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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"Di?" Tommy's groggy voice stirred you from your sleep. You rolled over and kneeled next to him on the bed.
"Tommy?"
His eyes opened slowly, scanning the room. You squeezed his hand and leaned over to kiss his brow. Much cooler than before. His fever must have broken while you slept.
"Hey, Handsome," you smiled when he looked at you. He struggled to sit up. You helped him, placing pillows behind him for support. He grunted and winced at every small move he made. You grabbed his face and kissed his lips happily. You were just so thrilled to see him conscious. It's been nearly two days since he passed out in the bathroom.
The sense of relief of having him awake and moving and talking...you thought maybe you would end up in this mess alone. You've never really needed anybody before. You been doing just fine on your own. But then you met Tommy and your whole world shifted. Suddenly, you couldn't quite remember that life before him. And you didn't want to. Being with him made you feel like you had a purpose. Suppose inspecting cans on an assembly line is purpose for some, but he showed you that can actually make a difference. Sure, you had to break the law to do it, but those are just words. Just like the Bible your daddy stuffed down your throat. It's all words. And words ain't never fed anybody. And words ain't gonna keep you warm at night.
"I'm okay, Di," Tommy grumbled, gently pushing you away. You may have been overzealous with that kiss, but you were so ecstatic you have him back, grump and all.
You examined his wound then studied his eyes. You may not be educated but you're no dummy. You knew dilated pupils and a cloying smell from a wound were bad signs. You spent the better part of the past few days looking for those signs.
"How many of me do you see?" you asked waving your hand in front of his face. His posture was very uncomfortable. He didn't like you fretting over him like some child. His cheeks seemed to flush from the attention. The shade suited him, though. Those cheeks were absent of color for quite some time.
Tommy quickly looked away, but you grabbed his chin to stop him. He sighed all irritated and pulled his chin away.
"Dollface, I don't think this world could handle more than one of you," he said, shaking his head. You smiled at him, satisfied.
Tommy started to maneuver his legs over the side of the bed. His brow furrowed from the effort.
"Where are you going?" you scrambled to your feet to help him.
"To relieve myself," he said, shooing you away.
"I can help you," you said, holding him steady by the arm. He grumbled with frustration.
"Di, I don't need your help with that," he said pushing you away again. He grabbed the bathroom door for support.
You placed your hands on your hips and smirked.
"Ain't like I never held it before," you huffed.
Tommy burst out laughing at you, then clutched the door frame as his face melted into pain. He started a fit of coughing and spat blood into the sink. You started towards him but he held a hand up.
"Stay," he said to you like you were some bitch of his. You sighed and plopped down on the bed. You waited, staring at the ceiling that you were just so sick of seeing. You needed to keep moving, but he still was in no shape to ride. Guess this would have to do for the time being. You reached over and switched the radio on. The soft sound of Tommy Dorsey's trombone filled the room. You stretched out on the bed and hummed along.
Your Tommy reappeared from the bathroom. He was carrying himself a little better, although his wounded side hunched some. He was still only clad in his undershorts. You grabbed the new clothes you nabbed for him, folded nice and neat. The blood wouldn't come out of his other suit. You scrubbed for ages. New clothes would have to do for both of you and it appeared Tommy didn't even notice until now.
"New dress?" he smiled a bit, taking in the sight of you. Green, this time, like the color of the money you couldn't wait to steal next. For Tommy, you got a gunmetal grey suit, like the pistol he used to steal your heart.
"You like?" you asked, giving a spin. He nodded with an admiring grin. You handed him his new clothes but he tossed them on the bed without a glance. His slid a hand around your waist and pulled you to him. You gave a little gasp as your heart seemed to somersault in your chest.
Tommy hummed along with the music and took your hand in his. He held it to his chest and swayed in time with the song. You felt all abashed at the romantic gesture and truthfully completely surprised. Handsome wasn't one for sentiment.
🎶Never thought I'd fall, But now I hear love call, I'm getting sentimental over you🎶
He crooned in your ear. His voice was unexpectedly smooth and the subtext was clear as day. You carefully moved with him, lost in the moment, but still wary of his condition.
🎶Things you say and do, Just thrill me through and through, I'm getting sentimental over you🎶
You sang back to him. His eyes smiled and sparkled with so much life. There was a moment when you thought he was a goner. The fever had run so high and he wouldn't take any water. To have him holding you like this, gazing at you with those bright and beautiful eyes, you felt overcome with emotions.
You kissed him devotedly, letting your fingers skip across the the ridges of his bare back. His hand moved from your waist to the nape of your neck, tenderly holding you while he returned your kiss in earnest.
"I thought I'd lost you," you said, pulling your lips from his. Your voice pinched with tears but you did your damnedest not to cry again. His eyes penetrated you with a hypnotizing conviction as he continued the song:
🎶I thought I was happy, I could live without love Now I must admit, Love is all I'm thinking of🎶
You smiled slowly at his words and never wavered from his gaze. Here you thought you'd lose him and be all alone again. But you weren't the only one that couldn't go back to that previous existence. Something changed for Tommy too. Something unpredictable happened that first day in the bank. Some dame joined him for a ride and turned his world upside down. She was sexy and savvy and quick on her feet. She proved herself time and again and before he knew it, she turned the loner into a partner, and his little piece of hell into heaven. Maybe there's hope after falling from grace, as long as an angel has your back.
