Hello everyone! As noted before, this is the sixth part of the second series of my Peaky Blinders FanFiction story "Ghosts of Our Past." To understand the main original character's origins, looks, and story line, please go back to the first chapter of this entire story, under the title "Ghosts of Our Past: A Dying Promise." All of the story is under this story line, so it will be easier for my previous readers to keep up with the updates. :)
As a general note, this chapter does have some violence in it. Please be advised, when reading.
Enjoy!
xxA
A Broken Promise (Series 2)
Part Six:
Despite how difficult it was the say goodbye to Tommy for the time being, the busy streets of Camden Town were a welcome sight, as I walked to work in the crisp, early spring air.
It had only been one day since Tommy's men had taken me back to London, and yet, I felt like a new woman.
As I walked into the offices of the 'bakeries' of Alfie Solomons, I bid Ollie good morning with a cheerful smile on my face.
"Good morning, Tonya," he said, using the Russian diminutive of my first name, Antonina. Seeming more nervous than usual, Ollie continued, "Alfie has asked to see you first thing."
Looking at him wearily, I wondered what mess they had gotten themselves into while I had been gone.
"Thanks Ollie."
As he shuffled away rather quickly, I couldn't help, but feel a sinking feeling in my stomach.
As I opened the door to Alfie's office, I didn't choose to say anything as he had his back turned towards the door.
The click of my heels alerted him to my presence.
"Tonya, sit 'own there. I need'a talk to ya 'bout business."
"What happened now, Alfie?"
He began to slowly circle around the office, like a predator circling its prey. Instinctively, I felt my guard go up.
Whatever it was, it involved me: and it was not a good sign.
"Now you know me, I'm a fair man. I'm a smart man. I treat you fairly. I gave you a job. I gave you time off to go to your funeral for a few days. I'm a carin' man."
"Get to the point, Alfie."
"Right, always rushin' good things, like a good American that you are."
I cocked my head, raising my eyebrows. He still wasn't getting to the point quick enough.
He smirked, shaking his head. As he took his seat across from me, he put his revolver on the desk.
It did not go unnoticed by me, but I didn't react. I looked him in the eye, waiting for him to continue.
Alfie was always about theatrics, whether he recognized it or not.
This was sure to be a show.
"So tell me Antonina, why is it that when you go to Birmingham for a few days, there's suddenly this wild pack of gypsy Birmingham fucks comin' to Sabini's club and tearin' it apart? The same gypsy fucks that you had relations with? Do you 'ave somethin' to tell me, Tonya? I thought we had enough trouble here as it was with the fuckin' Italians."
Raising my brows again, I lit a cigarette in response. I needed a moment to think about my answer.
In all honesty, Tommy had given me no indication that he would do something like this. Although I knew that he was beginning his expansion, I didn't think he'd go into Sabini's club and break the rules.
I decided to opt for an air of truth. There was no point in foolin' Alfie.
"I didn't know that they'd be targeting Sabini in this way, Alfie. I just knew the Blinders were wanting to expand their business. That much I can tell you."
Looking me over, he narrowed his eyes, before visibly relaxing. He believed me.
Although I felt the breath I had been holding in leave my lungs, I didn't react in a way that told Alfie I had been uneasy. I did not want to seem suspicious.
"I knew you wouldn't betray me, Tonya, but I felt a little strange about the whole business given the circumstances. I see that it caught you off guard. Hmmm."
I nodded, mulling over his words. I hoped that I hadn't betrayed him by discussing business with Tommy, but it was merely a base level conversation.
Tommy had likely done his own research.
"So this Thomas Shelby is wantin' to make allies with me. Why do you think that is?"
I inhaled a breath of smoke, blowing it out moments later as I considered Tommy's motives.
For a woman with answers, I found that I had very few in this moment.
"I don't have the answer to that, I'm afraid. I just know he took a risk to align himself with you. Why do you think that is, Alfie?"
He moved his head back and forth, before answering, as if the motions would find him the answer he needed.
"Besides business expansion, he might be wantin' something under my watch, I reckon."
"Your rum?"
He scoffed, laughing. It was always music to my ears when Alfie genuinely laughed-he had one of those laughs that was infectious.
"For a smart lass, you're quite aloof. I think he's hopin' to gain your favor through it, love."
