Bête noire → Peaky Blinders [Tommy Shelby] [ BOOK 1 ]

Twenty two.

Chapter twenty two: Conquering Caroline

It was more than crying, it was the kind of desolate sobbing that comes from a person drained of all hope. She sank to her knees at the large grave, not caring for the damp mud that dirtied her dress. Her tears mingled with the rain and her gasping wails echoed around the gravestones. The pain that flowed from her was as palpable was the frigid fall wind and soon the only person at her side was her brother, struggling to keep his tears silent, looking up to the watery skies and heaven beyond. He had to believe his father was safe up there, comfortable and warm. To look down would be to imagine him cold in a box, or furthermore, in hell where be belonged.

John kept his promise. Early in the morning, he ushered Caroline and Oscar into the car and drove them back to the chapel closest to their house. He stayed during the service, staring into space and letting the information swoop right over his head, seeing as he felt no remorse for the man who threatened to take down their industry. 

Afterwards, the ceremony commenced back at the manor and John remained close by Caroline's side. From time to time, she queried as to why, he as a busy father, would abandon his four children for the sake of being her shoulder to cry on, but he reminded her that he was a man of his word and he rarely broke a promise. She barely smiled in response.

Entering the mansion, they were immediately greeted by the crowd of Billy's men who were dressed head to toe in a black suit, and John stood out like a sore thumb, immediately drawing attention to his lack of respect with a grey suit. Nevertheless, he snarled in their direction, keeping his arm around Caroline as they weaved their way through the people.

"Can I ask you a favour?"

"Anything."

With her eyes scanning the people, she spoke lowly to John. "Collin will be here somewhere. When he is alone, you must kill him. He betrayed me and he needs to suffer."

"Haven't you lost enough?"

"I can't lose what I don't have, now go."

"I can't just walk about on enemy grounds alone! I'll look daft!"

Caroline sighed. "Then take Oscar, but when the time comes to kill Collin, Oscar is not to hear or see the deed. Okay?"

Reluctantly, John nodded his head and with his hand on Oscar's shoulder, he muttered a makeshift plan into his ear and they disappeared into the sea of mourners together. Meanwhile, as Caroline greeted the sight of familiar faces, shook the hands of many devils and spoke very little, she made her way into the family room, purely to reminisce on past memories, until the doors behind her shut with a thud.

She thought she was alone, until she turned around and saw her mother standing, a gun raised in her hands, pointing directly between Caroline's eyes. The girl let out a dry laugh, disinterested by her mother's attempted threats, but nevertheless, she poured herself a shot and downed it before facing Matilda once more, and by God, she needed it.

"If you had the brains you were born with, you'd leave that man and run for your life."

With a raised brow, she stared at Matilda with confusion. "John is harmless."

"He's not the one I'm talking about. The leader-who killed your father-is the one you want." Matilda's voice quivered. "And don't be under any illusion. They are all as bad as each other, and you're worse than them! You're a bloody traitor!"

Caroline rolled her eyes. "This isn't the welcome wagon I expected. A simple hug and a catch up would have done just fine, but no. You have to be so theatrical and full of drama!"