Breathing fire

Chapter four

-The dock-

"Alright boys let's load this beauty up!"Eugene shouted.The workers all scattered around to go to there different positions at work.

Ruth walked in the scene,as expected a cigarette hung from her lips.She stood next to Eugene who was signing off men to different duties

"How is work going here?"

"It's going good"Eugene replied.Ruth hummed in response.Her eyes travelled from one man to another,watching them work.

But then her eyes stopped particularly at a familiar looking man.She looked to the other side of the dock to see Thomas Shelby standing there,staring at her from under his hat,his posture still like a ghost,hands in front holding each other.

His gaze was truly intimidating.It gave her goosebumps

"Carry on with this Eugene"she walked away from him and also out of his sight.Tommy stood still knowing that she would come.

"Are you spying on me now Mr Shelby?"she walked from behind him,a smirk plastered on her face,she stood beside him,staring at the men work in front.

Tommy found her presence extremely intimidating.He could smell her scent,the same one from when he first saw her.He hated the fact that he breathed in a little to smell it again

"The answer for you question Miss Galiardi,no I'm not spying on you.I'm just simply seeing how your men work on my dock"Ruth raised her eyebrows in question

"Your dock?"

"Everything in this town is mine Miss Galiardi.Including this dock you're men are loading your ship on"

"Are you scared about something Mr Shelby?Scared that someone would make much more business than you that too while they're in 'your' home?"tommy clenched his jaw tightening his fists,making them white.

Ruth knew what effect her words were having on him and she couldn't have been more delighted.

"I know you're finding ways to kick me out of this place.The Charleston races are coming.I heard you're sending in your horse too.Grace's secret I assume?"tommy felt a lump form in his throat when she mentioned grace

"I'm not leaving this place until I win the race from you Mr Shelby and until I get my work done here.I apologise,but you have to deal with me Mr Shelby.Who knows we might just get along?Have a drink?"she faked an innocent voice and swiftly walked past him.

Tommy turned his head a little and watched her walk away.Ruth turned her head a little and looked at him once before leaving.

Why did she look back?

Why did they lock eyes and yet didn't pull away?

"Charlie!Charlie boy where are ya eh?"he heard the giggling sound of his kid come closer to him.He turned around and saw the toddler run on his feet to him

Tommy picked him up with a grunt.Tommy held him up in his arms and smiled at him.Charlie smiled at tommy and played with his brown hair

"Dada"he mumbled

"Yes daddy is here"tommy walked with him into his study.Tommy opened the door with his foot.He kept Charlie down on the rug on the floor,near the fireplace.