𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟐

Maeve poured a small amount of
cocaine onto the table, pulling the blade out of her cap and cutting it up quickly.

"Maeve fucking hurry up!" John banged on her door. "Just a minute!" She replied, leaning down and sniffing it off the surface, using her hand to swipe the rest onto the floor.

She finally opened the door and John turned to her. "Polly says you need to take ya medicine," he said, blowing smoke from his cigarette and walking down the stairs.

Maeve groaned and pulled the bottle from her pocket, taking the top of and taking a swig, shoving the bottle into his face. John scowled and shoved past her, going out the front door.

The moment he walked toward the van where the Blinders had gathered, she spat the medicine down onto the floor and used her sleeve to wipe around her mouth.

Maeve tilted her head at the sight of Arthur sat at the end of the wagon. "Ere she is, the one and only," he said enthusiastically, holding his arms out. A laugh fell from her mouth and she grinned, accepting his embrace and hugging him.

"When did you get out- they told me you were to hang." She muttered, unable to wipe the smile from her face.

Arthur took a deep breath, "this morning, dunno what Tommy has done but he's bloody gotten me out so that's all that matters, eh?" He said, examining her face that still had bruises and cuts scattered across it.

Maeve looked away when she noticed the anger in his eyes. "I'm fine, dad." She assured him. Arthur grunted and shook his head, "it'll be dealt with. What've they done to your beautiful face?" He teased, gently tilting her chin up to look at the bruises, discretely using his thumb to wipe the small amount of cocaine from the edge of her nose.

Maeve jokingly gagged and shoved his hand away. "I'm not five,"

"But you're still my little girl," he tormented, throwing an arm around her shoulder and laughing. John looked over his shoulder at Tommy who'd finally made an appearance.

"Here he is," Arthur said, letting go of Maeve and facing Tommy. "How did you get me out of that?" Arthur asked, pulling Tommy into a hug.

"I need you today, brother. We pulled some strings, you all right?"

"I am now." Arthur nodded.

Maeve sat up onto the edge of the wagon and tapped her fingers onto the wood. John looked at his feet. "So Arthur's back in charge now?" He asked, sounding slightly annoyed.

"He's in charge of you, you're both in charge of them." Tommy nodded to Finn and Maeve. "Look out duties only today."

"Tom i'm getting sick of this," Finn spoke up. "Finn, you don't obey orders and you don't come." Tommy cut him off, "Johnny Dogs-" He turned.

Finn sighed and took his cigarette from his mouth. Maeve gave him a sympathetic look, "it's alright, Finny. One day it'll be your turn." She assured him, throwing an arm over his shoulders and pulling him toward her.

"I'm sick of it," he whispered, "it's like i'm not fucking here, all the time they bloody pay no attention."

Maeve pursed her lips into a straight line and pulled him closer. "One day, Finn." She repeated, watching as Tommy stepped away from his and Johnny's conversation.

"Let's go to the Derby boys- and Maeve," he nodded, walking around to the front of the wagon.

Maeve accepted John's help into the back and took a seat, placing her feet on the bench opposite her, "Oi, move up." Finn snapped, feeling extremely crammed as he was stuck in between Maeve and John.

"Shut up Finn," Maeve laughed, poking his side and leaning back, closing her eyes. "You all right, Maeve?" John leaned over Finn and looked at her.

"Yeah, perfect." She said quietly.

-

"Gentlemen, today we are not fucking about, i hope you've all obeyed instructions and brought loaded firearms with you."

They all replied with a yes. Maeve shielded her eyes from the sun, accepting a small gun that John held behind his back, trying to give it to her without anybody seeing.

"Good, you will all know that if you are lifted on a racetrack these days, with a loaded weapon, you get 20 years." he stated. "That's all right, today you won't get lifted. Because today there will be no coppers around to lift you. At exactly three o'clock, there will be an incident in the owners enclosure."

"All the coppers on the track will be diverted, all of them," he nodded. "They'll be looking for someone. You'll be free to operate at will."

"Looking for who?" Arthur interrupted. "Me, they will be looking for me." Tommy told him. "Now while the coppers are busy with me, you will make your move in Sabini's pitches. You confiscate his takings, destroy his licenses and you do it at gun point." he instructed. "He usually has police protection so he won't be armed."

