by Paige Dearth
Rock dialed the number and then sat back in his chair, waiting for the phone to be answered. On the third ring, the man picked up. “Myles,” the voice announced.
“Myles, it’s Rock. How you doin’, man?”
“Rock, it’s been a while. How’ve you been?”
“Good, man, good. Hey, ya remember our last transaction? That girl, Maggie, I bought from ya a few years back?” Rock asked, knowing damn well that Myles would remember her. Maggie had the type of beauty that no man could forget.
“Yeah, sure. I remember her.” Myles thought about little Maggie. She’d been his favorite for quite some time. So sweet and innocent. Of course he remembered her. There’d been many others since Maggie, but she would always stand out in his mind.
“Well, I got a little problem. Bitch gave us some shit in the beginning. Lying and doing things she shouldn’t. We took care of all that. Things have been good for some time. Now we just found out she’s scammin’ us. She’s turning extra tricks and keeping the dough. Ya know what happens when one of the bitches does this and gets away with it,” Rock remarked.
Myles smiled on the other end of the phone, thinking of clever little Maggie. She always was a smart one. “Yeah, I understand. Once one gets away with it, they all think they can do it. So why are you calling me? What are you looking for?”
“I’m looking for a buyer,” Rock stated. “I’m gonna need a good price for her. Remember, I paid ten grand for her just three years ago. I’m looking to double my money, at least. I’ve trained her, and she’s even hotter now than she was then,” he said, trying to talk up the sale.
Myles thought about it for moment. “OK, I’ll see what I can do. No promises. You’re asking for a lot of money. Remind me how old she is,” he said.
“Seventeen. But I’ll tell ya, she’s one fine-looking bitch,” he said enthusiastically.
“Seventeen? Rock, you must be smoking crack. Twenty grand is a lot to expect for a seventeen-year-old. I don’t care how hot she is,” Myles told him.
Rock could feel the muscles in his calves tensing into tight knots. He knew Myles was right, but he couldn’t just let Maggie go, and he couldn’t keep her in the house with the other girls; not anymore. She’d killed the little trust he had in her.
“She’d make a good porn star,” Rock said without thinking, desperate to get a good price for her.
“Hmmm. That’s not a bad idea. Let me make some calls and see if there’s any interest. I want you to take some pictures of her and send them to me right away.”
“Pictures. Yeah, OK. I’ll take some pictures and get them out to ya tomorrow. I’ll be talkin’ to ya.”
Rock hung up the phone and called Armando. “I need you to get me pictures of Maggie. I want hot, sexy pictures. Get her a couple of those ‘fuck me’ outfits. I’ll be over later tomorrow. Make sure it’s done before I get there,” he ordered and hung up the phone.
The next morning, Armando woke Maggie up early. “Come on, let’s go,” he told her.
She followed him up to a bedroom on the second floor. Ugh, she thought with deep disgust, the scumbag wants sex. She was surprised when she entered the bedroom. There were red satin sheets on the bed, and across the room, several sexy outfits were spread out on an oversized chair. Oh great! Now he wants sex and for me to dress up. Yuk!
“We need to get some pictures of ya. Sexy pictures,” Armando stated.
“For what?” Maggie asked, surprised.
“Bitch, who the fuck are ya questionin’? Get your smelly ass over there and put on one of those outfits I bought ya. Then go comb your hair and put on some makeup I left for ya in the bathroom. Hurry up!” Armando yelled.
When Maggie emerged from the bathroom ten minutes later, she looked like a Victoria Secret model.
“Get yourself over here on the bed and do some poses,” Armando stated coldly.
Maggie did as she was told. Armando told her how to pose—raise your arms, spread your legs wider, push your hair out of your face, take your bra off, pull your thong over…the instructions went on and on. The photographer must have taken a hundred pictures of her.
When they were finished, Maggie put her clothes on and went back downstairs. She nervously noticed that none of the other girls were being taken upstairs for pictures. Why only her?
