Altered Destiny: A Hustler's Choice

by Sherylynne L Rochester

  Chapter 9

  “Baby, wake up.”

  “What?” Sasha was worn out from the night before. From all the arguing and lovemaking. All she wanted to do was rest just for a couple more hours.

  “I have to go. T just called me and I have to see what he wants.”

  “Oh! Will you be back?”

  “Nah, I’ll call you later. I have to get back to work.”

  He dropped a couple of hundreds on the bed and gave her a kiss goodbye. She grabbed the money and laid it on the table beside the bed. Once he was outside she mad a phone call. She told her informant all she knew about S.D. and what they had discussed.

  * * *

  Outside Sasha’s condo S.D. stopped and looked around. Sasha was definitely on his mind. He didn’t even notice the car off to the side that was watching him. After a few minutes of taking in the air, he hopped into his new car thinking about her.

  “Man, that was a good time,” he said out loud. He really enjoyed his time with her. She knew how to keep his mind off things especially the business. She knew how to love him and he loved that. She seemed down for anything and at that moment he needed that.

  She was not your ordinary chick. She was smart, beautiful, and talented in more ways than one. He liked her, but he was not trying to marry her. He just wanted some fun. She provided that fun that he needed.

  Most of the time he would sleep with girls and then throw them a couple of hundreds because they meant nothing but an easy catch. Yes, it was wrong, but if a girl was going to give it up, sure he was going to take it. Women were his weakness. He just could not resist them. He loved the way they walked, talked, and smelled. What really turned him on was a woman that took care of business. Sasha took care of business. He loved that about her.

  Sasha was just his moment girl, though. For a moment he would be all up on her, but when he was done with her he would throw her away like so many others. He liked to play with girls like Sasha especially when they would give it up so easily and make themselves easily available to a guy that was already in a relationship. He was not about to give up the relationship he was in for someone who could not be turned into a wife, but he would keep her around because she provided something that Tanya could not at that moment.

  He started the engine and drove off to the Barbershop on Fulton Street to see T. When he pulled up T got in. T was his muscle man, the one who handled the murderous side of the business. He also handled things when he could not.

  He and T met in college. They became the best of friends. They had so much in common and he trusted him. When he decided to get into the game, T followed him. He knew about T’s past. He knew T would be a perfect fit.

  T use to sell drugs before he went to college. He told S.D. that one day he wanted a change. That’s why he got his GED and went to college. But, he just could not resist the temptation of being on the streets again. It was alluring and fast cash. He wanted the money, the thrill, and all that he could get from this drug game. He could not resist it when S.D. brought to his attention that he was going into the game. T was all for it with no questions asked.

  “Yo, you know, Money didn’t pay his share,” T said as he hopped into the car.

  “Okay, why?” It was not like Money not to pay up. Money was usually reliable.

  “I don’t know, but I will find out and take care of it.”

  “Okay.”

  “But that’s nothing. We got a big drop tonight?”

  “Yeah, and—”

  He cut him off. “Well, I’ve heard from a reliable source that it might be a setup.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, they are looking to rob us. Look, if that’s true then we need to send a look out and get some more information.

  “I see. Send Mookie. He can get information. He’ll do it.”

  “Nah, Mookie ain’t even in town.”

  “Oh, well, find out what’s happening and if need be cancel the drop tonight. I want to know who wants to set us up as well. Get that information to me pronto. Then we will deal with them.”

  “Ok.”

  “These robberies keep happening. What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know man.”

  “They really want our spot, I guess.”

  “Yup!”

  “Well, that ain’t happening, hear me?”

  “Yeah.” T turned to look out the window as S.D. paused in thought.

  “Anything else?”

  “Yeah.” T was showing uneasiness about what he was about to tell him, but he had to tell him.

  “What?”

  “I heard Blackout wants you dead.”

  “Blackout, from Jays crew? First he robs us and now he places a hit out on me.”

  “Yup.”

  “Well, everyone wants me dead. So what’s new?”

  “Nah, this is fo’ real. I got it from a reliable source and they looking to do it soon.”

  “OK!” He said calmly. Things like that did not seem to faze him.

  “That’s all you can say?”

  “Yup, see I ain’t bothered by it. They want a fight so be it. Now, is it because we retaliated a few months back?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe? But, why don’t you lay low get out of town for a while.”

  “No!”

  “What good is all of this if you’re dead? You out here making your way up out of nothing then bang. Shot dead. You would have done all this for nothing.”

  He was hard headed at times, but what T was saying was real and he heard him. He wondered whether he should stay or go.

  “Go on vacation take whoever you messing with now. If you want I’ll handle the fort and when you get back everything will be taken care of.”

  “I see your point, but I ain’t running like some—”

  “Who said you was running. You ain’t running, you just taking care of business and you can take a much needed vacation.”

  He shook his head and closed his eyes for a second. T could be something else at times, but he was right. He needed the vacation. He needed to rest.

