"Ms. Grace," one of the boys that live in the same building as me called out. I woke up early to run, its way too early for Andre to be awake and he wore himself out last night.

"I'm too young to be called Ms. but what's up?" I smiled at the boy who looked around 13. "Aren't you supposed to be at school?"

"The bus ain't come yet," he looked behind him at his group of friends and told them to come over. "We just wanted to sing you a song, because you're very strong," he smiled.

"These walls are thin and our parents tell us to not talk about it but we hear everything that goes on. My mom says she wants to help but she knows cops aren't going to do anything," a chubby one said. I think his nickname is Diggy, don't know why. These kids can hear everything? My face flushed with embarrassment and my eyes began watering.

They began snapping and humming them soon started singing in harmony. My heart melted at these little boys, singing to me because they're trying to put me out of my misery. As they sang, the bruises all over my body began to ache and my muscles had a pulsing feeling, like I've been walking for hours.

"Ms. Grace, the bus is coming," the young one said. "By the way I'm Anthony," he smiled. I didn't even noticed they stopped singing but they sounded amazing, so I told them.

"Thanks," they all said as they ran to the bus.

•

•

"You look so beautiful," Andre wrapped his arms around my waist. "I'm sorry for hitting you and doing drugs, I wanna be right,". He's never said anything so sweet in a year but I'm not going to fall for his shit. By the time I get back this evening, he'll be beating my ass and telling me to go to work.

"Okay," was all I said as I did my makeup.

"Jail was horrible," he said. I stopped dabbing concealer into my skin and stared at him in the mirror, because he never talked about jail. "I was beat on, shanked," he lifted up his shirt. "They called me pretty boy, I had to start fighting to defend myself and soon that's all I knew how to do," I resumed with my makeup. "Somehow, my cell mate got cocaine and I began doing it to help with the pain of fighting,"

"Can you please stop with this story," I asked him. I don't want to know how he became this raging hulk. I don't want to know how he became this evil man who ruins my life, because prior he was amazing. I loved him but I can't say the same now.

"I'm sorry," he patted my stomach. "We're gonna have a baby girl," he smiled.

"No," I said and his smile dropped. "I can't afford anymore kids, my careers won't allow it and I refuse to have another baby at my age," I'm only 24, I don't need to have two children.

"We'll see," he rubbed my belly once more and left the bathroom. I rolled my eyes as I straightened my naturally curly hair and put my clothes on for the night. It's Halloween so we're required to dress up. A lot of people come to the club and party on Halloween night.

"You're showing too much," Andre complained as I prepared to walk out the door.

"Either I wear this or get fired," I snapped at him and he stared at me then went to the kitchen. I took this as an opportunity to leave the apartment and into the über that I ordered after Andre left the bathroom.

"You look good!" The lady smiled at me and I thanked her.

"Bug," I called the the bouncer and as usual he let me in with a smile.

"Damn girl!" Shay exclaimed as I got to the bar. "Making the strippers look bad," she laughed.

"You're one to talk," I gestured to her outfit and she laughed. Shay is a very beautiful Moroccan girl, she's sweet but very friendly to men. She knows it and she embraces it, so I have no problem with it. Before Andre got locked up we were best friends, but she understands why we can't be as close as we were. Doesn't mean we love each other any less.

"It's my African roots that make this outfit work," she flipped her long curly hair and I laughed.

"Yes queen!" I bowed to her and she laughed. "Careful, all white is hard to maintain," she winked and went to go do her job. Only thing fake about Shay is her waist. Before surgery she was "overweight" as doctors may say but she got her waist snatched in and her back fat removed but kept her ass. People don't believe that it's her ass but when you have a waist that small, it makes the butt look way bigger than it really is.

"Looking good," my boss complimented then walked away. Alex walked past me with a black eye, all while glaring at me. The hell?

The night was long, a bunch of drunk girls and guys in costumes. They drank, danced, drank again and flirted nonstop. After four hours of the same thing, Shay came over to me.

