Fandom Serendipity (Peaky Blinders | Closed)

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza hummed, the jive? What on earth was that? She felt all the eyes, blushing a deep red, "I'm going to embarrass myself aren't I?" she ducked her head down nervously. She felt his warmth against her ear and it only made her shudder, her heart leaped in her chest. Her cheeks must've been red as her dress now, no, two can play at the game, if she had confidence. Did she dare say she felt a little daring? His boldness intimidated her as much as it was welcome to her, she then whispered in his ear, "But I do believe I could say I see a lot of women boring holes in me right now..." She giggled softly but the giggle, it was not one of innocence, devious tone that was, little minx. In all honesty, she was thankful she were to not be the jealous one today, "I do believe I want to keep you here..." her time was soft and gentle, timid but the words sincere, a devious mix for a man.

As her hand lightly squeezed his, her free hand gently wrapped around his neck, as her nimble fingers gently traced up the middle of his neck, drawing light little circles, quite lightly, to simply rest her hand against his shoulder. She never did this before. She was never admired and not were this many eyes on her. She found herself questioning her sanity after the words she spoke. Where did they came from? Words unspoken to be never spoken to anyone. She's never even had a kiss to a man she loved outside of those she cared about in her family. Her heart beat in her throat as she began to feel unsure if that was an appropriate move or not, her expression seemingly for more and more timid

Michael pales at Carmens actions. He glanced around at all the people swarming in. His heart beat began to thump in his head, he leaned in to her ear, whispering ever so softly, "You will fuck all this up. It'll all be on you again if we don't get fucking Charlie back. You're being a bloody toddler. Sit. The. Fuck. Down. Next to Finn. And smile. Fuckin' smile. Before you get someone fuckin' hurt. Hear me?" he scolded harshly, his tone angered. He did not appreciate her being so reckless, not now. Not When her family was about to be here. He yanked away from her, laughing, the fakest laugh, "I am no dancer." he sat her down gently next to Finn And sat at the opposite end as he ordered orange juice for Carmen to hopefully sober her up. He glared at his own reflection on the other side of the mirrored wall bar, to quickly look away for any sight of Italians. Seeing there weren't any yet, he walked out once more for some air. Sitting at the steps, he held his head in his hands. He did have to admit, he did like the little show in some sick way but that only angered him more. This was for Charlie. And she was willing to do this to Finn. Such confliction and anger poured into him like monsoons and waves crashing.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

"I'll give it to you, girl. You're headstrong. Determined," Al had laughed. His jolly cheeks reddening with joy. In many ways, the old man reminded young Carmen of Santa Claus; he was kind, caring, giving, had a jolly laugh and a round little belly. He also seemed to know everything, whenever she was naughty or nice. He was, in a sense, omniscient.

On this particular occasion, she'd been out drinking ale with the girls - in spite of how he'd told her not to because it was 'too dangerous' and people could use her as 'a weapon against' him. She didn't care. No, if there was one thing that Al Capone had ever been completely right about, it was that Carmen Di Roza did not crack beneath the face of pressure, and she never took no as answer to something that she wanted.

And right now, she wanted Michael Gray. Perhaps, she simply wanted him because she was told that she couldn't. Maybe, that was so. All the same, she wanted him. She yearned for him. And, she was going to have him.

Having waited a few moments since the young man left, she talked to the boys as if an ounce of liquor had never passed her lips. None suspected a thing, which sort of made the game more enjoyable. She thrived on the danger, had an urge for more. After a few minutes had passed, she excused herself to go the ladies room, following suit in the direction that Gray had stormed.

There he was, outside in the grand gardens of the Shelby Manor, smoking 'like a trooper' as Polly would scold him. Watching in the disguise of the shadows, she couldn't help but smile to herself as she thought about the first time they'd been alone here. It was the first time they'd met, and the first night she'd ever went to sleep thinking about that wretched face of his. Unable to help herself, when she came out of the shadows, Carmen yanked the flat cap from his head, and began to run as quick as her legs could carry her towards the shadows of the trees. Pausing, she kicked of her heels, and wavered in the air.

"You want to see a child, Michael Gray? Oh, you've seen nothing yet".


***

Tommy gave out a small grunt in response, allowing his sharp eyes to run along her gentler features - wondering how someone who looked so much like an angel, who seemed as though she had not a devilish ounce in her body, could come out with such a thing - before allowing his words to take over. "And you? Do you care much for that?" His voice invited confidence, but didn't demand it: simple and neutral, but that was the danger of Tommy all over. He was as smooth talking as the devil, or so Polly always claimed.


He knew as much as anyone who cunning that he could be. He provoked the negative, aggressive side of Arthur, solely because he needed some muscle in the family. He consistently went against Polly's wishes by treating Michael like some kind of mob boss. He'd made John marry a woman that he didn't love, though luckily, eventually did. Most of all, he consistently treated Finn like a child, if not worse, as if he did not exist or was not relevant. Now, Carmen was some kind of mule to be carted off for the right price. Although, perhaps that was more her uncle's bidding than his own.

He was about to open his mouth, to speak again, when he saw him: Capone, in flesh and blood. He was almost certain of it. He'd once heard Capone described as Saint Nick. He knew when you'd went against him. He knew when you'd been kind. He was a kind man, and if you treated him kindly, he'd return such favour. This was all speculation though. Wasn't everything? If Capone was so wise, then he'd already know what was being plotted against him.

No, Capone wasn't omniscient. He just had good informers. With people in the right places, anyone could seem all knowing, which was exactly why they needed to use this opportunity to their advantage. "Esperanza, I need you to slap me. Right in the face. Do it quickly, with no holding back," Tommy splurted, his words hushed and prompt. "He's here. If he sees you attacking me, he may see you as a way in, or at least not as an enemy. He can't suspect that we are close". It wasn't even foiling the plan of getting her on the inside that Tommy feared but rather her being used as a way to hurt him.



They were all okay. For some reason, that made her feel a million times better already. She could rest at ease knowing that she hadn't quite caused any tragedy just yet. "No news of Charlie, then?" She frowned, rubbing her forehead sorely. Still, she had faith in Al. What was it that the old man always used to say? "In this life all that I have is my word and my balls and I do not break them for nobody". Yes; that was it. Al was always true to his word, whatever he'd say to Tommy, he meant.

It was easy to feel safe in his arms. Though, she didn't understand why isn't the slightest. Michael Gray was an enemy of Al, subsequently an enemy of her. Why did she lean into his wretched touch so much? Why could his kind words melt her inside? Why? She hated him. She hated that he had this weird power over her, and could make her feel this disgusting warm feeling inside.

Allowing her head to hit the pillow, as he instructed, she let out a soft sigh.

"Do you think we'll ever be in charge of our own destiny?" She wandered aloud, her silver eyes falling upon the ceiling.

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza watched his eyes, blushing a bit, her eyes darting away timidly. She very well knew he was a predator in the end, it's how he functioned. As she has been around for a couple weeks, she soon caught on to his methodology. But in the end, she knew what it was for. His job was to protect the family, in the end he had to use them for their own sake. For business, if they wanted this life; and it all seemed as everyone were to be in unison. Or maybe too far in to come out. No, had to be by choice. Family before everything; always was the belief, it was the love and in turn what they did. She hated it came to that, but in the end she knew it was the only way. She couldn't be mad at him for how he had to be.

