Polly's Boys

Trapping Winter

Trapping Winter

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Every hour that passed created a calming sense of security for Mrs. Winter St. Clair as she sang and danced through her set at the Eden club.

She heard so much from Devlin and her own circle about the Peaky Blinders expansion to London and the existing family's thoughts on that said expansion.

Winter was just a singer. Her only involvement was getting potentially caught up by a group and questioned. Sabini and Changretta had personally paid her a visit at the club to assure her safety in London. She was grateful for her husband's connections then.

The Soloman's and Shelby's had yet to offer her any type of assurance that she was off limits. Not even her mother in law, Polly Grey would talk to her about Tommy's plan initially claiming she didn't know.

Winter knew better. No matter how much they talked and got along, Tommy was her blood kin.

Devlin had said she was safe but she'd be traveling soon and away from him for two months making a name for herself. He wouldn't be there to protect her.

She had an hour to go, only five more songs when she saw the familiar peaked hats that her husband wore. At first she thought it was him grinning broadly. That quickly changed when the man tipped his head up before he chose a table with two others.

She'd never met Delvin's cousin, there was no denying that is who they were though. Strong cheekbones, Devilishly good looks and cold mountain spring blue eyes.

She tried her best not to make eye contact and keep her voice even toned. She glanced around the room while smiling looking for all the exits. She could leave her stuff behind, hail a cab and pick it up tomorrow if need be.

Winter's heels clicked, ringing down the cement hallway as she ran to her dressing room. She couldn't wait to lock herself in and leave.

She'd been granted a five minute break between songs and had asked a few staff members that were brutalized by the last time the peaky blinders visited, if they could gather her things or if she could stop by tomorrow. Her manager had said no, stating that she was leaving early tomorrow for the tour so she rushed now praying she wouldn't run into trouble.

She looked twice to both sides like she'd check for traffic. The hallway was clear.

She scooted inside and closed the door.

Fear instantly seized her as did a Shelby man. John, from Dev's description. Hand a hand on the back of her neck and over her mouth.

Arthur stood in front of the door almost filling up the frame.

Tommy was sitting patiently in a chair by the vanity. He'd gone through her purse and stage bag from the looks of her scattered personal contents laying everywhere around him.

She narrowed her eyes at him and she bent her elbow and doubled John over. She scooted away but the room was far too small to hold four people at all let alone comfortably. Her back was touching a wall but at least she could talk now.

"What do you want?" She asked curtly, unafraid of them, that was a lie but right now her anger seethed through her creating a false sense of control.

"We just wanted to meet our cousin in law. Introduce ourselves properly. Especially if you will be playing in our club from time to time."

"I can assure you, if it's your club now, this is my last time." Her mind was racing. Why did Sabini tell her she was safe if he passed ownership over to them? Did he assume she'd be safe because of Dev? God, she was going to chew his ear off when she saw him!

"Mouthy little thing isn't she." Arthur spoke to the room it seemed since no one in particular seemed to answer.

"That's what happens when you don't have parents. You don't get enough discipline." John's grin was broad. He was enjoying that comment too much.

"I need to know who you are loyal to Winter." Tommy leaned against her vanity and brought out a cigarette. He offered her one and she shook her head. He took his time lighting it, eyes never leaving her face.

"Dev. I'm loyal to Devlin." Her jaw was set. Her tone is firm. She meant it.

"I called the Orphanage about you two. You both have quite a history together don't you?"

"They used to sleep together every night. Even when the nuns tried to get them teddy bears to snuggle, look at the doors and check under beds or douse them both with ice water they were never apart."

"Awww." John cooed at her like a dove. He wasn't mocking her, at least not in tone. She wondered if there was anything gentle to him.

"How sweet." Arthur also seemed genuine.

"Until the day Devlin left for three years. Not a call, not a note, nothing. Yet, when he picked you up on your eighteenth birthday, you married the man who you hadn't spoken to for three years." She gritted her teeth. He'd done thorough research so why was he asking her. She knew the nuns played games like this with the kids who weren't their favorites. It was to prove they had power over you. They knew you, control.

"So you obviously know who I am loyal to. Why ask, hoping I'd add you all to that list because we're related through marriage?" She bit out. Her eyes widened. That was the point.

"Devlin works where we are trying to expand. If you all worked with us there would be more money to go around. We take care of our family." He looked bored now. He extinguished his cigarette on the counter. She rolled her eyes. She has to pay a fee now. She was surprised when he tossed a few bills on the counter. She wasn't sure why or even if they owned she should have to pay for it.

"Devlin is his own hard working man. I won't tell him what to do." His back was turned to her but his icy cold eyes fell on her face as he smiled. He almost looked proud.

She was good at reading people when she needed to. She didn't have the street sense like Devlin where she always looked for danger. She did have common sense to watch out for snakes however, she'd learned enough over the years.

"You could influence him or simply have a conversation. I'm not asking for anything else Mrs. Gray." The other two stood up straight and started toward the door. She wasn't done however.

"St. Clair." Her voice was deeper than normal and hard. She didn't go by Gray and wouldn't because he used it. She wanted him to know she was her own person separate from the blinders.

"Why St. Clair and not Gray?" Arthur asked the question. She actually didn't find him too intimidating, not yet at least. He seemed more like a teddy bear with fangs to her. He could use them, she wasn't stupid, she also knew he would be the one she could appeal to because she was a petite woman.

"Winter gray? Really?" The men snickered as she said it out loud. Devlin had laughed so hard he'd fallen out of bed. She never had a fight with him about it again.

Besides, St. Clair sticks it to the wealthy people who abandoned me. I'm sure I will make for an interesting conversation at Christmas." Tommy and John smiled at her warmly. Tommy tipped his head. He admired her for what she could tell.

You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, she could disarm them and soften her relationship, maybe, just maybe they'd leave her and Devlin alone.

"You're more interesting and thoughtful then I'd given you credit for Mrs. St. Clair." Tommy walked past her. " Not just a pretty face with golden vocals, eh?" He walked out with his brothers but paused in the hallway. She held the door partially opened to watch them leave. She was trying not to shiver.

"Why do i fear being an interest to you Mr. Shelby." She asked him innocently. They all laughed and tipped their peaky hats, razor blades glittering in the night.

"Good night Mrs. St. Clair." They all grumbled and walked down, turning the corner leaving her in peace. She slammed the door closed and slumped down on the floor crumbling like paper. She shivered. She hated being scared, hated it more than anything.

She didn't care that her manager had already paid for the hotel they were supposed to be at tonight. She'd get a cab before the sunrise. She needed Delvin's arms around her immediately.

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