Author's note: italicized dialogue showcased later in the part is taken from the series.
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There were many people moving about the derby grounds, but Tommy seemed to have an agenda in mind. (Y/N) barely got to take in her surroundings before he was extending his hand to her. She took it and he began leading her through the crowds of people to where his destination would be.
"Where are we going, Mr. Shelby?" she decided to ask him after they'd been maneuvering their way through the venue for a few minutes. Now they were out of the main sections and going through lesser used halls.
"We need to get into where Kimber is," he explained as he continued leading her to where he intended on going.
"And you've decided to take us the long way?" she questioned him, getting more and more confused by the second. Surely there was an easier way to get to the room he was looking for.
"Well, I prefer to come to the races the back way...keeps me out of trouble," he explained, letting go of her hand so that he could walk next to her. His left hand ghosted against her back as he continued to lead her where he was wanting to go. "Tracks are lawless places. I can't stand petty criminals," he continued before he led her down another hallway.
(Y/N) had to bite on her lip to stop herself from laughing at his final comment. She thought it was a bit rich of him to say that, given who he was and what he did. Then her mind went to her brothers, and she started to realize what he meant in saying that. His plans and methods, or at least what she'd seen him do, were way more advanced than what Clay or Garrett could dream of thinking up. That's probably why he'd got a second meeting with Kimber today.
"You're lucky you're with me..." he spoke up again as he led her down another hallway, "you'd be wasting your money on fixed races," he finished his statement by placing a cigarette between his lips.
"How do you fix a race?" (Y/N) couldn't help but ask, her curiosity getting the best of her. The Weller Boys dealt mostly with drugs, and only dabbled their hand in the gambling sphere with high stakes poker games that they'd run from time to time.
"How should I know?" Tommy responded with a question of his own. This time (Y/N) did snort slightly at his response. She knew for a fact that he had hands in the fixing of races...she'd heard Arthur ragging on him a handful of times for doing it.
This was yet another thing that separated Tommy from her brothers and their men back in Sheffield. If any of the Weller Boys had posed this question, they would have gone on and on about what they did, giving you every little detail; even if you didn't ask for it. Tommy seemed to know that there was a time and place for everything. A crowded hallway was not the time, nor place.
"Come on," he beckoned her when he noticed that she was no longer by his side. (Y/N) snapped out of her thoughts and continued on, falling back in step with him.
The two walked down a few more hallways before Tommy suddenly stopped. (Y/N) nearly ran into him but she managed to catch herself in time. "What's wrong?" she asked, confused by the sudden halting.
"If anyone asks who we are, you'll do the talking, ok? I don't have access to this room," he started, making (Y/N) send him a look that asked 'are you serious?'. Before she was able to say anything he continued, holding his hand up as he spoke, "but, but if you're the one to speak to the guard at the door, they won't bat an eye at us. I need you to tell them that you're a wife of one of the racehorse owners and you were at your seat until just now. I'm one of your servants if they ask about me, ok?" he gave her the rundown, telling her exactly what she needed to say. (Y/N) gave him a once over as he spoke. You're dressed too nice to be a servant, she thought to herself.
She only was able to give him a nod before he was walking again. "But, Mr. Shelby, what if..."
"Mr. Shelby sounds a little too formal coming from someone I'm supposed to be the servant of, eh?" he stopped her before she was able to finish her sentence.
(Y/N) pursed her lips to stop a smile from forming on her face. "What if I'm just a really nice master?" she proposed another way of looking at the situation.
"Call me Tommy," he told her, his vocal tone telling her that he didn't want an argument. So she settled for the name change.
"Can I help you two?" the guard at the door stopped them from going any further.
"Yes, I'm looking to get in here," (Y/N) tried her best to act proper while motioning to the banquet hall's entrance. "My husband's in there. His horse is running today. I was back at my seat until now."
"And him?" the guard motioned to Tommy.
"My servant. I never go anywhere without him," (Y/N) recited what Tommy told her to say, hoping that it was believable. The man looked between the two before he stepped aside and allowed them to enter the room.
