Johnny Dogs had let in some cold air when he entered the house, both literally and figuratively. Tommy was still holding John in a brotherly embrace when he heard the man speak.
His grip on John's shoulders tightened, but his brother did not seem to mind. In fact, John felt himself getting tense too. It was a good thing that Esme was not in the room.
Tommy finally pulled back from John, his icy blue eyes watching Johnny Dogs intently. The man was keeping his head down in shame.
He was Peaky Blinder through and through, had become more and more loyal to the Shelbys. He would have gladly walked away from the rest of his own family in order to be in service to Tommy Shelby.
Unfortunately, he had disappointed his boss by blowing a sure thing. A sure thing. That was what the Lee boys were…a sure ally…not so sure anymore.
Turning back to the fireplace, Tommy pursed his lips and grabbed a hold of his drink, twirling it in his hands. Polly and Ada were watching him nervously. Tommy in complete silence after a shocking discovery was never good. And sure enough, after a few moments, the reaction came.
The glass was thrown in the fireplace, and Tommy turned around in anger and yelled out, "GET OUT! GET THE FUCK OUT!"
Johnny Dogs was shaken to the core and he tripped over a chair on his way to the door, before he heard Tommy calling out to him again. "WAIT!"
Making up his own fuckin' mind, Tommy stepped forward to Johnny Dogs by the door and grabbed a hold of his suit, holding him closely, "I needed those men, Johnny. I needed 'em to rescue the woman carrying my child. Your lot…a bunch of gypsy thieves…at a cheap price. And I have given you more than enough. I married Esme to my own fuckin' brother. You got enough fuckin' money to buy yerself a good suit. I came to you, to them, in friendship after you sold me a cursed fuckin' horse…and now you have the nerve to betray me. You know the rules, Johnny. You don't fuck with the Peaky Blinders…or you pay the price."
Johnny Dogs shook his head with his eyes closed and whispered, "Tommy, please trust me! I didn't fuckin' know. Please, Tommy. This wasn't my fault. I am with you. You gave me my own peaky."
To prove his point, Johnny Dogs managed to take his razor-bladed cap out of his pocket and place it on his head, showing his loyalty. His hands were trembling in the process.
Everyone was afraid of Tommy Shelby. Even without his influence, he was one good of a fighter. Killed many on his own with his bare hands.
"My fuckin' child, Johnny. My flesh and blood…the Italians have it." Tommy whispered in his face, still holding onto his jacket, while the others were looking on at the scene in front of them without saying a word.
Thankfully, Ada got Charlie out of the room just in the time. The poor child had been through enough, without needing to see the way his father was falling apart.
"Tommy…I told them. I told them." Johnny Dogs insisted and he was almost on the verge of crying, when Tommy finally let him go and placed one hand on his shoulder and said in comradery, "You would do anything for us, won't you Johnny Dogs? You're a Peaky Blinder now, eh?"
When the man nodded, Tommy whispered his eyes resembling pure glass in the darkness of the room lit only by the harsh flares of the fireplace, "Then as the leader of the Peaky Blinders, I command you to leave your Lee brothers. Stay with us for good, and you'll be further rewarded. Would you do that for me?"
Looking him straight in the eyes, Johnny Dogs nodded and said firmly, "Yes, Tommy." before spitting on his hand, holding it out to him.
Tommy accepted the handshake and added, "Good. Now I need you to go back to those fuckers one last time and tell them that the Peaky Blinders are more than happy to do business with the Brum Boys again."
"Thomas!" came Polly's exclamation from behind. It came off as a warning but also as a shocking reaction. None of them once again had any idea what Tommy was talking about. This was once again part of his secret plan, the one he would now have to reveal.
After Billy Kimber had been shot dead by Tommy five years before, the Birmingham Boys gang had disintegrated.
But Tommy had recently received a letter…containing some important information, that the gang had been brought together again, by a certain someone.
