Chapter 22)Pokerface
.-.-.
I've heard you cursed your cousin?
So news really did travel fast through the streets of Small Heath. Maria felt a little embarrassed and tried to dodge Tommy's humoured glance. She'd been summoned by a sulky John in the early morning to come to Watery lane. John had been informing her that he wasn't Tommy's fucking servant and that she needed to hurry the fuck up. She still wasn't on John's good side and wondered if she ever would be.
When she arrived she was greeted by one of Polly's unconcealed death glares and she quickly hurried off into the kitchen. As expected, Tommy was doing a fine impression of a chimney and reading the morning paper. He looked rather well. Not only had he changed his former workers outfit to his three piece suit, he'd also had a clean shave. His hair was immaculately groomed and his piercing blue eyes weren't bloodshot, but clear and awake.
Both of his eyebrows wiggled up when she didn't explain herself immediately and he puffed his cigarette in expectation.
"They were mocking me," she defended herself although she didn't think her little act needed any defending to. She faced a man who'd knock your teeth out for looking at him the wrong way.
"They threw rocks at me and pushed me down," she summed up, "there was no-one around to help me. I can't fight, so I tricked them."
Tommy sighed as if he'd been speaking with a dumb small child and tipped his cigarette on an ashtray before staring back at her, You think I let Holy Mary walk through our sinful streets? How do you think I know you've been sprinkling Gypsy curses around like a she-devil?
Maria pursed her lips, of course he'd have her followed. Their pact wasn't enough for him to trust her, not after her first disappearance. He needed to be in complete control, at all times.
My good man would have stepped in though, but as the rumours are speaking for them, I don't think you need any protection. Tommy continued with his lips twisting up, What did you say to scared the boys?
"Lačhi či tahrin," Maria muttered, pronouncing the words wrong from the entertained look of Tommy. "What does it even mean? It's not a real curse is it?"
It means 'good morning', Tommy signed suppressing a smile, you've bewitched your cousin with a good morning.
Silently Maria was glad with his humoured answer and dared to let out a breath she'd been holding ever since Tommy started the conversation. She'd half expected him to scold her for using his mother's tongue in a disgraceful way.
By now, your uncle tries to convince every listening ear me and my kin made you sign a pact with the devil, Tommy informed her.The easily convinced think you're a witch. The idiotic ones think you might be dangerous. This time he did smile. Congratulations m'lady you've earned yourself a name.
Her employer studied her and she noticed a new kind of sentiment in his gaze, it was respect.
Relieved she settled down at his kitchen table. Tommy motioned her to get some tea and something to eat. Hunger being her second nature, she quickly started to prep herself a sandwich and poured the two of them a cup of tea.
As you know, I've been making plans to collect the money for our new Chinese allies, Tommy signed to her. We're not making enough progress, so I've come up with a drastic solution. One you will not like. He pressed out his cigarette before he continued, I'll be having a meeting with Russo. A friendly one, at the Shepherd. Partly to do a little chit-chat and melding walls, but purely for profit. Russo loves to play cards and everyone knows he doesn't play to lose. He will though, that'll be your job. You shuffle cards, in our favor. Not all the time, but at the -right- time.
All confidence and warmth left her body as the colour faded from her face. He wanted to bring her back to that God awful place? To face the man who sold her body as if she was nothing?
Think of it as a way to avenge yourself, Tommy added, stripping a man from his money is stripping a man from his pride. And wouldn't you love doing that?
That prospect sounded promising and since she had a taste of punishing her former tyrants, the task would be most fulfilling. Yet, the thought of being near the Shepherd gave her the chills.
Tommy did something unexpected, he clasped her hand with his own and squeezed it lightly before bringing his back to be able to communicate with her.
You'd be doing me a huge favor.
The delicate gesture threw her off guard. His shiftments between the cold cutthroat gang leader and the kind silenced man she became fond of in the stables made her head spin. His bottled up rage and self loathing roared in between both sides. Occasionally the softer one would win when he allowed himself to.
If only he would allow himself to left his softer side win half of the time.
I promised to keep you safe, I'm intending to keep that promise, Tommy added trustfully, no-one will touch you and if so I'll be breaking their fucking fingers.
She gulped, very aware of the truth of his words. And honestly, now that she thought of it, him asking her was just a matter of formality. If she'd refuse he could simply ship her off to a poor house. Or at least use it as a threat, sooner or later she'd give in anyhow.
