The warming Irish whiskey was finally starting to wear off and the nipping Birmingham cold somehow found its way deep into my bones, waking me right out of my sleep. I was freezing, clutching onto my blankets. Feeling the sharp cold running down my spine but it was no use just laying here, the fireplace needed more wood.
So I wrapped up in the blanket and force myself down stairs, nearly stumbling over it on the way down. I felt light, holding onto the rail, trying my best to keep my balance as I made my way into the den.
"I shouldn't have drank all that whiskey," I sighed to myself.
Downstairs was quiet. John was passed out on the couch but it was much warmer down here even though the fire had long started to dim. I sat before it, taking my time adding some old newspaper just to get it going again. Smiling when the warmth touched my face.
"I have it, love," John assured me. His voice was strong in the silent night, I nearly jumped.
"Oh— thank you," I replied, backing away from the flames.
He got up, dropping his heavy blankets on my head as he passed, then crouched down in front of me, showing off his bare defined back that flexed and tighten as he worked. I bit my lip, he was such a beautiful sight, a living and walking sin. So much had changed about him since the last time I saw him. I watched him toss in a few larger pieces of wood. He poked it with the rod and the cracking sounds of the wood started to pick up again with the flames.
With that I picked myself up with the pile moving to the couch, it would be awhile before I could go back upstairs to bed. It seems I was stuck down here with him till the house warmed up again.
The iron rod clanked as he put it back, then sighed brushing off his hands and stood to his feet. I made room for him and he sat beside me, his warm arm pressed up against mine. We sat there quiet both watching the flames but after a while I was so tired I couldn't help resting my head against him.
"You alright?" He questioned, with a brow raised, a little surprised I'm sure.
I nodded, moving even closer to him, pulling up my legs and wrapping myself around his thick arm. "I just hate the cold, that's all."
He chuckled softly, amused, "I see."
"You're so warm, like a bear," I whispered, closing my eyes, taking in his wonderful heat.
"You're still drunk init?" He chuckled softly.
"Maybe just a little," I smiled. "It's been a while since I've had that much whiskey."
"We should get you back up to bed then," he replied.
"I can't," I panicked, shaking my head. "It's too cold up there."
"Are you sure Anna?" He questioned and I nodded against him.
We were quiet again for a moment and I held onto him a little tighter. His cologne was seeping into my lungs, his warmth finally settling in as the house started to warm up again.
"Tell me John— are things really that bad?"
He looked down at me, our eyes meeting and I could see, see it all. Shit was a lot worse then they were letting on.
"You have no idea," he admitted, "but we won't let anything happen to you. I swear it."
That made my smile, just a little. "I guess I should thank you for staying the night then," I whispered.
"It was the right thing to do. I couldn't rightfully leave you here alone without protection."
"You know, you've become quite the gentleman over the years. I'm actually quite impressed," I replied and he chuckled again.
"You must be drunk, me a gentleman?" He laughed, shaking his head. "No, sweetheart."
I laughed, "what? Just because your a gangster doesn't mean you can't be a good man or a good father, let alone a gentleman."
"Have you heard the things people say about me?"
"I have but none of that really matters. People are always going to talk, no matter if you do good or bad. I used to hear the things they had to say about my father when I was growing up," I said shaking my head. "But he was the best man I ever knew. They didn't know him like I did. But I know everything you do, you do for family. You have a big heart, John," I said, looking up at him and his jaw tightened. "Fuck what they have to say."
"I never thought I'd hear you say something like that to me."
"Just because we had our differences when we were children doesn't mean I can't see you for who you are now. Besides I forgave you a long time ago," I replied with a smile.
"Really?" He questioned surprised once again. "You know forgiveness?"
I giggled. "My mother always told me you did those things because you liked me. Just trying to get my attention. She pitied you, you know, having feelings for such a tough little girl. I didn't believe her at first but when I got a little older I figured it might be true. You were always very protective of me, no one else could bully me but you."
He cleared his throat and looked away from me. "I might have had— a little crush."
I laughed. "The way you tortured me? I think it was much more than just a little crush, you have to admit."
He laughed softly. "Alright Anna."