As soon as Johnny Dogs was out the door to carry out the information to the Lee family, Tommy turned around to the judging looks of his family.
"Fuck's sake, Tom. Ya did it again. Not tellin' us nothin'!" Arthur rubbed at his moustache.
"What're you doin' now?" John asked.
"I didn't tell you because I wasn't sure I would want to do business with them again. Now that the Lee boys decided to betray me, it seems I don't have a choice." Tommy responded.
"How is it possible that the Brum Boys are back at it again? I haven't even heard of them and we got all of London in the palm of our hands." Polly asked.
Tommy walked around the room, holding the letter he received earlier up in the air. He was making everyone curious.
"Apparently, a woman has managed to get them Brummies back together. She has them eating from the palm of her hand. While we have all been distracted, she got her hands on some good race tracks and is now handling a legitimate business, much like Billy Kimber did. She signed the letter as Marie Baker."
"And what does this have to do with us? In case you haven't noticed, we don't have time to handle the new competition when our asses are on the fuckin' line!" Polly exclaimed.
"I was counting on the Lee boys to help save Tatiana from the moment Luca Changretta and his men stepped foot in Birmingham." Tommy explained, walking around in circles, his thoughts finally revealed to the whole family.
"However, as always, I had a backup plan. And now that Marie Baker has invited me to tea tomorrow, I intend to convince her to help me get Tatiana away from the Italians…before we finish them off."
"You ain't goin' alone, Tommy! I don't trust no Marie Baker. Women in this business are trouble." Arthur intervened, volunteering himself to come. Tommy nodded in agreement.
The two brothers then turned to look at John expectantly. With his eyebrows raised, Tommy had a non-verbal question for his younger brother, to which John immediately caught on. What would they do without him in the face of danger? He was Tommy's second pillar after all.
Rolling his eyes, John put up his hands like he was surrendering to their influence. "Alright. I'm coming too."
…
Tatiana was sitting in between two Italians in one of the train compartments. Luca was sitting in front of her, one of his hands fumbling with the toothpick in his mouth. He informed his henchmen that they would arrive in Birmingham soon.
They spoke in English this time so Tatiana was well informed of the situation too.
Birmingham. She remembered Tommy telling her that this city was where he was heading after their deal was over. It wasn't much, from what she heard. It was filthy…men drinking all night, the women trashy as ever.
The place was not fit for a royal duchess. Yes, she continued to think of herself as one.
She scoffed and looked out the window, not realizing that she was saying the next part out loud,
"Men…you don't know how to get revenge. All violence. That is all you know."
"Oh…does our little duchess know better ways?" Luca asked with a tinge of sarcasm, not taking her seriously.
Tatiana turned to him with a smirk and replied, "Let me go and I will tell you." This earned her another laugh from the mob boss.
Tatiana had not been tied up this time on the train to Birmingham. Not because she was suddenly all trustworthy. She did manage to escape if only for a little while.
That was why the two Italians who were now sitting with her in the compartment were huge, older than the young man she tricked.
But she knew they couldn't risk tying her up…they needed to keep a low profile. If she was treated like a prisoner on the train, they would soon attract suspicion.
And Luca was currently trying to figure out who on this train was working for the Peaky Blinders. Who on this train would give Tommy Shelby the information that he was on his way?
He was distracted, but after receiving the girl's challenging glance, Luca leaned in closer, much to Tatiana's delight and caressed her cheek again.
"You are mine, bella. And even if you do escape…it won't be best for you. You are a Russian fugitive and Birmingham is full of dangers. You would be dead before you could reach Tommy. I suggest you relax, stay with me and perhaps your title of Grand Duchess might be restored with my support."
"It is true…you might be more useful than the Shelbys. You are a great man in New York. You have more to offer." Tatiana responded, trying to make her voice sound as convincing as possible.
Leaning back from her, Luca nodded, pleased with her response. The idiot really thought that they had reached an understanding. But the fool's pocket knife was now laying hidden between Tatiana's thighs.
