.Intro.

I walked into my home and threw my keys in the drawer, I dragged myself upstairs to the laundry room and put a load of clothes in. After I started the washing machine, I walked to my bedroom and flopped down on the bed, took my shoes off, got up and looked in the mirror. I still had glitter all over me, looked at the bag behind me, it was full of money that was either thrown or stuffed. Excuse my manners, my name is Angel'Lynn Monroe, I'm 21 years old, I'm an exotic dancer, and this is my story.

This is my best friend Keani. She just turned 21 and she's also an exotic dancer. We got into the business together, but I'm afraid she might be doing something else on the side. I'm not sure though. I love Keke to death and I would die if anything happened to her. She's like the sister I never had. We grew up together. How did we get into exotic dancing? You'll find that out soon enough.

This is my boyfriend Chris. He's 22 and not too fond of me being an exotic dancer, although I did meet him at the club I work at. He wants me to quit but I can't. I love him and I know he hates my job, but it's what I do. I can't pull myself away... just yet.

This is Zai'Anne... she's 20 and she works at the same club and we cannot stand each other. She's constantly after Chris and I'm not having that at all. She's jealous because Chris chose me over her the night we met. Chris was a regular at the club, but ever since we started dating he stopped coming as often as he did and that angered her. She's just gonna have to deal with the fact that Chris is mine.

.Chapter One.

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.Chapter Two.

.Angel’Lynn.

This is why love Keke like a sister, she’s always worried about me. But I’m more worried about her. I can’t get my mind off of last night with the shooting, Keani looked around worried and I wondered if she knew anything. She has dated dope boys before and I might crazy for thinking this but I’m thinking one of her ex’s had something to do with this. “you okay bae?” Chris asked me. I nodded “yeah, I’m fine, just thinkin." The next thing I knew Cheetah Sisters by the Cheetah Girls started playing which means Keani was calling… yeah I know, I’m big kid and kind of a Disney channel freak. “Hello.” “Angie” She sounded like she was crying. “what’s wrong Ke?” I asked as I saw it started to storm, the rain was heavy too. “come and get me please.” “where are you?” She told me where she was, I told Chris I’d be right back but he insisted on coming with. We got in his car and headed to the location where Keani was, when we arrived some guy had her by her wrists. “Let me go Pico!!” and then out of nowhere he slapped her… hard… where she fell on the cold wet grass. I hopped out of the car. “Leave her alone! I yelled. “And who the fuck are you?” He said getting in my face. “Better question… who the fuck are you?” I retorted. “Girl, you better back the fuck up before I…” “before you what nigga?” Chris cut him off. I ran to Keani’s side. She was bruised and had a busted lip, her right eye was a bit swollen. She was moaning in pain. “Come on.” I helped her up and attempted to walk her to the car when the guy, Pico pulled her from my grip. “She ain’t goin nowhere… getcho ass on… and you… take yo ass in the house… NOW!” I looked at Keani. “Ke…?” She looked at me and then looked back at Pico and then back at me. Then she took a step towards the car. “You better think about whatchu doin bitch.” “Don’t talk to her like that!” Keani then took another step. “Just go to the car Keani.” I told her. “You get in that car if you want to, you hear me?” Next thing I knew she ran and hopped in the back seat, that’s when Pico tried to yank it open. Chris ran up and punched him in the face so hard he hit the ground, that’s when I kicked him in the stomach. He coughed. “iight, you gon regret ever fuckin with me!” He yelled as Chris pulled off back to my home.

I was in the back with Keani, comforting her. “Who was that?” I asked her. “Pico… my boyfriend.” “BOYFRIEND?!” Chris and I said at the same time. “he also my… my…” “what?” “pimp.” I couldn’t believe my ears. “your PIMP?! Keani are you crazy?!” “I’m sorry Angie.” “oh my god Keke, what have you gotten yourself into?” She explained everything, about how she met Pico and how she got into selling her body. “I wasn’t planning on staying, Angie, I swear.” “Ke, according to you… Pico is a pimp. Pimps don’t let go of their money makers that easily” “I know.” I just sighed. “Why Keke?” “I needed the extra money… I have over $5000 saved just from this, not including the money from the club which is well over $15,000. I wanted to make enough to get my own house, and then get a decent job.” She cried on my shoulder the whole way back to my house. Once we arrived, Keani was so bruised and sore she could hardly walk. “Carry her Chris.” Chris carried her into my apartment and to the guest room. I followed. “You and I are the practically the same size and we always share clothes.” “I know.” She was laying on the bed. I went to my room and grabbed a few things of brand new underwear that I had never opened, some pajamas, and slippers and brought it to her. When I walked in she was asleep, so I layed the things on the sofa on the other side of the room and I closed the door as I left. I still couldn’t believe she had been prostituting. I have to find a way to get her out of this. I don’t want my best friend to end up in jail or worse… dead. I wouldn’t be able to take it.

