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

Thirty four.

Chapter thirty four: Love the way you lie

The night had been a complete blur. On a whim, Caroline agreed to join the men on their excursion to London, only this time, it wasn't for pleasure, but to finish off old business that they started the night they hadn't quite conquered the club.

But, unlike the first time, the majority of the Peaky Blinders arrived, all guns a-blazing, including Oscar who sought redemption from his mistakes. Begging and pleading with Thomas, he received a head nod and no matter how much Caroline bickered, she knew they needed all the help they could get to make a statement against Sabini.

It wasn't safe for her to remain behind in Small Heath with Campbell still on the loose, but it wouldn't matter where she was. She came to terms with the fact she'd always be a target and if she was going down, it would be the sake of the gang and she'd fight like there was no tomorrow.

They came in on a hellish storm and brought with them the toxic rain. As soon as the rough and ready crew stepped foot over the threshold, the heavens opened and with the downpour came the countless of bodies that were struck by the Peaky Blinders.

Caroline vividly recalled Arthur swiping a familiar barman across the counter before telling him that Sabini's days were over and that he'd protect him now, before he pierced the man's throat several times with a broken bottle. In horror-not for the man but for her brother-turned to face Oscar who simply blinked in response before joining the men in a battle on the dance floor against those who dared to rebel against their new law.

And in that moment, when Caroline witnessed the life fade from Oscar's eyes, she knew that he was no longer the terrified little boy he used to be who hid in her bed during the thunder and lightening, but now, he was the terrifying weather who'd soon learn how to frighten others with his cold wrath and harsh impact, taking after both his brother in law and his sister who realised that maybe she couldn't protect him as much as she thought she could, but that wouldn't ever deter her from trying.

It went without saying that she threw a punch to the first bloke that came into her vision. But, as a man who received punches on the daily from the same sex, he was unfazed by her seemingly light touch and with ease, he rubbed his reddened jaw and threw one back, which is what she expected, so to the thump of the music, she ducked and with hard force, she tackled him into the table. 

When the pair of them fell to the floor on the broken piece of the table's wooden surface, Caroline hadn't realised shards of nearby broken bottles clung to the sides of her waist, deep into her skin, causing blood to spurt but with the adrenaline, she was unaware and instead of tending her wounds, she was quick onto her feet and without a second thought, she stabbed the older man in his eye socket with her heel, repeatedly kicking despite his agonising screams of protest. What she didn't realise, however, was the two men that came behind her, seeking revenge for their fallen friend.

The second rough hands grabbed the back of her hair, digging their nails into her scalp, entwining their fingers in her dishevelled locks, she yelped with wide, bloodshot eyes and her cries alerting nearby allies. Oscar, in his headlock position, being held by an enemy, fought the pain and with the newfound force, managed to headbutt him and took the setback to run forth and shakily, he upholstered his tiny pistol and within the blink of an eye, he killed the man who touched Caroline and severely damaged the other.

She sprung forward and embraced him in the midst of the drama and decaying corpses, and for a split second, a twang of remorse and guilt struck upon her soul. Instead of tending their needs, she and her friends were the ones who caused the trouble, and with being a nurse, she should help them always. Although life had a little more excitement to offer her, she wished a different route for Oscar, but after tonight, after his first two kills, he'd never be the same and a life of crime was what was being handed to him on a silver platter.