Unbreakable Connection

by MrsNShelby2021

Tommy was brought up to believe in his feelings, in his gut, his Ma told him that there is a true love for everyone you just have to be brave enough to want it and keep it to grab it with both hands an never let it go. When Ness was only six weeks old her parents moved from the south of England to Birmingham. She grew up with the Shelby's but one Shelby loved her more then anything

5. Arthur's Angry

AN, So this is a time skip from the last chapter, not a big time skip. This is 6 months after the last chapter and the start of the Peaky Blinders, I know it was about a year in the show but I am going to do 6 months.

Chapter 5,

Ness's POV,

It's been six months since I got back from the war hurt, it took an awful long time for me to heal but Tommy stayed by my side through it all. I got my eyesight back fully about two months ago, it took four months for that to heal but thankfully it did. I do still have issues every now and then though, I still get blurred or double vision with bad headaches but they were getting further apart so the doc wasn't all that worried. The wound that went from my ribs to my hip took longer to heal then the doc first thought but it's healed now with only a few problems occurring such as slight pain still in my hip. Tommy hasn't let me back on full time duty at the betting shop just yet though and I don't think he will anytime soon, like today I was supposed to be working but he asked me to go with him.

He had my hand held tightly in his, this had been the way with him since I had healed enough to leave the house not being able or wanting to leave the house alone I was always with Tommy, or Arthur or John. Tommy had said he wanted me with one of them always even once I was healed. He hadn't told me where he was taking me just that it was a surprise so I just let him lead me with a smile on my face. Being alone with Tommy once I had healed was few and far between, John and Arthur both stating I had taken enough of Tommy's time, Tommy not agreeing with them at all. So he had me up at 5am this morning and out the door by half past, I asked where we were going and he just winked at me, so I asked again and he said said if I don't stop asking he will put a blindfold on me so naturally I asked one more time to which he responded with putting his tie around my eyes.

"How much longer Tommy?"

He chuckled softly,

"Not much longer my love, in fact we're here."

He pulled on my hand to have me stand in front of him where he then wrapped his arms around my waist, he placed a kiss on my neck then whispered into my ear which had me shivering in desire,

"You can take the blindfold off now love,"

I reached up and untied the tie, I blinked open my eyes a few times adjusting to the light outside when I saw we were at Charlie's yard, I turned in Tommy's arms and raised an eyebrow, he smiled at me and pointed to the stables that Charlie has.

"It's been 5 years since we last rode a horse together sweetheart, and now that you're all healed I thought we could spend the day together riding, then stop somewhere for lunch?"

"But I thought you needed to work today? I've taken enough of your time according to John and Arthur!"

He shook his head smiling at me, he brought his hands up to cup my face putting his forehead against mine.

"Love, you can never have too much of my time. I've told John and he will fill in Arthur later, It's been a long five years my love and now you're healed I want to enjoy us being back together and you not being in pain anymore."

"Then I'd love too!"

He placed a kiss on my lips then pulled back grabbing my hands he pulled me behind him and into the yard where Charlie and Curly were waiting with the horse already saddled, Curly saw us first and waved at me. I had always had a soft spot for Curly, he was always so happy with the horses that you couldn't help but be happy with him.

"Morning Ness, Tom."

We walked up to them and I kissed Curly's cheek, him going red instantly.

"Morning Curly, how are you this morning?"

"Fine Ness horses are doing well."

Before I could speak back Charlie stepped forward and kissed my forehead, nodding at Tommy,

"Morning love, Tom."

"Morning Charlie,"

"Morning uncle, it ready?"

"Of course it is, Lightning is saddled and the food is in the saddle bags for you."

Tommy stepped forward and shook Charlie's hand nodding at Curly; he then took the rains and held his hand out for me to take which I did with no hesitation. He looked at me smiling,

"You ready love?"