She thought about it for a few minutes and then let the worry slip away, convincing herself that everything was fine.
Chapter Eighty-Six
Three days later, the phone rang. Rock answered. “Yeah?”
“It’s Myles. The pictures were fabulous. You were right, she’s even better looking now,” Myles confirmed.
“Good, good. Do you have a buyer?” Rock pressed, wanting to ditch the small talk.
“Let’s just say I have someone who is very interested.”
“Oh, yeah? They’re going to put her in porn movies, then?” Rock asked curiously.
“Not exactly. They’re looking at her for a snuff film,” Myles said casually.
Fuck. That sucks, Rock thought. They’re gonna buy her and kill her in a porn film. Oh, well! As long as they pay me my price, I don’t give a shit. For Rock, everything came down to money. All of his decisions were based on how he could make the most money possible.
“So what now?” Rock asked.
“We wait. I’ll let you know when I hear back,” Myles said.
The next day, Myles extended an offer of five thousand dollars for Maggie.
“What the fuck is this? I paid ten grand for her. Why the fuck would I sell her for five?” Rock asked, outraged.
“Because she’s seventeen years old, and all they’re going to do is make one film with her, and she’ll be dead. I’m sure you made your fair share of money off her over the last three years. You’ve made back that ten thousand many times over.”
“How much is your cut?” Rock asked.
“It’s 15 percent. It ain’t much. I’m not in this particular deal for the money. I’m just trying to help two people I know make a deal,” he said.
“Five thousand ain’t enough. I need at least ten,” Rock told him.
“Fine. I’ll call my contact. I’ll let you know.”
Rock sat forward in his chair and slammed his fist on the top of the table. He was angry that Maggie had betrayed him yet again, and in the long run, he would lose money. But keeping her put too much at stake. She had to go as soon as possible.
A week later, Rock went to see Armando to let him know he’d made a deal to sell Maggie for eight thousand dollars. Armando was disappointed at how little they’d gotten for her. Rock gave Armando explicit instructions. “I’ll be driving her up to New York in two days. Make sure she’s here and ready to go. I’ll pick her up in the morning.”
Rock wasn’t any happier about the sale than Armando was. From a business standpoint, it was a stupid move. But when he took in the bigger picture—the larger implications of Maggie’s actions—he knew it was something he needed to do. On his way back to his own home, Rock drove slowly down Kensington Avenue. Sitting at a traffic light, he noticed a crowd had gathered on the sidewalk next to a car with its windows open, blaring music. A group of men were bouncing around, hooting and hollering. When Rock took a closer look, he saw Maggie. She was pole dancing on a street sign.
Rock parked his car and watched from across the street as Maggie worked the crowd of men. She shimmied up the pole effortlessly and moved to the music. Her long, lean body was magnificent as she smoothly and eloquently became one with the pole. Rock was captivated by her elegance and sensuality, her muscles tensing and relaxing. Her body appeared to be flawless. He had to admit that she was a good pole dancer.
When the music stopped, Maggie led one of the men behind the building. She returned fifteen minutes later and took a second man behind the building. When she came back the next time, the music was screaming from inside the car again, and Maggie did her pole routine. Well I’ll be damned, Rock thought, she found a way to boost her own business
. As the other prostitutes watched and threw annoyed glances, Maggie was the center of attention for the paying customers.
Rock thought about Maggie’s fate. She was so talented and attractive, a real money-maker. It seemed such a shame to throw all that potential money out the window for a measly eight thousand bucks. He sat in his car for over an hour, watching the men feed off her. The other hookers were practically turning green with envy. There had to be another way for him to salvage her. He needed to think of something spectacular. Rock remembered what he had learned as a young man from Thelma’s father. You must always think in terms of money, even if it means doing something you’ve never done before, the old man told him. This is a tough business, and only the men who understand human nature will succeed.
