Hustle Hard

by Saundra

  Then I heard an unfamiliar voice say, “This is for killin’ my brother.”

  “Who is your brother?” Kirk’s voice sounded faint at best.

  “Guess you kill so many motherfuckers you can’t remember. Well, this one you will wish you could remember if you could remember. My brother was Rupp.” Rupp was the guy I had set up to be robbed as revenge for raping Penny. I froze at the mention of his name. And it was the most shocking piece of information I could have imagined hearing. Not that Rupp had a brother, but that he had found Kirk and actually had the nerve to come to his house. I steadied myself up against the wall and straightened my posture before finding the courage to peep around the corner.

  My breathing and my heart seemed to stop as I saw Kirk lying on his floor on his back with a man standing over him. And it was no mystery to me that he held a Ruger pointed at Kirk’s head.

  Kirk said, “You got me, my nigga, so let’s do it.” Tears ran down my face as I watched him be the strong man that I knew him to be. Not afraid of shit. I could not believe what I was seeing. I watched as the Ruger pumped not one but two bullets into Kirk’s skull, then one to his chest. I had to cover my mouth to keep from screaming out loud. Suddenly I realized I was there with the guy alone. Quietly, I somehow found the strength to find a place to hide, which turned out to be in the closet of one of Kirk’s guest rooms.

  I was crying silently and shaking real bad as I slid behind the clothes to get to the back of the closet. Rupp’s brother’s face was now clear to me. He had been the guy who had come into Custom Hot Rides months back and started fake drama about his car being messed up by them and refusing to pay. Kirk had had his crew throw him out of the shop. Now I saw that that must have been a part of his plan to figure out who exactly Kirk was. But how did he know anything about Kirk? Did he know who I was? Was he looking for Penny? After all, Penny was the reason Kirk had killed Rupp. And I was the reason Rupp had kidnapped and raped Penny. Was he the mystery of that cat and mouse game that Kirk speculated about, that someone who was following him around? Maybe Kirk hadn’t been paranoid at all. But I would probably never know. I heard footsteps getting closer and closer to me; in fact, they were right in front of me.

  Chapter 42

  Isis

  Everything at the shop was set up and ready to go for the sit-and-wait, which meant we had plenty of snacks and a blunt for the night while we patiently waited on our shipments. But Secret had not arrived yet. She was supposed to be stopping by Kirk’s house to pick up some paperwork that we needed for this small shipment we had coming in. But it had been over an hour since I had spoken to her, and I thought she would have arrived by now. Knowing Secret, though, if Kirk had pulled out a blunt or two, she was not leaving until she hit them both. That was her; but she also knew how important the night was, and Kirk did, too. So I was sure she wouldn’t play around with that.

  I picked up my cell phone and dialed her number but got no answer. I guessed that if she was running a few minutes behind, she didn’t feel like hearing my mouth, because she knew as soon as she answered the phone I was going in. I ended the call and tried again, and it was the repeat of the first call: ringing non-stop until the voice mail came on. I decided leaving her a message was a waste of time, so I canned that option. I was hungry, so I fished a steak taco with cilantro and onions out of the stash I had ordered and picked up. I bit into it and was in taco heaven. Lucky for Secret, it calmed my nerves.

  I was almost done with my taco when the banging on the front door got my attention. I knew it was nobody but Secret; she was famous for forgetting her keys to the shop. Stuffing the rest of my taco into my mouth, I rushed off toward the front door. As I got close to the front entry door, I slowed my pace as I realized that it was not Secret at the door but Bobbi. I had just left him less than two hours ago and told him I had to work. So I was clueless as to why he was standing outside of Custom Hot Rides banging on the door.

  “Ahh, what’s up, Bobbi?” I asked with my eyebrows raised.

  “Aye, I know you busy, but I really would like to take you out to late-night dinner when you done here.”

  I couldn’t believe he was in fact talking about dinner. What part of work was he confused about? “Bobbi, I told you I have work. I ain’t talkin’ late night. I’m talkin’ early morning.”

