Dave sat up and groaned, wiping the blood that dripped from his lip.

"I've always wanted to do that," Gregory flexed his knuckles with a smile.

"You a bitch, you know that?" Dave said spitting blood onto the floor. "Tell me where the baby is so I can leave,"

"Did you think you were gonna come in here and just take him?" Gregory laughed taking a seat in front of Dave who was tied to a chair.

"Bring the baby," He snapped his fingers and one the men left the room and came back holding Samar.

Dave sighed in relief that Samar was still alive but there was still the issue of getting out with both him and Naala alive.

"This isn't your son so why do you care?" Gregory asked with a look of humor,

"He's just a kid man," Dave shook his head. "Let him go home to his mama,"

"But she took my children from me," Gregory said in response. "Both of them, she's lucky I only took him." He added leaning back to take Samar.

"Your step dad is about to die," Gregory spoke to him, rocking him gently. Samar stared back, sucking on his hand.

Dave concentrated on rubbing the ropes against the chair while Gregory was distracted. If he could at least get free, he could get Samar and find Naala.

"I'm surprised she took you back," Gregory spoke making Dave stay still. "I really thought she was stronger than that. It's a shame,"

"Where is she?" Dave asked with a mug,

"Somewhere probably fucking to get her son back," Gregory nodded. "She gives pussy away for free on a normal day so at least she'll have a purpose today," He laughed.

"Shut the fuck up," Dave said angrily. "Don't talk about my wife like that,"

"Your wife!" Gregory shouted in laughter. "I had one of those, till she killed her," He said his laughter ceasing. He stood to his feet quickly and forced Samar into one of his guards hands.

"Do you know what she did to her?" He spoke closely to Dave's face trailing the knife across his cheek.

"Nah," Dave mumbled still rubbing the rope against the chair.

"Cut her up like she was a doll and then set fire to the house. I found pieces of her in our garage," Gregory answered shaking his head.

"So I might aswell do the same thing to you," He mumbled using the knife to slice Dave's face. The blood poured out quickly, the wound widening.

Dave gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw, trying not to make it obvious that it hurt.

"Boss we've got a problem," One of the men said stepping forward. Gregory stood up straight and turned around.

"He's on the phone," The man continued handing Gregory the phone.

"Shit," Gregory cursed, his pale face going red. "Don't move," He mocked Dave before leaving the room.

Dave hissed and threw his head back. His face was throbbing and the ropes still weren't budging, all he could think of was how to get free.

"Come on," He gritted out as he started to rub his hands up and down faster. He felt the rope fray slightly but he didn't want to break it completely.

"Seems as your girl is causing more problems than I thought," Gregory announced as he reentered the room.

The slamming of the door obviously scared Samar because Dave heard his loud screams from where he was tied up.

"That doesn't sound good," Dave spoke lifting his head up.

"He's a baby, doing what babies do," Gregory shrugged. Samar's cries only got louder making Gregory grunt in anger.

"He's probably hungry, this is his feeding time," Dave said staring at the clock straight ahead.

"How do you know that?" Gregory scrunched up his face.

"I just know," Dave responded. He knew because Naala's breast normally leaked every four hours, meaning they would be leaking right now.

"Alright smart ass, feed the damn baby," Gregory shouted banging on the door.

Dave took that as he chance, he shot up with the rope wrapped around his hands and wrapped it tightly around Gregory's neck.

Gregory struggled but Dave had the upper hand, he was sucking the life out of him. He held on tighter until he heard a snap, meaning he had broken his neck.

Dropping his body, Dave stood up straight wiping his face. He searched Gregory's body for a phone and a weapon, things he would need to get out of there.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Naala could hear Samar's cries as Blaze plummeted into her.

"Please m-my son," Naala cried from under him. "Let me get him,"

"What did I say about talking!" Blaze snapped. "I gave you a chance, don't let me tie you up again," He grabbed her neck and sped up.

"Moan then," He squeezed her neck aggressively, not in the way she would usually like it.

Naala bit her lip and let out a fake moan, knowing that if she didn't, he would only hurt her worse.

"Who's pussy is this?" Blaze grunted in her ear, he couldn't get over how good she felt wrapped around him.

