Queen Hustlaz

by Falicia Love

  “You tell me. We can’t do shit here, so we got to work this—” Before he could finish his statement, Thad’s phone rang.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, baby, it’s me, Jeryca. I can’t talk long, but I need you to come and get me. Farrah and them got me held up in this damn house and won’t let me go. I miss you. I got to go, but I will call you later,” Jeryca whispered.

  Thad didn’t get a chance to respond ’cause she hung up quickly. As he began putting his phone back on his hip, he looked up at Toby with a puzzled look.

  “Man, that’s another loose end we need to tie up.”

  “What?” Toby questioned.

  “Jeryca and her crew of hoes,” Thad muttered.

  “Well, right now we got more important fish to fry,” Toby replied.

  “You right. Well, let’s work it out ’cause I got to be in court by one,” Thad reminded Toby.

  As the two put their heads together to devise their attack on Orlando and his goons, Thad still had Jeryca on his mind. He needed her back on his payroll, but could he really trust her to do the right thing this time? He knew that he was responsible for her getting strung out on heroin, but she should’ve been stronger mentally. She had made him thousands of dollars in the two weeks she was with him, and she owed him way more than that. Once he found out where she was, he was going to get her and move her where no one could find her.

  Thad and his brother discussed several ways to get rid of Orlando but didn’t plan anything out. Thad left at twelve and headed for court.

  * * *

  As the Kings County Supreme Court filled, Dana watched the attorneys talk and discuss different cases. Brittany was there representing one Zack Brown, who was shot during a brawl at The Foxy Gentleman’s Club by one Thad Royster. Even Though Zack was the victim, he had warrants for assault himself, so he was appearing before Judge Evelyn Smith both as a victim and a defendant. When Brittany informed Dana that she was representing the man that Thad had shot, Dana was thrilled and begged Brittany to allow her to assist her in the case. She didn’t know why she felt the need to be involved, but she did.

  Zack had been locked up since he was released from the hospital and hadn’t had time to talk to anyone just yet. Brittany was going to ask the judge to lower the $250,000 bond that her client was hit with.

  As Zack was brought out, Dana noticed that he was limping and he looked tired. His face hadn’t been shaved, and his hair was nappy. He had a muscular build under his county uniform, and although he wasn’t groomed, she could tell he was a good-looking guy. As she inspected Zack for a few moments more, her attention was drawn to the door as she saw Brittany nod her head in that direction. As Dana’s gaze found the door, she locked eyes with Thad.

  As Thad sauntered into the courtroom, he regarded Dana for a minute, but soon focused his eyes on Zack. Zack gave Thad an evil smile and a nod. Thad glared at him emotionless, which caused Zack to turn his head. Dana watched the two men’s interaction intently, and again, her eyes met Thad’s. Somehow, she knew that Thad knew they had Jeryca, and she didn’t give a fuck. She wanted him to try something so she could fuck him up. The way he kept staring at her had her wondering what he was thinking.

  As Judge Smith walked in, the bailiff said, “Hear ye, hear ye, all rise for the honorable Judge Evelyn Smith. Turn your cell phones off and do not talk while court is in session. You may all be seated.”

  As everyone took their seats, the judge’s assistant called the docket. Dana broke her gaze with Thad and rolled her eyes. She listened, and as each name was called, someone would enter their plea of guilty or not guilty. When they got to Thad, a handsome foreign man stood up and answered for him.

  “Not guilty, Your Honor.”

  Dana looked back in shock at Thad, who was smiling from ear to ear. As she swung back around, she glanced at Brittany, who was also smiling. Dana sat back, confused by everyone’s demeanor. She stole a quick glance at Zack, who didn’t seem bothered one way or another, and she wondered if they had somehow gotten to Zack to take back his statement that Thad had shot him. Whatever the case, she was going to find out what all those looks were about.

  As the remainder of the docket was called out, Dana pondered what was going to happen. She knew that Thad had something to do with Jeryca’s current condition, and she wanted him to pay one way or another. If he got off scot-free for shooting Zack, she didn’t know how she could protect her friend from him. She had to come up with a plan.

