Peaky Blinders. One shot and imagines

The professor - Part 8 - Shelbys x Alfie x Reader

She watched out of the window of the Rolls, as the dark streets of Birmingham came into view. She had been here before of course, when she come to do her research on the Brummy gangsters, though she had not planned on returning so quickly. But she saw it as a show of good faith.

After her little soiree, and her unlikeable guests had thankfully departed, taking with them their stench of corruption, adultery, and depravity, she had spoken at length with Shelby and Solomons. The two men finally agreeing to her little idea of a pact between the three of them. The professor sure that how she had dealt with Edward had certainly help with the negotiations. It showing the two men that even if someone so much as insulted them, the offender would be dealt with, swiftly and decisively.

So, here she was, taking up the invite to come to Birmingham. It a chance to not only see Tommy and Alfie again; but also meet the rest of the Shelby clan. The professor having no concerns about what would face her. Her research not limited to the head of the family firm, for that would be foolish. It better to study everyone, one never knowing where a bullet in the back might come from.

"Professor............?" The driver said, as he looked at her through the rearview mirror.

"Hmmm...............?"

"Do ya want me ta stay........?"

"No, once we have got to the house, I want you to pick up Henry and the others from the train station. Take them to the hotel and ask Henry to make sure that everything is in place. When I am ready to leave, I will call for you." She replied, as the car turned one more corner and was pulled up outside a house on a dark street. A dark street that looked like every other in the town. The driver getting out of the car and making his way to the back, shooing off the children as they tried to not only get a look at the rather impressive automobile, but the person inside. The short, slender driver, holding out his hand for his passenger to take, as the last child ran away.

"Thank you, Samuel." The professor said, adjusting her large fur coat, as Samuel knocked sharply on the front door before stepping back. A dark haired, older woman appearing, as the ingress slowly opened.

"Ah, Miss Gray. It is a pleasure to finally meet you............" (Y/n) said, as she stepped forward and held out her hand. Polly looking between the well-dressed visitors smiling face and hand, before slowing accepting the gesture.

(Y/n) had gone out of her way to study this woman, and she had to say that she had been impressed. Polly, in the professor's opinion, quite a formidable creature, and a woman after her own heart. A woman that had run the family firm while her three oldest nephews had fought in the war; and since their return, had become a certified accountant and treasurer for the firm.

"So, you're this professor, Tommy has told us about..........?" Polly sniffed, before bringing the little cigar to her lips.

"Yes..............."

"Well, you better come in then................" Polly continued, as she opened the door fully.

"I'll call you when the meeting is over........." (Y/n) told her driver. Samuel nodding before climbing back into the car. The professor smiling again, as she walked past Polly and into the betting shop part of the house.

                                                    >>-----------------------------------<<

Tommy took his normal seat at his desk, Alfie sat across from him, resting his hands on the top of his cane; and John and Arthur stood, propped up against the walls, all waiting for Polly to return with the woman Tommy and Alfie had met on their trip up north. Tommy had told his brothers what to expect from the woman; told them to be carful what they said, and to mind their Ps and Qs. The older and younger siblings informed to not underestimate who they were about to meet. John and Arthur straightening themselves, as the door was opened by their aunt.

"Mister Shelby. Mister Solomons. Such a delight to see you both again......." (Y/n) said, as she made her way into the room. Arthur and John looking at one another, as their brother and the Londoner got to their feet. The other Shelby boys sure that Tommy had never mentioned anything about this called 'professor' looking like she had just stepped off a film set, alongside Douglas Fairbanks, or Charles Farrell.

"Professor.........." Tommy greeted politely, before retaking his seat. Alfie stepping forward and taking her gloved hand, before bringing it up to his lips.

"Did it get it out.............?" The Londoner asked. Smiling as the woman gave him a quizzical look.

"The blood............."

"Oh, the soda water. Yes, thank you. And Henry is a whiz with stains, anyway. Its not the first time that I have got a little blood on the Chanel." (Y/n) chuckled, as Alfie gave her an admiring look; the professor having to wonder whether it was something to do with how she looked, or the way that she disposed of people that were troublesome.

"And these, of course, are Arthur and John........." (Y/n) continued, as she slowly pulled her hand from Alfie's grasp. Arthur brushing his fingers over his moustache as she came to stand in front of him, offering him her hand.

Arthur Shelby, Deputy Vice President of the Shelby Company, and to her eyes at least, the loosest cannon of the firm. A short-tempered drug addict, who seemed to possess little, or no self-control. But he was a loyal dog; and (Y/n) knew that truly loyal people were hard to come by; so, when you found one, you kept them close.

"Mister Shelby............"

"Arthur.........please........." Arthur replied, as, just like Alfie, he brings her hand up to his lips.

"Why, thank you, Arthur. And of course, we cannot forget John." (Y/n) replied, as she looked over to the younger brother. John pulling the toothpick from between his teeth and giving her one of his usual cocky smiles.

Cocky, yes, that was what he was; as well as reckless. He had the swagger of a man that knew he was feared. A little too overconfident in himself and his own abilities. for her liking, but that didn't mean that he wasn't as dangerous as the rest of the family. The Shelby temper surely being infamous in these parts.

"Well........." (Y/n) began, as she turned her back to John, and he helped her take off her coat. His hot breath fanning over her neck, as he took the fur from her arms.

"Now that we have all been introduced, what say we talk a little business............."