2 Weeks Later

Things have been going well for me and the boys. We’ve expanded thanks to our beloved Emily and now cash is the least of my worries. At first I could barely stand having one prostitute but I needed money. I have 3 malnourished boys to take care of, new clothes to buy for them, and both of those things have costs. I eventually got over it however, and by the time Emily introduced me to several more of her friends running out of their savings and needing protection, I accepted that I was going to lead a prostitution ring.

Eventually we needed more men, so we began recruiting. The sons old enough to know what their mother’s are doing but can’t stop it join us. To them it’s better if they can at least make sure their matrons are safe, even if they hate that they are doing it. Other orphan we find in the cold at night, they join us. The promise of food and shelter brings them to our side instantly. So far I have 5 girls out on the street, including Emily, and 10 men to protect them. Only 6 if I’m not including me and the boys. They collect the money then give it to me, I then divide it up for that that while paying the boys their protection money.

So far, I don’t think any of them are holding out on me, but I’m sure that’ll change soon. Right now, they’re so happy to have any money that they don’t care about the large cut I’m getting but people tend to but the hand that feeds them more than nought. They’ll forget what starvation feels like and they’ll want more. Something to watch out for.

Today was finally the day, I found an excuse to meet with Tommy again.

“Apparently last night, the police did a raid in Small Heath. The new Chief Inspector rounded up all the communists and beat them. Then he took them away somewhere.” Emily informed me with worry in her eyes. I couldn’t help but smile though. 2 weeks and this world and I’ve only talked to the main character once, that was going to change tonight.

“The Peaky Blinders won’t be happy about this, they run Small Heath.” Tim said sitting next to me with a cigarette in his mouth. I would berate him for smoking but I’m the leader of a small gang and whores so…

Tim and the boys look sharp now, in their new suits. Obviously I had to get them dressed up, our girls won’t feel safe if they think it’s just a ragtag group of kids protecting them. So, one of the first things I did with our new source of income was get some uniforms. Hat, shoes, suits and all to make us look professional.

“But that’s the thing! I heard the Peaky Blinders gave their okay on this. That’s why they weren’t there to protect anyone.” Emily said, even more worried than before apparently.

“No no, don’t believe everything you hear my dear. The Blinders had no idea about this, but we can use it to our advantage.” I say with a smile, and at this, Carter chuckles.

“Ohhh, Michael has a plan. It’s never good when Michael has a plan.” he laughs.

“My plans put food on the table you little shit! Anyway, tell all the girls to gather in Small Heath tonight, and make sure to bring any and all pictures of the King with.”

“What the hell do you need pictures of the King for?” Dustin asked confused. I simply and chuckle.

“Just do it alright? This is important.”

When night finally came we walked into Small Heath to see a huge fire. Tons of people were burning all of their photos of the King, and with each new picture added,another round of applause commenced. My girls spread out to mingle with the crowd, and my boys went with them.

They made sure to give the mothers a chance to get their children in the house before they started racking in the new customers.

After a moment of mingling and talking to my friends, I notice Thomas Shelby talking to a reporter. After the reporter walked away, I began making my way over.

“Boys, go have fun and enjoy yourselves, I have business to attend to.”

“Are you crazy dude?! We’re walking up to Thomas fucking Shelby!” Tim whispered yelled, seeming to freak out the closer we got.

“No, I’m walking up to Thomas fucking Shelby. You are going to enjoy the festivities.” I say with a smirk. It looked like he wanted to argue more but when Tommy finally saw our approach he decided it wasn’t worth it and walked away with his brothers. Stopping in front of the legend himself, I greet him politely.

“Mr. Shelby.”

“Mr. Corleone.”

“How goes things, I’ve heard the new inspector has been causing quite a stir and you’ve had a falling out with the Lee Family.”

“I’m surprised you’ve heard, it’s only happened yesterday after all.”

“Oh I have ears everywhere, it comes with the business.”

“Yes...business. I’ve heard about it. Whores. Protected by the Corleones. I heard they are quite ruthless to those who treat them with disrespect.”