"You know sometimes I wonder what things would've been like if I never left. What it would've felt like when you finally just kissed me."
He looked down at me with those piercing eyes and I knew I said too much. I released his arm and he hovered over me with this smile. "It's not too late you know."
"What do you mean?"
His warm hand slipped along my cheek, fingers reaching into my hair and I felt myself begin to melt. I could feel my heart racing like a horse on the tracks and every part of my body was starting to unravel.
My hand touched his wrist and he wet his bottom lip. "Just once," I whispered and with that our lips met for the first time.
His soft lips matched perfectly with mine as he clutched my hair. One kiss led to me in his lap straddling his waist, letting his hands roam over my small frame. He helped me out of my nightgown letting is slip from my shoulders, tossing it like a nuisance to the floor.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, my heavy breast pressed up against his chest. A firm hand gripping the front of my knickers and we both panted as the kiss finally stopped. Our foreheads pressed together our noses inches apart.
"Are you sure Anna?" He questioned, the grip on my knickers tightening in his fist. The only thing between me and his long thick stiffness.
I bit my lip with a heavy wanting nod. I could feel myself throbbing, yearning for him. I couldn't say no. "I'm sure," I whispered. "Please," I panted. It wasn't like I haven't dreamed of this moment a thousand times over. I wrapped my arms tighter resting my cheek against his. "I want you John," I whispered and without a second thought he pulled the thin fabric, snapping it like nothing.
Once again our mouths mashed together urgently, his tongue now tangling with mine as his grip on my waist tightened before he helped me on.
With a heavy thrust my head buried in the crook of his neck. "Fuck," he moaned. I was soaking wet, dripping down his length. "Christ, Anna."
He held onto the back of my neck as I took him in to the hilt, as my waist flicked back and forth.
Thick hands clutched my hair and I fell to pieces, moaning loud against his skin. He felt so good, perfect. His head fell back as he held on to my entire frame as I continued to ride. "Fuck," he panted.
In one motion he had me on my back, our fingers intertwined above my head, my other hand tangled in his hair. Fluid deep stocks brought me closer and closer to the edge till all I felt was this overwhelming bliss.
The house was still and warm when the morning came. The glow from the sun shined in through the cream curtains, with the faint hums of the factory far in the distance. I sat up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes only to realize I was back in my bed, alone and naked. I sighed falling back, biting my lip before brushing my fingers over them, remembering last night.
I turned on my side, looking to the curtains. As much as I wanted John I was a little upset with myself for giving in so easily. I sighed, "oh well. What's done is done."
The sound of the big clock started to chimed and I counted seven times and I jumped from the bed. I was nearly late for work. "Shit."
A Blinder was leaning next to my front door when I finally made it outside. There was no mistaken him although he was much older than the others. Probably the same age as my father but a younger one stood across the street watching with his hands in his slack pockets.
Of course I frowned, confused. "Can I help you?"
"I'm just here to walk you to the shop, Miss," he replied and I rolled my eyes with a heavy sighed. Now they show up.
"Very well then," I replied.
It didn't make sense to give him a hard time, he was only doing as he was told after all. There was really no fighting them so early in the morning.
My neighbors watched as the two Blinders followed behind me down the busy block as they walked their children to school or headed for the market or work. They gossiped and whispered but I did my best to pay them no mind. Just like back when I was a child, some things will never change.
When I walked in the shop, with my escorts of course, John was already standing by the board shouting across the room with a cigarette between his fingers getting things ready for the day. He smiled at me the moment our eyes locked and I could feel my heart taking off again and even the heat on my face when it slightly flushed. I was very thankful when he went right back to work.
Other than that, things felt a little bit more relaxed today even in the chaos. The men told me good morning as I passed and I did the same. Frances on the other hand wouldn't even look at me but that was to be expected.
I made my way inside the cage, dropping my bag on the table but the moment I took off my coat, Finn was in my arms. His head pressed up against my tits and I couldn't help but hug him back.
"Good morning Finny. Shouldn't you be at school by now?" I giggled, looking to the large clock on the wall.
He nodded against me and I giggled again, holding his head to me. He was so warm and cute with his big round pink cheeks. I couldn't help loving on him. God knows he needed it.
