Sorry for the delay. We're on holiday :) I managed to find some time to write though which I'm happy about.

As always, I covet your reviews and comments. Please let me know how you find this chapter. Thanks loads in advance!

Rose was vaguely aware of being lifted off the ground. Her head was pounding, just above her right eye and she couldn't work out what was going on. She could hear Alice.

"Be careful with her, she's just a child."

It took all her concentration to open her eyes and, when she managed to, she found her vision was blurred. She frowned, trying to remember what had happened. Had there been an accident? Was Tommy carrying her? No, she definitely wasn't in Tommy's arms. The man carrying her was larger and smelled of stale sweat and ale. Something wasn't right. She could hear Alice again.

"That wound on her head needs to be looked at. She could be seriously hurt."

The heavy rain spattered on Rose's face and the cold drops of liquid brought Rose back to full consciousness. Everything suddenly flooded back to her – Charles, the lie about Nua, the strange men, the dead eyes of the man who was supposed to be protecting her. Alice. Alice had betrayed her, let the men in, helped them to take her. Rose didn't understand why. But she did understand that she was in immediate danger. She gathered her senses and, with a sudden show of strength, half flung, half rolled herself out of the man's arm and fell heavily to the floor. Not noticing the pain from her hands and knees which bore the brunt of the impact, adrenaline coursed through her and Rose jumped to her feet. She took off running towards the house. Behind her she heard Alice calling her name and also the heavy footsteps of someone chasing her. She opened her mouth to shout for help when a hand grabbed hold of her arm and yanked her to a sudden halt. She felt herself being pulled backwards into the chest of the man chasing her and an arm wrapped round her shoulders holding her in. She fought against him as hard as she could – twisting, kicking, pulling and finally biting down hard on the arm that was pinning her to her assailant. He yelled in pain and pulled his arm away but before Rose could take advantage, his other arm had swung round and she felt the full force of the back of his hand on her cheek. The pain exploded across her face and she stumbled, falling, trying to maintain her balance. She was caught before she hit the ground though and hauled unceremoniously across the yard to a waiting car, the man cursing her as he went. Her head spinning from another blow, Rose could do nothing to resist being lifted into the backseat where she lay in pain, her hands on her head, wondering if she was going to be sick. She could hear the two men outside arguing.

"Little bitch bit me. You could have helped."

"Didn't think you'd need help holding onto a kid."

She looked at the window to see Alice looking at her in concern. A rage filled her. She'd trusted her maid, come to see her as a friend even, only to have been deceived by her. Rose sat up slightly, wanting to get her hands on Alice and hurt her, but another explosion of pain filled her skull and she fell back onto the seat. Alice, beside herself, turned to the men.

"What have you done? I was told she would be kept safe and be given a good life away from all crime and violence, but look at her. Surely your orders weren't to do this?"

One of the men laughed dryly. "Oh, she'll be taken care of, believe me. Girls like her are always favoured."

The other man joined in the laughter as he opened the driver's door and got in. Alice blanched.

"What do you mean? She's going to the Parish, isn't she?"

"She's no longer your concern. If I were you, I'd make myself scarce. I wouldn't wait to be found out by this family."

He walked round the car and got into the back seat beside Rose. The driver started the engine and drove off quickly down the lane which the delivery drivers used to get to the back of the house. It had a gate which was usually only unlocked when deliveries were expected but Alice had opened it just an hour ago to let the men in.

Still lying on the back seat, her head throbbing every time the car went over a bump, Rose tried to gather her thoughts. She was almost sure that the same people who had taken Charles had now taken her, probably as some sort of leverage against Tommy. She didn't understand why Tommy's enemies had taken both of them, but these were not men who had any kind of compassion or were in any way subtle. She thought back to Tommy's injuries when he was in hospital and her stomach lurched.

"You'd better get her cleaned up a bit before we take her to the boss. She's a mess and he said he didn't want her hurt."