I nodded, smiling at him, So he handed the reins to Charlie to hold while he cupped his hands to help me on the horse, although me and Tommy both had been around horses since we were young I knew Tommy was still worried about me hurting myself even though my injuries had all healed up nicely. I put my foot in his hand and he heaved me up onto the horse, he took the reins back and then got on behind me moving close to me so I was pressed against him, he clicked his tongue and we were off. I didn't know where we were going but I didn't care just being on a horse again with Tommy meant everything to me. It had been so long since we did this last that I was going to make it mandatory for us to do this once a week with no arguments and no letting me down. One day a week work could wait, John and Arthur could deal for one day without Tommy so we could just be us.

We had been riding for a good couple hours, in the forests that surround Birmingham, the silence we shared was neither uncomfortable or awkward, we didn't have or feel the need to fill the silence with mindless chatter especially out here in nature and where we both felt more at home. I leant back more into Tommy placing my head on his shoulder, turning so I could place a soft kiss on his jaw he looked down at me and smiled softly tightening his arm around me, the forest around us blooming in the early spring, the wild flowers adding the perfect amount of colour so it looked alive here. After another half hour Tommy was pulling the horse to a stop which had me sitting up and looking around.

He had brought us to this beautiful stream that was surrounded by lavender and daisies, he got off the horse reaching up to grab my waist, my hands going to his shoulders once he had a tight hold he lifted me off the horse and onto my feet keeping his hands on my waist making sure I was steady. Once he was happy he kissed my lips then removed his hands, he opened up the saddle back and grabbed out the blanket laying down on the ground by the stream, he then grabbed out the food, he placed that down and tied the horse to the nearest tree. He came back to me grabbing my hand, we walked over to the blanket and he sat down pulling me down between his legs.

He wrapped his arms around me and put his chin on my shoulder, I moved my right hand so I could lace our fingers together. We just sat in the moment soaking up each other's warmth and company, he turned his face so he could nuzzle his nose into my hair then placed a kiss on my neck.

"I do believe Tommy we should do this once a week,"

"Oh?"

"Think about it Tom, we spent five years separated by war, then a further six months was spent with you looking after me. We haven't had a moment to be just us in a long time, we need this, we need to have time just for us to be us!"

"What about work?"

"Well Arthur and John are fine on their own for one day Tom,"

He pulled back unwrapping his arms from around me, he put one hand under my chin lifting and turning my face so he could see my eyes,

"You're right, love, they can manage for one day without me we're make a day just for us every week, we can just be us."

I looked into his eyes and I saw nothing but the truth,

"You promise Tommy? I don't want you to make this promise then break it or feel like you have to make it. You promise me that nothing to do with the business or the blinders will interrupt our day?"

The hand that wasn't under my chin moved to grab my hand he placed that hand on his heart and looked into my eyes.

"My love I promise you that one day a week, we will be just us and nothing will stop that day going a head, not business, the blinders or the family,"

He then leant down kissing my lips, almost like he was sealing the deal with a kiss. He pulled back and placed his forehead on mine, closing his eyes. Before long we were pulling away from each other and reaching to unpack the food, we ate, we laughed, we kissed and our bond felt more settled then it had in a long time.

He placed his lips against mine, thrusting his tongue into my mouth, which had me groaning it had been so long since we had been intimate. He wrapped one hand in my hair and the other was on my waist holding me tight against him, my hands were in his hair gripping hard holding his lips against mine.

He then moved his hands to the back of my dress slowly undoing the buttons, he slid the dress down my shoulders pulling me to my feet the dress falling off and pooling at my feet, he helped me step out of the dress, leaving my in my slip, I moved my hands to his shoulders sliding his suit jacket off, I then undid the buttons on his waist coat sliding that off too, I slowly undid the buttons on his shirt sliding that off so it joined the rest of his stuff on the floor.

