𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟑

Maeve was the first to wake. And when
she did, she looked up at Isiah,
remembering what had occurred the night prior. Maeve wasn't sure if she regretted it or not. But a part of her felt guilty.

Her and Max were definitely not
together and he'd been completely absent for days. She was drunk, so was Isiah. All that matters is that she was okay with it happening.

Although the room was cold, Isiah was radiating an insane amount of heat. Maeve rested her chin on his shoulder and let out a breath. "Morning," Isiah grumbled, voice low.

"Did i wake you?" She asked. He shook his head lightly and pulled the cover closer to him. His arm was draped around her waist, hand on her stomach. "Do you have the time?"

Maeve leaned over the edge of the bed and looked at the time piece that sat on the drawers. "Almost nine," she said.

Isiah sat up, using his elbows to support his body. "Are you okay?" He asked, a genuine tone lacing his voice. Maeve never imagined someone like Isiah Jesus to actually care. She hummed and also sat up, holding she sheet to her chest. "You leaving?"

Isiah nodded, climbing over her and taking his trousers from the floor and pulling them over his legs. "Tommy is trying to find lads to work for them today down in the Garrison, wants me and Finn to be there to keep an eye out."

Maeve frowned slightly but didn't say anything. "Isiah," she began. He stopped getting dressed and looked at her, only his trousers on and no shirt. Maeve looked down at his bare chest before clearing her throat, "can you not tell anybody about what happened last night?" She asked. "It's just, i'm sure John and my dad wouldn't be too happy with you-"

"My lips are sealed, Shelby." He grinned, finally putting a shirt on. "On that note, is your dad home? Don't feel like having Arthur Shelby seeing me come down his stairs."

Maeve chuckled, "he's always out the house by half eight, you can go through the door."

Isiah nodded and took his coat from the floor. "I'll see you later then, yeah?" He asked. Although it wasn't really a question but more of a statement. He was going to see her later.

She didn't bother seeing him out, he knew were the door was. Maeve felt uneasy after he left. Something didn't feel right and it wasn't the fact he'd just taken her virginity.

-

"John i ain't fucking going there with you lot," Maeve groaned, fighting against her uncles grip as he dragged her down Garrison lane. "Well Finn can't fucking write so we need someone!"

"What about Isiah, he's there and he can write!" She argued. John shook his head in annoyance, "Isiah seems incredibly weird today, i'll pass." He said.

"What're you talking about-"

"Just fucking get in there and sit down, all you have to do is write things down." John shoved her inside, leaving her as he went into the snug.

She looked at the row of men that sat in chairs waiting to be seen. Isiah and Finn stood opposite her, leaning against the wall. "You're next," Finn nodded at a boy who stood sheepishly with a hat in his hand.

Maeve rolled her eyes and sat down, crossing her arms. "This is ridiculous."

"Shut up Maeve, you're ridiculous. Have you even brushed your hair today?" Finn asked, knowing her hair looked completely presentable as it sat in loose curls on her shoulders.

"Fuck off," she said quietly, running her fingers through them. Isiah subtly punched the boy in the arm, "leave her alone, Finn. She'll have your eyes."

"Since when did you care?" Finn scoffed, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"I don't," Isiah hissed, giving the boy a harsh look and moving to the other wall that was closer to Maeve.

Tommy looked up as the door closed. "All right then, name?" Arthur asked bluntly, placing down his newspaper.

"The Digbeth Kid."

"The dig.." Arthur looked at John who stifled a laugh, blowing out smoke. "What are you, a boxer?" he questioned.

"Digbeth Kid, like Billy the kid."

John and Arthur looked down, chuckling. "Spend a lot of time at the pictures, eh?" Tommy asked, waiting for a reply. All he got was a slight nod. "Cowboy pictures? Tom mix? Yeah?"

The boy pulled back his jacket, revealing a gun inside the holster and both Arthur and John pulled a gun. "What are you doing?"

"Wait, wait..it's not a real gun."

"Let's have a look then eh," Tommy sighed, standing up and taking a closer look.

"It's made of wood."

Tommy chuckled, taking it in his hands and jokingly pointing it at Arthur, "Bang," Arthur reciprocated the action and Tommy pointed it at John, "Bang. Very nice, where'd you get the gun belt?"

