ILLEGITIMATE

Things had changed drastically in the past few days. After that night, Sophie had woken up Thomas. She'd stormed into his office and demanded to be involved in the business. He'd been startled of course, after all she'd always expressed a distinct disdain for the business. Tommy had always admired her wit, Sophie was clearly capable of being incredibly cunning and strategic even if she had yet to be so. He and his brothers had been happy to keep her separate from their dirty work but Tommy could see how much of an asset she would be if she were to ever join them. As children she was constantly outsmarting John and Arthur, running intellectual circles around their parents and easily the most interested in all sorts of puzzles and mysteries that were yet to be solved. Thomas and Sophie were similar in that way, both too curious for their own good. So when Sophie had made the unexpected visit to see him, following his disastrous family meeting, he couldn't contain the sly smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You what?" He'd chuckled. Leaning back in his expensive leather chair, his eyes searched her serious face for any hint of humour.

"I wanna be a part of it. Shelby Company Limited, and all the other shit that is informally part of Shelby Company Limited" She said simply, standing tall and confident with her arms crossed over her chest. Thomas paused, considering her words carefully.

"Why?" Tommy asked. Sophie exhaled steadily, shifting her weight on her feet.

"I'm already involved aren't I? As long as you're my brother, no matter how personally involved I am in your business dealings, I'll always just keep getting dragged into this shit." She spoke airly, glancing down at her feet, suddenly feeling nervous about her decision. "Guess I figured if I don't really have a choice, I might as well know what's going on. Plus someone needs to make sure you lot aren't being fucking stupid."

Tommy gave a tight lipped smirk at his sister. He tilted his head to the side, pretending to mull over her request. The truth however, was that Tommy had wanted her to join the company for a long time. He needed to play this right, make sure that the uncertainty she was clearly feeling didn't persuade her otherwise. He stood up suddenly, taking long but careful strides to the drinks cart against the wall in his office where he slowly and silently poured two glasses of whiskey. Turning and handing Sophie one of the detailed crystal short glasses, he gestured towards a seat in front of his desk.

"Sit." He motioned before returning to his chair. Sophie raised an eyebrow at her brother, doing as he said and sitting in front of his desk.

"You can visit Arthur, need you to calm his nerves and reassure him I've got a plan. He'll believe it more coming from you." He began, taking a sip from his drink.

"What's your plan?" She pressed.

"The Epsom Derby, Soph." He said. Thomas looked visibly relaxed, staring out into the room, unfocused. "Sabini controls the Derby, if we can take that he's done. Esme's going to talk to the Lee's, we've got the Camden Jews on our side; so when the coppers aren't watching we'll take over the bookies positions."

"There'll be coppers all over the place, the King goes to Epsom. How are you gonna make them clear off?" Sophie scoffed, sitting back in her chair. She felt more at ease now, Tommy had accepted her into the company - he trusted her judgement.

"I'll find a way." He dismissed her.

"Which means you already know how but you don't want to tell me because you know I'll object." She smirked. Her small attempt at humour quickly turned to ice as Tommy fixed her with a serious look. He glanced warily at the closed doors behind her. Sophie felt her heart jump up into her throat with anxiety at whatever this was that Thomas had got himself tangled up in. "Oh shit." She breathed out.

"This stays between us, does not leave those fucking doors, alright?" He affirmed, their icy blue irises connecting solemnly. Their focus unwavering, neither backing down from the harsh stare.

"I have been instructed to assassinate a Field Marshall on behalf of the British Crown." Thomas spoke lowly, his volume quietened for fear of being overheard.

"Oh for fuck sake, Thomas." Sophie exclaimed, lifting a hand to her head and running it through her hair stressfully. All the blood seemed to rush from her face, a slight tremor to her hands giving away her nerves.

"And how exactly are you planning to do that?" She retorted sourly. All of her fears that Thomas was being reckless and impulsive were confirmed by his revelation.

"Inspector Campbell wants me to carry it out in the Field Marshal's home, shoot him in cold blood in his bed. However, I also suspect that he will have me arrested and hung once it's over." Tommy explained calmly.

"Right well that's a given, isn't it." She snarked. Swallowing the entirety of the Whiskey in her glass, she reached forward to place it on the desk. "You need to make that plan impossible."

"Yes. Just a question of how." He thought out loud.

"If it's in his home that they want it done, why don't you make sure he won't ever be in that house." She replied simply, a worryingly menacing underbelly to her straight forward speaking. Tommy's eyes began to glimmer with possibilities. Unbeknownst to her, he'd already begun to make plans with the exact same premise. Their two minds linking once again.

"Welcome to the company, little sister." He toasted, raising his glass to her before swiftly finishing it.

Sophie felt her blood run cold. Was this the right decision? She'd avoided this company for a reason, and yet here she was walking right into the firing line. Although it wasn't like she was in any more danger than she was already. Even before she'd gotten engaged to Alfie, there was always a target on her back because of her last name. It couldn't hurt to have more knowledge and control over who it was that was pointing their guns at her.