He cupped my face and ran his thumb along the seams of my lips, he moved his head towards my shoulder placing open mouthed kisses while sliding the strap of my slip off my shoulder, moving to the left side to do the same. I stood there in just my knickers looking into his eyes, I moved my hands to the belt on his trousers unbuckling and pulling it loose, throwing it somewhere then unbuttoning his trousers pulling them and his boxers down his legs, him stepping out of his trousers. He pulled me close with one hand on my back and the other on the back of my head, we both kneeled down slowly, then Tommy pushed me to lay on my back, him settling with his hips in place with mine and my legs either side of his hips. He leaned down bringing his lips against mine, one hand went to my nipple pulling and twisting while the other went down between my legs, pressing against my clit.

I jerked my hips towards his hand and moaned softly, he pulled his mouth from mine getting up so he was kneeling between my legs, he ran his fingertips slowly up my legs sending shockwaves of pleasure through me. I knew at this point I was dripping and he would be able to see that through my knickers but I didn't care, this man is my husband, the love of my life and there was nothing I would or could hide from him. He got to my knickers sliding them down my legs, me bending my knees so he could take them off. Once off he settled back between my legs, he moved his hand down to my pussy pressing a finger against my clit, he then ran a finger down my lips gathering my juices then thrust a finger inside me. My hips jerked to meet his hand and the moan that came out of my mouth would have a nun blushing.

He thrust a few times before thrusting a second finger in, going deeper and harder with each thrust, I was so close and he knew it because he leant down to whisper in my ear,

"Let go my love, cum on my fingers, let me feel you!"

"Oh, god Tommy please."

He pulled back so he could suck a nipple into his mouth before biting it hard which had me crying his name and cumin all over his fingers, he pulled back and smiled at me pulling his hand away bringing it to his mouth sucking the juices off. He then settled himself back between my legs grabbing his cock and pumping a few times before lining himself up with my entrance, he looked into my eyes and grabbed my hands, one hand in each of his lacing our fingers together then thrusting inside me deep!

"Yes! Tommy please!"

He started thrusting his hips in and out going deeper and harder each time he thrust in, he pulled out all the way till just the tip was left in then thrust back in with one jerk of his hips which had me screaming,

"TOMMY!"

He smirked at me rolling his hips, he then let one hand go to angel my hips so when he thrust in he hit the right spot, he knew when he hit it, it had my eyes rolling back and me tightening the hold I had on his hand. He brought his hand back to lace our fingers again when my eyes closed,

"Open your eyes my love, I want to see you let go, I want to see it the moment you hit your high and cum on my cock!"

His words and the movement of his hips was all it took for me to cum, I screamed his name and saturated his cock. He thrust a few more times when he came inside me, bringing his head to lay on my chest, both of us breathing heavily. He got his breath back, then lifted his head he saw me looking at the scar that was left from the biggest wound. I frowned looking at it although the doc had done his best at stitching me up some of the scar was jagged and rough looking. Tommy unlaced one hand bringing it to my chin lifting my face up,

"Don't! This scar makes you more beautiful! You have survived something not many could."

He ran his fingertips along it then leaned down kissing along it softly, that meant more to me than anything possibly could. Before long the day was drawing dark so we knew we had to start making our way home, Tommy stood up holding out his hand to help me up, once up he grabbed my knickers and knelt down tapping my ankles to lift my feet, once he got them pulled up he grabbed my slip and lifted it over my head, then helped me step into my dress doing the buttons up for me. He got himself dressed with some help from me doing the buttons up, he saw the Goosebumps starting to form on my arms so he wrapped his suit jacket around my shoulders, sliding my arms in and holding it round me. I helped him pack up the food and blanket, putting them back into the saddle bag.

He once again helped me onto the horse then untied it, getting on behind me once he was on he wrapped an arm around me tightly and clicked his tongue so the horse got moving. I once again leant back so my head was on his shoulder seeking his warmth, even for spring it was a cold evening. We got back into Small Heath just as the street lambs lit the darkness, we got to Charlie's yard Tommy getting off the horse and helping me off, he saw Curly coming towards us and handed him the reins, he grabbed my hand and we made our way back to 6 Watery Lane. Tommy opened the door, waving his hand for me to enter first, with him following. Just as he was helping me out of his jacket Polly came out of the dining room with Arthur and John following, but it was Polly who spoke.

