Sitting up in bed, Elizabeth let her fingers play with her husband's hair as he rested in her lap, his breathing steady and soft. She had managed to pull the sheet up to her chest as Tommy let it drop down to his waist. He had finally managed to drag her up to bed and she hadn't entirely been tired when they had gotten there. Tommy had ran his hand up and down her thigh as she listened to him tell her what had happened in London.

"Colonel Ben Younger knows about Mosley," Elizabeth said to her husband. "He can sort this, surely?"

"Nah," Tommy responded with a gentle shake of his head and Elizabeth let out a deep breath she had held in. "I gave 'im a letter that Mosley had written me about the journalist who 'ad been killed…about 'ow he wants me as a deputy and 'elp out at his rallies. The letter wasn't enough for 'im…no proof of anything malicious goin' on."

"He gains information on communists, doesn't he?" Elizabeth asked her husband. "I thought that you were informing on them in return for favourable defence contracts?"

"Aye, so did I," Tommy replied and Elizabeth closed her eyes for a second and took a moment to still her hand in his hair. Elizabeth shook her head as she moved her hand down to his shoulder.

"This goes further, doesn't it?" Elizabeth asked and Tommy rolled onto his back, peering up to his wife as he reached for a cigarette and listened to her. "He scares you, doesn't he? What he stands for scares you and…this isn't about the contracts now. This is about him. This is because you want to do what you think is the right thing. You're trying to do the good thing."

"Don't say words I don't understand," Tommy said, lighting the cigarette up as he sat up and his wife then took her turn to roll onto her stomach, propping her chin up in her hand. She looked at him with those big eyes and Tommy brushed a strand of her curly hair behind her ear.

"You know I am right," she responded. "You pretend not to get involved in anything involving morals…right…wrong…God knows you're a man who has his own moral compass, but this is different, isn't it, Tommy? You are genuinely concerned about Mosley."

"I don't know what I am," Tommy responded to her, tugging on a lock of hair gently before blowing a puff of smoke from his cigarette. "All I know is that the man can't be trusted."

"So what do you intend on doing?" Elizabeth enquired.

"Playing him," Tommy responded. "I can take him down from the inside before he does anymore damage to this family…to other families…to the county."

"I don't like this," Elizabeth mumbled and Tommy nodded in agreement with that before he stubbed out his cigarette and closed his eyes for a few moments. Sliding down to lay down next to her, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her to nestle against his side. "I don't want you involved, Tommy…you need to be careful."

"I will be," Tommy said, "but he wants me, Liz. He wants to collect me and I don't know if I can resist 'im, alright? I…I know that he 'as things on me. I know that he 'as it and I fear what he might do if I go against him."

"Whatever he has against you-"

"-It's you," Tommy interrupted his wife, looking at her with concern as her brows knitted together and rose up on her forehead. "Liz, every time I meet 'im, he mentions yer. He mentions yer past…he knows about Campbell…about 'ow he died. He knows about yer and he…if I keep him close then I keep 'im on side. I keep 'im from doin' somethin' that scares me."

"Tommy, what could he possibly do?" Elizabeth asked her husband.

"I don't know, Liz," Tommy responded with a shrug of his shoulders and his grip around her increased as she ran a hand over his chest, stroking his skin softly as she bit down on her bottom lip. "I don't know, alright? But all I know is that I get this feelin' whenever he mentions yer and I don't like it. I need yer. I need to keep yer safe. Yer the only one in my life who I can truly trust, alright? Yer everythin' to me, Liz."

"Tommy," she whispered his name in a low voice as Tommy moved a hand to cup her cheek. "He isn't going to do anything, do you understand me? We're safe here. You, me and Charlotte. We're okay. This…it's…it's not important. Mosley is not important."

"I know, Liz," Tommy told her. "I'll always 'ave yer, alright? Always."

Elizabeth moved up to kiss him on the cheek, the movement soft and tender as her free hand went to hold his other cheek. Pulling back, she rested her forehead in the crook of his neck as Tommy moved both arms around her. She closed her eyes and wondered exactly what was going on to make Tommy act like this. Was Mosley really that much of a threat? She didn't know. And she didn't want to know.

….

Tommy knew that he had messed up. He didn't know how this had happened and, truth be told, he didn't want to know. He had been invited to go shooting with Mosley and he had agreed. He had taken his own car to the field that Mosley had told him to go to. He had spent time discussing his time in France when Mosley had told him about his time in Rome and his plans to create a new party, leaving the Labour party for the British Union of Fascists the following year.

Tommy had tried to lay down some conditions, but it hadn't worked. Mosley had informed him that it would not be that type of relationship. Tommy had called Younger, needing to know that his position was official to go against Mosley. He couldn't do it without reassurances. He wanted signatures. He wanted it in writing. He needed it to make sure that he was safe.

"Your brother called today," Elizabeth informed him once he had returned from London again. She was busy pacing in the study, arranging flowers in vases and opening the drapes to let light in. Tommy unbuttoned his coat and rested it down on the back of his chair. "He said that he had gone to take care of the Billy Boys after he had no success finding Linda. What is going on with them two, Tommy? He didn't tell me anything."

