While Tommy fetched the food, Evelyn stared at the grain of the table. The wood patterns swirled in strange but natural patterns, and beneath it, her knee bounced furiously. The time had come - she was revealing herself. Her throat swelled in the back of her throat.

As if the pressure of that wasn't enough, what the hell was she doing with Tommy? She gnawed on her bottom lip. He was bad, corrupt, and… He was good, kind in his own way - so kind to her. He had driven all the way to pick her up from Sam's - ugh, Sam. The poor fellow. Evelyn's stomach twisted at the memory of his sister wearing her sister's coat.

She would not think of that right now, she must focus on the issues at stake - her identity, coming out, her inheritance, and most importantly, who she could trust.

Evelyn straightened at the sound of footsteps nearing. She ran her hands over the fabric of her skirt, smoothing out the wrinkles as if it could smooth out her situation. She only wished for such things.

Tommy returned carrying a silver platter packed with a plate of lamb chops and potatoes, steaming vegetables and soft rolls. Silently, he placed it in front of Evelyn, shooting a quick glance at her he found her lips twitching, resisting a smirk.

"Is something funny?"

She shook her head and took the plate from him, tearing her gaze from the well-dressed man. "No, not funny."

"Then what is it?" He sat back in his chair as Evelyn picked up utensils. Tommy looked and sounded impatient but he was anything but - curious is more like it.

"Thank you… for serving me."

He watched her cut into the food as inappropriate thoughts for the dining table crept into his mind. He was willing to serve her in any way. But he restrained himself from hinting at that.

"Though…" Evelyn continued. She stabbed a cubed potato and held it up. "I am not a starving child." She popped it into her mouth. His gaze lingered on her full lips a moment too long.

"I apologize. I misread your attempt to steal my food as starvation."

Evelyn narrowed her eyes at him but didn't counter any further. She could only imagine how she must have looked sneaking his food and decided not to get into that.

"There are a few people I need to speak with about my inheritance," she said instead, choosing to focus on business - and not the heavy stare of those blue eyes.

"Business already?"

She lowered her fork as her head tilted slightly on its own. "Is there another time you prefer?"

The corners of Tommy's lips curled. "Never." He lay his palms on the table and pushed himself up. "Tell me who."

"Henry Brose and Lionel Rothschild," Evelyn answered as he walked towards the bar cart in the corner of the room.

Tommy stared at the bottle of whiskey in front of him. Henry Brose was an unfamiliar name, but Rothschild. Lionel Rothschild. He whisked the bottle and two glasses from the cart and returned to his seat.

"Rothschild," he repeated slowly. "As in the Rothschilds? The bankers?"

Evelyn's lips pursed thoughtfully and she nodded. "Their family is close with mine. Or… was, at least. One of their daughters married one of my great uncles some time ago."

The scope of the Rothschild's wealth was difficult to comprehend. Even now, when some of it had diminished at the turn of the century from dividing it among descendants, they were still the wealthiest family in the world.

Tommy grunted in acknowledgement and dutifully poured two glasses. He should have expected their connection, afterall, the Oppenheims were a major banking family as well.

"They're Jewish, too, and I think Lionel started an organization that could help us."

"Aye," Tommy confirmed. He swirled the whiskey around as he recalled the name of it. "He did. The Anti-Zionist League of British Jews. From what I know, there were few members but they were still very influential." He paused, his lips thinning into a grimace. "It folded a few years ago."

"Doesn't matter." Evelyn waved her fork carelessly. "Lionel and his brother will be a good help. At least to start."

Tommy had no doubt about that. The Rothschilds were powerful with heavy prominence and relations in Britain, France, Frankfurt and Naples; however, he was unsure how those relations held on the latter two. He drank from his glass. "And Henry Brose?"

"One of my father's partners. They were best friends and I believe he still holds his position at the banks. He isn't Jewish so…"

"You're sure you can trust him?" Tommy didn't forget about Arnold Reimann, the childhood friend of Evelyn's father who betrayed their family.

