Summary: Arnold is the kindest man around: counseling anyone and offering advice to all. When a notorious gangster takes an interest in the one who saves him one winter day, Arnold has no idea he's helped the wrong guy. Obsession grows and soon Arnold's entire world is upended as he's forced out of his life and into the hands of a mob boss.

Obsession ch. 4 – Revelations

He struggled to speak. His gaze swept across the lobby. Santiago held the chain connected to Helga while Nicolás held the chain to Gerald. Mateo lurked at the base of the stairs. La Sombra was nowhere to be seen, but had to be near. He could feel it.

"Blondie," Santiago spoke up, amused. "You know these two?"

"I, uh, yeah!" He grasped the railing, half-wondering if he could launch himself over it without getting hurt. Mateo bodily blocked the last step to reach the floor and he didn't think the guy would be willing to move if asked. "But why are they here?"

Santiago looked upwards. "Best ask the boss that instead."

Footsteps clicked behind him and an arm wrapped around his waist. He flinched. Despite the numerous times La Sombra had snuck up on him, each time startled him. The man was like a cat with such stealth. Or a snake. "Sencillo. You were lonely, so I fetched you company."

Arnold flinched once more when he noticed his friends' shocked expressions. He wiggled but his captor tightened the hold and he relented. Struggling would do no good. But compliance might.

Helga snarled before he could string together words. "Let him go, you disgusting piece of shi–"

Santiago slapped her fast and hard. "Do not speak to the boss that way."

Arnold freaked. He shoved against the arm on his stomach and screamed in a shrill voice. "Don't touch her!"

La Sombra chuckled into his ear. "Ah, I've missed this spirit."

He snarled. Gerald yanked on his own chains and spat profanities until Nicolás slammed a fist into his gut and silenced him.

Hurt blended with anger into a muddy mixture. The two men were not a member of La Sombra's gang entirely out of free will. They had to obey him to ensure their own safety. But that didn't mean they had to be so rough with his friends, did it?

"Stop!" He yelled, managing to twist and slap himself free from the grip "Just. Stop!"

When the guards went rigid and his friends picked up on the change, his heart launched into his throat and he slowly turned to face his captor. Instinctively, he retreated down a step and nearly kicked over the bucket.

Cold.

Dark.

And furious.

"La Sombra…" he breathed, realizing his mistake. "I didn't mean...but they were...I…" He dropped into a bow . "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hit you but you wouldn't let go and I needed to…"

"Since when," large fingers hooked his chin and tilted upwards. "Did you have permission to disrespect me?"

His heart stopped. Tremors racked his body as his abuser reached for his throat. And he did nothing but watch. Metal clacked and footsteps slammed against the tiles. His chest rose and fell erratically as his world zeroed on La Sombra's face.

The man scowled, jerking away from him. "Catch them, idiots!"

He staggered into the railing, heart picking up speed, and clutched it for dear life. Distantly, he recognized Santiago and Nicolás and Mateo chasing his friends around the lobby, trying to make their way to him, but La Sombra was beside him and looming with a glare.

Hands grabbed his collar and hauled him up the stairs, knocking over the bucket filled with water in the process. "Did you think you could escape? Did you think that my generosity was a weakness? Did you think that with your little amigos here you'd be free?"

He yelped as La Sombra threw him to the floor with a wild expression. "I should kill you for such insolence!"

Arnold curled into a protective ball and whimpered. His best bet to survive was to surrender and be submissive. His captor paced back and forth, as agitated as a starving lion, and muttered curses.

When the pacing slowed, Arnold slowly revealed himself and sat upright. La Sombra was smiling and it wasn't anything kind. He swallowed.

"La Sombra…?"

"I'll let you keep your friends. But if you disobey, they will pay the price." The man offered to let him up. "And should they disobey, then you will pay the price."

Arnold wrangled his breathing under control as he was pulled to his feet. "Wh-what do you mean…?"

