So yeah, after one of my readers commented on 'Not Strong Enough' asking for a Tommy Shelby/OC fan-fiction where Tommy is all possessive/obsessive/controlling and what not…I was really tempted by the idea. All I'm doing now is a 'test-run' to see if I can pull something off in one chapter. Just let me know what you think, okay? :D here we go!

P.S. I'd also like to clarify this'll probably take place in season one and will deviate from the series, as it is a Thomas/OFC story, and not a Grace/Thomas fan-fiction. I'm sure you'll find those if you prefer them but don't bash me for writing this please, thank you!

…

Thomas Shelby was a dangerous man, everyone knew that. He had this sense of authority about him, which even made coppers anxious when they were close to him. People moved out of the way for him; they respected him and feared him.

And everyone knew not to cross the Shelby family. Well…except the Swann family; a small. But wealthy family living on the countryside of Birmingham. They had moved from the United States of America to Birmingham, due to Robert Swann's work taking him across the world.

Robert Swann had three children; Jonathan, the youngest; a bright, young lad at the age of eighteen, too curious for his own good. His second child: Olivia, age twenty, named so after the olive colors of her eyes. His oldest child was Alice; a dark-haired, bright green-eyed beauty that stopped men with a mere glance. She had yet to become twenty-four and like her youngest brother had a great curiosity of the world and was very eager to explore England.

Robert had brought his family along to the Garrison, a nice pub in Birmingham that evening. He smoked a cigarette, one arm around his young wife, Angelique as she grinned into his neck. Many would see them and think oddly of an elder couple still so in love, in front of their children, no less.

Whilst Olivia and Jonathan amused themselves with drinks and watching people around them, Alice busied herself with the stray newspaper she had found. She was currently reading an article about the Peaky blinders.

Coughing, she waved away the smoke, sending her father a glare.

'Come now, Alice. You look so sour', her father spoke.

'You should step lightly, papa. If I'm to believe this newspaper, the Peaky Blinders shouldn't be messed with. You act like you own the place', she told him.

Her mother merely rolled her eyes, her arrogance as evident as that of her father. Both of them cared so little for their surroundings. Just because her father had been a big name in the States didn't mean the people feared or admired him here.

She folded up the newspaper, standing up the brush off her long skirt. Among the people here…they really stood out. Why did they have to flaunt their wealth like this?

She headed for the bar, finding a pretty, blonde girl behind the counter. The girl had thick waves in her hair and wore a red vest that really complimented her creamy colored skin.

'Good day, my name is Grace, can I help you?'

The thick, Irish accent of the girl was strange, yet beautiful to Alice's ears. She smiled a smile with her rose petal pink lips, nodding.

'I'll have vodka; make it a big one', she stated with a slight sigh.

Just as the girl was to reach for one of the bottles behind her, a deep, chilling voice caused them both to look up:

'You shouldn't give young girls alcoholic beverages, Grace.'

Alice's bright green eyes flashed towards the tall man leaning against the counter. He wore a dark blue, tailored suit and waistcoat, a cap to mask his obvious undercut and wore a dark look in his eyes.

The blonde girl halted in her tracks, fear finding her as she took in the tall man. Alice, however, was far from impressed. Who was this man to tell her what she could and couldn't drink?!

'Who said I was a young girl?' she practically snapped back.

The blonde barmaid she now knew was named Grace averted her eyes, clearing her throat. The mystery man took a few long strides over to Alice, allowing her to take in his physique. He was a broadly built man, his hidden strength unnerving her as much as his translucent eyes did.

'I've never seen you around here before. And judging from your way of talking, you must be from the States', he stated, taking a drag from his cigarette, letting it rest on his plump bottom lip before gazing at her family.

She followed his gaze, swallowing. This man had a sense of danger about him. Just his gaze alone was enough to unsettle and frighten her.

'A few words of advice: don't let your father think he owns this city, because he doesn't', he paused to lean closer to her, taking his cigarette in his hand; 'I do.'

With those words, he walked past her, allowing his broad shoulder to brush her smaller one. She remained still for a few moments, before turning to the barmaid, whom hesitantly poured her a drink.

'Who was that?' Alice asked softly.

'You're new here, aren't you, dear? That's Tommy Shelby; leader of the Peaky Blinders', Grace spoke in a quite hushed tone, as if merely muttering the man's name could cause her trouble.

Alice felt stunned, flabbergasted, scared. If the barmaid had spoken truly, she had to mind her step. And not just her, but her father as well. If her father continued his flamboyance…no good would come of it.

…

Thomas had known of the Swann family ever since they had set foot in Birmingham. Robert Swann was an obnoxious man. A flamboyant, obnoxious American; a communist. He had watched his family sit in the Garrison, laughing loudly, drawing attention to themselves…high irritating, in his opinion.

The eldest child, however…he couldn't recall her name, but she had left an impression on him.

