The front entrance to Shelby Company Limited headquarters opened and closed with a bang. Lizzie looked up from her desk to see Polly enter, a cigarette between her lips and a determined look on her face.

"Lizzie, is John here?" she asked her at once.

"Well…"

"I don't have time for this. Is he here or not?" Polly snapped and Lizzie immediately nodded, pointing towards Tommy's office.

Sure enough, as soon as Polly entered, she saw John on the chair, drowning himself in rum. He had been like this since the previous day, when that girl turned down his proposal and practically humiliated the whole lot of them in front of the Duke and Duchess of York by making herself scarce. No one has seen her since, and from what Jeremiah has told her, she hadn't stopped by the Garrison to complete her shift either.

"John…"

"She wasn't there, Aunt Pol. I went to her bloody apartment and she wasn't there." he mumbled, while pouring himself another glass.

Polly snatched it out of his hands immediately and took a seat next to him.

"John, you know I hate seeing you like this. You're a good boy. You've always been. And out of you all, I always knew that you deserved to have a good girl by your side. Someone to love you and someone to love your children as much as you do. But maybe it is time to accept that such a girl may be out of your reach. Maybe it is impossible to keep a girl like that in our line of business. She knows what you are. What we all are. I don't think she is stupid. She knows full well that if she marries you, she marries this whole family."

"I don't want to hear this." John whispered and started getting up but Polly pushed him back down. She had to make a point, and he had to listen. It was for his own good.

"What I am trying to tell you is that maybe you should have tried harder to keep Esme. I didn't think much of that girl honestly but, at least you had someone. Someone who was involved in as much deep shit as you. Now this barmaid on the other hand…we still couldn't find a bloody thing about her. I have tried. Tommy would have done so too if he had the time. From appearances, she seems like a good girl. Young, beautiful, full of light and untouched by the filth of our world. But we have experience when it comes to secretive barmaids…"

"No, not Emily. She's good. She was good for me. She was good for the kids. I love her. And when I find her, I'll convince her to marry me." John insisted, but slurred a little while talking.

Polly realized he was speaking from his heart. That was always her John. Always with his heart, never with his mind. Tommy did all the thinking in that family. Why would John bother to throw in his two cents?

"Tommy was in the same situation as you were, remember? His own barmaid? Turned out to be a spy. She betrayed him and threw us in the mud. He forgave her. He always had a blind spot for her, but she was no good for him. I fear you may be going in the same direction. And if that happens, it's going to affect you more than it did Tommy. You will suffer."

Waving his hand in her direction, John closed his eyes, leaning back in the chair, and saying, "She's a poor, American girl who is running from someone."

"Running? Is that what she told you?"

"Yes."

"Then why isn't she running?"

When she saw the John had no counterargument, Polly smiled sadly and rubbed his hand. "Just be careful. And consider finding Esme. Consider getting back together with her."

"No." The stubborn mule responded, just as the door to the office opened and closed again. Polly turned around and expected to find Lizzie, but it was Ada who was standing there. As soon as she saw John, she let out a relieved sigh.

"Oh, good! You found him."

"Yes. Drowning in his sorrows, as expected."

"Serves him right for embarrassing me last night." Ada stated, receiving a cold look from Polly, but absolutely nothing from John, who looked like he was floating away in his own little world.

"Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I want us to have our own private End of the Year Party."

"At my place?" Polly asked, incredulously.

"Where else? I thought Tommy said that your house is the only safe place for now. Undetected." Ada replied.

Rolling her eyes, Polly said, "Of course it is. That is why he has crammed everyone we know in there. This vendetta cannot end fast enough, let me tell you."

"It is the last bit of fun we can have before we head off to war in January. Luca Changretta is coming back, with reinforcements no doubt. And we'll finally get Finn back." Upon mentioning the name of her little brother, Ada cast her eyes downwards and whispered sadly, "I hope he's alright."

"Of course, he is. You don't have to worry. Luca Changretta wouldn't risk his poor mother's life for anything. He loves her more than he loved his old man. But I'll be glad to finally have Finn in my sights again." Polly admitted.

Letting out a disgruntled sound, John rubbed his eyes with his palms. "You all talk too much."

Polly turned her head away from Ada to get back to the topic at hand.

"So, will you consider it?"

"Consider what?" John asked, scrunching up his face into a frown. He really hadn't been listening much. Thoughts of his doll-faced angel filled his mind.