  “Court is now in recess. We will adjourn in fifteen minutes,” the bailiff announced.

  As everyone shuffled about and formed small groups, Dana walked to the front to meet Brittany as she moved out from the bench. Thad walked up on her quickly.

  “Hey, Dana.”

  “Thad, how are you?” she asked.

  “I’m great. How is Jeryca?” he sneered.

  “You tell me. I haven’t seen her,” Dana lied.

  “Oh, really. Well, I got a call from her that says otherwise. You know it’s against the law to hold someone against their will, don’t you?” Thad smirked.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Now if you will excuse me, I have to go,” Dana replied. Before she could move completely away, Thad blocked her path, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, “I’m coming for my top ho.” Thad laughed and walked away to talk with his attorney.

  Dana couldn’t believe what Thad had just divulged to her. Jeryca a ho? That couldn’t be true.... But as she thought back to where they found her, what she was saying, and how she smelled, she knew that it was in fact true. She also believed that Jeryca had called Thad as he stated, and once she got back home, she was going to talk to Farrah and Stephanie and tell them everything that she found out and go ham on whoever let Jeryca use the phone. How could they help her if they couldn’t stick to their task?

  “What the fuck did he say to you that got you looking so bewildered?” Brittany asked as she approached Dana, who was lost in thought.

  Dana shook her head as she snapped back into reality. “A bunch of nonsense, but what’s going on here? Is Zack Brown not testifying against him?”

  “Well, my client won’t testify because of his belief that snitching is against a man’s code, but the District Attorney has several witnesses who will testify, so Thad will not walk away from this untouched,” Brittany explained.

  “I just wanted to know. I was shocked when he pled not guilty with Zack in the courtroom,” Dana said.

  Before Brittany could respond, two men approached her and pulled her to the side. They nodded in Zack’s direction, and Brittany started smiling. Dana didn’t know what was going on, but she felt like something was about to go down, and when Brittany returned and whispered in her ear, “Once court is over we need to leave immediately,” Dana knew for sure that her feelings were correct.

  She didn’t know what was going on, but she smiled, realizing that Brittany was as crooked as she always thought she was, and that it would be a great benefit for her and her friends.

  Dana followed Brittany outside the courtroom, where they stayed until court was back in session. As Dana looked around at the different people who were in groups talking, her eyes found Thad’s, who hadn’t seen her due to the fact that he was hugged up with a young, beautiful, light-skinned female. She shook her head, but quickly pulled out her cell phone and took several pictures of the two together. If Jeryca had called Thad, she was going to get a great eye opener when she returned home.

  After the docket was called, Brittany approached the court with her plea to have Zack’s bond reduced, which was granted. It went from $250,000 to $75,000. Brittany walked back to the bench; she had two more clients to represent before she could leave.

  At five o’clock, as the courtroom was cleared out for the day, Brittany gestured for Dana to move quickly outside away from the courthouse. Once they were across the street, Dana turned back to the courthouse as she heard several male voices shouting. When she spotted the source
of the noise, she saw the two guys who had approached Brittany earlier pushing and arguing with Thad. They were causing a scene, which immediately drew a huge crowd. Dana couldn’t see much as the crowd grew bigger. A few seconds later, the police were separating the group of people, and Thad, along with the two guys who started the altercation, hurried off in different directions.

  Brittany looked at Dana, smiling. “Thad won’t get away with anything.”

  Dana smiled and gave Brittany a high-five, understanding completely what she was insinuating. She got into her car and drove off. As she looked in her rearview mirror, she saw Thad’s truck pull up behind her. She immediately reached for the revolver that she kept in her dashboard.

  As they pulled up to the stoplight, Thad pulled up on the side of her and rolled his window down, smiling and giving her a quick nod of his head. Dana returned his smile but waved at him with her gun in her hand. Thad’s smile disappeared for a quick second, but as they pulled off, he smiled one last time and flew down the road past her.