He watched her from the corner of the pub as she hurried back towards her father, her brows furrowed together in a tight frown as she spoke of what had just occurred. Her father merely waved her off, not worried one bit, much to his daughter chagrin.

He took another drag of his cigarette, taking in the girl from across the room. She had pale skin, long, jet black hair and with those deep green eyes…she looked like a doll; a pretty, harmless, innocent doll he would very gladly have in his possession.

It was unlike him to wish anyone would cross him but for the girl's sake…he hoped her father would continue to be this much of an arrogant ass. Judging from Mr. Swann's character…he seemed very much the stuck-up rich man.

Arthur soon joined him at his table, his eyes flashing towards the American family near the window, the black-haired girl in particular, as she made had quite the presence cursing at her father.

'Well she's a feisty one, isn't she?' he joked.

Thomas exhaled, his expression blank. Though on the inside, he was simmering, no, burning at the thought of having the dark-haired beauty in his grasp.

'That family's trouble, Tommy -' 'I'm well aware of that, Arthur', he cut his brother off.

Lazily removing his cap and running a hand through his hair, he took another drag from his cigarette.

'Though judgin' from the look in your eyes you wouldn't mind that', the older Shelby shifted his gaze towards the black-haired girl; 'not that I can blame you.'

Thomas merely blew out some smoke. For the girl's sake…he hoped that her family would refrain from crossing him or his family. There was no telling what he would do if he got his hands on her.

…

Her family had left her at the pub later that evening, much to Alice's delight. She sat by the window, sipping her vodka absently as she read her book. Her mind, however, travelling towards her brief encounter with Thomas Shelby; a frightful man, she thought, especially since she could still feel his gaze on her from across the pub.

It was when the barmaid from before came towards her table and placed a glass down on the wooden surface, Alice dared her eyes upwards.

'I didn't order anything', she stated.

The girl offered her a ghost of a smile. 'It's on the house. Seems you made an impression on Mr. Shelby', she answered.

Alice looked to where the latter was seated, surrounded by other men. For a split second, their eyes met, making her swallow. So now he was offering her drinks?

She turned her gaze back to the glass, pushing it away lightly before standing up. She was being childish; turning down his drink just to spite him but she didn't want to give him the impression that she was charmed by him, which she wasn't.

'Tell him to shove it. Little girls like me shouldn't drink, anyways', she said.

With that, she was out the door, leaving Grace dumbfounded. How such a spoiled girl had managed to peak Thomas Shelby's interest, was beyond her. It worried her though; she was supposed to get close to the second Shelby and with this…American girl arriving in Birmingham…it seems those plans were going to have to be changed.

She picked up the glass of scotch, scoffing. She turned, finding the blue-eyed Shelby in front of her, looking less than pleased.

With a sideways, flirtatious glance, she handed him the glass.

'She told me to tell you -' 'I heard every word of what she said', he cut her off sharply.

Grace studied him; 'she didn't seem that interested', she stated.

With a growl, he sipped from the glass; the one he had wanted to give her, his face now a mask of indifference. Though she could see he tried not to let his emotions show. He was pissed off, to say the least.

He finished the scotch in one gulp, pushing the glass into her hands.

'Please excuse me.'

…

'Miss Swann!'

Alice barely had time to turn to regard whoever had called her name, for a strong hand shot around her forearm, spinning her around. She came face-to-face with Thomas Shelby. Her knees grew weak and she instantly regretted the decision she had made at the Garrison.

He easily towered over her with his broad and tall physique, only intimidating her more. She didn't enjoy his close proximity, not even in the slightest.

'So I don't give into your advances and you resort to following me?' she asked him quietly.

He tightened his grip on her arm, making her whimper.

'Don't patronize me', he loosened his grasp until he was barely holding her arm; 'you should step lightly, Miss Swann. Birmingham can be a dangerous city', he told her in a hushed tone.

She swallowed. 'Are you threatening me, Mr. Shelby?' she questioned.

'No', he looked down on her figure; 'but a fine, wealthy young woman such as yourself could become a very easy target', he spoke.

Her heart tightened in her chest. She hadn't given that much thought but he was right. Still…that didn't give him the right to yank at her arm like he owned her.

'Well thank you for the advice', she pulled her arm from his grasp; 'I'll be on my way home now. Good night, Mr. Shelby', she bid him goodbye with a nod of her head, unaware of how his eyes followed her until she was fully out of his view.

Thomas exhaled slightly, shoving his hands into his pants-pockets. Perhaps having the Swann family as allies would benefit him more than having them as enemies.

Turning around, he allowed a small grin to play on his lips. He would pay Robert Swann a little visit first thing in the morning. After all…Mr. Swann had been well-known for raising horses in the States. He would very well have use of the family.

…

So Alice might/might not have been designed after Alice Liddell from Alice Madness Returns. Don't sue me! I just like the jet black hair/bright green eyes/pale skin combination.

Anyways, please let me know whether you want more of this story ^^

Lots of Love,

~TheOneWithTooManyInterests