If I Can't Have you

(39) Influenza

"What's your thoughts on London?" Tommy hums, "on an expansion of the business southwards."

"I think it's dangerous," Jemima responds, "I think it'll piss off a lot of people."

"It's only the Sabinis and Solomons that are bigger than us. We make friends with one, the other gets pushed out." Tommy replies.

"Aren't they already in a gang war down there? Why would you want to enter that?" Jemima questions.

"It's an opportune moment, they're distracted by one another, one of them needs help to win," Tommy says.

"Seems like you've thought this through, which means it's probably going to happen," Jemima sighs, "Tom, I'm not a part of the business. Technically I shouldn't have a say in what happens, ask your family. It's them who are going to be the ones helping."

"You most certainly are part of the business," Tommy replies, "just because you're not a face in it, doesn't mean you're not part of it. Name a single person who hasn't come to speak to you about business related things. You're intelligent, we trust your opinion."

"What if the expansion goes wrong? What if you piss off the wrong people and it obliterates all the work you've done up north?" Jemima questions.

"It's not going to go wrong, I'm going to make this work, Jemima," Tommy tells her, "I can do this."

"Ada and Freddie live in London, what about them and Karl? What if they somehow get caught in the middle of all this?"

"Freddie still has the machine gun, and there will be some protection sent down there," Tommy assures, "it's all going to be okay."

"When are you going to speak to the others?"

"They always know my plan has been to expand down south," Tommy replies.

"That does not count as communicating with them, Thomas. I get you're in charge, but pissing off your family will never help your cause," Jemima tells him.

"Hello!" Finn calls out, using the key he'd been given to let himself in.

"I'll talk to them," Tommy assures her, as Finn happily runs into the lounge.

"I bring news," Finn says.

"And what is your news, young sir?" Jemima smiles.

"Isaiah and I joined the boxing club," Finn tells them, throwing a few jabs at the air, grinning at his brother, "I'll be able to beat you up before you know it."

"Try me," Tommy responds, standing up, holding his palms towards Finn.

Finn smirks, throwing a punch at each of them.

"Ow," Tommy says.

"Did that really hurt?" Finn replies.

"No," Tommy deadpans, and Finn frowns before holding his palms up, "try me."

"I'm not hitting you, Finn," Tommy says.

"Do it, pussy," Finn teases.

Tommy rolls his eyes, putting his brother in a headlock, "get out of this and I'll think about it."

Finn tried to wiggle out of Tommys grasp but to no avail, he looks up at Jemima, "help me."

"Tickle him," Jemima says, and Tommy pushes Finn away before he has the chance.

"You're evil," Tommy states.

"Of the purest form," Jemima nods.

Tommy jerks when Finn digs his fingers into the man's side, "do that again and I'll throw you in the canal."