Luca got up from his seat and left the compartment to talk to the conductor…trying to act like a good American. In five minutes, the train would stop in Birmingham. But Tatiana was not going to wait for that moment.
Before the two buffoons next to her could expect it, she sliced their throats, not wasting any time and barely thinking about her chances of survival or the baby's, she used one of idiot's jacket, all her strength, her desperation to be free and the knife to break the window, making it large enough for her to jump out the still-moving train. And jump she did.
…
Marie Baker's house was in Small Heath so Tommy, Arthur and John had no trouble finding it. But they didn't know what to expect from a woman who managed to bring together the Brum Boys once again, and above all, having enough strength to run a legitimate business.
The deal was for Tommy to have tea with Marie on his own, however, he had promised to include his brothers in this secret deal this time. And above all, since the Birmingham Boys were so unified, Tommy needed to show that the Peaky Blinders shared the same fate.
This was why ten of the new Peakys were now standing behind the Shelby brothers in front of the house.
The ten men weren't experienced, but their stance showed Tommy's superiority as the leader of a powerful gang, and until he had Marie Baker on his side as his ally, he needed to show that there were many people willing to work for him.
John looked a little tired that morning, most likely because of the fight he had with Esme due to her family's lack of support in the fight against the Italians.
It got way out of hand, so Arthur and Linda needed to get all the kids out of their house. Tommy saw how exhausted he was and didn't try to ask questions. All he could do was to make sure that after all that has happened, John would no longer have any reason to doubt him or feel betrayed. Tommy would do right by him.
"Alright, boys. Unlike with Alfie Solomons, we are heading into the unknown. I have never met this woman before. Be cautious and remember why we're here. Tatiana is carrying my child and I want her here as soon as the Italians set foot here."
"Right." Arthur agreed.
"What if she won't help us? John asked, as he assembled the ten new Peaky Blinders in front of the house.
"Never underestimate the powers of charm and persuasion, John." Tommy told him, lighting up a cigarette and heading for the door.
Arthur and John made sure to stay close by his side, looking around, a little unsure.
The door opened and the thirty-five-year old brunette woman presented herself. There was no one with her. She was completely alone, with no man to guard her.
She was wearing a dark skirt and a proper gray jacket with visible white pearls around her neck. She had shoulder-length, wavy, brown hair and her smile reflected that of a nurturing mother welcoming her young children home.
"Mr. Shelby! Welcome. I see you brought your brothers with you. I guess I should have expected that. Please, do come in."
She cleared the path for the three Shelbys to enter her house. Tommy simply nodded in gratitude and made his way inside, followed by Arthur and finally, John. The ten new men who were standing on the streets looked powerful just by wearing the proper suits as well as the peakys.
Marie Baker invited the Shelby brothers at a table in the kitchen, placing the pot of tea and the teacups herself. Arthur was watching her, impressed with the way she was handling herself just fine in front of the notorious gangsters.
After the tea had been poured, the three brothers sat at the table in harmony with Marie Baker.
"I saw the men sitting outside of my house there. You needn't trouble yourselves. My boys are handling the race tracks, and I wanted a peaceful meeting with you." Marie explained, sipping her tea afterwards.
Tommy showed her the cigarette he pulled out of his suit and asked, "May I smoke?"
"Nasty habit of yours, Mr. Shelby. But I'll allow it." Marie responded with a nod.
"I need to smoke. Calms my nerves…ever since the war, I've been feeling more anxious than before. Thank you for your understanding. There are others who do not share your compassion." Tommy explained and then eyed Arthur at the last part. Arthur cleared his throat and looked away from him, knowing full well that he was referring to Linda.
After Tommy lit his cigarette, he stated, "Now on to business, Miss. Baker. I understand that you are now in control of the newly reformed Brummies gang. Those race tracks you have…profitable legal business. But I see that you gain no profit from more…underground work."