"Wasn't my fault she bit me!"

"Just clean her up."

The man next to her sighed and muttered under his breath as he grabbed hold of Rose and pulled her up into a seated position. She couldn't help but gasp at the pain that shot through her with the sudden change of position. A wave of nausea passed through her. The man took a greasy handkerchief out of his pocket and began to roughly wipe away the blood which covered Rose's face. She cried out in pain and pushed his hand away. Swearing at her, the man took both of her hands in one of his and forced them down, whereupon he continued to drag the handkerchief over her face in an attempt to clean it. She moved her head from side to side, trying to get away from what was causing the pain, openly crying now.

"Bert! What are you doing? You'll just open the wounds again, swiping at her like that."

"You come and do it then!"

The driver pulled the car over and the two men switched places. Rose half thought to open the door and make another run for it but she was in so much pain she couldn't bring herself to move. Besides, she knew that they'd catch her again in seconds. The second man got in beside her as Bert pulled the car back onto the road. He was less bulky than his colleague and seemed less belligerent too. He looked at her and winced.

"Well, that face is a mess. Look, I've wet my kerchief in a puddle. It'll be easier to clean you up. Come here."

He reached out a hand to hold her chin and she turned her head away, grimacing at the pain. He reached out further and gently took her chin, turning her face back towards him. She didn't give much resistance. He carefully wiped away the blood and dirt from her face, being especially careful around her wounds. She had split her eyebrow open in her initial fall and had a couple of grazes on her forehead and cheek. Bert's backhand had opened a gash on the opposite cheekbone, no doubt caused by a ring. Both injuries were already swelling up. The man finished cleaning her face and let go of her chin.

"You'll have some nice bruises there in the morning, no doubt. But don't worry, you'll heal. Nothing's too deep."

Rose turned her head slowly away from him to look out of the window. She wasn't interested in talking to him. They were heading out of the countryside now into more developed areas and Rose recognised the route to Birmingham. That was hopeful. Birmingham was her family's territory. She had no doubt that when Tommy realised what had happened to her that he would move heaven and earth to get her back. She almost felt sorry for the men who'd taken her. She just needed to be strong and wait for him.

The man didn't speak to her again, keeping a close eye on her in case she tried to jump out of the car or try something else. She ignored him and stared at the rain as it slid across the window, the drops racing each other to reach the other side. The streets outside were becoming more and more familiar and after a while she was surprised to find herself in Small Heath. Frowning, she felt an unease begin to grow inside her. Why would Tommy's enemies bring her to his stronghold? Surely they should be afraid to enter Peaky Blinder territory. But they clearly weren't afraid. Which could only mean one thing. Tommy had no power against them, not even in Small Heath. Her blood went cold and she felt her chest tighten as the panic rose inside her. Her breathing quickened and she began to sweat. The car turned into Watery Lane and pulled up behind a large vehicle parked a little way down the street from number six. She was utterly confused now and couldn't control the fear which had gripped her. She turned to look at the man beside her. Her voice came out as a whisper.

"Why are we here?"

"Don't you worry about that, now. Just do as you're told and everything will be ok. And don't try anything. You see all these men outside?"

Rose looked out of his window to see two men stood along the street by the car in front. Turning slowly to look out of her window, she spotted two men on the other side of the road too. They definitely weren't Peaky men. She closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat.

"You'll be good now, won't you?"

She nodded and opened her eyes. She was scared and the situation was clearly bleak, but John had told her that Tommy was at his most dangerous when he was backed into a corner. She just needed to hold her nerve and wait for him. She watched a car pull in further up the road and recognised Ada as she got out. She watched her nervously. Was she in danger too? The driver of the vehicle in front beckoned her to him and Ada came to the driver's window, leaning down as if listening to him. She nodded, moved quickly to the door of number 6 and went inside. Seconds later the door opened again and Tommy appeared. Rose sat up in her seat and leant forward as if trying to catch his eye. The man next to her tensed as he watched her, a hand ready to stop her if she tried anything. Tommy walked quickly in the rain towards the large car flanked by the two men and, after one of them patted him down for weapons, he opened the door and climbed in the back, the door closing behind him. She could just about make out the outline of his head and shoulders through the back window. She turned again to the man beside her.