"Consider getting back together with Esme. Not only will it benefit you and your children, but it might also help us mend our relationship with the Lee family. And with the Italians coming back, we need more muscle. Tommy agrees."

"I don't give a fuck what Tommy thinks. What happened with the Lees was not my fault. They didn't back us because they're a bunch of fuckers, not because Esme said somethin' about me."

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that your relationship with Esme could mean the difference between life and death for us in this vendetta. And let's not forget, John, that it was your decision to threaten and beat up Angel Changretta which got us in this whole bloody mess in the first place."

"We agreed that it was Lizzie's fault." Ada intervened.

Polly gave her a look which meant that the Shelby sister should not interfere in her plans. The whole point of this conversation was not only to get John back on his feet, but to convince him to get the Lees back as allies. Emotional blackmail would do just fine.

But it was clear that John was not buying it. Getting up from his chair, he put his cloak on, as well as his peaky, and headed to the door. No party discussions interested him. And no bloody wops were on his mind either. There was only one thing on his mind. One way or another, he would get Emily to talk to him.

…

"Was that really necessary?" Marie asked, rubbing her forehead, as she walked out of the room, Tommy right behind her. Audrey Changretta's sobbing was muffled when Tommy closed and locked the door behind him. They had spent the last half hour trying to get some more information from the poor woman, mostly about Finn's location. It was to no avail. And of course, Tommy didn't stop until he brought her to tears.

"No. But I needed to let off some steam. And there is a Changretta living right under our roof. The perfect opportunity." Tommy replied, mercilessly.

After the other night, he had so many people he wanted to have words with. Tatiana, for one thing. She had flat out disobeyed him when he ordered her to stay inside this house, for her own protection. Next was John, for putting on that pathetic display of affection, only to be turned down by the barmaid. Ada, for accommodating Tatiana when she was supposed to be on his side. Finally, Arthur for spending the night drinking and dancing, instead of having his back like he promised he would.

Frankly, the only person he could stand to be around at the moment was Marie. And even she was becoming a disappointment to him. She was not proving herself to be the leader of the Brum Boys he hoped she would. He needed more of an assurance.

"We need to combine forces to get my brother back, Marie. I hope you know that I am leaving the task to you and your lot." Tommy whispered and pulled out a cigarette to calm his nerves.

"When Luca Changretta returns, we will be ready." Marie promised.

"I hope so. I want to make sure that I made the right decision when I came to you."

"I can assure you that I also have my personal vendetta against these brutes for what they've done to me. We will not rest until there is a bullet in their leader's forehead. Who will push that trigger…that is all up to you."

"Hmm." Tommy was in perfect agreement. Closing his eyes, Tommy thought about the other night and something he had been meaning to ask the woman came to him.

"I couldn't help but observe last night how close you and Arthur have gotten."

This specific topic surprised Marie. At a time like this Thomas Shelby was discussing more personal matters? She was starting to get uncomfortable. Why was he asking about her and Arthur? It is true that they had only gotten close since he had come and rescued her from the Italians. And the gesture with the pearls helped a lot as well. But she didn't want to cause trouble. That was not what she was here for.

"I find your brother a very interesting man, yes." Marie finally admitted, knowing that there was no point lying to him. "I hope I haven't caused any problems…"

"You have no need to worry. I have always been under the impression that Arthur has no knowledge on how to acquire a woman of good quality in his life. He hasn't been the same since Linda came in his life. His resolve has weakened. But now, with you here, I see a change in him. A change that I like. And for future reference, anything that upsets Linda, pleases me." Tommy explained.

"I see…I for one do not like the idea of causing problems in his marriage."

"You are better for him than Linda." Tommy replied nonchalantly.

"Forgive me, Mr. Shelby…but why do you hate her so much?" Marie was only asking out of politeness. She had been around the house long enough to see what a piece of work Arthur's wife really was.

"She was never a proper wife for Arthur. She's spiteful and vindictive. She manipulates him, turns him away from family. And she has a general dislike of me for the success of my business."

Tommy put out his cigarette and explained, "If he decides to find comfort in your arms, I would not be opposed."

Marie chose not to respond. The situation was not as simple as it sounded. Maybe she was interested in Arthur. She knew that despite this man's tough exterior, he had a gentle soul. He was not the mindless brute everyone around him thought him to be. His marriage to Linda was not a happy one, of that she was certain. But they had a child together. And little Billy was a sweet child. Only a baby.

