I watched as her body tossed from side to side. Her usual beautiful face now has pain written all over it. She groaned then started screaming.

"Grace," I gently shook her. She started sobbing and begging whoever is bothering her in her sleep to stop. Soon, her feet started kicking and she started throwing punches.

"You're going to jail for molesting me! You kidnapped me!" She yelled. Who is she talking about? I don't think Andre has ever kidnapped her.

"Baby, wake up," I said in her ear but it didn't help. I started to shake her but that still didn't work. "Grace!" I yelled with extra bass in my voice. She jumped up with sweat running down her neck. The pillow case is drenched in sweat and so is her hair. Like the last time, her hair is matted together like a wild animal.

"Dro?" Her eyes are still closed.

"Yeah, it's me," I pulled her into me and rocked her. She played with her thumbs then looked up at me.

"I said something didn't I?" She asked. Tear streaks stained her face with her eyes are red and puffy.

I nodded. "Something about kidnapped,"

Her eyes grew big and she removed my arm from around her. She got out of the bed without a word and went to the bathroom. If she doesn't want to talk about it then that's fine. I'm not going to force her to talk or do anything because I still have things I haven't discussed with her.

The shower turned on and I stayed in bed for about twenty minutes until she came out. Her towel secured around her body and she didn't even look in my direction. Is she embarrassed?

"Grace," I called to her as she started lotion her skin. She didn't say anything so I got out of bed. "Just look at me," I softly said. She turned her gaze to me and I stared into her deep brown eyes.

"What?" She asked and I just shook my head.

"You don't have to be embarrassed but you also don't have to tell me. Just don't shut me out now," I planted a kiss on her forehead then put my clothes from last night on. "Call me whenever you're ready to talk. Oh, I left the car for you,"

"Thank you," she silently said and I nodded then left to walk to my house. I'm not sure if us living so close is a good thing but for now I'm loving it.

*

*

*

*

"And what does that have to do with me?" I asked Reno.

"That's big time money," He emphasized on big time.

"Mhm, and big time war," I calmly said. I'm not willing to go to war with other mobs for taking over what they started. If the Dojin-kai want to have their drugs in their territory than that's fine but I'm not interfering with them and the Kyushu Seido-kai's bullshit,"

"They want our help in finishing them. You of all people know that we can kill them off with our eyes closed," Tarzan added on. The Japanese are not my problem.

"What was the percentage cut?" I asked.

"70. Fucking 70!!" Reno laughed.

"I don't trust it," I shook my head. "They can keep their 70%, I want the Kyushu Seido-kai's territory when it's all over,"

"That's crazy, they'll never agree to it," Tarzan shook his head.

"Oh well, what's next," I dismissed the Japanese.

"Your father," Tarzan said. "Word around is that he wants to expand in Bronx,"

"Bronx? That's all mine," I scoffed. "Now him? I'd kill in a heartbeat. Let whoever you found that out from know that I'd rather put a bullet in his head,"

"Ok and we have the Jamaicans," Reno said. "They need more drugs and they're willing to give 30% of whatever they make in a week,"

"Which is?" I asked. Now the Jamaicans aren't doing too much like the Japanese are.

"For a week? Crack is around $240,000, Weed $845,000, Heroin $900,000 but their gun sales within two weeks are a solid Mil," Tarzan looked down at a few sheets of papers. He handed them to me and this is the Jamaicans records of what they make.

"30 percent of all of that is only $398,000 a month. That's fucking chump change," I shook my head. "Reno, how much do the Haitians make me a month?"

"Almost six million in business, drugs and trafficking, sir," Reno answered.

"And the Italians under me?" I asked.

"Almost $8 million in business'," Reno answered again. My Italian families under me only own business and I profit off of it because those are my territories and my buildings.

"Tarzan, how much does my very own business' make? My clubs, my restaurants, salons, corner stores." I'm trying to make a point here.

"All in one? Your business' make you almost $15 million," Tarzan answered.

