Molly Shelby

Chapter 9

I tried to sit up but felt something cold and hard pressed against the side of my head, I froze and looked around desperately to try and meet eyes with my dad or uncles. I saw Arthur with gun pulled on whoever was pointing one at me, Finn and my dad were doing the same "put it down" my dad said and loaded his pistol. The man didn't say anything just pushed it harder against my head "dad" I whimpered, his eyes flicked from me to the man who I didn't dare turn to look at, "TOMMY DO SOMETHIN" uncle Arthur shouted, "shut up Arthur" he replied. "Mr Shelby" a voice echoed through the warehouse causing them to turn to look... Mosley "now I have your attention we can have a proper chat" he said placing his hands together and behind his back. "Let my daughter go" my dad said turning his gun on Mosley "I really thought you were smarter" he said and raised his hand towards the gunman who cocked his gun, I clenched my jaw trying to stop tears from escaping my eyes. "What do you want" my dad demanded, "just sending a message Thomas" he said and nodded at the gunman who grabbed hold of me and yanked me to my feet then dragged me over to Mosley, Arthur went to step forward but my dad stopped him.

Out of nowhere Wolf pounced in and sank his teeth in to the gunman's leg causing him to drop his gun and me, Mosley jumped backwards and I ran. Arthur grabbed me and pulled me behind him, "WOLF NO" I shouted making him let go of the screaming man and return to my side, I gripped the dogs collar. "THAT MUTT JUST ATTACKED ONE OF MY MEN" Mosley shouted, his face turning red in anger, "yeah well dogs tend to be protective of the ones they love" my dad said as him and the others stared him down until he left. He turned to me and almost dropped to his knees, I ran jumped to his arms "dad I'm sorry, I didn't know" I sobbed, he just hugged me tightly "ey it's alright, you're ok" he said just holding me, "I guess that dogs useful after all" he chuckled trying to make light of the situation. He stood to his feet lifting me with him, I was too terrified to let go right now, I just needed my dad.

Alfie stormed in to the warehouse "Right then wha-" he paused as he assessed the situation "whats happened?" He asked with concern written all over his face, nobody answered but their looks said it all "SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHAT THE FUCK JUST APPENED" he shouted, I lifted my head from my dads shoulder "Mosley came with a man, he had a gun then Wolf bit him and they went away" I said my eyes were red from crying and my voice was cracking slightly, Alfie screwed his eyes shut and took a breath "why is that fuckin wop still breathing?" He asked and for once Arthur scoffed in agreement with Alfie and turned to my dad who rolled his eyes "his time will come" he replied before trying to put me on the floor to which I pushed myself further towards him and whimpered quietly, he sighed quietly "Alfie and I need to talk business, Arthur and Finn are here so is Wolf" I nodded reluctantly and Arthur walked over and took me in his own arms. I leaned in to him and he moved to sit on the chair with me, Wolf came to sniff me then laid by Arthur's feet.

A while had passed and I was drifting in and out of sleep, now in Finns arms as Arthur had gone to keep watch by the door. My head was leaning on his chest as his arms were wrapped loosely round my tiny frame, I was no taller than 4ft6. Alfie and my dad returned from the small office, and walked towards me, "how's she been" my dad asked as he thought I was sleeping. "She's shaken up Tommy, she's not safe with Aunt Pol, and she's not safe with us" he said sounding worried, "keep her closer than ever" my dad replied "and we've got that dog who seems fond of her" he said making Alfie chuckle. "That dog will walk through a burnin building for her" Alfie said, I stirred and rubbed my eyes before opening them, Finn moved his head to look at me "you ok?" He asked quietly, I nodded squinting my eyes slightly at the bright lights of the room. "Ey look at me" my dad said moving to look at me, "we're going to stay at a safe house in the country, it'll keep you safe" i look up at him "are uncle Finn and uncle Arthur coming too?" I asked tiredly and Finn shifts slightly in his seat. "No they need to stay here and keep an eye on things but you can see them during the day when we're at the shop or here" he replied making me look down and nod before prying Finns arms off me and getting down, the three men watched in confusion as I wondered off to a box.

"What are you doing Mol?" Finn asked as I came back with a picture, I ran back towards them and gave Alfie the picture, "it's of your dog" i said and Alfie chuckled "well i think we have a future Picasso on our hands ere Tommy" I tilted my head "who's Pi...pic..asso?" I said struggling to pronounce the name, my dad laughed "come on say your goodbyes then let's get home" I smiled and ran to Arthur who scooped up my tiny frame in his arms with ease "how you doin Webley?" He asked, I fiddled with his chain necklace "dad said we're going to a safe house but it's ok because I can still see you in the day just not at night" I replied which made him nod "well that's good, means that Mosley and his men don't know where you live" he stated. "Come on Molly!" My dad shouted which made Arthur set me down and I ran back towards my dad.