"That's right, Mr. Shelby. The Birmingham Boys are in possession of a legal business and I am not planning on leading them anywhere illegal for the time being. The boys agree that playing by the rules is safe, and gives us an opportunity to thrive at a slow but steady pace, instead of trying to take a shortcut and discover that there is a chasm waiting for us."
Before Tommy could respond, wanting to ask a more personal question but his brother intervened, expressing himself in a more direct way.
Arthur leaned forward on the table and asked, "But I don't understand, Miss. Baker. Who are you exactly? Why do them Brummies trust ya so much?"
Marie smiled softly and sipped her tea silently for a moment.
"I had a feeling that this would be the first thing you would want to know. I am known now as Marie Baker. Baker is my maiden name and I prefer to go by it. But I am still legally Marie Kimber. Billy Kimber was my husband."
John, who had been standing for a few minutes, looking at photos which had been around the kitchen, suddenly dropped his teacup. The crash also broke Tommy and Arthur out of their trance. Arthur got up from the table in a measured panic and looked down at Tommy to see his next move.
Tommy tried to maintain a calm expression on his face. Never did he imagine that he would be having tea with Billy Kimber's widow…a man he himself shot in the head. While Tommy sat in silence, his eyes never left Marie's.
Arthur and John pulled out their revolvers in a sign of defense. Tommy held out his hand to keep them from acting on their threat. The woman was defenseless…for now.
"This is why ya invited Tommy here alone, did ya? Just fuckin' revenge on yer mind! I know women like ye." Arthur exclaimed, pointing his revolver directly at the sitting woman.
Marie just held up her hands in peace, first looking at Arthur and John and then back at Tommy.
"Oh, please, there is no need to worry. I am not seeking revenge for my husband's death. In fact, you've done me a huge favor. I had been trying to get rid of my husband for years. Please, do sit down."
At hearing that, Arthur and John slowly lowered their revolvers, looking at Tommy.
"Sit down, boys." Tommy agreed and eyed Marie saying afterwards, "Well then…I am happy to hear that we are not starting our business arrangement with bad blood between us. I understand from your letter that despite your clean, legitimate dealings, you still wish to do business with the Peaky Blinders. May I ask why?"
Putting some more tea in her cup, Marie responded, "As I said, I wanted Billy Kimber dead just as much as you did. He was an abusive husband. He cheated on me…and he only used me for prospects. My parents were fools to give me up to him when I was eighteen. But I had vision, I trusted myself that even as a woman I could lead the group down the legitimate path and still get enough profit out of it. No shady business, yes indeed. But I need help. You are an experienced bookmaker, Mr. Shelby. I need your help."
"And you are prepared to go down this shady business with the Peaky Blinders for such help, eh?" Tommy asked, his cigarette then pressed to his lips.
"I am ready to be partners with Shelby Company Limited in a legitimate way, Mr. Shelby. The shady business can be left only to you and your brothers. I am asking for a partnership, and in order to make this happen, I imagine that I need to offer you something in return."
Arthur was sitting in front of her, mesmerized by the woman's confidence and words.
"That Kimber fucker surely didn't appreciate ya, Miss." He finally whispered, after she had stopped talking. His remark earned the surprised looks from both Tommy and John. Marie smiled at him and placed her hand over her chest, revealing a cross that was wrapped around her neck.
"My faith gave me strength. And my strength gave me what I have today. My boys respect me enough to follow me, even though I am but a woman. And with their respect, I have my business."
Marie then turned back to Tommy and asked, "What can I offer you for your help, Mr. Shelby?"
Putting out his cigarette, Tommy placed his hands on the table and said softly, "There is a problem for both of us arriving today, Miss. Baker."
"Your vendetta with Luca Changretta is well known in England by now, Mr. Shelby." Marie responded with a nod.
