𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃, ⁱˢⁱᵃʰ ʲᵉˢᵘˢ

44

The Shelby's sat around the dinner table and watched as Micheal walked in from previously living somewhere else. Polly stood, hugging the boy.

"Hello brother" Florence said as he wrapped his arm around her.

Tommy stared down at the table.

"Tommy i've been trying to think of words" Micheal began. "Don't" Polly stopped him. "Words don't work. Micheal we're in a grave situation, Tommy has a plan"

Micheal frowned.

"Instead of going to Australia, you're going to New York"

"Really, Mum?" Florence raised her voice. "When the fuck did we agree on sending my brother off to America" she asked, her mouth parting.

They all ignored her. "Why" Micheal asked. "Because the company has business to attend in America" Ada spoke.

"Will i be coming back?"

"Train leaves in an hour, Micheal. You made a choice, you knew i was going to be shot and you chose not to tell me"

"An hour? Are you being serious" Florence shouted.

"I chose my mum" Micheal whispered "When all this business is over, we'll all be free to make our own choices" Polly said.

"So is that it?" he asked.

"You get the train to Liverpool then the SS to Monroe," Tommy cleared his throat. "Boat sails tomorrow."

Micheal looked over at Florence. Tommy handed him an envelope. "Now you can go"

Micheal looked at her once more and she pulled him into a hug. "What happened to never leaving me, eh?" she asked, leaning on his shoulder. "I'm sorry i thought they told you"

-

"I need an overseas connection please, USA" Tommy spoke into the phone.

-

Florence watched as Charlie and Curly threw gasoline underneath the wood. She bit her lip which had began trembling, keeping a tight hold on Isiah's hand.

A woman approached with a white flag.

"Tommy" Johnny shouted. "It's alright, let her come" he said, walking toward her. "Please, once we're all finished" he said.  She said nothing so he turned away.

"Audrey fucking Changretta" she hissed, walking forward to the woman but being pushed back by Tommy.

-

Polly, Tommy, Finn and Florence sat in front of the woman.

"Your note talked about making terms for peace" Audrey Changretta, said to Tommy. "But my son says there are no terms. You took my husband and my son, we took two of your brothers."

"The vendetta is won" Tommy says. "We say when the Vendetta is won" she scowled.

"We will take everything you have" Audrey said. "All your businesses, signed over to us. You agree to this. Or my son will kill you all. One by one"