The question that always puzzled her was always his past. A big mystery, one she wanted to know so desperately. What was truly inside of him. Why does he wake every night in a rush and drink, when she wanted to go to comfort him so badly? She didn't know much about him even through rumor. She yearned for the day, if she was ever to be so rewarded to actually sit down with that man, just over there, holding her. The man who has protected her as she protects him, the man who she knows has so much pain in him; she can feel it when she's around him, the man cursed to lead no matter what for his own sanity, for this she does not know but she just...does. In her bones, the man who wakes at night, like a boy scared of the night, just like her. A family man who can't get close. And with all she saw, the last thing she saw was anything close to dangerous. She saw a man, doing what he had to, in one form or another; dangerous to others, sure, to her- dare she say it? No. That's what she hoped anyway, as she restrained her nervous ticks to flinch around him, slowly dissipated completely.

As he finally spoke she turned a deep red, definitely still in her shell, though she did feel apt to speak her mind, but that was soon cut off. Why was he so....he seemed calm. To her this wasn't calm. Why? This won't compromise the plan if the fat man sees. In that moment it gestured, in that millisecond, it showed her in her eyes, a face of confusion to a realization. He was indeed afraid. Her eyes turned soft soon after the puzzlement. She clenched her jaw, she clearly was going to feel bad for this. She took a deep breath but she slapped him, well- hard. It made a loud crackle noise, enough to persuade, to deny what everyone just saw, but not to physically harm him more than what was needed. She then cussed him out in a long slur of Romani, just as she's seen many married women in her clan do, which was admittedly, quite comical scene. She then stormed off in the crowd, right past Capone, genuinely accidentally bumping into him. She looked furious as she stormed off, though inside she was panicking as well as feeling guilty for having to hit Tommy. He's here. The man that set all this up, the man that sicced men to beat her, and Carmen. Is. Here. This is happening, when it felt so far away a second ago. Admittedly, she didn't want to tear away from Tommy, but she understood and in all honesty; it was endearing to her. But as soon as her shoulder hit the Italians, well, that wasn't planned. She jumped, staring at the man for a minute. Frazzled. Genuinely. Frazzled, inside panicked but she made it work. Furious, accidentally run into someone, frazzled, "Sorry, sir, I-...." she gave a weak smile, ducking her head toward him, "I should pay better attention." Yep, this was not her plan.

At this point, the Gray was thanking god she submitted to bed for his patience was running dangerously thin. It felt nice, genuinely nice to hold her as he carried her to the room, so she could sober up as she rested. He then sat down at the edge of the bed, the door closed, careful for no one to see them. He sighed as the question was raised once more, but this time he genuinely contemplated it. His eyes darted a bit, as he pondered the possibility, "If we obey the rules, and play along. All it is, is timing. Now is not the time. You can never live your life and destiny constantly..." he spoke. In all honesty, destiny was complete bullshit in his eyes. You got outer shit from your life, and your own shit. They clash, bam, "destiny". He admired how she could see the world so whimsically still, he wished not to destroy it; considering especially after the last few weeks. He leaned down to kiss her forehead, "Rest up. You'll need it. Seriously. Rest." he eyed her carefully, "If I see you down there causing a commotion," he warned, his tone genuinely darker, like he was getting toward the wits end. Just a few moments ago he wanted to throw her own shoe at her. He couldn't help but chuckle though, thinking back at her face as she threw the heels in the air, it was quite a sight. He then rolled his eyes, "We will sort this, Carm. I promise." he tore himself from her side, quietly walking out, planning to check on her every few minutes. Or should he have Finn? No, he couldn't trust anyone else to do a proper job even if there were to be nothing wrong. He sighed, this was so much more difficult than he had ever anticipated.

As he made his way down the stairs, FUCK. There he was. Al fucking Capone. He stared at the man from a distance, stalking him like a predator looks at his prey. His blood boiled. How he act so innocent, after beating his own bloody niece. Michael began to see red as he squeezed the railing a little bit too hard, as his knuckled turned white. Fixating on him, killing him over and over brutally in his mind, a thousand ways but that did not satisfy the urge to beat that smug little fuckers face into the pavement himself. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Finn. He had to find Finn. He had to check on Carmen now. It couldn't be him, as anxious as it made him. He very well knew Carmen could play Finn like a bloody fiddle and outsmart the kid, less all the mobsters in the room. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Fuck sake. He sighed as he walked back to the group, "Finn, Carmen has a bit....to...drink...Maybe you should check on her every now and again, make sure she's still asleep and comfortable, or if she needs anything." He stated simply, as he ordered another pint, downing half of it like he has been parched and starved of fluids for weeks; no. This was running away, numbing. He needed something stronger. He ordered a couple shots of whiskey and a tumbler of rum to ease his nerves, his anger only amplified however. He couldn't dare look at the Italian man. Fuckin' Santa Claus, the irony.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

"You quite alright, little miss?" His Yankee accent was as big as his gut, but not half as big as the smile perched upon his face. Al was bemused. He'd found the theatrics very amusing indeed. It'd even summoned a half hearted chuckle to his lips. Who would dare to strike a mob boss as she had, and his worst enemy if that? He liked the flavour of this girl, reminded him of his Carmen. Reminded was the important word. For, he wouldn't have to be if the damn girl was actually around.

"That was quite the performance you've just gave us all. Has Mr Shelby done something to wrong to dishearten you?" His chubby fingers reached towards his pockets, pulling out a packet of cigarettes, from which he withdrew one and pressed it firmly between his lips. "No gentleman ought to bring a lady to such a state of despair". Bringing the flame to the end of the the rolled slice of heaven, he sharply inhaled, and the crisp paper began to burn

---

"I think 'e better not, formal introductions are gonna be needed with Capone soon," Arthur shook his head, in disapproval. "At least one of 'em needs to be here. We can explain Carmen's absence while she sobers up. For now, just make sure she does nothing stupid".

Finn furrowed his eyebrows. His usual soft forehead scrunched. "I doubt that she could manage much drunken. You know, Arthur can 'ardly take his shoes off after he's been out for pints?"

"After who has been out for pints?" Tommy rubbed his raw cheek, pretty certain that Esperanza had left a lethal looking mark, or at least that's what it felt like.

"Arthur," Finn chuckled. "Do you not remember some of the states that he'd been in before?"

An actual smile itched at the corner's of Tommy's mouth. "Oh ye, I remember alright. Remember that time John managed to convince him that if he ran down the street fuck naked after Minnie Lou that she wouldn't be able to refuse him? Maybe you were too young".

"No," Finn shook his head in more laughter. "No, I definitely remember. The point is though, I wouldn't worry too much Michael, what is the worst that she can do?"

***

In spite of the lovely occasion in the manor, the weather outside described perfectly how Carmen was feeling. It was an inferno of some sort. The winds howled loudly. The rain battered the window pane. The thunder growled, hidden somewhere north of the city. As she lay in bed, she thought of the party down below, and all the fancy schmancy people that would be turning up. It was comical really. They all took themselves so seriously, when his wedding was the biggest loud of bullshit that she'd ever came across.

