There was an odd aura in the meeting room and, while Cora couldn't quite understand what was causing it, it was evident to all those who were there.

Pol was impatiently tapping her nails against the wooden rail, her whiskey abandoned on the table—for she had left her spot next to Cora and stood closer to the door—and her face set in a grim line. Arthur and John were no different; however, while one was gulping down the glass of whiskey in front of him—and while it wasn't an uncommon action, Arthur was drinking far more than usual—while the other was lazily tracing his fingertip across the blade that was sown into his cap. By glance, one would expect that it was complete and utterly calmness that emitting from the younger man; but, if one knew them well enough, which Cora did, she knew that his cerulean blue eyes were an oncoming storm of restlessness and excitement.

Cora didn't know what was going on and, tucking a strand of her sun-kissed blonde hair behind her ear, she wondered if she truly desired to know.

Tommy's eyes had yet to drift far from her form. Though they occasionally traced every man who entered the room, as to make sure that they were wanted and expected for the meeting, Cora always found that they returned to you. Of course, she wasn't foolish enough to believe that Tommy truly trusted her acceptance of his apology. He had messed up far worse than any time before and, if even if Cora had truly forgiven him (which she hadn't), the level of trust that had once held their relationship together had been stained.

Her eyes never drifted far from Tommy's, her face passive, but Cora's pointer finger continuously brushed the polished wood that rested underneath her finger. She wasn't unaware of the flickering eyes that fleeted towards her direction before hastily looking away.

A muffled scoff escaped her lips, and she ignored the odd glances that were casted her way. Of course there would be no way for whatever issue between her and Tommy to remain between only her and Tommy. Cora knew that she didn't help the situation—telling Ada—but she guessed that she had wished it stayed within the family. She knew that Tommy thought of the business to be made up of family, but her marital matters were none of their concern.

Plus, she felt outnumbered when others in the business knew.

Cora knew that she was seen as the 'light' to Tommy's 'darkness'; just as she knew that most of the men came to her when things went wrong in hopes that she could allow them some mercy. Yet, despite all her years, Cora felt that she had no one.

Gypsy by blood, that's what they all say. But listen to me, when it comes to Gypsy blood and family blood—they'll always choose family, that's what her mother told her. Gypsies were a family, they depended one another and, it was that dependence that she found could easily disappear when a rift was created between two families.

Cora had no family.

"Right," Tommy's gruff voice pulled her from her thoughts, her gaze refocusing on the harsh blue of her husband's eyes. They were twinkling with mischief and yearning for blood. Whatever was planned, whatever Tommy was thinking, held more consequences than what he would like to believe, " I brought you all here today because this is the day we replace Billy Kimber."

Ah, a frowned twister and marred Cora's lips, there it was.

Cora hated Billy Kimber, yes. She loathed him with every fiber in her body. Cora wished his death more than any other man's; and, yet, she found herself loathing what words would be next to leave Tommy's mouth. A part of her knew Tommy had asked her to come to truly see his regret—but that wasn't what she saw at all.

"This is the day we become respectable. The day we join the official National Association of Race Course Bookmakers. But, first, we do the dirty work. We've all known this day was coming, I just haven't told anyone the date."

Cora's eyes narrowed as laughter and cheers ripped through the room, Tommy's words ringing through her ears, blocking out whatever conversation had now consumed the room. Was he being truthful? Cora couldn't help but wonder. Had Tommy truly not told anyone, or had he mentioned something to Grace when he had left her with Kimber?

A barely distinguishable shiver ran down Cora's back at her thought and, for a brief moment, Cora squeezed her eyes shut, trying to rid her mind of her straying thoughts.

It hadn't crossed her mind before, the thoughts of what occurred between Grace and Tommy when they had left her with Kimber. Cora had been too focused on getting her life back together—she had been focused on trying to get her life back on a regulated schedule. While it had worked and helped push away the nightmares of Kimber—of what would've happened if Tommy hadn't come back… because, for a moment, she thought he wouldn't come back—it had allowed the drifting of thoughts.

What made Grace so special to Tommy?

"We're going to the Worcester races. The track opens at one; we'll get there at two." Tommy continued, a sly smirk gracing his lips and casting a youthful glow upon his face. For a moment it reminded Cora of when they were teenagers and were pulling a prank on John or Ada.

Cora winced, blinking at the sudden pain that pulsated through her body, and glanced down at her finger. A splinter had managed to wedge itself in between her nail and her skin, the pain radiating and hot; but, it wasn't completely underneath the nail. Pursing her lips, Cora grasped the faint tail of the splinter and gave it a quick yank, wincing as it fluidly removed itself and a small bead of vermillion blood pooled in its place.

"How strange," Cora muttered to herself, her eyes searching the area to see where the polished wood had cracked, or been worn, enough to allow a the splinter.

"Cora," The warning in his tone was what caused her to look away from table, not the command itself. Almost innocently, Cora met his gaze and flashed him a smile that only elevated the guiltlessness she was trying to convey.

He didn't push, and that was enough for her.

