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Chapter 16
Bellamy's breath caught in his chest at the way her blue eyes caressed his face. His hand continued to move up and down her side, the heat of her body seeping into his fingers.
"Bellamy, I…"
Before she could finish, the bedroom door swung open and Miller charged into the room.
"Boss, we've got a problem", he said, stopping short when he saw Clarke, "Oh, hey Princess."
Bellamy growled at the use of the nickname, "What do you want Miller?"
"The Sky's have a bounty on your head."
Bellamy felt Clarke's quick intake of breath, saw how her eyes widened and her body began to tremble.
"I take it that's why I was brained with a 2x4."
"Yeah, it was one of their little peons. Lincoln caught him, and Wick's got him now. We've already questioned him", Miller said.
"How old is he", Bellamy asked, his dark eyes grim.
"Looks to be about fourteen."
"Take him to the shop. Tell him we'll give him a job and a roof over his head in exchange for his loyalty. No crew membership though. I want him back in school, and no more funny business."
"Yes, sir", Miller said, giving a grand salute before leaving.
"That was really great of you", Clarke whispered beside him.
"I don't want what happened to me to happen to him. No kid should feel like they have to turn to the streets to survive."
Bellamy's mind wandered to that day all those years ago, the day that his life changed.
It had been late May, warm and sunny. He'd come home from school, parking his old pickup in the drive before walking to the mailbox. He pulled out a stack of letters, mostly bills, and then one caught his eye.
Department of Human Services was emblazoned across the top, and Bellamy felt sick. He tore open the envelope, his eyes scanning the letter quickly. Unless he could show proof of steady employment and responsibility, he and O were both going to be placed in foster care.
The thought turned his stomach, and his hands began to shake. He'd just lost his mother two months ago, and now he was about to lose his little sister too. Fear consumed him, and he barely heard the school bus come to a stop.
He felt O wrap her arms around him, a smile on her face and words pouring from her rosebud lips.
"Bell, you'll never believe…"
"O, I need you to go inside and lock the door. I've got to go somewhere. I'll be back in a little bit. Don't open the door for anyone", he said as he made his way to his truck.
He waited until the front door was closed before he drove away. His mind was abuzz with what he was about to do. The only place he knew to turn was the Grounder crew. He'd heard they were taking in new members, and the pay was decent.
Bellamy pulled up in front of the Black Panther garage on 36th, putting his truck in park and laying his head against the steering wheel.
"I'm sorry, Mom", he murmured.
He got out, making his way into the dim, noisy establishment. He spoke to one of the guys leaned over a car, and was sent to a lavish office at the back of the shop. He knocked, entering when permitted.
Before him in a dark leather chair sat Lynx Valentino.
"Well come in come in", Lynx said, pointing to one of the dark oak chairs in front of the desk.
Bellamy sat down, folding his hands in his lap and keeping his face a mask of indifference.
"What brings you here, son", Lynx asked, his voice silky smooth.
"I'm not your son", Bellamy spat, "I'm here for a job."
Lynx chuckled; this one was quite the rebel. Most of the boys he saw come through here were either shaking in their boots or awash with hero worship. This kid looked like he'd been backed into a corner, and was more than willing to fight his way out.
"I could use a new shop hand. You know anything about cars?"
"I've taken several shop classes at school, so yeah I know cars", Bellamy said, leaning back in his chair.
"Good, you're hired. Come by tonight for initiation", Lynx said with a sinister smile.
Bellamy nodded, more than aware of what the man was speaking of when he referred to the gang initiation. It wasn't pretty, but he had no other choice. He left the garage, and drove home with a death grip on his steering wheel.
He cooked supper for O, not even bothering to get a bowl of mac and cheese for himself. He left her sitting on the couch watching some tween show, her eyes glued to the television screen.
He drove to the shop for the second time that day. He found it filled with men of all ages, mostly younger but some well into their forties. He walked into the garage, head held high and features controlled.
"Ah, here's our newest recruit", he heard Lynx say, "Who wants to do the honors?"
Bellamy watched as a burly man in his late twenties stepped forward, his teeth bared and his hands fisted at his sides.
"Now, Bellamy, you have to last ten minutes with Mike here in order to become part of this crew. We need to know that you can hold your own."
Bellamy nodded, stripping to the waist and stepping forward to meet his opponent.
Mike was huge, but he was slow. He landed a few good blows at first, but soon Bellamy got his rhythm going. He was doing great until the bigger man pinned him against one of the cars, his fists pummeling Bellamy's midsection and face.
Bellamy thought he would die before the ten minutes were up, but then Lynx called time. He slid to the ground, his eye so swollen he could barely see and his ribs feeling like they were on fire.
Then a beefy hand, knuckles bruised and bloody, appeared before him. He took the offered appendage, coming slowly to his feet.
"Good job, kid", Mike said with a smile.
Bellamy looked at the faces that surrounded him, their features etched with awe and respect. All except for Lynx; there was something lurking in his gray eyes that Bellamy couldn't quite put his finger on.
"You've made it kid. Welcome to the Grounder crew", Lynx said with a cool smile, "We'll discuss the terms of your membership tomorrow."
Bellamy nodded, slowly ambling outside to his waiting vehicle. The drive home was torture, and he didn't know how he would keep this from O.