Small grins appeared on each of the boys faces.

"We should aim to complete the takeover without a shot being fired, understood- I'm looking at you, Maeve. Remember, the licenses are more important than the takings. All right before the fun begins," he stepped onto the floor. "You can all lay ten bob on Nom De Guerre, i hear she's going to win. Only beer before hand boys." he reminded them. "Plenty of time for rum and whiskey after. And remember, do not make a move until three, that is all."

"What are you going to do that every copper at the Derby looks the other way?" Arthur laughed. Tommy lit a cigarette. "Trust me brother." he patted Arthur's back.

-

Maeve followed Arthur and they stopped behind John whilst he placed a bed. Her eyes diverted to Sabini who entered with multiple men.

"There he is," John said quietly, catching Arthur's attention. They lowered their heads as he passed. "Fucking meatball bollocks," John muttered. "Right let's go," He said, flicking Maeve's head as they began walking off.

"You stay close to us," Arthur instructed, staying close behind her whilst they walked.

Maeve scanned the area, looking for anybody who may have been a threat toward them. But it was impossible, everyone looked the same. Apart from the handful of coppers who were scattered about.

"So i'm not actually allowed to hurt anyone?" Maeve asked seriously, swiping a half drank whiskey from a table. Arthur let out a breath, "Tommys orders."

"Tommys orders, Tommys orders." Maeve mocked, chucking back the amber liquid and grinning. "It's like you're all scared of him.

Arthur said nothing. "No Maeve, you're just the only one who challenges Tommy Shelby and has a chance of winning." He said, giving her a gentle push to continue walking.

-

Tommy stood behind a queue of people, checking his gold time piece every other minute. Suddenly, he felt somebody grab his arm.

"Tommy" Grace spoke, nervously looking about as she crept beside him. "Grace what are you doing here?" He asked, looking back up at the front of the queue quickly.

"I have to talk to you."

He looked up at the soldiers at the top of the stairs then at her. "Grace, this is not a good time." he placed a hand on her arm, taking her away from the stairs. "Whatever it is Grace it'll have to wait."

"It can't wait. It wasn't me who was at fault. I'm pregnant-" His expression dropped. "The baby is yours." She told him.

"But he'll believe? Make your husband believe that it's his," Tom nodded, "is that what you want me to do?" Grace asked in an offended tone.

"Grace, i seriously have things to do."

"It's not worth the toss if a coin this time, Tommy?"

"Grace i have things to do, when they are done, i will decide" he whispered. "When will that be?" She continued, glaring at him."After the race."

"After the race? After the fucking race, Tommy?"

-

Maeve walked with a group of blinders, hands behind her back. "Keep them guns ready," Arthur muttered, looking up when John came back over.

"Coppers aren't moving, stood there like fucking gargoyles. Keep your wits about you alright boys," he told them, hands in pockets.

Maeve took a cigarette from her pocket and lit it, letting the smoke rise into the air before placing it between her lips. "What exactly is it that we're supposed to be doing again?" She asked.

"Destroying the bookies licenses, that's what we're doing." Arthur mumbled.

-

"So what work do you want me to do for you today Tommy? Write notes on a meeting," Lizzie asked sarcastically as her and Tommy took a seat.

"No lizzie you're not here to make notes,"

"My short hand won't be required?" she asked, growing frustrated. "Lizzie," Thomas began, lighting a cigarette.
"There's a man here, and i need him separated from the crowd and taken to a quiet place."

Lizzie shook her head, "A quiet place.,"

"Lizzie i know what i said-"

"Yeah, you know. You know you told me i shouldn't do that kind of work anymore."

"I just need you to isolate him is all." Thomas looked down.  "No exceptions you said," she stared at him. "I have drawn a map all right." Tommy let out a breath.  He placed the paper on the table. "Of exactly where you need to take him."

"For months i've made no exceptions because you told me not to Tommy!"

