ten
𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿, 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲:
blood has been spilled
JESSIE EDEN. NOT SURE WHO SHE WAS or why Tommy had so much interest in her. Maggie kept it silent but she knew he went to see her last night. They weren't together, not even in the slightest, so making a scene wasn't needed. And, to be honest she was still mad at the man for kissing May Carleton. Again, who she was to even cause a scene to the man?
"Maggie! Are you ready?" Yelled Lizzie from downstairs as she checked her clock, knowing the fight was about to start.
Margaret looked at herself in the mirror one last time, her hands reached for the bottom of her dress straightening it. It was quite an exquisite dress, it was black with some reds on it and stopped right before her knees showing more skin than usual. A smirk displayed on her face as she knew how much men would love it, perhaps it was time to find someone nice. Tommy had the right to kiss women, but she couldn't? Not fair.
Maggie reached downstairs as everyone complimented her. The four of them: Lizzie, Polly, Linda, and her were escorted by a Peaky Blinder man to the fight. As soon as they stepped into the room, whistles were heard, and all of them held their head high up — a sign of confidence.
The Peaky Blinders stared at the woman with wide eyes, all of them enjoying the sight of such beautiful women. Margaret turned her head around, blowing the smoke onto their faces, and managed to wave before Linda dragged her to their seats.
Thomas watched the room which appeared to be full, couldn't see who was there and who wasn't. But his eyes caught Margaret's silhouette right in front of him, her smile was prominent, her legs were crossed, and her laugh echoed through the room. Her laugh. Tommy could listen to her for minutes, hell even hours. It was so graceful and beautiful, almost angelic if he must admit. After what seemed an eternity, the green eyes of the woman finally locked with his, and without realizing he found himself smiling. A gentle and loving smile on Thomas Shelby's face. Margaret gave him a little wave like children would do when they were shy, then quickly snapped her head towards a man who was approaching her— which didn't fail to make Tommy's blood run cold.
"Hello." Said a gorgeous man behind Maggie as she softly turned on her seat to see him. His face was indeed family but she couldn't put a finger on his name. "Andy." He added, but his name didn't ring any bell.
Margaret looked at him with furrowed eyebrows, "I'm sorry. I have no idea who you are."
He cleared his throat, playing with his flat cap, "Andrew Hastings. Our fathers used to work together."
Her eyes widened in surprise, "Fuck me. Little Andy. I thought you were dead."
He shyly smiled, "Survived the war. Came back here, and now I'm a Peaky." He said to her, proud to be part of the street gang. "Heard you were back where you belonged. By the Shelbys' side."
Maggie nodded, "That's right. Heard well." She replied. "Shelbys and Kegleys are meant to be together, right?"
Polly's heart warmed at the woman's words. She had been listening ever since the man appeared from behind, stating he was an old acquaintance of Maggie. To be truthful, the aunt didn't fancy Margaret and Tommy together, not because she hated the woman, but because Tommy sometimes didn't deserve someone as good as she was— but everyone knew how much they were meant to be together, and that since they were little babies.
Polly reached for Margaret's forearm as the conversation stopped, "Sorry to interrupt, son. Fight is about to start."
The man apologized before saying goodbye to Margaret. He soon disappeared in the crowd, and Maggie was forced to turn back and watch Bonnie Gold fight. As he stepped on the ring, Margaret stood up and made her way towards Aberama and him. Lately, she had been spending time with the Golds, and to her dismay, Esmeralda wasn't present at the fight. It was somehow a way to escape Charles, Tommy, and all the responsibilities that came with having them both in the same home.
Her hand clasped on his shoulder as the young man looked up, a bright smile on his face, "You got this, Bonnie."
"Thank you, Maggie." He answered with a nod. "Do you think I'm gonna win?"
Maggie slapped the back of his head as Aberama let out a laugh, "Weren't you the one that said you could knock out a fucking tree?" He hummed. "Time to do it, son. You listen carefully to your father, and stay focus, all right? I'll be on the side cheering for you, eh?"
Bonnie nodded his head, "All right."
She went back to her seat and sat down, she immediately grabbed a cigarette trying to make the stress leave her body— Maggie was scared. Scared he might lose, scared the opponent would be stronger, but she had faith in the little Gold. And faith was all he needed. The bell finally rang and the referee yelled: Round one. The fight had begun.
