Stone Cold

Chapter 3

Tommy had been walking the streets all day, trying to find how he felt. It didn't work. The only thing he found out that morning was that a new detective was in town, and he had sworn to put an end to the Peaky Blinders and all like them, which had Tommy pissed off, as one could imagine. However, through all his stress and what he thought might be worry, he thought of Cecelia. She was so lovely. He wanted her badly. But then he thought: If he used her as a prostitute, she would take a dislike to him, thinking that that was all he wanted of her. And that was the last thing he wanted. He wanted her to know that he saw her as much more than a pretty face. Did he?! He growled. If there was one thing he hated more than coppers or gypsies, it was not understanding things, especially his feelings. Which was the crazy thing. Usually he knew how he felt all the time. He'd never felt like this before. And he hardly knew her. But he wanted to help her, and...to make her happy. He decided that he would see her that night. Not just to use, but to help. And...to understand.

***

Cecelia was in her apartment, lying acrossed the bed that seemed to squeak every time she moved. It was old, like the rest of the place, but it was the best she could do. Maybe, working for the Peaky Blinders, she could make a little money, at least to get a new mattress. Not that she would be sleeping here as much. The Peaky Blinders had taken a liking to her. She sighed. Then it occurred to her: she hadn't seen Tommy for two nights, since her let her in. She supposed she owed him. He had let her in and given her protection without having to use the little bit of money she had. He seemed kind. Kinder than all of her previous employers. She spread out her legs; her thighs felt hot. She breathed in and out softly. She sat up; situating her waist length wavy hair and tying it in a ribbon to keep it out of her face. She figured that she would probably get another call tonight. The Blinders had let her stay in her apartment instead of moving into the shitty brothel; they knew that she knew if she tried to run, they would find her. And Tommy had told her that she may stay where she liked. Tommy... There was something about him, something intriguing. Despite being maddeningly handsome, he was diffrent than all the other men she had worked for in the past. He was...well...he was just diffrent somehow. If she was honest with herself, she knew she wanted to see him again, and looked forwards to when she would. She was snapped from her thoughts by the sudden ringing of the phone...