BRUTAL LOVE || JOHN SHELBY

Chapter 17

That morning Libitina woke up bright and early for a full days of work. She got changed and put on a tiny bit of makeup to make herself look presentable. When she was ready she headed down the stairs to make herself some bread with jam and some tea. When she was finished eating she opened up the double doors that led to the betting den and walked in closing the doors behind her. When she turned back around she stopped in her tracks, seeing the man she never wanted to see again.

"We heard the Lees turned you over." Billy questioned.

"You shouldn't listen to gossip, Mr Kimber." Tommy stated.

Tommy noticed Libitina standing at the double doors looking scared shitless.

"Lib, go back inside the house, I'll come get you when I need you." Tommy shouted across the room. John noticed this, not knowing why she would be scared when her family was around. Libitina nodded to Tommy and went back into the family home, closing the door behind her.

She sat at the kitchen table, hands trembling and tears falling down her cheek. She didn't notice someone coming into the kitchen until she felt a pair of hands on her hands, taking them away from her face.

"What's wrong Lib?" John asked.

"Fuck off John." She said back. Her and Tommy were the only ones who knew about the arranged marriage, she couldn't tell John, Tommy wanted him to find out on the day.

"No I won't fuck off Lib, what the fuck is wrong!" He asked, demanding an answer from her.

"Nothing that fuckin' concerns you. Now go back to work or go back to your whore of a girlfriend. I don't want you near me." She explained.

"Lib listen to me, I'm sorry alright, I'm sorry that you sat here waiting and waiting for years arlight? But it's easy with Lizzie. No I don't love her but it's just easy with her alright?" He said.

"I don't give a shit, now fuck off." She demanded.

John listened to her, knowing he'd just hurt her more. He loved her but he just didn't think he was good enough for her, but he didn't know why.

A few minuets later Tommy came to get a very distraught Lib from the kitchen.

"He's gone now Lib, I'm sorry I didn't tell you he was coming today I completely forgot." Tommy explained.

"It's okay, don't worry. John's just pissed me off." She stated.

"What the fuck has he done now?" Tommy asked.

"He said it was easy with her, I don't even get where he's coming from to be honest he can have fun with the whore, stupid boy."

"It's alright don't worry. Now get to your desk and put on a brave face ey." Tommy said and she listened, she sat at her desk taking all the bets and doing all the numbers.

"Gentlemen, and ladies. I have in my hand a legal betting license. Issued by the board of control. The Shelby family has it's first legal racetrack pitch." Tommy said which made the whole room irrupt in cheers.

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The next day Tommy went out in the morning on some business, no one knew what he was doing. When he got home he walked up the stairs of the family home and knocked on Libitina's bedroom door.

"Come in." She shouted.

Tommy walked in and closed the door behind him.

"Lib, yesterday I saw Lizzie walking down the street and I told her to get in the car for a chat about her and John." Tommy started.

"Right Tommy? What you getting at?" Libitina asked.

"I offered her eight pounds, for a last time with me and her. She fuckin' took it, telling everyone she's a changed woman when she's not. I need to tell John, and I want you to come with me." He said.

"Fucking hell so she is still a whore, yeah yeah alright let's go." She said following him out the room and out the door to the garage.

When Tommy and Libitina walked into the garage John was washing the car from bottom to top.

"Tommy. Oh hi Lib." John spoke up.

"Yeah whatever." Libitina answered him.

"I need a favour. I want to borrow the car." John started. "I want to take Lizzie to the country with the kids. We're going to celebrate getting the license." He finished.

"Not a problem." Tommy answered.

"I'll need the keys." John said.

"Look, John, you're my brother." Tommy started. "There's something you need to know." Tommy finished.

"Yesterday, on the front seat of that car, I offered Lizzie some money. And John? She said, "Yes.". Now that's a fact. You do what you want with it. Take the keys. Take Lizzie to the country. Marry her if you want." Tommy said.

"But you have to know, she said, "Yes." Tommy finished.

John took the keys from Tommy's hand and got in the car. He just sat in the car not knowing what to do. He felt stupid, stupid for thinking people could change.

He grabbed his coat from the back seat and slammed the door shut. Walking out the garage in a pissed off mood. Tommy just stood there, no idea on what to do next.

"Well that went well Tommy." Libitina said.

"Better than i expected it to go to be honest, I just can't believe he thought people like that could change." He explained.

"I just feel bad for him." Libitina said.

"Me too, believe me, me too." He said.

"Should we go home?" She asked.

"You go on, I'm going to go to the Garrison." He answered.

"Aw, going to go see your love bird ey?" She joked winking at him.

"Yeah, yeah, shut up." He shouted walking away.

Libitina made her way home, when she walked through the front door she saw John sitting down with his hands in his head. She walked over and sat next to him, taking his hands in hers.

"No matter how angry I am with you, I will still be here to talk you know?" She asked him.

"I know, I'm not surprised to be honest Lib, but she was so good with the kids. They just need a mother to look after them. I can't keep doing this on my own." He explained.

"I know John, but until the right person comes around you need to learn how to do this on your own, them kids love you, you know? They just need you to keep trying that's all." Libitina said.

"Thanks Lib, and I'm so sorry, honestly." John pleaded.

"I know, now go home get the kids and you some food then get them washed and to bed. You have a big day tomorrow." She explained.

"What do you mean big day Lib?" He asked confused.

"Tomorrows the day you Peaky's finish the war with the Lees." She explained getting up from her chair and kissing him on the forehead.

John got up and headed home to feed and look after his kids while Libitina made dinner for the household.

Tomorrow was the day she was going to marry John Shelby.