The crowd clamored as the two boxers started throwing punches, and she noticed Tommy wasn't next to his brother. A frown took place on her face but she quickly wiped it from her face as she started shouting for Bonnie. Margaret seemed to be extremely lovable despite her cold attitude, and her reputation— everyone who got to know her tented to warm up to her. When she looked back at the seats, where he was but before she could look at him, grunts caught her attention and she watched Bonnie Gold getting beat up. Her breath got stuck in her throat as she glanced at Aberama who simply bowed his head toward her, reassuring her this was planned.
"Come on. For fucks sake!" Yelled Linda next to them as she smoked her cigarette. "Does Bonnie even know to fucking fight?"
Margaret chuckled at the woman and nodded, "Of course. You should stop drinking, Linda. Go get some fucking water, so you can at least look all right." Linda rolled her eyes but agreed and went to the toilet.
Soon, everyone left Margaret's side and she was left alone. Her eyes gazed up at Bonnie who seemed more than okay, but was taking punches— but it was part of his father's plan. A sigh left her lips as she stood up and joined the ladies in the bathroom.
"Ladies." Widely smiled Margaret as everyone looked at her. She went to Lizzie's side and stared at herself in the mirror, before pulling out a cigarette.
Ada faced the Kegley woman, "Maggie, is the fight fixed?"
Margaret inhaled the smoke before turning her body to look at Ada, "Don't think it is. Bonnie will win this fight. Mark my words."
"What's going on with you and the Golds?" Queried Lizzie as she took Margaret's lighter. "You've been spending time with them."
Margaret shrugged, "I enjoy their company. That's it." She replied, tapping her cigarette as the ashes went down in the sink. "Just like I enjoy your company, Shelby ladies."
"Soon you'll be one of us." Teased Polly following with a laugh.
"Fuck off, Polly." Laughed out loud, Margaret. Becoming a Shelby would be probably the weirdest thing ever. Margaret had been used to be called Kegley, to be known as a Kegley. But it sounded nice, be part of this family and be Tommy's wife. "Right. Let's go back. Out we go."
When the women reached their seats back, round three was announced, and the crowd was even louder. Her friends started cheering for the young adult, and Maggie found herself drifting away. The yelling, whistling, grunting went away and everyone became something feeble. She nervously played with her fingers as she felt this strange feeling. The kind of feeling people had before something bad happen, the one that created a nervous pit in their lower stomach as they tried to understand what wrong was going happen. Something from the corner of her eyes made her come back to reality, the noises gained their volumes back as she looked straight at Thomas just to see Arthur gone.
Her eyes looked at one man in the room, the only one who seemed way too suspicious in there. And from what she could see, the Shelby man had seen the same thing. Suddenly, he left and Tommy instantly stood up following him.
"Where are Tommy and Arthur?" Quizzed Polly leaning toward Margaret.
Maggie gulped, "I don't know. Stay here, Pol. I'm gonna handle it, right?" Polly seemed reluctant at first, but agreed and watched the woman as she grabbed her gun from underneath her seat, and calmly stood up.
A gunshot was heard and she tightened her hold around it. Her steps were silent in spite of the tiles, and her noisy wheels which was most of the time a bad combination to be quiet. Another gunshot. Her mind was foggy, not knowing what to do but her mind and heart were telling her to run to it. To the Shelbys. When she reached the room, a man was dead on the floor, Tommy was knelt down next to his brother who seemed half-conscious.
"Oh, my. Arthur." Exclaimed Maggie, joining Thomas' side, and cupped his face. She had blood everywhere on her dress and hands, but she couldn't mind less. "He's still breathing. It's weak but he's alive." Panted the woman as she checked by putting her ear on his heart.
Tommy was still holding his brother like he was dead, and Margaret quietly reached for his hand. The man looked up, tears forming in his eyes, and that was the first time Margaret had seen him so vulnerable. With Arthur half dead on the floor. Seeing that he was still panting and panicking, Margaret crawled to his side and cupped his face. His blue eyes closed at the contact of her hands on his skin, his jaw clenched as he tried to calm his pounding heart, and they couldn't care less of all the blood she had on her hand.
"Tommy, make them believe he's dead. Make everyone believes the fucking Italians won." Murmured Margaret as he looked up. It was a good plan. "No one can know he's still alive except for Polly, right?"
Tommy nodded, gulping as he tried to find the right words, "You, Polly, me." He repeated. "I have to make everyone believe he's dead."
Margaret pulled him up, fixing his suit, and cupped his face again as she stared right into his eyes. "You go get Finn. I'll stay here."
"What if. . ."
