Spot Conlon POV:

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

My fingers were getting tingly from being tapped against the table all night.

Where was Erin?

I went over my plan in my head while waiting for her, and now I have it perfected and memorized.

So where is that girl?

She better have a good reason to be late.

I could feel the boys' stare on me. They knew I was growing impatient. They weren't even joking around as they usually did.

This was taking too long for me.

"I'm going out," I announced.

A breath blew out of everyone. Spot never went after someone unless he was upset. And nobody would try to upset Spot. Well, except for certain Bronx leaders who didn't know their place.

I cracked my knuckles and went outside. I couldn't see hair nor hide of Erin and she's three hours late.

Where could she be? I imagined her dangling from the Brooklyn bridge again. That would be typical Erin, for sure. I began strolling leisurely, checking the area for a small clueless girl dressed as a boy.

Nothing. How annoying.

I imagined how I would react once I found her. Maybe I'll grab her by the collar, shove her up against a wall and demand to know why she would dare be late. Scaring her ought to put her in line.

But . . . it just isn't like her. Why would she be late? What if, something happened . . . no! She's tough. Of course, she's fine.

I heard someone coming up behind me. Turning swiftly, I whipped out my cane. "Who is it?"

A small scrawny boy with an awful hunch came up to me from the shadows.

"Spot Conlon?" he rasped.

"Who wants ta know?" I demanded with authority.

"Shadow wanted me to send you a message."

Oh really? I thought.

"He's got a package fo' you. A littul boy. An' if ya want it meet him at the territory line tomorrow morning. And ya bettah be alone or else," he then made a movement with his hand crossing over his neck to show that someone was gonna die.

"You tell him, I'll be dere." I spoke in an undertone and left the boy.

I felt my blood pulsing in my anger.

He's got Erin! Erin was valuable. She held information. And if he were to find out she was a girl!

My plans were invalid with out her.

I felt sick to my stomach. What were they going to do with her?

Erin POV:

In the early morning, something cold hit my face. I yelped and shook my head. Ice water was dripping off my chin.

"Mornin'!" chirped shadow. Looking at him for too long annoyed me so I looked back down at my feet.

""Taday's da day," he continued, "da day wheah Spot Conlon falls!" He laughed loudly as he picked me up by my hands which were still tied behind me. I spent all night rubbing them against the corner of the wall but it wasn't sharp enough. I had rope burns on my wrists now, dripping blood.

I blinked back sunlight when we walked outside. My stomach began churning.

What was Spot going to do? He couldn't have possibly made a plan for this . . . could he?

We walked agonizingly slow, like some sort of funeral march.

Shadow walked in a warlike fashion that was similar to Spot's only less cocky. He had a determined stride.

I tried to formulate a plan. Okay, Erin, I thought. What do we know. We know that Shadow is approaching the territory line with me and a knife towards Spot who was most likely unprepared for anything . . .

Brilliant.

My hands were falling asleep behind me, but I could not help that, since they were still tied.

Suddenly, I was struck with a brilliant idea. It was stupid but worth a try.

"What aw ya doin'?" hollered Shadow, kicking me. I allowed myself to fall to the ground, a faked fainting spell.

"Wake up!" He yelled, kicking more. I let out a groan.

"Help," I moaned, "I'm so tired."

He grabbed me by the shoulders but I "stumbled" on the way up twisting the other way. I fell down again and my hand caught on the pocket to his dark overcoat.

"Sorry! The sun . . ." I looked up at the bright innocent sphere, grinning.

"Well get ahold of yerself or I'll drag ya by da neck." Shadow grunted to himself and continued. I couldn't help but smile as I felt the smooth handle of a knife.

As if noticing something wrong he glared at me.

"Don't expect ta make it outta heah alive. Spot an' you aw gonnas." His threat was nothing.

But I decided to play it up.

"Dear me! Spare my soul! I can't die so young!" I sobbed to him while turning the handle upside down and moving it up and down against my bonds.

He laughed wickedly and continued walking satisfied that I was scared.

We made it to the territory line. Spot was leaning against a street lamp, suave as always. His cool eyes flashed at us with simple acknowledgment. I couldn't help but smile. Now that I could see him I felt calm.

"Hello Spot," Shadow spat pleasurably.

"Shadow," he spoke nonchalantly, "I see ya have a very impointant friend a' mine."

"Yeah, what ya gonna do 'bout it Conlon?"

"Well, I'se gonna ask ya ta toin him ova' ta me."

"I'd ratha' not, Spot. Ya see, I'se not really fond of you, so I'd ratha' not give ya yer littul friend heah, I actually have udda plans wid him."

Spot narrowed his eyes.

I felt sweat drip from my brow. I was worried that Shadow would figure out I took his knife. The rope was almost cut. I just needed Spot to buy me some time.

"Well, what if we had a trade?" Spot hissed.

