Tear It Down

Chapter Eleven

John was sitting at the bar of the Garrison staring into his drink when Tommy found him. He kept his footsteps light as he entered, eyes scanning the dark interior. Polly's words rang in his ears as he neared John. "Go to your brother and talk to him Tommy. The last thing we need is trouble from within the family."

Tommy sighed to himself as he noticed a nearly empty bottle of whiskey infront of John, his half full glass held tightly in his hands.

Walking behind the bar Tommy found himself a glass, pouring himself a drink from the same bottle. He was silent as he did so, John not bothering to look up. Tommy watched his younger brother as he swallowed, noting there was still anger in his eyes.

"About earlier, John, I was wrong. I did not think of them. But you must know that no matter what, they would always be taken care of."

"Easy to say Tommy, but when it comes down to it they're always last to be thought of." John downed the rest of his drink without a blink of an eye.  "But I'm no better than you right now. They need a mother and yet I waste my time with this. I try to have money in my pocket in hopes to attract a decent woman for them, because who would want a penniless bastard?" John chewed on the toothpick in his mouth, staring into his glass.

"We can find you someone John. N-"

"Don't patronize me Tommy." John looked up to him, fury in his eyes. "If I could don't you think I would of gotten someone by now? And don't act like you have my best interest, or that of my children, at heart. The only fucking thing you care about is this damn business."

"This damn business gives us the life we deserve, John."

"No, it gives you the life you think you deserve." Tommy's jaw clenched and John watched as Tommy downed the test of his drink. "And to hell with the rest of us, right? So long as you live this life you deserve, so long as you have people bowing at your feet, moving from your path because Tommy Shelby is better than you all. Ain't that right?" John spoke as he stood, pushing his glass away with such force it slid across the bar and shattered on the floor.

"You know that that is not true. I bring us the respect we have earned." Tommy said with an even voice, keeping his temper in check. "We have worked too hard for what we have, the respect we have, the life we now have. You remember it before now, you can't tell me-"

"I'll tell you what I fucking will Tommy." John ground his toothpick between his teeth, his gaze never leaving Tommy's. "Enjoy your drink, Mr. Shelby." And John turned on his heel, storming out of the Garrison without a glance back at Tommy. Not even turning when the sound of a bottle shattered against the wall opposite the bar.

* * *
"I don't want excuses, I want results." Tommy said to the man to the left of him as he made his way through the breezeway, looking to the horse stalls on either side of him.

"You think it will work?" Arthur asked as he came to Tommy's side.

"It had better." Tommy grumbled under his breath.

"Get away from the damn horse you imbecile." An familiar voice screamed.

Tommy stopped by the stall from where the voice came from, watching as the owner of the voice threw a brush at the head of a man.

"You crazy bitch!" the man spat.

"Oh yes, give me another damn reason to-" but when they saw Tommy both fell silent.

"I see you are your charming self as always Penny."

The woman stood straight at his words, her long braid of dark brown hair falling down her back as her eyes narrowed, her dark gaze directed on the man. "What is it Tommy?" Not many people got away with talking to Tommy in such a manner but Penny Johnson was a special case. There was no finer trainer that Tommy had ever met, her talent with horses had many people seeking after but he made sure to give her something no one else would offer her. Complete control of the stables, and his respect.

"You let this whore talk to you like that boss?" The man beside Tommy asked. Before Tommy could open his mouth a horse shoe flew by and clipped the man in the mouth, blood pouring from his mouth as he cursed. "You fucking bitch!" He screamed through the blood as he turned and walked way.

Penny come around the horse to scream after the man, "That's right, run like the bitch you are." With heavy breathing she turned to Tommy, her breasts rising and falling  as she placed her hands on her hip. "What do you want?"

"You bloody well know what we want." Arthur snapped.

"I don't answer to you Arthur, so I suggest you shut your mouth before you end up like that man back there."

"You wouldn't dare." He said as he stepped forward, Penny doing the same and showing he didn't scare her in the least.

"This is not the time nor the place for this." Tommy said, bringing their attention to him. "How do the horses look?"

"As well as I can make them, which is better than most."

"Have you found anything odd or suspicious."

"Trust me Tommy, if I had, you'd be the first to know." She said, flicking her eyes to Arthur to let him know that she wouldn't bother with him.

"Good. Keep it that way." Tommy looked to Arthur. "Where's John? We'll need him here soon."

"No bloody idea."

Tommy shook his head and gave a look to Penny. "Double check the horses while you can, I don't want any room for error."