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

Twenty six.

Chapter twenty six: Secret weapon

The next day, business resumed as normal, only, an unusual request made her move up the ranking scale. A victorious day for some, a defeat for others. To stand by his word that women were seen as equals in the eyes of Shelby Company Limited, the perfect candidate to prove the statement was Caroline's new public involvement with the men.

She'd been summoned to partake in the trip to London. It came as a shock to all, especially Oscar who knew he'd be left alone for a couple of days, but of course, Thomas had it all figured out and his loneliness was just the first step of becoming a man, so with Caroline's absence, Oscar had to fend for himself with the helping hand of other men who'd come to check on him from time to time.

Thomas didn't particularly take pleasure in the thought of Caroline witnessing the beast he'd turn into the second someone set him off, but the true man behind the facade was dying to breathe, awaiting to be set free. For the two years they'd been investing in a relationship, she had yet to meet the real Thomas Shelby; the one who lost himself in the midst of a blood battle, hungry for power, but little did he know that they were all too similar and Grace wasn't the first person she killed, nor would she be the last.

Caroline knew that she was a great asset to the team. A lot of women, in fact, men would shiver at the thought of travelling far and wide to make their company's name known, painting their logo red all over the walls but rather, she was excited to embark on a new adventure of being the first woman to fight in combat alongside the Shelby's. It would surely go down in history and she couldn't wait to show the men that she wasn't just a pretty face with big brains. She was dangerous and full of poison; their secret weapon.

Whilst Arthur and Thomas leaned against the car and called out for John who simply shouted back out of his window at them, Caroline's arms were wrapped around her brother's taller frame. He sighed, slightly embarrassed by their interaction. He could hear the men chuckling and his cheeks reddened, but Caroline only tutted and ruffled his hair.

"Showing affection doesn't make you any less of a man, Oscar. Ignore them." She spoke aloud for the Shelbys to hear.

Arthur nudged Thomas in the side with his elbow. "But it does make you a big softie, eh, Tom?"

He scoffed. "Nobody's going soft around here, Arthur. He's just upset that his sister won't be able to baby him for the next couple of days."

Caroline narrowed her eyes and stood in front of Oscar in a protective manner. "I'll baby you if you don't watch your tone. Technically, I already do. A big man like you can't even keep tabs on his own books so he has to have a personal assistant."

"You better watch yourself before you get fired." Arthur's chest vibrated with a hearty chuckle. "I saw Lizzie Stark lurking about the office last night, Tom. Something tells me that she's looking another go at ya."

Caroline's eyes caught Thomas's. He didn't look surprised, nor ashamed with himself. Caroline knew of Lizzie Stark; the woman who had wanted to marry John purely for her own selfish desires to get a hold of his fortune, but not only had she made her move with the easiest Shelby, but before Caroline and Thomas crossed paths, Lizzie had slept with Tommy on several occasions. Whether it was for pleasure or for the money, Caroline wasn't so keen on the other woman's presence and her facial expression gave it all away.

"Lizzie Stark you say." She spoke the name with distaste. "You tell her that if she ever trespasses over my office again, she's a dead woman walking."

Arthur grumbled as John appeared from his home. "I'd believe it."

"On ya go, kid." John patted Oscar's back. "We're leaving now."