching her face with his eyes.

Madeline still looked angry. "Oh i've heard what you did tonight." She said. "I've went and gotten a call from Johnny Dogs." She told him, taking a step back.

John dropped his arms to the side and listened.

"You got into a fight with my fucking brother, John? What are you playing at!m?!" She asked, walking to him and tapping her head. "That's my brother!" Madeline raised her voice.

"Yeah and he's a fucking prick." John shrugged. "A fucking prick who caused a fight in a club!" He said. Madeline pressed her finger into his chest. "He's sixteen, John. Sixteen."

"Sixteen and not got a single fucking clue about how to act." John leaned forward. Madeline glared at him and pushed him backward. "You're pathetic."

"He hurt you, Mads." John frowned, slightly hurt that she was acting this way. "You told me—remember? That same night we killed Billy Kimber, you told me everything." His voice was soft as if he were pleading with her.

Madeline remained quiet.

"You told me about how he'd speak to you— how he'd push and push until you snapped." John added. "And you're angry at me for fighting with him?" He asked.

Madeline swallowed hard. "Look at you." Madeline scoffed, grabbing his hands and holding them up for him to see them. "Look at yourself, John." She repeated. John's eyes trailed down to his hands and he just stared at them. "Take a minute to think about it all and ask yourself if any of this is worth it?" She said.

John leaned down and lifted her arm by her sleeve, revealing a few faded burn marks on her skin. "It's worth it if it means hurting him the same way he hurt you. Madeline look at that. He'd fucking burn you with your own cigarettes— or do you not remember telling me that either? Or— or when he threatened to shoot you with a gun?"

She breathed heavily and shook her head, wanting him to stop talking about it — old memories flashing in her head.

John clenched his fists and ripped his hands away from her. She relaxed her shoulders and watched him turn away, placing two hands on the kitchen counter and letting his head drop.

"Don't let yourself turn into your brothers, John." She said, standing directly behind him. John said nothing. Madeline placed her forehead on his back and wrapped her arms around his torso, feeling him relax under her touch. "You're different to them, I can see it in your eyes."

John squeezed his eyes closed.

"Don't let them get into your head. You don't need to be like them to be a Shelby, John. You don't need to be like them at all. I love you because you're my husband— not because you have the power to make everybody bow their heads and walk the other way when they see you."

His chest moved up and down heavily.

"Let me clean you up." She said. No answer. "John, please." She urged. He let out a breath and stood straight, causing her to step backward.

John pulled a chair and sat on it, putting his head in his hands tiredly. Madeline gathered a wet cloth and retrieved a bottle of liquor from the cupboard. She gently lifted his head from his hands and he slouched in the chair slightly.

"It'll sting." She said, holding his chin and wiping the cuts on his face. John hissed in pain and grabbed her hand. She paused. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No— no. Carry on." He slowly let go of her hand and let her continue. Madeline was sure to be careful as she wiped the blood from underneath his bruised nose. John watched her, admiring her as she did so.

Madeline winced at the bruises scattered across his face. "Oh, John." She muttered. John pursed his lips into a line, slightly disappointed in himself.

Maddie took his hands and wiped his knuckles with the cloth that was once white.

Once she placed the cloth and bottle of liquor onto the table, she felt John wrap his arms around her, his head against her ribs whilst she stood but he remained sat. She was confused but hesitantly wrapped her arms around him, practically cradling his head.

"Are you okay?" She asked. John hummed lowly. "If i'm with you i'm okay, Mads." He slurred, still slightly drunk. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I want you to be proud of me, that's all I want. For somebody to be proud of me." He admitted.

Madeline felt a wave of sadness wash over her when he spoke. Clearly he wasn't thinking before speaking which is how she knew he was being serious.

"I'll always be proud of you." She assured him. John sniffed and held her tightly. "It's always Tommy and Arthur everybody fucking looks at. Oh— Tommy this, Tommy that." He said angrily. "It's always Tommy fucking Shelby." He added. "People look at him like he's some sort of god, Maddie. As if everything he touches turns to gold."

Madeline knew exactly what he meant. Tommy was worshiped by most of the people in Small Heath. But for what? For torturing people and for scaring people into getting what he wanted? If anybody was a god it certainly was not Thomas Shelby.

"Well then everybody is stupid if they can't see behind his facade. Tommy is nothing but a coward in my eyes, John. A coward. He uses the weaknesses of everybody else around him to make himself feel powerful. And at least you can say that isn't you." She said.

John breathed heavily and gripped her clothes as if she were going to disappear.

"And John, that little girl in the other room worships you herself. You're her father but she sees you as more. Katie talk about you as if you can do no wrong." Maddie told him. "Katie and I love you, John. Tommy can't say he has the same support. Yes, he has the family and the Blinders but he doesn't have the support of a wife or child. That's a different kind of love." She said genuinely.

John looked up at her and she carefully cupped his face. "To have the love and support of a wife and child will always be different to the love and support of your own family. Because we see you for what you are. We don't see you as the man that Thomas makes you feel to be." She said.

John felt a lump gather in his throat but he forcefully swallowed it, not wanting to shed a single tear in front of her.

"You need sleep." She finally said when he didn't say anything. He nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Maddie." John said as he stood. Madeline gave him a soft smile and kissed him on the cheek. "Don't thank me as if i've done you a favour. Everything I say to you is true."

Instead of saying anything else, John kneeled slightly and picked Madeline up off the floor, causing her to gasp. "John, what are you doing?!" She whisper-shouted as he carried her away from the kitchen.

"I'm taking you to bed." He said, opening the door with his foot and placing her down onto the mattress. "My beautiful fucking Maddie." He whispered. Madeline grinned and grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him in to kiss him.

John hovered over her, one arm holding him up slightly to ensure he didn't put his whole body weight on her.

Each kiss was more aggressive than the pervious. John's free hand was placed on the outside of her upper thigh, lifting her leg slightly. She grinned into the kiss. Her fingers messily ran through his hair. John moved the kisses down to her neck then to her collar-bone and she moved her head to the side.

Her chest heaved up and down as he kissed the same spot multiple times. Madeline's hand reached down to unbutton his suit pants but she struggled so John took over instead, doing it within seconds.

She grabbed his face and moved it so he could kiss her lips again. John slowly moved her night dress up slightly. Madeline's hand was on the back of John's neck, keeping him as close to her as possible. "Can I?" He asked through kisses. Madeline nodded quickly.

Within seconds, her heart was pounding and they were moving completely in sync with each other. She dug her nails into his shoulder and continued to kiss him.

John held her hip, keeping her in place. He leaned on her shoulder for a few moments in attempt to catch his breath.

"Are you okay?" She whispered. "Fucking brilliant." John replied, his Birmingham accent thick.

After a while, John collapsed onto the bed beside her, pulling the sheet up to cover them both. They breathed heavily and looked at each other, wide grins displayed across their features.

Madeline didn't waste another second before getting close to him again, putting her head on his chest. John moved his arm underneath her to pull her closer and kissed the top of her head.

It didn't take long for the pair to fall asleep. Madeline always felt safe in John's arms. There was no doubt about that. And John finally felt like he had someone. Madeline made him realise that he was capable of loving someone. After Katie's mother died, he was unsure he knew what love was. But no, Madeline allowed him to feel it again.

༻♡༺

i will proof read with tomorrow