  “Hey, beggars can’t be choosers. But I really want to take you out. Like I said, I’m leaving tomorrow, and this means a lot to me.” I just glared at him. At the moment I was agitated that Secret had not shown up. Instead, I was for the second time in the same night staring down Bobbi and his persistence. I looked over his shoulder; still there was no Secret. And here he was standing in my face like eating with me was in his last will and testament.

  “A’ight, Bobbi. I’ll eat wit’ you, but it will be hours from now if you can stay up.”

  “Can I stay up? Girl, I’m a night owl. I know you remember,” he joked.

  “Yeah, I remember you sleeping well through the night,” I reminded him. I gave a light chuckle.

  “I got this. Trust me. I’m in.”

  “Cool. I’ll call you when I’m done here.”

  “Well, I was hoping I could drive you. You know, like a date . . . Wait, hold up. I know how you feel about us and dates. But I just wanted to take you out, me the driver, you the passenger.” I really wasn’t in the mood to protest. I really just needed to get rid of him and fast.

  “Whatever, I’ll call you when I’m ready. Now you gotta go.” I all but pushed him out the door.

  “And I promise I will, but can I please use your bathroom?”

  Annoyed, I sighed. “Bobbi, no, you have got to go.” I was tired of being nice.

  “Please. I promise to hurry,” he begged.

  “Hurry your ass.” I rolled my eyes, annoyed. He rushed off toward the back. I walked back to the office to grab my phone to see if Secret had called, and if not, to call her again. Checking my phone, I discovered there were no missed calls from Secret. I dialed her number again, and there was no answer. A funny feeling was suddenly in the pit of my stomach. There was no doubt in my mind that Secret was running late. She would not be this late. Not when it came to business. I started to call Kirk to find out what time she had left his place.

  I heard footsteps. I turned around. “Bobbi, you finis—” Instead of finishing my sentence, I was stunned that I was staring down the barrel of gun. And to my complete horror, it was Bobbi’s hand holding the gun in my face.

  For a minute, we just stared at each other. I thought about the first day I ever saw him standing the parking lot of the apartments that Secret, Penny, and I lived in at the time. I could see the sweat that dripped off him as he stood up straight from under the hood of his cousin’s car, which he was working on. Suddenly, I could remember the scent of the Polo I had bought for him on the first Christmas we had spent together. I could see us rolling around in my bed playing. Then I remembered the heartbreak I felt when I realized he had stolen from me and run off. How sick I felt at his betrayal. Somehow I had been a fool and allowed him back into my life. And for the second time, he was here to hurt me again, maybe this time permanently.

  “Are you surprised?” he had the nerve to ask me. He had this look of satisfaction on his face. I was dumbfounded and clueless, all rolled up into one.

  “Actually, I am. Seeing that I truly wanted to believe you were not the scum of the earth that I thought you were. So what is it you want from me this time, Bobbi?”

  “Good you asked.”

  “You are such punk-ass bitch. Constantly stalking a female to come up. So tasteless,” I spat at him.

  “Who the fuck are you to judge me? Ain’t shit you got legit. You think I don’t know?” He laughed. “Well, I do. Now here is what you can do for me. I know all about that shipment coming in tonight,” he revealed, I was at a loss for words. “Yeah, thought that might get a reaction out of you. I want it—all of it.”

  “You must be out of your fuckin’ mind. Do you
know who that shit belongs to?”

  “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a fuck. I’m here to collect, and I will tonight.”

  “Such a fucking snake,” I hissed at him. “How do you know about this?”

  “Easy, I eavesdropped on a call you had wit’ Secret. Remember that bullshit you told me about you were just Customer Service? Like I was stupid enough to believe that. Why do you think I came back to Miami? I knew all about your whole operation before I even touched down. See, I had a cousin who worked for Kirk’s scheming ass, and he told me all about you and Secret’s position. You might know my kinfolk. He’s missing now. I’m sure your boy Kirk had something to do wit’ that also. But fuck all, I’m trying to get this money. I just been waiting on you and that cock-blocking, hating-ass bitch Secret to make a way for me to make my move. So thank you.”

  “Fuck you. Don’t be calling me names,” I spat. “She tried to warn me about your snake ass, but I refused to listen. . . I should have known better, but here I was stupid, trying to forgive your black ass.”