For good measure, she stumbled out of bed, and attempted to tug at her door handle. It was as she'd suspected. Michael had locked her in. Asshole. No matter. No matter. Doors were for the weak anyway. Windows, now that was where the true excitement lay.

Tip toeing to the window seat, Carmen's index finger poked the handle ever so slightly, a burst of giggling erupted from inside as the wind blew it softly open. Hicupping, the bride to be stuck one foot out onto the ledge, testing the steadiness, before crawling through so that her whole body was outside. Anxiously, she looked down, inching a little to the right so that she could get a better look, and gulped nervously at the extent of the drop.

No matter. There was no fun without a little danger, right? As she took another step to the right, a block of cement fell from the building, leaving a gaping hole in the path and the legs of the young girl trembling. Perhaps it would be better to turn back. Yes, there was a fine line between bravery and stupidity after all.

Her head arching to the side, Carmen was more than a little baffled to found that in her absence, the wind had blew her window shut once more. Her exit was nowhere to be found.

 

[RunawayGirl]

What does he have to say for gentleman? When he had men go after her and Carmen, beating them nearly raping both of them. It genuinely pissed her off inside, but she used it to her advantage, "Thomas Shelby," she rolled her eyes, "I am sorry for the show, sir, my temper gets the better of me." her tone was laced with anger, it did seem very much toward Thomas but inside she was cursing the fat man in front of her. It angered her so, he did nothing. Absolutely nothing, did he? He just got all the information, and let others do his bidding. Very much like Tommy, yes, but at least he has the scars to prove he's been in a lot of it himself. She took a deep breath, giving an apologetic smile, "You must be Capone, yes?" She asked softly, offering to shake his hand, politely, her facial expression a lot softer, her tone a bit more timid now she wound herself down a little, blocking out the terrible memories, "It's a pleasure to meet you- and your shoulder," she joked, with a small giggle. She needed a drink, her nerves were getting the better of her. She felt butterflies in her stomach, making her feel sick, but nevertheless hid it from the man.

Michael gave Finn a deadpan serious look, that stated his thoughts exactly. You do not underestimate that batshit woman when she's drunk. And with that, he had a sneaking suspicion she was up to no good. Yes, indeed, he began walking up the stairs, already expecting to be in a shit mood by the time he saw what hell she was doing, though he wasn't sure what she could manage to exactly do in there besides destroy the room. No, that wasn't devious enough of her. He opened and unlocked the door and in the moment, before he could even open it. It clicked; window. Fuck. He stepped in, sighing. "Carmen where THE FUCK ARE YOU?" he snapped, however not to his full extent. He walked around the room. Child, complete and utter child. This was a genuine test of love for him, and the fact that he could curse her and still be upset about loosing her was not to be taken lightly.


He sighed, glancing at the window. Closed. He rolled his eyes, looking under the beds, inside closets, and the bathroom. Nowhere. He stood in the middle of the room, pondering. She wouldn't be dumb enough to close her only exit back in from a nasty fall-....wind. In that moment, it clicked. He opened the window, sticking his head out. And there she was. Sopping wet. On the bloody roof, cold. His eyes narrowed as he blinked away the rain, sighing, "FUCK SAKE CARMEN." he yelled over the loud gusts that whipped through his hair, tousling it. He was about ready to completely lock her in like bloody Rapunzel. Fitting, long blonde hair, bit of an attitude, her only love allowed inside. Perfect. How bloody fucking amusing, yet he wasn't laughing. He climbed out, quite carefully, he sat down at the top toward the window, digging his heels into the shingles, offering her his hand to use as a safety line to move closer to him and guide her to the window, "Your fucking uncle is here what the actual fuck are you thinking?" he barked, sighing exasperatedly as he pinched the bridge of his nose, attempting to not loose his cool, until he at least got her inside. He didn't want to risk her mental impairment to be rebellious and jump off. "Please..." he spoke as calmly, and slowly as possible, "Come inside with me. Please." he practically begged, for his sanity at this point.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

"I was - hic - trying to get down. It - hic - was just a bit of an adventure. You see you locked me in" she attempted to gesture towards the window, her finger out of target by a long way, and merely nearly stumbled of the edge. "Oh, dear. I think I'd quite like to - hic - go inside now. Michael, will you help me, please?" Her hands flung to her arms, rubbing them fiercely to attempt to fight of the freezing cold.

Casting her eyes anxiously his way, Carmen nibbled softy upon her lower lip. Why did she always ruin everything? It was like she had some kind of inverted Midas' touch. Anything that came near her grasp inadvertently withered. All she wanted was a simple thing: to be able to choose her own life choices, to be the one in charge of her own life. It was a thing that everyone else was born to, and something that she could never have. She was Al's daughter until she was Finn's wife, and then she would be her child's mother. Yet, Carmen was destined to never be her own woman.

~~~
​

"You must be Capone, yes?" He watched as she extended her slender arm, offering to shake his hand. It was his first impression from her soft facial expression, and timid tone, that she was a gentle woman. Yet, a reflection upon her previous actions, striking a Peaky Blinder - no, the Peaky Blinder - and the fact that she bore no wedding ring at prime age, immediately alerted Al that she may indeed be a little minx who was up to no good.

"I daresay the pleasure is mine," he retorted, with a polite nod. Within the smallest of a moment, he'd raised her hand to his lips, releasing the most gentle of kisses upon her bare skin
As he did so, he couldn't help but notice that she was visibly shaken, which was perhaps a side affect of her previous actions, or maybe something a little more sinister. Either way, Al Capone suspected every option.

"I must ask, forgive my crudeness, what Mr Shelby did to deserve such a response?"

 

[RunawayGirl]

The gypsy very well knew what she did. Strong woman then well- fragile. But she very well knew if she was going to be around a man for any length of time she couldn't hide the flinching and nervous ticks. Yet. Anyway. She blushed as he kissed her hand as she flashed a kind smile. As he asked his question, she sighed, "He's a bit of a....dog...he's tried numerous times to.." she rubbed the back of her neck, she wasn't going to dare further that sentence or she'd be blushing mad, "I wish I could stay mad..." she frowned, "But when you have...things that make it a very nerve racking gesture." she shrugged, "My apologies, Again." she spoke looping back to the shoulder, she didn't want him to suspect that she saw him trying to figure her out, she wanted a complete clueless innocence. It all made sense though. After that little out burst she certainly did have weary eyes. Of him. But when men passed- regardless of a Shelby men or his she tensed.

Michael sighed, giving a nod. "Alright, alright." he spoke in a soft tone. He then wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer with minimal movement from the spot in which he was anchored to, he slowly rose and picked her up, and with a ducked step they were both inside- now soaking wet from the storm outside. He was certainly still annoyed, he has understood why she did this from the beginning however it just wasn't fair to him. But the injustice wasn't fair to her either. He sighed, "So do I have to baby you and drag you around for everyone to see to get you another dress or are you going to behave for 2 minutes?" he asked calmly

 

[Kassandra Rose]

"Behaving has never really been my forte," she swung upon her toes, a mischievous glimmer in both her eyes and the smirk perched upon her rose petal lips. Carmen would be lying if she claimed to not being enjoying the feeling of his arms around her, of his hand upon the small of her back, of him finally paying attention to her.

Her hand grasped at his tie, pulling him closer in. "I think it's unfair to compare me to a child, they get rewarded for good behaviour, and me.. I get locked in my room or carted off in a loveless marriage. No, I don't think that is fair at all," she brought her lips to the top of his neck, just at the right of his jaw. "Sure thing, I'll get changed, but my dress is a tie at the back. So, the only problem is that you'd have to help me". A rapture of giggling burst from between her parted lips, emboldening her eyes.

