Take Money Mistress

by Rukyyah

  “What? That isn’t like my daughter.” Robert worried. He called Sam to see if he knew what was going on, but Sam was still in flight to California and his cell phone was on airplane mode. “Oh God, where is my child.” His heart felt as if it had skipped a beat.

  Robert called Erica and told her to pick up Timmy Jr. from daycare. She was out doing missionary work with young girls who were in abusive relationships and had nowhere to turn. Robert drove to Alexandria’s house and when he noticed her engagement ring and necklace in the driveway, he rushed over to it to confirm it was Alexandria’s. When he recognized that it was Alexandria’s he searched around and saw a car he didn’t recognize parked on the street in front of Alexandria’s house. Alexandria’s SUV was in the driveway. He wondered if something horrible happened to her. He picked up the ring and necklace, and then put it in his pocket.

  He rushed over to the house and heard the T.V. up real loud. He saw Alexandria in front of the T.V. tied up. Robert wanted to cry seeing his daughter in such a situation. He wanted to rush in and save her life, but he knew who ever had her tied up more than likely had a gun. Robert drove to a nearby neighbor’s house and told them what he saw. He asked for a gun and told them that if he didn’t come back soon, call the police. The neighbor was frightened and gladly let Robert take their gun. It was just his luck that they did in fact have a gun.

  When Robert went back to the house, he tiptoed to the back and was happy that Alexandria gave Erica the key to the back door so that she could wait for an important package from UPS on a day that she was out handling business. Erica gave it to Robert when he dropped Timmy Jr. off, but forgot to give the key back to Alexandria when she came home from work that night.

  Robert was in the house and had the gun in hand. Alexandria saw him and her face lit up. Robert was confident that he could help her, but his faith was tested when he saw who had her tied up. He put his gun down to his side and walked into the living room.

  “Janelle, what are you doing?” he said to the woman. Alexandria was confused as she tried to figure out where her father knew the woman from.

  Janelle rolled her eyes and pointed a gun at Robert. “Handle that nigga,” the man told her.

  “Look, baby girl. I may have not been the father that you wanted, but this is your sister. This is not right. Put that gun down now and let’s talk about this.”

  Janelle cocked her gun and her eyes were narrow. “You never loved me. Is that the reason I couldn’t even have your last name? You’re supposed to be a man of God.” Janelle had tears in her eyes.

  “You know I’ve always tried to be there for you, but your mother wouldn’t allow it if I wouldn’t have a relationship with her. I love you and the rest of my children, but I am a man of God and I had to make things right with my wife and Alexandria.”

  Alexandria’s eyes were wide, but they still had fear in them being that she knew Janelle didn’t like her because of their father.

  “Why didn’t you tell me she’s your sister?” the man asked Janelle.

  “She ain’t my fucking sister, she don’t even know me, and that’s why I helped you find her. I hate that she’s the precious one. The one who my father adores.”

  Robert spoke sternly. “Alexandria is my daughter. Of course, I am supposed to adore her. I would have felt the same for you, too, if I had a chance to know you better. But, we are your family. I can’t save you from any of this. This is not right and you know it. You need to leave now before it gets ugly.”

  “Ugly, father, I bet you didn’t know that my mother left me at fourteen years old. You’re bullshit child support check went to my grandma’s alcohol supply. And, even though you used to visit me, it still wasn’t the same as living under your roof. I never felt loved and my grandma was abusive, so when I turned fifteen, I ran away. I’ve been on the streets all alone and recently, I’ve been dancing at Tasty Ladies. I guess us sisters do have something in common,” Janelle said, turning her attention to Alexandria.

  Alexandria put two and two together, and realized that Janelle was Cinnamon. She saw Cinnamon tattooed right above her ass crack when she bent over to retrieve her things from her bag, but she never thought that was her stage name.

  “This reunion is priceless, but I got a job to do. Say goodbye to your sister,” the man told Janelle.

  Robert aimed his gun, and said, “Young man, do you really want this to go down? Are you ready to live your life on the run or in jail?”

  “Fuck you!”

  “Let me tell you something, I was a man of the street. Shooting a gun is just like riding a bike, you never forget.” Robert aimed his gun at the man. “Now, either we both start shooting or you can put your gun down now.”