  “Just like a female. Y’all always lettin’ your guard down too early. But I knew bringing you back into my life was gone be a piece of cake. You been fighting hard to resist me. I see it in your eyes. You still want me. Gone admit it?” I couldn’t believe he was using this time to be conceited.

  “I just need to know why, Bobbi. After all I ever done for you, I never would have hurt you. I trusted you. And the whole time, I was being taken. Just tell me why.” I genuinely wanted to know. What drove him to betray someone who cared so deeply for him and supported him in every way? “I even supported your pipe dream about that drive-up car service shit. When everybody else just laughed at you, it was me who encouraged you to follow through with it.”

  “I admit the car thing was cool. But it was not enough, it would never take off fast enough for me to get where I was trying to go. See, buss it. I was tired of living in the hood scraping just to get by. But I met you, and I thought you were cute, but I ain’t never had it in my head to be in no committed relationship. That changed when I found out about the money. I wanted it. All of it. Then I thought, why not stick around and add to that. So I did . . .” He looked away briefly. His eyes were cold as they fell back on me. He was silent as if I might respond. “I wanted that money and a future. You had it, so you became the prey.

  “So just like that, you used me.”

  “Aye, don’t take it so personal. I said I thought you were cute. Money just meant more than you. And the fact of the matter is I never loved you.” He laughed. “I’m a funny guy, right?”

  “Nope, you a fuckin’ idiot. Do you honestly believe you gone take this shipment and ride outta of here on a white horse?”

  “Damn right, you just sit back and watch.” He was sure of himself.

  “Boy, please believe me when I say America ain’t big enough for you to hide. ’Cause when Kirk figure out you got this shit, you might as well put the gun to your own head. ’Cause, bitch, you through.” I was sure he was unfazed by everything that I had said. But that was because he didn’t know who he was messing around with. Kirk knew niggas all over the globe. Bobbi was done. And that much was official.

  “See, that’s the problem: y’all so busy worshipping the nigga. You don’t even see that he distracted.” That statement hit me like a ton of bricks. I instantly thought about the odd behavior and vibe that Kirk had been giving off lately. As much as I wanted to deny it, I had noticed it weeks ago. Something was amiss with Kirk; his mind just seemed to be busy all the time. And if I and others could see it . . . That was problem. Kirk always kept a stone face in public. He probably wouldn’t even blink if someone was shooting a machine gun right over his head. But lately he had been a little quieter. In thinking about Kirk, Secret flashed before my eyes again. She was still not there.

  “First off, all businessmen are distracted at one time or another. But at least he trying. Kirk has his hands full wit’ the business, and he still working . . . Stop worrying ’bout over here. We got this.” I gave him attitude. I was annoyed with his entire conversation.

  “You act like this shit legit or something. Isis, this is a drug operation run by a wanna-be kingpin. The shit gone fall eventually anyway. I’m just giving it a head start.”

  “Whatever, Bobbi, keep stealing for your come-up. You just jealous that Kirk’s business took off.”

  “Fuck that nigga. After tonight that nigga can work on startin’ from scratch. Now what time your hoe-ass friend coming back?”

  “She’ll be here.” I kept it short. He still sounded like we were friends. I kicked myself a thousand times just thinking about the fact that I had actually backtracked and dated the asshole. I would never forgive myself.

  “And there is something else I think you should know. That little bitch Courtney, she’s dead.”

  “What do you mean dead?” I was confused.

  “I mean it’s lights out for the nosy-ass, money-hungry slut. The bitch would do whatever to get some money. Even try to con me, and that’s where she fucked up.”

  “What are you talking about, Bobbi?”

  “I killed her ass. Last night when she came over to my crib, I pumped two slugs into her chest. She gone.”

  Tears stung at my eyes. “Why? Why you kill that girl?”