"My sister made it out of an old blacksmiths apron. My mum did most the stitching. She's not my real mum but.."

"But she does what mothers do," Tommy cut him off. "So she made you a gun belt."

"All right, there, mothers boy," Arthur mocked, "there's the door, on you go. We're looking-" Tommy raised a hand to stop him talking. "You ever been arrested?"

"Yeah,"

"Yeah?" Tommy questioned.

The boy slowly shook his head, "no," he admitted. "Good. You're the first bloke in here today with no criminal record. Arthur, we can stand him up. You know what that means? The new home secretary wants something done, about illegal gambling."

"Damn right," John chimes in, hitting the table.

"About bloody time."

"We help our coppers make their quote of convictions by having men stood up to be arrested. First offence, you'll get a week inside. We'll give you five quid for your trouble. How does that sound cowboy?"

The boy grinned, nodding. "Yeah,"

"Good. Write your address down for Maeve on the way out." Tommy picked the paper up again. "I can't write,"

"That's all right, i don't think Maeve can read." John hummed. "Just tell her your address and we'll send someone round." John pointed a finger at him, "if..the sheriff don't run you out of town first." He joked, laughing slightly.

"Good man," Tommy nodded.

The boy walked out and Arthur sighed. "I don't know Tom, kids these days.."

"They didn't fight, so they're different, they stay kids."

Maeve looked up at the boy as he closed the door. "They said to give you my address," he said. She stared at him blankly, raising her eyebrows, "so are you gonna tell me, or are you just gonna stand there like a tart? I've not got all day." She said, taking the pen and writing the address down as he told her. "Okay, fuck off." She nodded toward the door.

Isiah chuckled as her behaviour and shook his head, "you seriously need to be nicer to people."

Maeve looked up at him with wide eyes, "you seriously need to shut your mouth. You talk too much," she retorted, throwing the pen back down and leaning back. "That's not what you were saying last night," he whispered, nudging her.

"Isiah, I swear to god if you don't-"

"Alright," he put his hands up in defence, "i'll be quiet. I'll stop." He grinned. Finn looked between the two, an extremely confused expression on his face. "Bloody hell, what is up with you two. It's almost like you've shagged or something," Finn said, a face now full of disgust.

Maeve's eyes widened and Isiah laughed loudly, automatically covering his mouth when Maeve stomped on his foot.

"Weird. The pair of youse." Finn said again, walking off to where a group of peaky boys were standing. "Isiah you cannot do that! Finn might be stupid but he's not that stupid." Maeve whisper-shouted, noticing how Finn was nodding toward them, causing the pesky boys to turn as well.

"Look what you've done," she threw her arms up in the air, "nice going, Siah."

"Ey, you can't blame this on me, it's just as much your fault as it is mine!" He defended. She gasped, "my fault? It's nobodies fault, Isiah. It wasn't an accident. We both agreed, remember."

Isiah realised that he sounded ridiculous. "Even still, just as much your fault," he pointed a finger at her.

"Oh shut up."

"You shut up," he fired back. "Isiah you-" just as she was about to finish her sentence, Tommy opened the door. "The pair of you shut up, can hear you from in there." He scolded.

"If anyone needs to shut up it's you, i'm still not happy with ya," Maeve said, giving him a harsh look and standing. "Yeah whatever," John said, pushing past Tommy and throwing his arm over Maeve's shoulders.

"Isiah you go home or stay 'ere with Finn," Arthur pointed at him. Isiah looked at Maeve one last time before she left and walked over to Finn.

"So are ya shagging her or what?" Kian, a peaky boy, asked with a wide grin on his face. Isiah frowned and looked at Finn, "fucking what?"

Kian chuckled and tapped Cameron Montgomery's arm. "I said are you shagging her?"

"Just leave it, yeah?" Cameron said, an expression on his face that said so what. "Come on Cameron, mate. Swear you an her were fightin not too long ago," Kian said.

Cameron nodded, "a year ago." he corrected. "And besides, Maeve can do what she wants, doesn't need you lot sticking your nose into her business."

Isiah didn't know what else to say. "He's not answered the question though." Max chimed in, appearing from behind the boys.

