My Hustler’s Keeper

by Larissa

  “I tied her up, but I forgot to tie her legs and lock the back door,” I admit to him.

  “Where did you find her at?” he asks, shaking his head in shame.

  “Running by the gas station.”

  “Did anyone see you?”

  “No.”

  “Both of you,” he says waving his hands. “You better praise God services started. Otherwise it would take a miracle to get my foot out of y’all ass.” Walking over to Rayla he punches her in the face.

  “Try some sneaky shit like this again and I’ll have your body sitting in the fucking morgue,” he says, threating her. She is filled with so much fear she is shaking.

  Walking over towards me, he then slaps me across the face causing me to yell out in pain.

  “Make sure this shit never happens again. Tie this bitch up good and bring your stupid ass back upstairs.” Looking us over one last time, Joe slams the door.

  “I should kill you bitch. But you’re only bait for me to get your brother.”

  “It’s a shame. I’m not even a member of this church and I can tell your Joe’s bitch,” she speaks.

  “Yeah, well don’t forget your brother is his bitch too.”

  “You better pray to your Lord ‘cause you will be joining him very soon. I will get out of this and I will kill you and your pastor pimp,” she threatens me.

  “Trust me, you’ll be dead before you can bring any plot to life.”

  After making sure Rayla is tied up tight, Malik and I make our way back upstairs to join Joe and the congregation in Sunday’s services.

  My Hustler’s Keeper

  -12-

  JOE

  “May the congregation please stand for prayer?”

  “Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen,” they recite together.

  “Today God spoke to me. He spoke to me and said, Joe, my son it’s time for you to stop lying and tell the truth. And I asked, father what lie have I ever told? I thought I was preaching what you wanted me to.” I pause for a second, looking into the crowd then continues to speak.

  “He told me lying is a sin and that it wouldn’t hurt to speak the truth. The message for today I’m trying to say is God hates liars. He knows before we know. So if you’re lying just tell the truth. It’s easy to tell a li’l white lie, but it’s refreshing to speak the truth.”

  “Amen!” the congregation shouts.

  “Now as always the first Sunday, we’re ending early. But before you go, I’d like for you to remember the lies you tell and ask God for forgiveness. Church is dismissed. We’ll join again tomorrow.”

  Within a matter of minutes the church is empty. I start to pace around thinking of the girl in the back and how it will feel to be inside of that. That is soon interrupted by a text message coming in from Mary.

  “Emergency at home. Come quick,” she texts.

  Okay, on the way, I reply back.

  “After I get some pussy,” I say out loud, laughing as I make my way down the basement stairs.

  “Please don’t kill me,” she says as I snitch the duct tape from over her mouth.

  “Ain’t anybody going kill you,” I tell her. “That is if you do what I say.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “Drop them drawers,” I reply back, laughing. She stares at me with a confused look, as raindrop tears fall freely from her eyes. “You wanna live and I need some pussy.”

  “Please don’t do this Joe,” she begs, but her cries are falling on mute ears.

  “So if you know what’s best for you and how to come out of this situation alive, I’ll get to dropping them panties and fast.”

  “I’m not trying to die. Please Joe.”

  “Drop them panties and fast.”

  “What about the other guy?” she asks.

  “Who, Malik? What about him?”

  “Yes, him. Do I have to do him too?” she asks through tears.

  “He ain’t looking for anything wet to slide up in but I am,” I tell her.

  I step out of my pants and pull my T-shirt over my head, leaving only my boxers on. I step closer towards her. I then lay her shaking body on the cold floor, and spreading her legs, I enter.

  “Damn, I like it tight,” I tell her, going deeper.

  Her body moves fast under me while the tears run freely down her face. Seconds later I am done.

  “See, that wasn’t so bad,” I say smiling. Standing up, I begin to get myself together.

  “Now when your brother asks nine months from now who’s the daddy, tell him I said that’s payback for fucking my daughter,” I say, punching her a few times in the face. Then after that is done I left out the church building, get into my car, and drive home. I still have some unfinished business there to take care of.

  “Look, I don’t have time for bullshit,” I say, entering my home on the South Side of Chicago.

  “Since Sincere, Henry, and Daniel ain’t playing on the right team I need y’all to pick up where they left off. Corey, I want you and your boys, to handle connects from the West Side. And set up shop as well. I’ll be meeting up with a couple of dudes next week so they will know what’s up.”

  “A’ight,” he says back.

  “But understand this, I don’t have time for fuck ups. So if you and your boys got a problem with getting money then get the fuck out now and never come back.”

  “Nah man, no problem at all.

  “Good. Welcome to the team my son.”

  “Thanks for having me,” he says, extending his hand to shake.

  He won’t last long, I think to myself as I shake his hand.

  After making sure everything is okay at home with Corey, I make my way over to talk with an old friend, Judge William Thomason, the biggest judge in Chicago that handles drug cases.

  Thomason is an old pimp type of brother I met while I was on a business trip in Las Vegas.

  “Hey, I’m William. Judge William Thomason.” He said, introducing himself the first night I met him.

  “Joe.” I replied back. “Pastor Joe Jones.”