"Who's in the car?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Rose looked back at Tommy's outline through the rain. He was sat very still. The man in the driver's seat moved occasionally but she couldn't see enough to know who it was.

Minutes passed. No one spoke. No one moved. Rose stared at the back of Tommy's head through the small back window of the car he was in, desperately hoping he was working on a way to rescue her. Then, one of the men in the street, sent by some sort of signal from the car in front, came towards them and motioned with his hand. The man next to her stirred as Bert got out of the car and come round to Rose's door.

"Right, you're up. He wants you. Don't say a word whilst you're in there. Not a word. He's specifically said so. Do you hear me?"

Rose nodded and before she could ask why, Bert had opened her door and pulled her out. The rain was falling so hard, she was immediately soaked. She realised for the first time that she had no shoes on. She could feel the cobbles beneath her bare feet, so familiar. Bert pushed her roughly towards the car which she now saw was a Rolls Royce. He was between her and the vehicle so she couldn't see Tommy as she moved past the back window. Bert opened the front passenger door, lifted her up and put her down roughly on the seat, slamming the door behind her.

Rose found herself looking into the eyes of Father Hughes who was smiling down at her. She shivered. She turned her head towards the back seat and gasped when she saw Tommy looking back at her, his eyes wide, fear written all over his face. She had never seen him afraid before and she felt his fear as it mixed with her own – an almost physical sensation. Before she could stop herself, she spoke his name.

"Tommy"

So much was said in that one word – there was anguish, pleading, fear, hope. Tommy heard it all. What little resistance he still held against Hughes now disappeared completely. They had Rose too. He was completely in their hands. He took in the wounds on her face, her dirty bare feet dangling over the edge of the seat, her wet hair dripping down her face, her dress soaked through and clinging to her. He frowned at a piece of straw that was stuck to her toes. She must have been in the stables. Was that where they snatched her? How had they got past his men? He looked back at her face. Her eyes, a deep violet in the light of the streetlamps, were fixed on his and he knew that she was looking to him to fix everything – like she always had because he always did. But he was completely outplayed and Hughes now had his son and his sister and he had nothing left to play. The shame he felt for not being able to answer her silent cry for help was so strong that he had to look away. He hung his head and looked at the floor, drops of water from his own wet hair falling onto his shoes.

Rose frowned as he looked away from her but barely had time to react before a gloved finger appeared in front of her face. Hughes' face came into vision behind it as he leaned forward to get her attention. She recoiled which only made him come closer still.

"What were you told before you got into this car? Hmm?"

Rose stared back at him, blinking, not knowing if she should answer given that the answer was not to say a word. She decided not to speak and Hughes nodded approvingly.

"That's right. Not a word. Disobedience brings discipline, young lady. Do not test me."

Then he put his head on one side and tutted. He took his glove off and used a finger to move Rose's face into the light.

"Oh dear, those are some nasty wounds. Did they hurt you? I told them not to. They will be sorry they did. Are you alright? I will tend to those wounds as soon as I get a chance." He ran his finger underneath the gash on her cheek and then brushed her hair away from her forehead as he inspected to cut on her brow. Rose recoiled further and breathed quickly, trying to control the urge to push his hand away. She knew he wouldn't like that.

Tommy watched all this play out in front of him and wanted nothing more than to snap Hughes' neck. He could, if he wanted. He could just reach through the gap in the screen and twist hard. He'd done it before. But if he did that, he wouldn't be getting out of the car alive and he certainly wouldn't see Charles again. As if he could sense Tommy's rage, Hughes turned his attention back to him.