.Chris.

The sad thing about this whole thing is that I know Pico, he just didn’t recognize me. He and I used to hang before he got into the drug game. I had to sever our friendship because was lettin the money and shit get to his head. I feel bad for Keani because Pico is a ruthless bastard, I know for a fact he ain’t gon rest until Ke is either severly injured or dead. I grabbed my phone and called my boy Dolo. Dolo was a big dude, and I knew he was the right man to protect not only Keani, but Angie too. Anybody that fucked with him was a target. His phone rang twice before he picked up. “Yo.” he said. “Dolo, it’s Chris.” “what up?” “I need a favor.” “I’m listenin.” I told him what I needed and he agreed. After I hung up, Angie came downstairs. “Who were you talking to?” She asked. “Dolo.” “why?” “I want you and Keani to be protected. I know Pico, he just didn’t recognize me. I’m tellin you bae, Pico is not gonna rest until one or both you is severly injured to the point of hospitalization… or dead, so I called Dolo to be kind of a bodyguard for ya’ll.” She looked at me worried. “Is Pico really that dangerous?” “The last person that fucked with him was kidnapped, tortured and raped, she was only 15” “How do you know this?” “She was my sister…” Angie gasped and covered her mouth. “oh my god, Chris… I’m so sorry” I sighed and nodded. “I did everything I could to save her. But he was too fast. Whenever they got a lead on where he was with my sister, he would go to a different location and by the time he was found and arrested, she was already dead.” I felt tears comin. Angie hugged me tight, we cried together. I miss my sister, somethin serious. R.I.P. Chareese, big brother loves you always.

Now I want ya’ll to really pay close attention to what Chris told Angie about his sister… there’s somethin missing *hint, hint*

.Chapter Three. .Part One.

.Chris.

After I left Angel’s house, I didn’t even bother goin in the house, I just decided to go for a walk. Thinkin about how they just gave up searchin for her. Like I said she was only 15, I was 17. I know this sounds bad but I lost all hope that Reesie is alive, I mean it’s been 5 years. I just sighed, took out my wallet and stared at the picture of me and her, to know I’ll never see her again… hurts. It really hurts. I sighed again, turned around and walked back home. I walked in and flopped down on my couch.

I was startin to fall asleep when I heard a knock at my door, I got up and opened it and saw this girl, beautiful girl. “hey.” “um… hey.” “don’t recognize me do you?” I cocked my head to the side. “not really, did we date some time ago?” “nooo, gross.” “well damn.” She laughed. “Can I come in?” “uh… I guess.” I stepped aside and let her in, she looks a lil familiar. She looked around my house and stopped a picture of me, Reesie, and our parents. “Good looking family.” She said smiling. “Thanks.” “who’s this?” She asked pointing to Reesie. “My baby sister Chareese.” “She’s pretty.” “Thanks.” I said sitting down with a sigh. “Something bothering you?” She askin a lot of questions. “I just miss my sister.” The girl just look at me and smiled. “She misses you too.” My head shot up. “You know where she is? Is she still alive?” “I know exactly where she is and yes she is very much alive.” “Can you take me to her?” “Sure.” I prepared to grab my keys and walk out the door when she yelled. “Hi big brother!” I dropped my keys. “Say what now?” “Chris, it’s me… Reesie.” My jaw dropped. “omg… Reesie?” She nodded. I picked her up and squeezed her tight. “Wait… how? What happened?” We sat down and she told me all about how Pico kept her locked up, she told me she was raped by him and 2 of his boys, but she managed to sneak out. She also told me how she had been living at a friends house, that they took care of her and she didn’t want to return because she was afraid that if Pico found her, she’d be dead for sure. “well you don’t have to worry about him… look at you… grown ass woman, I can’t believe it.” She laughed and we hugged again. Angel will finally get to meet my baby sister. I’m so glad to have her back.

i know it’s short, but there are 3 other parts to this chapter. The fight and the betrayal are all in Part two.

