Hi there everyone. So the next 2 chapters were originally going to be one but when I started writing I realized it was going to turn into a huge one. So I decided to split it.

Both are written and ready to go so please read and review and I'll post up the next part. ;)

Once again thank you so so much for all your reviews and feedback so far. You guys rock!!

Enjoy

Nobody's Fault But Mine

Chapter 7 – Angels with Dirty Faces

She groaned as the suns blinding rays spilled through her window and stirred her from her deep slumber. She nuzzled against her pillow in protest trying to block out the light. The pain killers the doctor had given her yesterday had certainly aided a good night's sleep as the last thing she remembered from the previous day was lying down, her head hitting the pillow and then she was out of it. Turning her head now to her bedside table, her clock read 7:30 and Peyton knew she had a long day ahead of her.

Peyton swung her legs grudgingly over her bed. She had neglected her club for the past week and knew that she had to get back to some sense of normality and routine. Routine was sometimes the only thing that kept her sane in her world that kept spiralling out of control.

After a quick shower Peyton left her apartment and made her short walk stopping on the way for a latte and croissant at her usual café haunt. Once she arrived at Meth she found Antonio's car parked around back and the door unlocked. Her heart sunk at the very thought of having to deal with him.

"Morning sexy," Vincent slurred as she entered into the club to find it still littered with bottles and cups from the activity from the night before.

Vincent stumbled over to her. He was still blind drunk. She could smell the rancid smell of liquor and cigarette smoke on his breath and clothes. He leered at her, his hand reached clumsily to touch her hair. "Want to party?"

Peyton shot him a look of disgust, batting his hand away. The guy made her skin crawl at the best of times. "Where's Antonio?" she asked, her voice laced with contempt.

"Up in the office." The letch's eyes travelled over her body, "so how bout it?"

She crossed her arms over her chest, "not if you were the last man on the planet."

Vincent slumped into a nearby chair and shrugged, "suit yourself."

She climbed up the stairs to her office to find Antonio sat at her desk. She dropped her bag with a soft thud as he looked up.

"Nice of you to finally show," he said by way of greeting. "I came by your apartment every day. I left messages on your cell. When I didn't hear from you I figured you were probably holed up in some motel on a bender."

"I haven't touched a drop in over a year. I was just dealing with some stuff." She snapped then. "Like you breaking my wrist." She held up her arm so he could see what he'd done.

Antonio stood, making his way to her. He cupped her face in his hands, "and I'm glad to hear it baby. I am. And you know I only hurt you because I love you. You make me so mad sometimes Peyton; you know you do. But I am sorry that I hurt you."

Peyton swallowed, her eyes looking past him. Focusing on a spot on the wall. She'd heard all this bullshit before. From him, from Donnie, from her foster father. She couldn't help but think that there was something in her that made these men treat her this way. That maybe there was some truth to the words after all.

He bent so his dark eyes were level with hers. "Come on baby. You know I don't like hurting you."

"Whatever,' she said shrugging his arms off herself and moving away from him. "Why's that creep here anyway?" She was of course referring to Vincent.

"We had a little visit from the NYPD yesterday at Mirage so I thought it best that Vincent worked here for a little while. Until the unwanted activity died down."

"You son of a bitch. You mean he was dealing in my club? We had a deal Antonio."

"It's only for a few days."

"And you know I don't want anything to do with it. God I can't believe you." Peyton ran her hands through her curls.

"Why were the police at Mirage anyway?" she then asked.

"Didn't you hear? Mickie was found murdered two nights ago."

Peyton's mouth dropped. "Oh my god. How's Callie taking it?" Peyton sat down. She and Callie had been close once. When Peyton had first come to the city she'd waitressed with Callie. They'd partied together. They'd grown apart a little as Peyton became Callie's boss but Peyton still considered Callie a friend.

"Callie hasn't shown up for work since," Antonio told her.

Peyton took that in, sad and worried for her friend.

"Anyway," Antonio said. "I'm hosting a party to kick of the Knicks' new basketball season and I want you to come with me." With a flourish he passed her an emerald green evening gown. "I got you this to wear."