~~~

It made sense, he supposed, and he wouldn't put it past Mr Shelby to not know how to treat a lady right. Capone, however, was a good man. Him and his boys, they respected the ladies. Women and children were one of 'em things. You didn involve 'em in gang life. It just simply wasn't the done thing.

"No matter," he coughed, clearing his throat. His hand gestured towards the small of her back, requesting to place so that he could cart her in another direction. Having received permission, he gave the lady a reassuring smile. "What did you say your name was again, lil miss?" Before them stood a group of rather important looking Italians, and the most prominent, he introduced as "Roberto, my nephew".

"It's a pleasure, Miss," the young get took her hand, bringing it to his lips. "You remind me of someone... in your eyes. You share the same... fiery look. Are you quite acquainted with the bride?"

"You must forgive my nephew. He thinks of nothing but his former love, in spite of my threats," Al gave a hearty laugh. "The two grew up together, Carmen being my god daughter and such. They were inseparable, but I think he could forget only he's never been introduced to a beauty as yourself".

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza gave Al a kind smile As they walked together to the group, "Esperanza, sir." she spoke softly. When she met Roberto she couldn't help but blush at the gesture. It was on she was clearly not accustomed to. s
She gave a soft and kind smile, "I do know Miss Carmen, indeed." she smiled softly looking up at the young man. Great. A former lover, A LOVER, and the groom. All under the same roof. This was going to be hell. She smiled, "She's a beautiful woman, I can understand." she laughed airly, though she seemed innocent to all that had happened. She felt intimidated certainly by all the men around her she not know. She already has issued with trust since his men beat them to a pulp. She hid, quiet well however, though she was indeed timid however it was explained. She gave the softest smile, "A pleasure to meet you."

Michael listened. He very knew it wasn't fair. He only looked down at her coldly as she dragged him by the tie but deep inside he wanted to kiss her. He sighed, "And thats what you get when you betray my trust. It was earned." As she kissed his jaw he shivered and quickly put her down and distances himself as his fingers combed through his wet hair. "Uhm..." he walked into the bathroom throwing her a towel to wrap up in. He without another word walked to her room to find a nice party dress, he pulled one and walked back inside silently hoping he was going to stay there as intended. He hated how she had much so control of him. He hated how hard she pushed, it felt as though she was breaking him apart.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

When he returned, Carmen was sat, perched at the end of her bed, with an innocent looking smile upon her face. This was not at all as it seemed, more rather excitement, mischievous excitement, to tease Michael closer to the verge of breaking and just allowing himself peace, allowing them peace.

Her small hands rubbed her bare arms in a search for some kind of comfort from the frost bite that she'd gathered from her adventure outside. "I'm so cold," she complained, wrapping the towel tighter around her. "Lock the door so that you can help me change, Michael," she gestured to the wooden frame behind him. "This dress is horrid, it's awfully cold and sticking to my flesh".

~~~

"You must be acquainted with the Shelby family, then?" Roberto held out his arm, for her to hold. "I think I would definitely have remembered a face like yours. Tell me, how do you and Mr Thomas Shelby know each other?"

A henchman approached the group, three drinks in hand, one for Al, Esperanza, and Roberto. Before drinking his, Al nodded, past his drink to another, who tasted in in search of poison. Realising the drink was okay, the round man brought it once more to his lips.

"That's a good point, Roberto," Al nodded. "How do you know, Mr Shelby?"

 

[RunawayGirl]

Clever man, she noted it. She timidly locked arms with Roberto, blushing away. She gave Al a soft and innocent smile as she sipped hers, going along with the plan Tommy and her forumulated before, "My family was abusive. Carmen didn't like that. Asked Tommy to be kind and get me away. So he did. Though we are certainly do not get along. Wish it were different...." she spoke softly. Making it seem as though she could be on good ground with her savior but it wasn't meant to be. Clearly a falling out. Acting clueless, "But you must get along?" she made it look as if she assumed, "Carmen to be a Shelby." she gave a kind smile, as she sipped her drink, allowing it to ease her. "It's quite a union." she spoke with a smile to show it was quite impressive to her. Two rather large and notorious families joining.

Michael bit his lip, questioning if it's better to fetch a maid or hostess. But seeing the blue around her lips he went along with it to lock the door. He handed the dress to her. "Alright turn around." He spoke softly trying to get this done and over with, diverting his eyes to he ceiling. Trying to behave was not his forte however, who was he trying to fool? The fact he respected Finn more than Tommy at the moment spoke volumes though he had poor impulses he was trying to hold on to. Decency. Something he was not a custom to fully.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

She could feel his fingers brush against her bare back as they stumbled upon the lacing of her dress. Closing her eyes, Carmen could almost convince herself that they were somewhere else, and she was someone else. That it was their engagement night, or even their wedding night, and that this didn't appall him, knock him sick to the gut.

As her dress fell onto a pool upon the floor, leaving her in just her corsette and bloomers, she inhaled a sharp breath, before turning to take the other dress from his hands. "Blue," she ran her fingers along the lacing upon it. "That seems fitting to the mood". Her free hand extended to his cheek, before her lips placed a friendly enough kiss upon where they had brushed. "I can't tell if you're here because you need to be, or because you care..."

~~~

Capone and his nephew exchanged a glance, before the younger man nodded in acceptance. "So, you live here then?" He asked, his eyebrows inquisitively furrowed. "That does sound like a think that Carm would do. She was always too soft, let her heart get in the way of her heart, ahead of reason and sometimes even family".

Capone shook his head. "Don't speak ill of your host. Speaking of which, where is the bride to be?" He glanced at Esperanza, having seen her carting the girl around just a moment ago. "Do you expect to be married soon yourself, Esperanza?"

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza nodded, "She's not feeling too well, so she's resting. I understand the nerves must be consuming her...." she gave a small laugh when the questions raised, "I'm sorry," she gave a small smile, "I suppose I never thought of that. I suppose I do not see myself being a wide any time soon." Though she didn't look too upset about it. It was quite obvious she was a woman of her own strength despite being fragile in her own right, she wouldn't just court anyone. "How about you Mr. Capone? Do you have a wife, if I may ask?" she asked kindly, "Roberto?" she asked as she looked up at the young man linked by the arm

Michael didn't dare look at her as much as he desperately wanted to, he sighed as her lips pressed against his cheek. He stayed put, "Im doing what's right." He spoke simply, "I didn't want this. But it's happening. We can't risk anything." his Adams apple bobbed as he gulped, lighting a cigarette.

"I love you Carmen." he spoke quietly as the smoke left between his lips, "It's why i not playing in your game or recklessness. And regret." he spoke quietly. "Please. Slip the dress on and turn around." his voice was soft as a whisper.

