Tear It Down

Chapter Three

Adrien counted the steps Thomas Shelby took, the smoke of her cigarette rising slowly from her parted lips. "Like a cornered animal." She thought as she watched him look around. He was vigilant, his eyes darting every which way to find the culprit who dared fuck with his business.

Her gaze was soon drawn to his left, the shadow of his brother (she didn't really give a damn which one it was) appearing at Thomas' side. They said something to Thomas, his face relaxing in relief. He clapped his brother on his shoulder, confidence in the set of his shoulder.

Adrien chuckled to herself and took another drag of her cigarette, shaking her head.

* * *

When the horse went down Tommy clenched his teeth so hard he felt that they might crack, the noise of the onlookers rising behind him, though it sounded more like the annoying buzz of a fly as he looked around for his brothers.

When John made his way through the crowd and his eyes met Tommy's they knew they had been given the slip.

"I thought you said you checked everywhere. That you had someone stationed at each and every entrance." He growled as he came to his brothers side, dragging him back into a secluded corner from the crowd.

"I did, but I don't know how this could of happened. You checked the horses and I checked anyplace someone could of been hiding."

"Well you sure as hell did a piss poor job of that."

"Tommy I'm telling you-"

"Tommy!" Tommy turned to see Arthur shoving his way through the crowd, telling more than one person to fuck off. "Tommy, I found something you might want to see."

"What is it?"

"How the bastard got in."

Tommy clenched his fists, nodding to Arthur to show him. John followed first, Tommy taking a deep breath to calm himself. If he let his anger get the best of him than this could all go wrong. And like hell was he going to let his lack of self-control bring him down.

As he followed Arthur he manuvered his way between the people panicking  about him, cursing under his breath the whole way. Suddenly he felt someone bump into. It was a hard one, one that felt like it was on purpose, causing him to take a step back.

When he looked to see who it was he saw a young man, no more than twenty-five years, in a black jacket and a hat hanging low over his eyes. Coal covered his face, making any noticeable features masked beneath the filth. The young man smirked, setting Tommy's teeth on edge, his hands balling into fists. "I'd watch myself if I were you."

At his words Tommy felt anger course  through him. 'How dare that bastard talk to me like that.'  But before Tommy could say a word he heard his name being called. He looked back to see Arthur gesturing for him to follow.

Ignoring him he turned back to the young man and blinked in surprise. The bastard had disappeared, blending into the frantic crowd.