"Where the hell have you two been?"

"I told ya this morning Pol, me and Ness needed a day to ourselves."

"You did Thomas but I didn't think you would be out this late."

"What's the issue Pol?"

"Ness love you have a letter."

I looked at her in shock raising an eyebrow,

"Me?"

She nodded her head and handed me the letter, I looked at the writing on the envelope and knew instantly who it was from. Even though it had been years since my father left and I had any contact from him I would know that writing anywhere. I looked at Tommy who was looking at the letter and I knew he recognised the writing also, he looked up to me and he saw the look of shock on my face. He put his arm around my shoulder and led me into the dining room pulling a chair out for me. I sat down and took a deep breath opening the letter,

To my darling daughter,

First I need to start by saying how deeply sorry I am, that I left the way I did. It was nothing you did my darling you were and are the greatest achievement I have in my life. I loved your mother deeply but somewhere along the way we fell out of love with each other, the constant arguments were doing no one any good least of all you.

I am sorry to hear about your mother's passing, I am also sorry that I wasn't around to help you through such a difficult time in your life. I am thankful however that you had the Shelby's in your life, word is you are now Mrs Shelby. I couldn't be happier for my darling, I know Tommy will do everything he can for you and everything he can to make you happy. Let me also say how proud I am of you, going to war like that is not something many would volunteer to do but I always knew you would be special.

Now if you are reading this letter then my darling I am no longer able to make amends with you, I am in the after life now with your mother. For that I am sorry, but I know you will be ok because you have your family around you. The reason for this letter is not just to earn or beg for your forgiveness but to tell you that my businesses are now yours. A few of them you may know, as they are in Small Heath, there is a sweet shop, a bakery and fifty percent of the Garrison is now yours. I know it can't make up for the years I have missed but I hope you know you were always in my heart and mind no matter where I was or what I was doing.

Harry will by now know that I am dead and you have taken over from me, so from now on any decisions regarding the Garrison he needs your approval for including hiring new staff. The books will need to be done once a week. I know Tommy will help you until you find your feet, you will receive the relevant paperwork shortly.

Be safe my daughter and know I have always loved you.

Love

Dad.

I sat there in stunned silence reading the letter four times before passing it to Tommy, he read the letter then looked at me, he was just as stunned as me. I knew my father and mother were having troubles but I didn't know to what degree because they kept it from me as much as they could. My father leaving hurt me like hell because I was a daddy's girl but it was something I had learned to deal with over time. I just couldn't believe he was gone now and I wouldn't ever get the chance to see him again. I was brought out of my thoughts by Tommy putting his hand on my cheek,

"Sweetheart?"

I looked into his eyes and saw nothing but concern for me,

"I'm still trying to process Tom, I haven't heard from him since the day he left but knowing I will never get the chance to see him again it's all so final for me."

"I understand love."

"I'll sort the business side of things out tomorrow for now I just want to sleep."

"Ok my love,"

He took his hand off my face and offered me it to help me stand, I took his hand and he pulled me to my feet, handing me the letter at the same time. We said our goodnights to everyone and made our way to our room. He opened the door and waved his hand for me to enter first, I stood there for a moment thinking about what I read in that letter. My father had made something of his life when he left us but he had left them to me now, I knew Tommy would help me run the businesses, I also knew I would have to work through things in my mind and meet all the staff who work for the businesses. Talking to Harry would be the easiest, I would do that first thing in the morning.

"Love?"

I looked at him over my shoulder I smiled softly at him,

"I'm ok Tom, I'll go and talk to Harry first thing and I'll deal with the rest another day would you come with me in the morning?"

"Of course, I will my love."

"Thank you, can you unbutton my dress?"