"Lizzie..just keep him busy at the place marked with an X." he said, "and i'll get to you before it can start, i promise all right." She shook her head, many emotions flooding through her. "Mustn't smudge my eyes, he might not like that," she said angrily. "Lizzie this is the only time. After this, never again." he assured her. "I'll pay you an extra five-"

"Do not talk to me about money now!" she scoffed. "Not right now i swear i'll break this glass in your eye." Lizzie threatened.

Thomas cleared his throat.  "No exceptions there's been no hardship, you know why?" She asked, Tommy put his attention on her again. "Hm?"

She shook her head.

"Doesn't matter." she sighed "Who is he."

"To your right, soldier," Tommy said quietly. Lizzie looked over her shoulder to the man in uniform. "Smoking a cigarette, just be alone with him at three, when the race starts ill do the rest. Yeah?"

-

"Shouldn't you be busy?" Inspector Campbell asked as him and Tommy were left alone at the bar. "When you plan something well, there's no need to rush." Tommy replied.

"You know something, I actually trust you to do this. Do you think there might be some measure of respect developing between us? Old foes that have grown to admire each other and see each others professional virtues. Personally, i think not."

"I think not." Tommy agreed.

"Well i drink to that," Campbell sipped from a glass, "so is the plan that you'll stay together forever? Or perhaps she'll whore for you, take her husbands money. Is that the plan?" He asked, referring to Grace. "How wrong I was about her."

"I was wrong about her as well. You once said to me that men like us can never be loved, she loves me. She told me. She loves me, and all you got was a bullet and a fucking wolf-head cane." Tommy taunted.

"Well bully for you. This i know- ahead of you is domination but I have a love of a God and the certainty of salvation." Campbell hissed.

Tommy finished his drink and turned to him. "I know what you did to Polly. I know what happened to Micheal and Maeve in jail. Today, it'll be me dead or you. But whoever it is will wake up in hell tomorrow." Tommy hissed through his teeth.

-

"All right make ready, this is it." John spoke up.

"You stay with us and you stay back!" Arthur grabbed Finn, letting Maeve walk ahead with John. They stormed through to the race course with grins on their faces.

John grabbed a man, wrapping his arm around his neck, a gun to his head whilst Arthur took the betting license from the man's pocket and set it alight.

Maeve pulled the gun from her jacket and also pointed it, a cold look on her face.

The fire glistened in her eyes and she smiled widely. "The fuck did you get a gun from?" Finn asked as they moved onto the next person. "I'm magic, Finn boy," she winked, wasting no time before shoving the gun to the side of a man's head and holding him tightly whilst Arthur searched him.

"Nice suit," Maeve whispered in a taunting manner, reaching into his pocket and snatching the time piece from it. "How much was this? I like it- you mind if i have it?" She didn't wait for a response, "didn't think so."

Arthur almost burst out laughing at her behaviour before moving her along. "God you're a funny one, learn from the best, eh?"

"Yeah," she agreed, tucking the gun back into her pocket. "But where did you get the gun?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not a grass," she shrugged, giving John a smile as he tried not to laugh at the confused look on Arthur's face. "Yeah, we raised her well. She ain't no grass, Arthur!" John chimed in.

The four entered the main tent where everybody stood drinking and Maeve looked over at the telephone boxes, catching a glance of Inspector Campbell.

As he looked over at her, she slowly raised her fingers like a gun, pointing them toward him. There was a cold look in her eye as she slowly jerked her hand like a gun firing, watching his face changed slowly whilst he held the phone to his ear.

He swallowed hard and looked away, gripping onto the phone tightly.

"You go on, i'll meet you there. I've got to do something," Maeve said to John, waiting until they left before walking back around to the phone boxes and looking around before opening the door, entering the same box where Campbell stood.

His heart pounded and he put the phone back onto the holder. "Maeve Shelby."

"Inspector Campbell," she said lowly, flashing him a smile. He looked at her with concern, unsure as to what was happening.

"My face is healing rather well, don't you think?" She asked, sliding her hand into her pocket. Campbell stuttered, not able to speak so instead just nodding.

Maeve pressed the gun against his stomach. "My dad once told me that gut shot soldiers take a while to die..some walk around carrying their guts like dirty washing."

Campbell listened carefully. "But the difference between my dad and you is that he was a soldier, he fought. So did Thomas..and John. So if they were to die in this business, at least they could die knowing they served their country." She leaned in.

