It had been a week, a bloody week since I had been back. I spent most of my time looking for a job. I needed a job close to home so I could walk the kids to school. Our new neighborhood wasn't full of sparkling law-abiding citizens.

Trouble never seemed to stay away for long.

I was walking back from the market with Fletcher jumping around and Rose holding my hand. They wanted to go and play with some neighborhood kids and I let them I didn't see the harm.

Thankfully they were a block away when it happened. I was taking a turn when three boys surrounded me.

"Hey Doll. Where you going?" The smoking boy herded me into his two other partners.

"That's none of your business" I snapped, staring him down.

He was crazy if he thought I was going to let him scare me.

"Your walking on my street, so it is my business" He said, puffing the cigar smoke in my face.

"Last time I checked, the sidewalk is Government property so unless you're a cop I'll be on my way"

I made my way to push past him when he gripped my arms and pushed me against the brick wall.

"Look, doll face. We all have to make a profit around here and unless you pay up I have nothing to give to my boy Spotty and he gets mad, real mad. You don't want to make Spot Conlon mad do you?"

I chuckled "I could never make Spot Conlon mad"

Was I being intimidating enough?

"I think you could. Now pay up" He said, shoving me again.

"Oh but Spot Conlon loves me" I countered.

"Really?" He scoffed "I bet your just another one of his flings"

Spot had flings?!

"I can assure you I'm not. Ask him" I dared.

"I will, later, but first pay up"

"I'll pay double if he says he doesn't know me"

"Give me your name and I'll see it done"

When they let me go, I walked as fast as I could away from the corner. A block away, I doubled over and got rid of my breakfast.

Wiping my mouth, I leaned against the wall.

I just hoped Spot didn't play dumb.

"And you finished high school?" The lady asked, setting her glasses down.

"Yes" I answered.

I sat in an uncomfortable wooden chair at a restaurant. This is what? My forth interview this week?

"Well, I don't usually do this but I'll give you a chance"

I fought the urge to cheer "That's great! When do I start?"

"Come by tomorrow exactly at eight thirty and we'll see if you can stay"

Soaring high, I thanked the aging woman and left. I almost skipped out.

With a smile making my cheeks hurt, I made my way to where my aunt worked to giver her the news.

Half way there, my three best friends showed up.

"Where you been Doll face?"

"That's none of your business"

The boy laughed lightly and pushed off the wall.

"Feisty as ever. Now, I enjoyed the whole ruse but I want my money"

"What?" I asked, confused.

"That was smart, I must say. You humored me, so I'll take three fourth's of the double you owe and call it good"

"It wasn't meant to humor you, it was the truth" I said, putting my hands on my hips.

"That's not what Spot said" He said, shaking his head.

I let out an angry huff.

"Take me to him"

I was going to hurt him so bad. I was vexed, that lying skirt chaser. If he thought he could just play me over he had another thing coming.

That rake was going down.

Jake took me to the docks, he was actually a nice boy when he wasn't mugging you. Rolando and Tyler were nice too but they didn't talk as much.

"There he is" Jake pointed at Spots back. Laughter carried from his little group of idiots.

"Thank you"

I stomped my way over. This was a very bold move but I was too enraged to care.

"Finn" I crossed my arms and waited for him to turn around.

The laughter stopped and Spot's smile died when he saw me.

"What are you doing here?" He hissed, throwing a worried glance at his nimrods.

"You told me to come here, remember? Or did you forget that too?"

"I didn't. Just give me a second"

He excused himself and pulled me behind a crate.

"Violet now is not the time" Spot said.

"Why did you say you didn't know me? Do I embarrass you?" I asked "Am I not good enough? Is that why you-"

"No Violet! No! I was trying to protect you! The less people that know about you the better"

"Protect me? Why?" I asked.

"Because" He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear "they'll use you against me"

"Well they wanted to take my money and I didn't know what to do" I explained, looking up into his eyes.

"I'll take care of that just be more careful next time" He kissed my forehead "Let me get rid of these guys and I'll get back to you"

I nodded and he disappeared.

While I waited, I realized that I let him off the hook to easily. Curse his charm.

Ten minutes later he was back with that smirk of his.

"I hate you" I said.

"But you don't. So come here and give me a kiss"

I batted his hands away.

"You got off too easily"

"Violet I haven't seen you in ages. All I want is a kiss from my girl"

His girl? When had this been established? Didn't matter, I had no problem with it.

I relented after I realized he wasn't going to let me get away. I pecked his cheek.

"That wasn't a kiss" He protested.

I ignored him.

"I got a job" I said.

"Really? Where?" Spot asked and ran a hand through his darkening blonde hair and leaned up against the crates.

I nodded "Its this restaurant not too far from where I live"

"How's the pay?" He asked.

Dang it. I was hoping he wouldn't ask that

"A nickel the hour"

"But that's plus the tips!" I quickly added when he gave an incredulous look.

"Violet that's awful!" Spot said, shaking his head "Why would you work there?"

"We need the money" I answered, looking at my shoes "With my uncle gone, things are harder"

"Your uncle? I thought you said he was fine"

"Not anymore" I said. I really didn't want to talk about that.

"If I ask will it help?"

"No"

"Then I wont"

"Thanks"

"So what do you do Spot?" I asked, wanting to change the subject.

"I'm a newsie" He answered confused.

"I know that but I meant besides that" I said, rolling my eyes playfully.

"Well, I do at lot of things. I border patrol from time to time, I sometimes go to sheepshead. In the summer I swim, at night I like to go to bars and drink, and on the rare occasion I like to woo young respectable ladies into kissing me behind some crates"

I lightly shoved his arm "What's a border patrol?"

"Just what it sounds like, we go around and make sure no other newsies come and sell into our turf "

"Your turf? You sound just like Jake" I said, shaking my head.

"Brooklyn is mine. I have a whole system of boys under my command" He boasted. I couldn't help but notice how he stuck out his chest a little bit.

"Ah? Tell me more about your infant mafia"

Spot spent the next thirty minutes explaining everything about his kingdom.

"That's extortion Spot" I interrupted.

"I keep these boys protected but they have to give something in return" He explained "And it's not as bad as in Manhattan"

"Is that the reason why you wanted to run across the borough like a lunatic?" I asked.

"No I just didn't want anyone recognizing me" Spot answered.

"But everyone knows who Spot Conlon is" I teased.

"Exactly that's why I needed to be quick. I didn't want to upset you" He said, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Upset me?" I asked.

"Yeah, girls love me I didn't want them to flirt with me in front of you"

"Oh Really? If your such a hotshot what are you doing with simple ole me?" I asked. I actually wanted an answer but I asked in a playful manner.

"For starters, I like your simplicity more then I should. And you don't smell like brothel"

"Gee Spot. I'm flattered" I said. My voice flat like a board.

"I'm just teasing. Theirs many things I like about you"

"Are you going to keep them to your self?" I asked.

"Yes, their for me to think about when your gone" He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me to his chest.

We stayed like that for the rest of the afternoon talking about nonsense and teasing each other. Until I remembered I had cousins to take care off.