  Upon sitting down I learned quickly that William was like most men I met up with at these conventions. He swore up and down he was happily married but was fucking more chicks than the one he was living with and expected for me to find him some pussy to have fun with, while his wife was at home, praying for him to have a safe journey.

  “I heard great things about you. I think I’m going to like doing business with you,” he said out the blue.

  “Well, I’m glad. This here is Mary. She will be your guest for the night,” I tell him.

  “Hey Mary. I hope you treat me nice. I’m having a hard day.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll make all your stress go away.”

  Five drinks later him, Mary, and I went back to my room. And let’s just say when Mary was done with him, I was hitting the jackpot, as he was getting his dick sucked by the devil, welcoming him into hell’s kitchen.

  “Joe, did you hear me?” Thomason asks, bringing me back from daydreaming.

  “Nah, what did you say?”

  “I said Sincere just left not too long ago. And he also took the last of the product,” he repeats, while shaking, looking like he needs a fix.

  “What you want me to do about it?” I ask, looking him up and down.

  “Joe, that was for my rainy days. You know my wife is sick. I need all the money I can get,” he says, pouting like a kid.

  “I’ll give it back to you. But first I want you to make sure Sincere, Daniel, and Henry pay for betraying me.”

  “How would I be able to do that?”

  “I’m going to set them up,” I admit to him.

  “How do I fit into that?”

&n
bsp; “When I do they will come to you.”

  “So you want me to convict them?”

  “I see you do got a brain up there.”

  “Joe, I don’t think that’s a good idea”

  “I don’t care what you think. I don’t pay you to fucking think. I give you pussy so you can take away the problems I got. So stop being a pussy and do the fucking job!” I yell, standing up.

  “Joe, my wife is here,” he whispers.

  “Do your fucking job Thomason. Otherwise, you won’t have a wife anymore,” I give him a fair warning.

  “Joe, I think you should leave,” he angrily says.

  “When I call you, get on your A-game Thomason or I’ll have your old ass sleeping with the fishes, judge or not,” I explain to him before walking towards the front door of his house.

  “Keep it up and I’ll tell your wife everything. This is my fucking show. I run this. Don’t fuck with me. God is watching, and he doesn’t like for his children to be played with.” I laugh harder as I open the door and leave.

  ** ** **

  I stare as she sleeps so peacefully like there is no care in the world. Her body lies still like a statue, lips poking out, hair nicely wrapped into a ponytail, body in a curled position, legs pulled to her stomach, hands used as a pillow. I didn’t know why I am there, but I had to see her. Seeing her lovely body breathe in and out with the fear of me in her heart is amazing. It lets me know I am doing my job and doing it well.

  I didn’t like scaring her. Shit, if I could, I’d have her as one of my collector’s items. But I don’t collect pussy. Just dick, and it has to have a purpose for me. Other than that, I fuck pussy, not collect it. But there is something about her that I can’t seem to let go. Maybe it’s the pussy. The way she worked her hips had me at a loss for words. But whatever it is, I can’t seem to get her out my mind. That just might be the reason why I’m staring over her, instead of trying to set her brother up.

  “Rayla wake up,” I slowly say into her ear.

  Opening her eyes slowly, she jumps at the sight of me and moves to the other say of the room.

  “Why are you running from me? I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “How do I know that?” she asks.

  “Cause if I was I would’ve been kicked your ass.” My anger got the best of me.

  “Joe, I’m ready to go,” she says, crying.

  “Go where? You’re trying to leave me?”

  “Whatever my brother did it has nothing to do with me. I’m not going to say nothing. I promise. Please, let me go,” she begs.

  “I wish I could do that Rayla. I really do. But your brother is very ungrateful towards me so I have to get him back the best way I know how.”

  “You already killed my grandmother. What more can you do that will hurt him?” she yells out.

  “Rayla, this is not a game I’m playing. I gave your brother any and every thing he wanted. And in return he slept with my daughter. There will be no getting out of this. Disrespect is disrespect. He has to be taught a valuable lesson.”

  “You keep saying my brother this, my brother that. I’m not my brother, Joe.”

  “I’m sorry Rayla but I have to teach him a lesson.”

  “So what am I? The bait to your prey?”

  “Pretty much,” I tell her, keeping it real.

  “I came back here for some pussy, but I think I had enough for one night. I’ll have Mary come later on today so she can bring you some food since you might be down here for a while,” I tell her, walking back towards the basement door.

  “Joe,” she says, as my hands are closing the door.

  “Yeah?” I reply back.

  “While you’re digging my brother’s grave, I hope you’re digging yours as well.”

  I laugh.

  “I am a child of God. I am unstoppable.” I tell her, before closing the door behind me.

  My Hustler’s Keeper

  -13-

  SINCERE

  Another two weeks go by and still no word from Rayla. I am at the end of the road and still didn’t plan my grandmother’s funeral. This shit is starting to become too much.

  “Man, the fucked up part about this situation is I was on my way over there but got sidetracked. I should’ve just gone straight there.” Trying to keep his composure, Daniel fights hard to stop his tears from forming.