Concluding the conversation, Tommy excused himself. He needed to find the Tatiana. The woman had not said a word to him since they had arrived back in Birmingham late last night. Her mind was obviously preoccupied with something. And he still needed to talk to her about her aunt and uncle.

The former duchess was in the kitchen, in another one of Ada's simple dresses, her curled hair pulled back in a half-pony tail with a ribbon tying it together. She was staring at a bottle of gin, and her mind was certainly elsewhere.

She felt someone standing right behind her and smirked, sensing who it was. It wasn't too complicated. He was way too silent. It was part of his stature…make him seem more menacing. "Do not worry. I have not taken a drink. I will not poison your child."

"Our child." He corrected and stepped forward, taking away the bottle from her.

When their eyes met, he saw something he had never seen before. Emotion behind her eyes, the kind that made her look vulnerable. It wasn't a situation he was accustomed to. He had never seen her like this, not even the time she spent the night. Even in her rawest form, she was always so calculated, so strategic. She called him out on being too sentimental, but now it was her turn.

Tommy broke eye contact immediately. He just was starting to lose himself in her eyes. He didn't want that to become a habit.

"What happened?"

"What do you mean?" she feigned innocence, her tone gentle.

"You know what I mean."

"You were angry that I showed up." She stated the obvious, which only made him roll his eyes.

"Tatiana, I am not playing games. What happened last night? Who did you speak to? Tell me."

He said her name. She didn't know if she had ever heard it from his lips.

She appreciated how he was reading her like an open book. He realized that she would do the opposite of what he wanted. He wanted her to talk to no one. She ended up talking to someone.

"An ugly old man. Arthur Bigge."

"Ah." Tommy understood. But he was afraid of what would come next. He knew the subject of discussion but he wanted to hear it from her lips.

"And?"

"He told me my aunt and uncle are dead." Tatiana said, and that was the moment she and Tommy reconnected their gazes. She was trying to keep it cool, like she always did. But she was finding it more and more difficult to put up that front exterior around him.

Sighing, he leaned closer to her and took her hand in his. "I didn't think much of them. But they were your family. I'm sorry."

Biting her lip, Tatiana shook her head, smiling sadly at him. "What matters to me is that now I am alone."

"You are not alone. You have me. You have us. You can stay for as long as you need to." He promised her and meant it.

"You mean after I have the child?"

"Yes."

Letting out a giggle, Tatiana looked down and noticed that he was still holding her hand. But she didn't pull free. It was nice. She hadn't been used to gentle touches. No one bothered to treat her gently before. Why would they? They looked at her and all they wanted was to fuck. Nothing more.

"Be serious, Tommy. Why would I stay? You never liked me. You actually hated me."

That was the moment she saw a small smile creep on his face. He looked…beautiful. Tatiana was now realizing that she never truly saw him smile around her. What did this whole thing mean?

"Nah. Never hated you. But you did scare me out of my wits that night. Thought I would need to chain you up."

"We are not meant to be chained up, you and me." Tatiana whispered, reminding him of how alike they were in so many ways.

"I. You and I." he corrected her with a small smirk. It was almost playful banter.

"Yes. Maybe if I stay here long enough, I will perfect my English. Maybe get the accent too. Imagine me, talking like your sister."

This earned her a genuine chuckle from him, his smile slowly widening on his face. He looked up and said incredulously, "Yes…imagine that."

It was a genuine moment between them, and it was a first.

Tommy was now noticing for the first time that he had been holding her hand. It felt different. They were no longer strangers, and with each passing day for her in this home, they were getting close. But how close would he allow them to get?

"So, are you still upset with me? That I came to the party?" she asked, cocking her head to her side.

Sighing, Tommy shook his head slightly, his smile leaving his face though. "Who drove you all the way to Norfolk?"

"I drove myself."

"Of course. It wouldn't be the first time."

"I like your car." Tatiana said with another smile, raising her shoulders and then dropping them.

Without thinking, he leaned in and touched her long curls. The way she stood dressed in Brum girl clothing before him, combined with her natural beauty…she looked even more alluring than before.

