𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 ʲᵒʰⁿ ˢʰᵉˡᵇʸ

- 𝟎𝟏𝟖

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤
-𝟎𝟏𝟖-

Valerie leaned on her side and watched John dress. "Leaving so soon?" She joked. John laughed slightly. "I've got a job to do." He said. "Need to get Arthur out of jail then i'm blowing some fucking house up." He said.

"Tommy's orders?"

"Tommy's orders." He nodded. "Just make sure you say goodbye to Francesca before you leave. She'll probably still be asleep but I told her you'd still be here." She said.

"Can't leave without saying goodbye to my favourite niece, can I?" He smirked. Valerie winced. "She's your only niece, John." Valerie reminded him. His mouth fell open and he let out an 'ah' sound.

Valerie got up and quickly changed into something appropriate before going over and pecking John on the cheek. "You can't stay for breakfast?" She asked. John nodded. "Nope." He said. "But you'll see me sooner than you think." He held her face.

Valerie didn't know what he meant by that but nodded.

John kissed her quickly before leaving the room and going to Francesca's room quietly. Valerie followed and stayed by the door. He kneeled beside the bed and kissed the sleeping girl's forehead.

Francesca stirred slightly and John stayed still, waiting for her to settle before standing again. "Will you tell Tommy that you know about Grace?" He asked when getting back to Valerie.

She shrugged. "I'll figure it out."

"I'm sure you will." John smiled. "Go on. Go back to bed. It's only six in the morning." He said, kissing her once more.

She hummed and closed her eyes. "I'll need my sleep for whenever Tommy comes home. God knows how it'll go down if i'm tired." She sighed.

"You need anything," he pointed at her, "you call."

Valerie nodded and let him go, returning to her bed soon enough and drifting straight back off to sleep.

-

The door closed and Valerie was quick to look up, cup of whiskey in hand. "Valerie?" Tommy called out. "In here." She sighed. He walked in and automatically went to pour a drink. "Where's Frances?"

"Doing school work." Valerie answered and leaned back in her chair. "How was your night?"

Tommy nodded. "Went to see Charlie Chaplin." He said. "A film?" Valerie asked. He shook his head. "In person." He corrected.

She took a breath. "And Grace? How is she doing?" Valerie watched the look in his eyes shift. "Oh don't worry, somebody called me to tell me. Did you have a good time?"

Tommy said nothing.

"Was she a good fuck?" Valerie whispered.

"Valerie.." he muttered. She shook her head. "That night at the Garrison re-opening I told you that if you were to ever go back to Grace, you'd never hold Francesca again. I said you'd never see her again but i'm not that cruel." She reminded him. "And you heard me say that because I said it loud and clear. Yet you willingly met up with Grace and you fucked her. Does Francesca mean nothing to you?"