Romeo James was friends with the Shelby brothers ever since they where little. But then the war came and Romeo was branded a deserter. How will the Shelby's react when he returns to Small Heath? Will they trust him?
(Tommy's P.O.V.) I turn my head when someone calls my name. It was late at night and I was on my way home. I turn to look to the dark alleyway beside me. Through the darkness came stepping into the light from nearby factories, a tall handsome man in a black long over-coat. A young lad I once knew as my friend, now grown older due to passing years and branded as a deserter. His look is different, his voice is different, everything about his demeanor is terrifying. "Romeo James" I stated upon seeing him, "let me take a look at you". I walk over and look him up and down, he does the same to me, both taking in the other after all those years. "Time has not been good to you, aye?" I told him, "neither has she been to you, Tom" he replied simply, making me chuckle. "You still smoke?" I asked extending my hand out for him to take a cigarette. But he never takes it. "What has it been? 4 years?" I questioned looking down and lighting the cigarette, "before we all left for the war. So 5 years" Romeo answered. "A toast! To old friends" I said raising my cigarette to the air. I take a hit of my cigarette as we held each others eye contact. Studying ones intentions. "I've seen your war record" I stated, Romeo nodded understanding where I was heading, "it's a rather grim picture". I remember recieving Romeo's war records that stated the offence of treason and desertion. His penalty was death. "But you can change that" Romeo said matter of factly. So that's why he is here. For me to change his records. I ignored his responce "I remember John telling me what you did for him back in the old day" I continued blowing out a puff of smoke, "But I'm not John, how do I know your anything but a traitor" I said and turned around slowly, "Whose got this coming to him". I grabbed my revolver and pointed it straight at him. He stood motionless, staring right at the barrel of my gun, unbothered. Before digging his hand into his pocket to grab his packet of cigarettes. Retrieving one and lighting it. While I remained standing with my gun pointed at his head.
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He looked up at me slightly, his eyes held a daring glow in them. Daring me to pull the trigger. He wasn't afraid. Not of me, not of death. Because Romeo had the look of death in his eyes himself. His demeanor looked like something death had brought in his suitcase. Romeo blew out a puff of smoke before leaning slightly forward. "Go on. Kill me. Put me out of my misery" Romeo whispered with the grin of the Cheshire Cat. I narrowed my eyes and then pulled the trigger. The loud click of an empty chamber sounded through the empty streets of Watery Lane. Yet the deserter in front of me didn't flinch by the fact I pulled the trigger of my revolver. His grin only broadened as he realized I had not killed him. "What a shame. You could've been rewarded handsomely for it" he stated putting the cigarette back in his mouth. Mentioning the high price that was put on his head. "I'm not after money" I replied holstering my revolver, Romeo hummed "so, having a bettingshop, is what? Just for fun?". He didn't belief me when I told him I was not after money. Suddenly someone else greeted me, making me turn my head "good evening, Mr Shelby". It were two coppers who are on my payroll. I nodded at them as they passed, once far enough away. I returned my attention to Romeo. But my old friend was no where to be seen. As hidden as Romeo was when he came from the darkness, he had dissapeared back into them. Leaving me to wonder, was his war record the only thing he came here for or was there something else.