"I see that you are well informed. The problem affects both of us. I have made proper allies, further added new members to the Peaky Blinders, and I am prepared to fight the Italians with everything I have to protect my family. But there is another matter…Luca Changretta has something of mine. Something I need."
"And what is that?" Marie asked, surprised.
"A woman pregnant with my child." Tommy responded.
"Oh dear…" Marie sounded genuinely concerned, putting her hand over her mouth.
"I need you to provide a distraction for Luca Changretta when he arrives. Invite him for tea as you have us. Propose a truce. Propose to help him fight me. Play the grieving widow, getting revenge for the murder of her husband. And while the meeting is taking place, your men are going to inspect the place where the Italians are staying…find her and bring her to me."
Marie sighed and finished her tea silently, thinking about the offer. "You are asking me to risk a lot, Mr. Shelby. Getting involved with some dangerous people."
"The Peaky Blinders can be more dangerous on this territory, Miss. Baker. That is my price."
Taking a moment to think about it a bit longer, Marie rubbed her forehead but finally extended her hand to Tommy, "Then let us not waste any time, Mr. Shelby. I accept your proposal."
Tommy accepted her handshake, saying, "We have a deal."
…
As soon as the train arrived, Luca had sent half his men down the train rails to find his prisoner. The duchess had somehow managed to kill two of his men and escaped through the window, most likely damaging any chances of having that baby in her belly.
The Birmingham Boys had approached Luca Changretta in friendship as soon as he arrived, informing him of Marie Baker's plans of getting revenge on Tommy Shelby, and wanting to meet with him as soon as possible. Luca agreed to meet with the woman, impressed that she was now leading a gang believed to be long gone. He would handle Tatiana Petrovna later…if she was even alive that is.
Before leaving the train station, Luca informed his henchmen that they should keep in touch with the others in case of any sign of the Russian Duchess, and the importance of finding her before she reaches Tommy Shelby.
"Alive or dead. She is mine." Luca whispered, before having the Brummies lead the way to Marie's house, all of them armed for protection.
…
The phone in Tommy's small house rang, with Mary being there to answer it.
"One moment, please." She said, and then turned to call for her master. Tommy appeared in a hurry into the room and took the phone, asking Mary to tend to Charlie.
"Yes." He said, his tone indicating the impatience of finding out information.
"Mr. Shelby. The Italians are on their way to Miss. Baker's house. But your woman is not with them. We found out she escaped. His men had been sent to find her." One of the Brummies who had stayed behind at the train station responded.
Tommy sighed with relief, his hand rubbing his forehead, tired of all the agitation.
"Keep him distracted. Inform me of his every move."
With that Tommy ended the call with the Birmingham Boys and immediately called some of the newly recruited Peaky Blinders for various tasks, such as to search throughout the entire city of Birmingham for the pregnant Russian duchess, and informed others to increase the security of Ada, Polly and the other women. The Italians were here.
…
Ada was outside the City Hospital, trying to convince Finn and Isaiah to give her a break. More and more she was getting annoyed with the extra protection that Tommy insisted she should have.
Even though she was aware of the danger, she was still a mother and needed to talk to a doctor about possible appointments for Karl.
"The fever is running around like crazy! Charlie had it and since Karl has been around him at all times, he might as well be in danger of getting it too." Ada was saying, wrapped in her fur coat, outside of the City Hospital, ready to go inside.
Finn and Isaiah were hot on her trail. Five of the new Peakys had joined them, on Tommy's orders.
"Come on, Ada! It's not safe! You heard what Tommy said. You need to stay inside as much as possible." Finn was insisting and Isaiah nodded, "Yeah. The Mob's probably here already."
Trying to keep his cap on straight, Finn's hands were shaking as he said a little too loudly, "You're going to get us all killed! We could be ambushed!"
"Pipe down, Finn. I am going inside to speak to a doctor I know and I will be right out!" Ada stated, looking around herself at the business streets. People were running around like crazy to where they needed to be and no one was bothering to look at her.
