Calloway // Michael Gray x Reader - Peaky Blinders Fanfic

Chapter 28

Calloway

"There's someone here to see you."

I glance up at George from my desk, frowning — why does he look so nervous? For a brief, gut-wrenching moment, I wonder if it might be Michael.

But Michael wouldn't have George wringing his hands. And I'm supposed to be forgetting about Michael — I spent an entire weekend drinking gin with a group of friends to ensure exactly that.

"Who?" I ask.

George gulps. "Mr Thomas Shelby."

Fucking hell. I stare at George for a moment and he stares back, teeth bared, equally as out of his depth.

"Tell him to make an appointment," I say, turning back to my paperwork.

"Are—Are you sure?"

"Quite sure."

George scurries away. I almost feel bad for him having to deliver the news — but I'm not going to be bullied around by the Peaky Blinders. I learned when I first started working here to set strict boundaries and maintain them. Clients constantly push, searching for chinks in my armour, thinking they can weasel out of paying fees or negotiate a lower price. I've found it works best to leave them sorely disappointed — they'll grumble once and never try again.

Thomas Shelby is no exception.

George appears in my doorway again, flushed red in the face and slightly breathless. "He said... He said he'll wait until after the bank closes if you don't have time right away."

I blink. "Well, I'm very busy after the bank closes."

"That's what I tried to tell him. And then he said, er, with the full decanter of whiskey in the lobby, he'll wait all night if he has to, but he's not moving until he's seen you."

I push a hand to my forehead, releasing a small, frustrated sigh. "Why on earth is there a whiskey decanter in the lobby?"

George shrugs. "Henry puts them out sometimes for important clients. Usually forgets to put them back."

Just my luck. "Well, it doesn't matter. Tell Mr Shelby to settle in for a long night."

George pales. "Miss, I don't—"

"A long night, George." Once more, I turn back to my paperwork.

And once more, George returns minutes later, even more flushed this time. "Miss, he said not only will he wait all night, he'll still be here when we open tomorrow and he shall catch you then."

"I'll have him escorted off the premises."

"I did tell him that was an option, but he pointed out if we call the police, they'll only tell us to do as he says."

I swear under my breath. "If he's going to wait until morning, why doesn't he book a bloody appointment and spend the night in his own bed?"

"I did raise the idea."

I raise my eyebrows expectantly. "And?"

"He, um. He declined."

"He declined," I repeat.

"Yes, Miss. And, um, the others who work here are beginning to notice. You know what Andrews is like, if he hears you're refusing to see a client..."

"Mr Shelby's not a client," I point out.

George shrugs. "But he is Mr Shelby. Not all of us are as willing to piss him off as you are."

"Fine," I sigh. "Fine. Tell him I'll see him as soon as I'm available."