Facing the truth

Chapter 1

Mary was sitting in her office when the phone started ringing. She took the phone from a nearby table and answered.

"Mary Kings on the phone."

"Can you stop by The Garrison?"

It was Tommy Shelby.

"Now?"

"It's urgent, please."

"Su..."

But he hanged up the phone.

"...re."

She took her coat and left for the suggested place. The streets were busier than usual and it seemed they all led to the same place. The Garrison.

Once in front of the door, she stopped to listen to the argument that could be heard all the way to the street. She could only recognize one voice. Tommy Shelby.

As she entered she saw Arthur and John looking at their brother in wonder. Mary went to the bar and got a whiskey while she waited for the argument between the 2 men to reach a consensus.

"And don't see you around my bar again!"

They were Tommy's last words to scare the other and leave. When he turned, he saw Mary looking at him. He approached her and lit a cigarette. She turned to him a little surprised at the scene before her.

"Rough day?"

"Just another so-called buyer."

"What to do with them? People love to see a winning horse, but they love more the money from those winnings. Why did you call me here so quickly?"

"I want you to be part of the Shelby Company."

"What? Tommy… why?"

"I have some business with Kimber and he doesn't want to accept the proposed contract..."

"What?! Billy Kimber? Tommy, you know I've always been okay with your business, but Billy Kimber... He's coming for both of you, and you know it. Kings Co lost half their employees and money because of him. And you..."

She turned to the 2 brothers, angry.

"Why did you let him do that?"

"I couldn't change his decision." Arthur replied.

"What will happen if I don't accept your proposal?"

"You can say goodbye to Kings Co. Or please, what's left."

He stood up and started to head for the exit when Mary stopped him.

"Wait."

Thomas turned to her as did the other Shelbys.

"I accept. But I have one condition."

"Of course you have. What is it you want?"

"Shelby Company's protection of Kings Co."

"No more?"

"I already have your protection Tommy."

He smiled at those words and headed for the exit telling her ahead.

"Wear a red dress, I'm coming at 8."

Then he leaves. Mary went home and got ready and at 8 o'clock Thomas picked her up and they went to the meeting place with Kimber.

Once there, Thomas put his hand on her waist and led her to the table where Kimber and his men were. When he saw Mary with Shelby, Kimber tried to impress her.

"Miss Kings, what an honor to have you with us this evening?"

"Business partner."

Thomas replied as he looked at him with hatred and contempt.

"And my plus one."

He added before they all sat down at the table. The evening was apparently going well, Mary almost had Kimber sign the papers if he didn't get up and head to the bar. Thomas followed close behind.

"It's a real treasure, Kings."

He said to Thomas. He seemed to understand all too well where that discussion was going, and he hated to admit it, but he was right. Mary was a treasure and she was his. He turned to Kimber as if he didn't get the hint.

"What you mean?"

"Don't you really see how good she looks in that dress?"

Then he turned to him and added.

"I have one more condition if you want me to sign the contract Mr. Shelby. One night with her."

Then Thomas went to their table, took the contract and tore it up, and then took Mary and went away. The drive to the Shelby house was silent and full of questions that gnawed at Mary. For example "Why would he just break a contract he wanted so much?"

When they came in everyone else was asleep or out on the town so Thomas tried to avoid her questions as he headed for his room with Mary following him.

"Why did you break the contract? You wouldn't do that if it wasn't a problem. What happened?"

He lit a cigarette and sat on the bed. Mary asked him one more time why he broke the contract, but he still didn't answer her until she asked him a third time, he told her.

"He wanted to add you to the terms of the contract."

She took him in her arms and said.

"No one will hurt me as long as you're here."

"I know Mary, I know."

What she didn't really know were his feelings for her. Later they fell asleep in each other's arms.