↳ 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘺 - 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙗𝙮

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word count; 902
warnings; death

"You can't just cut me out. This is unfair on me, but I suppose you've been too preoccupied with business to give me a single thought. Can't deny it can you? For heaven's sake, you can't keep throwing orders around expecting people to comply without question."

"I'm doing this for your safety."

Oh, how you could scream at his monotonous tone and the predictable responses. You burn holes in the back of his head as he descends the small flight of stairs and collects his coat from over the chair, slipping his arms into the sleeves.

"Bullshit!"

"[Y/n]."

"No, Thomas! I will not stand here and allow you to order me around like I'm a child. You think because I'm slightly younger than you I can't look after myself. That I can't get by on my own because I'm a woman."

"You do not understand the dangers you will face if you stay here."

"I don't care! We're family, we don't bail just because things get serious. You need me here and I refuse to believe otherwise."

"You will do as I say."

You clamp your tongue between your teeth, squinting coldly at his stoic face. Those piercing eyes of his slice through you like bullets, inviting you to challenge his authority, to stand up for yourself because he knows damn well you will. You stand your ground and place your hands on your hips.

"Did the others vote on this? We both know they wouldn't take your side. Michael certainly wouldn't. Polly likes me being here, so does Ada. Perhaps John could be persuaded but you know damn well Arthur wouldn't cart me off like this."

"This isn't about choosing sides this is about doing what's right."

"You honestly believe sending me across the country is the right thing to do?"

"If it keeps you alive, then yes."

"Most of my life has been surrounded by misery and death. I have always been in danger and I always will be, that's the burden this family carries. How did you think I spent my time during the war? I didn't sit around all day twiddling my thumbs, waiting for protection, I fought for myself. I made sure everybody in Birmingham was too frightened to even look at me."

"I know. But my mind is made. You'll be catching the train in two hours. I have people in London who will meet you at the station, they will look after you."

Your mouth drops open when he brushes past and exits the room, placing his cap upon his head. The front door opening uproots your feet from the floorboards. You call after him, choosing to march out of the house since he refuses to stop or listen. Why would he? Stubborn until death, that's the only way you could describe him.

"I am going nowhere." You insist, doing rather well in matching his naturally long strides. You can practically hear him rolling his eyes.

"Go back inside, [Y/n]."

"Family or not you do not get to dictate my life. I don't care if you have the entire world on a leash, I am not afraid of you and I will not bend to your will. You can walk all over the boys but not me."

"Go home. Pack your things."

Planting your feet in the mud you extend an arm high above your head, witnessing the moment he halts once your gun fires at the glum sky. Gasps are heard as mothers usher their children indoors. Men don't dare steal a glance in your direction. An unpredictable Shelby with a gun in her hand, they know better than to intervene.

Thomas clenches his jawー feels it lock tight, much like his leather-clad fists concealed in his pockets. He's familiar with your temper, you got that from Arthur, it was something you struggled with as a child but grew to live with thanks to your brothers and their unique ways.

"I am going nowhere. You may control things around here but you don't control me. Not anymore. So go ahead, get mad. Scream at me if you must but let me make one thing clear, I will not turn my back on my family in such dire circumstances. I have put my life on the line for you boys more times than I can count. I know you mean well, but if you tell me one more time to pack my things the next bullet will be fired at you not the sky."

His head twists. He's watching you through the corner of his eyes, reading you like an open book. You're a private person, you like to keep to yourself rather than welcome strangers into your business, but you're more than happy to argue in the street if it means he'll listen.

"Eh, Shelby." A grinning man steps out of an alleyway to your right, arms stretched wide. Without pulling your gaze from your brother's face you redirect your firearm to the spot between his eyes. You've been meaning to do that for some time considering he'd stolen from a number of your close friends.

Thomas faces you head on. "Fine. You can stay, but do not point the finger at me if you regret your decision. I warned you." You raise your chin and he turns on his heels. "No, the others didn't agree."

You smile to yourself.

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