Chapter Text
As soon as the papers were signed for new consignment delivery and the ink was dry on the paper, Tommy decided to throw a curveball, to get to know his elusive new business partner.
“Grace is throwing a party for some charity. She asked me to invite you and your wife.” Tommy said carelessly.
“Party…?” Reuben asked in confusion, he had never mixed business with pleasure or even family.
“Don’t you Americans have over the top exuberant parties?” Tommy taunted the former soldier.
“We do, but I don’t believe in getting my family involved with the people I do my business with…” Reuben tried to reject the offer as politely as he could.
But little did he know, Thomas Shelby was not going to give it up so easily.
“It is a charity ball for orphaned kids nothing dangerous, I’m sure your Mrs can handle one night with the Shelbys” Tommy cajoled.
“Mr. Shelby, I don’t mix my work with my personal life. It is better that way and I certainly do not involve my wife in anything related to this side of my business.” Rueben tried to argue his way out this predicament.
“It is not going to be anything illegal or even borderline illegal, I have promised Grace that I will do no shady dealings at the ball.” Tommy reiterated.
“I really don’t mix my business and personal life and I would like to keep it that way.” Rueben did not budge.
Tommy lit a cigarette, giving himself time to think of any other way of getting insight into Rueben’s life, any pressure point that can be exploited if needed. Tommy’s other attempts had been in vain; soldiers in Rueben’s rank had been tight-lipped about everything, something he admired about Rueben and his tightly reigned empire.
Tommy took out the invite from his drawer and handed it to Rueben as a last resort.
“Take this, will you, I don’t want Grace finding it here. I will tell her you are busy” Tommy added defeatedly.
Rueben pocketed the invite not wanting to further prolong the conversation with the king of Birmingham.
Ruben got up and held out his hand to shake Tommy’s to read his temperament. Tommy shook Rueben’s hand with mild annoyance, annoyance that he hadn’t been able to pierce the armor around Fitch and his gang.
Rueben gave Tommy his charming smile, he was relieved that Tommy dropped the subject. He was never going to let his two worlds mix. You were too precious for him to be tainted with what his not-so-legal life is filled with, the grotesque violence, the depravity, the drugs among other things.
Tommy decided that he needed to find another way to find any weak spot in Rueben’s Gang.
What he did not expect was for Grace to get Rueben to the ball.
When he saw Rueben at the ball, he was astonished…Apparently, Grace had run into the loving couple at the marketplace and somehow convinced Rueben’s wife to come to the ball. Tommy could not describe the feeling when he saw you for the first time…There you were looking glorious and innocent like a princess in a purple dress. He gulped visibly, he now understood why Rueben kept you away.