"Linda wants a divorce," Tommy said and Elizabeth's mouth dropped open as she finished with the roses. "I know," Tommy mumbled to his wife. "She doesn't like who he 'as become. She's gone off with some other man."

"Wow," Elizabeth said in a low voice. "I knew they were not happy, but I did not know it was that bad."

Tommy nodded. "It's that bad," he informed his wife in a low voice as she sunk down on the edge of his desk, perching on the side of it. "I sent him to sort the Billy Boys out after Gold made 'is move. I thought it might…I don't know…take 'is mind off of it, but I think that was a stupid idea. The Billy Boys sent me a letter. One of 'em wants to meet at the canal tomorrow."

"And you are going to them?"

"I have a plan," Tommy responded.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and her lip quirked despite everything. "When don't you?"

Tommy moved in his chair, his hands reaching to hold onto his wife's waist. His fingers found her hipbone as she let her hands go to rest on his shoulders, standing in between his legs. Tommy pressed his cheek against her stomach as she massaged his shoulders softly.

"I want to go into business with 'em," Tommy said. "We have a mutual benefit. The plan is for them to ship opium. I intend to make a deal with the Chinese to drive four boats of opium up the canal for £250,000. We need the money, Liz, and the Billy Boys can 'elp us."

Elizabeth pushed her husband back from him and he looked up to her as she watched him with a face of thunder. Hands going to her hips, she shook her head in disbelief before moving around the study, hands tugging on her hair. She let out a deep shaky breath as Tommy leaned back in his chair and shrugged.

"I said I'd never lie to yer, didn't I?" Tommy told her. "This is the deal, Liz. It'll all be fine. I just need to put in place, alright?"

"I am not particularly alright, no," Elizabeth snapped at him. "The illegal alcohol to the States was bad enough, but now you want to get involved in drugs? Tommy, I do not like this in the slightest."

"It is a one time thin'," Tommy promised his wife. "As soon as it is shipped then business is done. The police won't find out. I promise yer."

"I do not like it," Elizabeth informed her husband.

Tommy shrugged. "Yer don't need to like it, but I promised to tell yer the truth, Liz, and that is the truth, alright? I'm not lying to yer, not again."

"And I suppose that counts for something," Elizabeth mumbled and folded her arms over her chest. She let out a deep breath and looked Tommy in the eye, her gaze even. "Promise me it is a one time thing. Promise me no one will get hurt. And promise me that there will be no consequences."

"I promise," Tommy said.

"Then I can't stop you," Elizabeth flapped her arms by her side. "Tommy, you said that you were worried about getting in deep with Mosley. Are you certain it is not everything else you should be worried about?"

"Nah," Tommy said. "This is what I do best, isn't it? Politics is the game I'm weak at, not this."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"I doubt it would."

"You doubt correctly," Elizabeth said and shook her head. "I am still annoyed with you, Tommy," she said to him, "but I need to go and check on dinner. This discussion does not leave this room, are we understood?"

"Understood."

….

Elizabeth had to admit that she was upset with Tommy. She was upset that he had gone and agreed to work with the Billy Boys. She was annoyed that he intended to transport drugs. But she knew Tommy. Tommy wouldn't be stopped. She had never truly managed to stop him before. A part of her always played ignorant. She knew who Tommy was when she married him. She had always known that.

She had informed her husband that it was half term and that Charlotte had a week off. Charlotte had been dying to see London and Elizabeth had finally managed to break Tommy down. He had agreed to take his family with him while he was there on business after he had done business with his brother and aunt.

Charlotte had run around her bedroom and Elizabeth had smiled at the sight of it. Tommy had had it decorated and there was a doll's house on a small table, toys scattered around. Elizabeth's eyebrows quirked on her forehead as she stood in the doorway and watched Charlotte sit on the floor and reach into the doll's house. Tommy came to stand behind his wife, arms wrapping around her waist and pressing her back against his front as she moved her hands on top of his.

"I'm not entirely bad," Tommy whispered into her ear, kissing her cheek once he had done.

"I know that," she said in a whisper, "but you are a highly corrupt one."

Tommy did smirk at that and he kissed the side of her neck. "I know that," he responded. "But so do you when yer married me."

Elizabeth didn't bother to protest as Tommy slipped from her grip and went to sit down on the floor next to Charlotte as she demanded his attention. He played with her, shrugging out of his coat and throwing it onto her bed as he gave her his full attention and she laughed along with him.

Moving into the living room of the apartment, Elizabeth hung her own coat up by the door. She sunk down onto a plush cushion before she heard a knock on the front door. She stood back up, groaning softly as she pulled the wood open, her eyes widening and her face paling at the sight of the man stood there.

"Mr Mosley," she spoke his name, her voice airy and light as Mosley's lips quirked upwards at the sight of her. "Was Tommy expecting you here?"

She already knew the answer to that. Tommy would never invite him to his apartment. He would never want him here. Elizabeth was aware of that fact.

"Mrs Shelby," Mosley spoke her name, his voice a soft drawl as she did her best not to shudder. "What a pleasure it is to see you again. I confess, your husband has no idea I intended to call on him."