Evelyn lifted her gaze to Tommy's. Green to blue and for the briefest moment, she wasn't looking at Tommy. She was looking at her father, who once had the same crystal blue eyes. He would have smiled at her then, like all the times she sat beside him at the dining table.

"Those two people are the only ones I can even think to go to," she said softly. She blinked, refocusing on the man with a sharp jaw. The man who wasn't her father, but shared the same ambition, strength, and brutality. "We'll go to Lionel first. I'll have to call his estate."

"Tomorrow," Tommy added. "Before we go to anyone, I have to check some things." Things such as Brose and Rothschild, and Frasier and Moseley. There was also the issue of his family. "And my brothers will need to be aware."

Her chin dipped in understanding. "I suppose I should be there when you tell them."

"No."

Her brows raised. "No? I expect that they will have questions that you won't know the answer to. If I am going to…to… reenter society, I must start with the people I trust first."

Tommy rubbed the glass with his fingers. He knew Evelyn could hold her own, but his family… they were one of a kind. Any given day one of them could explode. Especially if they didn't agree with it. Even if he didn't let Evelyn meet them first, she would eventually and perhaps it wouldn't be a good idea for his family to let their own opinions form of her before ever meeting.

Tommy sat up and refilled his glass. "Fine. They are returning for dinner this evening." His eyes sparkled. "You can reenter society then."

Perhaps it was cruel of him to refrain from specifying that aside from his brothers, Polly and Ada would be there as well, but he was partial to see how Evelyn would handle being in a room surrounded by all the Shelbys.

Evelyn considered the drink in front of her. "Who will be at dinner?"

Smart girl. "My brothers and sister. Polly…" His lips thinned into a cold line. "And her son… and his new wife. Michael and Gina." Evelyn did not miss the gravel tone in his voice. She refrained from questioning it. Instead, she returned to her food and settled in silence, wondering what family drama lay in that change of emotion.

X

A pretty dark green dress hung beside the mirror. Its color reminded Evelyn of the forests of Germany, of the dark pine needles that fell in winter and covered the earth until snow fell, of the color of her eyes when she wore dark colored clothing.

Evelyn slipped the soft gown over her head. The silk felt like water as it rushed past her chest, over her stomach and just barely trimmed against the floor. It was rather simple in design, sleeveless with ruched sewing beneath the breasts. The neckline cowled slightly against her chest. The back of the dress fell into a similar but deeper cowl, exposing more of her tanned skin than she had in a very long time. It was daring for Claire Williams, but for Evelyn Oppenheim, it was just right.

She smoothed her palms over stomach and sides. It was time for her to go downstairs and wait for the Shelbys to arrive. She wanted her first appearance to make a statement. She would be there waiting for them. She would be the first to speak. The first to make her introduction. Tonight was practice.

Evelyn took one last look at her appearance. One last look at the gold hair that lay in natural waves to one side, waves that would soon return to its natural dark shade, and left the room.

Tommy sat in his office, hunched over his desk with a single desk light lit in the dark, hazy room. A short glass with amber droplets on its walls acted as a paperweight over a stack of papers. Beside it was an ashtray with a cigarette simmering. A long trail of smoke rose to the ceiling. He sat angled in his chair, his left arm taking his weight as he held an invoice to the light. The white shirt he wore pulled taut over his bicep.

"It's no wonder you need glasses. How can anyone see in here?"

Tommy knew who it was without looking. He folded the paper sharply and looked down at the pair of spectacles on his desk as if they were the culprit. He still did not like to use them.

"They are better than a monocle I suppose," he said as Evelyn lowered into the dark leather seat across from him. Tommy briefly scanned over her appearance. "You look ready to kill."

Evelyn scoffed. "There will be none of that tonight."

He withheld a smirk. She still had much to learn. "So, conquer, then." Her head tilted in question at his words, but the corner of her mouth twitched. She shrugged the expression away.

"When will they be here?"

"Nervous?"

"Of course," she answered honestly. She folded her hands in her lap to keep them still. "And anxious and jittery, but I'm more eager and restless. I just want to say it already."

Tommy propped his arm up, resting his chin on his fist and asked, "And what is it you want to say?"

Only one thought occupied Evelyn's mind: I am Evelyn Oppenheim.