"Three more hours until this place closes," she messed with her hair and groaned. "Can I get Hennessy, straight?" She ordered and I gave it to her. She looked around the club as she drank. "Grace, isn't that Andre?" My heart sped up as I heard his name escape from her lips.

"Where?" I looked around but couldn't see him.

"By the VIP, with some light skinned chick," Shay said and I followed her gaze to see my man out with another girl. Giggling and touching on each other.

"I don't care," I shrugged. I really don't, I'd rather him be busy cheating, than beating my ass.

"Hm," she said and handed me the empty glass. "Well, we get off at 3 tonight so do you wanna dance with me alllllll night?" She winked and I laughed.

"Maybe," I smiled at her.

"There's the smile I like to see," I heard an Italian accent from the left of me. I turned to see Reno smiling.

"Hey!" I laughed. "This is Shay a great friend of mine and Shay this is Reno," I introduced the two and they stared at each other for a while then smiled.

"Grace, boss wants to see you," Reno whispered to me and my body froze. Goosebumps took over my skin and the tiny hairs all over my body stood up.

"I'm working," I said and he nodded.

"You're usually good at taking orders," he handed me a piece of paper with an expensive bottle of champagne on it and I sighed.

"Shay I'll be back," I took off my apron and took the bottle in a bucket of ice. Reno guided me to where his boss is and I've never seen this part of the club before.

"Now I'll be back, your great friend has an empty ring finger, in which I'd like to replace," he smirked and left me. I softly knocked on the door and it opened up with the same man who opened the car door for me last night.

"Boss, it's the black girl," he said and I wanted to roll my eyes at him. The door opened wider and I walked in while the guy walked out.

"Ms. Grace," the smooth voice called me in and my stomach fluttered.

"Mr. Dro," I walked up to the desk he sat at, as usual the room is dark but now it stinks of weed.

"I hope you don't mind me smoking," he gestured for me to sit down.

"Oh no! I don't mind, I used to smoke like a chimney," I laughed a little but he didn't. He's always so serious.

"Reno told me that your boyfriend is a little familiar with us," he got up and put two glasses in front of me and poured out the champagne. "Here," he handed me a glass. His soft fingers touched mine and as cliché and white as this sounds, I felt a spark.

"Oh," was all I said and he chuckled.

"Do you want me to handle him?" He asked and I shook my head. "So you enjoy him beating on you?"

"No! I just-" I sighed. "We have a son together and I want him to grow up with a father,"

"Unlike you," he calmly said and I stood up.

"Look, I know you're feared around here but you will not disrespect me," I regretted saying it as soon as it came out my mouth. Dro's eyebrows raised and he walked towards me. I hung my head as I prepared for a slap.

He used his thumb to pick my head up and leaned in. "I'd hate for your son to grow up without a mother and father," he brushed his lips against mine and then stepped back. His threat rang in my ear, loudly.

"I'm sorry Dro-"

"Mr. Columbo," he corrected and I hung my head again. Andre always says that my mouth is going to get me in trouble.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Columbo," I apologized and he stood there for a while. My eyes are closed, out of habit, preparing for a blow.

"Pick your head up," he commanded and I did. "Open your eyes, I'm not going to hurt you,"

I looked at him and he looked angry. "Do you want me to get you some more champagne?" I asked.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" He asked as he looked me up and down. He stared at my thighs for a bit. "Turn around," he demanded and I did. I don't know why. Maybe it's because he's a dangerous man, or maybe because his voice is so hypnotizing.

"Mr. Columbo," I called out but he didn't respond.

"I'm gonna kill him," he said and I quickly turned around.

"What!" I exclaimed. Do I really want him dead?

"He has two days to get my money or I'll put a fucking bullet in his head, and yours too if you keep talking to me crazy," what made him scary, is that he doesn't yell. He's always so calm and quiet. I didn't answer him.