"Exactly as I said. Now," La Sombra dragged him down the stairs, taking care not to slip on the wet flooring, and brought him to the lobby. "Why don't you introduce me to your little amigos."

Helga and Gerald had once again been recaptured and subdued. This time, bruises littered visible skin and he winced. They glared at La Sombra as the man let him step out of the hold.

"Guys…" he trailed and gingerly approached.

Nicolás and Santiago held the chains in a tight grip. His friends couldn't move much and neither could seem to know who to focus on. Arnold rubbed an arm, hyper aware of the dress and the fact that they had seen him in the hold of his rapist.

"Tesoro." La Sombra prompted.

He jolted. "Uh, well. La Sombra, these are my friends, Helga and Gerald. Helga and Gerald, this is my…" he hesitated. What was La Sombra to him?

"La Sombra." The man finished for him. "And you are my prisoners."

Helga pinned the man with a scowl that could rival the sun with its heat. "Doi! Couldn't figure that out from the chains, could you?"

Santiago reared a palm but La Sombra waved him off. "Remember what we spoke of, Arnold?"

He winced.

"Seems we need to enlighten your friends. With a demonstration, perhaps?"

Helga spat fire. "What? What's he talking about, Arnold-o?"

Arnold made to comb fingers through his hair before remembering the tiara and blushed. He looked to La Sombra for help but his abuser only smiled. Sadistic jerk.

His shoulders dropped. "It means I'm about to be slapped for you."

La Sombra clicked his tongue. "Not quite, mi amor. They disrespected me and so you shall be punished…but I never said how."

He froze. Dread churned in his stomach. Sweat formed on his brow. He swallowed. La Sombra couldn't mean to…? Not in front of his friends, would he…?

Gerald dared to speak. "What's he talking about, man?"

"Though it's not much of a punishment for you, is it?" La Sombra mused. "Since I know you enjoy our…interactions."

White skin paled into an unhealthy shade as he soundlessly worked his jaw. "La Sombra…" he wheezed. "Please, not in front of them. Please, please, don't–"

La Sombra grabbed him by the waist and dragged him into a bruising kiss. He resisted the urge to struggle as a tongue forced its way into his mouth and the man groped his rear. The action was visible to his friends and they jolted into an enraged cacophony but that only spurred his abuser into molesting him more.

Whimpers fell from his lips and tears from his eyes when they pulled away. Humiliation hit him hard and he didn't dare look at his friends. An arm stayed wrapped around his waist and he shrank in the hold.

Helga snarled. "You're a sick, twisted fu–"

Another forced kiss prompted her to shut up.

"There." La Sombra pecked his cheek for extra measure. "Understand?"

His friends quieted. Too horrified and embarrassed to lift his head, Arnold stayed silent and studied the flooring.

"Do you," La Sombra tugged him against the chest to emphasize the point, "understand?"

"…Yeah." Gerald answered with a soft and strained voice. "Yeah, we do."

"Good." Lips smirked against his hair before pulling away. "Now then, you two will keep mi tesoro here company. He's been lonely for some time now. Even went so far as to befriend his own bodyguards and advise them with their problems." La Sombra laughed. "Mi amor has a heart of gold. So kind and pure. As for you two," the laughter dropped into steel, "should either of you act out of line, there will be consequences."

The man let him go to wave a hand. "Unlock them. If they try to run, let me know. Otherwise, I will be in my office." Fingers cupped his cheek. "See you tonight, mi amor. Enjoy your playmates."

A kiss on the cheek and a hug later, the man was gone. The atmosphere lightened as the guards visibly relaxed. Nicolás unlocked the cuffs and his friends rubbed their wrists. The awkwardness temped him to flee and hide but he mentally shoved the fear aside and forced a smile.

"Wanna take a look around?" Tentative steps brought him closer to his friends. "It's a pretty big place and easy to get lost. A tour might help you feel more comfortable."

"Sure…" Gerald agreed after a glance at a tense Helga.