Maggie shut him up, ". . . you fucking go. I stay. Am I clear?"
"Yup." Replied Tommy.
Thomas left the room, gun in hand as Margaret kept it in her hand too. She sat down next to Arthur, the pad of her thumb caressing his cheek as she mentally cussed at the Italians. The situation had brought back too many souvenirs she had tried to burry for a long time now. From a rapid second, she was back to the time she found her family laying on the floor, looking like they were drowning in their own blood; Maggie recalled not being able to hold her screams as she knelt to the ground, and felt sick to her stomach.
Footsteps made her snap her head toward the entrance of the room, and she stood up thinking it was Finn but a gasp left her lips as she recognized the man who left earlier. The man Tommy was after in the first place.
She had no time to even react as he held a gun, and shot her in her leg. She let out a scream holding for her leg as she fell to the floor, unable to stand due to the pain. Finn and Isaiah showed up as Isaiah grabbed the man by the collar before dragging him away from Margaret, the youngest Shelby rushed to her side.
"Fuck, shot me in me fucking leg." Complained Maggie as Finn tried to apply some pressure on the wound, but Margaret pushed him away. "Go help Isaiah. I'll be alright. Go!"
Finn groaned but went back with Isaiah as Margaret managed to move her body next to Arthur, she ripped a part of her dress and circled her thigh with it hoping the blood wouldn't spill anymore. Her eyes felt heavy and her breathing slower as she leaned against the cold wall, before she knew everything became dark around her as she fell asleep.
Tommy was anxious, mad, frustrated. That was for sure. After his announcement, he walked back to the corridor where he found his brother and Isaiah. His eyes glanced around noticing Margaret wasn't with them, and his body filled with worry.
"Tommy, we have the other wop." Spoke Finn, holding his gun at the man's face.
"Cunt had a wire in his pocket." Added Isaiah as he showed the boss. "Tommy. . ."
"What?" He madly asked, clenching his jaw as he already couldn't wait to beat the man up. "What?!" He yelled.
Finn cleared his throat, "Maggie. It's Maggie. She got shot." Admitted the Youngest as Thomas felt his whole body for a second. "In the leg."
Tommy reached the man, hitting his face with the back of his gun as he grunted in pain. His foot relentlessly hit the man and Finn felt a rush of adrenaline as he started punching him too.
"Go on, Finn!" Madly cheered Tommy. "Take his eyes, Finn. Do it for Arthur." He said. "Take his fucking eyes!" He yelled as Finn stepped back in surprise.
Tommy walked past the young men and rushed to the room where he previously found his brother, laying in his own fucking blood. He gulped as he witnessed Margaret passed against the cold wall, he rapidly walked to her side, his hand touched her wound as she groaned. He took off the blade in his flat cap and scanned the room for a bottle of alcohol. He wrapped his hand around the glass bottle and poured some quality gin on the blade to sterilize it, he then proceeded to open the side a little as Margaret shot her eyes open yelling in pain.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Mumbled Tommy. The truth was he couldn't handle Maggie yelling in pain. It was too much to handle, all he wanted was to break everything around him. "You'll be alright, love." He cooed as he looked up.
His heart tightened at the sight of Margaret's doll face full of tears. She wasn't even crying out loud, just silent tears as he did his best to take the bullet out. After a few minutes, the bullet was out and he threw it on the ground behind him before wrapping the piece of dress around it.
He put Margaret's arm around his neck and helped her stand up, "I'll be okay, Tom." Reassured Maggie slowly coming back to herself. "Just a bullet in my leg." Laughed the woman and Thomas wasn't able to contain his laugh. "Don't fucking laugh at me." She scolded, wincing at the pain.
"All right. All right." He replied, still wearing a little smile. "Can you go sit with Lizzie?" She tried to walk but she failed and immediately grabbed his arm. "Lizzie!" He called out the woman's name.
"Fucking hell, Maggie." Muttered Lizzie as she reached them. "Is she okay?" Asked the woman to Tommy.
Tommy nodded his head, "She will be."
Tommy went on the ring, gunshots reverberated in the whole place as it went silent. All you could hear was Thomas Shelby roaring of rage, exclaiming that his brother was dead. And Margaret didn't hear another thing as she fell unconscious in Lizzie's arms once again.
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AUTHORS NOTE,
okay okay first i missed them AHHHH
second, thank you so much for the 2K
reads and 300+ votes?? holy shit
thank u for taking time to read it,
comment — I LOVE YOU
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