Hello!

Three years later, I am finally back to this story. :)

A lot has happened in my life that prevented me from writing and thinking about Toni's development. I have changed so much since I first began her tale with Thomas Shelby nearly five years ago.

But I am back and so is Toni.

With a vengeance.

Hope you enjoy. xxA

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A Broken Promise: Part Fourteen

The curious thing about moments of bliss, is that they always come to a rudely awakened ending point.

When Thomas rose from the bed without any request for me to rise alongside him, I knew that we were no longer worlds away from business. It was always a curious thing how quickly Tommy could be transported from relatively normal conversations about the future and our love back to the world of debauchery. As if a lightswitch was attached to his brain, flipping on to the next ambitious step in his plan.

As he strode over to his clothes with a sense of purpose, I knew that whatever it was, it was something for him to do alone.

It made my teeth clench with irritation. He didn't want me to come along. It was as if the last 24 hours of our conversation in Small Heath, the lovely arrival to Camden Town, and the lighthearted nature of the day didn't even happen.

So much for better communication and better business.

Even knowing the answer, I decided to ask him about his actions, without a hint of the swirling emotions within.

"So where are we headed to?"

Thomas looked at me with a blank face, before continuing his actions. It took him a moment to reply.

"I am going out to attend to some business–"

"Alone, I presume?"

He doesn't fail to catch the bitterness in my voice.

"Yes. You'll stay here. There are men outside at all times. Rest up, go visit your friend at the front desk, whatever you want to do in here. You're safe."

Safe. It was the word again.

"But no leaving?"

Thomas didn't answer, but I knew what he would say.

The unspoken answer further infuriated me. He naturally thought he could lock me up here, using the War with Sabini and my fragility as an excuse.

He tensed, knowing the storm brewing within me. He was prepared for my usual outbursts, but this time, I would not play the part.

Choosing my battles wisely, I nodded my head and plastered a forced smile on my face. Like a good little fiance.

He stared for a moment, but then nodded and continued along.

As soon as he got dressed, he kissed my head, before heading to the parlor to grab his belongings, which no doubt included his pistol and his hat adorned with a razorblade for whatever fuckery lay ahead of him.

I heard him pause, before calling out his parting words.

"Be good, Antonina. I love you."

Before I could answer, I heard the door close.

In just a few moments, I found myself sitting alone in the bed in London with only my thoughts and irritation growing by the second.

Locked away like an errant child.

I needed a cigarette to think.

I reached down to the pile of strown clothes on the floor and grabbed my case and lighter. As I inhaled the smoke, I closed my eyes and felt my teeth clench.

Yet again, I found myself waiting for Thomas Shelby, a man, to do business, while I sat in some farce of a safe location, protected by our men.

Like a fucking princess.

After a few minutes of smoking and thinking, I opened my eyes with a sudden clarity. Speaking to no one but myself, I let the words ring out to the empty hotel suite.

The words that I should have replied to Thomas when he so lovingly laid out my plan for the evening. A plan I had no part in.

"Fuck this."

Stubbing out the cigarette in the ashtray, I grabbed my clothes, getting dressed in the nick of time. After grabbing my belongings, I looked out the window, scanning the twilight lit streets of Camden Town. From the looks of it, I could only spot two Blinders' men keeping stock of the entrance, likely due to it being Alfie's territory.

Evading two men wouldn't be too hard on the outside.

Knowing the impending nightfall would work to my benefit, I came up with a plan.

Walking back to the parlor, I eyed a nice bottle of whiskey and walked back into the bedroom. I smashed them on the wooden floor, along with the glasses. Taking a small piece, I jammed it into my hand for the next step in my plan.

Immediately, knocks were heard on the outside door.

"Ms. Toni, are you okay in there? What happened?"

I look into the mirror.

Action.

I walk into the parlor and call through the door.

"Boys, I seemed to have a little accident. Could I request your assistance?"

The doors opened and I held my hand to staunch the bleeding. I didn't quite recognize the pair.. They were two newer Blinders, which worked to my advantage. They wouldn't have known the tricks up my sleeve.

And since I didn't throw a fit, Tommy likely didn't remind them to watch out for me.

Besides, to them, what trouble could a small woman of my stature produce?

"Miss, your hand."

I nod, showing the blood to them and pretending to wince.

"I need to go down to the front desk for gauze and bandages. Could I ask you to help me to clean it? I don't want to get any more glass in this hand. It is in the bedroom. Thank you boys for your assistance."

They nod, one answering, "Certainly, Ms. Toni!"

As they walked to the bedroom, I closed the parlor door behind them, locking it.

Grabbing my handbag and a small scarf for my hand, I ran out the door, moving to the staircase.

As I entered the lobby at full speed, Aleksandr looked up at me from the front desk and smiled. He was well aware of my antics. He spies my hand and begins to speak.

"You made a mess again, Ms. Anna Petrovna?"

I laughed, coming up to the desk.

"Oh, you know it never ends. I am tired of these walls, so I have locked the boys in. Let's go get a drink like old times, shall we?"

He smiled.