"Well…" Arnold trailed, unsure how to continue on.

Santiago cleared his throat. "This is the lobby of the boss' house. I'm Santiago. That's Nicolás. There's Mateo. You met La Sombra and you already know Blondie."

Mateo snorted. "Welcome to hell."

"Mateo," Nicolás chided. "Don't scare them more than they already are."

"I'm not scared!" Helga interjected and crossed her arms. "Though I certainly don't like any of you 'guards.'" She leaned towards Santiago and raised a fist. "Touch me again and I'll flatten you."

Arnold lurched forwards. "Oh, please don't."

Santiago rolled his eyes. "Think I like hitting pretty girls?"

Helga growled. "You have a problem? Spit it out!"

Arnold hustled to wedge his way between the two of them. Had to nip the fight in the bud before a brawl began.

"Okay!" He chirped with false cheer. "Why don't we get started on that tour?"

"Move it, doofus." Helga shoved him aside. "I've got a bone to pick with this bozo."

Santiago scoffed. "As if you could beat me in a fair fight."

Arnold dragged a hand down his face. "Santiago, that is not helping."

"I could and you know it. Or are you too afraid to admit it?"

"Mateo!" Arnold yelped. "Knock some sense into them!"

"Watching is more enjoyable." Arnold shot him a scathing glare and he sighed. "Alright. Break it up, children."

When both Helga and Santiago realized the hulking mass of muscle was approaching, they scowled and eyed each other. Luckily, they crossed their arms and turned their backs with a huff.

Relieved, Arnold readied a sigh when a hand landed on his shoulder and he flinched. Gerald frowned apologetically and released him.

"What's up with you and La Sombra?" His best friend prodded with a gentle tone.

Arnold's shoulders rose to his ears as he hunched in on himself. "Long story short: he kidnapped me and forced me to become…" he gestured at himself, "this."

Never one to be anything but blunt, Helga cut in. "A sex slave?"

Lowered eyes and a blinding blush made her backtrack. "N-not that it's a bad thing to be…that. Uh, it's a good look for you! Not that it's a good thing to have as a good look um. Dresses! You look good in a dress, that's what I was trying to say! Yeah!"

Arnold hugged himself. She meant no harm and he knew that but it still hurt. "No, it's okay. It's true I'm his…" his face scrunched in disgust as he spat the word, "tesoro. Anything he wants, he gets."

Santiago whistled. "If this keeps up, he'll be wanting rings."

Arnold pursed his lips and tried to suppress shaking nerves. "Nicolás said he had past slaves but never married them. What makes me any different?"

Nicolás softly interrupted. "Because he's never kept them as long as you."

His breath hitched and he clutched his chest. That couldn't be right. La Sombra wouldn't… The world seemed to crumble around him. "He… He wouldn't marry me, would he? Oh my…shit. Please tell me he wouldn't marry me. He's supposed to kill me when he's bored not keep me."

He collapsed into full-blow hyperventilation as the gravity of the realization slammed onto his conscious. "Shit. Fuck. If he marries me then he'll never let me go. He'll fuck me for the rest of my life until I grow old and die. I'll never walk outside again. I'll never see my family again. I'll never have a choice again. I'll never–"

"–nold!" Someone shook him by the shoulders. "Arnold, snap out of it!"

He gasped and flailed, sobbing. "No! No I don't want this! Let me go!" He shrieked and bit the arms holding him still. "I need to get out of here. I need to get out of here!"

Words jumbled in his ears as people yelled over his own. He cried and flailed until a familiar face shoved into his own and kissed him forcefully on the lips. He whimpered and struggled but thick arms kept him pinned in place.

La Sombra pulled away and slapped him clear across the face. He blinked as his cheek heated with a blooming bruise. "The only time you should be screaming." La Sombra neared his face with a snarl. "Is in bed with me."