"So that's around 29 million in one month right there. I own all these in New York, Chicago, Philly, Detroit, Miami, Las Vegas! And the damn Jamaicans can only give me less than half a million a month?!" I yelled.

"Sir, they're starting off. I believe in them to grow bigger," Tarzan added on. "Plus it's extra money for he workers,"

"Alright," I agreed. I always like to look out for my workers, all 500 of them. After I take 20 million for the month I split 9 million between the 500 of them. They make in one month what most make in a year. "But Tarzan you're in charge of this. Any fuck ups and I'm deep in your ass,"

"That sounds finocchio," Tarzan teased.

"Since when did you start using Italian words? You bloody Brit?" Reno teased and they began making fun of each other's country. I sat there in amusement but my mind is on different things. Grace hasn't texted me all day nor has she called me.

I get that she's probably embarrassed about her nightmare but I'm trying to change my ways of being a cold hearted asshole to the man she wants and needs. She can't shut me out during these times.

"Reno make sure everyone is doing what the fuck they need to be doing but before I go, we need to talk," I nodded for Tarzan to leave the room.

"Boss?" Reno asked.

"I took Shay home this morning. She spent the night at Graces," I let him know because what he's doing is not okay.

"Thank y-"

"I'm not finished," I held up my hand. "She was so drunk that I'm sure it can last her for the rest of the week. Reno during a time like this, you need to be there for her. You leaving her at home while you bury yourself in work to hide your pain isn't okay,"

He said nothing. He's just standing there, looking past me. The pain on his face is evident. "You know how bad I want a family,"

"That's why you need to be there for her, man. She's hurting and drinking isn't going to help. Go home after you're done here, make sure she's alright," I said to him and he nodded.

"Grace is changing you for the better," He said before he left the room. I guess she is changing me. She's not trying to but she is and just thinking about her is making me want to make her have everything that she never had, including real love.

After finishing paper work for the legitimate business' I run and for the ones that are just a front, I headed to my own home. When she's ready she'll call me or text me. I've texted her a few times and she hasn't even opened them, so I'll give her the space she wants.

As I drove past her house two cars sat in the driveway which has me worried because she doesn't know anyone on this side. It's probably my sister and her boyfriend. I stopped my car wondering if I should ignore it and go home, or go check it out.

I called her phone but it went to voicemail. "C'mon Grace," I muttered. "Fuck it," I turned into her driveway and entered the code for her gate.

In a swift motion, I parked my car and turned off the engine. I didn't even knock on the door because it's unlocked. I heard voices from way out in the back.

"Mommy! Can my room look like Paw Patrol?" A little voice said. I stopped in my tracks. Mommy. My room. I didn't know Rico would be here so soon.

"Alright baby," I heard Grace say.

I heard someone sneaking up behind me. My natural instincts kicked in and I pushed them against the closest wall with my hands around their throat.

"What're you doing?" The voice said. Grace's sister had fear written on her face.

"I'm sorry. You can't sneak up on me like that," It's a good thing I didn't pull my gun. I moved away from her and sighed.

"My bad," She shrugged them walked away. "Grace! Yuh man deh yah!"

"What're you doing here?" Grace came out of nowhere. These ladies keep sneaking up on me.

"You weren't answering my calls or texts, I wanted to check on you," And I saw an extra car in your driveway.

"That's nice. I'm fine, you can go," She pushed me towards the front door but I wouldn't move much.

"Are you serious? Grace," Is she kidding.

"Yes! Go!" She almost yelled.

"Is this about the nightmare?! Grace it's-" She cut me off by slamming the door in the face. I heard the lock turn. I stood there in shock, what the fuck is she going through? I've never slammed a door in her face, that's just disrespectful. If I didn't love this girl, I'd probably shoot her in the thigh.

I stared at the door for a while before turning around and getting in my car. I feel like a fifth grader who just got rejected by his crush. The drive down the street seems like the longest drive ever. Is it really that bad that she can't talk about it with me? That she had to slam the door in my face?