"Would you like me to walk you to school?" I questioned and he nodded with a bright smile.
"He can walk himself," John spat, striding in with his jealousy. "Now go on lad. Hurry on to school. Off you go, she's busy now."
Finn grumbled and pouted but reluctantly released me. "But she smells nice," he whined.
"Trust me, I know," John replied with a sigh, rubbing his hand over the top of Finn's head as he crouched down. "Now go on, Polly tells me you made a promise to Anna that you'd be going to school every day. Last time I checked Shelby's always keep their promises, especially to pretty girls that look like that," John added and I laughed a little to myself, shaking my head.
"Fine," he sighed, looking up at me. "Bye Anna," he said before, running off.
"Bye, then," I smiled, watching him hurry off to cause mischief and chaos like the brothers before him. "I'll see you later for study."
John picked up the ledger off the table, ready to work. "Come on, it's getting busy, we've already started taking bets for the first race."
I followed his fast pace out to the board and he passed me today's paper with the upcoming races and times along with the odds on a scrap of paper.
"So when was it decided that I needed an escort to work?"
He sighed, knowing that would be the question of the day. "Relax love, all the women have one. It's just for the time being," he assured me. "After we handle a few things you'll have your freedom, I promise."
I sighed and picking up the chalk and began filling in a few names for the first race of the day as he went over some numbers in the books. I sighed to myself, deciding it was full time I had a serious chat with my father. What could a man his age really get himself into with the Blinders.
"So you like kids eh?" He questioned, drawing back my attention. "Polly tells me you were good with mine yesterday."
I nodded with a bright smile, going on my tiptoes to reach a high slot. "I love 'em. I've always wanted to be a teacher. Children are so innocent and pure."
He lightly laughed to himself but kept his eyes in the book, filling something in with pencil. "Oh I'm sure those pure little boys must love you with a set of tits like that," he replied and I rolled my eyes.
"You're such an ass," I laughed, brushing the chalk dust off my hands after placing the little piece on the table.
He came closer, standing in front of me as I leaned my bottom against the edge of the table. "Oh really? If I remember correctly, last night you called me a gentleman and a few other things ," he teased and I felt it in my knickers.
I crossed my arms begging for distance but he came even closer and I couldn't help but bite my bottom lip. "I'm surprised you remember."
"Look who's bloody talking," he teased with a chuckle, tossing the ledger to the table and placed a toothpick in his jaw. "But I have to admit, I'm actually impressed you made it to the shop after all that whiskey last night," he whispered with a smile. "I didn't think a little thing like you could hold so much and not end up sick."
"I can manage a little whiskey," I giggled.
"I see," he said, lifting my chin, to meet my eyes. "But it's not the only thing you can handle," he replied, and I felt those words deep in my gut, radiating down to my core and I bit my lip. "I wish I could have stayed this morning," he whispered, moving hair behind my ear, his fingers brushing against my flushed skin.
"Why didn't you?" I questioned but I already knew the answer.
"Anna, John," Tommy interrupted, motioning us over from the cage, breaking me away from John's soft fingers.
"Come on, let's see what he wants," John sighed, just as disappointed as me and probably the rest of the room.
I kept my eyes down following behind John to Tommy, who waited for us in the cage.
"What's going on Tommy?" John questioned, crossing his arms, both of us unsure what he could possibly need.
"Listen carefully, I need you two to go down to the petrol boat moorings and check out some inventory. I got word last night that coppers were snooping around the buildings near the junctions."
"Us? You want me to bring Anna out to the moorings?" John questioned with a confused frown.
"Yes," he replied, taking a drag on his cigarette. "I need to have it counted and moved tonight. So make sure everything is in order."
"But why send Anna? Where the fuck is Arthur?" John spat.
Tommy shook his head. "Fuck if I know but I need that inventory looked over properly. Her father owns that building, so if anyone questions you, you have a right to be there," he spat walking off. "Now go on and hurry back, I need you both here for the last race," he said over his shoulder while John and I just looked at each other.
The day was as nice as it could get for this little ash filled town. The thick dark clouds started to lighten and the wind carried little bits of ash. I watched John drive, who spent most of it trying to work out why Tommy was making certain moves but he was in charge of drumming up new money.
