Chapter: The Red Shoes
"Miss," the driver asked. "are you sure-
"Keep the change and get out." Kate ordered. "Get out of here as fast as you can."
"Can't you call the police?" he asked. "I don't know what the trouble is-
"The police are useless! Go!" with that, Kate turned and ran up the stairs, clutching more of her torn skirt to her chest. She didn't even bother to knock. She just wrenched the front door open and ran in. "Hello!" she shouted. "Is anyone here?"
"Kate?" Arthur comes around the corner from the dining room. "Flipping hell, you're bleeding!"
"I need to talk to Thomas!" she demands. "Where is he? It's a matter of utmost importance!"
"Kate?" her head jerks up towards the stairs as she sees Thomas rapidly descending the stairs, pulling on his coat. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"She's bleeding Tom."
Thomas's eyes flashed as he gripped her waist before shouting at Elton, who now peered cautiously around the corner. "Fetch a doctor! She's bleeding!"
"Of course Sir!"
She shook her head. "No! It can wait!"
He declared. "Your chest is bleeding!" he declared as he started to guide her to the nearest chair. By now, people began milling out of the dining room, fortunately, it appeared to be only family. At least she hoped, there were a few new faces unfamiliar to her. "Kate, you need-
"WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME!" She screamed hysterically. Everyone froze in place and stared at her. "I'm not sure what you've been up to while I was in the hospital, but my father, Gilbert Kovach-
"Kovach?" Polly shouted. "Kovach is your father?"
"You've been spying on us!" Michael accused.
Kate shook her head and shouted back. "I have not!"
"Kate," Thomas snapped. "calm down. Everyone else shut up!"
"But she's-
"Shut up!" he turned to her. "You were saying?"
Kate focused directly on him. "As you know, I never told him anything about any of you! I didn't even know you were part of the peaky blinders!" she inhaled sharply. "Apparently, you managed to upset my brother and insult my father, so he just authorized a hit on all of you!" everyone began talking rapidly. Thomas, however, remained calm and in control. "I came here to warn you that he's coming here with several cars of men to kill the entire Shelby family! And trust me, when I say family that includes women and children. Then, he'll take care of the household staff so there won't be any witnesses. Instead interrogating me, please, get everyone to safety! I'm guessing they'll be here by 4:30-4:45!"
"And how the hell do we know this isn't a trap?" Gina demands. Kate lets out a groan; it's 10 minutes to 4:00. They're running out of time to get away! Why do people always argue instead of getting to safety? "They're probably waiting for us to come out!"
"I wouldn't do that!"
"You're a Kovach!" she spits. "Do you have any idea what your father did to my family?"
"No, I do not!" Kate snapped. "I don't associate with him."
"Kate legally," Thomas states as he stands up. "had her name changed to Carter 10 years ago. She hasn't been associating with her father or brother."
"I've also spent most of my time in America, I don't know what he's been doing since I left."
"Oh, you can spin a fancy tale alright." Polly snaps at her.
"Ease off her," a dark haired woman with a friendly face says as she approaches Kate with a glass of water. "she's here bleeding, her dress is torn and she looks like she's going to be sick." Kate takes the glass of water and hurriedly drinks it. Thomas's hand hovers near her shaking one as she drains the glass. "She probably saved everyone's lives by coming here and warning us, at great risk to her health!"
"Thank you Ada." Thomas says gratefully.
"And Kate wouldn't betray us," Arthur stated. "she's very fond of Charlie and Ruby."
"Oh God!" Kate nearly drops her water at the thought of her brother getting close to the house, and putting those two in danger. "I told you I was bad luck." Kate stated. "I told you."
"You're not bad luck. But for now, everyone needs to focus." Thomas stands up. "Ada, if you have a spare dress, Kate needs it." the dark haired woman nods and Thomas helps Kate to her feet. "Kate, go upstairs and change."
"You can't trust that Kovach bitch!" Gina shrieks.
