Wicked Games.

Chapter 12.

"Where are you off to, sister?" Henry's voice calls out to me from the door of Tommy's bedroom. I look at him through the mirror while I continue to brush my hair before grabbing the hat and putting it on; pulling together my outfit.

"I'm going to drop some lunch off at Thomas' workplace." I tell him before turning to face my brother before smoothing out the skirt of my dress.

Henry leans against the wall, shaking his head, "You know, Tommy wouldn't want you putting yourself in danger. I can drop it off, or we can ask Pol or Arthur to."

I shake my head, "Stop that." I tell my brother before reaching for my bag and sliding on the fur coat over the navy dress. "I'll be back shortly, I promise." And with that, I give Henry a quick peck before reaching for the packed lunch for Thomas and heading to his workplace.

Upon arriving, I analyze the outside of the building, my eyebrows knitting together at the woman sitting in front of the window. I shake my head and open the large door, walking in and spotting the woman sitting at a desk. Her eyes rose from the papers scattered before her, and she raises her eyebrow. "And how could I help you?"

"Is Thomas here?" I ask while holding the bag in front of me.

"And what may you want with Thomas? He doesn't take women of change at the office." She mocks me by using his proper name. I let out a sigh while visibly rolling my eyes, not wanting to deal with this woman's poor attitude.

"Is that his office door?" I ask, walking towards the large oak door and reaching for the handle.

"You can't just go in there!" The woman shouts to me as she gets up from the desk before rushing over, "He's a busy ma-"and with that, I open the door, revealing myself to Thomas who's sitting at his desk.

His head rises and he looks up at me, a small grin spreading on his face. "Faith." He calls out before standing up and walking around the desk before reaching out to me, "What are you doing here?" The tension between the woman and I is visible, and Thomas looks at her, "Is there a problem, Lizzie?"

"I just wasn't sure who this woman was and didn't want some random person budding into your space." Lizzie defends herself while looking between Thomas and myself. Her tone soaked with venom and jealousy.

"Leave us." Thomas tells her before looking over to me, "And why are you here alone?" He asks before waiting for Lizzie to leave us in his office. He closes the door behind her and walks back to me, reaching for my coat and hat before hanging them up.

"I brought you lunch, or dinner. Whatever you decide to eat it as, and yes, I came alone. I'm a grown woman, Tommy." I tell him before handing him the bag. He takes it graciously and walks it to his desk before setting it down and leaning on it.

"You didn't think to ask Henry, Arthur, Finn or Pol?" He sighs, "I don't want you walking out and about alone, let alone in this area. We don't know where this person could be and who they have watching us."

I take a seat in the large leather seat, looking up at Tommy. "You worry too much, Tommy." I tell him, "I'll be okay, besides, I'm able to protect myself. You can even check my purse if you don't trust me." I tell him, hinting to the gun hidden in the bag.

"It's not you that I worry about..." he tells me, "I worry about the enemies I have, and I know what they're capable of, especially if it means getting back at me and winning this ordeal."

I sigh, reaching into my purse to take out a cigarette. I quickly light it and inhale the smoke before my eyes wander back to Tommy, "I told you, this is a woman."

Thomas shakes his head, "There's no way. Why would a woman send such a threat? I don't have enemies who are women."

I chuckle, shaking my head, "You sometimes aren't the brightest, Tommy." I tell him, "It has everything to do with us as a pair... which woman is jealous of our relationship, and wants you?" I ask him, not taking him long to come up with some ideas. "I'm sure it's harmless, but still."

"It wouldn't be." He tells me, "Do you think?"

"I'm not sure, I could be completely wrong, but we shouldn't eliminate the possibility of this being fuelled by jealousy." I tell him while continuing my cigarette, "But I don't want to hold you up for very long, I just thought I could get some fresh air and bring you food."

I stand up from the seat and Tommy walks over to me, a small smirk on his face as he closes the space between us, "Awfully dolled up for a quick drop off." He nearly murmurs to me; his breath on my face as his hand reaches for my cigarette to finish it and put it out. His free hand moves to my waist and the other the side of my neck before leaning down and kissing me slowly. "Are you sure you don't want to stay? I think we can catch up on some things, have a meeting of our own."

I chuckle, kissing him back, "But Thomas Shelby, you're a busy man and you have company outside that door." I tease. The man continues to smirk before brushing a hand through my hair.

"I think I can pencil you in, Ms. Faith."

---

I walk Faith out of my office; my eyes glued to her as she elegantly strides to the front door before stopping and looking to me. "Well, don't be too late, alright?"

I chuckle, "Or what? You'll miss me too much?" I tease the redhead. She playfully swats at me and rolls her eyes, "I'll be home just after dinner, love." And with that, a quick kiss suffices as a goodbye. I reach for a cigarette in my pocket and light it before walking back to my office.

I can feel Lizzie's glare and I turn to the woman, prompting her to speak. "Maybe next time, you keep your appointments at home." She says angrily.

"You never complained about it when it was you, Lizzie." I tell her sharply, "Suddenly there's a problem, eh?"

Lizzie chews on the inside of her lip before reaching for a cigarette herself, "You fall in love too quickly, Tommy. You should be careful, and by now, you should know what love does to a man like you."

"How would you know about me falling in love, Lizzie?" I ask her, my eyes narrowing in on her, "I've been in love with three women, none of which were you."

Lizzie takes a sharp breath, her eyes narrowing at me as she breathes angrily. "Be careful with who you show your prize too. Wouldn't want her getting hurt like the last one." Lizzie says venomously.

My heart stops in my chest and I look over at the woman, "What did you just say?"

"You heard me. Your track record is quite strong, Tommy." She says before standing up to me. "You do quite a piss poor job of protecting what ya' love if it isn't your damn money."

I point my finger at her angrily, "Watch what the fuck you say to me about her or Grace. You'll have more than just man to worry about, you got it? I don't give a fuck if you're an employee or woman, I'll keep you accountable, yeah?" and with that, I storm to my office, slamming the door behind me.