124. Warpath

I rang up Grace.

I knew she would do just about anything for me; we were very close friends now. Grace was Danielle's partner, a strikingly beautiful Ethiopian. She was a kindergarten teacher and often came home to spend time with me and the kids. Since Danielle worked at the Club and was in charge of all the duties that Shark had carried out before Lucien had killed him, both Gracie and I were familiar with the world that our respective lovers moved in. it was easy to relate to her.

Now I called her:

“Grace, I need your help.’ I said, tightly.

“What is it, love?’ she asked, having picked up on the tension in my tone.

‘ I need to go to the Club. Lucien is fighting …’

Her voice was incredulous.

‘YOU want to attend the Fight?’ she cried, astonishment in her dulcet tones. I closed my eyes briefly and counted to ten. Grace was aware of my revulsion to the fighting and brutality that took place in the Boxing ring.

‘Yes.’ I said and the passion in my voice made her pause.

“Right. Fine.’ She