"I suppose you're wondering why I've brought this dear little girl into the situation now. I mean, we have your son, why would we need your sister too? Well, the taking of your son was ordered by the Oddfellows – a necessary step to getting our mission accomplished. Taking your sister too - well, that was all my decision. You see, Mr. Shelby, I want you to know, well and truly, how much more powerful I am than you. You are a mere flea compared to me and my position and yet you have insisted, time after time, on trying to outdo me, trying to embarrass me, trying to outwit me. And tonight, you will know your place once and for all. Because now this is personal. You thought you could double cross me and keep what was dear to you safe. But now I have your son and your sister and – to make sure you never forget how much I can take from you – only one will be returned after you have done all that is asked of you. And you, Mr. Shelby, you will choose who will be returned to you and who I get to keep."

Rose listened in horror as Hughes talked to Tommy. She looked at her brother and saw the same horror reflected in his face. He leaned on his knees, wringing his hands.

"This isn't necessary, Father. I know my place. You hold all the power. I will do everything you ask and more if needed."

His eyes flickered to Rose and he saw the abject fear in her face. Surely Hughes can't mean this. The priest's eyes flashed with anger as he looked at Tommy.

"Men like you will never know their place unless they are forced into it and held there. Every time you look at that empty place at the table, you will always know how powerless you were at this moment in time and you will never try to rise again. And what's more, I will have saved an innocent child from further damage from your despicable family. Now choose, Mr. Shelby. Who do you want returned to you?"

Charles. Rose thought. It has to be Charles. He's just a baby. Tommy can't leave him to Hughes. The right decision was to choose Charles. She watched as her brother hung his head again and looked at his hands. Hughes was right that Tommy had never been more powerless than at this moment in time.

"Choose, Mr. Shelby, or I will choose for you."

Tommy looked up at Rose and held her gaze. She looked back at him and knew what he wanted her to know. He loved her. He'd come for her. She nodded almost imperceptively. He looked back at the ground and spoke quietly.

"My son. I want Charles returned to me."

And even though she knew he had no choice but to ask for Charles, even though she knew what he'd conveyed to her with his silent look, even though she knew he loved her and wouldn't stop until he found her – something inside her broke when Tommy left her to her fate by choosing his son over her.

She looked at Hughes who was watching Tommy, a smug look of triumph on his face. He ordered Tommy in no uncertain terms to get out of his car and Tommy turned to go without looking back. Rose watched him go back into number six in disbelief. The priest turned his eyes to hers and smiled - an evil, hungry smile which sent a sharp pang of terror through her. The panic gripped her completely then and she felt like she couldn't breathe. She let out a sob and gasped for air, grasping at the handle of the door, unable to think of anything else except getting away.

Hughes reached over, took both of Rose's hands and held them tight. He spoke to her soothingly.

"There now, Rose. There now. You're fine, you are. Take some deep breathes and calm down."

His face was very close to hers and she could feel his breath on her cheek. It smelled of wine and mint. She forced herself to go very still and squeezed her eyes shut, willing him to back away. He let go of her hands, took hold of the bottom edge of her skirt and pulled it down over her knees covering them up. She began to tremble.

"There now, that's better."

He leaned back in his seat and started the engine. Rose hugged her arms around herself, still trembling, still panicking. Hughes reached down and pulled a black cloth bag from beside his chair. He turned to Rose again.

"Now, I'm going to put this over your head whilst we drive. I'm taking you to a nice place where you'll be safe but I can't have you knowing the way. It's a secret." He grinned at her and she gripped her arms even tighter, digging her nails into her skin. "But don't worry, a friend of mine will be there to take care of you when we arrive. He's been wanting to see you again for a while now."

Hughes put the hood over Rose's head and everything went black. Only this time, she didn't have the luxury of unconsciousness to give her a reprieve from the horror that was engulfing her.