I smiled, shaking my head. I hoped Thomas wasn't stupid enough to go forth with this expansion as a way to solidify things with me or gain favor with me.
He had a lot to lose getting himself involved in the race war, just to expand business.
Then again, men did stupid things for those they loved.
"I'm not sure it's possible to gain favor with me through business, I'm afraid."
He laughed again, taking out some rum to split between the two of us.
As we sipped the rum, he looked to me.
"Tell me about this Thomas Shelby."
"More than you already know?"
I had told Alfie a great deal about Thomas' personal character and what had transpired between us. There were few secrets between Alfie and me.
"I wanna know if you trust 'em."
I raised my eyebrows at Alfie.
"As a fuckin' business man, Tonya."
I didn't hesitate, as I answered.
"Yes, I do. He is a good man to have an alliance with. He is a bad man to be against. I reckon the alliance could be fruitful for the two of our companies. He has man power and you have resources."
Alfie took a swig of rum, as he mulled over my words.
"Alright, I want you to send an invitation to the mad fucker. First thing."
"I'll do it now."
As I got up to leave, Alfie smiled at me.
"Good to have you back, Tonya. I missed ya around these bakeries. It wasn't the same without ya."
I smiled back at him.
"It's good to be back, Alfie."
As I walked out of the office, Ollie visibly relaxed at the sight of me as he was about to enter. I chuckled to myself, heading to my office.
For one of Alfie's right hand men, he was the most nervous gangster I had ever met.
My first day back to the bakeries seemed to be never ending, as I realized that so much had been neglected in my absence.
In the days that I was gone, numbers had been off in the books, we had sustained the loss of a few men to the Italians, and an error in production had ruined a batch of rum.
It was amazing how things had seemed to go to hell in the matter of days in my absence. I didn't have time to think about my time in Birmingham or even think about Thomas like I had the entire day before.
When it became half past eight, I decided that whatever messes that continued to exist would have to wait until the morning. I had already spent nearly twelve hours at the bakeries and my eyes were starting to cross from the exhaustion.
As I bid Ollie a farewell, he asked me if he should have one of the men walk me home. I shook my head, waving him off as I stepped into the Camden Town night's air.
Although many women would be afraid to walk alone in Camden Town, all of the men knew and respected me, due to my affiliation with Alfie Solomons. I had never felt unsafe walking home.
Often, the walk home gave me a chance to decompress the day's activities. Usually, it was a time to think about the next steps in our business plan.
Instead, I found my thoughts returning to Tommy. I smiled to myself, as memories of the previous few days came into mind. My thoughts drifted to our farewell, the day before.
Standing outside the Shelby residence, Tommy's men prepared the vehicle that would take me home to London. Staying true to his word, Tommy had sent for a plethora of new dresses and luggage to accompany me back to London.
Looking at sliver of daylight beginning to take the Birmingham sky, I knew it was time for us to depart.
"So I guess this is goodbye, Tommy."
Tommy took my face into his hands, kissing me with a sense of urgency. He rested his forehead on mine, as he spoke.
"This isn't goodbye. I promise you that I will see you soon. Keep an eye out in the next few days for me."
"I love you, Thomas Shelby."
"I love you, Toni."
As I entered the vehicle with three of Tommy's best Blinders, I couldn't help, but feel the tears come.
Tommy caught my eye, smiling sadly.
As the vehicle began to drive down the street, I saw him turn to leave, ready to start the day.
As I turned the corner on the familiar route home, I snapped back to reality, as I felt an uneasy feeling take over me and my scalp began to prickle with anxiety.
I looked ahead to see a man, who seemed to be intently watching me. Although I was no stranger to men's glances, I had never felt such alarm in this side of town, as I did in this moment. As I passed him, I thanked the heavens that I remembered to slip my knife into my wrist as I always did on my walks home.
Twenty yards away, I turned my head around my shoulder to see if he was still watching me. I felt my blood turn cold, as I realized he had begun to slowly follow me.
As I began to walk faster, I gripped the knife in my hand evermore tightly. Clutching my handbag with my other hand, I undid the fastened button, in the event that I needed my handgun.
Ducking down a different corner, I had hoped that I would lose the man following me.