I am Evelyn Oppenheim.

"That I am Evelyn Oppenheim."

From behind his fingers, Tommy's lips stretched into a rare smile.

"Sounds nice, doesn't it?" He pulled away from his desk and said before Evelyn could answer, "Arthur will be here soon. The others always follow." He stood, grabbing his glass, he poured himself another and made one for Evelyn.

"I'm sure I will need a few of these tonight." cupped the cold glass between her hands and looked up at Tommy.

"I recommend a bottle to yourself when it comes to my family, but this one," he lowered his glass to hers, "this one is celebratory."

Evelyn smiled at him and met his glass with hers, but neither of them pulled away. Neither of them moved. Neither of them drank. Whether it was the awful lighting in his office, or a mix of tobacco and the haze in the room, he felt like he was looking at her for the first time. Because they both knew that tonight was the start of a new era.

He bent towards her, slowly, measuring her reaction as her chin lifted slightly towards him, exposing the column of her neck and the delicate skin of her chest. Her lips parted when he stilled just inches from her face. His mouth so close to hers. Their breaths mingled and his scent, that intoxicating fragrance, washed over her. Despite her feeling completely frozen, as if her bones and joints were glued like a doll, Evelyn tipped her face to him and bridged the gap between him.

She tasted whiskey on his lips and when he kissed her gently, the entire room - the entire world - constricted to his touch. It wasn't enough when he pulled back. He looked beyond her to the window and seconds later, loud knocks echoed from the main entry.

It was as if the knocks were an alarm for her. Evelyn shot up, a breathless sigh leaving her. "It's time." She quickly finished the whiskey. Tommy eyed her with amusement when she handed the empty glass to him. He looked at it, then back at her before taking it.

Her eyes were lit with a new fire, one Tommy recognized as she straightened her back and left the office. Evelyn cleared her throat as she strode towards the door to greet Arthur. Though, she couldn't forget how tender that kiss was from the harsh man.

Tommy watched her leave, before he laughed to himself. Earlier he had told her he would let her take control of the evening, and to that she did not hesitate. He finished his drink and followed after her, grabbing his coat on the way out of his office and shrugging it on. He nearly reached the foyer when a distinct voice met his ears. A voice that was not Arthur's.

"So, this is what Tommy meant when he said he had news." Polly plucked her gloves from her fingers one by one as she stepped further into the house. Evelyn stood tall, a polite but calculating smile graced her features as she took in the dominant woman.

"Miss. Polly," she said by way of greeting.

Polly's thin brows rose at Evelyn's choice of words. Her hardened eyes dramatically coursed over her appearance. "What is Tommy havin' you do now? Payin' you to be his doorman?"

"Pol." Direct and firm. Both women snapped their heads to Tommy. He leaned against the hallway wall. His stare was sharp on his relative.

Polly slid her gaze back to Evelyn. "Polly or Ms. Gray, but never Miss. Polly." She pursed her lips. "Now what do I call you?"

"Evelyn. Evelyn Oppenheim."

Her gray eyes narrowed like a cat. "Well, Evelyn." Polly's rouge lips pulled into a deceptively sweet smile as she walked towards the hallway. "Come drink with me."

Polly tossed her nephew a quick look that said, leave us alone. And like Tommy, Polly went straight to the bar cart and poured two glasses of whiskey. Evelyn was sure she'd been drunk within the hour when Polly handed her one, who now sat on a yellow-clothed high back chair. She took a long swig of her drink. If she was going to end up drunk, at least it was with this unorthodox family.

"I do not think you like dancing around truths," Evelyn started. "So, I will be frank with you." Her back was stiff against her seat and her breathing had stilled, but a war drum beat throughout her body from her heart. "I know that you know who I am…" Deep breath. "And I am taking back what is mine."

Polly blinked. Her long fingers traced the lip of her glass. There was a silence between them as each woman surveyed the other.

Polly looked down her nose at Evelyn and said, "Good girl. It would have been sad otherwise."

Whatever Evelyn expected Polly to say, it was not that.