“Women are meant to be loved not abused, I’m sure you can understand. Besides, I already told you, I’m not looking to join the Peaky Blinders to become a foot soldier. I want a Don position, able to run my business and family how I please except in cases that harm the Blinders as a whole. That means making my family useful. The Shelby’s will handle the races...and the Corleones will handle the whores.”

“Oh, so you still want to join the Peaky blinders even though you’ve started your own gang? I have to wonder Mr. Corleone, why are you so set on us? Could you not go to someone larger?” he asked, taking a smoke from his cigarette.

“While they are at the top now, they won’t be forever. They are clumsy and reckless, bound to crash and burn. It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when’, and when that happens I’ll be in a position to reap the rewards of the new era.”

“And what would that position be?”

“With the Peaky Blinders of course. I have an eye for potential you see.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“Without a doubt, the Peaky Blinders are going somewhere. The question on my mind is, how far will they go?”

“Are you not worried about us crashing and burning too?” he asks curious.

“I am, but that won’t be for a very long time. Hopefully, long after I’m dead.”

“...”

“...”

There’s a moment of silence between us as we stare into the fire. I could hear distant moaning and cheating in the background. I’ll definitely be making a pretty penny tonight. I remember the Shelby’s actually paid people for their pictures of the king, which mean people have just a bit more money than usual to spend. For just tonight, I’ve raised the prices to 60 Pence.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Yesterday was a mistake...with the new Chief Inspector, you don’t have time for more enemies. I heard one of your friends killed an Italian around a week or so ago and they aren’t very forgiving people. Not to mention, the Lee Clan has officially declared war on the Peaky Blinders.”

From my peripheral vision I can see him stiffen. He didn’t know that. The Peaky Blinders are vicious fighters. They have blades in their caps that they use to cut out their enemies eyes and tongues. The Lee Family apparently didn’t take it very well when they found several of their friends bleeding out in the middle of a field.

“...are you sure?” he asks.

“Yes...they already have your name carved in a bullet. And if they ask the Italians to join I’m sure they’ll be happy to do so. You can’t fight this war Mr. Shelby...not right now.”

“...is there anything else you know...Mr. Corleone?”

“...Yes.” the Peaky Blinders accidentally stole a shipment of military grade guns and ammo. If new got out, they would be hunted down and hung. With all the things I know, he suspects I also know why a new inspector got sent to Birmingham in the first place. Which I do...but he doesn’t need to know that.

“Ada is pregnant.” I watch as he crushed his cigarette in his hand and his body tenses even more. I take out 20 Pound and places it in his pocket. “And I bet 20 on Monaghan Boy losing.” After that, I decided to leave him to his thoughts and join my friends. Ada is Tommy’s sister, and he’s very overprotective of her. In fact, all her brothers, Arthur, Tommy, and John are.

Godspeed to the man that knocked her up. He’s going to need all the help he can get.

2 Days Later

Me and the boys are all having a drink in the Garrison, a small pub favored by the Peaky Blinders. Even Cater has a few drinks as we sing along to the beautiful bartender. The owner of the bar, a guy named Harry Fenton had some questions for us when we first came in but all I had to say was, “The Corleones are friends with the Shelby’s. Now pour us a drink.”

Over the past few weeks I’ve been here, my name has spread. Not to the whole of Birmingham, but at least everyone in Small Heath knows about my family and our business. I guess he didn’t think it was worth questing further as he shuts up and does as told. We pay of course, we’re not barbarians, but it was nice to be respected and feared.

Today was the day the Shelby Family and Billy Kimber meet and there was no way I’m going to miss it. Currently, while they know of me, I’ve really only met Thomas and this is a perfect opportunity. Billy Kimber is the King of Birmingham, and if I show the Corleones are willing to fight by their side even against him, we might finally get into the Peaky Blinders.

Speaking of Billy Kimber, the bastard pops into the bar with to old bodyguards holding guns, ruining the festive mood.

Wearing a fancy suit with an unbuttoned heavy coat and a frankly weird hai do, he strolls in like he owns the place.