"Please don't let me be near Russo," she pleaded, "he reeks of self indulgence."
Her answered pleased him, then let's do something about that.
.-.-.
Russo greeted his guests with a firm handshake. Tommy and Arthur received a list of compliments. When Russo's eyes noticed Maria's frail figure trying to practically disappeared behind Tommy, the Italian made a humble down through his knees and extended his arm. Because of formality, Maria took his and snatched it right back after receiving a kiss on the back of her hand. Although she appeared more classy then last time she was at the Shepard, Maria still fell out of place. She tilted her new bucket hat forward and shied away from Russo.
Tommy was very much aware that Russo's elegant manners towards Maria were plainly because she was his. Russo didn't have the slightest respect for women and in general would ignore a lady in the presence of men. He was well known for his cruelty towards his working-girls and the rumours of prostitutes having gone missing from the Shepard were well spread.
Russo arranged the largest table at the balcony, a great way for him to show of his entire club.
While Arthur was busy toasting with the Italian and observing all feminine beauty serving them with every snap of the finger, Tommy was occupied to keep himself from slamming down his drinks too fast.
Yes, he was nervous, but not half as nervous as his personal speaker. She'd squeezed herself in between Arthur and Tommy and refused all drinks and appetizers. She was practically glued to his left side and he could feel her tremble and noticed how she gnawed at her lower lip.
He wanted to assure her he had her back, but suppressed taking her clenched fist with his hand. Last time they were in this club it had been his hands that forced her down on a bed and overpowered her. Being surrounded by the same environment, the same smells, his touch would probably the last thing that could comfort her.
But when Russo stood up from his seat and leaned over the table to cling his glass with Tommy's, Maria instinctively drew back and clutched his hand underneath the table. Her reaction wasn't noticed by anyone other then Tommy, simply because no-one cared about the amount of stress his speaker was enduring. Their humble touch remained unnoticed and Russo sat back down, laughing along with Arthur who was having a splendid time with all the expensive champagne and free wealth.
Keeping their secret entanglement underneath the table, he squeezed her hand tightly and started to draw small circles on the soft skin of the back of her hand. He noticed how she was taking in deep breaths of air and shakinly exhaling them.
She didn't let go of his hand, but loosened her tight grasp.
With his free hand he brought his glass of champagne to his mouth and in silence admired his lass' bravery; sitting at the wolf's table.
Catching Arthur's gaze he gave his brother a quick nod and Arthur sat up, throwing a pack of cards on the table.
"I've heard you're a vigorous poker player," Arthur spoke and pulled out the cards, "what do you say to a game? There is nothing more rewarding then an evening gambling with allies."
The word allies seemed to speak to Russo, but when Arthur started to shuffle his deck of cards the Italian interfered.
"Aren't you Gypsy's famous for card tricks?" He huffed denigrating, then suddenly aware he was disrespecting his guests roots.
Arthur laughed but it was a cold one. "Ay, we are." As pre-arranged to the meeting with Russo Arthur slammed down the cards at Maria's empty plate. "Let her shuffle the cards then 'ey?"
Russo's reaction was what Tommy expected it to be. Because of his utter disrespect towards women the Italian wouldn't question the 'weaker' sex.
"Let the bella deal the cards," Russo agreed and pulled out a package of Cuban cigars.
Tommy politely engaged in the luxury his host provided. Soon the champagne got replaced by something stronger with ice and the vanilla flavoured tobacco lured him into a state of insuperable.
"Gambling ain't half as rewarding when there isn't any money involved," Artur stated then and slammed down a stack of bills.
Russo, extravagant and self observed as he was, didn't hesitate to throw in a fair pack of bills.
Tommy's lips sucked on his cigar, thrilled their host did exactly what he hoped he would do.
He felt impregnable and took the card he'd received from Maria. The first three games were won by Russo. It was Arthur who brought the cocaine to the table and carved three thick lines. It wasn't just to throw Russo off, if their cocaine empire would extent it would be good to sprinkle their merchandise around. Plus cocaine made an average man feel invincible, no doubt a egocentric prick like Russo would be in pure ecstasy within minutes. And in order for them to completely pluck this chicken, they needed Russo to feel invincible.
The game continued, they won some they lost some. The pile of prize money however grew by the minute and soon turned into a small fortune. Russo was pleased with the way the game was going and ordered another round of drinks and insisted Arthur to carve three more lines.