You could tell John looked up to his older brother in every way but at times it was clear he didn't always fully understand his methods and in this case, neither did I. From what I understand, Tommy usually never involves the women in his back dealings.
Yes they may trusted my father but I was still an outsider and a woman at that but I guess since I didn't know where the shipment was moving to there really wasn't much risk to anything, I assumed.
"I was wondering— maybe you could help me out a bit if you have time," he said and I looked over at him curious. What could he possibly need my help with? "I need help with the kids, they're running bloody circles around me."
I smiled. "I guess I could, I pretty much raised my cousins. All children really need is some consistency and structure."
"And I'll make sure to pay you for your time," he added.
I chuckled, looking back out the window. This family really didn't make sense to me sometimes. "You don't have to pay me John, your family has done a lot for mine already. This morning when I called to check on my father the nurse told me that 'The Peaky Blinders' had paid up all of my father's hospital bills."
He looked at me. "What else did you expect Anna? We take care of our own."
"I'm starting to see that," I replied. I'm just thankful someone was looking after him when I couldn't.
I climbed out meeting him at the hood of the car before starting down the rest of the brick road on foot, following behind him.
He slowed down, letting me catch up and kept my pace.
"Are you busy tomorrow tonight?" He questioned, pushing his hands in his coat pockets.
"Not, really. I don't have anything planned. I could keep the children if you need me to."
He smiled. "Wouldn't you rather see a film?"
I crossed my arms over my heavy chest and smiled, looking to my feet. "Wait, is John Shelby actually trying to court me properly?"
"Maybe," he replied with a cocky smirk.
"What makes you think I'll go?" I teased.
"Two shillings," he smirked, pulling two coins from his pocket.
"I'm not a whore," I spat, pushing him but he only laughed at my weakness. "And even if I was, two shillings would hardly be enough."
"That's what they all say love but what I meant was let's play two-up. Double heads we see a film, double tails we see a film and get drinks," he smirked but clearly I had no choice if I wanted to go or not, luckily I was interested.
"And if it's a split?"
"We'll get a few drinks and I'll spend another night over," he shrugged, trying his best to keep the grin off his face but it all sounded like the same plan to me.
I laughed, shaking my head. "You want more already," I teased and he stopped to catch my wrist and pulled me to face him.
It was the first time I finally realized just how much taller he was, he could see clear over my head. My eyes met his and his warm hand found my waist pulling me closer. "It's all I think about," he whispered. "I know you said once but—"
"John!" One of the men yelled. "Oi! Over here!" He called again and my head turned towards the sound, breaking me from John's gaze.
"Fuck," he muttered. "I'm coming," he yelled, releasing me. "For fuck sake's," he grumbled, heading towards the man, leaving me where I stood at the very edge of the brick road. He looked over his shoulder at me, while I tried to absorb his words. "Come on love, unfortunately we have work to do."
I sighed, pushing my hands in my coat pockets, following behind them, now trudging through the mud packed road in four inch heels. "For fuck sake's," I grumbled under my breath. "I loved these shoes."
The building smelt of old water when I finally made it in. John was already coming my way with a cigarette between his lips and a chair in hand.
"Here sweetheart," he said, placing the only chair in the place in front of me. He then took the lit cigarette from his lips and passed it to me. "Have a seat, this might take a while."
I cracked a very appreciative smile. It was little things like this that made it hard not to fall for him. "Thank you. You're really trying hard to be nice to me innet?"
"Not really," he replied, picking up the crowbar, placing the long end on his shoulder. "How I see it, you're still a woman after all," and he clearly wasn't a little boy anymore.
"Right," his fellow Blinder replied.
"Is that why you didn't want me to come here with you today?"
"It's exactly way," he admitted, jamming the crowbar between the lid of the crate and with a heavy downward push, the top popping right up. "Look at this bloody place. I wouldn't even fuck in here and that's saying something," he spat and he meant it. "Besides, this is no place for a woman."
"A pretty one at that," his fellow Blinder added and John shook his head.
"I don't know what Tommy was thinking. This isn't like him. You don't belong here."
"I guess you're right about that, look at my shoes, they're all fucked up from the mud."
