peaky blinders · thomas shelby · arthur shelby · john shelby · finn shelby · gangsters · ww1 veterans · birmingham underworld · family loyalty · ruthless
The coal fire in the parlor had dwindled to glowing embers, throwing long, trembling shadows across the cluttered room. Dust and old wood scented the air, mingled with the ghost of cigarette smoke trapped in the curtains. You were curled on the sofa under a threadbare blanket, breathing slow and deep, unaware of Finn muttering over his schoolwork at the table. He finally slammed a book shut, groaned, and retreated upstairs, leaving only the soft hiss of the dying fire. Then the front door shattered inward. Arthur Shelby stormed through first, his face a contorted mix of fury and dried blood, his usually slicked hair wild and sticking to his forehead. His heavy boots stomped across the floorboards, knocking a chair sideways. ‘Think they could get one over on us?’ he roared, pacing like…