He didn't answer just walked over to me and unbuttoned them for me, I slide the dress down my arms and dumped it into the dirty washing pile. I grabbed one of Tommy's shirt's and put it on pulling back the cover on the bed and crawling in. I always laid on the side of the wall so Tommy was between me and the door, so I turned so I was facing Tommy with my back to the wall, I patted the spot next to me smiling at him. He undressed and put his clothes on top of mine in the washing pile, he left his boxers on and got into the bed next to me, he held his arm out which had me cuddling into his side his arm wrapping around my shoulders pulling me so I had my head on his chest. His hand going to my hair and twirling some strands around his fingers, I put my hand on his chest over his heart, his other hand cupping mine on his chest.

"I have some business to take care of tomorrow will you come with me?"

"I will always come with you if you ask me to love but are you sure you want me with you?"

"I am, you've helped out in the betting shop a lot the past couple weeks but now I want you to be more active within the company my love. Plus I can help with the books of the businesses your father left you."

"Then I shall be with you, we'll pop into the Garrison and talk to Harry then we can deal with the business is that ok?"

"That's fine my love,"

I could feel myself growing tired the more he ran his fingers through my hair so I shuffled us down the bed so we were laying, my head still on Tommy's chest, it wasn't long before I was asleep.

Tommy's POV,

Ness fell asleep pretty quickly once we had settled down, tomorrow was going to be another long day for us both. This letter had come out of the blue, now she had the businesses to worry about but also this is the first contact from her father since she was a teenager. I drifted off to sleep slowly with Ness in my arms, my hand still running through her hair and my other hand cupping her hand on my chest.

I woke up early the next morning, the sun was just starting to come up I looked down at Ness to see her still sleeping, I once again started running my hand through her hair, keeping as still as I could so I didn't wake her. Once I heard movement downstairs I knew it was time to get up, so I moved my hand from holding Ness's hand and moved it to cup her cheek running my thumb along her lips, I leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead,

"It's time to get up my love, we have a long day ahead of us."

My thumb still running along her lips, she smiled softly and fluttered her eyes open. This was one of my favourite times of day, waking up with Ness wrapped in my arms and her eyes opening and me being the first person she lays them beautiful eyes on. When Ness finally got her eyesight back I was so happy, I knew how hard she took it everyday she woke up and couldn't see me so now I made sure I was always here when she woke up I made sure all the business was taken care of so I didn't have to leave her during the night and if I did, I made sure I was back in time for her eyes to open.

"Good morning my love,"

She smiled at me then rolled so she was straddling my hips, she put her hands on my chest and my hands went to her hips holding her in place,

"Good morning Tommy."

I ran my hands from her hips up to her back then into her hair bringing her lips down to mine I didn't hesitate to thrust my tongue into her mouth pulling her closer against me. Before we got to carried away we pulled apart and she put her forehead against mine.

"What's the place for today then Tom?"

I knew she was asking about the business I asked her to come along on today, I hadn't told anyone anything except for Ness. I could never or will never keep anything from her, we had always had a full disclosure relationship and I certainly wasn't going to change that now. I took my hands off of her hair and cupped her face, she knew about the bikes, she knew that there had been a mistake and she knew about the guns. At first she wasn't happy about it but then after a long conversation we both came up with a plan I knew I could trust her not to tell anyone and I knew if asked by the coppers she would keep my secret.

"I need to look at drumming up new money, and I came up with taking the horse to Zhang's. Word is they believe there's a washer woman who's a witch."

She looked into my eyes and I knew she would see what I wasn't saying,

"Kimber!"

I smirked at her, quickly kissing her lips then pulling away.

"Kimber!"

I saw a spark in her eye that I hadn't seen in a long time, it was the spark she got when she knew she would get in trouble with her Ma, or when she punched Greta in the face for me it was that spark of devilment we both had in common. She smirked at me,

"Arthur is going to be pissed!"

"Because Arthur can't see the bigger picture."

"Well then my love, I do believe we should get ready for the day. We need to pop into the Garrison on our way to Charlie's yard."

I chuckled at her and tapped her on the butt,

"Off you get then love."

