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

Thirty seven.

Chapter thirty seven: Weak link

Night had fallen fast upon the land. No more than three hours ago the sky was painted with hues of red, orange and pink, but all colour had faded leaving only a matt black canvas with no stars to be looked upon. The darkness was thick and the cigarette she carried in high right hand hardly lit her path allowing her to see at most an arm's reach in front of herself, and the black mesh that covered her face only made her sight worse. 

Other than the darkness and herself all that seemed to exist was the chilly wind that's harsh bite could be felt through the borrowed blazer. She could feel the hairs on her arm raised and the bite of the wind had left its mark in the form of small bumps that were tingling on her arms, but its bite was more than flesh deep. Her blood ran cold through her veins and her bones were chilled. The flames of her cigarette may have looked as though it burned warm, but it's heat did not reach her skin.

To be a woman left alone in the dark was a death sentence, especially once intoxicated and barely aware of the surroundings through blurry vision. She'd walked this lane many times before and by now, most men knew to be wary of her as she had ties to the Shelbys, but the clink of a cane against the murky cobblestone ground told her that not only was she within the presence of a larger male, but one that had a vendetta for her; Campbell.

She wasn't afraid, but she should have been. The major Sargent was cunning and conniving, but perhaps no match for Caroline who stood tall bravely after she stopped walking. With her chest puffing the remainder of her cigarette, she tossed it aside and crushed it beneath her heel before addressing the situation with a peculiar amount of confidence for someone who was in immediate danger.

"I've been expecting you, Chester. Of course you had to wait until I was alone in the dark to make your move, but nevertheless, I've anticipated this unscheduled meeting."

"Quite the smart remark for someone who got away with both murder and attempted murder." Campbell's Northern Irish accent was firm and quaint. "But don't worry. You will pay for your sins once I'm done with you."

Caroline swallowed the lump in her throat. "If you even think about touching me, I will stab you to death with your cane."

This seemed to amuse him, and after he released a throaty chuckle, he sighed before speaking. "God only knows what I'd contract from touching you. But, I believe you owe me a favour in return for your momentary freedom."

She scoffed, immediately retorting. "Don't pretend that I'm infected when you visited the Chinese whore house, but anyhow, do go on. I can't wait to hear about an offer you have."

"It's not an offer per say. It's a biased agreement." Campbell wickedly smiled in the dark. "Your partner in crime-Thomas Shelby-has made a will and has spread his money among his trusted relatives and his companions, one of which probably being you. This isn't my main concern, however, if he dies, he has told his men to kill me no matter the consequences."

Caroline pursed her lips. "Is this supposed to be bad news? Either way, I'm set for life."

Campbell ignored her comeback. "If Thomas dies, his men will come for me and it is your job to stop them."

She knew she'd have to reap what she sew, especially because she tried to kill him and her efforts fell short because he survived the attack, much to everyone's dismay. Even though she may not be on great terms with Thomas, she couldn't imagine a functional life without him, much less a life that she'd allow Campbell to breathe the air her fiance one did.