Tommy's hand ghosted her back again and she sent the guard a smile before they both entered the banquet hall. (Y/N) was immediately hit with the sound of an up-tempo, swing song as Tommy moved them along to one of the upper balconies that the room held. Once he found an opening, he surveyed the room, surely trying to find the man he wanted to talk business with. (Y/N) just stared at the crowd in awe. She hadn't been in a room like this since she was a child.
"Kimber's here?" (Y/N) asked after they'd been looking around the room for a few moments.
"He is. He's sitting with his men at the table over in the corner," Tommy answered as he nodded his head in the direction he was referring to.
"Men?" she asked another question, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. When Clay went to meet with Kimber, he didn't mention much of a posse joining him.
"Yes. His accountant and a few other cooperators. They join him at the races he's had a hand in fixing as a way to ensure things go how he wants them to," Tommy explained as he lit himself a cigarette, "him and his accountant are the two that I'll be bothering with. The others are just numbers...they don't do much of anything anyway," he added, after taking a drag.
"And you'll be approaching him?"
"I intend to," Tommy nodded.
"With a plan of your own?" she questioned further.
Tommy pursed his lips as he thought of his answer. He didn't expect (Y/N) to come with questions on how he went about his business. But at the same time, he knew that her brothers had attempted, and failed at, going into business with Kimber. Therefore, entertaining her questions may give him the things he needed to succeed. "I was going to put my offering on the table for him...to physically show him what I'm capable of doing," he then told her the rough outline of the plan he had.
(Y/N) nodded along as she listened to what he had to say. "He'll appreciate that you'll have something to show for what you're proposing. My brothers came with nothing but words...to him, they were empty promises," she gave him her opinion on his idea before adding, "make him seem like he's the one directing the moves though. If you go in over confidently, he'll think that you're trying to overstep him."
"And if I am?" Tommy raised an eyebrow as he challenged her statement.
"Don't let him know it," she answered him, her words as straightforward as they can get.
"Understood," he nodded his head before leaning on the railing in front of him. He brought his half-spent cigarette up to his lips and took a drag as silence fell between the two of them. A few moments passed before he stood straight and looked at (Y/N) again. "How do you know this about Kimber?" he asked, his one eyebrow cocked in intrigue.
"My brothers like to overshare information...especially when they're in family quarters. It's worse when things don't go their way because they had to report back to my father on any attempted dealings," (Y/N) explained how she'd learned the ways Kimber worked in.
"And you've sat in on these meetings?" he wanted more information.
"No," she shook her head, "my mother and I were in the sitting room next door. 'A woman's place is not in the realm of business'...that's what my father always said. He's got that mentality ingrained into my brothers as well," she paused for a second before adding, "that mentality gets thrown out the window though when you have thin walls and loud voices mixing together."
Tommy listened intently to what (Y/N) had to say. He was very interested in learning how her family's organization worked so that in the event that he'd ever meet them, he'd have an upper hand. Now he wasn't sure if he'd be needing that upper hand for business or protection, but it was good to have it either way. He also couldn't help but notice the tinge of resentment in her voice and expression when she spoke about what her family thought a woman's place should be. "A woman's place is wherever she wants it to be," he decided to comment on one of the statements she made.
(Y/N)'s lips pursed into a line as she tried to stop the awkward grimace from forming on her face. "That's kind of you, Tommy, but you don't need to say such false things in order to show pity for me," she told him, not wanting him to preach something he doesn't believe in just for the sake of lifting her spirits.
"Wasn't just sayin' it," he responded, clearing his throat as he fished his watch out of its pocket to check the time. Once it was stuffed back in its place, he looked at her again. "Shall we dance?" he then asked her, his question taking her by surprise.
"Is it proper for a servant to dance with their master?" (Y/N) asked him after her initial reaction, poking fun at the story that got them in the room while also alluding to the actual situation that existed between them. He was her boss after all.
"If the master allows it," he answered her with a vague response.
"Does he?" she asked another question in a softer voice, hoping he'd understand what she was getting at.