 

[Kassandra Rose]

"No games of regret?" Carmen raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Sure thing, there'll certainly be no regret when I'm eternally wedded to your cousin. I mean, it's only irreversible, the vow of a life time. Big deal, right? Yeah, silly me, trying to show that I care before I can care no longer". Her thick lashes narrowed around her cerulean eyes.

"I never took you as somebodies bitch," she yawned, moving her dainty hand to her lips. "I guess that I was just wrong about you". He loved her? He loved her? How dare he claim that. No, he didn't know what love was. He wouldn't do this is he did.

***​

"Sit with us," the old man commanded, as he gestured towards a nearby booth. The leader of the pack, Al made his way towards the round table, where he barely managed to nuzzle himself inside. Roberto followed, extending his arms in a gesturing of ladies first.

"Oh yeah, Al is married," Roberto answered her question. "Sweet lil mae, but she stays at home with the kids, y'know how women be in this business?" He shoved his hands inside of his pockets, sliding into his seat following her.

"Not my Carmen," Al furrowed his eyebrows, clearly not impressed. His forehead scrunched, lining his peculiarly perfect, oily complexion. "That girl use to have some brains, a' least until them Shelby boys got 'em hands on 'er".


Roberto tensed, leaning back so that he could get a better glimpse of the brains behind the Peaky Blinders, if you could consider them to have any. "Heh, lookie over and Mr. High and Mighty," he gestured with a nod of his head over to Tommy, whose jaw was tensing and teeth grinding for reasons unbeknownst to the Americans. He was nervous, for Esperanza's wellbeing. "The lil fish looking fellow must be jealous that the pretty lady prefers a slice of American Italians".

 

[RunawayGirl]

Esperanza sat quietly wedged between al and Roberto. Quite a position to be in, she nodded giving a giggle, "Girls stuck in the clouds. She's a young one." she said simply and curtly. However inside she wanted to slap the oil right of both their faces. She glanced over at Tommy to see what Robert was gesturing toward where Esperanza promptly looked away quickly and masked her startlement with an eye roll. "Suppose so." she muttered as she looked down, however she was nervous herself, she felt.bad if she genuinely was making him jealous though she couldn't fathom such an emotion directed toward her. "Oh well." she faked a smile up at Roberto. She then pondered silently if he genuinely looked like a fish. No can't be. She judged Roberto needed his eyes checked, "It's certainly much more inviting here."

Michael sighed as she spoke, he grabbed her shoulders as he spun her so she was facing away and then pulled up her zipper and stormed out slamming the door behind him. "Fuck off. I'm done trying to fucking help you." Fuck her. Fuck. Her. He shook from anger. He stayed outside for the remainder of the night or until he was noticed absent

 

[Kassandra Rose]

For fucksake, seriously, now?

Tommy could fucking shoot someone or, more particularly, just Carmen. Now, she chose now of all times to venture in. Her hair hung low, in loose curls as if it had been swept so by the wind or rain. Upon her was a brand new, baby blue dress that clung to her hips and curves in all the right places. Her high cheeks were flustered, as if she'd just heard something that she didn't quite care for, or appreciate, and her arms were strapped below her chest.

She must've spotted her Godfather in a heartbeat, for she'd headed almost instantly in that direction. All Tommy could do was sit and hope, for he could not interfere, that she didn't fuck anything up.

~~~
​

"Godfather," she leant forth, across the table, and kissed Al quickly on his two chubby cheeks. "I've missed your jolly little face, and I see you're quite acquainted with Esperanza. How happy I am to see that all my favourite people have gathered in the same place".

"Are you so quick to forget me, Di Roza?" His voice was most certainly a grave shock to her system, almost like seeing a ghost for the first time. Roberto Capone, she'd most certainly forgotten that face, and had tried with every single ounce of her strength to do so.

"Not at all, Rob, she almost whispered. Her olive complexion paled ever so slightly. "I didn't expect for you to be hear. Last I head you had-"

"Moved to Chicago to sort out business with the McLaggers. I know," he finished her sentence, standing up to approach her. At first, she half suspected he'd done so to do something foolish, as they often used to together. Instead, he offered for her to sit by Esperanza to which she nodded with a polite thanks.

"Esperanza, I didn't know you'd met my uncle," she began, unsure on how much Al was aware of.

 

[RunawayGirl]

It wasn't very noticable if you didn't know the gypsy woman but she was giving the "What did you do" face, noting her appearance. "Oh not too much. Simply my distaste for Mr. Shelby but forever thankful for you saving me from my family." she said playfully still in a shy soft tone, scooting over so Carmen could sit. Her heart raised. What the fuck is she doing now? She's not sober enough for this. She couldn't trust her, she didn't know what she was capable of or lack there of like this. Where the hell was Michael? No matter now, too late. She was the tension between the two, Roberto and Carmen. It made her stomach do a flip seeing how the blonde paled. It was a bit relieving to be separated a bit from the tension and to sit next to Carmen she could at least dog her nails in her if she slipped and no one would see.

Michael basically threw some flower pots around and went for a walk to clear his thoughts. He kept telling himself he was not gonna talk to her anymore. Completely ignore her the rest of the night. He has to or it'll all blow up. He sighed as he rubbed his forehead walking again once more to see the blonde now sitting with Esperanza and- that fucker. If he wasn't about to go homicidal on someone by now it was certainly NOW. But also he was scared. Terrified. Sitting by the man who allowed all this to happen as well as she's drunk and too much at stake . he then walked toward Tommy, he spoke lowly, "What the actual fuck is happening."

 

[Kassandra Rose]

"I don't fucking know mate," Tommy pinched the bridge of his nose, as if he had some kinda bleed of the brain which he was trying to suppress. He bloody felt like it. "I thought you said that you'd sorted it. I'll send Finn over or sutin' in a minute, act as if the groom wants to meet his family in law". He paused, raising his hand, elongating a single finger as if to highlight a certain point. His mouth opened, closed again, before opening once more.

"I fucking swear, if she does anything to mess this up then she fucking dies," Tommy's teeth had begun to grind. Everything was at risk, everything. Only today had he realised just how very dear that Esperanza was. He'd lost Charlie, and now he was at risk of losing her. He didn't think he'd ever recover from the final blow of losing them both at once.

~~~

"You seem so much happier here now," Carmen nodded, smiling so very innocently. "It's almost as if you've found a home that you never knew existed". Her dainty hand reached for the centre of the table, where a bowl full of salted peanuts sat merrily for all. Shoving a few in her mouth, but waiting until it was clear, she quickly added, "can't believe I stumbled upon you, Al and Rob. Roberto, I mean. I meant Roberto".

Her small hand rubbed her jaw as if there was a mild pain or ache, perhaps there was: the past. "I miss home, sometimes".

"Only sometimes?" Al laughed. "What do you miss? Does Esperanza not make you feel at home?" He glanced to the gypsy.