Arnold saw red. "Well I'm sorry. Maybe you shoulda thought about that before you decided to ruin my life. Maybe you should've–"

White skin turned red as La Sombra choked him. Activity flurried nearby as his friends tried to separate them only to be blocked by the guards. "Do not tell me what to do–"

"Or you'll what?" Arnold managed a raspy snarl of his own. "Kill me?"

"No," A dangerous glint of insanity entered brown eyes. "I'll take that pretty thing to bed. Make her scream as I take her from all ends before slitting her throat while." He punctuated the words with a shake. "You." Another shake. "Watch."

That snapped Arnold out of it. Green eyes widened. Soon though, they narrowed with quiet fury. He knew a losing battle when he saw one. And he was losing enough as it was.

Teeth gritted together, muscles flexed against the skin on his neck. "Fine." Blackness spotted his vision. "You win."

When he sank, La Sombra cursed and released him. Lungs expanded as he gasped for air only for the sensation to burn. Being choked never made breathing easy. While he wrangled for a steady intake, his friends had been subdued but not without landing a few hits of their own. When La Sombra stood and everyone realized he was still on the floor, they halted.

Moments of dead silence passed while he lay in a heap.

Santiago tentatively prompted. "Boss?"

As if a gunshot had blasted, La Sombra jolted. His tone, though, was solid. "Patch him up. I have work to do."

The man strode away. The guards released his friends before they swarmed his trembling self. Mateo hefted him into a delicate hold despite his hulking appearance. Santiago hustled ahead to prepare a room. Nicolás lagged behind and beckoned his friends. His friends, visibly whiplashed by the change from enemy to ally, hesitated a beat before rushing to follow.

The young man groaned as Mateo placed him atop a cot in the medical room. The movement jostled him and sent a pang through the darkening bruises on his skin. Santiago hurried to the corner and rifled through the freezer atop the fridge. Nicolás grasped the towel sitting on the counter by the door and accepted the icepack from Santiago. He gave it to Mateo who then placed it against the woozy blond's throat.

Gerald wrung his hands while Helga rubbed an arm. Both stood in the doorway, uncomfortable as two of the guards bustled around the room. Santiago had grabbed another icepack for his black eye (courtesy of Ol' Betsy) and sat on the other side of the cot while Nicolás grabbed apple sauce and water from the fridge. Neither knew how to react to the situation as their friend was lovingly cared for by the same people who kept him prisoner.

After Arnold seemed to come back to himself and Nicolás had sat beside Santiago, he blearily sat up (with slight help from Mateo) and accepted the food and water. A small red pill found its way to his palm and he swallowed it with water. Hopefully the pain reliever would kick in soon.

Gerald broke the eerie silence. "How…how often does this happen?"

The men jumped, having forgotten they were there. Though the question was directed to the group at large, Santiago answered in place of Arnold who was busy scrutinizing his lap.

"Not often." He shifted the icepack. "Only when Blondie here stands his ground does the boss get…like that."

Gerald faltered and Helga took the reign. "And you just let it happen?"

The guards looked away.

"Criminy!" Helga scowled. "Three grown ass men can't even stand up to one person?"

"You don't know La Sombra." Nicolás muttered. "He is not kind to traitors."

"Or followers, for that matter." She shot back. "Looks to me like you're a bunch of spineless worms."

She hadn't realized Arnold had shrunk in on himself until Gerald nudged her with an elbow. Realizing Arnold was including himself in the insult, she puffed a sigh and grudgingly softened her aggression.

"What makes a guy like him so powerful?" She cupped her chin. "If you ask me, which you should, I think you outta team together and ditch him. Find as many followers as you can and leave this dump. Go to the police. Give them evidence so they can catch him and lock him up for good."

Arnold, who'd been hunched throughout her speech, emerged from his shell. "But how do we escape?"

Her expression darkened with sinister glee. "Just leave the strings to me."

~oOo~

Notes: Honesty time – I haven't figured out what Helga's plan is yet, oops. Been busy with the Holidays and family, all that jazz. Reviews are always kind.

Thanks for reading!