Chapter 2 - Relocation
"Alright, we have called this family meeting to discuss business," said Arthur to the room. Morning light shined through the windows of their establishment, but none of it spared a beam to warm Tommy. The smile that had found its way to his face since Grace returned, lost itself again.
"Thanks to Tommy, we have found a way to sabotage Sabini and become 100% legal by the end of this year," stated Arthur. The room seemed like it would burst into cheer.
"Hold on, don't pop the champagne just yet," Arthur interrupted, "there is a more pressing matter to discuss, which is why only family is 'ere." The room settled again. A strange spell of nausea fell over Tommy. Arthur paced the room.
"Despite our best efforts to crush one business, our business has lost control. People are taking advantage of our name. Private information about our company has been leaked. And, some of our merchandise is being stolen and sold from under our very noses. If we are to take London, we need to secure our own first."
"Agreed," said Aunt Polly, "so, what do you propose?"
"Tommy, you want to tell them?" Arthur asked. The nausea only increased.
"Yes, um, we need to filter our own people first," he said.
"And why is that?" Aunt Polly said pointedly. Nausea gripped him strongly.
"Because … it is clear that Sabini has more information on us then we would like … and the only conclusion for that is …" he waited, hoping the sickness would pass," spies … his people, have to be on the inside," he concluded.
Polly looked horrified. Strange looks were shared unanimously.
"It's settled then, right? We will proceed with screenings over the entire company," said Polly.
"And what about the lack of order? Some parts of the company are a mess," stated John. Their conversation faded as Tommy left the room. Sickness forced his hand. He threw up in the nearest washroom before walking outside for some fresh air. Tommy wanted to light a cigarette, but his stomach would not agree. He closed his eyes, nearly praying for it to pass. Another wave hit him, only this time with a friend. A mysterious cloth sack found its way around his head. It did not cure what ailed him.
Thomas Shelby was taken to an unknown cell by a group of men. He could only assume they belong to Sabini. What they wanted from him he was not entirely sure. They hit him a few times so that his final destination stayed an enigma. And yet, the weirdest sensation he received was not their strikes, but a pressure in his untouched abdomen. It pushed the waist line of his pants outward. The feeling was similar to a large meal tightened like a tight drum. Thomas thought it was just swelling from a punch, but one never landed there. The men forced him in a chair with his hands tied behind his back. One of the them pulled the sack off his face. Blood ran down his nose and brow. The pressure in his abdomen continued. Thomas calmed his breathing. Then, Sabini walked through his henchmen as if parting the red sea. Whipping out a handkerchief, he wiped the blood from Tommy's face.
"I told them not to make a mess. Good employees, so hard to come by these days. Am I right," Sabini whispered close to Tommy's face.
"What do you want?" Tommy asked. He was almost certain the beating would continue.
"What do I want! Why, I just came to say hello. I mean, it was you who came to say hello in my town uninvited. So I thought, why not return the kind gesture," he lisped. Sabini walked slowly around the room.
"Then, why haven't you killed me yet?" Tommy replied calmly.
"I think we both know by now that, that's no fun. You see, we both know that, you don't seem to care about your life. And let's face it, you are far more valuable alive right now then dead. By the way, how's the baby?" said the Italian smugly. Tommy's eyes widen. He was more pissed, than shocked by the discovery.
"So, that was you?" Thomas accused.
"What was me?" replied Sabini slyly.
"You have resorted to killing unborn children," said Thomas clearly. Fury grew in his throat by the second. Sabini gave one of his henchmen a small nod, and Tommy was slapped across the face.
"That's a pretty harsh accusation," noted the Italian.
"Well, you are a pretty harsh man," said Thomas cooly. He recovered well from the strike. Sabini came closer to him.
"Killing the unborn, now that's a bit nonsensical. They haven't done anything wrong, yet. Relocating them, however, is a bit more fun," he said through a smile. Thomas didn't understand.
"You can thank your fellow fucking gypsies for that," Sabini remarked as he lightly padded Tommy's newly tightened middle. He could tell that he left Thomas in a very dark and confused state.
"Now I wish I had a fucking photo of that face! I would hang it above my bed so that I may cum well after a good fuck," Sabini laughed. Rage took hold of Thomas.
"Take him to a place where he might understand," Sabini ordered.
They dumped Thomas at the hospital where he and Grace had arrived last night. Blood still dripped from his face, but that was his least concern. He went inside before anyone else could spot him. He rushed to a washroom and locked the door behind him. Tenderly, he examined his middle. It was larger. Surprisingly, there was no pain except for the discomfort the small waistline of his trousers gave. He unbuttoned the top button that wanted to give. The small dome graciously took the added room. When his palm lightly grazed it, it was hard to the touch. Mixed emotions of panic and terror lit Thomas's face.
"This can't be … " he whispered. He tried to rebutton his trousers but to no success, so he did his best to cover himself with his coat. Luckily, his belly was small enough.
"Nurse! Nurse!" he shouted
"Mr. Shelby! I didn't think you would be back so soon …" said a doctor behind him. Tommy whipped around.
"I need you to examine me!" Tommy ordered. The doctor looked skeptical.
"Did you get into another fight Mr. Shelby?" he asked pointing at the crusted blood lingering on Tommy's face.
"What, no … I just need you to examine me!" Tommy said anxiously.
"Mr. Shelby, I know you are going through a difficult time, but …" Tommy interrupted the doctor with a swift grab of his collar and high shove against the wall.
"I don't care what ADVICE you could POSSIBLY have for me right now, but what you will do, is your JOB," he hissed. The doctor simply nodded in response and led him to a vacant room.
"Well then … what ah … what seems to be the problem?" the doctor asked timidly. Tommy sat on the table and gingerly pulled off his coat. The small dome that now occupied his hips was still in effect.
"I need you to do what you did for Grace on me," Tommy said.