.Chapter Three. .Part Two.

.Keani.

I was happy to be away from Pico, honestly I care about him but I just can’t do it anymore. He says he loves me, but he takes his anger out on me, no matter what pisses him off, I always become his punching bag. Well, no more, I’m staying with Angel til I can find a place, I’ve saved up enough money.

I was in a corner store gettin some snacks for movie night. It was something Angel and I have been doing for a while. We’d have movie night when we weren’t working. I could swear I heard someone calling my name. “Ke.” I heard it again. I looked around and saw Kane walking towards me. “What do you want Kane?” “Look, I ain’t here to hurt you or nothin. I just came to warn you.” “Warn me?” “Pico is lookin for you and he is pissed. I ain’t never seen him this angry.” “on a scale of 1-10 how angry is he?” Kane looked off. “way over 10, it’s bad Ke, he’s breakin shit.” I covered my mouth. “I have to go, please don’t tell him you found me.” “I’m not gon say a word. I ain’t like him.” I hugged Kane, purchased my items and literally ran out of the store. I couldn’t let Pico find me. But as I was about to cross the street to Angel’s I saw him. I froze. I backed up slowly and ran the other way. I hope he didn’t see me. I looked a for a short cut to Angel’s but I couldn’t find one. So I walked back and looked… Pico was gone. So I ran as fast as I could to Angel’s And then… everything went black.

I woke up in pain, I saw that I was on the floor, a familiar floor. I looked up and saw him. “You get pleasure outta pissin me off dontchu?” “Pico… please…” He back handed me. “Shut the fuck up! I went all over this city lookin for you selfish ass.” He grabbed me by my neck and threw me on the couch. “Do you know how much trouble you’re in?” I could see just pure hatred and anger in his eyes, I could swear he was the devil himself. “Keani, you gon learn, that you can’t get away from me.” “I don’t wanna do this anymore.” “Oh? well you don’t make that choice, I do. I will tell you when you are allowed to leave.” I stood up in his face. “I’m not your pet, Pico. I’m not your child. You can’t control me!” “sit down whore!” he yelled at me and then I did the unthinkable, I slapped him. Uh oh. He walked towards me and I backed up, until I felt the wall. Then he took his hand, balled it up and punched me so hard I fell. “Don’t you ever do that again.” “fuck you Pico.” “oh this bitch got balls now.” I tried to get up and run, but he caught me by my hair and slammed me on the floor and beat me. I cried for him to stop but he was relentless. “PICO! ease up on her man!” Kane yelled. “say what?” “look, you can’t be doin this.” “I do what the fuck I want concernin this bitch.” “and stop callin her names, you a fuckin monster dude.” “what the fuck are you gonna do about it Kane?” Next thing I knew, they were fighting. Kane’s brother Rosco and Pico’s cousin Armando pulled them apart. “why would you betray me like this man? defendin a slut.” ”she deserves better than you, you sick fuck!” Kane got out of his brother’s grip and tried to help me up, but I was too much in pain to move. “You gon pay, man. You both are gonna pay.” And with that Pico left and then Kane picked me up and took me to his car. “I’m takin you to get checked out.” I nodded and held my jaw. I couldn’t stop looking over at Kane. Wait… am I starting to like him?

.Chapter Three. .Part Three.

.Angel’Lynn.

I was setting out some movies for Keani and I to watch and I started to worry, because she’s been gone for hours. How long does it take to get some movie night snacks. I tried texting her but no reply, I tried calling her, no answer. Then my phone rang. “Hello?” “Angel.” I kind of recognized the voice but then again I didn’t. “Who is this?” “Kane.” “Pico’s friend??? Why are you calling me?” “Chill Angel, we ain’t friends no more. Something happened… to Keani.” I almost dropped the phone. “What happened?” “Pico had been out lookin for her, once he found her inches away from your house, knocked her out and took her back to his place, where he beat her, called her all kinds of nasty names, it was sickening. I couldn’t let it go down anymore so I stopped him, he threatened and walked out fumin. That’s when I put her in my car and took her to the hospital, we’re still here.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “I’m on my way.” I ran up to my room and put some pants on over the Hello Kitty boyshorts I had on leaving the matchin tanktop on. I grabbed my keys and ran to my car. I had to think, wasn’t Dolo supposed to protect us? Where was he when Pico got Keani? I will be giving him a piece of my mind if I see him.