Tommy let out a slight laugh before a grin tugged at the right side of his mouth. "Dance with me, (Y/N)," he turned his question into a statement before he extended his palm to her. She glanced down before setting her hand in it, allowing him to lead her down the steps and onto the dance floor.
They joined the crowds of other dancing folks and assumed the proper position, moving along to the beat of the song being played. She knew she shouldn't have, but (Y/N) was rather enjoying dancing with Tommy. He was a really good dancer, which certainly surprised her. He moved them about the room effortlessly, occasionally spinning her outwards just to pull her back closer to his body. A genuine smile formed on her face; she was really enjoying herself.
That was until it became evident that Tommy was leading them in a certain direction. "Is something happening, Tommy?" (Y/N) questioned, worry seeping into her words.
"No," he answered simply as he continued to lead them away from the dance floor.
"Then where are we going?" she asked, completely confused now.
"Just need to get something," he told her as he dropped his hold on her waist so that he'd be able to take her hand and lead her to one of the side doors. He then opened it, showing Arthur and another man who was dressed in a similar fashion. "You have it?" he asked the men, looking between them.
"It's all here, brother," Arthur stated as he produced two satchels.
"They were practically fucking handing it to us at the end, Tom," the other man stated, a large grin on his face as he also handed over an overfilled bag. "Who's this beautiful lady, eh? I thought you were bringin' Grace on your arm," he commented as his eyes fell on (Y/N).
"That's (Y/N). She works at the Garrison," Arthur filled the other man in, "surprised you haven't seen her about with the amount of time you spend there, John boy."
"Ahh...I'll have to keep my eye out for you next time, sweetheart," he grinned, his eyes focused on (Y/N).
"Enough, John, she's off-limits. There's still more money to be had, and I need to get this to Kimber. Go on," Tommy stepped into the conversation with a sour tone laced into his voice before he dismissed the two men.
"Give 'em hell, brother," the newly named John called to Tommy, who'd finally gathered the satchels, before he and Arthur shut the door.
He must also be a brother, (Y/N) thought to herself as she followed Tommy back through the party. How many bloody Shelbys are there?
(Y/N) made her way to the bar as Tommy pushed through the crowd in order to get to the table Kimber was sitting at. She got herself a glass of champagne and watched as the bags dropped onto the table with a clatter; Tommy standing proudly over top of them. She was happy that he took the advice of actions speaking louder than words that she'd given him earlier. She could tell by the surprised expression Kimber was wearing that Tommy had started things off on the right foot. Deciding to people-watch in order to pass the time, she let her eyes stray away from the table he was at.
Several minutes later, Tommy came back over to where she was standing. "It's done," he started the conversation as he motioned for the barman to bring him a drink.
"What's the stipulations?" (Y/N) asked as she sipped her champagne.
"Stipulations?" Tommy was confused.
"There's always stipulations with this kind of business, Tommy," she elaborated on her previous question.
Tommy nodded, realizing that he'd have to break the news to her now. "We're going to Kimber's for dinner," he told her. The look on her face told him to continue...she knew there was more to it. "I need to discuss some more things with his accountant. He's suggested that..."
"No," she cut him off before he could finish his sentence.
"And he's also asked to...what?" Tommy then stopped himself when he realized what she'd said. "What do you mean no?" he asked, leaning in closer to her as his eyes widened.
"I will not be leaving this place alone with that man. I'm not going to let myself be used as a pawn in this game, Tommy. I won't allow it," she told him, her eyes locked onto his.
"I've already ok'd it with him," he insisted.
"Well go back and tell him you've changed your mind," she stayed steadfast.
"(Y/N)..." he trailed off, his eyes wide and lips parted slightly. He didn't plan for her to say no to this plan. He was scrambling now because if he went back to Kimber and said that the conditions had changed, the deal would surely be off.
She held his gaze for a moment before looking away with a sigh. "What else does the prick want from me?" she asked, knowing from his composure that there was still more to the deal.
"He wants to share a dance with you. From there he was going to leave with you...take you back to his place, where I would meet up with you again."
Thinking on her feet, (Y/N) came up with a plan, "you're going to stop him before he leaves with me," she told him, "I don't care how you do it, or what you come up with, I just...I'm not leaving with him."