"What about you wife? Shouldn't you be with her for something this public?"

"She's at a spa for the week. And besides you look better on my arm." He touched her wild and unruly curls that she hadn't been bothered to style for the past week. "But please do something with your hair. You look so much better when you're sleek and tamed."

Peyton glared at him, snatching the dress from him. "Do I have a choice?"

"That's a good girl. Well I've got some things to take care off. I'll stop by the apartment to pick you up tonight. Be ready by eight thirty."

And with that Antonio left.

-- --

Peyton had tried Callie's cell a couple of times throughout the course of the day. She had tried to focus on booking a band for the Friday night's live music that she wanted to start up. But the nagging feeling that something could have happened to Callie kept creeping into her mind. So finally Peyton decided to go to Callie's apartment. She left the club with her bar staff setting up figuring she would drop by Callie's before getting ready for Antonio's party.

"Callie?" she called through the door knocking again. Still nothing. Peyton sighed. "Callie, its me. Peyton. Open up."

She tried the door handle to find it gave way. Airing on the side of caution now Peyton slipped quietly inside the apartment. She kept herself close to the wall as she crept along the hallway. Her heart hammered in her chest, her senses sharpening to any sudden or unusual noise.

The sight of the lounge caused Peyton's heart to skip a beat. The room was in a state of chaos. The couch and coffee table were both overturned. Drawers and cabinets were open, their contents spilling onto nearby surfaces and the floor. The sound of crunching under her boot caused Peyton to look down to see she had stood on the broken glass of a photo frame.

Peyton held her breath, if someone was still in the apartment, the sound would have alerted them to her presence. She should leave now and call the police. That's what any sane person would do. Peyton had always been the girl who screamed at the TV for the girl in the horror movie to get the hell out. And yet as curiosity got the best of her she continued on through the upturned apartment.

The kitchen was in much the same state. Whoever had been here had conducted a vigorous search.

She reached for her cell now, scared. A creek sounded from the direction of the bedroom. She felt her chest tighten, her heart thundered in her ears. She pushed open the door slightly, just a crack, to try and see what was inside.

The bedroom door swung open then, and Peyton was face to face with the barrel of a gun.

Peyton held up her hands, "Callie, its me. Put the gun down."

Callie shook her head, her eyes crazed as she looked at Peyton and then at the door.

"Callie, its me," she repeated. "Peyton."

"Is he with you?"

"No I'm alone. I swear. Please put down the gun. Talk to me." Callie's hands were shaking as she pointed the gun at her friend. "Come on Call, its just me."

Callie lowered the gun and sank down onto the bed. "Mickie's dead Peyton." She sobbed quietly as Peyton took a seat beside her and held her in her arms.

"I know. I'm sorry."

Callie raised her head, her eyes red from crying. "I loved him. And he loved me. We were going to start a new life away from all this. We even talked about getting married. He was going to go straight Peyton."

"What happened?"

"He owed money. But he was trying to make it back. So we could get away."

"Callie did Mickie owe money to Antonio?"

"I don't know. I think so. Mickie would never really talk about it. And I tried not to ask. You know it's safer that way. But I think your bastard of a boyfriend killed Mickie. And I think he broke into my apartment. I'm not safe here. I have to leave the city."

"Ok," Peyton said at this.

"Can you help me?"

Peyton looked at her. Saw her pleading eyes. Both of them knew the implications of Callie's asking this of her. "What do you need?"

"Money. And a rental car. So I can the hell away from this god damned place"

"Do you know where you'll go?"

"As far away as I can possibly go. Please Peyton. I'd do the same for you. And you know better than anyone what Antonio is capable of."

"Ok," Peyton said. "I'll get you what I can. I'll come back tonight. I have to go to some NBA launch thing for Antonio. But I'll come back after that. In the meantime just stay hidden and don't for god's sake leave the apartment."

"Thanks you. You won't say anything to anyone about me being here right?"

Peyton shook her head, "as for as I'm concerned I never saw you here. Well I should go. Make sure Antonio isn't suspicious."

"Be careful Peyt," Callie said then.

Peyton answered with a small smile, "yeah."