BLINDING LIGHTS || T. SHELBY (2)

NINETEEN (RE-EDITED)

CHAPTER NINETEEN: Flowers for John

JOHN SHELBY WAS KILLED CHRISTMAS DAY MORNING.

He was killed in front of his house just as Michael came to get him. Luca Changretta's men came to his house and John fought back, but suffered three bullets to the chest. Michael had been shot as well, but he didn't die.

Thomas and Tabitha went to the hospital in Birmingham, to see John's body on a table, dead. Tabitha covered her mouth and she began to sob, tears streaming down her face for the brother in-law she loved and lost. Thomas was holding his wife, keeping her from falling to ground on her knees as Arthur's eyes watered at the sight of his little brother. She was the one who killed Vicente Changretta, and she blamed herself for John's death, so did Esme.

Esme took John's belongings and their children back to the Lee family. Tabitha continued to sob in her husband's arms as they made it back to the Shelby home and betting shop in Small Heath. Maggie was still asleep when Tabitha and Thomas got home, so the couple got together in the bath to clean themselves. Tabitha's back touched Thomas' chest as they laid in the tub together. Her head was on his shoulder with her nose softly tickling his neck. Thomas' fingers brushed her shoulders as she held him in an embrace.

"Tommy, they're gathered," Finn said through the door.

Once they were dressed, Thomas and Tabitha went downstairs and joined everyone in the dining room. Everyone was silent, sad, all of them wearing black. Tabitha's brother Theo was behind his wife Lizzie's chair, his eyes red and puffy. Him and John had grown close since they met, and became best friends.

"John is dead," Thomas spoke up, but his voice lowered.

"Esme's on the road with the Lee's," Tabitha said. "She's taken the kids."

"Michael is badly wounded, they say it's 60/40 in his favor."

"There's no number, there's no percentages," Polly said, her eyes watering. "So the hand, the hand beneath him stops him falling. Spoke to someone...my son will live."

"Michael and John were shot because I killed someone," Tabitha said. "Vicenzo Changretta."

"His son Luca has come to take revenge," Thomas said. "Men from New York and Sicily here in Birmingham. These men will not leave our city until our whole family is dead."

"That's how it works. An eye for an eye." Tabitha's eyes began to water as she mumbled. "It's called vendetta...And it's all my fault."

"Tab..." Thomas out his hand on his wife's shoulders as tears strolled down her cheeks.

"Yeah, well..." Arthur started, pulling out a bullet with Luca's name on it. "This bullet's been written...it's says Luca. When the time comes...And it will come...me as the oldest brother...Will put this bullet into his fucking head."

"There's been bad blood between us," Thomas said, making Polly scoff.

"Polly please," Arthur told her as Thomas looked up for a moment.

"Until this business is settled we stay together. We stay here...Small Heath, Bordesley, Hay Mills down to Greet. We know every face, every man is a soldier in this army. These men are professionals and they're good at what they do, so we're going to need more than we have."

"I've spoken to father, Tabby," Theo spoke up. "A couple of our uncle's and cousins are coming to help."

"Thank you, Theo," Tabitha said, nodding her head before Thomas continued.

"I sent a message to Aberama Gold," Thomas said.

"No. No, Tom," Johnny Dogs said. "We're getting Hearn boys and so can get you 50 Lee boys. Good men, Tom."