Soon the pupils of the inexperienced drug user grew the size of saucers, while Tommy was still sipping from his first drink of the night. Arthur was winding Russo up, his brother was good at that. An expensive pocket watch ended on the prize table, it had been from Russo's great-great grandfather. In return Tommy threw in his silver lighter, once stolen from his drunk father. But Russo didn't need to know that, so he left their table host under the impression it was a family heirloom.
When Tommy was content with the extension of the profits on the table he quietly tapped against Maria's foot.
The girl didn't show any sign of her cue and started dealing the cards.
He lost. While shock filled his system he kept his face in shape and gave his speaker a sideway glance. She ignored him and started dealing cards again.
He tapped against her feet, harder this time. But the next round he lost again, to Russo's great delight.
What are you doing? Tommy signed to her while she shuffled a new game of cards.
Maria smiled politely to him and nodded, turning herself in Russo's direction.
"Mr Shelby would like to make the game a little more thrilling," she informed the greedy Italian.
Tommy's jaw dropped, he didn't know if he should feel betrayed or shocked or both.
What are you doing!? He signed to Maria again and the girl plainly ignored him. Tommy swallowed thickly, rage and helplessness consuming him. He was very aware that he couldn't make a scene and was forced to play along.
"What does Mr Shelby have in mind?" Russo asked in return, thrill and fired up from all the alcohol and cocaine.
Stop it, stick to the plan! Tommy signed to her, trying to keep the rage from his face and his motions under control.
"We'd like to raise the prize, with the Garrison."
Now even Arthur seemed aware that their scheme was taking turn. But since Maria was doing her job as his speaker, he didn't interfere. And since Tommy had no way of communicating to his brother directly, there was no stopping whatever the hell Maria was planning.
His speaker started dealing the cards and Tommy quickly glanced at his; three aces, maybe if he played well he could gain a flush.
"Do you raise with the Shepherd?" She questioned the Italian.
Russo hesitated for a moment. Maybe it was the amount of alcohol and chemicals. Or maybe it was because he was being challenged directly by a girl. Whatever it was, the Italian agreed and held out his hand to Arthur.
"You're pub for my club, may the best signore win."
The dancing girls, the music, all the rich and extravagant luxury suddenly seemed irrelevant. The smokey vanilla flavour tasted stale in his mouth and Tommy's fingers trembled around his glass of Whiskey.
He'd been the first player so he was the first to show his cards. A flush, a spade king, joker, queen and a ten.
Russo smirked and dapped down his cards, four of a kind, with four queens. How suitable for Russo, he'd been gaining more fortune by using his women.
Tommy sucked in the air through his nostrils and gripped the edge of the table.
He lost.
"I should have warned you Peakies, I am the best player in this city," Russo stated arrogant and dug his fingers into the pile of money, drugs, and heirlooms.
Arthur had been silent the entire time, then slapped the Italian's hands away from the wealth.
Painfully slow, he started to reveal his cards. First a five of hearts, then a four of hearts, followed by a three of hearts. On the table lay three of a kind, a good hand. But not enough to rule over Russo's deck.
Arthur took his time, taking another sip from his Whiskey and another huff of his cigar. Blowing circles into Russo's direction, he showed his fourth card; a two of hearts. A flush, a great hand, but still not enough to claim victory.
It was enough to worry Russo who sat back in his seat, suddenly overwhelmed by anxiety. While sweat poured down the Italian's head, Tommy feared that if he squeezed his glass a bit harder it would shatter in a thousand pieces.
Arthur showed his final card, the ace of hearts.
He had a straight flush. His fucking brother had a straight flush. None of the men at the table said a word. All three stared at Arthur's last card, two astounded, and one in awful terror.
"Well, who won?" Maria gullebly asked, putting the rest of the cards back in the package.
"I did…" Arthur stammered quietly, still gobsmacked and his left eyelid twitching. "I won. I won. I WON!"
Arthur jammed his hands into the prizes and threw the bills up into the air, laughing and although he'd later deny it, tears watered his eyes.
Russo slammed his hands down on the expensive wood of his -soon to lose- table and shouted a long line of Italian curses. A bottle of champagne smashed into one of the pillars and he whipped off a set of glasses from the table.
While the two men made enough noise to cast over the music Tommy and Maria remained in silence.
