Book 1 - Complete
Book 2 - Ongoing
If you asked their family, they'd tell you Thomas and Maude were surely soulmates. The two had a bond so strong, that anyone who believed in reincarnation, would tell you that they were certain, Thomas and Maude lo...
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VIII. Fear.
Maude and Tommy were at the Shelby Limited offices, both sitting in Tommy's office as they signed documents together. Maude was smoking a cigarette, scribbling her signature on each piece of paper Tommy handed over to her.
The door to the office opened and both looked up as Daniel stepped in. "Tom," Daniel called out as he held the door open for a very familiar woman. Mrs. Ross, the mother of the boy Arthur killed in the ring.
Tommy put down his pen, his eyes shooting towards his wife, sharing a skeptical and confused look with her. Both of them knew she was coming today, but still, neither knew why the woman wanted to meet with Tommy.
Mrs. Ross approached as Daniel closed the door and left. She looked between Maude and Tommy, giving a small nod. "Good morning, Mrs Ross." Tommy greeted before pointing towards the open chair beside Maude. "Have a seat."
Mrs. Ross glanced between Tommy and Maude before slowly sitting down in the chair. "Thank you for seeing me, Mr Shelby. I know how busy you are," she spoke softly, her voice raspy and filled with uncertainty.
"How can I help you?" Tommy questioned the woman as he raised his eyebrows.
Mrs. Ross looked away, hesitating for a second before she spoke. "Well, you see, tomorrow would have been my son's 21st birthday. Had he lived," she spoke as she gave a strained smile. "And I'm having a bit of a thing. Just sandwiches and beer and looking at old photos. And, as a gesture, I thought I would invite your brother, Arthur." she explained as she lowered her gaze.
Tommy shared another look with his wife before turning to Mrs. Ross. "A gesture of what, Mrs. Ross?" he questioned.
The woman was silent for a moment before she explained. "Not exactly forgiveness. But something like that. And also it's a way of saying thank you to the Shelby family for helping me and my children get by since the death of my Edward." she replied.
"That's very kind of you," Tommy replied before inhaling sharply as he sat back in his seat. "That's very kind. Well, I will let Arthur know."
"It'll be at my house at midday." Mrs. Ross informed as she nodded her head. "He should come at midday." she insisted and Maude's eyes narrowed as she took a slow drag of her cigarette.
"Your house, midday tomorrow," Tommy repeated and Mrs. Ross nodded in confirmation. "All right. One of us will be there," he assured her.
"It ought to be Arthur." she insisted very quickly and Maude's gaze diverted from the woman. She didn't like this situation much. This woman hated Arthur with every fiber of her being and now she was insisting he come to her home. It was all too strange.
Tommy silently stared at the woman for a moment before slowly nodding his head. "Goodbye, Mrs Ross," he told her.
Maude and Tommy looked at the woman as she got up and hurried out of the office. When the door closed, Maude blew out a puff of smoke and turned to her husband. "She's planning something," she muttered as her brows furrowed.