"Depends on what yer talkin' bout."

"Me fo' him."

"No!" I yelled while still cutting. Why is he so stupid? "Spot, you can't. I'll be fine!" I tried making eye contact. I'm going to escape! I screamed in my head.

His eyes met mine and his head nodded for a slight second.

"Well . . ." Spot trailed off taking a step forward.

Snip.

It was off. I stepped closer to Shadow preparing for action.

"What if da tables toined?" Spot finished. Perfect.

I raised the knife up to Shadow's neck pressing against the skin.

"How'd you—?"

"The question is," Spot interrupted, "Will you live to find out?"

"Ok," Shadow snarled, "What'd ya want?"

Spot leaned his face in, glaring. "I want you ta leave. Ya leave me boys alone an' Brooklyn. I want ta neva' see youh stinkin' mug again, ya got dat?"

Shadow made a deep guttural sound. I was tense for a response.

"Fine!" he grumbled. I pulled my knife back. He straightened up and left.

I turned to Spot and laughed, "Hah! That was brilliant!"

"Thank you, nice escape method."

"I try." I smiled rubbing my wrists. He looked down at the raw skin.

"Did he do this?" his voice was quietly heated in suppressed anger.

"Well, some of it. It was mostly me trying to escape." I chuckled quietly.

"I changed me mind. I'm killin' him now." Spot took the knife out of my hands and walked the other way.

"Stop Spot!" I grabbed him and he snarled.

"He deserves it!"

"Forget about it, Spot. It's over. Done. It doesn't matter anymore." I knew if he really wanted to he could pull out of my grip. He glared down for a second and then cooled off.

"Fine," he said uncaringly. He began heading back home.

I followed in relief.

When we got home there was another surprise awaiting us.

Blink stood by the door nervously twisting his cap in his hands. I could see Duke, Flames, and le Maitre surrounding him with suspecting eyes. He looked up at me in relief getting a throaty groan from Spot.

"What is dat one eyed Hattan boy doin' heah?" Spot's territorial side never fails to make an appearance, does it?

"Um," how do I put this delicately. He was in on the plot to destroy you and tried kidnapping me back. That would go smoothly.

"Erin?" his voice was accusational.

"Erin! I'm so glad your safe!" Blink called running up to me.

Idiot.

"Blink get out of here." He paused, wounded by my cold response.

"Erin, I'm sorry, I just—"

"I don't care! You did something unforgivable. We aren't on friendly terms any more so I advice you leave before I soak you." My tone was calm yet the words harsh. I was picking up from Spot quickly.

"What did he do, Erin?" Spot demanded. I could hear his annoyance at not knowing something I did.

"Later," I snarled, still facing Blink.

"I guess dis means we ain't friends no more," Blink noted with a sharp tone. His eye was cold and distant.

"I guess so."

"I guess dat's what I get fo' helpin' a guy." With that he made an exit, making an effort to knock into me on his way.

"Why I oughta—" Spot raised a first, ready to turn, but I stopped it.

"Leave him," I sighed, "it's nothing."

"What was 'e talkin' about, Erin?"

I explained in a collective voice, letting Spot know every detail. When I finished he stared coldly in the direction of Blink's exit.

"Time for someone ta die," he whispered, eyes narrowed.

"Spot, just leave him. I don't think he deserves to die."

"You're just protecting him because ya like him. Dat's okay, You'll get ova' him once he's six feet unda'."

I blocked Spot again glaring into his face. "I don't like him! I don't think he deserves to die. So just drop it Conlon!"

He looked fairly calm for a surprising outburst. I wasn't going to drop this until I was positive he was not going to kill.

"Geez Erin, what got your knickers in a knot?" he asked, smirking a little.

I rolled my eyes.

"My first friend just betrayed me and my best friend wants to kill him."

Spot narrowed his eyes, cocking his head a little.

"What?" I asked irritably.

"When did I become youh best friend?" he asked sounding impressed.

"When you saved my life and I started going around with you on dangerous missions," I replied quickly.

He threw his head back and laughed loudly.

"I don't think anything I said was funny."

He laughed louder.

I sighed in annoyance and went inside. The three at the door followed.

"What happened Erin? Ya neva' came home last night," Flames asked curiously.

"Just running errands for Spot."

There were no more questions. Spot came in with a huge smirk on that could almost be labeled a grin.

"Hey Erin, come heah fo' a second."

"Will you ever let me sleep, for one minute?" I asked in frustration, rising from my seat anyways. He snorted but beckoned for me all the same.

"Will ya go on annuda mission tonight?"

"Does it involve boys with weapons. And dangerous schemes that could kill me?"

He thought this over seriously.

"Yeah, it probably will."

"Count me in."

He flashed a grin and me, while throwing an arm over my shoulder.

"We'se got woik ta do, kid."

"I'm not a kid," I grumbled.

He leaned forward and started laughing again.