"I need you to negotiate with Mr Solomons." Tommy started, pulling out a series of creased papers with numerous scribblings and workings pencilled all over them.

"How did I know that was coming." Sophie snorted sarcastically, sitting back in her chair.

"He's asking for 100% of our business where we export his rum. Give him no more than 40%" He said, reviewing the pages in front of him.

"That'll be easy enough. Consider it done." She replied.

"We're making big changes here, Soph. I want there to be legitimate business being done in this building. This illegal shit won't last forever, we need something more permanent."

"Something more robust." added Sophie.

"I am planning to acquire several factories in Birmingham." He explained, standing from his desk to refill his glass. With his back turned to Sophie, she took the opportunity to take a deep inhale, not wanting Tommy to see her nerves.

"You'll need separate companies to acquire them, different names - that way you can avoid cumulative responsibilities. No comparing standards or wages between factories." She offered, faintly remembering Alfie explaining the idea to her in regard to his own businesses.

"Noted." Tommy said as he filled his glass.

"Well I guess I better go see Arthur then hadn't I?" She sighed, standing from her seat and brushing off her skirt. Sophie was finding it hard not to doubt her choice, she hadn't told Alfie that she was going to do this and he definitely was not going to be a fan.

"Soph, we keep the Field Marshall between us two." His tone was serious and cold. Tommy knew Sophie was as good as her word and that the secret was safe with her, but he couldn't help but feel a bit of weariness leak through the cracks of his harsh resolve. As her eyes met his, the fear he felt stilled in his veins. Out of all of his siblings, Sophie was the one he could trust the most because she was the one he understood the most. They thought the same way, held the same values and perspectives. She gave him a stern nod before sauntering out of the office.

Sophie felt heat colour the tops of her cheeks as heavy breaths rocked her small frame. Alfie's hands gripped her hips tightly, fingertips digging into her soft milky skin. She mounted him gracefully, her small breasts bouncing up and down with every movement. Gasps and soft moans floated through the air melodically. The two were completely in sync and their hips met each other in perfect rhythm as the two showcased their deep love for one another. Leaning forward, Sophie rested her hands against Alfie's chest to keep her upright in her delirious desire. Locks of her dark chocolate hair had come loose from the tight bun she'd tied it in earlier and framed her face perfectly. Alfie was captivated by her beauty, eyes never leaving her beautiful flushed features. She looked like an angel, too pure and enchanting for this world. Even in the height of sex she looked as innocent as a cherub, blissfully unaware and shy to the filthy thoughts running through his head.

"Oh, Alfie."

Even her voice sounded like a sweet symphony crafted by God himself. Chimes of bells and plucked strings of violins laced together in her voice. All his life he'd never been so enraptured by a woman, he'd never so much as even cared for another person let alone love. Then Sophie had waltzed into his life and pulled him into her whirlwind and he'd never been happier. Watching her rock up and down burned his carnal desires even brighter, pleasure coursing up and down his body at the sensation. Needing to feel more of her skin on his, Alfie launched his chest up to be in a sitting position, her bare chest pressed tightly against his. He began to leave a dusting of feverish kisses across her neck and collarbone, nipping and sucking at the delicate skin. Her nails raked down his back, eyes fluttered shut as her skin tingled wherever Alfies lips met. His large hand brushed up her back to firmly hold the back of her neck, keeping his other hand tightly on her waist. With one swift move, Alfie flipped the two over so that he was hovering over her. Pressing even deeper inside her, Sophie cried out in euphoria and threw her head back into the pillow.

"Look at me, Soph." Alfie grunted, thrusting hard. Her doe eyes flitted open, connecting with his and drinking in each other's lust. Her lips parted softly, letting the breathy exhales fall freely from her mouth, while her fingers knotted into the short hair at the back of Alfie's head.

"Fuck, Alf." She moaned. Fire licked at her toes, creeping up her legs and pooling into hot desire at her hips. Her strings to this world, tying her down to reality, began to loosen and slip from their grips. Her chest was filled with flames, as her mind fogged with their smoke and visions of Alfie's perfect face imprinted in her vision.

Alfie watched the pure elation burst through her face as she let out a loud moan. He panted as he felt himself meet her there, coming quickly undone inside her. The two released their bliss while gripping tightly to each other, wanting to be as physically close as humanly possible in that moment.

Once the two had calmed and their highs had finished, Alfie carefully lowered himself onto the bed next to her, keeping his arms wrapped around her tiny body. Placing gentle kisses to the side of her face, he could feel her heartbeat slow as the fatigue from their activities began to weigh heavy on her chest.

"So 35 percent?" She cracked, a sly smile emerging. Alfie's body shook with laughter at her cheekiness. Sophie began to giggle as well, the sexual tension in the room broken to their light heartedness.

"Fine." He conceded, burying his face into her neck, his shoulders still moving with his quiet laughter.