She giggled then rolled off my lap, I got out of bed and held my hand out to help her up, once she was up she walked over to the wardrobe pulling out one of her loser dresses that she could ride in. While she got dressed so did I, I put on the grey-ish blue suit that I knew Ness liked then grabbed my peaky cap off the bedside table, I opened the door and held out my hand to Ness who took it without hesitation, she had the letter from her father in the other hand. We got downstairs to everyone sitting at the dining table, we didn't have time for breakfast so we just grabbed a quick drink and said morning to everyone.

"Morning all, me and Ness will be out for the morning got some business that we need to deal with."

They all looked at us and saw the letter in her hand but it was Arthur who spoke up,

"What kind of business?"

I looked at him with a slight glare on my face, Ness would tell them when she was ready.

"The type that doesn't involve you Arthur."

He looked at me, when he saw the look of "Shut the hell up" on my face he nodded his head, he knew Ness wouldn't keep things from them unless I asked her to so he knew she would tell everyone when she was ready and not before. Thankfully Pol spoke up breaking the tension,

"Oh love, there's another letter for you."

She handed over a big thick envelope which Ness opened immediately, she moved so she was stood in front of me with her back to my chest, my arms going around her waist instantly. I knew she moved so I could see what the letter was about without either of us speaking up and when I looked I noticed it was the paperwork regarding the Garrison and the sweet shops, she put it back in the envelope and nodded her thanks to Pol,

"Thanks Pol, Tommy we should go."

I nodded my head and grabbed her hand pulling her out to help her into her coat, I then opened the door waving her out, I followed closing the door and grabbing her hand. We made our way silently to the Garrison, people moving out of our way as we walked nodding politely in hello a few tipping their hats.

"Morning Mr & Mrs Shelby."

Ness nodding to them in response, once we got to the Garrison she banged on the door waiting for Harry to open. It didn't take long for him to open the door,

"Morning Mr & Mrs Shelby, how can I help you?"

"Harry, I think we should take this inside."

Was all I said, he opened the door wider and let us closing the door behind us. Before he could speak up Ness beat him to it,

"I thought you should know Harry, my father passed away leaving his businesses to me which includes fifty percent of the Garrison. I am now your business partner,"

He looked shocked for a moment, sitting down in a stool behind him. Ness took the paperwork out and showed him the proof, siting in front of him on the next stool I stood by the door letting Ness deal with this but just being here like she asked me too I knew it was a comfort to her.

"I'm sorry about your father Mrs Shelby."

"Thank you Harry. You've known me my whole life so let's forget this Mrs shelby business and you call me Ness ok? Now I'm not here to take over or anything like that but I will say that, I am going to help you run this place which means every decision comes through me before you make it ok? I don't know what type of partner my father was but I will be active in all decision making which includes hiring new staff, and everything in between ok?"

"Of course, Mrs uh Ness, I shall run all decisions by you first. Is there anything else?"

"Yes show me the books real quick then we shall be on our way,"

He took Ness to the office she was in there for about five minutes then she came back out empty handed, she held her hand out to me which I took without hesitation,

"Let's go then Tom, thank you Harry."

We made our way out of the Garrison and walked to Charlie's yard, I spoke up once we were almost at Charlie's.

"You ok love?"

"I'm ok Tommy, hearing from my father was a shock I'll admit but I'm kind of glad to have that closure now. Mean's I can stop dwelling on it and move on, our marriage won't turn into what theirs was and that's all that really matters to me."

I knew what she meant by that, her parents had a lot of arguments before he left and Ness confessed to me one night after a particularly bad argument she climbed through my window and spent the night with me she had tears running down her face and she told me how her father had admitted to cheating on her mother, but it wasn't just one other woman he was using the local whore house. Ness broke down crying telling me how ashamed she felt that her father could do that to her mother, that's the night I promised her I would never do that to her even with the whores, some men believed that it wasn't really cheating if it was a whore. But Ness made me see that actually cheating is cheating even with whores, its actually worse with the whores because your paying to cheat on the woman your claiming to be in love with. It was an easy promise for me to make because I had never noticed any woman but my Ness. I let go of her hand to wrap my arm around her shoulders pulling her against my side,

"I love you."