"Isn't it a horrible feeling, to be powerless while there is a whole crowd around you?" Maria stated matter of factly to Tommy. "At mercy, unable to prevent yourself from being possibly harmed or affected by someone else. A horrible feeling. Luckily, I'm just a stupid little git, shuffling cards." She eyed at Arthur's victoriously throwing bills in the air. "A good thing though, that your brother is such a marvelous card player."
.-.-.
At exactly four past midnight, Russo signed over his precious club to the Peaky Blinders. Hot tempered, the previous owner demolished a few paintings, flung more bottles against the walls but eventually wrote down his signature in order to make the deal legal.
The Italians left their playground like dogs with their tails between their legs. Arthur ordered a pack of the Lee boys to guard the place, inside and out. The Shepherd might be theirs on paper, but the Italians might retaliate later on and try to claim back what used to be theirs. Ever since Arthur got on Zilpha's good side the Lee's were eager to do their dirty jobs. With the prospect of being granted their boxing ring in the Wolfhamsher a new cooperation blossomed.
To Tommy, the Wolfhamsher could burn to the ground for all he cared. With the Shepherd and the small fortune Russo gambled away, they had more than enough resources to pay the Chinese.
Arthur closed his gained club for the night, so they could have a private party. His older brother truly believed it had been his great poker skills that caused him to beat Russo. The real reason of their new ownership, sat quietly at the bar sipping at her soda drink.
If you ever speak for me again, I will have you and your family wish they had a bed in the poorhouse, Tommy darkly signed to her, joining her at the bar.
"Don't worry, I won't. We're even now," Maria stated coldly, "and you own a club."
Tommy decided to use his inability to speak and didn't reply. He was torn, on the one side she stabbed him deeply in his pride by completely ignoring his demands and using his handicap against him. On the other hand, she played their cards well and now they owned the biggest club in Small Heath.
'A place with big tits', as Arthur would put it.
"Maybe, now that the club is yours, you can improve the conditions for the working girls," Maria started carefully, twirling with her straw, "some of the girls are underage. All of them are underpaid. Russo ruled this place without a care for their safety and health. Maybe you can make a change, for the good."
When did you start planning this out? Tommy walked behind the bar so he could face her and tilted his head when she tried to hide underneath the cap of her filt bucket hat.
Unable to flee from his penetrating stare Maria nervously cleared her throat. "It was in the spur of the moment. Russo was just so full of himself. And he's wicked, he deserved to lose and be downtrodden for once. And then I remembered what you said. That this would be the perfect way to avenge myself. So I did, I stripped him from his money, his pride and his biggest way of income. And I have to say, I loved every single bit of it."
Tommy observed his speaker for a moment, occupying himself with finding a clean glass and a strong drink. Maria had changed. The quiet and gullible stable maiden with the habit of turning the other cheek had evolved.
He felt a strange sense of remorse because he knew it was his doing that she made such drastic change in character. It was him and his way of life that had tainted her presence and future.
In a way he treasured her innocence and at the same time wanted to corrupt her. In his world there was no place for a bashful and fragile damsel in distress. If she'd keep afloat in the criminal centre of Small Heath, he couldn't afford her to remain weak.
Because weakness is what will get you killed. And her kindness might be her poison.
Tommy elegantly lifted her hat from her scalp and placed it aside on the bar. Leaning in close he noticed how the boyish cut did nothing to change her petite and girlish appearance. She would never be his well-presentable armcandy during meetings. She was too soft spoken to inflict any real fear in the eyes of his opponents or possible business partners. Her voice lacked the harsh Brummie accent. She would never silence a man with one piercing stare.
But she'd been the reason that turned his path towards self destruction into a T split. Although Tommy was anything but religious. The fact that she came into his life when he was on the verge of killing himself slowly but steady, meant something.
Do not ever disrespect me like you did tonight, he signed to her firmly, I'll talk with Arthur about improving the working conditions in here, Holy Mary. And he sarcastically made a small cross in the air.
.-.-.
A/N: I'm still not sure if Tommy used his soft side at the beginning of the chapter to manipulate Maria into participating in his skeme. Or that -from time to time- he can be a real boy with emotions and feelings.
I've never played poker in my life, so if I've made a mistake please point it out to me and I'll change it.
Russo got what he deserved and now Arthur owns a club 'with big tits', and Maria showed that she has a pair of balls. MuteTommy still likes to be a sourmooded ass but I think this slowburn might spark any day now.
Feedback would be highly worshipped,
Xoxox Nukyster