Clearing his throat, he leaned back, releasing her curls, as well as her hand. She was a little disappointed, he could tell. But she schooled it almost immediately. It was a reflex. Never to show her true emotions, especially when it came to disappointment. But she was beginning to let her emotions free. Prove to everyone around her that she was not a cold and indifferent bitch.

Their family may not be much, but they stood up for one another. And despite their problems, Tommy knew that they would always have each other's backs. Tatiana was beginning to learn from that, and admire it as well, since she never experienced it with her own.

She had led a hard life, where sentiment had no meaning. He would see to it that this changed. When she would become a mother, he was sure it would give her life meaning. And she wouldn't feel alone anymore.

"What did you talk about with the Jew?" Tatiana suddenly asked, pulling him out of his trance.

That was when she sensed him regressing.

"Just business." He responded and then made his way swiftly out of the kitchen.

…

The first time Emilia noticed it was when she was taking a bath. She hadn't spent the night in her apartment, knowing that John would come looking for. And from the way her apartment had looked, she knew that he had done just that.

Gasping, Emilia grabbed her left arm tightly and squeezed to make sure that she was not dreaming. A nasty rash had started spreading in her arm. It burned to the touch. Drying off, she made her way to the Garrison, hoping to see Jeremiah. She had to know.

Sure enough, Jeremiah had confirmed to her that it was Esme's curse coming into effect.

"It looks awful." Emilia whispered as she bandaged it. She didn't want anyone else to see it, lest word be spreading around the Small Heath that she was carrying some kind of disease. She hoped that Jeremiah wouldn't start spreading the word. As a preacher, she believed he wouldn't.

"Emily…John Shelby was here looking for you this morning." Jeremiah told her.

"I should have known. Did he say anything?" she asked, her eyes hopeful.

She knew that she would need to face him eventually. She had nowhere to hide. This was his family's city. But she needed time. Time to come up with some kind of explanation. Why she refused him and ran off.

Time was running out for her. Soon, Luca will return. And if he sees John is still alive, and she had failed in carrying out his orders, it would be the end for her. For them all. Jeremiah didn't pretend to know what was going on. He wasn't one to ask anyway. He knew she was no ordinary barmaid, but he hadn't bothered to ask any more questions.

He simply said, "You can't hide forever, Emily. He knows where you live. And if this keeps happening, maybe next time you will have to deal with Tommy himself, not John."

"I know." She whispered and made her way to leave.

She didn't wait for Jeremiah to stop her. He couldn't help. She would deal with John when the time came. But for now, she needed to figure out what she was going to do about this curse. Perhaps if she tried to track down Esme, try to explain to her and get her to have mercy…but no. She had a feeling that this woman was not going to close her eyes to the fact that her husband lost interest in her and started pursuing another. Who knew what could be in store for her if she even dared to go off and find her.

Emilia was lost in her own thoughts when she returned to her apartment. Thoughts of John were entering her mind, something which weakened her, made her think about his kisses, his caresses, his relentless pursuit…she didn't even realize that her door had been opened.

"Emilia Changretta."

She let out a scream, seeing a man standing there in her kitchen. But before she could move to grab the dagger from where she hid it, the man had grabbed a hold of her waist, slamming her against the wall and covering her mouth with his hand, trying to shush her.

Emilia recognized him as Italian from his features, and then his clothing. He knew of these types of suits. Only the best. Mafia ones.

"E tu chi sei? Ti ha mandato Luca?" Emilia asked as soon as his hand was removed. Who are you? Did Luca send you?

The man shook his head and slowly removed himself from her, trying to establish trust.

"I was instructed not to speak Italian while I am here. Do not be afraid. I have not come to harm you." he replied.

"Tell me who you are!" Emilia demanded, trying to calm her beating heart.

"My name is Francesco Raffaele Nitto. Everyone in America knows me as Frank Nitti. I work for Alphonse Capone. I am his cousin and his top man in business."

Emilia's jaw dropped. What in the hell were all these Italian mobsters doing here? She left America to get away from them all. And now it was like there was no escape. She heard of Alphonse Capone's rising business in Chicago. The Chicago Outfit was a well-known crime syndicate, a great organization on the rise. It was a whole different dimension? What sort of interest did they have in Birmingham of all places?

"What are you doing here?" she finally asked.

"I came to deliver a message from the boss."

"I'm listening."