  Dana couldn’t believe that she once thought he was her type. Honestly speaking, he hadn’t done anything directly to her, but seeing how he and his friends were treating her friends, she had lost respect for them. To top it off, he had gotten Jeryca involved in drugs and prostitution, and he thought it was funny. There wasn’t anything funny about ruining someone else’s life, especially someone she considered family. As she drove home, she couldn’t wait to show Jeryca the pictures and help her come to grips with the fact that Thad meant her no good.

  Chapter Six

  “Orlando, I’ve been trying to reach you all day, bro,” Chris snapped.

  “Uh, I’m sorry, dude, but something came up, and I had to handle it first and foremost. You feel me? It was a family issue. Tell Thad and Toby I apologize and maybe we can meet Wednesday,” Orlando said.

  “Well, I will get with them and then let you know what the move will be,” Chris responded.

  Okay, man. Again, I do apologize for everything,” Orlando said, sounding a bit nervous, which was weird to Chris.

  After Chris hung up, he called Toby and informed him of his conversation with Orlando. He told Toby that Orlando didn’t answer his call until 5:30 p.m., and when he did, he sounded nervous and was stuttering here and there. Toby told Chris to wait on his or Thad’s phone call before calling Orlando back. After Toby hung up from talking to Chris, he called Thad.

  “Aye, man, where you at? How did it go in court?” he asked once Thad picked up.

  “It went okay. Had a run-in with Zack’s boys, but it wasn’t no big deal. I also saw Dana there at the courthouse,” Thad explained.

  “Oh, word. That’s one of the finest bitches on Jeryca’s squad, boy!” Toby said, smiling.

  “Man, can you believe that bitch waved a gun at me?” Thad snorted.

  “What? You mean to tell me that Dana is smart, sexy, and thuggish? Shit, I need a bitch like that on my team!” Toby laughed.

  “Oh, yeah? Well, I wonder what your wife Tiffany would think about that,” Thad said, laughing.

  “Li’l brother, don’t go there. Besides, we got a situation we need to work on that’s more important than talking about Dana. Chris just called me and said that he is just now getting in touch with Orlando, and that he seemed kind of shaky. You were right; we need to handle that issue ASAP,” Toby informed him.

  “Nice way to dodge that Dana bullet, bro. But I’m almost at your house, so talk to you in a few,” Thad said, laughing as he hung up the phone. Five minutes later, he was pulling into Toby’s driveway. Thad got out of his truck and locked the doors. He walked into Toby’s house without knocking, but yelled to announce his entrance.

  “Aye, nigga, where the fuck you at?”

  “Shit, I’m right here,” Toby said as he walked up on Thad and slapped the back of his head, playfully putting him in a headlock. “Now what was that shit you was saying about Dana and Tiffany? Huh, negro?” Toby said as he started rubbing his knuckles into Thad’s head.

  “Okay, okay, man, you got me!” Thad yelled.

  “All right, remember that next time you want to be slick at the mouth,” Toby joked, walking away like he had won a wrestling match with his arms up. Thad walked behind him, rubbing his head.

  “So what’s the deal with Orlando?”

  “I don’t know, but they didn’t bring us our product, and we’ve paid for half of the shipment as agreed upon, so if they don’t have our guns, money, or if they trying to set us up, we will kill them. We need to prepare now for anything. I think you should call the guys for an emergency meeting tonight. Tell Chris to get Neal and his crew. Larry needs to get at Junior and Rick and let them know what’s up, and Keith needs to call Fresh and his crew, and we need to meet at the Oasis,” Toby replied.

  “I’m on it. What time do I need to tell them to be there, bro?” Thad asked.

  “About ten,” he answered.

  “Cool,” Thad replied.

  While Thad was on the phone coordinating the meet up, Toby was rolling a blunt and singing, “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” smiling at the thought of blasting on Orlando and his crew. Toby was usually against any violence that could reflect back on them, but he knew that Thad had a point. In their particular business, they had to set boundaries and examples for anyone who felt like they could get one over on them and play with their money.

  “Come and hit this blunt, nig,” Toby said after taking a few pulls off it.