I arrived at the hospital and walked in and saw Kane sitting down. “I’ll take you to her.” He said getting up and walking towards the elevator. I followed. We were in the elevator and it was dead silent, it was kind of awkward. “What made you help her?” He looked at me. “I got tired of seein her be mistreated and on top of that, when Pico would send her out ‘on the job’ he had other females around. She wasn’t his only one as he made her to believe.” “that bastard.” “I don’t know what his intentions are right now, he was pissed when he walked out the house. When he said ‘you both are gonna pay’ it made me scared for her.” “Well, thanks for helping her.” I said and then I gave him a hug. The elevator stopped and we walked out and towards Keani’s room. I knocked when we reached her room. “come in.” I heard her say. “Keke!” I said as I walked in. “hey!” “how are you?” “I’m okay, I could be better though… hey Kane.” “sup Ke.” He smiled at her. I raised an eyebrow and shot looks between them. “Is somethin goin on between you two?” “No.” They said in unison. I gave them a ‘yeah right’ look. “uh huh.” I said laughing. “Are you sore or anything, Ke?” “Not anymore.” She was pretty badly bruised, and her cheek was a lil swollen but other than that she looked fine and I’m glad. “the doctor says I can go home any time.” “anytime?” “like now, I wanna leave, Angel.” “Okay, you know you can stay with me for as long as you want to but... I’m scared Ke, I’m scared that Pico is going to most likely kill you…” I started to tear up and my voice started to crack. “You are like the sister I never had, and if I lost you, I’d die.” She started to tear up as well. “I’m not goin anywhere. I promise you, that won’t happen.” She said as we hugged.

I started to gather her things as Kane helped her out of the bed and into a wheelchair. We left the room, got on the elevator and I went and signed her out. I wheeled her out to my car and Kane and I helped her in the passenger seat. “Thanks again Kane, I never imagined you helping anybody.” I said hugging him again. “No problem, and I was a heartless bastard for a while, but people can change, can’t they?” He kneeled down and pecked Keani on the cheek. “Feel better.” “Thank you.” I shook my head and giggled as I got in the drivers’ side of the car. I was almost certain that Keani and Kane, are feeling each other, but I don’t think she should jump into anything so fast, I mean she just broke it off with Pico, she needs to give it time and get to know Kane a lil more before espablishing anything. “You like him don’t you, Ke?” “huh?” “huh?” I said mocking her. “you like Kane.” She looked away from me. “A lil.” “well, it’s okay to flirt and be all cute and shit, but don’t jump into anything until you’re ready. I don’t think Kane wants to be a rebound guy.” “And he won’t, I promise not to go too fast with him.” “Good.” I said smiling. We reached the house and I saw Chris on the steps with a girl, now I’m not the kind of girl who jumps to conclusions but I wanted to know what the hell he was doin. I got out of the car and helped Keani out and we walked towards Chris and the girl. “Hey baby.” He said pecking my lips. “Hi.” I said to him and the girl. “Angel, baby this is someone I’ve always wanted you to meet.” I was confused, the only person Chris wanted me to meet was his sister and she was dead. “Chris, what’s going on? The only person you wanted me to meet but can’t was your sister.” “Hi, I’m Chareese, I’ve been resurrected.” I covered my mouth. “I’m joking, I was just staying with a friend, when I escaped from Pico’s place.” Keani’s head shot over. “You knew Pico?” She nodded her head. “I was his ‘girlfriend’ for a while.” She explained to us some things that were way to similar to just be a coincidence. “Pico is extremely dangerous and getting on his bad side is deadly… literally.” Reesie was telling us how she survived being in Pico’s house when all of a sudden we heard a brigade of gunshots. I jumped up and looked out of the window and saw someone running and then I looked again and saw Kane… on the gound… bleeding. So I told Chris to come with me and Reesie to stay with Keani. Chris and I ran outside, but it looked as if it was too late, but we couldn’t give up. Chris called 911 and once they arrived and took over. They gave us the bad news. Kane was pronouced dead on the scene. I started to tear up, even though I barely knew him, he seemed like such a sweetheart, especially after what he did for Keani, and she was just starting to like him.

Chris and I walked back up to my apartment and I gave Ke the bad news. “Ke.” I said swallowing hard. “Kane is… is…” “what? Angel, what happened?” “he’s gone. He was pronouced dead on the scene and I almost guarantee that it was Pico.” We all sat in silence. I believe this was just beginning of Pico’s revenge against everyone who crossed him.