Naala didn't respond, she laid back and let him continue what he was doing.

"Bitch answer me," He slapped her face,

"It's yours," Naala cried out hoping someone would come and save her. If she could hear Samar from there, surely someone could hear her.

Blaze finished up and got off of her, picking up his blunt and taking a drag of it. "Get up then," He said to Naala who was still laid out in the same position.

He had been raping her all night and Naala was sore, tired and ready to die.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Naala asked sniffing. "Just kill me,"

"He doesn't want you dead yet," Blaze laughed pulling his pants up. "I would have killed you already but your pussy is too good," He said to himself.

"Can I please get him, look he's hungry," She pointed to her shirt that was soaked with his milk.

Blaze looked her up and down before blowing out smoke, "That's nasty as shit." He said walking over to the door.

He unlocked it and shouted for them to bring Samar up. Naala sat up in the bed excitedly, ignoring the pain in between her legs.

Blaze came back into the room holding Samar. Naala jumped up,

"Sit your ass back down," Blaze barked at her. "Getting too damn bright," He mumbled dropping Samar in her lap.

"My baby boy," Naala cried holding him close to her chest. "I knew you were okay," She said rubbing his back and kissing on his face.

He didn't smell bad and appeared well looked after, to which Naala was shocked about.

"Ain't he hungry? Feed him then," Blaze mugged her. Naala nodded and lifted her shirt up,

"Come on handsome, please tell me you've not forgotten about me," She spoke quietly guiding him to her nipple.

Samar fought back for a moment before he grabbed her shirt and began to eat. Naala's tears clouded her eyes as she held him close.

"I've missed you so much," Naala sighed staring down at him.

"Shut up for a minute," Blaze complained pulling out his phone. Naala ignored him, she was too wrapped up in Samar.

He started babbling and pulling at his mom, clearly excited that she was back.

"Can you shut him up too?" Blaze said loudly; he hated children.

He dialled Tommie's number and stepped into the bathroom closing the door behind him, the noise was irritating him. As soon as Naala heard the door close, she put her head up.

"Good boy," Naala cooed at Samar. "Mommy's good boy," she added as she struggled to stand up.

"Come on Naala," She gritted out, she held Samar with one hand and tried to get her pants on at the same time.

She moved around the room silently while she rocked Samar. Her eyes went to the door, Blaze was in an in depth conversation and wouldn't hear if she opened the door.

Naala couldn't find her shoes but that was the least of her worries. She hurried to the door and unlocked, flinging it open.

Listening out for any noise, she slowly glided down the stairs holding onto Samar tightly.

At the front door, there was one guard sat up with his back to the steps. Naala creeped down and as she got closer, his head slumped allowing her to see the bullet lodged in it.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?" Blaze shouted from the stop of the steps. Naala jumped and pulled the door open, running out of it.

She didn't know where she was running too but she had to get out.

Dave who was still in the house, heard a man's raised voice and came out from where he was hiding.

"This fucking bitch," Blaze sucked his teeth getting ready to follow behind her. A gun cocked behind him making him turn around.

"Leave her alone," Dave said aiming the gun at his head.

"Now how the fuck," Blaze trailed off. "So what? You think I'm gonna let y'all run off into the sunset together? I've got the keys"

Dave looked ahead of Blaze and saw Naala waiting for him by the car.

"I can blow your brains out right here," Dave sniffed walking forward.

"What would that do?" Blaze laughed pulling out another blunt. "They're still gonna get her," He shrugged.

"So let me take her home," Dave raised her brow.

"Nigga do what you want, I already got what I wanted," Blaze said to him. Dave's grip tightened on the gun as he pushed the gun further into his head.

"Whatchu mean by that?" Dave asked but he already suspected the answer.

"Now I get why you so hung up over her," Blaze continued to taunt him. "She is tight as shit,"

Dave didn't think twice before sending a bullet straight through Blaze's head. The blood splattering back on him.

The loud bang startled Samar and made him wail loudly. Dave reached down and patted his pocket for the car keys, pulling them out.

He stood up and walked out of the building, leaving all the bodies in there to rot.

"Get in," Dave ordered her, unlocking the door and helping her into the car.