"You know what I mean Anna," he said, moving to the next crate. "All of this inventory, these crates, are contraband. Illegal shit we sell in the Garrison. Woman shouldn't be exposed to these things."
"You mean the off book stuff I don't see," I said finally looking at the book in my hands. It was different from the one I saw yesterday at the shop, smaller and a different shade of black.
"And should never see," he replied and I got out of my chair, moving a little closer to the crate, something caught my eye. "But I'm sure that'll change soon since even the women in our family are fighting for equal rights," he added with a heavy sigh.
"John, is this a new crate?"
"Should be, came in two nights ago," he frowned. "Why?"
"I think someone's opened this one already, these look like crowbar marks," I pointed out.
He snatched off his cap and took a good look. "I guess what they say is true," he replied, jamming in the bar and lifting off the top and I looked up at him. "Tommy always says, 'a woman will always see a minor detail long before any man will ever notice it's there.'"
After the inventory check, the men sauntered down that treacherous muddy road with ease, chatting, smoking and heading for the cars.
"When the next shipment comes in tonight, make sure you have more men out here and make sure you stay and wait. We move the crates two hours before the shipment delivery."
"Yes, John," the man replied.
I tried to keep up with them but my heels made it nearly impossible. I held up my dress, trying my best to keep it clean, but with my luck I got stuck.
"John!" I yelped trying my best not to fall face first.
They all turned back to look at me and of course burst out in a fit of laughter. John flicked away his cigarette and quickly headed back for me. I tried my best to balance on the one foot until he came providing support. I rested my hand on his shoulder as he attempted to pull the shoe out.
"What a mess you are," he laughed.
"It's not funny," I giggled but that was until he freed my shoe. Needless to say it wasn't worth the saving.
He shook his head before turning his back to me and crouched down. "Alright then, come on sweetheart."
I had no choice but to climb on, letting him carry me back to the car. I felt so embarrassed, knowing everyone was watching. His thick hands gripped on to my thighs, supporting me as my arms wrapped around his neck. My heart picked up as we went along, pounding against his back.
"Thank you," I whispered against his ear, placed a kiss to his neck and the grip on my thighs tightened and I felt it to my knickers.
"Anna— be careful where you kiss me. You don't want to start something you can't finish," he replied.
"Sorry," I smiled against his skin.
"You know, you're a lot of trouble, always have been," he chuckled, shaking his head.
"Yes, I know."
"Let's get you home then and get you cleaned up."
"We should probably tell Tommy what we found first," I replied and he nodded to agree.
He helped me in the car, closing the door behind me. He hurried to the hood, cranking the engine before he climbed in. He gave me a good look and let out a heavy sigh, before finally starting the engine. "Christ," he chuckled before pulling off.
I leaned back against the seat to lift my bottom, as I pulled down my wet stockings. I couldn't take it anymore.
"What are you doing?" He questioned with a cheeky smile, his eyes glancing me more than the road. I wouldn't be surprised if he got a good look at my knickers.
"Keep your eyes on the bloody road. I'm just taking off my stockings, its all wet and dirty from the mud. I can't stand the way it feels against my skin," I replied, finally freeing my toes.
We parked in the little covered spot Tommy always parked and John came around to my side to help me out. He smiled down at me. "How you want to do this love?"
I looked at the ground and sighed. As much as I didn't want to, "I'll walk."
Tommy's office was dimly lit when we walked in, smoke from his cigarette twisting and swirling around him before disappearing into nothing. Already I felt like I shouldn't be here discussing family business. Even though he sent me, it didn't stop me from still feeling like a complete outsider.
"How was it," he questioned, clearing his throat.
"For the most part, everything was accounted for but it looks like someone was there before us," John said closing the office door. "Anna saw some crowbar marks on the newer crates that we haven't even inventoried yet."
"Hmm," Tommy replied.
"No coppers showed up and no one asked any questions," he added, pushing his hands in his slacks pockets but I couldn't imagine who would be so brave to question John Shelby.
"If it was the coppers they would have seized it," Tommy replied, outing his cigarette with a frown. "So I wonder who was fucking with our stuff."