 

[RunawayGirl]

Michael just walked up to his pointed hand. He simply leaned in, "She was on the fookin roof Tommy. And tried to fucking seduce me. This was your shit idea. Not mine. You asked for the trouble. Marry her off, put the man she cares about to take care of her, grand fookin plan from Mr. Thomas Shelby himself." He snapped, speaking lowly, deeply but the look in his eye could kill, "Don't. Threaten me. With that shit. Because if she is hurt because you are fookin manipulating Esperanza Into this? I swear. To God"he growled. "Aye?" His eyds narrowed and walked to the bar to get a shot of vodka before returning his eyes to the scene in front of him that scared him to death. Why did she fucking do that? Why did she go back even after what the fuck head did? He hated it and certainly despised her as much as he was afraid to loose her right now.

Esperanza shrugged, "I understand what she means." She spoke calmly as if to say she understood the feeling atfter sipping her drink. She really wnated her out of this frame. If she could she would be giving a look that could kill toward her. She mulled her options over as she listened to them talk. How could she use her presents to her advantage without using Carmen herself? Drunk. Unstable. Loose lipped. No. She had to go. Had to. "I've never been to America....what is home like?" She glanced around the table. It was a innocent question but even the slightest word. Home. Brings out the sentiment. The love. Passion. What makes them feel safe. What is home to a person is much like looking into a medicine cabinet in her opinion. Though, she could never relate. Her home was caravan that constantly moved.

 

[RunawayGirl]

It says you posted but I don't see it)

 

[Kassandra Rose]

What was home like? She'd never truly considered Al her home. Home had been in the arms of her mother, as a small child who knew nothing, listening to the sweet hum of her lullabies and the grandest fairytales in her best storytelling voice. It was how her mother had always found a new voice for every character, even if there was over ten, and how her father would come in from work, throw her on his shoulders and gallop around the house like a pony.

Home? Where even was that now? The closest she'd ever felt to feeling such a thing was... well, it was in the hospital, with her small hand placed delicately upon the cheek of Michael Gray. It was holding Charlie Shelby in her arms and singing him the same lullabies that she'd been treated to, and watching him tangle his little fingers in her hair. It was brushing Esperanza's own hair, laughing and having heart to hearts with her, or going shopping with the Shelby women. It was feeling the lips of a man that she could never have against her own, so very warm, like a feeling only a comfort blanket could provide to an infant.

"Home... well, you know what they say... home is where the heart is," she cast a quick glance in the direction of the angered looking Gray, noting how his fists clenched and his jaw tightened. "It's your safe place, your one defence against the world. Yet, it's a world of its own. It has its own rules, and doesn't play by the laws of society".

"I think that's just our family, kiddo," Al snorted, "that don't play by the rules, I mean. I dunno where you get all that sunshine, rainbows and bunny rabbit shit, but it ain't nothing to do with me. You gon' ruin our street cred". Al gave a hearty chuckle, and Carmen smiled nervously before beginning to stumble her shaking fingers along the individual beads of her pearls.

"Gee," Roberto rested his head on the back of the chair. "It's real hot in here. Fancy some air, lollipop?" He poked her in the cheek, before standing and extending his larger hand.

"Air. Why, I couldn't dream of leaving Esperana! She-"

"Will be fine with me," Al interrupted with a firm nod. That was the be all and end all, when the Godfather had spoken his advice.

***

Tommy had to try and not look, but by bloody God it was hard not to. His teeth grit. His leg twitched beneath the table, and his knuckles were white, as his hand clenched inhumanly tightly around his pint glass.

"Alright, Tommy?" Arthur raised a quizzical brow. "Is there some 'eads that need cracking?"

"No, no," he forced a laugh, though couldn't remove his eyes from Esperanza's face. "Not yet anyway. I'm just a bit nervous about Carmen and that big mouth of 'ers. In case she-"

"What?" Finn slumped into his chair. "Incase she what, Tommy? You think that she's gonna spill the dirty little secret that the whole fucking family knows but nobody dares to confront?" His face had reddened much darker than his auburn hair. "Yeah," he laughed bitterly at the men's reaction. "You really think I'm oblivious, dont'cha? Well, I'll tell you something: just because you don't seem me, or think about me, don't mean I don't have the brain cells to see or hear myself. I have eyes and ears, and common bloody fucking sense. I know that Carmen's fucking around with Michael. Look how fucking agitated he is. How much of a mess she is because she's at an occasion that is supposed to be happy, but it fucking ain't".

Tommy's eyes widened, only just straying from Esperanza to land on his little brother.

"Finn-" he began, but it was too late. The youngest Shelby had begun to flee the scene, and wasn't waiting for any explanations.


***

"And your home, Esperanza?" Al leant across the table, to listen intently to what she had to say. "Tell me of it".

 

[RunawayGirl]

Deep down inside; for once, Esperanza was probably siding with the Gray right now with his anger toward Carmen. She could get herself in danger with that ex there, and she was going to fowl all this up quite willingly was beyond her. She took a sip of her drink as she listened to Carmen rattle on, in attempts to soothe her nerves. It was quite difficult to keep it together when she could feel the Shelby's intense eyes prying on their group and fighting to look back at them. She nodded, giving a reassuring smile to Carmen, "I'm fine!" she spoke calmly, yet humbly, her eyes; however, a look only Carmen could see from the angle. One of concern of anger, a little bit of a confliction of feelings that spoke a thousand words. It wasn't just the Gray she was messing with now. In all honesty, she shot that glance with love however; not with any bad bone in her body. She smiled toward Roberto, ever so sweetly, giving a small nod.

She looked over toward Capone, once the question was raised. She gave a kind smile, but one of well. Blank. Genuine. Blank. Home? Home? What was that? In this moment, she didn't mind showing her pure well; loss to the question. She laughed a bit, after a moment of silent as she pondered the question. In all honesty; she couldn't say what home was. A caravan that was cold, a man who basically owned her and beat her everyday within inches of her life, a slave to her uncles dealings and nothing more than a maid that could rarely ever leave the caravan without being punched down. But then, it came to her, the moment that laugh rang out. Ah, the truth was so much more difficult to face than a life full of pain and suffering. Thomas Shelby. Home. He was her home. That realization made her heart ache and her stomach turn. She smiled very softly, looking toward the man, "Well, I'm sure you'll laugh..." she spoke gracefully, "Ruthless mobsters and all," she winked in reference to his scolding toward Carmen, "Home is very far away for me. It's....rough. Tumble. Not perfect and dysfunctional. But very. Warm." she smiled ever so, but then once more it faded, "Very far away. I will learn to make my own." she spoke airly, as she meant every word. Shelby felt so close, yet so very far and out of reach. With all this havoc and chaos, doubt, his attachment to his ex-wife and the families that aren't even of her own, the fact he could have anyone and she's a simple gypsy woman from stock of traitors and tricksters, a bloody maid. Far away. Farther than ever in her mind. "A new adventure, I suppose?"

