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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Over dinner, you learned all about Tommy's story. Nicola told you of her husband, Sam, Tommy's brother. He was smart and caring, she said. Always helping others. Never asking for anything in return. He sounded like an angel.
You risked a glance at your handsome devil as the tale continued. His face was stiff, brow crinkled in the center. His jaw clenched and the vein in his temple became more pronounced as she spoke. His eyes stared at a space on the table in front of him, glancing up at her every so often, at the boys. But never at you.
Sam got a job at Chicago Fed. He loved numbers, something Nicola could never understand. But he was so clever, he graduated top of his class. The corners of Tommy's mouth curled at that and he gave a small chuckle.
"Smarter than Edison," Tommy murmured.
"Yes! You used to always say that," Nicola laughed.
Your eyes drifted over to Tommy. He seemed to catch them out of the corner but blinked quickly and stared back at his spot on the table. Suppose he's reliving the whole tale as she told it. Guess there's still some things he's not ready for you to see. Some stuff that's too painful for you to know.
Sam worked his way up at Chicago Fed. He was apprenticing as a broker. He even talked of moving to New York City and try his hand on Wall Street. Nicola was thrilled. With four boys, a move to New York would be a handful, but the market was booming and so would their wallets.
Tommy's eyes wandered over each of those beaming faces as she spoke. They admired him so much, you could tell, especially James. Tommy treated him like a young man, not a boy. He made him pull your chair out for you for dinner and barked at him when he tried to leave the table without excusing himself. Manners - it's what set your fine gentleman apart from the rest of the crooks.
Tommy held his hand up at Nicola and gave a slight shake of the head. "James, go get everyone ready for bed," Tommy ordered. James hopped to it and scampered up the steps with the rest of them.
Tommy nodded at Nicola to continue. She sighed.
"Then Black Tuesday happened," Nicola said sadly. She gripped her napkin in her hand, eyes tearing up.
Tommy's scowl softened as he looked at her. His throat clicked loudly.
The crash of '29 devastated the entire country. People were in a frenzy. Billions of dollars were lost in just 24 hours. Mobs descended on the banks. Everyday joes stormed First National Bank, Illinois Trust & Savings, and Chicago Fed. They just wanted their hard earned money. There was confusion and madness. How could their dollars plummet to a penny? Sam was overwhelmed. Being the caretaker he was, he stood on a counter at the Fed and tried to calm everyone down. Some were swayed, but for others, Sam represented the status quo and the greedy industry that broke their wallets, starved their children and rendered them homeless. The mob broke out into a riot, things turned violent and Sam took a bullet to the chest.
Tommy's jaw clenched again. His eyes quickly lowered and he folded his arms in front of him. You reached a hand out and gently brushed his arm. He flinched and frowned at you. The message in his eyes was clear. He didn't need your comfort. He didn't want your comfort. You didn't dare try to console him after that.
Nicola picked up on the tension and tried to change the subject. "You'll be wanting a bath after such a long day," she said with a warm pat on your hand. "I'll go draw you one, dear," then made her way up the stairs.
The room was dreadfully quiet. Tommy remained stiff and sullen in his silence. He looked like a kettle about to steam. Your mind wracked itself with something to say but you were afraid no matter what it was, it would set him off. You opted for flirtation because it was the only thing you were good at.
"Will you join me for a bath, Tommy?" you purred.
"Don't be daft, it's too small for the two of us," he grumbled.
You leaned back and gave an irritated sigh.
"I'm only just trying to-"
"Just shut your trap, Di and leave me be," he growled at you with a glare. His nostrils flared with annoyance and you were about to retort something equally unkind when you caught something in his eyes. They were soft and shiny, almost like they were wet with tears. You were immediately taken aback by the sight of them. You dropped your gaze.
"I'll see you upstairs," you spoke softly and left him to his memories. Suppose no matter how old you get, losing your baby brother don't get any easier.
You soaked in the bath until the water cooled and your fingers pruned. Nicola insisted you take her room. She would sleep with Paddy, she said. She laid out one of her dresses for you, as well as some night clothes, although you never wore the things. You couldn't stand being constricted by any clothing while you slept.
You rested your head on the pillow and exhaled slowly. Every muscle sighed with you. The soft timber of Tommy's voice came from the other room. It had a gleeful lilt to it as if he was reading or telling some bedtime story. Your eyes closed and you smiled thinking of that fiendish grin acting out Peter Rabbit.
You drifted off, meditating on your next adventure, your increasingly entangled feelings for Tommy, and the fortress he's built around his own.
Then a kiss lingered on your lips, arousing you from your dream and awakening your body with delight...