“Is there any man here named Shelby?” he asks once the bar quiets down. I can see the boys tense up and I place a hand on Tim’s shoulder as a silent message. Everything would be alright, they just needed to trust me. Unlike the Peaky Blinders, the Corleones aren’t a real gang. We can beat people up sure, but the big leagues have guns and more than 10 men and so far I’m the only one with a firearm.

I would get my members one too...but I have no fucking clue where to get more guns. I came to this world with the one I have, and I don’t even have extra ammo. 6 shots are all I have before the gun becomes nothing more than a paper weight.

While I was giving my friends a morale boost, apparently Kimber got impatient. He takes out a pistol and shoots the ceiling, causing screams and panic.

“I said! Is there anyone here named Shelby?”

Hearing the gun shots, Tommy Shelby, Arthur Shelby, and John Shelby make their way our of the VIP Room to join us.

“Harry get these men a drink. Everyone else go home!” Thomas shouts, and like roaches, the people of the bar scatter. It barely even takes a second. With all the extra people gone however, me and my boys are clearly seen in the bar. We’re the only ones that stood put.

The Shelby family is clearly confused about who we are, all except Tommy, and the bar maide brings drinks and makes us a table. Me and the Shelby’s sit down while the boys stand as guards behind us, along with 2 other men who are probably Blinders. On the opposite side of the table sits Billy Kimber and a well dressed smart looking man with glasses. His guards stand behind him also, with their guns still unholstered.

“You go home.” Tommy tells the barmaid, Grace, as he sits.

She tries to refuse and says, “Mr. Fenton said I should-” but before she could finish, Interrupt her.

“Please head home dear, everything will be alright. There’s just some business that needs to be taken care of.” I say with a small smile. She seems hesitant, but leaves nevertheless. I can see from the side that Arthur and John are even more confused about who I am, and why I was sitting on their side. In fact, they were confused about what I was even doing here. Thank goodness they didn’t speak up about it though, they realised Tommy knew me and decided to trust him.

“I’ve never approved of women in a pub, but when they look like that…” Kimber says as he watches Grace ass while she walks away. Arthur begins pouring drinks for everyone and Tommy lights up a cig.

“You said you wanted men called Shelby. You’ve got 3 of them.” Tommy says after a puff.

“3? There’s 4 of ya at the table.” he says and confusion. I speak up to clear it.

“I am not a Shelby, the name is Michael Corleone. We’re a friend of the Family.” I politely point out. He rolls his eyes at this and sighs.

“Right, I’ve neva heard of ya, any of ya. Then I did hear of ya. Some little diddicoy razor gang I thought to meself, “So what?” But then you fuck me ova. So now you have my undivided attention.” he growls out. “By the way which one am I talking to? Who’s the boss?”

The Blinders look amongst themselves for a second. Although Thomas is without a doubt the boss, they don’t like really putting a title on it. Makes them feel uncomfortable I guess. Arthur, whose in the middle speaks up.

“Well I’m the oldest.” he says with pride. Oh yea, Tommy isn’t even the eldest. Kimber scoffs.

“Clearly.”

“Are you laughing at my brother?” John asks from the left of Arthur. Yea...they don’t like that. It’s how the war with the Lee’s started. Someone laughed at Arthur and then they got their eyes and tongues cut by their caps.

“...Right he’s the oldest.” he points down the middle at Arthur. “You’re the thickest.” he points to the left at John. “You’re just fucking here.” he points to me all the way at the right and I chuckle. “I’m told the boss is called Tommy and I’m guessin that’s you. ‘Cause ya lookin at me up and down like I’ma fuckin tart.” he states, pointing at Tommy, whose to the left of me. Tommy looks at him for a bit before taking a puff of his cig.

“I want to know what you want.” he says simply. This time, the smart looking man in glasses speaks up.

“There was suspicious betting patterns at Kempton Park. A horse called Monaghan Boy. He won by a length twice and then...finished last.bWIth 3,000 pounds bet on him.” Kimber on the side of the glasses wearing man looked ready to explode at how calm the proceedings were going so far.

