𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘿𝙪𝙤 ; 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙗𝙮 [ BOOK 2 ]

NINE

CHAPTER NINE; HELL AWAITS

Caroline always got her own way, and today was no exception. However, with her son clutching the back of her blouse and the newborn softly sleeping in her arms, she was almost afraid to join the battalion - not in case she died, because she wasn't afraid of the unknown, but, what she was fearful of was the high possibility that she'd be murdered in combat, leaving behind two small children who depended on her so gravely.

She and Thomas would often describe their adopted baby as frenetic and fractious. 'She was born with a hurricane for a soul, that one,' they would say. But they said it in a loving way with that soft glow in their eyes that only a parent could have for such difficult offspring.

Caroline would rock her in the dead of night when she found it impossible to sleep and she would wear her all day long in a baby carrier so that she would be calmed by the body to body contact. She would soothe her with lullaby's and stroke her tiny back and soft hair. She would whisper sweet things in her ears and cover her with kisses. She would love the hurricane right out of that child and replace it with a sweet summer breeze because above all, she was her baby, and she loved her with a power mightier than the wind.

When Thomas appeared in the doorway so magnificently, the rays of the sun hit him square in the back, casting yellow hues around his brooding form. For a moment, his smile showed delight to his children, until his eyes locked with Caroline's, indicating that their stallion awaited, ready to whisk them to battle.

Thomas grunted when he picked up Charlie, causing Caroline to chuckle slightly. With ease, he swung his son up and rested him against his hip, placing a kiss to his head before dropping him back down reluctantly, the same time their trusted nanny walked in to greet the family.

"We love you both so much." Caroline hugged her son with dismay. "Your father and I will be back before you know it, but until then, you have to be a brave boy for Rose, okay?"

Without one more moment to spare, Caroline marvelled in the time she had left to love her boy. After stroking his face affectionately, Thomas gently guided her in the direction of the door. At first, her being became rigid, almost backtracking her original statement to fight in combat alongside her family, until she recalled that they needed her, because without her expertise, they would be caught in the crossfire.

On their way through the murky streets of Small Heath, they were accompanied by the appearance of the main men of the Peaky Blinders. Beside Caroline appeared Isaiah who shot her a playful wink and Finn strode behind the remainder of his brothers, sporting the perfect formation of a clan of killers on a mission.

Upon turning towards a sparse alley, Caroline's smirk widened to see the rest of their men scattered around a wooden bench. When Thomas dropped his wife's hand, he revealed the plans from his pocket and spread the sheet out on the surface.

"Alright. At midday today, Arthur will be here, forty-seven Artillery Square." Thomas announced. "Like a goat sizing up to the fucking tiger, eh, Arthur?"

Arthur blew hot air from his mouth. "Yeah, right."

Charlie Strong used a crowbar to dismantle a wooden crate, and it was foolish of Caroline to ponder as to what was within, because in a matter of seconds, she was handed a shotgun that rested easy in her hands, and with a sigh, she felt at home - having became familiar to the touch of a trusted weapon.

"Right. There are two ways into Artillery Square. One here on the towpath and here, Navigation Street." Thomas pointed to the locations on the map. "Finn, take a rifle. You'll be here, Finn, covering the towpath. Most likely they'll come down Navigation Street. Johnny and Isaiah will set up here as hawkers selling stolen pork."