Heaven On Hold | Peaky Blinders

I Missed You

My family was strong, I've noticed that over the years, but I can't and I don't want to see them being killed by a bunch of Italians. Handing in one to save the rest sounded like a great deal to my former self, but I wasn't like that anymore. Perhaps I could play along, pass Tommy information. I had pulled that show off a thousand times before so why not now. I finished my drink fast and emplaned the pretty glass onto the smooth wood before holding up my hand.

"Agreed." I felt his hand hold onto mine and I shook it, agreeing with the deal that would perhaps make me lose everything.

~~~

Unwillingly, I had to accompany Changretta to the hospital where my brother was resting in, still injured badly. I figured why he wanted me there though. This way he could show Michael what kind of 'traitor' his sister truly was... I of course didn't receive any time to explain the plan to my brother and mother so I probably was a betrayer in their eyes.... however, I did won some time to explain to Tommy that Mrs. Ross had proposed Arthur's attendance to her party as an act of pseudo-forgiveness, secretly, the gathering being a trap set up by Luca Changretta. Blood spattered on the light yellow walls while Luca shot one of the young guards between his frightened looking eyes. His blue eyes immediately lost life and froze in the fearful position they were in, his blue eyes turning glassy grey.

I was willing to question the mobster's actions, but he pressed the glass door open before I could even open my mouth, locking it behind us to assure he wouldn't try and flee from us too. My brother grunted while he tried to raise to his weak feet and the shot wound began leaking dark red blood again, soaking his clean white bandages. I wanted to warn him, tell him to slow down, but I wasn't able to. The fantasy Changretta was living in, the fantasy where he had me in his pocket, had to look as realistic as possible so he wouldn't suspect anything. "Uh. Uh. Uh. Where I'm from, a hat on the bed... unlucky." The man with the lucifer between his lips started. "My family.... say it brings death."

I noted the ignorance reflecting in my brother's face. I, on the other hand, kept a straight face, noticing myself that my humanity was gradually disappearing in this situation.

"Maybe.... that's what happened. Last time my men were sent for you, you got lucky." He grinned, revealing his revolver from its holster. "Now. Your luck's run out." The gun now rested on the forehead of the startled but persistent young man who closed his eyes. This was not the fucking deal.

"Luca...." I silently hissed, speaking his name to show him I was dead serious, but the man just winked at me.

"It's over." Michael murmured softly and I narrowed my eyes, trying to hide my emotions. To my luck, the hammer clicked against an empty chamber and Luca smirked, continuing to shoot as he backed up. The hammer kept clicking against only empty chambers and he nodded at me, confirming that he and I had a fixed deal. My brother of course seemed relieved and without answers and breathed out heavily while he dropped himself onto his hospital bed, his bullet wound still hurting. I couldn't aid him.... I couldn't do anything. Changretta disappeared behind the door of the second exit in the room with his bodyguard and I followed, disappearing into the shadows while leaving my brother all alone. I at least could call for a nurse, however, I already heard the footsteps of my family and decided to flee fast.

~~~

Back in Small Heath I had met Tommy again who back then was on his way to the family Gold. I caught up with the news that they had put Changretta and his men under a storm of bullets, killing two of them, although, I wasn't planning on visiting them. I only was there to ask Tommy for the last key we owned that led to one of the houses in the dark coloured streets where we were able to sleep with both fucking eyes closed. Pushing the rusty key in the lock it belonged to, I rotated it and a light click was heard before it opened. I was planning to go inside, take a hot bath if that was possible and just relax, but that was before I took note of an old black car. "Fucking hell, it smells of pig round here, don't it? Definitely not kosher. Come to Small Heath and you will go to hell for fucking breathing."

A familiar voice cried out loud and without thought I ran outside the black door, exactly knowing who it was.

"Where is everyone?" The man whined and waved his cane in the air, creating a whiplash sound.

"ALFIE!!" I yelled, a little voice crack soundable in my voice, but I couldn't care about it because I was way to enthusiastic. Such a long time past since I had last seen the genius man and I just wanted him to hold me in these strange times. I rushed to the broad neatly dressed man and technically jumped on top of him, him holding me tightly and letting his wooden cane fall to the black gravel road in the process.

"Rio?! Oh, thank god, darling, you're alright." His hand shifted to my back and held me even closer as he placed soft butterfly kisses on the top of my head. "I missed you, sweetheart."

"I missed you too, Alfie."

~~~

A/N: Finally Alfie and Rioney are together again! Jeez, that took awhile.... Also, I don't mind you dear readers sending feedback and suggestions my way and besides that, I have a little question for all of you. Do you prefer longer chapters or do you guys prefer keeping them at this length?