Rock watched for a while longer, and then slowly the idea formed in his mind. He played the idea out in his head as if he were watching a movie. Then he decided.
Rock knew exactly what he was going to do with Maggie.
Chapter Eighty-Seven
“The deal is off,” Rock told Myles. “I have something else in mind for Maggie.”
“Well, I can appreciate that, but you do know you’ve put me in a bad situation. My client is going to be very unhappy. I had to work some difficult angles with this low-life to put this deal together,” Myles responded.
“I know, I know. I appreciate all you’ve done. But the girl is worth too much to me. Tell your client I’ll make it up to him another way, another time. But Maggie ain’t for sale. I got new information that gave me a solution to my problem. I didn’t have this info when I called you. I’ll be more than happy to pay ya for your time. We’ve known each other a long time, and I’ve never backed out of a deal. I hope we can continue to do business in the future,” Rock said.
“All right, well, I hope you’re making the right decision. Maggie is a smart girl, and you have your hands full. As for my time, let’s just keep it at you owe me. I’ll call some other business owners and see if I can find a girl for this snuff film. Whatever you just found out about Maggie saved her life. Like I said, she’s a smart girl. I’d keep my eye on that one, if I were you,” Myles warned him.
“Yeah, man. I hear ya. Hey, thanks for your help. Let’s stay in touch.”
Rock sat back in his chair, and relief washed over him. He knew it was bad business to cut a deal and then back out of it at the last minute. He also knew he’d only get away with doing it once before no one would do business with him. Maggie better come through, he thought, or I’ll kill her myself.
The next person Rock called was Armando. “Did you tell Maggie we were taking a little trip?” Rock asked.
“Yeah, I told her. The bitch was full of questions. I had to slap the shit out of her to make her stop talkin’ and told her to be ready to go when ya get here,” Armando said, sounding like a tough ass.
Rock smiled as he held the phone to his ear. “Yeah, she ain’t like the others. That one has a mind of her own. Well, were gonna keep her with us. I have another plan for her. I’m gonna move her out of the house to make sure none of the other bitches pick up her habit of scammin’ us.”
“What’s your plan?” Armando asked, shocked. He did not want to lose the income he made off Maggie.
“I’ll explain it to ya later. I’m going to Juju’s to talk to Maggie now, so she ain’t gonna give ya no shit. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure ya see some green from what she earns. I’m gonna give ya 5 percent,” Rock explained, sensing what Armando was thinking. Rock needed to keep his crew of men happy; after all, they dealt with the day-to-day bullshit of the business.
“Yeah, yeah, OK, Rock. That sounds good. Just let me know what you need me to do,” Armando said, relieved.
“When she comes back today, all ya gotta do is make sure she puts on the sexiest outfit ya got. Have her put it on, and give her something big to wear over it. Something that’s easy to take off,” he said.
Rock left the house and went to Juju’s, where he knew he’d find Maggie. When Juju opened the door and Rock stepped inside the tiny studio apartment, Seth jumped to his feet and ran to Maggie. He placed his whole body behind hers and poked his head around her side to keep an eye on Rock.
Noticing the boy’s fear, Rock chuckled loudly. “Relax, boy. I ain’t here for you.”
“So, what are you here for?” Juju asked with apprehension.
“I’m here to talk to Maggie,” Rock said. The serious tone in his voice sent chills up Maggie’s spine.
“Su…sure, Rock. What’s up?” Maggie asked nervously.
“Come on. We need to take a little ride,” he responded mysteriously.
Maggie and Juju exchanged worried looks, both wondering if Rock had found out that Maggie was turning extra tricks. After giving Seth a hug, Maggie followed Rock outside and slid into the front seat of his car. Rock turned and swung a forceful backhand at her face. He wanted to scare her and put her on notice that what he was about to say wasn’t an option.
“I know what you’ve been doing,” Rock said and went silent.
“I…I…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stuttered, blood dripping down her chin from her split lip.
