𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐊𝐄𝐘 & 𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐊𝐄 | 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐘 𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒

ʟᴏɴᴅᴏɴ

The drive to London could have been better, the girl could not deny. Stopping on the side of the road, Thomas pulled up the back of the car, showing a man he killed, the Irish business he was 'dealing with on his own' Cliona watched from the car as they buried the man, who she did not know. All she spoke as they got back in the car was

"Níl luibh ná leigheas in aghaidh an bháis."  (Meaning 'there is no remedy or cure against death'). That was the first time anyone had heard her speak Irish. Her native tongue, something she used when there was no satisfactory phrase in English.

And then they were on their way again, a silent pursuit to London. Cliona had known awhile about Thomas plans for London. A lot longer than his family had, and the real reason why she hadn't returned to Birmingham. She'd walked into The Eden one night by chance, not fully understanding the criminals that ran it. That's where she met Mario, the man behind the bar. For awhile, it was fun, joining him every Friday at the bar, where he'd pour her whiskey and gin and all sorts. But the fun only began, when she found out he knew exactly who she was, and who she knew. She was the wager behind the criminals that ran the club and the Shelby's. And Thomas was more than keen to take this chance. So there she walked into the Eden an hour before, the boys would arrive. A black dress, shockingly short with hanging beads. Her hair was crimped so it looked much shorter than it was, a matching black band around her forehead. She sat at the bar, as Mario told her his plans for them that night, and it took everything within the girl not to roll her eyes. Maybe he'd be a gentleman, if he wasn't using her. A cocktail glass rose to her lips, as she laughed at his keen suggestions. His hand slipped up her dress and under the hem of her dress but her hand clamped down on his before he could reach the top of her stockings, which held her gun. "All in good time" She whispered tugging on his ear, standing up and backing away. "I'll be on the dancefloor, when you're finished" And with that she disappeared into the mass of bodies, bouncing up and down, spinning  etcetera.

By this time, as Cliona danced alone, a bottle of Whiskey in her hand, there was whispers going around, hard stares being thrown at three men, that weren't from around these parts. Dark brown irises fell upon a set of blue, as she gave a nod, continuing to dance. Her eyes followed Mario and another man, approach Thomas, and his brothers, as they exchanged a few strong phrases.

"Peaky Blinders" Rose between the men, and a hush of silence fell over the club, before a bottle of wine span through the air, towards Thomas Shelby's head. He ducked of course, but the club turned into a zoo of rabid animals, henceforth. Fists hitting bone cheeks, razors etching skin, and everything in their way. Larger looking men came for the Shelby brothers with bottles and glasses and everything in their reach, but Arthur had other ideas, the mad dog himself. Mario from all the commotion pulled out his gun and fired a single shot and the club fell into another bout of silence. He pointed the gun at Thomas's head, who rose his hands in the air, perhaps amused?

"Get out!" He yelled but there was a certain fear within his eyes, and the gun was his only defense. Before he could use it however, an empty whiskey bottle shattered across his head, as he dropped to his knees, then to the floor unconscious.

"What a pity, the sex was rather good" The brunette spoke, her hair falling out of it's pinned position. She stepped off the jazz band stage walking to the Shelby brothers who headed for the door. People moved desperately out of there way as they passed.

They arrived back to Birmingham, two days later, word spreading fast across London, of the infamous Peaky Blinders. One of those people was Darby Sabini, the Italian ringleader, that ruled the roost in London. And they'd definitely intruded his roost. Warm soap was slapped onto Thomas Shelby's Fiat as a smooth sponge held by the hand of Cliona Burgess, made the metal of the car spotless. Thomas himself stood leaning against a wall with a cigarette in between his lips.

"You could at least help" She let out a laugh, sliding her arm across her forehead, instead of her wet hands, ridding her eyes of loose strands of hair. He remained silent taking a drag, the smoke spinning off into the wind. She leaned down putting the sponge in the bucket of water, rising as she heard footsteps. Cliona's eyes rose, to meet at least 12 men, and a Thomas Shelby being restrained. She shot backwards, reaching for her gun, but strong hands wrapped around her waist, as she kicked out at the air, with a yell, then hands clamped her mouth, from emitting noise.

"Thomas Shelby" One of the men spoke, in a thick accent. Thomas's eyes rose to meet the man, with recognition.

"Mr Sabini" His voice rose in a low hum. Everything after that was a blur, from the eyes of the girl. The men shoved him against a wall and beat the Shelby.  They tore away his hat and coat, continuing there façade, as Cliona screamed and yelled for them to stop. A knife to the inside of his mouth, made the girl possess a phantom strength, as she kicked out, breaking free of the man, pulling her hat off her head, the razor contained slashing across his eyelid. She plummeted forward before another man roughly restrained her violently, squeezing all the air out of the girls lungs.

"You take up with the Jews. You think London works like that. You just come down and pick a side. You fucking clown. Now your life is over." Sabini spat at the bloody mess of a man, on the ground "Put down the bitch first, make him watch eh?" He ordered his men as the barrel of a gun pressed against Cliona's head harshly, making her wince with its touch. Her eyes shut, and for once, she truly believed she'd came tot the end of the line. She braced herself for the bullet, as a gun shot rang through the garage. Blood splattered across the girls face, but it wasn't her own, and then she opened her eyes. A police officer from across the street came into view a rifle in his hands. A dozen police officers spill out from the street, and the Italians flee as quick as they'd come. Cliona's dazed eyes did not blink, as she swam in shock. Major Campbell appeared, and if Cliona had been in any other state, she'd pull her gun on him, but all she did was stand blankly.

"Get him to a hospital" He ordered the officers , looming over Thomas Shelby's unconscious body. "And get the lady home"