"I see," Elizabeth responded.

"Can I come in?" he asked from her.

"Of course," Elizabeth replied and she stood aside and began to move into the living room and towards the hallway to her daughter's bedroom. Before she could go any further, she felt his hand take hold of her wrist, keeping her grounded in the same place. Turning up to look at him, she feigned ignorance, trying not to snap at him.

"Interesting," Mosley whispered in a low voice as he held her wrist up to eye level, his gaze moving onto her engagement ring and wedding ring. "Your husband has all the money in the world, yet you still wear the dullest rock I have ever seen."

"It was his mother's ring," Elizabeth said.

"And you are content with that?" Mosley arched his brow and Elizabeth was grateful when he let her go, his hand sliding down her wrist for a moment too long in her mind. "A woman who grew up surrounded by finery is happy with that on her finger? From my experience, many women would have scoffed at the stone."

"Finery isn't everything," Elizabeth spoke.

"Apparently not," Mosley said, but there was a snide edge to his voice as Elizabeth watched him for another moment and he stepped closer to her, looking down at her she glared up at him, refusing to cow down or feel intimidated. "You must truly love him…what a remarkable love story if not cliché; the rich young lady falling for the poor Gypsy boy."

"I suppose so," Elizabeth said, "but we cannot help who we fall for, can we? Tell me, does your wife care about what rock is on her finger? Is that how a successful marriage is formed? I sincerely doubt it."

Mosley smirked at hearing her and she moved away from him, turning on her heel to see Tommy stood there, Charlotte in his arms. The little girl clung onto her father, her dress flowing down her legs and her hair bobbing around her shoulders.

"Sir Oswald," Tommy spoke his name. "I did not know you were comin' today."

"It is a social visit," Mosley said. "And this must be your little daughter…Charlotte, isn't it?"

"Aye," Tommy nodded and looked to his wife. "Liz, can yer take Charlotte to the kitchen? Get 'er somethin' to eat?"

"Pleasure," Elizabeth said and took her daughter from Tommy's arms, holding onto her as Oswald watched her move into the kitchen and he sat down on the sofa, making himself at home and folding one leg over the other.

"Your wife is quite spritely," Mosley spoke. "She should be careful."

"My wife is 'er own person with 'er own mind," Tommy said.

"So you prefer your women like that?" Mosley asked and Tommy sat down on the armchair, hoping that this meeting would be over sooner rather than later. "I would have thought that you would have preferred them to be much more docile. She is quite the woman…and your daughter…precious little girl."

"What are yer doin' here?" Tommy asked, foregoing pleasantries as he felt his blood begin to boil. He wanted this to be over with. He didn't want to have this conversation.

"I thought that we should get to know each better seeing as we are going into business together," Mosley said. "It is important to know every man's weakness, isn't it? His little secrets? And you, Mr Shelby, have many little secrets."

"Aye, I know I do."

"And your wife…what little secrets does she harbour?" Mosley enquired. "You see, I read about what that journalist found out. He found out that her brother died just when you returned from war. Her brother hurt her, didn't he? Did she snap, Mr Shelby? Was that it? No one knows how he died, but the circumstances are suspicious."

"No."

"You are certain?"

"More than certain," he responded to him.

"Either that means you did it or you are willing to protect her," Mosley said. "Either way, she is not innocent, is she? She knows what you do."

"Just as I know what you do," Tommy said, changing the topic. "I know about your dalliances with certain members of your family, Sir Oswald…I know that they take place in your home…in your flat…in your office, sometimes."

Oswald continued to look amused. "There is something about the thrill of fucking someone in your office. Tell me you've never felt that? Tell me you've never bent Elizabeth over your desk and rutted into her," he whispered and Tommy remained stoic. He said nothing, only choosing the move to his feet.

"I need to go," Tommy said. "I'm takin' my family out."

"I see," Mosley said and moved to his feet, hands running down his thighs as he completed the motion and looked to Tommy. "Well, I will be seeing you very soon, Mr Shelby. I believe if we are going into business then we should meet more often. Perhaps I can come to Birmingham? I hear that you are throwing a dinner for charity?"

"I am."

"Then I shall await my invite," he replied. "And I will stay over the night. It is a long drive back from Birmingham."

"Alright," Tommy said, already planning on what he wanted to do to Mosley when the chance arose.

Mosley slipped out the apartment and it was then when Elizabeth came back out from the kitchen, holding the door open and looking to her husband. Her eyes were wide as Tommy realised she had listened in on everything. Her cheeks paled and Tommy moved over towards her.

"Listen to me," Tommy urged from her, "he isn't-"

"-He was horrible," Elizabeth interrupted him. "What he said…he…he was vulgar."

"I know," Tommy informed his wife, "but I am goin' to deal with it, alright? I am goin' to deal with 'im."

"I don't like this," Elizabeth said and Tommy took hold of her, wrapping her into his arms. "He gave me the chills, Tommy. Everything about him unnerves me."

"Yer and me both, Liz," Tommy said, kissing her forehead and cradling the back of her neck. "Yer and me both."

….

A/N: Do let me know what you think!