Ch 7

Chess Game

I watched as some of the Brooklyn boys present started to make their way to their warehouse. I trembled in fear, not knowing what was going to happen next. A small cough behind me made me turn around and gasped when I was Spot Conlon standing there.

"Please," I breathed nerviously. "At least let me run home and get a few of my-"

"Dere aint nothin dere for you'se anymore-"

"But my family-"

"Dere no longer your concern. Everything you'se is gunna need is here."

"Please!" I yelled grabing his arm in a brave move, "At least let me see them!"

Follow me." He said pulling his arm from my grasp ignoring my pleas. "I'll show you'se around, den you'll join me foar dinner."

Just then I felt a flare light up inside of me. Food was the last thing on my mind at that particular moment, and I would want nothing less than to break bread with the man who is keeping me here.

"No thank you."

The boys walking with us stopped at Spot did, and some of them even "Ohhed" at my response.

"What did you'se just say to me doll?"

Straightening up I held my head high and repeated " first off, I said No thank you. And secondly, please do not call me that name." Only then I looked at his face and could see the anger brewing inside of him. Maybe I should stop now, after all I was still afraid of what was going to become of me, but then again, what could I loose? "I told you I would stay here. That was our agreement. I will not be joining you for dinner."

"Why are you'se being so difficult?!"

My eyes widened in disbelief, "You keep me here against my will and don't understand why I'm being 'difficult'?! I've lost my family, my friends and my freedom!"

Anger laced my voice when I also added, "You've succeeded in frightening me if that was your goal. I hope it made you feel better about yourself."

More "Ohh's" and laugh's came from Spots boys, but one glare and they shut it.

Finally, we got to the warehouse, the boys shuffled up- Spot in the lead.

*~*Spot's P.O.V (cause I can)~*~

She looked at me like some animal does when it knows its trapped. I smirked, mostly because I knew it killed her. Yes, she would be perfect, I just had to figure out how to use her.

"Shall we go in?" I asked, offering my arm.

She looked from him to the door and back, as if to say, "Are you going to get that?' and with an eye roll, I obliged. When it swung open, I pointed through the door with the tip of his cane.

"Afta You doll." I said in a mocking manner, knowing how she didn't like that name.

She looked at me, her big brown eyes seething with hatred.

"Hey, youse Italian, right?"

She spat, "Yeah, why?"

"Youse got the tempa, jis like Irishmen like me."

~*~Back to Bell~*~

I rolled my eyes at his distasteful way of flirting and swept my way through the door, and the boys followed after, steadily filling up the bottom floor common room. Unlike what I was expecting, there were newsies everywhere, waiting for their leaders return. I was disgusted. If only they had known of the events that took place just minutes prior, I was sure they would not be laughing. But then agan, this was Brooklyn, not the Bronx. Making myself comfortable in a nearly broken down chair, I didn't notice the Spot follow me across the crowded room. Standing behind me, he surveyed his boys.

"They'll use any excuse to start a party," he said in my ear, smiling.

I in the chair jumped a bit, but tried to kept my face calm. I refused to show weakness to Spot Conlon. I was a prisoner in a foreign borough, and I had to be strong, if not for Luciano and the Bronx, then for myself. Wordlessly, I turned my face away from his. After a few seconds of my ignoring him, Spot sighed. Taking one last look at the me, he stood and whipped his cane from his belt loop. My face snapped to look at him. He saw me swallow hard and fear flash in my eyes as I pressed herself as far as I could against the back of the chair. Spot rolled his eyes and smirked, his own mocking way of showing that he meant no harm. Spot stepped onto a nearby tabled and pounded the cane against the wood, trying to catch everyone's attention. Instantly, Brooklyn's entire population of newsies stood in silent attention of their leader.

"Evening, boys," Spot called, smirking.

The room erupted in cheers.

"We did it, boys! The plan worked! And in a much better way than we'se planned."

Again, the newsies burst into happy cheers.

" Along with The Bronx's defeat, they has present us with an extra special gift."

I glared up at him.

With a flourish, Spot offered his hand down to me, still wearing my boy's clothes. Hesitant, I took his hand, afraid of what might happen If I didn't, and stood on the table next to him.

"This, men, is the key."

I grimaced at the comparison he made to me and an object. Now I finally understood. I was part of his plan. How, I wasn't sure just yet. But I knew the turnout wasn't going to be good. My anger grew as he reached up and took the cap from my head allowing my dark brown hair to tumble down my back. The entire room instantly rushed to take their caps off in the presence of a lady. At least his newsies have respect. I thought to myself.

"So, in da aftermath of da Bronx's loss to yours truly- she has agreed ta stay with us for a while."

All the newsies whooped and cat called, erupting in conversation again. But Spot wasn't done. Pounding his cane against the table once more, they immediately quieted.