"Lead the way, Anna!"

I took his arm in my own, grabbing his hat to conceal my face from the boys outside.

As we walk out, the boys remain in place, not bothering to notice me slipping past them.

When we rounded the corner, we both began to giggle as I handed him his hat back, chattering like old mates, giving each other small updates before we stumbled upon our favorite pub, Rum Runners.

As we entered, the bartender greets us as old friends, slapping down a bottle of white rum and two glasses.

"It's on the house, Ms. Petrovna. Welcome back!"

I smiled, thanking him before he returned back to the bar, singing an old Russian drinking song.

I laughed, as nothing seemed to change here.

As Aleksandr and I are left alone, I take the bottle and pour it into each glass.

"To new beginnings."

"To new beginnings."

We each down our drinks and begin to discuss all that has happened in the months of my absence.

He doesn't shy around my attack and I don't shy around how difficult it was in the aftermath. We discussed what happened and what led to my departure.

"Do you regret being back?"

I stopped, looked at him and thought about it.

Surely, the logical answer would be to express some fear or regret.

But I realized at this moment, as I returned to Camden Town, I let go of the bad feelings and trauma.

I was a survivor and would always be one.

"No, it is good to be back."

And it was true. I was not a meek and mild woman who would be in the shadows.

I was at the head of it all.

We toasted again and already, I feel the fuzzy effects of the rum. A stupid grin began to plaster my face and Aleks giggled when he realized it – I was in fact a bit drunk, something I never was.

It only encouraged us to drink more, laughing like loons.

Soon, we got on the subject of love.

"So, Miss Petrovna aka Mrs. Shelby - tell me about the man who has captured your heart. He is quite the looker, I say."

Seeing his suggestive look, I laughed, swatting his hand to scold him.

"Don't even think about trying to take him or I will have to kill ya."

He laughed, not taking my threat seriously.

The pause in our conversation made me stop and think about the feeling that was brewing in the pits of my soul.

It felt so nice to have his company. I didn't realize how much I had missed having a confidant in these last weeks in Birmingham. I couldn't help, but miss the life I built here before it was ripped away.

"What is it, Tonya?"

I looked at him and sighed. Shaking my head, I spoke.

"I love him."

He scoffed, taking the bottle shakily in his hand.

"And that's a bad thing?"

I shook my head.

"No, he is everything I want and need on this earth. He is smart, clever, cunning, and quite incidentally, the most stubborn, over-protective fool I know."

"And?"

He looked at me, waiting for the real quandary.

"He doesn't seem to realize my strength and my own cunning nature. I took out two of Sabini's men. I have killed more men than I can count. But it seems everything lately after the attack, it's his plan, his word, his way. He wants to keep me safe, but he does it in the most stupid way that makes me feel caged. I want to show him that I can do this better than even he believes I can."

He raised his eyebrows.

"Then make him see it."

Before I could answer, there was commotion at the front door of the pub. The door flew open and in walked the very man we had just been discussing.

I looked at Aleks and began to smile.

"It's showtime."

Taking the bottle and pouring a tall glass, I downed it in a moment and prepared myself for a rather infuriated Thomas Shelby to approach us.

"Antonina, what the fuck do you think you are doing here?"

Instead of answering him, I turned to the bartender who watched the scene with his mouth open, likely shocked Tommy had spoken to me that way.

"Another glass and a bottle of whiskey for the rather kind gentleman here, Mr. Vladimirovich."

He nodded, grabbing them and carrying it over to the table, scampering away, likely believing a bloodbath would follow.

"Antonina, what the–"

I cut him off, putting a finger up to silence him.

"Thomas, don't make a scene. Either sit down and have a glass of whiskey with us or I will meet you at the hotel when I have finished. You have two choices."

I can tell that I have rattled him, but I have also taken him by surprise. He has to know I'm not backing down this time.

For perhaps the first time, he has seen Antonina. The business woman. The woman who ran Chicago for a brief period and takes no shit from any man.

He remained stoic, looking at Aleks and myself, as well as the bottle of rum that does not have much left in it. I see his eyes shifting, only taking a deep breath He likely believed my confidence was alcohol induced.

Good. Let him.

He nodded simply, before answering.

"I'll have one of the men come here. He will take you both back whenever you are ready. Don't try to give him the slip either. Or else I will come back here and take you myself."

I shrug, as I don't really like the options.

He sighed, nearly looking as if he wanted to pull his hair out. He even uncharacteristically looks to the ceiling for divine intervention.

I finally answer.

"Fine, I can agree to it."

He nods, not bothering to stay and finish the conversation.

Aleks hasn't moved a muscle during the exchange and I see him studying me.

"See, Ms. Petrovna, what did I say? Make him see it. And you did."

He looks at the rum and puts it aside. Grabbing the whiskey, he pours us both another glass.

"To making him see it."

I smiled, feeling some power come back into my heart.

"To making him see it."

Somehow, I knew it will still be a fight to get to where I would like Tommy and I to be.

Somehow, I felt the tide shifting. I was becoming stronger. And nothing would stop me this time.