"And why're you so interested anyway, Montgomery?" Isiah finally spoke, hands in pockets. Max licked his bottom lip, "cause Maeve Shelby is nothing but a diddicoy whore,"

Isiah and Finn stepped forward at the same time but both Cameron and Kian held a hand in front of them. "I'll take ya eyes, i'll do it." Finn threatened. "Oh my god, Finn. Do you not think i've realised how empty your lots threats are?" Max said.

"Max you should know they're not empty, d'ya not remember what the girl did to my fucking nose?" Cameron reminded his brother, "and what she did the Blake and Jane? Get over yourself and stop trying to create ya self a name."

"Since when did you protect her, eh? God you must be ill." Max laughed. "And as for Isiah, i'd be careful because the moment she has you wrapped around her finger is the moment you wish your life away."

"Shut up, Max." Finn said, shaking his head.

"Or fucking what, Shelby?" Max taunted. Finn lunged forward, grabbing Max by the shirt and pushing him up the wall. "That's my fucking niece, yeah? Family. And this is our fucking city," Finn leaned close, "shall i remind you what Maeve did to Theadosia Roberts when she found out the girl was a rat?" He whispered, quiet enough for nobody else to hear.

He watched Max's face drop slightly, "didn't think so."

"Lads," Harry shouted from behind the bar, "that's enough. Max get out, what've i told you about causing trouble?"

"Alright, alright i'm going." Max put his arms up in defence, fixing his collar as Finn let go of him. When he walked past Isiah, he stopped for a moment, "hope you enjoyed it, Isiah. It sure looked like you did." He said.

Max's voice sent shivers up Isiah's spine. "The fuck you going on about."

Max turned around to face them whilst he walked backward, "you should tell Maeve that the blue dress looked great on her."

Isiah's lips parted. What the fuck.

-

Maeve strolled ahead, getting a fright when John grabbed her from behind, throwing her over his shoulder. "Run for the hills it's Digbeth Kid!" Arthur shouted, running after them with his gun in hand.

"John i swear if you don't put me down!" She squealed, hitting his back with her fists. John laughed loudly, pushing the door open and allowing it to slam against the wall. "Get out of town kid or i will shoot your fucking head off," John shouted, gently placing her on the floor, his gun pointed at Arthur.

"Times up," Arthur mimicked a gun going off.

Maeve's smile slowly faded and she judged John as she saw a brunette boy sat with Polly. John stared at Arthur, trying to tell him to stop.

"You're dead, go down. John!" Arthur said.

John carefully put his gun away, trying not to laugh out of awkwardness. Arthur looked over his shoulder at Polly and the boy, realisation hitting him. The boy was dressed nicely in a brown three piece suit and a fancy watch.

John looked away, snorting and receiving a slap on the arm from Maeve.

"All right then, Polly," Arthur finally spoke. "Who's this?" he snickered.

"Gentlemen? This is your cousin. Polly's son, Micheal."

Arthur straightened his posture, taking the boy's hand as he outstretched his arm. "Pleased to meet you," Micheal spoke.

"I'm Arthur. You've already met me, i used to throw you out the window so John could catch you." Arthur grumbled. "Yeah..i used to put you in a shoe box and kick you down Watery Lane." John added.

Micheal looked down, smirking.

"I bet you're glad to be back." Tommy chimed.

"I don't remember any of it, all i remember is the day they took me away." He said. Polly stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him.

"Well you're here now son." Tommy patted his shoulder. "Welcome to the Shelby Family"

"Later on we'll show you the ropes,"

"Yeah, we'll show you what's what." John agreed. Polly glared at the two.

"Let's leave him be for now," Tommy disagreed, taking his brothers away. "Nice suit," Arthur said.

Maeve stayed in her place, looking at him. "You're the one who came with him, aren't you?" He asked. Maeve nodded slowly, "welcome to the family."

Then she walked off. "Who was that?" He asked Polly.

"That's Maeve, the light of our family. Arthur's daughter, and once you get to know her it'll show. She's fragile but not like a flower, like a bloody bomb. Although she is pretty like a flower." Polly said. "Wouldn't change her for anything though, she does what she does for us."

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