Tear It Down

Chapter Two

"What are we going to do Tommy?"

"Give me a minute to think Arthur!" Thomas Shelby snapped. His older brother did as he said, though the rage didn't leave his face.

"What could of happened? That horse is in perfect health. Nothing should of taken it down." John Shelby said.

"You think I don't know that? I looked over the horse myself."

"Sitting out here won't help." Arthur grumbled.

Tommy looked up to him and scowled. "That is perfectly clear Arthur. I-" but he stopped when he heard an angry voice behind him.

"Tommy! What the hell happened?".

Tommy closed his eyes and tried to take a calming breath, but as he heard his name being screamed once again he turned to the source.

The man who screamed out to him lead a group of four men, all with fury on their faces and ready to fight.

Tommy stood straight and waited for the men, being a man to never back down. He had lived through worse things then what these men believed that they could do.

"What happened out there? Are you trying to cheat us?" The leader bellowed.

Tommy's gun was in his hand and pointed between the man's eyes before he realized what he was doing. The man stopped dead in his tracks, all those behind him taking a step back. Tommy cocked his gun slowly, beads of sweat forming on the mans forehead, and then Tommy said evenly, "I have killed men for less. Do you wish to join them?"

"I meant no disrespect, Mr. Shelby." The mans manners suddenly returning to him. "We just lost a considerable amount just now, something I believe you would be upset over too. All we want is an explanation."

"You insult me and then want answers?" He was in no mood to deal with these men, the thought of pulling his trigger a tempting one.

"Don't waste your bullet Tommy." John spoke up, looking just as angry as him.

Tommy lowered his gun, but didn't put it away. "I know this has upset you all but it would be wise to turn around and head back home before your stupidity gets the best of you."

"You really think-" the man who Tommy pointed his gun at began, but Arthur silenced him with a loud "Fuck off!"

All five men looked to each Shelby brother, weighing their odds, but they knew not to mess with a Shelby. They slowly turned their backs and began back the way they came, saying nothing.

"This had better never happen again." Tommy called out after them, the threat clear in his voice. Turning back to his brothers he lit a cigarette, desperately needing the burn of the smoke in his lungs. "We need to catch the bastard who thinks he can fuck with the Shelby's."