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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Get rid of him," Tommy hissed at Nicola then threw your purse and your freshly laundered dress at you. He was on his hands and knees, reaching under the bed. He snatched his rucksack and slid it across the floor to you. You dropped to your knees and frantically rolled up the dress and stuffed it inside. And then that was it. All your possessions between the two of you fit in that one bag. Guns, ammo, a pack of Luckies, some licorice sticks, and about five thousand smackeroos. There was three times that, but it went where it was always meant to go - to Sam's family. You understood now why he said attachments were dangerous. You'd never be able to dash with much more to carry.
"He'll suspect something if I try to get rid of him," Nicola whispered. She stood on the stairs, talking to you through the bannister. She kept an eye on the copper outside while she spoke. You stood up to peer out the bedroom window. He was getting out of his vehicle now.
Tommy looked at her with an exasperated glare, still crouched down. So, you weren't the only one who got those looks from him.
"Why would he suspect - never mind,"he held his hand up and shook his head like he had no time to get into an argument with her. "Just get rid of him," he repeated with a gruff.
"He comes by a few days a week, while the boys are at school," she continued, dropping her eyes. You swore you saw a hint of color blush her cheeks. You looked back out the window. He was approaching the porch, glancing around at his surroundings. He was quite good looking too. Different from Handsome here. Fairer in his features. Suppose a lot of ladies wouldn't mind him coming 'round while the boys are at school.
Tommy was staring at her like she was speaking another language. He was having an unusually daft moment.
"He'll be expecting me to invite him in, Tommy," she said with a bite of her lip. She just couldn't help herself. Her eyes fluttered up to Tommy's and she seemed conflicted in her giddiness over his arrival.
"You mean...you and Haz?" Tommy whisper yelled at her, suddenly catching on. His tone of disdain was all too evident. Nicola's eyes narrowed in defense.
"I'm widowed, Tommy, not dead," she snapped at him. He looked at you for help but you only felt sorry for her. She's probably been so lonely, secluded here with just her boys. Suppose some people think you gotta mourn forever, but that don't seem fair.
Tommy hung his head, pinching the bridge of his nose, as he's wont to do when he needs to think or settle that devil inside of him.
"Shit," he muttered with a sigh. You looked at him, waiting for instruction. The copper was knocking on the door now.
"Tommy," you whispered urgently. You knelt down and grabbed his arm to get his attention.
"Give me a sec, Di," he barked, yanking his arm away. He stared at the space in front of him, wheels turning like a locomotive between those big ears. You slumped down next to him with a pout. Your fine gentleman seemed to disappear the moment trouble arrived.
The copper called Nicola's name. Her hand flew to her apron strings, twirling them around her fingers, nervously. Oh, she's got it bad for this fella.
Now it was Nicola who looked at you for help. You understood where she was coming from. Tommy's judgment was clouded by his stubbornness. He couldn't seem to get past the fact that she was sleeping with his ex partner. But the clock was ticking and you were his partner now. Fifty/fifty, right? Not like you ain't saved his skin before. You took the lead.
"Tommy, go get the boys and take them out the back to school. James can take them the rest of the way, yes?" you asked Nicola. She nodded quickly. You turned to Tommy.
"Okay, Tommy, stay out of sight and get to the car," you whispered. Your mind was speeding with your scheme, faster than you could get the words out. Your heart raced right along with it, igniting that reckless thrill that accompanied any notion of danger. It became so intoxicating for you. An aphrodisiac that made you glance over at Tommy with a salacious smile before continuing.
"I assume you have an automobile?" you looked back at Nicola who nodded again.
"Yeah, Sammy's old Ford," Tommy answered. His eyes were captivated by you, listening carefully to your every word, one hundred percent attentive.
"Good, wait for me there," you instructed him. He cocked at grin at you, absolutely enamored by his partner in crime. You turned to Nicola.
"Answer the door," you said to her. She nodded and flew down the stairs. You stood up and turned to the nightstand.
Tommy stood too and grabbed your arm, looking at you. That devilish flicker in those eyes consorted with the pride he held for you. His thumb brushed across your supple skin, tantalizing you with sinful thoughts of those fingers that gripped you. What's that thing people say about hands and the devil's playground? You'd wager your devil would tire your playground out with those hands. You'd wager he never had more fun doing it too.
"And what will you do, dollface?" Tommy asked with a flirtatious lift of his eyebrow. He pulled you closer to him until you were hip to hip. The thrill of danger was just as arousing for him too or he forgot to retrieve his pistol from his pocket.
You tapped your cheek with your finger, nodding at him coyly, just as he did to you at breakfast. His face broke out into a grin and he smooched your cheek. You smiled, satisfied then reached for the Bible off the nightstand, holding it to your chest. You took a deep breath and put on a sweet as honey smile.