"I already knew her name was Kovach!" he snapped, causing everyone to start in surprise.
Even Kate stared at Thomas in shock. "How did you-
"Kate, I'll tell you everything you need to know later." He says calmly. "But right now, we're pressed for time and I need for you to get changed. Ada, look after her for me."
Ada nods and takes Kate's arm. "Come on, I'm Ada by the way, Tommy's sister."
"Nice to meet you, though, I wish under less pressing circumstances."
"Everyone," Thomas orders. "family meeting in the library."
"This is all that woman's fault!" Polly shouts. "I knew I should have shot her the moment she set foot in this house!"
"Enough!" he roared, causing Kate to turn on the steps. "In the library and I need to call Jeremiah." That seemed to get a reaction out of everyone; even Ada and she had no idea why.
Ada placed a hand on her back and continued to move her up the stairs. "Come on. let them sort this out."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You'll get used to this."
10 minutes later, Kate was walking down the stairs with Ada beside her. Ada had lent her a pale blue, knee-length dress. Kate preferred longer skirts, as they made her look taller, but she'd admit, this dress looked nice on her. the bleeding had fortunately stopped. Ada had been kind enough to run downstairs and get her some clean bandages. She helped Kate secure the bandages, but didn't say a thing in regards to Kate's appearance, but she felt the sympathy from Ada.
Thomas stepped out of the library and glanced up at the stairs. Everyone shuffled out behind him. their faces were dark, angry and sullen. He gestured to her. "Perfect timing Kate. Come in here please."
She nodded, keeping her head high as she walked past a group of unfriendly looking face. Well, Arthur's face was friendly, he smiled at her as she passed by him.
"Whore." Michael hissed as he shoved passed her. she brought her hand up to smack him, but stopped herself.
"What did he just say to you?" Thomas demanded.
"It's nothing." She states as she pauses in front of him, heading straight for the couch. "There's enough drama going on. let's not add to it."
"You're going to regret this Tommy." Polly states.
"I know what I'm doing!" He slams the door shut. He turned to her, tugging his coat into place. "Is there anything else about you that I need to know?"
"No. you know everything about me now." She inhaled as she sits on the couch. "I am so sorry. I didn't want to associate with my family and now this happened."
"It's not your fault."
"Yes it is. if I'd have told you who I was-
" I'd still have meddled in your father's business regardless of knowing you. I'm glad that I did know you, so everything can be fixed. Had you not moved in, all of us would probably be dead in 30 minutes." He exhaled. "I did find out who you were a few months ago, but…I wanted to see if you'd tell me."
"I would have, given time." She promised. "I swear it."
"I know. I could tell you were getting close. But, back to the subject at hand." He inhaled and studied her carefully. "Now, I have a man coming who's going to stop this whole this whole thing. His name is Jeremiah…he's a minister."
She nods as her stomach churns violently inside her. "Yes, I'll marry you." she didn't mean to blurt that out, but that's where she figured he was heading.
His brow arched. "Sorry?"
Heat blossomed in her cheeks. "You said he's a minister and you're bringing him in here, we're the only two people present. I'm assuming you're thinking my brother won't hurt you if you're my husband. If that is what you were thinking, you'd be correct. My father and brother did swear that anyone I married would have his protection forever." He was silent for a moment. "Did I misunderstand you?"
"No." He nodded. "I figured, I just…wasn't expecting you to agree before letting me propose."
She held his gaze. "Is this is going to be a marriage of convenience?"
He nods. "It'll be convenient."
She inhaled and asked. "I mean…will we be…having relations, like in a real marriage? Or, is this a marriage for show?"
Thomas was silent for a moment, his face an expression that she couldn't read. At that moment, her worst fear came true. It had all been a game to him. she'd gone and fallen in love with him, and now, she was going to be married to a man who probably cared nothing for her. how appropriate, she'd fallen into the same plight Lizzie had.
Idcam: Sorry to add to the suspense, but I don't think I'll be able to update for 3 days due to a busy schedule.