Michael's eyes glared daggers into Roberto as he even laid a finger against her flush cheeks. But that, that all dissipated when Finn spoke, time slowed, and in that moment he felt genuine guilt, genuine fear. Betrayal was the worst and he knew it. He was betrayed his whole life, lied to about his mother, about his life, his family, constantly doubted; a power play. He spun around, "Finn-..." but it was too late, the youngest Shelby stormed off. Shit. He stood there was he stared where the Shelby sat, as his mind rambled. What to say, what to do, what could happen, how will he react? Will he explode like bloody fireworks like Carmen or will he accept it? The possibilities ran endless, despite all of this he couldn't help but feel sorry. He wanted to apologize over and over and that wasn't something that came naturally to the Gray. Yet, deep inside he felt the need to; he had to. What was there to apologize for? The lies of Thomas fucking Shelby, no. He refused. He only looked back, over his shoulder toward Thomas, "Now. What did I say about all this, aye? She's fuckin' loosing her mind, I'm bloody here and now look. You're fucking him up just like the rest of us. Aye." he spoke lowly, deathly calm as the pain bubbled up inside him, as he took a shot. He paused for a moment, he eyed Roberto once more. Two birds, one stone. Talk to Finn, spy on them outside. He strode out, calmly, the guilt keeping down his anger. He glanced around for any signs of the other blinder.

 

[RunawayGirl]

(Here.)

 

[Kassandra Rose]

Carmen watched him, from a distance, as a prey eyes it’s predator: wide eyed and chest heaving— rising and falling in rapid motions. The world felt a little brighter tonight, as though the blare of the Earth had grown just a tad too much for her to handle, as though she were to crumble any moment beneath the whirlwind of events. Or, maybe it was just the drink. Yes, definitely the drink, she decided, as her feet searched the ground for contsance.

At last, however, she could take it no more— could no longer handle the hovering silence, waiting to lunge — and sliced it through with a sharp inhalation. “Are you quite okay, Rob?” Her voice was small, childlike, not at all like the woman that the Blinders were used to, the character that consumed the room around her, ate the space corner to corner. “You’re contemplating something,” she observed the sucking upon his lower lip, the rigidness of his spine. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” was a response that she should’ve expected, but didn’t. Perhaps, she’d hoped that whatever remained of what they’d once had— friendship if little else, if not love— would be enough for a slither of honesty. “I’m just... it is a long journey across the pond, ‘s’all”.

Narrowed eyes, she watched him through dark lashes, stumbling on as she walked. “You needed air,” she recollected, “did you wish to wake yourself? If you want, I could ask Tommy to make you a—“

“—Tommy” he snorted, spitting the name as though it were but shit or swine. Carmen flinched, little enough to almost be missed if one weren’t paying attention. “You’re on first name basis with ‘em now, with the ‘Peaky fuckin’ Blinders’”. There was an echo of bemusement in his tone, one which did not carry over to his soured expression.

“I live with them. They’re good people, hospitable people”.

“They’re our enemies, Carmen”.

“No, they’re not,” her eyebrows furrowed. “They’re- they’re our allies”.

This only provoked a mere laugh, and a shake of his regal head. “They’re our allies,” he repeated, tasting the words upon his tongue, deciding that they were true enough with a small shrug. “Sure. Yeah, they’re our allies. But, for how long, Carm... Hm?” It was an ugly truth that had been staring her in the face for too long— a truth that, like the great gorgon, Medusa, she’d been refusing to look eye to eye, avoiding at all and any cost. “They are our allies until they are our enemies. You know just as well as I how fast that may change. No one, not a soul in this earth, beyond the family is a true ally”.

She paused, turning her head to glance away, pretending to find something of interest in the rose bushes.

He continued. “So, what happens then? What happens when dear ‘Tommy’ crosses our old man, Carmen? Because, I need to know”. Her fingers extending, brushing the crimson petals of the fated flower. “Who you gon’ back?” Soft eyelids fluttered closed, thick and dark lashes intertwining, a fortress to hide her thoughts, bide her time. Her fingers lost their grip— falling, finding themselves drawn to the thorns of the cursed flower, and drawing from her skin the self same colour.

She winced. “It doesn’t have to come to that,” her eyes falling to where blood drew, a single droplet, a reminder of how precious and vulnerable that life truly was.

“That’s not an answer, Carmen”

Sometimes, Carmen told herself, silence... reluctance... it was an answer in itself. “It doesn’t matter where I am, where I am placed...” the fiery woman turned upon her heel, her back to him, eyes to the cloud drawn sky above. “It doesn’t matter; home is where the heart is, always. That is where my loyalties lay”.

And, that was not with Finn.

Nor, was it with Thomas.

It was not even with Al Capone.

No, deep down, in her swelling heart, Carmen understood what this meant for her. She knew it. She’d known it for some time, and she suspected he did too. Not Roberto. Roberto seemed blissfully unaware, satisfied with the answer that she had given him, content that there could surely be no other home than that where one was raised. Reaching out, he grasped her slender hand in his own and brought the tips of her bleeding finger to his lips. Here, he lay a kiss upon it, once, then again, before moving it to the back of her palm,

“Al wants you to know that he suspects the time has come. Your time to shine... a black cat is in the midst. We need you to find out who, what, and where...”

***

Tommy didn’t like it. He didn’t fuckin’ like it, at all. In fact, he could think of a good few fuckin’ thousand things that he liked more, like bathing in his own piss, or living in a pig’s hovel— at least pigs did not pretend to be anything. You knew what you were getting with pigs. Humans, on the other hand, he bloody hated humans. The lies, the deceit, the drama. There was no need for it, really. No bloody need.

Al Capone wanted his goddaughter wed, and he wanted it to be to a fuckin’ Shelby. That’s life. It’s how these things worked. John married, as needed, when it came to Esme. Now, it was Finn’s turn to bite the bullet. He didn’t understand this Romeo and Juliette bullshit, to be frank. Michael thought that he was in love, but Carmen was his Rosaline. Tomorrow, she would be yesterday’s news. There was really nothing to evoke a war over. She was just a girl.

And, what about Esperanza?

What about her? He consoled his mind. She was a means to an end, like everyone outside of his family. That’s all. Or, so he told himself. She knew things— things that they needed to survive, to thrive— and so, for now, she was important. Afterwards... after, she was somebody else’s problem. Perhaps, she could be Michael’s Juliette, tomorrows news. He could kill two birds with one bloody stone.

If only things were that fuckin’ easy.

***

Al was not a man of simplicity. He could smile in anger. He could frown at the news of a joyous occasion. What was inside did not often surface, and the surface did not often reach inside. He was, in essence, a paradox, if such ever graced the mortal earth. He did not fall the simple laws of men, which made him something of a phantom— a myth, legend, and a fear. And, boy, was he something to be feared.

He listened to Esperanza, and he was truly listening. In truth, he was more intent than anyone than she had perhaps encountered in her life. For, Al listened to the gaps between her breath, the fumbling of her nervous hand, the shuffling of her back against the leather of the chair. He listened to her body language, to the nervous gleam of her eyes, to the things that Esperanza said without saying a thing at all.

She was not comfortable, and she had reason not to be.

Something was not right.

Al was a naturally suspecting man, with a paranoid nature. He trusted no one. That did not make him wrong, however. No, no, he was rightfully inclined. Most people did plot against him. They wanted his seat, his throne, to take his place as King. Thomas Shelby, he suspected, was one of these men. You see, people engage in relationships because they are mutually beneficial. For Al, the Peaky Blinders were a means to an end. Once he used Carmen to cut the heart from the beast, the said Thomas himself, England— or rather, Britain— found itself with a void needing to be filled. And, who better than the Gentleman himself? Of course, he was limited in scope, and could not be both here and there. So, Carmen could stay in place, having proven her loyalty, keeping the pretence that the Blinders had an input with her “Shelby” husband.