“Oh no? Ya don’t know you’ve been scammin’ me? Turning out extra tricks and keeping the dough?”
“I can explain, Rock. Juju and I didn’t have enough money to buy food for Seth and pay all the bills. I gave Armando my nightly quota. I never came up short on that,” she pointed out.
“Your nightly quota is a minimum of what I expect ya to earn. Do ya think I pay for your skank ass to live for nothin’? For you to go behind my back and steal money from me?” Rock yelled.
“No. I’m sorry,” Maggie replied timidly. But she was starting to burn up inside. Maggie knew how much money they made off her. She resented Rock, Armando, and all of the others for exploiting her and the other girls.
“So what now?” Maggie asked, not wanting to prolong whatever punishment was coming to her.
Her mind was racing, and she had a gripping fear that Rock would sell her back to the sex traffickers.
“I saw you dancing on the street pole the other day,” he stated evenly.
“And?” she asked, rattled.
“And I’ve decided to put that skill of yours to good use. I’m taking ya out to a strip club. The manager there is gonna give ya an audition. We’re going up there this afternoon. I expect ya to perform. You understand me?” Rock said in a coldblooded voice.
“But I’m not a stripper, Rock. I only know a couple of moves I learned before I came here—”
“Shut the fuck up!” Rock yelled. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her face close to his. “Listen real good. We’re gonna go to that bar, and you’re gonna dance like your life depends on it. Because it does,” he threatened.
Maggie’s fear of being on a stage started choking her—not so much her fear of stripping but that Rock said her life depended on it. What did he mean? Would he kill her if she didn’t get hired? The pressure mounted, and her stomach felt like she was riding on a roller coaster. Maggie willed herself not to throw up.
“I’ll pick ya up at the house at two o’clock this afternoon. Be ready. That means be standing on the sidewalk waitin’ for me,” he instructed. “Another thing…get your ass back to the house now.”
Rock nodded toward the car door, silently telling Maggie to get out. She couldn’t resist the urge to ask the question burning inside of her. “What did you mean when you said my life depends on it? What’s gonna happen if this guy doesn’t like me?”
“Let’s just say I have an offer on the table. Someone who’s lookin’ to buy ya from me, and I’ll leave it at that,” he said, hoping his lie would pay off.
Maggie rushed out of the car and ran back to Juju’s apartment. She threw open the door and burst into tears.
Alarmed and instantly frightened, Juju went to her. “What happened? What did he want?”
“He wants me to audition at a strip club. He
said my life depends on getting hired. He found out I’ve been skimming money,” she said, bawling.
Juju quickly reflected on all the warnings she’d given to Maggie. But she decided it wasn’t the right time to preach. Instead, she wanted to be strong for Maggie.
“Yeah, well that motherfucker doesn’t know who he’s messin’ with. You can dance like there’s no tomorrow. You ain’t got nothin’ to be worried about,” Juju said angrily.
Maggie took her hands away from her face. “Do you really think I’m good enough?”
“Do bears shit in the woods?” Juju asked.
Maggie smiled through her tears; she was half laughing and half crying. Then she was suddenly struck by the memory of Cali. She’d taught her how to dance well. Cali would want her to be strong. Slowly, she began to fill with confidence, and her tears subsided.
At two o’clock that afternoon, Maggie got into Rock’s car. His tires screeched as he pulled away from the curb, and he drove to Double Visions.
Chapter Eighty-Eight
It took a moment for Maggie’s eyes to adjust from the sunlight to the darkness of the bar when they walked into Double Visions. She looked around the large room, her eyes pausing on the four men sitting at a bar that wrapped around a stage. Then she looked at the stripper dancing on the stage. She was wearing only a thong, and she appeared to be in a trance as she swung her hips slowly back and forth.
Rock moved up to the bar and stood.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asked, eyeing them.
“We have an appointment with Jay,” Rock announced.
“What’s your name?”
“Rock.”
“Yeah, OK. I’ll let him know.”