Confident as ever, Ada entered the hospital, Finn and Isaiah staying back with the new Peakys.
As Ada was walking through the hospital in search for what was of her interest, something made her stop outside one of the rooms. The door was still open, revealing the woman sprawled out on the bed inside.
Her belly was showing a little between the sheets, her eyes were closed, her hair long and curled over the pillow, the fading bruises on her cheeks still slightly noticeable.
She knew her. She remembered seeing her at the hospital when Tommy had the brain hemorrhage due to the priest's poison.
"The Russian duchess." She whispered to herself, when one of the doctors approached her.
"Mrs. Thorne. You know the woman?" he asked her, while he was still scribbling on a clipboard.
"Yes. What is she doing here?" Ada asked, now more sure than ever that this was the Russian duchess Tatiana Petrovna whom her brother has impregnated.
"She was brought here by a couple. They were on horseback on the outskirts of the city and they found her unconscious in the woods near the train tracks. They think she must have jumped or been pushed out of a train. The poor woman has been through a lot. There are bruises all over her body. Her baby was in danger…" The doctor explained and was cut off by Ada.
"How is the baby? Will it survive?" This was her niece or nephew, after all.
"I believe so. I have examined her and the damage doesn't seem to have extended to the fetus."
"Good." Ada responded, just as Tatiana groaned from the bed. She was finally gaining consciousness, and mumbling something in Russian.
"May I have a moment alone with her?" Ada asked the doctor. He simple nodded, making his way down the hall, as Ada finally took a breath and entered the room.
Approaching the woman, Ada cocked her head to her side in curiosity, seeing Tatiana mumbling in Russian until finally realizing where she was and stopping. "Hello." said Ada.
"Who are you?" Tatiana asked, still using her Russian accent.
"Ada. Tommy's sister. I see you managed to escape the Italians. At a terrible price, but still, nice work. That baby of yours has been through a lot. But you will be in good hands from now on."
Tatiana's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she gazed up at her, "How do you know who I am?" she asked.
"I saw you in London, at the hospital Tommy was treated for his brain hemorrhage. You were there one day when he was unconscious. You were dressed very well back then, unlike now, but I know it was you." Ada explained and then crossed her hands over her chest and asked, "Why were you there, by the way?"
Tatiana responded in an emotionless way, "I do not know what you're talking about."
"Is that so?" Ada challenged and seeing that Tatiana was not going to cave, the Shelby sister added, "I am calling Tommy. He needs to know you're here."
"No!" Tatiana stood up at once and winced in pain.
"Give it a rest, duchess. You can't walk. And you're three-months pregnant. As soon as I tell Tommy, you'll be gone from here and somewhere safe where the Italians can't get you."
"Just because I have this baby, that doesn't mean that I will let you or Tommy control me. I am leaving and I will get rid of this baby soon. Without it, I am of no use to your Italians and you don't have." Tatiana explained.
"No! Please. You are in no condition to leave on your own. But you can't stay here either. You are targeted by Changretta. You managed to escape but he will come for you and this is the first place he will look. You need to be properly cared for, but not here. Let me help you. I will call Tommy…" Ada tried to explain in a gentle way.
"I said no! I have this baby in my belly, but I owe Tommy Shelby nothing. I can handle myself. I was a prisoner for the Italian. I will not be his prisoner now." Tatiana told her, determined, and then asked her, "You are a woman, no? Would you like to be a man's prisoner just because he used you for sex and impregnated you?"
Ada stared at her intently for a moment, her hands crossed over her chest, realizing that she was wasting precious time, in which she should have called her brother.
"Tommy is not like that." Was all she told Tatiana, before heading out to make the call.
…
A/N: Marie Baker is a 35-year old woman, and I imagine her being played by Claire Foy. We will see more of her later on.
What do you think will happen next? Prepare for Tommy and Tatiana's encounter.
Leave a review and let me know!