Ex-soldier Birmingham-gangster bets his life on luck and illegalities, adroit wit and burning passion streaking his blood-stained fingertips as a dire quarrel commence between himself and the disturbed Dane who purloined his lover.
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ALL HAIL THE KING
WHEN THOMAS AWOKE IN the early morning, the drawn curtains allowed the all too bright light inside. Turning on his side, his eyes were met with the beautiful sight of Ines, fast asleep with her hand on his arm. Before Thomas sat up in his bed and smiled down at her, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and went to look out the window. From the light on the sky and sun rising above buildings in the far horizon, he could tell the clock was no more than five or six in the morning and he watched as the people began flooding the streets. In spite of the early hour and day, this was the busiest time on the Small Heath streets and something warmed his heart as he came to realize at least something as simple as that had not changed.
He heard a slight clamor from downstairs and looked across his shoulder to Ines who shifted between the sheets, feeling around Thomas empty spot. He went back to the bed and reached for her hand.
"Morning," he said in a soft, low tone and removed a stray of hair clinging to her forehead.
"Have you been awake for long?" Thomas shook his head. "How have you slept?"
He thought for a moment, as his eyes took in every feature of her face, assuring himself he could never again forget even the slightest detail. He had slept well. Better than he had in a long time and not to make it sound like an exaggeration, but perhaps better than ever. Those few hours of dozing off he was scarcely allowed in between work, that was when the span of an hour could seem like days if not weeks. Terrorized by cruel dreams and visions, he would often awake in a sweaty state and at times surrounded by frightening corpses.
"Good," replied he after concluding it to be the first time since he had slept with such peace at heart. "Are you hungry, Ines?"
Sitting up, she pulled up the thin material to cover up her exposed breast and she leaned back against the wall. She released the inside of her cheek and sucked in a deep, refreshing breath. "No. But if you'd like, I could go to the bread-baker?"
Even if it was a kind offer and Thomas would much rather stay at his house, he suggested they both went. That would give them some time to catch up, while he could take in the place he had missed so dearly. Although they had spent the night talking to one another, Thomas felt he just could not get enough. Whether it was the stories of what he had missed out on, good and bad, or if it was her soothing voice sounding like the sweetest symphonies he could think of, he did not know. The only thing he could say for certain was that it helped in a way, he felt so relieved all the piercing screams and loud clatter became drowned out.
So as the two lovers dressed, they marched hand in hand, Ines leading the way and Tom watching people with more worry than intended.
It went on like that for a long time. Madly in love and thriving in their city, Ines' family business at its peak with many foreign dealers finding the leather finer than most. All was good, however, Tommy's constant at edge-state did not fade and he became bored with the dull life. It was not the need for explosives nor dead buddies scattered on the street, no it was the waking up with no plans of the day. One day, Ines then presented the most beautiful stallion Tom had seen. Majestic and fierce, it was coated in pitch black skin that cast light in every direction when blessed by the all too rare rays of the sun, a stunning mane walking its neck.
He had forgotten what love he used to have toward these creatures, and so he decided the dream he once had did not have to fly too far from reality. Just like that, the betting shop opened it's doors for the first time, letting money flow as gamblers came scrambling with coins from all around. It was addictive and exciting, so the masses came back even if they gained nothing. It was a pastime and something both rich and poor found pleasure in, meeting with their buddies and throwing money after the Shelbys It was a weakness unearthed Tommy and he made use of that, building his empire from nothing. In a sense, he cared to admit he was making use and fortune on the stupidity of the ones spilling away to his business, only he preferred to see it as more of an investment. Their loss was his gain which he swore to give back somehow. First, he needed a blooming money tank to do so and he knew he was playing with fire when first the Italians got involved, but he was having way too much fun to stop. This king was unstoppable and though it was him sending people to live in the street, they bowed before him as he rode by, and wished for his long living. All hail the king.