  “See, you not listening, I just told you she was nosy. Turns out the girl I hired at my store was Courtney’s cousin. Melvin had been banging the hoe, and she overheard our plans about this takeover. She called up Courtney, and her greedy ass tried to extort me for money. And I was not having that shit. So last night I took care of her and her big-mouth-ass cousin. Actually, you came over when Melvin and I were dismembering the bodies. You showing up really was an inconvenience. I had to hurry up and take off the plastic jumpsuit I had on to keep the blood from staining my clothes.” The look in his eyes sent tingles up my spine.

  “You are a fuckin’ monster. She did not deserve that,” I screamed. Suddenly I felt bad. I should have never believed that Courtney would betray me by dating Bobbi. I was no longer angry with Bobbi; I was horrified, dismayed, and pissed. I could see bloody red. I could not believe he had murdered Courtney in cold blood.

  “Oh, and last. I think it’s time you know that Melvin is not my cousin.”

  “Who gives a fuck?” I yelled in his direction. “Your whole pathetic life is built on lies.”

  “If that’s the way you feel, you’ll hate this one. I’m bisexual. Not only is Melvin not my cousin, we been sleepin’ together for years.” I felt as if I would faint as I stood still feeling light-headed.

  “You a fag?” I screamed and went to rush him. But he pointed the gun directly between my eyes.

  “Uh-uh. Stay back. This will be painful.” I could not believe what I was hearing. The room seemed to blur. “Yeah, all the condoms you used to fine around the house and thought they were some random girl Melvin was messing wit’. Nope, they were ours.” I bent over and placed my hands on my knees. The violations from Bobbi’s mouth seemed to be never-ending. I didn’t know what was due to come of his mouth next. One thing was for sure: I felt rage.

  “I’m gone kill you, motherfucker.” My tone was calm, but my anger was a raging bull. “You sleep wit’ me and put me in danger. I could have some sexually transmitted disease or, worse, AIDS.” My eyes blinked, and they were bloodshot red.

  “Bitch, don’t be dramatic. We used condoms, remember?” He had the nerve to remind me. He wore a stupid grin on his face. I was shaken inside and out. I could not believe I had been sleeping with Satan.

  “Nigga, ain’t shit wrong wit’ being dramatic. And I should have known by the sneaky way that you moved that you were somebody’s bitch. Taking it straight up the ass, huh?”

  Secret stepped out of nowhere and put a gun to Bobbi’s head. I was surprised, stunned, and grateful, all at the same time.

  “Bitch, fuck you.” Bobbi’s words were tough but the look on his face was cold, as if he had seen a ghost. �
�I should have known you would fuck this up. Damn, I forgot to look out for you.” He bit his bottom lip.

  “Well, I guess the first lesson you should learn is stop talking so fuckin’ much and hit the target.” Secret pushed his head with the gun. “You a’ight, Isis?” She looked at me.

  “Courtney dead.” Secret’s eyes were full of questions. “He killed her.”

  “Hoe-ass nigga. Don’t worry, this nigga ’bout to meet her in a few seconds.” Secret pulled back the trigger.

  “No!” I screamed.

  “Isis, don’t start this shit. I told you before, don’t trust this nigga. But naw, you said fuck that and went off playin’ hopscotch wit’ his ass. Now look at what he done. Up in this bitch tryin’ to take what’s ours.” Secret pushed Bobbi’s head again with the gun.

  “And you were right about every lowdown, piece-of-shit name that you called him. But make no mistake about it, this asshole’s death belongs to me.”

  “Ha ha.” Bobbi laughed. “Bitch, please, tell you what. You shoot your hoe-ass friend over here, and I’ll go ahead and marry you and give you the life you want. ’Cause ain’t no other nigga gone put up wit’ you. Shi’d, it ain’t like you light-skinned.”

  Rushing across the room, I snatched the gun out of Secret’s waiting hand and smashed it across his face. Blood flew everywhere, all over my clothes. His two front teeth landed right next to my feet.

  “I might be dark-skinned, but you a toothless bitch. Now you stand there and bleed. And remember the last thing you seen was my dark-skinned face.”

  “Fuuc . . .” He tried to mumble something, but I was done listening to him.

  “No, fuck you. This for Courtney, bitch.” I pumped two bullets between his eyes. At first his body stood erect, his eyes half open. Then he fell backward. We could hear his skull crack when it hit the floor.