PEAKY BLINDERS IMAGINES

John Shelby - 'Fires Of Protection'

The Garrison was bustling, the usual mix of laughter, heated discussions, and clinking glasses that accompanied a night out with the Shelby brothers. You and Ada were tucked into a corner booth, nursing gin and gossiping quietly, trying to ignore the occasional glances thrown your way by the men seated around the room.

Ada had always been the bolder one between the two of you, her fiery nature and sharp tongue often getting her into trouble, but tonight, she was calm — maybe too calm. The past few weeks had been nothing but stressful, with all the dealings the Shelby family had been caught up in, and you could tell that Ada was starting to feel the weight of it all.

"What's on your mind?" you asked, leaning in to get a better look at your best friend.

Ada took a sip of her drink, setting it down slowly. "Nothing," she said, but the faraway look in her eyes told you otherwise. "Just tired, I suppose."

You reached out and squeezed her hand. "Don't let it get to you, Ada. Whatever's going on, we can handle it."

She gave you a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I know, love. I just wish things would calm down. I miss the old days, you know? Before all this..." Her voice trailed off, a sadness lingering in the air between you.

The two of you sat in silence for a moment, the noise around you growing louder as the night wore on. You glanced around the room, noting that several of the factory men had started to gather near the bar. You recognized a few faces — rough, burly men who worked in the mills. They often visited the Garrison, but tonight, they seemed... different. Their eyes were too hungry, too focused.

Ada followed your gaze and frowned. "Something's off about them," she muttered. "Let's go, yeah?"

You nodded. "I think that's a good idea."

But before either of you could make a move, one of the men approached your table. He was tall, dark-haired, with a look in his eyes that made your stomach churn. You'd seen him around before, but you'd never spoken to him.

"Evening, ladies," he said, his voice thick with drink. "Mind if I join you?"

You exchanged an uneasy glance with Ada, but she nodded politely. "Sure, but we're just about to leave."

The man didn't seem to care about that. He slid into the booth beside you, far too close for comfort. You instinctively shifted away, but he was quicker, leaning in too close, his breath hot on your neck.

"Not so fast," he murmured. "I think you and me could have a real nice time tonight."

Your heart skipped a beat. Ada's posture stiffened beside you, and you could tell she was about to say something when another man — his friend, it seemed — slid into the booth opposite you. The atmosphere shifted, becoming heavy with tension. The two men didn't look like they were leaving anytime soon, and you were beginning to get the unmistakable feeling that you were no longer in control of the situation.

"Look," Ada said, trying to keep her voice steady. "We're not interested, alright? Why don't you take your business elsewhere?"

The man next to you grinned, his teeth gleaming in the dim light. "I think you're being rude," he said, his hand brushing against your arm in a way that made your skin crawl. "I don't take kindly to women who don't know their place."

Before you could react, Ada shot to her feet, her face flushed with anger. "You listen to me, you filthy bastard," she snapped, her voice cutting through the air. "You're not getting a damn thing from either of us. Now, leave."

The man's smile faltered, but he didn't move. Instead, he grabbed Ada's wrist in a bruising grip, yanking her back down into the seat. "I think you'll change your tune soon enough," he growled.