It was all that was needed from me in this moment, we got to Charlie's yard and saw him and Curly outside the stables so we walked right up to them, Charlie nodded at me and kissed Ness's forehead,

"Morning love, Tommy!"

"Morning Charlie, Curly."

We walked into the stables and I grabbed the reins off the side, I opened the door to Meaghan-boy's stool, I put the reins on him and led him out. Ness walked up to us and stroked from his eyes to his nose,

"His beautiful Tom,"

"He is love, his gonna win us some races,"

We walked him out of the stable, I then looked at Ness and smirked, cupping my hands to help her on the horse, once she was on I climbed on behind her, I clicked my tongue and got the horse moving it didn't take us long to get to Garrison courts, people rushing to get out of the street once they saw us coming. We waited all of five minutes for Zhang to come with the witch, she didn't look like much just like any other washer woman but if it helps people believe and place a bet I was all for it. They both came right up to the horse,

"Sir? This is her."

I looked at her,

"The girl who tells fortunes?"

I leant back slightly so I could reach into my pocket to fish out the money, keeping one hand around Ness and on the reins at all times. I handed him the money and waited to see what the woman would do, she pulled out a red sachet, pouring red powder onto her hand, she whispered something in Chinese then blew the powder onto the horse. The horse neighed a little not liking the powder being blown into his face but calmed down after a few seconds. Once done Zhang and the girl both made their way back inside, I looked at Ness who was smirking at me when we heard some children talking quietly,

"They're doing a magic spell to make it win a race."

Once it was said I knew word would spread, once word spreads I knew it would be a busy morning in the betting shop. I pulled the reins turning the horse, speaking up so everyone could hear.

"The horses name is Meaghan-boy, Kempton 3:00, Monday. You ladies have a bet yourselves, but don't tell anyone else."

I then rode off tightening my arm around Ness, we came across Jeremiah in the street preaching, he nodded to us both, we also passed some coppers both tipping their hats at us,

"Morning Mr & Mrs shelby."

It didn't take us long to get back to Charlie's. I got off the horse then helped Ness off, I handed the reins to Curly then grabbed Ness's hand. We made our way back to Watery Lane in silence, and I knew Ness was giving me some quiet because she knew I would have to deal with Arthur once home.

We got to Watery Lane, a few more people saying morning to us along our way. We crossed the street an I opened the door waving Ness on in, I took my cap off and we just made it to the dining room door opening it, seeing Finn sat at the table, we both walked through which had him jumping up in surprise and throwing something towards the fire, Ness smirked and shook her head.

"Finn?

I said walking over to him, he sat back down and looked at me following me with his eyes and head as he was talking.

"Arthur's mad as hell."

That made Ness chuckle, yeah we both knew Arthur was going to be pissed once he heard what we had done but I couldn't care less, we had all agreed that I would be in charge of bringing in new money, doing it the way I did not only gets people placing bets but it will gain the attention of Billy Kimber which was my main target. We wanted the races he was the man we needed to deal with, but I wasn't just going to work with Kimber oh no I was going to take over. But I wasn't about to tell Arthur all my plans Ness was the only one that knew everything and she supported me with no doubts in her mind that I could achieve what I set out to do. I leant down in front of Finn picking up the cigarette he tried to hide, I showed Ness who frowned and shook her head, I threw it into the fire and looked at Finn,

"What does a ten-year-old know about Hell, eh?"

I tapped my cap against his head,

"I'm 11 Sunday!"

Ness giggled at that which had me smirking and shaking my head, I stood up and chucked him under the chin. I walked over to the curtains and went to pull them back when Ness spoke up to Finn,

"Me and you will be talking about the smoking later, Finny! In fact I think as punishment you will be doing the dishes after dinner tonight! No arguments you know how we feel about you smoking at your age,"

I could see he was just about to argue with her so I cleared my throat which had him frowning at me but agreeing anyway.

