Unlocking Him: A Spot Conlon Love Story

Chapter Twenty Eight: The End of Queens

Bella tapped her foot and tapped her foot and tapped her foot. Midnight was approaching, and Spot was no where to be found. She glanced over at Charlie and Race. They were bloody, bruised, gagged, and bound. Helpless little children. Race barely moved, but Charlie was still struggling, straining the rope and biting at the gag, despite her condition. Bella strolled up to her, a twisted grin on her face. At the dark hour, she felt like the devil was afraid of her.

"Stop fightin'!! Face it kid...there's nothin' left to fight for." She kicked her hard. She saw Spot blow the smoke from his cigarette and toss it to the ground. "Speak of the devil."

"Right on time. Now what do you want?"

"You're armed." She motioned to his cane. He took it out of his belt loop and tossed it to the ground. It rolled down into the alleyway, the same alleyway she first attacked him, and landed at her feet. "Good. Now that that's settled." She grabbed his shirt and pressed her lips against his. She kissed him all over his face and neck until he finally shoved her off.

"That's not what I'se meant."

"What else would I'se want."

"Plenty."

"Look Spotty, I'se toldja exactly what I'se wanted from you'se, and if you don't gives it ta me than you'se can kiss them both goodbye." She held out a knife. It was much bigger than the one she left in the lodging house.

"Not witout a fight." He punched her in the jaw, knocking her down. She dropped the knife, and it landed at Charlie's feet. Spot was throwing everything at her, but she wasn't backing down. Spot had finally met his match. Her brother had taught her everything he knew. And she knew all of his own tricks. While they were fighting, Race stirred and woke to see Charlie trying to get the knife with her feet.

"Charlie where in hell are we'se!" He muffled through his gag.

"Almost...got it!"

She held the knife with her bound hands and carefully cut the ropes on her feet. She even more carefully cut the ropes on her hands, the knife grazing her skin a few times. She quickly freed Race and told him where they were and to run back to the lodging house.

"But--"

"No buts just go--and hurry!"

"What bout you'se?"

"I'll be fine just go! Run!!"

Bella turned to see them both free, and Race about to get out of the alleyway. This distraction gave Spot the opportunity to pick up his pimp cane and conk her in the back of the head. She fell to the ground, out cold. Charlie ran to Spot who squeezed her and didn't let go.

"Whadda we do wit her?"

"She ain't dead. So we'll just have to return her."

"To Queens? Won't they be mad that you soaked her. And..."

"What?"

Charlie got on the ground and put her head on Bella's stomach, which had grown a good bit.

"I'se don't think the baby will make it." Charlie didn't know why, but she started to tear up. Spot kissed her cheek.

"Why are you'se so upset? It was probably gonna die anyways."

"But Gabriel, it still had life. It was still part of you'se--"

"It was. But if it wasn't part of you'se too, I'se don't want anythin' ta do wit it."

"What a nice thing to tell a child."

"Look Charlie it would've never 'ave known me if it had been born. Just let it go. It's ova and done wit."

"Fine." She started to walk out of the alleyway.

"Where are you'se goin'."

"I ain't goin' back ta Queens. Besides you'll be more intimidating witout me there."

"Are you'se seriously mad at me?"

"No Gabriel...I'm just...sigh...disappointed." She giggled and kissed his cheek. He hugged her and smiled.

"Ya can't stay mad at me, can you'se?"

"Nah I'se mad. I'se just sugarcoatin' it."

"Uh huh. Ya goin' ta Brooklyn or the 'Hatten lodging house?"

"I'se think I'll just go ta 'Hatten. Race is probably changin' how the story went an I'se gotta make sure they'se know the truth. When you're done kickin' Queens' ass you'se can pick me up."

He kissed her forehead. "I love you'se."

"I'se know. I'se love you'se too." She gave him one last quick kiss and left for the Manhatten Lodging House. Spot smiled as she left, then he started on his way to Queens. He lifted the still unconscious Bella into his arms and then over his shoulder. He couldn't help but think of the baby and how upset Charlie was.

She would make a great mother. He thought. But how good of a father would I be?

He couldn't believe he was thinking this. Surely he wasn't considering making a family or anything...but he wanted to be with her forever. It was weird to think of being anything besides a newsie, even if it wasn't "King of Brooklyn". But nevertheless maybe he was willing to try. As he neared the doorstep, he shook the thoughts away.

Be Spot Conlon. Be Spot Conlon.

He knocked on the door twice, then kicked it. It swung open with a loud thump and he tossed Bella to the floor. Some of the boys in the room looked concerned for Bella, others almost ruined their pants. Spike broke the beer bottle he was drinking from in his hand. He soon realized that was a mistake, but refused to cry out.

"Ya shouldn't do that ya know. Could cut ya hand. And ya know Spike, there's a whole lot of otha things that ya just don't do. You'se should know dis by nows."

"What da hell did you'se do ta my sista?"

"Relax Spike I'se could've done worse but since ya only been a leader for bout a year now I'se thought I'se would give ya a warning. But for now on I'se expects ya ta see things my way. I'd just love ta see you'se try ta mess wit Brooklyn or its allies eva again and half of you'se in dis room still be alive."

"We ain't scared of you'se Conlon."

"Oh really. By 'we' I'se hope you'se ain't referrin' ta them."

Most of the Queens boys were up against the wall, looking terrified.

"I'se ain't afraid of you'se. Ya nothin' but a stupid reputation."

"And what is that reputation exactly?"

"A bloodthirsty merciless badass king who can control anyone he wants."

"Smart kid. But not smart enough."

Spot punched him in the jaw. He staggered back and he kicked him in the stomach causing him to collapse onto the floor. Warm, bitter blood filled Spike's mouth. He spit some on the floor to his humiliation.

"You may think I'se just a stupid reputation, but mark my words. One trick and just watch me live up to it."

Spot smirked and looked at the other boys, their jaws wide open. He was almost out the door when he turned back around. "Oh an Spike---make sure ya sista controls herself."