1930s Chicago. Notorious gangster Tom "Tommy Gun" Holland has been storming his way through Cook County, robbing banks and breaking hearts. One day you find yourself in the wrong place, at the wrong time when he makes a hit on your bank. There's...
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Tommy led the horse to the edge of a clearing and came to a rest. Acres of lush green grass spread out before you. Clusters of clover blossoms spotted the field with hues of purple. Up ahead stood a house, big but modest. It looked lived in but loved. A red maple was poised in front, complete with a swing.
"Where are we?" you whispered. Everything was quiet, you didn't dare speak any louder.
Tommy hushed you then whistled a three note melody into the silent sky. A moment later, the same melody was whistled in return, skipping across the field to your ears. Tommy smiled.
"My secret," he answered, clicking his tongue to signal the horse to proceed. You rode slowly across the field.
"We need to lay low for a bit, at least until those papers with my mug all over them leave the newsstands," he explained.
"But what is this place?" you asked.
"A refuge. A haven," he turned at you and smiled serenely.
"Don't you want to see where the money goes, Di?" he asked almost cheerfully. The closer you got to the house, the more his demeanor changed. He appeared energized instead of the usual agitated. Calm but not at all distant.
The early evening sun dipped behind the eaves of the house as you approached. You could see silhouettes of figures gathered by the door. A group of peepers watched you from inside, shadowed in darkness but bright and attentive at the advancing company.
"The first one to make it to my horse gets a nickel and a licorice stick!" Tommy called out.
The screen door flew open and nothing but boys just poured out of it, racing right towards you. You clung to Tommy a little tighter, startled by the boys' zeal. They surrounded the horse in a cacophony of whooping and hollering and laughing. It was enough to make your head spin.
"I made it first!" one declared.
"No you didn't! It was me!" another shouted, shoving the first boy.
"Is this some sort of orphanage?" you asked in awe of their energy. A matter of fact, there was only four of them, but the noise they made could be mistaken for ten times that.
"Who's the pretty lady, Uncle Tommy?" a third asked.
Tommy dismounted and handed the reins to the eldest. He seemed maybe twelve or thirteen. He was also the one inquiring about you and giving you a bashful smile.
Tommy glanced over at you, reaching into his pockets.
"Um... that's a good question, James." Tommy said, appearing equally as bashful by the question. He retrieved four licorice sticks and four nickels and handed them to each of the boys. He turned to you with raised eyebrows.
"Who are you again?" he laughed. And it was a beautifully embarrassed laugh as if he was uncertain himself and didn't want to assume anything.
You smiled at him, then dismounted yourself. You made a little fuss about your dress and hair and joined Tommy at his side.
"I'm Di, Uncle Tommy's girlfriend," you said to the eldest and stuck your hand out to him. He looked completely perplexed at what to do about it. Tommy's brow furrowed and he nodded at him to take it. He shook it, unsure of himself all the while giving you those moon eyes.
"This is James," Tommy pointed at him, then down the line, "Harry, Samuel, and this one," he stooped down and picked up a squealing toddler that was caked in mud from head to toe. "This one is Paddy," he announced while he swung him over his shoulder playfully. He patted his bum a few time and spun him around until his squeals became ear piercing.
"Alright, Alright," Tommy panted, already tiring himself out as he plopped the boy back on the ground.
"James, take your new horse to the stable," Tommy said in an authoritive but kind tone. He grabbed Harry and Samuel, twins from what you could tell, and hooked an arm around each of their necks.
"Let's go see Mum, shall we?" he said, traipsing up the steps. You stood there, left behind, feeling entirely out of place. So much for being his girlfriend.
Tommy stopped on the steps and sprinted back down to you. He grabbed your hand and gave it a kiss.
"Sorry," he mumbled quickly and dragged you up with him. That was the second apology that day from Handsome. Must be some kind of a record. Still, he seemed a bit nervous now, like he had to impress. Or maybe you did.
A woman appeared on the porch. She was plain but attractive, smaller than you but sturdy. Her eyes were locked on Tommy and an undeniable relief shown all over her face.
"Nicola," Tommy said softly, giving her a kiss on the cheek. You stood there awkwardly, not sure where to put your hands. Your dress was filthy, your hair was filthy. You probably looked a fright with all the riding and running and dust blowing.
"Tommy you're all over the papers," Nicola said with a shake of her head. "I'm worried about you," her eyes drifted over to you, "and your friend."
Tommy's fingers laced with yours. You glanced down and smiled to yourself. That was sweet. Who ever heard a devil being so sweet?
"It's all under control, Nikki," Tommy assured her.
"Of course it is," she said with a slight roll of her eyes.
"Come inside. You must be famished. I'll fix you both a plate," she said turning to go back inside.
You eagerly went to follow, mouth watering at the smell of roasted chicken wafting out the door. You never stopped for lunch. Just rode right through it.
Tommy pulled your hand to stop you. It was just the two of you left on the porch. His eyes penetrated you, soft but serious. He looked like he had a million things he wanted to tell you, but carefully chose which first.
"I'm trusting you with this, Di," he said, his brow coming together.
"You can trust me, Tommy," you nodded and gave his hand a small squeeze. You inched a little closer until your stomachs touched.
"I don't trust easily, Di," he continued, still staring at you intensely, seeming to convey the significance of that statement to you.
"And you shouldn't, Tommy," you agreed, looking up at him. You placed your other hand on his chest and nuzzled his nose with yours.
"These are the only people in this world I care about," he said, giving a glance behind him. Inside the boys gathered on the floor, reading books and playing with toy trains. Nikki bustled around the kitchen, preparing you plates like she said. Still, the only people? That stung a bit.
You let go of his hand.
"The only people you care about, Tommy," you repeated with a sigh. You gave a disappointed shrug and moved towards the door. He grabbed your arm in a vice grip, halting you. You stifled a smile. You were only toying with him. You were starting to think you knew him better than himself.
"Until now, Di," he said quietly, like he feared those people he cared about would hear. Or maybe it was he was afraid his own ears would hear. Suppose caring about people can be costly in this line of business.
He held your face and kissed your lips ardently. It was a different kiss, devoid of any sinful urges or frantic longing, but it was no less passionate. It felt like a relief, a release of something so tightly locked away that only just sprung forth with the freedom to flaunt its true affection. It made you swoon from its potency. Just when you thought you were gaining the upper hand on this fellow, he pulls a kiss like this that knocks you down several notches.
Tommy pulled away and leaned his forehead against yours and just when you thought you he traded his horns for halos, he said,
"Now let's hurry up and eat so I can have you for dessert."
