Subtle Invitation [Thomas Shelby]

Scornful

Lily's breathing was becoming more and shallow as she panicked beside Tommy. As they pull down a country lane she steadied herself on the door, trying desperately to pull air into her lungs.

All she can hear is the sound of a gun shot ringing in her ears. The sound is suffocating her so much that even her crying has stopped.

"Stop the car" she wheezes, her hand already on the door handle.

Tommy quickly pulls the car to the side and she leaps out, gasping for air. The cold air does nothing and she suddenly becomes aware that she's starting to feel faint. A slow wretch is building up in her throat. The only noise is her panting and Tommy's shoes crunching on the stones.

Tommy's hands are on her quickly, he's grabbing at her shoulders and spinning her around. Regarding her wide terrified eyes as he tries to shake the sanity back into her.

"Breathe. Breathe for fuck sakes" he growls, his unforgiving eyes impatient as he shakes her.

Lily nods to him, trying to concentrate on his anger towards her and it brings her right back to the now.

"I'm sorry" she wheezed, her eyes filling once again with tears.

"You should be. This is what you wanted Lily. Why are you so upset eh!? These people deserved more than what I did today" he burned, his grip tightening harshly on her shoulders, his finger tips burning into her.

"I'm not cut out for this like you!" She snapped back, her tears quickly halting "I'm sorry that I have emotions" and she yanked herself out of his grip and wrapped herself in her own arms.

Tommy disregarded her words and began to angrily light up a cigarette, side eyeing her as he did so. Lily turned her back on him, completely flushed by his coldness towards her. But what did she expect? She was dealing with a man that was completely ruthless.

"Are you going to get back in the car?" He demanded while he flicked his half smoked cigarette passed her.

Lily turned around to face him "Are you that empty inside?" She blazed "You're so cold Mr Shelby. You just took two lives and here you stand and have the nerve to look at me with distaste" and she waved her hand up and down towards him.

Tommy shrugged his shoulders "You've seen me now. You know what I'm about. There are no second chances in my world Miss Adler"

No second chances? Is that a threat? Lily knew that she couldn't unravel anymore infront of this man so she quickly stormed by him and got into the car. Slamming the door for good measure she turned her whole body to face forwards.

Lily could unravel in her own room without his judging following her.  All she had to do was keep her feelings in check for the rest of the journey.

—-

Tommy watched as she rushed out of his car and up the steps to her hotel. Watched as her hair bounced as she stepped, her heels clipping the solid ground and watched as she didn't look back.

"Fuck!" He growled as he slammed his hand down on the steering wheel.

Pulling away before he lost his cool any further he decided that he needed to speak to Polly. This could not go on any further.

Polly was sat in the betting den, her fingers flitting through betting slips as she totted up the days bets. Polly quickly looked up at him and stopped as soon as she caught sight of his rage.

"What happened?" She asked as she slid a glass over to him followed by a bottle of whiskey.

"We need to cut her out, she cannot handle this business. It's going to become a liability" and he leaned back in his chair, regarding Polly's reaction.