  “Stop blaming yourself,” I tell him.

  Just as he is about to speak a call comes through on my phone. The sound of bells rings out, letting me know it is a blocked caller.

  “This better be something worth listening to!” I yell, answering the private caller.

  “Leave the money in a black garbage bag inside the green dumpster behind your boss’s church. And put the dope into a duffle bag, and place it inside the other dumpster. Follow these instructs and you’ll have the girl back before the night’s over with. But if yo—”

  “Say no more,” I say, hanging up, cutting the caller off.

  “What he say?” Daniel asks.

  “Grab the money,” I tell him while grabbing the two duffel bags that contain ten bricks each, enough to make a nigga do dirty time.

  “Yo ma, I’ll be back,” I yell out, to Harmony just as Daniel opens the front door.

  “Okay, be safe. Love you,” she hollers back.

  “Love you more.”

  Closing the front door, we proceed towards Daniel’s car.

  “We have to get Rayla back first. Then we worry about who’s behind this whole scheme,” I explain to him while closing the car door.

  “I was thinking the same thing,” he replies, driving away.

  “Then it’s a deal. No bodies until we have Rayla.”

  Pulling up in front of Joe’s church we make sure the coast is clear before stepping out and going towards the back way. Dropping the duffle bags into the dumpster, I look over at Daniel as he does the same thing with the money.

  “So what now?” he asks, closing the dumpster’s lid.

  “We go home and wait,” I tell him, walking back towards the car.

  Three hours later my phone ringer goes off again.

  “Spit.”

  “That wasn’t enough. You have less then seventy-two hours to double what you just sent me or home girl’s body parts will be mailed to you First Class.” Without saying another word the caller hangs up.

  “Fuck!” I yell, slamming the phone shut.

  “What they say baby?” Harmony asks.

  “Nothing I can’t handle. Don’t wait up ma. C’mon, D, we’re gone.” Grabbing my Glock from off the table, I make my way towards the front door.

  “What the fuck these niggas playing cat and mouse?” Daniel asks once we’re inside his Dodge.

  “I don’t know man. But this shit ends today. Drive to Judge Thomason’s house. He owes me a favor.”

  “What’s up with your peoples? I thought they were going to help?” he asks, putting the pedal to the metal.

  “This my sister. I got this. But if I need them I’ll give Honor a call.” Lighting my Blunt, I rest my head back.

  ** ** **

  “You want me to give you what?” Thomason asks, like he didn’t hear me the first fucking time.

  “Right about now repeating myself is out the question. You heard me when I said it a few minutes ago.”

  “Sincere, that’s a lot you’re asking for. And I just gave you some. I have a stash just for me for my rainy days.”

  “If it was somebody in your family, I’d hand it over to you without thinking twice. Only reason why I’m coming to you is because my father always told me if I’m in trouble come to you, before him and my mother vanished. You say you got some stashed for a rainy day, well Judge, it’s pouring outside.”

  “I want ten percent of your next sales. And I want you to do something for me,” he explains, standing up and walking over towards his hall closet. Inside he takes out five plastic bags.

  “Say no more.”

  “Nice talking to you guys
, now leave my house,” he says, dropping the last one the floor.

  “Nice talking to you too Judge,” I reply, taking the first three bags and leaving the other two for Daniel to take.

  “I might have a job for you two in a few days. I’ll know by the end of this week,” Judge informs us as he opens the front door of his house.

  “You know my number. Just hit my line when you’re ready. And if you don’t hear from me hit Daniel’s line,” I reply back, walking out and opening the car door.

  “I’ll be hitting both of yours lines in a few days,” he says before slamming his front door.

  ** ** **

  Pulling up on 111th we make our way towards the church’s alley. Parking the car, we drop the five bags into the same spot as the last ones.

  “Pretty soon I’m taking matters into my own hands,” Daniel says, walking back towards his ride.

  “I’m on the same page as you bro. Plus I’m tired of playing by these niggas’ rules anyway. All this shit we just fronted in less than twenty-four hours and not a body to show for it. Now I’ll be damned if I let myself lose money this fucking easy.” Getting into Daniel’s Dodge we drive back to my place.

  Later that night as I held Harmony in my arms my house phone went off.

  “Speak.”

  Dead silence.

  “You’re just going to breath on my line?” I yell, causing Harmony to jump.

  Still silence, then the dial tone. These bitches are on some other shit and I am not feeling it one bit.

  “Fuck!” I yell out, slamming the phone back on its receiver.

  “Baby, please stop. I hate it when you yell,” Harmony says, looking me in the eyes, damn near on the verge of crying.

  “I hate it too ma,” I tell her, caressing her lovely cheeks.

  “I’m just stressed out, that’s all.”

  “I got a way to fix that one problem of yours.”

  Without waiting on me to respond, she slides her body down to the edge of the bed. Removing my dick from its hiding spot, her hand strokes it softly but firmly. Knowing Harmony is about to deliver some dangerous head, I close my eyes and take in a deep breath. Feeling her mouth cave around my dick causes my toes to curl.

  “Harmony,” I find myself whispering.