  “Seriously, you my brother, I don’t want to bury you.”

  “Don’t get sentimental on me now,” S.D. said with a smile.

  “I ain’t, I ain’t. Plus, I see that you been running a lot and not sleeping much. You definitely need the rest.”

  “Ok, so be it. I’ll go away and I’ll take Sasha.”

  “Sasha?” T was a little surprised. He began to get a little uneasy because he wanted to take Sasha with him on the trip, but he was happy that he convinced him to go out of town.

  “Yeah, I’ve been messing with her lately.”

  “You feeling her like that?”

  “A little, but she’s just a piece on the side, you know.”

  “What about your baby’s mom?” T wished he would take her instead, but he did not push it.

  “She’s been tripping lately. I just need a little break, you know how it is.”

  “Yeah. You can’t stick with just one.”

  “So, you going to take care of things while I’m away?”

  “Yeah, I’ll handle everything.”

  “Good,” he said slyly.

  S.D. slowed the car and stopped. T hopped out of the car turning to give him a pound.

  “Stay safe.”

  “You too!” He pulled off, honking his horn saying goodbye. The news T just gave him was nothing new. But, if his boy was giving him the warning he felt he needed to take the warning and lay low for a while.

  As he drove down the street he saw Money. He slowed up and gave him a good angry stare. He hated when people messed with his money. He wanted to take care of it then and there, but it was too open. He would just have to take care of it later. As S.D. rolled passed, Money turned around and gave him a nod. How does he have the balls to nod and not give me my money, he thought. He pulled out his gun and waved it at Money. Money stood still not making a move as S.D. rolled by.

  What was that about? Money was left
wondering.

  * * *

  Back at the Barber Shop, where T was dropped off, there was a black SUV hidden at the corner. The person inside the SUV was watching S.D., T, and everyone’s move. In order to get his target he had to be prepared. He had been watching and studying them for weeks. He was going to make his target. This time he was not going to miss. S.D. would be dead.

  * * *

  “Sasha,” S.D. called out.

  “Hey, I thought you weren’t coming back. You came back for more, didn’t you?” She smiled and grabbed him, but he pushed her back. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Look we are going to Italy.”

  “Italy, why?”

  “We are just going on a trip to spend some time together. Ok?”

  “Italy, really, baby? You’re taking me?” she was excited that he was going to take her out of the country, but she was also a little nervous.

  “Yup, so here’s some cash, go and buy you some new clothes, whatever. We will be there for awhile and don’t tell anyone either.”

  She turned around shocked, surprised, and happy all at the same time.

  “A while? How long?”

  “I don’t know?”

  “What do you mean you don’t...?”

  “Do you want to go or not,” her questioning once again annoyed him. He hated being questioned all the time especially now since thoughts were running through his head about who was trying to kill him.

  “Yes, I want to go, but—”

  “Then stop asking so many questions and get ready to go.”

  She could not believe that he wanted her to go to Italy. That meant he really was into her. She was nervous about going, although she did not mind staying a long time, but for how long she wondered, especially how long without him.

  Would it mess up the plans we have? Shoot. It did not matter, she thought. She would enjoy the trip out of the country. Everything would happen as planned and she would have what she really wanted.

  “I’ll see you later,” he said heading out the door.

  “When do we leave?” she shouted out, but he did not answer her.

  * * *

  “He wants me to go with him out of the country to Italy?”

  “Well, just keep his mind occupied and get his defenses low.”

  “But, what about me?”

  “You’re in good hands. I’ll be there to protect you. He doesn’t suspect anything right?”

  “No! He doesn’t. I don’t even know when we are leaving.”

  “You know S.D.! He never says it until the last minute so start getting ready now.”

  “Ok!”

  “I’ll see you in Italy. Ok, baby girl?”

  “Ok!” She hung up the phone. She was definitely scared. She did not know what to expect. All she knew was that S.D. would be dead. Then, she and her true love would be together reigning high with everything they’d ever wanted very soon.

  Chapter 10

  Shopping. Shopping. Shopping. What girl did not love to shop? Sasha loved to shop. It made her happy and took away the cares of her world. Her favorite spot was the Albee Square Mall in downtown Brooklyn. If she could not find what she wanted, there was always Nostrand Avenue, where there were even more stores, more clothes, and more shoes. Today she found everything she wanted on Nostrand Avenue.

  The things she chose and liked were very expensive. She did not mind because S.D. had given her a lot of cash. She was happy about that. She spent his money on everything she wanted. She got clothes, jewelry, shirts, purses and whatever she saw that fit her style. It was her mission to look just right. She wanted to look fabulous in Italy.

  As she walked from store to store carrying more bags than she could handle and looking through the windows, an elderly lady startled her, “what are you doing child?”

  Sasha stopped. She looked at the lady shockingly. The lady was in her mid-sixties. She was dark skinned and pretty. She was not very tall, but average height and somewhat full figured. Sasha could not help but notice how much the elderly lady reminded her of her grandmother. She gave the lady a little grin, but the lady did not return the gentle greeting. The lady asked another question, this time with authority in her voice. “Shouldn’t you be doing something with your life?”