"Now-" he said, smirking as he pushed his cane through the belt loop at his hip.

"I'se is thinking a celebration is in order!"

In a split second, the party began again. Spot leapt down from the table and offered me a hand. This time, I ignored it and stepped down on my own. Grabbing my cap from his hands I made my way to a crate around a small table occupied by a few newsies.

They seemed not to notice me until one young boy pointed me out, soon after; the two older boys looked at me as more filed in after them.

"So, a goil in Brooklyn. A Bronx goil none da less."

I looked up at him. "What do you want?" I asked.

"Who are youse?" he asked folding his arms across his chest. I jumped a little at the harshness in his tone but I tried to keep my composure.

"That's for me to know and you not to find out." I replied glancing from one boy to the next. His eyes darkened, yet he smirked and moved closer to me. My heart started to race and I felt like he could sense my fear, because the smirk turned into a full out smile.

"What ya doin' heah?" he asked his voice softer though filled with intention. I backed up when he sat down next to me but was stopped by his friend who sat behind me.

"Spot brought me here." I sure as hell was not going to tell them the obvious mistake I made earlier. But had it been a mistak? If West was here, who know what would have happened to him by now? He could very well have been dead. .But I was after all a female, maybe Spot does have some respect. I hoped none of the fear I felt leaked out into my voice. He laughed and ran his hand along my arm. I jerked it back and narrowed my eyes. "Don't touch me." I said my stubbornness returning and my fear momentarily forgotten. The boy looked to his friend who was laughing behind me. I turned my head slightly and looked up at the other boys.

"Doll…" I looked back down at the boy talking to me. "I can touch ya when I want to." I shook my head and attempted to get up, but the boy behind me grabbed my forearms and pulled me back down.

"I said don't touch me!" I yelled trying to push the boy off of me. The one who seemed to like talking so much grabbed my waist and pulled me towards him. I screamed and tried everything I could to get him away from me.

"Aw, don't fight it doll face, just go along wit it." the boys laughed.

"You tell 'er Striker." His friend behind me replied. Striker, now that I found out his name, pulled me upwards and pushed me against the wall and leaned in to kiss my neck. I felt anger rise inside of me. I hated Brooklyn, why Spot would let his boys do this, no man should ever take advantage of a woman like this, it was wrong and immoral, and the newsies knew nothing of that.

"Help!" I gasped hoping by some miracle he would help me. He leaned in again to start the struggle between us. This is when I realized no one was going to help me, even though I begged once more. "Please…help me." I said still trying to fight off Striker but getting tired. I watched him shrug and take off his hat running his hand through his hair.

I heard Striker laugh under his breath. I looked back up at him, and my eyes widened at the thought I may lose this battle. Again Striker attacked me and I started to give in knowing I had no chance.

I closed my eyes but opened them again when I felt Striker's pressure being lifted off of me. I saw him being pulled away and at first I was looking to see if Spot was doing it. But instead of seeing Spot I saw another boy with silver blond hair and tan skin. He had his hands grasped around Striker's arm and he jerked back. I pulled my own arm away from Striker's grip which had loosened and slapped him across the face. He let me go completely and I watched as he stumbled being pulled back by the blond haired boy. My breath was coming out in gasps and I brought my hand to my neck and massages the place where he had bitten it. I turned to the boy who was glaring at the others around us. " Alright, Spot sent me to get her and to tell you'se no one else touch 'er…for the rest of the night." I looked up at him and our eyes met briefly. "Come on." He commanded gently taking my arm and lead me away towards eh stairs. Striker wiped the blood away from his mouth and smiled.

"Maybe we'll finish this next time doll face." He whispered as I passed by. The other boys around him laughed and whistled as I kept walking.

What animals. I thought.

"Look I'm sorry about what happened back there." The boy said. I looked at hi in surprise. His voice was light and almost airy, not like the other boy's whose were gruff sounding. I looked at his boy and noticed he had brown eyes. "Are you all right?" I detected the slightest bit of a French accent. "Are you okay?"

Unable to speak fro shock I dumbly nodded my head. "My name is Matches by the way." Sensing my confused look, with his free hand he pulled out a pack of matches from his pocket. "Never go anywhere without them." I smiled at him realizing he wasn't going to hurt me.

Spot was waiting at the top of the stairs for me and I followed him the rest of the way a room at the end of the hallway. I had no idea why he had brought me up here, but I was not eager to find out.

"Hey, Doll." He said to me.

"Will people stop calling me that name! I hate that name, especially when you say it." I busted. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into him. All my words disappeared when I noticed that we were so close. My cheeks grew red and I looked down.