"We know all about the Peaky Blinders, and their leader Thomas Shelby. The boss started observing his work with great interest. He knows about their vendetta with Luca Changretta from New York. The boss has been wanting to expand his business a little. And that's why he needs Changretta out of the way. There is a plan in motion. But the boss wants you to become part of the deal too."

"What are you talking about? What deal?"

"We know you are a Changretta. Your father knew people in high places and had you legitimized when you were born. But you are still not one of them. You hate your half-brother and after all he did to you, we bet you want to get back at him. He has your mother back in America and he wants you to kill John Shelby."

Emilia couldn't believe they knew this much about her. About her mother. Had this man been spying on them all this whole time? Who else was with him?

"The boss wants to give you a job. You would be given protection here in England, your mother will be freed and she will be brought here to you. And you won't have to kill John Shelby. You will no longer be controlled by your half-brother. All you would have to do is stay here and pass us information on the Peaky Blinders."

"You want me to spy for Alphonse Capone?!" Emilia asked incredulously.

"Yes. You give us information and all will be well." This Frank Nitti promised her.

The way he said it. It was as if she should be grateful, passing from the influence of one Mafia organization from another.

"Why do you need information on the Peaky Blinders?"

"The reason is to be known only by the boss' closest. Do you want the job or not?" The man was getting impatient.

Spying for them? Spying on the Peaky Blinders would include spying and passing on information on the man she loves. But if she did this, and they kept their word, John wouldn't be killed and her mother would be brought to her, unharmed. And Alphonse Capone was not a declared enemy, unlike Luca. Perhaps she could forge a very profitable business partnership between the Birmingham gang and the Chicago one.

Maybe she could help them expand and if she did that, the Shelbys would accept her. They might forget her Changretta blood and bless her union with John.

"Yes, I accept."

…

It had been a difficult day. Ada had suggested they go to church, maybe not being cooped up in the great privacy of Polly's house would do them all good. But Tommy said no. No one was safe. Not even now, in this so-called intermission. His brother, Finn, did not benefit from any protection. And Tommy would not rest easy until they got him back.

The rain was pouring outside like never before. Tatiana was watching it from a window, still not used to England's climate, even though she had traveled long throughout the whole of Europe.

Tommy had not bothered to speak to John about the barmaid situation. But he did spend a lot of time drinking and watching his brother sulk away in the corner. No matter how John felt, Tommy was glad the barmaid rejected the proposal. The last thing he needed was to have another problem like this on his head.

"Tommy." Polly caught his attention by snapping her fingers.

"Hm?"

"I was asking you about the New Year's Eve party. Are we still having it here? With just the family?"

Sighing, Tommy crossed his hands together and thought really hard. It would benefit them all to invite some other people as well, people who are reliable enough, people who could be discreet, but also, people who would support him in the vendetta.

"On one hand, I would rather not have to force Tatiana to be around strangers." Tommy responded and noticed the way Polly's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

But she didn't pester him further and simple asked, "And on the other?"

"I need to invite Alfie Solomons…and May Carleton."

"I see. Well, if you're sure…"

"I'm sure."

"Has the Jew not already declared for us?"

"He says he has, but I am not convinced." Tommy confessed, almost remorsefully.

Polly knew that despite their business dealings, Tommy had developed a somewhat friendship with the leader of the Jewish gang. If the Jew were to betray them, Tommy would not take it lightly.

A loud knock was heard on the front door, startling them all and at that moment and both Arthur and John took out their revolvers on instinct. Tommy held out his hand for his brothers to stand down. Whoever it was, they must have been cleared by the new Peaky recruits and Aberama Gold's men.

When he approached the closest window, he saw Johnny Dogs waving frantically at him. A couple of the Lee boys were right behind him, out in the rain. They didn't look happy at all.

"Let them in!" Tommy announced and Ada quickly opened the door.

"Thanks, Tommy." Johnny Dogs said, pretty grim.

"What's happened?" Polly demanded, recognizing the look of anger and sadness on the men.

Tommy was looking suspiciously at the Lee boys standing behind Johnny Dogs. What were they doing here? Surely not trying to get back in their good graces, after the betrayal.

Johnny Dogs noticed the piercing look of Tommy Shelby and tried to appease him by saying, "They didn't come here to fight, Tommy. We just wanted to tell you…well…"

"Spit it out!" Polly demanded.

"Esme and her two kids, Henry and David. They're all dead."

…

N/A: A new cliffhanger. Thanks for reading! Don't forget to leave a review :)