Seeing an alleyway, I turned the corner, hoping that it would be enough to lose him.
It didn't dawn on me until I turned the corner, that this was like my dream so many days ago.
I was not being followed. I was being herded.
I had fallen into the trap.
As I met a group of seven men waiting in the alleyway, I quickly turned to leave and I was directly met with the man's face who had herded me here.
I was outnumbered, eight to one.
I had no chance.
I knew that I could not take them all out, but I would die trying.
An Italian accent broke through the night's silence, confirming to me that it was Sabini's men.
"Anna Stepanova...it's lovely to finally meet you in person...or may I say, Antonina Paltrowicz?"
Not bothering to confirm my identity with words, I took advantage of the element of surprise. Pulling my right hand up, I slashed the knife across his face, his blood splattering across my own face. He immediately crumpled to the ground, grasping his face and screaming.
I immediately turned, elbowing the person who had come to grab me. As yet another man came to grab me, I punched him with all of my might, slicing his abdomen in another motion. Another man grabbed my arm, punching the crease of my elbow, making me release my knife onto the ground. I screamed, trying to grab the gun from my handbag.
I was a second too late.
Before I could shoot, I was punched across the face, falling onto the concrete and losing my gun in the fall. As I hit the ground, I felt the blood begin to pool down my face. Another man kicked me swiftly in the ribs, repeatedly. With each kick, I cried out.
Finally, he stopped after nearly a dozen kicks. A moment later, two of the men picked me up. Grasping my face, a henchman forced me to look into his eyes. As he did, I spit the blood pooling in my mouth onto his face.
In response, I received another punch to the face, busting my lip wide open. I squeezed my eyes shut in pain, not bothering to even scream. It was useless.
"Well well well...if it isn't Thomas Shelby and Alfie Solomons' whore. Tommy Shelby broke the rules….now it is time for you all to pay. Sabini told us you would be a hard one to catch, but I didn't quite believe him. You sure are a fighter….I can't wait to see what you're like when we take you for some private fun."
As I went to scream in protest, my mouth was covered. Soon, I was carried towards a vehicle. I tried to fight the men as they carried me, biting and kicking, but it was no use.
I was thrown into the backseat, the men squeezing in beside me.
Soon, we were driving down the street at full speed.
"Where the fuck are you taking me?"
"Don't worry, love. You'll find out soon enough. But now is our time for fun, before you die."
As one of the men began to grab my breasts, I headbutted him. My adrenaline was rushing, as I kept thrashing around, striking anyone I could.
Soon, the men overpowered me, holding my arms in place with the weight of their bodies. Still, I tried to kick, as the other man began to slide his hand up my dress.
"Trying to make it hard, I see…." the man's sadistic voice rang in my ears, as he began to kiss my neck.
Suddenly, a pair of headlights lit up the interior of the car. A second later, another car plowed into our own. The henchman to my right began to speak rapid Italian as he exited the backseat of the car.
Gunshots rang in the night and his body crumpled to the ground. Using this as my chance, I elbowed the man to my left so hard, his nose broke on impact. As I fled the car, I collapsed onto the pavement.
As the shots continued to ring out, I stayed on the ground, covering my head in the event a stray bullet came my way.
When the gunshots ceased, another set of arms began to pick me up. As I began to panic and thrash around, the soothing accent of a Birmingham man rang in my ears.
"Miss Casey, it's alright. It's alright...we work with Tommy. We're Peaky Blinders."
When I heard Tommy's name, I finally began to cry.
As strong as I had been in the fight for my life, I realized now that if they got to me, they likely got to him. Not even confronting the hell that I had just been through, my thoughts only turned to him.
I only hoped that he was okay.
"Is Tommy okay?"
"I don't know, Miss. I will find out when I can."
As the adrenaline began to wear off and the sobs started to rack my body, my legs gave way. Luckily, the Blinders men caught me. I felt my consciousness begin to waver, though I fought to hold onto it.
Looking me over, he began to speak.
"Miss, you're injured. We need to get you to the hospital."
"Take me to the hospital in this district. I need you to ring Alfie Solomons, as soon as you can."
As they began to carry me into the vehicle, I took one last look at the men who captured me. Each one lay dead in their own pool of blood.
The war had begun.