Tommy. On the other hand... Tommy, tommy, tommy... he had all to gain himself. Tommy wanted more money, more power. If he were a clever man, he would’ve latched onto the bait. Carmen looked just like Grace; cared for his spawn an’ all. Or, perhaps, it were the opposite. Perhaps, Mr. Shelby was quite on to the game that Capone had in mind.

Al suspected he knew the truth. See, he’d been listening to Mr. Shelby too. He saw how he glanced at the woman by his side— how uncomfortable he was that her life lay in the hands of Capone, and his fear spoke all that he did not need to say. Shelby was taken for, whether he knew it or not. He was infatuated— seduced.

And, this inspired Al, indeed.

“An adventure?” He nodded, slowly, regally. “An adventure,” he repeated. “And, how would a new life sound... across the pond... in the New World?” His American accent was low, but demanding. As though if he were to declare “let there be light” then the moon itself would engulf in flames and give way to the sun. “I propose we double the celebration. What do y’ say, miss...” he didn’t believe that he’d been treated to her origin, her surname, and heritage. “My nephew, Roberto. I’ve been meaning to get him settled... enlargen the family. And, well, since the Shelbys be taking my little ray of sunshine, I do believe he could treat us to the view of the starry night. Allow your light to...” He raised his glass, in toast, before sipping it, hardly, “Pierce the darkness of our loss and grief”.

 

[RunawayGirl]

As much as the young gypsy girl's nervous ticks perhaps did get the better of her, she was one with Capone. One to his ways, every word he spoke was in new world's tongue of the gypsies ways. Selling their families just like cattle to amend across the worlds. Marriage into a family she didn't approve of and spoken to bring light, to no end only brought darkness. None of these words shocked her, nor his subtle glances as he read her body like an open book. No, not in the slightest. She watched his glances and made them known, but with not a glance of fear or weary, but one of understanding and equality. She was tired to be picked apart to feel naked under the gaze of another man, she chose to be respected. To be equal, even through femininity. The soft humble eyes of a woman who has known too much evil to understand his caution, to recognize it in herself as she repeated his visual habits. Her warm honey eyes found whatever details, even the slightest distress in his Italian suit, the smallest of papercuts and the habits he would soon cover with the sip of his drink to smooth all inquisition. He, was good. Quite.

However, not as good as the Shelby. The man was beyond stoic and still, as calm as a free floating feather, come and gone with the wind but so easily broken if...accidentally...or perhaps purposely, caught and snapped. However, beside the point as her mind got back on track to the Italian man in front of her and his proposal. 'Now this, would unfortunately be perfect...' she thought, as listened to his little speech. A speech, she very well knew was, indeed, full of shit. She had been watching Carmen and Roberto out of the corner of her eye and very well knew she would never be his woman, she could never be. The ways his eyes feathered over Carmen, predatory dangerous glances, ones she wondered if were ever capable of love, even if it meant to love, truly love, Carmen. So many thoughts swam through the gypsies head it felt like her head would soon catch fire, however kept herself calm to not stray from her usual behavior. She smiled softly as she looked down at her unsteady hands, "I know you are a wise man, Mr. Capone," She looked back up humbly, with some transparency, perhaps a window to her genuine being, her eyes were soft, even child-like, a curious girl in a big world, one of fear and adventure, purity of heart, "Which is why I question why you would marry a girl from a family who has nothing but tricks and trades and play the same games you would, with all due respect." She smiled softly, with good intent, "I am beyond flattered and humbled by your proposal... The New World of lights and...as I've been close to escape from here, I've only seen from such a distance the magnitude is bewildering. But if you don't mind me saying, sir, I am nothing of value to you, as you are magnitudes for my best interest...so I can't help but to question your intent as my duties to your family to help assist if I am nothing of value myself." She spoke with much grace, and punctuation. She dreamt as a little girl to see the Americas, to go to the flapper clubs and dance under the city lights, to run away from all the pain that was brought in the mud, shit and dirt of Birmingham and back of gypsy wagons . She knew deep down what this was, of course she did, but the question was genuine, of genuine curiosity she wanted to hear what speech the man would come up with, what to play off of and how he would react to the likes of her.

There was so much darkness and unknown to this path it scared her core but hid it with her grace. Her stomach turned and her heart mourned with every stabbing beat it produced. She didn't dare look at the Shelby, to think her heart would break right then and there. Of course this was nothing new to her, why on Earth did she ever think she'd get what she wanted? She shamed herself for thinking such a thing. Even if she was doing this for the family, for Thomas, she knew what she signed up for. To repay her debt and nothing else. She thought about it for a moment, removing herself from Birmingham, from the mud and the dirt, the polluted air...to a life of the unknown. The real gypsy way, one of adventure that perhaps she could live with, even if she never found love, she could find it in her wanderlust. It spoke to her in her blood but her heart denied her satisfaction. She then glanced at Roberto, she looked him over, smiling a bit. A handsome man and yet one she could never respect deep down, but she never once respected a man in her life, until recently. An easy gig, she convinced herself. Convenient.

***

"Finn!" Michael called out airily as the vapor from his lungs trailed in the crisp winter air, "Aye," he spoke a bit softer as he approached the youngest Shelby. He was quite for a moment, as he slowly approached him with his hands in the pockets of his wool coat, giving the boy some space at first, as his glanced down llooking over at the smaller boy in front of him calculating what was in his realm of promise to console him, which reached no avail. "I can't promise you anythin', but what I do know is we both want nothing apart of this," he spoke lowly, from the depths of his gut, with the utmost sincerity and he looked at him with a tense stare, "We can change this, we are bloody stubborn when we are pissed off. But right now, Finn." His voice trailed into a softer, calming tone, as he reached out to hold the boys shoulders with a tight squeeze, one of warmth and rigidness, determination, he lightly shook the boy. "Some things must be done to get our way. We can't go explodin' and ruin it all or we get stuck. Tommy might have fucked us, but that don't mean this is how its 'posed to be. I am bloody angry too, believe me Finn... but now ain't the time. We will fix this, n' you'll find the girl of your dreams, and hopefully just as dysfunctional as the lot of us. I just need you, Finn. Don't do this for Tommy...do this for me." he spoke out of sincerity, of something he held dear. He was asking him, and not demanding like a boss, he was vulnerable to the youngest Shelby. Without his hand, Carmen could get hurt, or worse.

All these scenarios played through the Gray's mind rampantly as he searched Finn's ocean blue eyes for any sign of a reply, any sign out of desperation he held so deeply within him he could no longer contain, the longer he heard Carmen speak, her voice alone, the rise and fall in desperation and frustration laced in the woman's voice weakened him to vulnerability to the Shelby. The cesspool of emotions brought no avail to action, except defeat that washed over him. Defeat he couldn't console her, defeat she had been pushed and pushed closer to her limit to distress and recklessness that was not Carmen herself, what this all was turning her into. It burned, stronger than any whiskey or any cauterized cut, or the soft burn of the tobacco that constantly laced and trailed down his throat. Of no pain he could experience, did that Carmen could bring.