"Don't tell me what to do, and stop yellin' it won't make ya point, nor will it make me stop callin' ya a name." I felt his grip tighten. "I don't know anything about you, not even your name, but at some point in everyone's lives we gotta loin to take care of ourselves, because not everyone has a savior." I nodded. "This is New York, not heaven, things like what happened to you downstairs happen all the time in these streets, but sometimes the goil don't get away, sometimes the guy does have a knife and he ain't afraid to use it. There are people that like to see other people die and suffer, and there are people who won't save you if they notice someone hoiting you." I was silenced by his speech and I nodded again. This one of the strangest night I've ever had. Spot was confusing me, first he's mean next he's trying to gove me advice. Slowly I looked up into his blue eyes and we stood there for a few seconds before he let me go. Then I realized something. I knew those eyes, I had seen them before. A blank expression bore on both of our faces, and I knew he recognized too. A flashback plagued both of our minds.

"Ain't you'se on da wrong side of da city?" a new voice came behind up. Turning to look I was two other boys headed towards up. Now I was really scared, but they didn't seem like they wanted to harm us. They looked more interested in the boys harassing us. The other boy spoke again.

"Chance."

"Patches. Don't ya think ya should be goin back ova da bridge now?" the apparent Chance said walking in front of us.

"If I'se can count right, dere's four of us and two of you'se."

"Ise wouldn't be too suar. After all' dis is my borough, you'se is the outsider." The other boy seemed to consider this and slowly took a few steps back. "Next time-" he seem to threated before leading his boys out of the alley. I watched them all leave but not after I met the bright blue eyes of the smallest boy in the group.

I remembered the first time I saw those blue eyes and then Spot was jerked back a reality. The King remembered the incident like it was yesterday. "Youse that girl from 5 years ago," Spot whispered weakly. I nodded.

"That would be correct."

Spot fell back onto a small stool with a broken leg. Something had settled in his stomach. He took a few shallow breaths before standing up to face me once again.

Something about the way he held himself commanded absolute power and respect. He was dangerous, and I could see it in his eyes cold and calculating as they watched me.

"Your name is Belle," he stated at last. So he knew my name that must mean he knows who my brother is, and that must mean big trouble. I thought to myself.

I nodded. "My full name is Bellina, but everyone calls me Belle…" I whispered softly. "What's your real name?" I asked hesitantly. His brows furrowed.

"You'se don't speak unless I'se tell you'se too." he roared in anger as his stance stiffened.

My own eyebrows creased in anger at the notion. "You cannot tell me when I am allowed to speak. That is a right of my own choosing," I spat.

He took two large strides and was standing in front of me, his face inches from mine; his breathe escaped in angry spurts.

He reached forward and wrapped a strong hand through my hair at the back of my head. He pulled forcing me to look at him. "You'se is my prisoner now and dat mean's you'se is mine. I'se own you. Every fucking bit of you, doll," he growled, his eyes wondering my body before reconnecting with mine.

"You'se lost everything when you'se swore yourself to me. I'se control you'se. I'se tell you when to eat and when to breathe and any resistance will not be tolerated. Do I'se make myself clear?" He whispered his words harsh and sharp as he spat them at me.

I nodded feverishly, trying not to hurt my scalp anymore, hoping that if I complied his hand would release its death grip on me and I would be able to move my neck freely.

He drew his hand back and I clutched my head, gasping as I stared at him with wide eyes wondering what had caused such barbaric behavior.

His eyes bore into mine as he stood, shooting me one last warning glance before turning away from me to a wardrobe in the corner of the room. He opened it, rummaged through it and produced a dress. A simple blue one with some white trimmings.

"Put dis on. No goil should be goin around wearin' pants," he said after a moment. "Come down for dinenr once you'se is done."

"What if I do not wish to," I dared to say after what had just happened.

His eyes narrowed.

"Let's just clear some stuff up right now. You'se done eat now, you'se don't eat at all. An judging da way you'se look now, you'se can't afford ta go a night without a meal."

I glared at him.

"I'se have some things ta take care of. I'se will be expectin you'se," he added as he moved towards the door.

He excited and for the first time that night, I was left alone. I ran to the door and jiggled the knob, but it was locked. Not that it would do any good. Even if I got out that way, the entire Brooklyn newsboy crew was just a staircase away, and I did not want to go down there again. Turning to the wall I spotted a window and went to it. I gazed out but noticed there was no fire escape close enough to get down. I sighed. I really was trapped here. Like a prisoner. A prisoner of war. Spot knew who I was, and that scared me more than anything. Obviously he was planning something, otherwise he would not have almost broken my neck. I took another deep sigh and walked over to the bed. I picked up the dress and even noticed there was a blue ribbon for my hair. I stripped of my old boy's cloths mentally apologizing to whoever I borrowed them from, and slipped on the dress. It fit rather well. I buttoned the back and pulled my hair out of my face and tied it with the ribbon. I looked around the small room and found a broken mirror on the floor. My mother's voice ran in my head. 'Seven years of bad luck.'

