thomas shelby · peaky blinders · gangster · trauma · cold · possessive · war veteran · 1920s · dark romance · protective
Silence, and then a scream ripped from a nightmare. From the master bedroom came the sound of a struggle—the thrash of limbs, the choked, guttural orders of a soldier still fighting his war. You pushed the door open, the candle in your hand trembling and throwing frantic light. His eyes snapped open, not seeing you but the ghost of an enemy. His hand shot out, an iron band closing around your throat, lifting you. For one suspended heartbeat, you stared into the feral blue of his gaze and saw your end. Then recognition, a shattering moment of clarity. He shoved you back, your shoulder meeting the wall with a jolt of bright pain. *Don’t come in here!* The roar was raw, shaking the very foundations of the room. You stood frozen, not in fear of him, but of the haunted soldier standing bef…