The room was quiet for a few minutes. "I need a favor," his finger motioned for me to come over to his desk. "I don't ask for favors but you're a nurse," I nodded. "I have a doctor on call but he insists he needs help because he can't stitch up ten men at the same time," my body got cold. I try not to listen to the mafia gossip that goes on around here but with him saying that, everything is true.

"And you need my help?" I asked and he nodded. "Sir, I go to school and work at a hospital then I come work at this club, I don't know if it'll fit in my schedule,"

"I'll pay you double the amount you make at this club," he lit his blunt and stared at me.

"Okay," I don't think he'd take no for an answer anyways.

"After your day job, they'll be a car picking you up," he said and I nodded. "Alright you dismissed," I felt like a bad child who went to the principals office.

I left the room and Reno stood outside the door.

"So can I kill him?" He smirked and I nodded.

"Within two days," we walked back over to the bar where Alex took over my station. Alex saw Reno and his eyes grew wide.

"Relax, kid. I ain't gonna hurt ya again," Reno chuckled while I rolled my eyes. Again? I just shrugged that comment off. I've learned to mind my business.

"Where's Shay?" I asked.

"Quitting," he ordered a drink and I shrugged. "Imma marry her, love at first sight," I laughed at his statement.

"Can I have..." Andre's voice rang in my ear. I turned to see him and the same girl on his arm. Look at him, buying her that drink with my money.

"You're outfit is amazing!" She complimented me and Andre looked over and his face dropped. "Where'd you get it,"

"I don't know, it was a gift," which was true. Shay got it for me years ago but I've never worn it.

"Your man is really lucky, you're beautiful and your body is banging," she smiled at Reno and he shook his head.

"I'm not with her," he said, staring at Andre the whole time.

"Okay, lets go," Andre tried to usher her away.

"Nooooooo, I want to speak to herrrrrrrrr," she's definitely drunk. He sighed and whispered in her ear and she giggled. "Bye guys!" They left and I rolled my eyes.

"Reno take me home," I asked and he nodded.

"Let me tell boss, and get Shay," he said and I waited about twenty minutes for him.

"I like the new new you," Shay whispered to me. "You talk to me more,"

"I'm really sorry about that," I really do feel bad. We were like Peanut butter and jelly.

"It's fine," she shrugged and held my hand as we followed behind Reno.

"Thanks for the ride," I thanked Reno and said my goodbyes to Shay. Walking up to my apartment, I can feel an beating coming on.

The place is dark, meaning he's not home yet. Thank God. I took a shower and washed my face then put on pajamas. I tried to sleep in my own bed but it felt nasty. Andre fucks me here every night and it no longer feels like a bed, it feels like a whore mattress.

I left my room to go sleep in Rico's room. "What the fuck?!"

I walk into Andre fucking that bitch in my sons bed! This is low, even for his crack headed ass! I began throwing punches to the both of them until Andre back handed me.

"Andre what is that girl from the club doing in here?!" The bitch asked while crying from the ass whopping she just got.

"You're in my house, fucking my man, in my sons bed! In which I paid for!" I yelled and she looked shocked. Andre got up and took me outside the apartment. "Go ahead! Beat me!" I screamed. I know everyone can hear me at this point. "Do it!" I yelled with tears streaming down my face.

He stared at me. "You're pregnant aren't you?"

"Nigga! What the fuck are you even saying?!" I yelled.

"Your face is fatter and so is your belly," he stared at my body. "Just like when you were pregnant with Rico,"

"I'm not pregnant and if I am.... I'd never keep it! Because I hate you and I don't want anything else from you! Rico is all I need from you!" I screamed in his face. I lied. As much as I hate him, I'd never abort my child.

"Take a test," he chuckled. He held me by my throat. "And if you ever kill my baby, I'll fucking kill you," I began coughing as his grip tightened.

He walked away and went back in the apartment and slammed the door. I waited a while before going back in and packing all my clothes into garbage bags. He's too busy screwing that bitch to realize what I'm doing.

"Reno," I said as he answered the phone.