She stared at him until finally he nodded. "Ok," he verbally agreed with her plan.
"Get us out of this, Tommy," she said before leaving the bar to go to where Kimber was still sitting. Let's get this over with, she thought to herself as she approached his table. "I believe I owe you a dance, Mr. Kimber," she said as she stopped in front of him. She tried her best not to sound awkward.
By the looks of it, he bought it. "I believe you do," he grinned as he stood from his chair to hold out his hand for her. (Y/N) sent him a tight-lipped smile as she accepted his gesture and allowed him to take her onto the dance floor. "I've had my eyes on you the entire night," he said, his mouth way too close to her ear for her liking. "It surprised me that your man allowed this to happen," he added, the sleazy grin in full view when he pulled back to look at her again.
He's not my man, she thought while biting on her cheek and counting down the seconds until her man came to save her.
The two danced for a bit, rather awkwardly because (Y/N) couldn't allow herself to be anything other than stiff. She kept glancing over Kimber's shoulder as they danced, wondering when Tommy would come over and get her out of the situation.
Her hopes were answered a few moments later, when Tommy rushed up to the dancing pair. "Mr. Kimber, I'm sorry, but we have to leave now," he said, making the two stop dancing.
"Leave? She and I were just getting started," Kimber responded, a baffled expression forming on his face. (Y/N) silently hoped that whatever Tommy had planned would actually work.
"Yes, I know that, but..." he paused for a moment, glancing at (Y/N) briefly before he continued, "but her mother's very ill. I've just gotten word now. She's asking for her."
(Y/N) gasped, playing along with the plan as she dropped her hands to her sides. "Oh goodness...we have to leave now," she said, trying her best to sound like she was now thinking frantically.
"We will," Tommy nodded along with what she'd said, "Mr. Kimber, I'm sorry. I hope that what we've discussed will still stand," he then said to the man, who still looked rather confused.
"Take me home now, please, Tommy," (Y/N) cut into the conversation before Kimber had the chance to say anything. Tommy nodded as she came to his side, and she rested her hand on his bicep to let him know that he could start walking.
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Kimber," Tommy sent one more apology before he led (Y/N) out of the banquet hall and through the back hallways.
They didn't speak until they were inside Tommy's car. "I appreciate you following through with coming to get me," (Y/N) broke the silence as she looked straight ahead at the road. Tommy said nothing in response, so she continued, "I've been used as a pawn in a few of my brothers' schemes...as a prize to be won if the person they were attempting to do business with would agree with what they were proposing. I've left that life behind me, and I have no intentions on going back to it," she paused to take a breath before she looked over at Tommy. "I agreed to come with you to this derby because you told me that you felt that I had knowledge that could help you in advancing this partnership. I sincerely hope that your actual sole intention was not to just give me away to that man in an attempt to get him to agree with you."
"It was not," he answered her, a tinge of something she couldn't place her finger on in his voice. He glanced over at her briefly, and their eyes met for a moment before he looked back at the road. "You've every right to leave...be done with me and the things I do. I'll accept your resignation from the Garrison and we'll still provide you with protection," he said then, his voice monotone as he kept focused on the road. It was like he didn't want to be saying this, but had to because this was the situation he created.
"I won't leave," (Y/N) responded to his statement with a slight shake of her head, "but I swear to you, Tommy...if you involve me in something like this again after what you've just said right now...I will be done. I will be done, and you'll have to figure out some way to right the wrongs you've committed. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," she spoke with seriousness, her eyes boring into the side of his face. Tommy glanced over at her before he nodded his head.
He knew that she'd stand by her words. She'd done it before, and she certainly knew how to follow through with the actions she promised. He was quickly learning that (Y/N) was not a woman that you'd be able to cross and still walk away with your life. "You have my word...it won't happen again," he told her.
Silence fell between the two again as they continued their drive back to Small Heath. The only other time that they spoke before the trip was over was when Tommy apologized for bringing her mother into the situation. (Y/N) brushed his statement off, the mention of her mother reminding her that she had to send another letter to the woman waiting back in Sheffield.
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