Chapter 14: Brotherly Advice

Fact: London wasn’t the first city Penelope burned down. Possibly the 5th.

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Penelope was slowly becoming the woman of James’ nightmares after she had poisoned his men. Soon, many of his shipments were going missing or were badly damaged. People that were coming into his shop were soon coming more to Penelope’s because she had lowered the prices and was adding stronger substances to her candy. If any of the men set foot within ten feet of the property, they would be grazed with a warning shot from a sniper.

If James tried to speak to her, he got the same greeting as his men. And the longer she avoided him, the more frustrated he got.

“I'm sorry Mr. Brooks, she still doesn’t want to see you,” Marlene rubbed her temple. They were standing just outside of the ten feet mark.

“I am in no mood to argue Miss Marlene. Just please send her out here. This has to stop,” James glowered.

“Whether you’re in a mood or not, you’re not my boss. When she’s ready to speak to you, she will. End of discussion.”

“But-”

“Goodbye Mr. Brooks,” she irked. She walked away and James took a step towards her, forgetting about the shooting zone and heard a bullet slip by his foot. Tommy pulled him back and gave him a light pat on the back.

“Sir, we should go,” he said quietly.

“Fine,” James turned away.

More days passed and now some of James’ smaller businesses such as his newspaper industry were being caught on fire. If anything, most of the places where James operated were either catching fire, missing shipments, or products were damaged. Some of his men were dying and would attack her workers in return leading to a much bigger war. Bodies piled up so much that Rory was now having to step in. And step in he did.

***

“Miss Eve, Rory is here to see you,” Marlene poked her head into Penelope’s office.

“Tell him I’m busy,” she said, reworking a formula in her father’s recipe book.

“Alright, I guess,” Marlene answered uneasily. Penelope still kept her focus when he heard her brother yelling “Oh for fucksakes,” before barging into the room with Marlene behind him.

“I told you to tell him I was busy,” said, Penelope with a blank expression.

“I did Miss, but he-”

“Marlene, I apologize for the impoliteness, but please get the hell out while I have a little chat with my sister,” Rory’s tone was rigid as he watched Penelope continue working. Marlene shut the door behind her and the siblings were left alone. Penelope made a few more scribbles before she shut the book and looked up at her brother.

“You didn’t have to be harsh with Marle-”

“She’ll understand. But, what I’m having trouble understanding is why all of a sudden I’m putting out fires and covering up bodies all over the bloody fucking city. And I know they’re yours because they have those trademark wounds. Now, what the hell has gotten into you?” he shouted.

“I’m just making sure I win the competition. And if I have to burn down London to do it, then I don’t see the problem,” she shrugged.

“Oh fuck off, I know this isn’t about the competition,” he sat down.

“It could be.”

“But it’s not, Penny. I know it’s not. Because every fucking time you pull shit like this, it’s because you got your heartbroken. It’s exactly why I told you to cut these feelings off,” he lectured. “Now are you going to tell me what’s wrong? Or do I have to keep yelling?”

Penelope observed the bags under his eyes and felt a pang of guilt, knowing that he had been sweeping up the destruction behind her. His expression was worn, so she took a deep breath and admitted, “I don’t know why he irks me. I don’t know why I’m upset whenever I see him with her. Or why I feel heartbroken when we have done nothing but fight and almost kill each other.”

“I also don’t know why you’re falling for such an asinine twat, but pull yourself together. You are a woman with grace, you always have been, and you still are. Destroying a city because some guy will get you nowhere except possibly prison is not how you were raised. Okay?”

“Understood,” she answered. Her face was so mundane that he was worried he made it worse. He got up and kissed her head, leaning on the desk.

“I’m not saying you can’t be happy Penny. I want you to be happy. But when you cling so hard to the first thing that makes you happy in so long, you have a harder time picking up the pieces when your heart is broken. I love you, but I need you to get a grip. Okay?” he pleaded.

Penelope shook her head, keeping her blank expression. Rory nodded his head and went back to the station, leaving Penelope alone to reflect on his words.

***

Tommy waited outside a little ways from James’ home in the middle of the night. When he saw a car pull up, he drew his gun then put it away when he saw Marlene get out of the driver’s seat.

“You’re lucky I agreed to this, if anything we are breaking a lot of our agreements that would get us both put on a firing squad,” Tommy kept his voice low.

“I get that, but you and I are both worried about our bosses, so I thought I’d let you know what might happen,” she said, shivering.

“So what’s so important that you needed to speak to me in person?”

“Tell your boss to give up on Miss Eve,” she said rather bluntly. Tommy was taken aback by her tone and scowled.

“I don’t control what Mr. Brooks does, only follow him and have his back as needed.

“You and I are the voices of reason when we know they are mentally suffering. Miss Eve is mentally suffering, and I know Mr. Brooks is as well. And when he stops this petty game with Miss Wells, then maybe they can work something out. Until then, keep your boss away,” she grimaced.

“Mr. Brooks will do as he pleases, whether I agree with it or not. And if Miss Eve was civil, she would talk to him instead of hiding away,” he said, stepping closer.

“Thomas is it? Your name?”

“Yes. Marlene, I assume?” he tilted his head.

“Also yes. I’m not mildly suggesting your boss stay away. I’m telling you.”

“And what if I don’t heed your warning?”

“Then I hope you don't mind it when I break your ribs again,” she made a cheeky expression. A gust of wind flew by causing her hair to float and revealing all of her heart-shaped face.

Tommy was briefly mesmerized when he remembered the treat in his pocket. He smirked as he took her hand and placed a small bag of truffles in her hand.

“I mind a lot,” he said, closing her hand. “Too bad we’re stubborn.”