  Confused and annoyed with the lady’s question she responded, “what?” She then tried to move out of the way, but the elderly lady blocked her way.

  “You could be doing something better with your life.”

  “What, I am doing something with my life?” Sasha tried to move again, but the lady blocked her again. She wanted to push her out of the way.

  “What living and shacking up with men? You could do better, child.”

  “What are you talking about? Mind your business and move.”

  She was tired of everyone being in her business. They all thought they knew what was best for her, but they really did not. She had control of her life and everything was just right and perfect. But, how did this lady know about that and what gave her the right to speak to her that way?

  “God has so much more for you. Turn to him before it is too late. You are heading for trouble. Stop now and turn the other way.”

  “God, please, he ain’t ever done anything for me. I got what I need and more.”

  “Child, don’t be this way. It will only lead you the wrong way. The decisions you are making now will hurt you. Please, God has more for you. More than you can imagine.”

  “Lady, excuse me. I have to get going. Move out of my way, now!” She really did not want to hear what this lady had to say. These fanatics always thought they knew better.

  “You are heading for trouble. Your decisions, child, your decisions are hurting you.”

  “What was she talking about?” she asked herself. “My decisions hurting me?” She brushed it off. She felt that she was making all the right decisions. They were the best ever. They got her all she needed in life. She would not change a thing.

  She continued to shop, but the lady shouted out, “your decisions and choices now will affect your destiny, your future. Your outcome will be determined upon what you decide. Decide right because if you don’t your life and the lives of others will be affected. Chose smart and wisely and you will avoid death and save others. Choose wrongly and you will see death.”

  It sent a chill up her spine, but she quickly dismissed it. She ignored the lady and went about her business, but in the back of her mind what the lady had said was scaring her. Was she talking about what was going to take place in Italy? Was she talking about what her and her lover had planned? How could she know all that? She wondered. This was scary and she began to have second thoughts.

  Death, she thought. Death. She did not want to see death especially so soon in her young life. She was too young to die or to even think about something like that. What she did not know was that the direction she was heading in was leading her down that road.

  * * *

  “First class? Baby you are too much.”

  “Yeah, get use to it. I’m going to wine and dine you while in Italy.”

  “Oh, I love you.” Sasha wrapped her arms around S.D.’s neck and planted a kiss on his lips.

  As they continued to kiss a tall man passed by them. He glanced at S.D. who did not notice him since he was so concentrated on her. She glanced at him knowingly right into his eyes. She knew who he was. She was glad that he was able to get a seat at the last minute. She felt protected, but scared all at the same time.

  Everyone had boarded the plan and were seated waiting for the plane to start moving and take flight. The flight attendant came over the loudspeaker and began to address those on the flight. “Ladies and gentleman, welcome to flight 718 to Venice, Italy. We want to thank you for choosing our airline. We hope you will enjoy this flight. Now, if you would please look forward. We will get started.”

  The flight attendant began to demonstrate the flight safety rules. Sasha tried to listen as the lady gave safety instructions, bu
t her mind wandered back to what the old lady had said.

  “You alright, babe.” S.D. asked interrupting her thoughts.

  “I’m fine,” she lied as he placed his hand on top of hers and kissed her cheek.

  “You’re probably just nervous about the flight.”

  “Maybe...that’s it. Yeah, the flight.” She smiled nervously.

  * * *

  They finally arrived at nine in the morning at the Marco Polo International Airport in Venice, Italy. It was a long trip, about eight and a half hours long, but she did not mind. Their plane departed at seven the night before and now they were looking at the beauty of Venice, Italy.

  The country was so beautiful and filled with water. The sites were breathtaking. Since it was a clear day they could see the city itself and all the landmarks. They saw the Dolomite, Venetian Lagoon, and much more. It was a spectacular view. No matter how many times S.D. had come here and seen all that Italy had to offer it was always like the first time. The sights and the country were just astounding to him. That was why he always returned, just for some peace, quiet, and the beautiful scenery.

  Once they landed they got their luggage and placed their luggage onto a free luggage cart. They walked to the boat pier. S.D. had arranged for a water taxi to take the two of them to his place.

  “Before we head home I want to take a ride and sightsee for a little while.” He wanted to see the sites once more.

  She did not mind that he wanted to sightsee. She wanted to sightsee as well. Being in a place like Venice, Italy made Sasha happy and excited. It was her first time out of the country and her first time experiencing something so wonderful.

  “I’ve never been on a boat ride like this before,” Sasha said.

  “Well, they call these water taxis. I arranged for us to have a private one.”

  As she looked around she was amazed at how the taxis and other boats were parked in front of homes and how the water surrounded it all. Oh, what a wonderful place to be at, she thought. Filled with culture, great views, and life, Italy was going to be a fun vacation. This was the life, she thought and she loved it.