Notes: Well... It's been quite a while here... Again.
Previously...
***
Chapter 3
Sansa had been raised to be one thing and one thing only: a lady.
Nowadays the term might be used in different ways across the globe, but Sansa was old money, old blood and old status. To her being a lady meant exactly what it’d meant two hundred years ago.
Or it had meant at some point.
The Starks were one of the few families with noble blood to not only survive but persistently thrive through the centuries. While many of those old families had lost money and land, they’d not only kept it all, but they kept the prestige and the respect related to their names.
Sansa could name ancestors who’d fought in many a war for King and country. Her family had been proud of their name and history, and so had she.
Until it all came crashing down.
Now she was the last Stark and she was a criminal.
Her father and mother would be appalled were they alive, but then again… They weren’t, so there was that.
Sansa hadn’t planned on becoming a criminal. If such a thing could actually be planned.
Sansa was her mother’s pride and joy from a young age and she shone as the dutiful daughter. She had the perfect manners, grades and friends. She had wanted to be like the ladies of before, the ones who really knew what the term meant, like her mother.
She’d been a spoiled brat, but it’d been the only life she’d known then. The years changed that, and by the time she was 23 she was already working for a criminal organization.
She was 26 when she became its leader.
No, it hadn’t been the plan, but it was what she had left and she was going to do it and do it well. There was a certain charm to being a lady criminal, and Sansa had learnt to do what had to be done.
It wasn’t fun, but it made money -shitloads of it. And she had needed it to save the family home, even if there was no family left to put in said home.
She’d learned a lot in those last years, and very little surprised her.
So Tommy Shelby’s message didn’t surprise her.
The fact that he wanted to meet her for dinner in a famously expensive-slash-romantic restaurant was a bit more surprising.
“What do you think he wants?” Margaery asked, amusement shining in her eyes.
“To show who’s the boss.” Sansa said, even as she dressed for dinner.
Yes, she’d accepted his invitation, more of pure boredom than actual interest.
Margaery hummed. “What are you planning on wearing?”
Sansa indicated the blue cocktail dress she was already wearing. Margaery made a face. “Oh no.”
Sansa arched an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting something else?”
“Yes.” Her friend approached her closet. “You look like a boring housewife going to her husband's company dinner.”
“That’s specific.” She snorted.
“It’s that boring.” Margaery started going through her dresses, until she finally pulled one out. “This one.”
Sansa was already shaking her head. “No.” Sansa eyed the black dress. “That dress is not for business.”
“And we know for a fact he isn’t interested in business.” Margaery pushed the black towards her.
“We don’t.” Sansa said, refusing to take the dress.
“Even better.” Margaery insisted. “Because then we’ll know for a fact. Trust me. I know men.”
Sansa rolled her eyes. “I know that.”
***
Thomas was waiting for Sansa Stark with a glass of whisky in his hand. He might look casual and relaxed to those who didn’t know him, but Tommy Shelby was nothing of the kind.
He had chosen everything about that night with care and consideration, because he was extremely curious about Lady Sansa Stark.
He wanted to know how such a young lady had become the head of the Arryn Group. How had she killed Baelish, and how could he thank her for that.
It wasn ‘t surprising that he’d never met Sansa in a professional capacity before, as he’d never done business with Baelish, and had hated the man. He was a snake and a coward, two things that Tommy despised on a man.
Their business also didn’t overlap, as the Arryn group was more into gambling and prostitution and he had other interests.
However, he was curious then and he’d only be satisfied once he’d had more time to talk to her. This time he had more information, and he wanted to see what she’d say to it.
She arrived punctually and he saw her hair before she saw her.
Sansa was a beautiful woman, and she knew it. She walked confidently through the restaurant, ignoring every single head turned in her direction.
Her black dress had a plunging neckline, but everything else about her was understated. No big jewelry, no flash lipstick, small clutch on her hand.
A classic.
He got up when she got closer. “Mr. Shelby.”
He offered his hand. “Lady Stark.” This time they just shook hands and her hold was firm and certain.
“Thank you for inviting me to dinner.” She gave him a ladylike smile.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation.” He despised all those ridiculous courtesies but he could play this game a little longer.
He held the chair for her and waited until she was properly seated before returning to his place.
“So…” She gave him another one of those vacant smiles. “You got me here. What do you want?”
“The horse, of course.”
She didn’t react at all to his statement. “All of this work just for a horse?”
“Winter Rose isn’t just any horse, is she?”
“No, she isn’t.” When the waiter stopped by her side, Sansa ordered a glass of wine without even removing her eyes from Tommy.
He waited until the man left. “So you see my point.”
“I do.” She nodded. “But my answer hasn’t changed and now I’m feeling disappointed.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Why?”
“I thought you might have something actually interesting to say to me.” She told him carelessly.
“Oh Lady Stark… You really don’t want to play that game with me.”
“What game?”
They both got quiet as the waiter came back and did all the necessary presentation before fucking finally serving her wine and leaving them.
“Because what’s interesting to men like me, normally scare ladies like you.” He warned her.
She took a sip from her wine, then smirked at him. “Do you promise?”
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