"I've got two questions," Polly continued. "How are you getting it back and when you do, what are you doing with it? Because you've survived this long, there will be nothing to stop you."

"The only thing stopping me are the Fascists and Germany." Speaking it aloud brought a shiver.

"So an entire political party and country," Polly scoffed. She dug into a silver beaded clutch and withdrew a cigarette. As if to tell a secret, she leaned forward and said, "Men steal when they are afraid." Polly brought the cigarette to her lips. "And you have what they fear the most. Power."

Evelyn tried to suppress the smile that pushed against her lips. Polly smirked as she lit the cigarette and inhaled. "In my life I've learned a few things about men. When they're frustrated, they turn to violence. When they're scared, they turn to violence. When they want something," she flicked her wrist, "violence. But us," she pointed the cigarette at Evelyn, "women. We get things done in more ways than one. Violence is not our first resort… but maybe I am a hypocrite."

Polly lifted her chin to the ceiling and blew out smoke from the corner of her mouth. She licked her lips and continued, "My family has risen because of violence. It is the only reason why I am sitting here, in this big house, and with you.. It's the only reason why I understand what that money means to you. Your family's wealth. It's the only reason why I support you. Whatever you have planned, I want to hear it tonight when the rest of the boys are here. You can expect my opinion on it."

Evelyn bit her lip to stop from smiling. "I would want nothing more."

"So," Polly leaned into the armrest of her chair, "tell me now, what will you do with it once you have it?"

The question didn't seem real. It sounded unrealistic. Unattainable. But in reality, the possibilities were endless.

"I'm not sure your opinion on revenge -"

Polly laughed suddenly. A sharp, almost bitter sound. "I am familiar," she said with a secretive chuckle.

"I'm going to start with the man that betrayed my father. And then I will do everything I can to make his party cease to exist."

Polly opened her mouth to speak but Evelyn continued. Her emerald eyes turned distantly to the far wall. "It is interesting," she said softly. "Before coming here, I would have continued to live a life that was not my own. I never would have thought to take back what is mine… lived a fraudulent existence.' Her stare met Polly's. "And now, there is nothing else I want. And I'll do anything. If it…" Evelyn paused at the admittance she was about to announce. "f it weren't for Tommy I would not be here. Perhaps it is something with you Shelby's."

Polly acknowledged the brave words. "Tommy has a way of doing that," she agreed. She thought of her nephew, recalling the distant memories of him from before the war… but they were brittle, too worn with the Tommy that returned solemn and rugged and changed. He had changed her life forever, built their family into what they are today, and despite his methods, some that she didn't agree with, she was more proud of him than ever. She loved him more than ever.

Polly silently examined Evelyn as she drank. The last surviving member of the prestigious banking family sat before her. She'd done her research, of course, since Tommy announced the girl's true identity when she ran away. And what Polly found was more than astonishing, if not heartbreaking. She could easily see why Tommy was interested in her, but now, speaking to the heir of one of the wealthiest families in Europe, Polly spotted the qualities Evelyn possessed that matched Tommy's. The ambition. The fearlessness. The quiet observance. The private scheming. The girl had over a year to let her feelings stew, to let that sadness and grief develop into hatred and hunger.

"I wager you'll have those men pissing their pants at the mention of your name," Polly said, all truth in her tone. This time, Evelyn did not hold back the grin that pinched her cheeks. It was that moment that made her trust Polly Gray.


Happy Friday! I am so happy to send you guys this update!
Thank you to those old and new for sticking around. I still keep up with follows, favorites and reviews even if I am not actively posting :) this story is never too far from my plate - just have a lot going on with life and a real novel I am trying to work on. Fair warning: as things progress between Tommy and Evelyn, this is story is likely to change to a Mature rating.

I am waiting for Peaky to be released in the US - I am jealous of any Brits who have already finished the last season! Part of me wants to wait to really progress with this story because although this story is vastly different than the show, I do still want to keep it in line with what happens with certain characters, etc. I've picked up some clues just from the Peaky's IG page alone!

Side note: did anyone see that Killian Murphy is set to be in a movie called the Oppenheim's? Though it is not the same Oppenheim, the coincidence is uncanny.