  “Naw, man, I’m good. I’m trying to figure out how we are going to handle these motherfucking clowns and hoes that feel they can play around with me,” Thad said, remembering how Dana waved her gun at him. He knew that if he went after one, he was going to have to hit them all where it hurt them the most.

  “Well, hitting this blunt will stimulate your mind and help you relax and focus on how you need to go about getting all of them, but let me fuck Dana before you make any moves on them,” Toby said, waving the blunt at Thad.

  “Man, give me that shit! Dana ain’t trying to fuck with you, nigga. She ain’t that type of chick. But the bitch may be a problem for me, so I’m getting all of them out my hair ASAP.” Thad laughed as he took the blunt and pulled on it.

  “Shit, do what you do, man. I’m behind you one hundred percent,” Toby announced.

  “That’s what’s up,” Thad said, shocked by how Toby was acting and involving himself in something that he always preached against: violence.

  “Aye, what do you think about us starting a record label? We can call it T&T Music. Our first single we write can be called ‘Death to Our Haters.’” Toby laughed as he handed the blunt back to Toby.

  “Man, you don’t need to smoke no more of this shit. You tripping, Toby,” Thad said, walking to the bar to pour himself a shot of vodka.

  “Naw, I’m straight, but for real, let’s think about doing another venture,” Toby said as he lay back on the couch, taking a draw from the blunt.

  “Sounds good, but first it’s death to our haters,” Thad sang as he began to plot his next move on Orlando and his crew, as well as Jeryca and her friends, especially Dana. She was going to learn that you don’t wave a gun at a man like him. She was going to regret it.

  * * *

  While Dana was driving home, she received a phone call from Jeryca’s mother.

  “Hi, Ms. Mebane. How are you?” she asked.

  I’m good, Dana, but I was wondering why Jeryca hasn’t been home yet. If you found her, then where the hell is she? If I don’t see her soon, I’m calling the police. I haven’t heard from her like you said I would, so either you produce her or else,” Sheila yelled.

  “Hold on, Ms. Mebane; let me pull over real quick,” Dana said, placing her cell phone on the passenger seat as she pulled over. Once she parked, she grabbed her phone.

  “Ms. Mebane, there are things going on that we felt that you shouldn’t know, but we could’ve been wrong.”

  “You damn right you were wrong! Pam is missing her sister and can
’t even function in school. What the hell is going on, Dana?”

  “We found Jeryca, but she was in bad shape. She was on the corner, high off heroin and stinking. She had been selling herself for money, and we believe that her boyfriend at the time was responsible for that. I figured if I hid her at my house away from him, and help her clean her system, that would be a better solution for her,” Dana explained.

  There was a moment of silence, but then, “I don’t believe you. Jeryca would never do that!” Sheila cried.

  “I will give you my address, and you can come see her for yourself, and if you still feel that there is nothing wrong with Jeryca, then you can take her home. Ms. Mebane, Jeryca and Pam are like sisters to me, so I hope you know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt either of them,” Dana cried.

  “Fine, give me your address, and I will be there first thing tomorrow morning,” Sheila replied.

  Dana gave her the address and hung up. She was starting to second-guess her decision to help Jeryca, because it seemed to be causing her more headaches than she could handle. As she proceeded to get back on the road, she turned her radio up and hummed to the sound of Jill Scott. It soothed her, despite all the drama with Jeryca.

  Her relaxation was short-lived as she pulled into her driveway and saw her front door ajar, with smoke spilling out, and a sobbing Stephanie sitting on the porch. Dana jumped out of her car and ran to the house.

  “What happened?” she screamed.

  “I was cooking some chicken, and Chris called, accusing me of being laid up with another man. He said that I was a slut, and he never wanted to see me again!” Stephanie cried.

  “Where is all the smoke coming from?” Dana asked.

  “I got distracted, Dana. The food burned,” Stephanie sniffled.

  “You let that no-account nigga get to you so bad that you almost burned my fucking house down? That’s pathetic,” Dana stormed.

  “That’s all you concerned about? I’m stressing and going through some things, all because I’m here helping you!” Stephanie yelled.