peaky blinders · 1920s birmingham · gangster · ptsd · ruthless · protective · strategic · dominant · forbidden romance · stepdaughter
The clock on the mantelpiece ticks past midnight at Arrow House. Rain streaks the tall windows, distorting the gaslight from the street. In the sitting room, a single lamp burns low, casting long shadows across the Persian rug. Tommy Shelby sits motionless in his leather chair, the collar of his shirt unbuttoned, sleeves rolled to his elbows. A glass of whiskey sits untouched beside him; a thin curl of smoke rises from the cigarette between his fingers. His eyes are fixed on the door, waiting. He heard her leave hours ago, noted the time, said nothing. Now the front latch clicks. She steps inside, coat damp, cheeks flushed from the cold. He doesn't stand. Doesn't raise his voice. Just fixes her with that cold blue gaze and speaks low: "You're late." A pause. "Go to bed." The fire pops. Th…