VIRAGO

poker night

It was a typical Sunday for Zoey Sabini. She'd had a cup of coffee, drew herself a bath, walked her dog, visited the library, and then headed down to The Blind Beggar where she'd meet her brothers, their wives, and a few close family friends for their weekly poker match.  

"I'm bust." Eddie huffed, tossing his cards on the table in defeat. His wife Sarah quickly aids in his frustrations by pouring him a glass. 

"Bust," Frankie added, mirroring Eddie's actions before getting up from his seat and heading over to the bar, leaving the Richardson siblings in the game. 

Charlie and Zoey we're sat across from one another, both in silence. Zoey was focused on her cards, sucking on her cigarette while Charlie kept his eyes on his little sister, attempting to see if she was giving away any tells.  

"I'll raise you by 50," She spoke slowly, sliding a few counters over. 

At this Charlie smirked, it was a similar smirk to the one Zoey used when charming her enemies. Sometimes she thought she'd learned it from her older brother or perhaps it just ran in their blood. All siblings could play an incredible act in order to manipulate, and all were talented in the art of mind games, identifying weak spots. 

"All in." was all he said, shoving forward the rest of his counters.

Examining her brother for a few moments, Zoey stubbed out her cigarette dropping it into the ashtray. But in doing so she noticed Charlie click his knuckle under the table, which was an obvious tell if you'd grown up with the man. Whenever he felt tense or was lying he'd click his knuckles. 

"All in." She copied his actions, making Eddie 'Ooo' at the tension, while Frankie came to stand behind Zoey, propping a glass of wine on the table for her. 

"Full House." Charlie laid his cards on the table, grinning at the girl as she observed them carefully. 

Reaching for her glass, she took a small sip before revealing her own. "Royal flush." At this everyone around them erupted in roars and laughter, all except Charlie who sat there glaring at the girl with a sizzling hot rage bubbling up from his chest.

Zoey knew she should have let him win. Her eldest brother was a very vengeful man, and also very twisted. So when he felt humiliated or threatened, his responses would always be extreme.

After quite a few drinks, Zoey's night was coming to a close. It was nearing 11 and she knew if she stayed any longer, trouble would soon catch up to her.  Bidding everyone a goodnight, she shrugged on her fur coat and headed towards the exit- and she almost made it out of that building until she left a harsh tug on her wrist. 

"Leaving so soon sister?" Charlie asked, his hand still wrapped rigidly around her wrist. The eldest Richardson, used his stormy eyes to study the state of his sister not letting anything go to miss, she was clearly tipsy with flushed rosy red cheeks and unkempt blonde locks along with bruising erupting on her neck which she had poorly attempted to conceal with makeup. 

"I better start heading back to Tony." She explained, attempting to wriggle her wrist out of her brother's grip but it only tightened in response making her gasp in pain slightly, as he only dragged her in closer. 

"Don't think I can't see the bruises Zo," He spoke lowly, "Keep up your little act, and ill give you a few more alright?" 

The two siblings shared eye contact with each other for a few moments, Zoey was used to these kinds of threats and she knew Charlie had meant every word. Zoey often compared her brother to that a volcano, ready to explode at any moment and everybody walking on eggshells whenever they were nearby in hopes of not triggering his unholy wrath. If demons did exist, Zoey was convinced her brother was just that. So in the hopes of deflecting the situation, she gave him a swift submissive nod, as that's what he had wanted, for her to be submissive. Pleased with her response he grinned, letting her go, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight Zo,"

Before anyone else could prevent her from leaving, the door was slammed shut and the girl was gone. Most smart women wouldn't have made the decision to walk home alone past 9 pm, usually Frank would escort her back to the Sabini's but he was too drunk to even stand by the time it was 10 pm. However, Zoey couldn't help but embrace the silence, sometimes when she was alone like this she enjoyed indulging in her fantasies of a normal life, being just a normal 21-year-old heading back from a wonderful night spent with good friends. 

Lifting her hand to lean on the walls of the alley in order to support herself to walk in a straight line, even in her drunken state she was extremely vigilant and had already heard the heavy, fast-moving footsteps behind her. 

Quickening her pace she used her free hand to slip under her skirt grasping the small handgun that she had strapped onto her thigh before leaving that night.  Keeping her eyes forward so she wasted no time looking back at her stalker, she could feel that forgotten sense she almost in a way missed. The thrill of the chase, the chance to defend herself- with her family she had no choice but to sponge up all the abuse but in this situation, she could put her swallowed rage to use. 

Eventually, closing in the shadow pulled her to a stop pushing her against the very wall she was using as support. And without really knowing it, Zoey had unleashed her weapon, sticking it under the man's chin. 

"Mrs. Sabini." The turbulent moment had slowly mollified, once she realized who had her in this position, although, she was still on edge- knowing she had been warned of the peaky blinder's reputation, besides she hardly trusted a single man either way. 

"What are you doing Mr. Shelby?" John could hear the slight strain in her voice, the gun still remained resting under his jaw-he could tell that she was- no matter how hard she tried- she was uneasy, not knowing if she would have to pull the trigger or not. 

"Relax," John released her, raising both his hands jokingly surrendering, hoping it would provide the younger women some solace in trusting his intentions were pure and not for fear of a bullet. "You're a difficult woman to catch alone." Her grip loosened as she lowered her weapon putting it away. 

"Have you been stalking me?" Her tone hardened at the idea of it, watching him with cautious eyes. From what she could see he was handsome, with a comforting gaze and a boyish smirk, but Zoey knew looks weren't the whole story.

Chuckling at the accusation, John stepped away from her "Come on," He offered her his arm, as he could easily tell she was intoxicated from her slurred speech and wobbly stance. "Think it's time we have a chat. Seems all your meddling has caught Tommy's attention." Hesitantly, Zoey accepted his gesture with a stiff demeanor- John lead her to his car that was parked at the end of that alley. 

Opening the door for her, Zoey looked him up and down one last time before getting in, "Don't think I'm taking my eyes off you for a second." she warned him seriously. 

"I'd despair if you did." John flirted back with an amused smirk, but Zoey refused to give up her poker face and climbed into the passenger seat.