I didn't have time to admire myself long as the door opened with a jolt a moment later. I jumped back in surprise, my eyes widening as I turned.

He stood near the doorway appraising me, his bright eyes wondering the length of my body.

"Dat dress suits ya better dan da pants ya was wearin earlier," he spoke in a sarcastic tone, that smirk playing on his chiseled face.

I remained silent, unsure how to take his comment and a slight blush rose on my cheeks as I crossed my arms over my chest.

He stepped forward offering me his arm and I raised my eyebrow suspiciously at the gentlemanly gesture. When I hesitated however, he grasped my arm hard pulling me into him and leaving a tight grip on my arm. I winced and a small cry of pain escaped my lips at the roughness of his actions as he pulled me out of the room and down the hall.

We raced down the stairs and I noticed not as many newsies were here as earlier. Some were passed out on tables or over chairs, but the more responsible ones must have gone to their bunks earlier.

We walked until we came upon a room with two places set on opposite ends of a make shift table. He all but pushed me down into the chair on one end before taking his on the other. He placed his elbows on the table in front of him, his fingers meeting at the tips as he peered over them at me in a calculating glare.

I tried to stare back with just as much defiance in my gaze, but I had a feeling that was a feat that would never be accomplished.

"You'se is gunna eat with me every night, unless I say otherwise," he spoke as a smaller newsie brought out food. Some kind of soup.

I picked up my spoon and took a sip. Cabbage. It wasn't horribly, but it wasn't the best. Of course I wasn't going to expect much, we were all newsies one way or another, and things were rough all over. I don't know exactly what to expect but I was grateful to have good food.

"So is that my purpose then? Dine with me so you don't have to eat alone," I mused.

His face lowered into a scowl. "What did I'se just say about speaking out of turn," he growled. "And no, you'se will be of greater use ta me," his eyes flickered deviously. "You'll see."

I ignored his ominous implications and tried to enjoy my soup. I looked up as I could feel him watching me, to see his eyes trained on me. He was a very observant man and it seemed he was always watching my every mood.

"Look's like you'se got something on your mind," he observed.

I glared at him.

He nodded. "Go ahead, what is it?" he allowed.

"I was just going to ask whether or not your mother ever taught you not to stare." I replied shortly.

He smirked. "Even if she did, dat dress makes it hard not ta," was his quick reply. I glowered at him.

"So why am I so valuable you?"

"I'se knows who ya are Bell. I'se know who your brother is, and I'se know's he wants a war. And he'll get one, and loose."

"How can you be so sure?"

"You'se see Bell, war is like a chess game. You'se gotta have the right pieces ta win. And right now, I have da right pieces."

I finally understood. He was going to use me to get to Luciano.

"He won't give in. Him and his newsies will fight for me."

"Don't be so sure." He said to me. We were silent for a few moments, both of us trying to finish our soup until he broke the silence.

"What do they say about me in the Bronx?" He asked after a few moments of quiet thoughtful eating.

"The newsies?" I asked. He nodded.

I suppressed a chuckle. "They've turned you into a legend."

His eyes widened.

"They tell stories about you. They say you soak people for looking at you the wrong way. That your evil incarnated, and wreak havoc on the town. They call you a monster, a beast." I explained with an eye roll.

He smirked, almost in awe. "Da beast," he chuckled darkly. I noted the expression seemed to suit his face. He was pleased with what he heard.

"You enjoy the fact that you scare people?" I scoffed.

"I like that they fear me," he answered with no hesitation. "Fear demands respect."

The rest of the meal went by rather quietly. There were a lot of things I wanted to ask him, but I didn't dare. When we finished, we stood up our eyes focused on each others' and we walked down the hall.

We walked up the main stairs then down the hall, but instead of going into the room we were in earlier, we turned right to a smaller door. Spot opened it and we walked up another small flight of stairs.

"Just thought I's show you you're room." He opened another room that was covered in dust and squeaked when it opened. He gestured I go inside and I obeyed. But instantly I regretted being so willing. Spot's hand flew to my back and pushed me in the confined space. It reminded me of a tower from one of the novels I had read once about a girl with long golden hair.

"A few days in ere would do ya good. Start learning your place here, doll, you won't be leaving any time soon," he warned before slamming the door behind him and locked it, leaving me alone in the cold damp room with my thoughts, fears and never ending tears.

A/N Heyo! So this is a long chapter for you guys to make up (once again) for my long overdue update (once again). I really do apologize for keeping you guys waiting, but this story is harder to write then I thought, but I have the next few chapters planed out so they shoulden't take long (hopefully). So I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even though it was the hardest one to write so far it was still fun. I'm likening dangerous Spot, it's kinda hot. Haha. So on that note, let me know what you guys think. Please leave me a review and I WILL answer back, who knows, I might even dedicate a chapter to you. Thanks guy for your support!