The Darkness Within (Peaky Blinders) Thomas Shelby

7. A Celebratory Cigarette

And I found love where it wasn't supposed to be

Right in front of me, talk some sense to me

- I Found, by Amber Run

She inhaled the smoke from her cigarette, letting the toxin enter her lungs, holding it there for a moment before exhaling it into the cold night air.

Barely 18 and already addicted. Not an uncommon thing to see these days, but that didn't mean her brother would approve. In fact he would be furious. He would scream, he would curse and he would beat... but not her. Oh no, never her. Just the man who sold her the packet. He'd beat him half to death with his fists and threaten him with the razor blades concealed in his hat before demanding a free pack for himself.

At the age of 18 Kiara was cold and reserved. She hated the world, seeing it for what it was. Her self worth was low, having been chipped away by her father over the years. Even after the man had died his words would still echo through her mind, but that didn't stop her fighting. Every hour of every day was a fight against herself or outside threats, it never ended.

Since Her father's death Kiara had began working at the Garrison to support the family. Of course it also meant she got more attention from men by working there so Riley had more than a few fights to start over it to begin with, but with the help of Thomas and John Shelby they soon learnt to steer clear.

So there she stood, out the back of the Garrison, doing the one thing that stopped her hands from shaking when she felt that darkness. She had to sneak outside so her brother wouldn't see her. If he knew she'd never find another place that would sell her a packet ever again.

Kiara took in another deep breath before throwing the last bit on the damp cobble ground, breathing out the smoke as she did.

"Does Riley know you smoke?" A pleasantly rough and calm voice stretched out to Kiara's ears from behind her. She knew who it was the second he spoke without needing to turn around, but as she did she was met by the ocean blue eyes of Thomas Shelby.

"Just because Riley insists on knowing every detail of my life does not mean he should. Wouldn't want to give him a premature stroke."

Thomas let out a deep throaty chuckle as he stepped through the back door of the Garrison into the alley behind it, pulling out his own cigarette.

"No, we wouldn't want that." He said, bringing the cigarette to his mouth.

"Did you need something, Thomas?"

"What makes you ask?"

"Well, I highly doubt you're out here hiding your smoking habits from a highly over protective big brother, so..."

"Saw you sneak out the back... last time I found you in a dark alley I was five minutes too late. Thought I'd jump the gun this time." He explained before lighting his cigarette.

"Too late was it?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. "I seem to remember saving myself."

"If I was there in time you wouldn't have needed to." He paused to intake the smoke. "You shouldn't have blood on your hands."

"I thought you promised not to speak of that again?" Kiara questioned, turning to now face him directly, not particularly wanting to speak of that night today of all days.

"To others maybe."

It was silent for a moment before she took a step towards the door. "I should get back to work."

Thomas grabbed her hand as she went to walk past, stopping her in place before he pulled out another cigarette, holding it out to her.

"It's your birthday, isn't it? 18th?"