"Yes Ness,"

She kissed his forehead and walked over to me, I leant down and kissed her lips softly, smiling against them when I felt her relax. I pulled away smiling at her then pulled open the curtains pushing the doors open, I grabbed Ness's hand and we both walked into the bustling noise of the betting shop. I tapped Ollie on the shoulder as I walked past, making sure everything was ok. Ness helped John out with the books, or shouting out the odds for him to write on the board she had missed doing that while she was healing and she hasn't actually been back to work properly yet but that was because I wasn't quite ready to let her out of my sight just yet.

My attention was caught when I heard John calling my name,

"Tommy! Tommy! Tommy, look at the book."

He came over to me and Ness, grabbing the book, he leant down and kissed Ness's forehead, then showed us the book.

"Just look."

I heard Arthur in the background calling me but I ignored him for the moment and let John finish,

"All on Meaghan-boy."

"Good work, John."

Arthur called me again, "Tommy! Get in here now!"

I patted John on the shoulder and looked at Ness,

"Oh no, don't look at me with those gorgeous blue eyes of yours Tommy I am not dealing with Arthur with you. I'll stay here with John-boy."

The comment about my eyes had me smirking, before I could say anything John spoke up while putting his arm around Ness's shoulder,

"I'll watch her Tom,"

I nodded at him and kissed Ness's lips, I then walked over to Arthur, I followed him into the office closing the door after me. He sat down in the chair pouring himself a glass of whisky, once he was finished he spoke up.

"You and Ness were seen doing the powder trick down at Garrison Courts."

"Times are hard, people need a reason to lay a bet. Ness came with me because I asked her to she also understands that we need to bring in new money anyway we can."

I could see the frustration on his face, the frustration that I wasn't bowing down to him the anger that I had asked Ness to come and not him. I love my brothers but Arthur always thought he was a big man because he's the oldest but he certainly wasn't the smartest Shelby. It's why I've been put in charge now and not him, it was a family vote and he didn't like the outcome.

"There was a Chinese!"

"The washer women say she's a witch, it helps them believe."

"We don't mess with Chinese,"

"Look at the book,

He cut me off before I could finish, I was getting frustrated now, how else did he think we were going to bring in new bloody money for god sake!

"Chinese have cutters if their own,"

I shook my head at him,

"We agreed, Arthur. I'm taking charge of drumming up new money."

He looked at me in anger,

"What if Meaghan-boy wins, Tommy?"

Well what the fuck did he think I did it for? It better bloody win!

"You fixing races now? Do you have permission from Billy Kimber to be fixing races, mm?"

Permission? I'm Thomas fucking Shelby I don't need permission from anyone to do anything! Arthur carried on speaking,

"What's got into you? You think we can take on the Chinese and Billy Kimber?"

Why would we need to take on the Chinese? What the fuck is he thinking or even going on about? The Chinese weren't even our enemies at this point and they wouldn't be as long as I continued to pay them if I used them which I did,

"Billy's got a bloody Army,"

Army my arse!

"I think, Arthur. That's what I do."

I walked over to the desk and leant on with my hands,

"I think! So that you don't have to."

I then walked towards the door opening it when he spoke up again,

"There's news from Belfast."

I opened the door completely and made my way out, noticing that Ness was no longer in the betting shop, I heard Arthur following me so I carried on walking towards the door going to make my way out.

"I'm calling a family council tonight at 8:00. I want all of us there including Ness!"

I turned to look at him,

"Why wouldn't Ness be there? You said family she's family!"

"Just be there!"

I stormed out of the betting shop and into the cool spring air, I made my way to the Garrison hoping to find Ness on my way,

AN, So I'm going to end chapter 5 there so I can start chapter 6. I think almost 8,000 words is enough for this chapter. I had a plan for this chapter but while writing it something different came about, I hope you like it. I am currently very poorly so I am hoping while on bed rest I can get chapter 6 done and upated by the end of the week.

Thank you all for sticking with me have a good week.

V