“Which one am I talking to?” Tommy asks. “Which one of you is the boss?” Tommy clearly did this as a power play because he knows who Billy Kimber is. Everyone knows who Billy Kimber is. It apparently worked because Kimber looked appalled at the question.

“I am Mr. Kimber’s adviser and accountant.”

“And I’m the fuckin boss!” Billy exclaims standing from his seat. “Okay, right, end of parley! You fixed a race, without my permission. You fucking...Gypsy...scum!” I cough.

“I’m actually not a gypsy.” I say calmly.

“Shut up!” he yells pointing at me. “What?! Live off the war pensions of these poor Garrison Lane Widows? Or use those widows as whores? That’s your level! I’m Billy fucking Kimber! I run the races! And ya fixed on of them, so I’m gonna have you shot against a post.” he turns and begins walking away.

This guy is such a fuking frootloop.

Before he could walk out the door, Tommy stood. “Mr. Kimber.” Without hesitation, Kimber’s guard draw their guns on Thomas. He calmly picks up a single bullet from the table and tosses it at Billy without fear. Billy catches the bullet.

“Look at it. That bullet has my name in it. It’s from the Lee Family.”

“If I remember correctly, you’re also at war with the Lee Clan.” I say, finally speaking up. “My people say they are attacking your bookies and worse...stealing your money. Your men can’t control them alone. You need help.”

“Perhaps we should listen to what Mr. Shelby and Mr. Corleone has to say. Before we make our decisions.” the accountant intervenes from his seat.

“Right, the Lees are doing a lot of talking at the fairs. They have a lot of kin. THey’re saying the race tracks are easy meat because the police are busy with strikes. Now, we have connections. We know how they operate.”

“You have the muscle.” I say with a smirk. It was a backhanded slight, saying that’s all they’re good for. Of course it flies right over their head. Well...Kimber’s head, I’m pretty sure the accountant understood but didn’t want to start a bloodbath. “Together we can beat them...divided maybe not.”

“Mr. Kimber, perhaps we should take some time for reflection, possibly even make arrangements for a second meeting.”

“I admire you Mr. Kimber.” Tommy says with an obvious fake smile. “You started with nothing...and built a legitimate business. It would be an honor....to work with you, Mr. Kimber.”

“Nobody works with me.” Kimber says with a face that showed disgust at the thought. “People work for me.” He rummages through his pockets and takes out a 50 Pence coin. Flipping it in the air, it quickly lands on the ground with a clink. “Pick it up pikey.”

Tommy’s face straignes to keep his smile, and he stands there. It takes about 5 seconds for him to swallow his pride and bend down to pick up the coin. Immediately his family tries to stop him but he holds his hands out and makes them stand down. He picks up the coin.

“...For the roof.” Kimber says and walks out of the pub with his guards.

“Thank you Mr. Kimber!” ….Yea, I don’t remember exactly, but I don’t think Kimber dies well.

“We will be at Cheltenham.” the accountant says as he gets up from his seat.

“As will I.” Tommy responds. With no more business to be done here, the accountant leaves as well. Tommy immediately downs a whole shot of whatever drink was closest to him when they’re all finally gone. Arthur does the same as Tommy locks up the bar and I can’t help but laugh at the turn of events.

“You fucking crazy bastard! The fight with the Lees was on purpose. Now that they are at war with you and Billy Kimber, you have a common enemy. Fucking hel man, I knew I should have never doubted you!” I yell. However, now that the danger is gone, they have many questions.

“Michael Corleone, the fuck are you doing here man?! I’ve tested out some of your whores, they’re pretty good, but this ain’t no brothel.” John says standing up. I do the same and pour me a drink. I’m sure they don’t mind.

“Like I said to that prick Kimber, I’m a friend of the Family, and the new Peaky Blinder. Ain’t that right Tommy? After all, if you’re messing with the Lee Clan and Billy Kimber you’re going to need all the help you can get.” I say with a smirk as I look toward Thomas Shelby. So does the brothers.

“...Welcome to the Peaky Blinders.”