He'd nearly made it to the stairs when his little sister came out of the kitchen, her eyes widening when she saw him.
"Bell, what happened to you", she said, her voice shrill and frantic.
"Nothing, O. I'm going to bed", he answered.
However, he found his little sister leading him to the couch instead.
"No, Bell. I'm going to get someone who can help", she said with tears in her eyes.
Bellamy nodded, no longer caring. He closed his eyes; not opening them again until he felt gentle hands on his face. His weary gaze settled on curly blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Clarke!
"What happened", she asked softly.
Then he found himself telling her everything, the concern in her eyes touching a place in his heart he'd thought long hardened.
The next day he'd gone back to the Black Panther and received his instructions and his position at the Silver Fox. He'd worked his way up until he became the youngest Grounder captain just six months after joining.
Bellamy turned his gaze from the door Miller had just exited, and found Clarke staring at him.
"You were remembering that day weren't you", she asked softly.
"Yes. The first time you patched me up. I can't believe we kept that secret for seven years."
"I can. I'd been keeping one for about that long", Clarke said, her eyes boring into his.
"What secret is that, Princess?"
"I love you, Bell", she answered quietly.
Bellamy's eyes widened at her declaration, "Princess, I…"
"I know you don't love me back, but I just wanted…"
"Clarke", Bellamy said quickly, "I love you too."
"You do", she said, her voice filled with wonder.
"I do", he answered with a smile.
"Why me, Bell? You could have any number of women", she said suddenly self-conscious.
Bellamy chuckled, knowing the exact moment he needed her to hear about.
"Do you remember the night of the state championship my senior year", he asked.
He watched her nod, and then continued. "The captain of the cheerleading squad decided that night that I was the perfect guy for her. She even kissed me right outside the locker room. Poor girl didn't stand a chance because I'd listened to you cheering me on the whole game. You looked beautiful that night in my letterman jacket, your hair piled on top of your head in one of those blessed messy buns you always wore. Your cheeks were red from the cold, and I was sure your face would be sore the next day from smiling so much."
"That was a good game", Clarke said softy, a blush creeping up her neck.
"Well, one of the juniors got the bright idea to ask you out but he didn't make it that far. I caught him before he could get one foot out the door, explaining that you were off limits. I didn't know why I said it at the time, all I knew was that I wanted to spend the evening with you eating pizza and yelling at TV while we watched the Lakers game", he said with a smirk.
"So, what is the moral of this story Mr. Blake", Clarke asked, her brows rising in question.
"The moral to the story, Mrs. Griffin, is that I have loved you in one capacity or another for most of my life. When I first met you I loved you like a sister, then you became my best friend, and now I couldn't imagine life without you", Bellamy said, his voice low and earnest.
He watched the different emotions that played across her features, and then her lips were pressed to his. She tasted sweet, her lips moving against his in a gentle caress.
Bellamy Blake had kissed many a girl, but kissing Clarke Griffin was an experience like none he'd ever known. His hand gripped her waist, while the other tangled in her blonde tresses silken against his calloused fingers.
He felt her sigh, one of her hands laying over his heart and the other cradling his neck. Love for her consumed him, and he was lost in her touch.
Suddenly a throat cleared loudly and they sprang apart.
"Finally", O said with a huge grin.
"O", Clarke said, her lips swollen from his kiss and her eyes wide.
"I guess you two decided to throw caution to the wind. Funny how uncomplicated things can become in such a short time span", Octavia said, her arms crossing over her chest.
"O, this is a none of your business situation. So butt out", Bellamy growled.
She raised her hands in surrender, "Fine, I'm going."
He turned back to Clarke as soon as the door closed to find her smiling to herself, her fingers pressed to her lips.
"What are you thinking", he asked taking her hand in his.
"Uh, that was amazing", Clarke grinned.
"I was thinking along those lines myself", Bellamy said with a grin.
"So, are we really doing this", Clarke asked, "Admitting feelings, because after this we can't go back."
"I think we've already passed the U-turn, Princess. You're mine, I'm not letting you go", Bellamy said, his dark eyes serious.
"Mmmm, I like the sound of that", Clarke said, her thumb rubbing slow circles on his palm.
"What time do you have to be at class tomorrow", Bellamy asked suddenly.
"Eleven."
"Well, it's about two now so you'd better turn in. I'll head to the couch."
"Bell, stay here. I trust you", Clarke said seriously, "Plus I'll need to be close to make sure that head wound doesn't cause any problems. I'm still not convinced you don't have a concussion."
"Fine, Princess, I'll stay but this is the last time. We have your reputation to think of", Bellamy replied, "I want to do this right, rings first."
He watched as Clarke studied him for a moment before leaning in to kiss him softly.
"Thanks, Bell", she said, her cheeks rose tinted.
"Anything for you, Princess", he said, squeezing her hand gently.
So Bellamy waited as Clarke changed into her pj's, his mind mulling over the changes that had taken place that night. He was in love with his best friend, and she was in love with him too.
He heard her come back, and felt the mattress shift as she crawled in beside him. He wrapped his arms around her, his eyes growing heavy and sleep crowding in.
"Goodnight, Princess. I love you", he said, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Goodnight, Bell. I love you too", she whispered as she fell asleep to the steady beat of his heart.
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