"That's exactly what I want to know," John replied, crossing his arms. "I'm just surprised they didn't take anything."
"Nevertheless, we move it tonight and we need to keep a better eye from now on."
"Agreed."
Tommy then frowned as he finally looked me over. "Anna, sweetheart— where are your bloody shoes?"
"I lost one to the mud," I replied with a sigh and John smirked, chuckling to himself.
Tommy reached in his back pocket for his wallet. "Come, let me give you something for them," he said, shaking his head. "It's the least I can do for sending you out there in the first place."
"That's alright, I have plenty more at home," I assured him and he simply smiled. I felt bad taking anymore from them.
"If you say so, sweetheart," he sighed then paused for a moment. Clearly he had an idea. "How would you like to try something a little different today?"
I frowned and John looked to his brother with a similar expression. "Different how?"
For a while he had me sitting down and actually taking bets. It wasn't hard to figure that the older men were willing to bet a little more when dealing with a woman. Especially a pretty one, said Tommy.
What made it worse, I didn't have on any stockings or shoes. Something about seeing my legs and feet made them act a little funny. Most probably that I was just a whore. John wasn't too pleased with the change and honestly neither was I but I had to learn all the positions in the shop. I needed to be able to fill any and all spaces when and if the time arrived. It was a requirement.
John checked on me often, and was never too far away. We both knew sometimes the people placing bets could get a little out of hand when betting and whiskey was involved.
Some men tried to give me tips, which I outright refused. The last thing I needed was for them to think I was an actual whore and come looking for me after work.
This made Arthur, who finally showed up, laugh but things soon went south when a drunk got a little handsy. He got a good grip of my wrist, was even strong enough to pull me out of my seat and over the desk when I refused to go outside with him. In no time John and two other Blinders had their hands on him, dragging him towards the exit.
"Fuck off!" John shouted, shoving the man through the door and a foot followed. The man was lucky it wasn't a blade.
I caught myself nearly smiling, admiring him. As violent as he was, it was extremely sexy seeing him riled up in my honor. It actually made me a little horny for him. There was no doubt John did something to me.
He came back in still pissed and was coming right for me and my little heart picked up, pounding in my chest again like a fucking hammer.
"John, you need to calm down," Polly warned as she tried to approach him. "Remember what we talked about."
But John just seemed to ignore her, his eyes still set on me. "Come now, enough of this, up with you," he ordered. "Anna, go in my office, now."
I bit my lip as he took my hand guided me, feeling myself warming up in my knickers. He closed the door behind us and didn't even let me sit. Instead he had me pressed against the wall, his hands firm on my hips and I clutched his button up shirt.
Our foreheads touched and his jaw clenched. "Are you alright?" he questioned, his eyes set to the ground, my feet.
I nodded, "yes, I'm alright but—"
"Don't start," he spat, releasing me. "I don't want to hear how I overreacted or how you could have handled it."
"I wasn't going to say that," I admitted. "I was going to thank you," I replied. It was hard to admit but, "he actually scared me a little. He grabbed me so tight."
John sighed, coming back to me, his hands on my hips again and my hand on the back of his neck pulling him closer. "As long as I'm around, you have nothing to be afraid of," he assured me. "Do you understand?" He questioned and I nodded. "But, I need you to listen to me. You need to be careful of the things Tommy asks you to do."
I shook my head, "I know but I can't just tell him no."
He towered over me, with this look I've never seen before. His blue sky eyes piercing into mine. "Why can't you? Do you have feelings for him?"
I rolled my eyes, clearly this was something that had happened before. "No but, It's just he's done so much for me and my father. It's hard not to do as he asks."
His hand pressed against the wall beside me head. "Would you whore for him as well?"
I frowned. "John—"
"Answer me, because I want you for myself. I'm not going to let you just walk away from me again. So I need to know that you have limits. Even when it comes to Tommy."
"I have limits," I whispered, but I made sure to look him in the eyes when I said it. "I have no intentions in whoring for Tommy or anyone else."
I felt his body press hard against mine, his hands entangled in my hair and clutching. I could feel my entire body falling apart in his hands. I couldn't understand how he could do this to me. I held on to his wrist closing my eyes before I felt his warm lips mash against mine.
