My Next Mistake || Book One

Was the high worth the pain?

Silence.

The smoke from the pistol fired filled the room. Then a quiet sob. Arthur and John aimed their guns at Sabini's men. Tommy held his gun at his target, blood splattered on his coat. His face was stern and serious.

Then a scream. Tommy didn't flinch. His breathing was heavy.

Tommy had shot Sabini. Dead.

He moved his at the last moment and pulled the trigger. John and Arthur moved closer to Sabini's men.

'This town...this town is ours now. By order of the peaky blinders!' Arthur shouted. The men scurried out of the club never to be seen again. Arthur turned to Tommy, he was stood over Olivia. He was not looking at her though, he was looking at Sabini's lifeless body laying in front of him. John walked over Olivia and helped her stand.

Her whole body was shaking. She couldn't stop the tears from falling. John took a knife and cut her free from the rope Sabini had tied her with. As he did, she simply watched him, thankful that he cared. She glanced over a Sabini's body. She dint know what to feel. He had done so much for her, yet was ready to kill her for a Birmingham gangster. Was that all she was really worth? At that thought she looked over to Tommy. His face was emotionless, covered in blood and  he hadn't moved an inch since firing the gun.

She slowly walked over to him and placed an hand gently on his upper arm. He flinched at the touch pushing her hand off. Arthur and John left the room quietly to give them space. Olivia looked up at Tommy, his eyes not wanting to look at hers. He had never felt so much betrayal in his life before.

'Tommy...I....I'm sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen,' Olivia stuttered. She was so nervous. He saved her life, yet ruined his in the process. A job she had done many times before had turned into love and yet, she carried on playing him for a fool. Tommy didn't look at her.

'Olivia. Go home.' Tommy ordered, his eyes still held on Sabini's dead body. 

'Tommy..please..' Olivia begged. Before she knew it her whole body was slammed against the wall. Tommy pinned her arms down. He was inches away from her face. She could feel the anger behind his strength. She deserved every piece of anger that Tommy was about to impale on her.

'Olivia. Don't...don't.' Tommy spat, she could feel the anger behind his voice. He looked her straight in the eye. He was searching for answers, but Tommh could only see one thing. The woman he had come to love, in front of him, battered, fragile and bruised. And a liar.

At that thought his hands tightened round her arms. She yelped as she could feel bruises begin to form, like her body wasn't covered in enough. 'Why Olivia? Why? I cared for you.' Tommy begged trying to hold back his tears. Olivia couldn't find the words. She looked at him dead in the eyes, she needed to be honest with him.

'Tommy please. It was just doing a job to begin with but then the more I got to know you the more I realised, that I care for you. I love you Tommy. This was not a game. Tommy I swear,' Olivia pleaded as she tried to speak through the pain that Tommy was putting on her arms. She had just declared her love for Tommy. A moment which for most is greeted with adoration and love back. But not this time. Not for Olivia and Tommy. This love had betrayal.

'And yet you played it.' Tommy spat. He let go of her and she collapsed against the wall to the floor, all strength leaving her petite body. Tears fell from her eyes once again. But Tommy was right, she played the game and at what cost?

'I loved you Olivia,' Tommy said gazing down at the broken girl in front of him. Olivia wept as she watched Tommy leave the club. She cried out his name but he he never turned back. Never turned back to forgive her. Why would he? Olivia had just watched the man she loved and nearly had killed walk out on her for good.