Tommy eyed her warily before continuing, "Now, Kimber thins we're going there to help him fight the Lee brothers. But, thanks to the efforts of our John and his lovely new wife, Esme, the Lee's are now our kin. I interrupted those efforts this morning, I can assure you all that John is making great sacrifices in this cause of peace."

Laughter roared through the room, almost overpowering the respect Tommy demanded, and even Cora couldn't stop the smile that pulled at her lips. The men clapped John's back, hooted and hollered, and it gave an odd sense of peace that Cora so desperately wanted.

"Yeah, all right," She heard John murmur, slapping away a hand before bashfully ruffling his hair in an way that conveyed the annoyance he felt.

"So," Tommy continued, though the smirk didn't leave his face, "it'll be us and the Lee's against Kimber's boys. We take them out, but leave the bookies. I expect a swift victory, which will send a signal all the way to London that we believe in letting legitimate businesses run peacefully."

"And," Cora's eyes trailed to where John sat, watching as he sniffled and pulled the toothpick from between his lips, "What about Kimber himself?"

"I'll deal with Kimber," Her eyes shot to Tommy—cold, harsh, and unforgiving, she didn't believe him.

In all honesty, Cora believed that Tommy was trying to bury the problem that rested between them. He had apologized, yes; but, for as long as Kimber remained, there would always be a problem between the two.

There would always be the reminder that Tommy had put another woman before her.

Cora scratched at her hand, it was as if though there was an itch that she couldn't scratch. She could feel it but the longer she scratched, the more it itched. She was fighting herself, it was clear enough for anyone to see. Cora wanted this to be over, she wanted to push past this and for it to blow over as many of their fights had. But, this was different.

This hadn't been a fight where Tommy had allowed Cora to get hurt—had purposefully placed her in a dangerous situation and, at first, left her there. She had every right to be upset with Tommy.

Why did she feel so guilty then?

"Another other question?" Tommy's eyes traced over the room, lingering on her form once more, before continuing to those who stood behind her.

"Yes," Pol's voice rang clear, and Cora turned in her chair to glance at her, wondering what she had to say, "Does anybody object if I bring a newcomer to the meeting? I'd like to introduce the newest member of the Shelby clan."

"Karl," Cora breathed, the bitterness inside her melting as Ada entered the room, Karl cradled in her arms and turning his head to stare at the strangers who surrounded him. Ada was positively beaming, her smile nearly splitting her face as she gently bounced Karl in her arms.

A momentary jealously ran in Cora's veins, but she pushed it away.

There was no reason to be jealous of her friend's happiness.

"Welcome home, Ada," Cora heard Tommy greet, and she could hear the smile in his voice, but her eyes didn't dare off Ada or Karl.

"We named him Karl." Ada announced, gently bouncing Karl, "After Karl Marx."

"Karl bloody Marx," Arthur laughed, "Let me get a look at him."

Oh, here we go," John said, and Cora watched as Arthur stood and made his way over to Ada and Karl, lifting the baby from his sister's arms and cradling him with a softness only Arthur had. In the back of her mind, Cora wondered if Karl would cry if it had been Tommy would had picked him up.

"Hey, look." Arthur called, holding Karl with his cap on the baby's head, "He looks just like me."

"That's his ass that looks like you, Arthur," John stated, causing the room to laugh even harder. Cora, herself, couldn't stop the giggles from leaving her mouth, not noticing Tommy's gaze on her. But, then again, she was his wife and it was his right to look at her. No one else's.

"He's all right. He's a Shelby." Arthur said as he looked down at his nephew, pride evident in his eyes. Cora reached forward and scooped little Karl from Arthur's arms, cooing at her nephew. Brushing the little tuff of hair, Cora couldn't help but notice how much of a perfect blend Karl was of his mother and his father. She didn't bother to look up as she headed out the door and towards the bakery, knowing that Ada would grab Karl when she wanted to.

She didn't make a sound.

Staring down a barrel of a gun wasn't something Cora ever thought she'd become acquainted with, but times change, and people change. She didn't bother to look at the man holding the gun, her gaze more focused on Kimber, who was sitting relaxed in a chair, smoking a cigarette.

"Well, love." Kimber took a long drag from his cigarette, "It's nice to see you again… especially after we were so rudely interrupted last time."

"Why are you here, Kimber." Cora didn't have time for small talk. Kimber didn't bother to look at her, his cigarette was somehow more interesting than her. With a sigh, he heaved himself out of the chair and made his way to stand directly in front of her.

"I just wanted to let you know, love," Cora didn't bother flinching as he reached out to stroke her cheek. Her eyes were cold, and her face was emotionless, causing anger to rise in Kimber. In a split second, Kimber went from stroking her face to tightly pinching her chin, forcing her to look dead into his eyes, "As soon as the last bullet leaves my gun, as soon as I watch Tommy's mouth fill with blood and the light vanish from his eyes, I will take you this time. And he won't be there to stop me."

I hope you're all staying safe and healthy and indoors.

Thank you for being so patient.

Please leave review and thank you so much to those of you that have.

ANA