Naala sat Samar down on her lap, cradling him close. Dave got in and pulled off,

"I'm glad you're okay," He spoke after their silence,

"Yeah," Naala mumbled. "I'm okay," She said looking down at Samar.

"Did he touch you?" Dave asked quietly, his grip on the wheel tightening.

"No," Naala lied, she couldn't admit what had happened. She didn't want to be seen as fragile and weak as always.

"Are you sure?" Dave pressured. "I've already killed him, I won't be mad at you if you did," He said glancing at her.

"If I did? What's that meant to mean? You think I had sex with him?" Naala asked looking at him for the first time.

"He told me Naala, so you can stop lying," Dave sighed. "Did he force himself on you?"

"No," Naala spoke quietly. If Dave wasn't listening to her closely he wouldn't have heard. "All night, he kept me up but he didn't touch me,"

"Okay, he was just messing with me then," Dave huffed, glad that nothing happened.

"Yeah," Naala said simply rocking Samar to sleep. "I don't want to talk about this anymore please," She said ending the conversation.

Dave nodded and put his hand out for her to hold. Naala looked at his hand and then back at him, putting her hand in his.

"I'm sorry," He said kissing her hand, "I shouldn't have accused you of having sex with him,"

"It's fine, you didn't know," Naala replied looking away from him. She was the one to blame, not him.

~~

"Mariah always wants to be up under me, last night I had to hide in the bathroom for a minute," Trinity laughed beside Naala.

"I would have done the same," Naala laughed lightly. "Have you started her on solids now?" She asked hoisting Samar up a bit.

"She likes fruits," Trinity nodded. "I'm a bit scared to give her too much but if you think it's safe now," Trinity depended on Naala for motherly advice especially because Naala had done it so many times before.

"Trinity if you think she's ready then do it, I'm not super mom," Naala laughed moving around the kitchen.

"But you are," Trinity disagreed. "Naala you're literally nursing him whilst cooking dinner,"

"Samar is always eating," Naala replied looking down at him. "I'm trying to make up for lost time as well,"

"That must of been hard for you, I couldn't imagine losing Mariah," Trinity said taking a seat. "How's he adjusting back at home?" She asked.

"I think he's doing well," Naala answered smoothing his hair down. "Its like he never left," Which was true. Naala thought it would be difficult but Samar proved her wrong.

"Mommy, daddy wants to speak to you," Saint said entering the kitchen. He passed Naala the phone and left,

"Hey," Naala said putting the phone to her ear.

"Can I come and get him?" Hassan said cutting straight to the chase.

"No Hassan you can't. I've said you can see him here but I'm not letting him out of my sight again, you should know that," Naala explained.

"Why you gotta be so difficult?" Hassan shouted down the phone. Even Trinity looked over because she could hear his voice through the phone.

"Can you not shout at me right now?" Naala asked lightly. "I've said no Hassan, you can come here but he's not coming to you,"

"You're a real bitch Naala, he's my son too," Hassan answered.

"If I had listened to you he would have been dead by now," Naala said before hanging up and slamming the phone onto the counter.

"Are you okay?" Trinity asked genuinely.

"I really hate that question," Naala breathed out lifting Samar off her nipple and putting him on her shoulder. "I'm never okay,"

"Saint come and get your phone," Naala called out patting Samar's back to wind him.

"Do you need help with that?" Trinity asked pointing to the stove, she was feeling awkward about asking Naala if she was okay.

"Yeah could you watch it for me? I'm gonna put him down," Naala said to her. Trinity nodded and stood up to tend to the food.

Naala left the kitchen and passed by Dave's studio, "Knock knock," She said knocking on the open door slightly.

"What's up baby?" Dave mumbled taking his headphones out. "Mar you don't never leave this woman alone," He added taking Samar out of her hands.

"I don't leave him alone," Naala muttered taking a seat in one of the swivel chairs.

"Whatchu doing?" Dave asked playing with Samar,

"I was making some dinner but I think he's tired." Naala yawned discreetly.

"So are you, you stay up all night Naala. I can't keep telling you to sleep," Dave responded.

"I sleep," She defended. "I'm gonna sleep right now to prove it to you," She said laying down on the couch he had in the studio.