"But you, Mr Campbell, you'll die knowing you achieved nothing. There were whispers about what you did to my Aunt Polly, and you're the reason my face is the way it is. So tell me, Mr Campbell, how quickly would a bullet to the heart heal?"

"You sound ridiculous- you know i'm only doing my job."

"You know who I am, don't you?" She asked, "i'm a Shelby. And we Shelby's are just doing our job." Maeve cocked the gun.

"Oh i bet your father is proud of you." He snapped.

Maeve laughed, "I bet he is." She agreed, "but what about yours? Or did you not have a dad?"

"You shut your mouth." Campbell's nostrils were flared and the veins in his forehead were visible. "Your father is an animal, he needs to be put down!"

"Oh we tried that, he bit the vet." Maeve joked, peering over the top of the door. "I heard you were shot by that barmaid, what was her name..Grace? How does it feel to be shot by a woman?"

He ignored her. "How would it feel to be shot by a child?" She whispered.

"Put the gun away before you hurt someone." Campbell said quietly. "Before I hurt somebody? Before I fucking hurt somebody?" Maeve said, "what about before i fucking hurt you." She said before shooting the gun, the bang echoing as a bullet when straight into Campbells chest.

"Don't fuck with the Peaky Blinders," she whispered, dropping him to the floor whilst his last through breaths left his body.

Maeve opened the door once more and let it close behind her, gun in pocket and blood covering her left hand. It took only a few moments before people rushed to the phone box, seeing Campbell's body on the floor.

She couldn't help but smile at what she'd done. "Before I hurt somebody, god he's hysterical." Maeve let out a breath, wiping her hand on her shirt and leaving the place.

-

"Right!" Arthur stood on a table whilst people stood around excitedly, "ladies and gentlemen! I'd like to raise a roast, to the Small Heath Rifles. To the Lee Boys and to the Peaky fucking Blinders! Who's gonna stop us, eh?"

Maeve nodded and looked at Esme who was talking and laughing with Johnny Dogs, a jealous and angry look sitting on John's face.

"Nobody," Maeve whispered, replying to Arthur's announcement.

Her eyes landed on Isiah who entered with a few Junior Peaky boys and she made her way over to him, growing happy at the surprised but excited look that took over his face.

"Ello, sweetheart." He greeted, his accent thick as he draped an arm across her shoulders. "Hi," Maeve said, leaning up to kiss his lips.

Isiah moved his other hand to cup her jaw, kissing her back for a few seconds. "We did it, the troubles over." Maeve shouted over the music as she pulled away.

"That's amazing." Isiah said, "where's Tommy?"

Maeve looked about, suddenly realising the absence of her uncle. She shrugged, "not sure, not seen him since we were still at the races." She frowned.

A peaky boy approached, handing Isiah a drink and nodding at Maeve. "You alright, Shelby?" He greeted. Maeve nodded, "want a drink? Im buying," he offered, nodding toward his own.

Maeve shook her head, "no thanks, i've got other ways to celebrate." She said, taking a small bottle of cocaine from her pocket and showing the two boys.

Isiah and the boy looked at each other and smirked. Maeve grabbed Isiah by the hand and took him to a more isolated table, the peaky boy following.

"That's Ryan," Isiah said, "considering you're being too rude to introduce ya self." He turned to the boy.

"Yeah i know who he is, he works for my fucking family." Maeve chuckled, passing the bottle of Snow to Isiah after placing an amount on the table in front of her.

Arthur appeared at the end of the table, hands in pockets. "You going to share?" He raised his eyebrows. Maeve panicked for a moment but realised her wasn't angry and nodded to Ryan to pass the cocaine to Arthur.

"Merry fucking Christmas," Arthur nodded before sniffing it from his hand.

Never once had the Shelby's celebrated like this a few days before Christmas. Never once had Maeve killed an Inspector a few days before Christmas. But never once had the Shelby's been this high up in the world.

Times were changing.

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

Considering this is the end of act 2, i doubt there will be an update until i've got a few chapters written for act 3

Once again, i didn't proof read this cause it's such a long chapter and i couldn't be bothered