"Yeah right," Dave said standing up. He leaned over her to kiss her and Naala inwardly grimaced. She still wasn't comfortable with being touched by him or anyone in general.

"Don't let Trinity ruin my food," Naala mumbled closing her eyes. "And keep Samar with you at all times Amir, I mean it,"

"I'm not gonna let him go don't worry," Dave laughed tickling Samar. "Tell your mama I got this,"

"Get out," Naala chuckled turning over to face the wall. She was struggling to sleep in their bed so maybe a change of scenery would be better.

Within moments, Naala was fast asleep. Dave came back to check on her but saw her so deep in her sleep that he left her.

"Does she seem off to you?" Dave asked Maniya who was laid out on the couch.

"Who mommy?" Maniya replied. "She seems the same to me,"

"Nah something ain't right," Dave shook his head. "She never lets me touch her anymore, anywhere,"

"Ok ew, too much information," Maniya scrunched up her face. "I do know she's been arguing with Hassan, maybe that's why," She spilled.

"I'm getting sick of him," Dave spat. It was funny how now Hassan was really showing his true colors - no one is perfect.

"I'll ask her, maybe she'll speak to me," Maniya suggested.

"I know her and she's not herself," Dave said with conviction.

"You worry too much," Maniya waved her dad off, her mom seemed perfect to her.

~~

Naala felt something heavy weighing her down, she felt suffocated and restricted. Trying to fight the feeling off she started to move frantically.

"Baby, Naala it's me," Dave said holding her hands down. She opened her eyes and jumped up.

"Get off of me," Naala spoke moving his hands off of her. "I don't want you to touch me," She started to cry.

"Naala you were talking in your sleep, I was trying to wake you up," Dave said trying to reach to her.

"Don't touch me!" Naala screamed moving up in the bed.

"Love calm down, I'm not gonna hurt you," Dave said quietly. He didn't know what he had done but she looked terrified of him.

Naala didn't respond, she continued to cry and shake in the corner of the bed.

"Let me help you," Dave said again only for her to cry harder.

"I don't need your help," She sobbed pushing her hair out of her face.

Dave got off the bed because he was clearly making her more uncomfortable than he needed to be.

"You want me to leave?" He asked looking at her.

"Yeah go," Naala sniffed lying back down. She pulled the covers over her head and cried into her pillow.

~~

Naleli hurried out of her car, parking right in front of the house. As soon as Dave called her, she left the house with no hesitation.

Naleli waited impatiently at the front door, waiting for someone to open up.

"Hey," Dave said opening the door for her to enter the house.

"Where is she?" Naleli asked ignoring his greeting.

"She's still in the room, she only feeds Samar and then goes back to bed," Dave explained moving Samar to his other hand.

"And she's been like this for 3 days and you only called me this morning?" Naleli sighed. "Has she been taking her meds?"

"I leave them out for her, she screams any time I get close to her," Dave said in a defeated tone. He felt like he didn't even know who she was anymore.

"What happened to her?" Naleli mumbled. "Let me see her," Naleli ordered.

"I'll take you up," Dave responded leading the way. When they got to the door Dave stayed far back and let Naleli walk in.

She took off her shoes and her jacket, climbing into the bed beside her. Naala flinched at the sudden touch but calmed down when she smelt her sister.

"La," Naleli spoke quietly. "Are you awake?"

"Mm," Naala hummed not turning around.

"You don't feel like talking?" Naleli asked wrapping her arm around her.

Naala shook her head and pushed her face deeper into her pillow.

"Okay, I'll do all the talking then," Naleli replied breathing out. "I went to see mama today, she misses you. Then I went to lunch with Tarek, that was fun,"

Naala listened closely, enjoying the soothing company of her sister.

"I stopped by the salon after, it's doing well. I'm proud of your progress," Naleli continued. "A girl called Mini asked of you, she looks annoying but if that's your friend maybe you should call her,"

After a while of Naleli speaking to herself, she stopped and focused back on Naala.

"Lala, tell me what's wrong, tell me how I can help you," Naleli said softly. "I want to protect you, I'm meant to protect you,"

Naleli felt Naala shift and her shoulders started to shake slightly meaning she was crying.

"What's wrong?" Naleli repeated stroking her hair.