  Alexandria was surprised at the way her father handled himself and she had respect for him. She didn’t know if it was because he used to be a street nigga, which her parents never told her, or that he was willing to sacrifice his life for hers. She didn’t know if it was because he stood up for her and gave her a better life than Janelle. She never knew that he was actively in her siblings lives, so she felt sorry that she was so hostile toward him.

  “It’s too late for me,” the man yelled.

  “It is never too late. God will forgive you as long as you put your gun away and leave my daughters alone.”

  The man pulled his ski mask off because he was crying underneath it. Alexandria gasped as she quickly recognized the man. Janelle saw the tears stain Cassidy’s face so she knew he didn’t want to go through with killing Alexandria for Stew, so she cut the tape off of Alexandria.

  Cassidy wanted revenge for Julisa’s death, but he didn’t want his daughter without a father since she already didn’t have a mother. As the police broke the front door in, Cassidy admitted that he received the video from Stew and once he saw Alexandria and the necklace around her neck, he wanted to kill her himself for lying to him. When Cassidy went to Tasty Ladies to see if anybody knew where Lexxxie lived, Cinnamon wanted to know why two dudes so badly wanted to get at Alexandria. When Cassidy told her the deal, she was down to help him and Stew. Terrell was pleased.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Terrell was resting well until a guard snatched him from his cell. The warden told him about what went down with Alexandria and how charges had been brought up against him for plotting her death from jail. He had talked to Stew earlier and he told him that Cassidy was down to handle Lexxxie by himself.

  After seeing what went down and her taking the money, Cassidy allowed rage to take over his whole mindset. He figured that since Alexandria lied to him to his face about the letter that he received from Terrell, he knew she was a liar and had to be dealt with. What pushed Cassidy over the edge was that every night he cried himself to sleep as he watched Juicy on the video. He knew she was scared because the tone and body language Terrell displayed was scary. He still couldn’t believe that he had his wife killed because of the money Lexxxie took from him. He couldn’t wait to hand her over to Stew, but first, he wanted to torture her. When he saw her walking to her car looking happy, he wanted to kill her himself for her connection in taking his happiness away from him and his daughter.

  Robert turned over the video to the police, and they made Alexandria give a statement regarding what happened at her house and what happened with Juicy. It was the first time she was honest to herself and others about what happened with Juicy. She cried a river and was completely sorry for what she did to Cassidy and his daughter.

  She was eager to have Stew locked up for trying to kill her. She vowed to God that she would never take anything as small as a grape from the grocery store. Taking money came with ease, and she wished it wasn’t a habit she developed. She was so money hungry that she would have stolen more if it wasn’t for Juicy turning up missing.

  When the police left, Robert gave her back her necklace and she gave her father a big hug. “Thank you so much, daddy. I’m so happy that you saved me.”

  “Anything for my baby.”

/>   Robert told Alexandria about her son being sick and that he was with Erica. She rushed out to get him and on the way, she called Sam and told him what happened. He was so scared for Alexandria that he hired a guard to watch their house until he got home. He couldn’t get a flight home until later that night.

  Robert headed straight to his house and Alexandria stopped off to the pawn shop. She was supposed to get a gun, but instead, she took her necklace out of her purse and handed it over to the man behind the register. His eyes lit up when he saw the ring. He knew he could easily make twenty-five thousand off of it.

  “I’ll pay you ten thousand for it.”

  “Twenty.”

  “Fifteen.”

  “Sold.” Alexandria smiled, knowing that she was over Curtis to give up his ring.

  At her parents’ house, she was happy that her son was feeling better and Erica learned what happened. She ran to Alexandria and gave her a big hug.

  “Thank God you are okay, baby.”

  “I am, ma. Thanks to dad.”

  “I heard.” Erica had tears in her eyes.

  Erica didn’t want Alexandria to leave, so she cooked and kept her there as long as possible. About eight at night, Timmy Jr. was tired and so was Alexandria. She promised her mother that she would call her as soon as she got home.

  When Alexandria arrived home, she saw a man standing near the fence, he introduced himself and said that he was hired by Sam and he would watch over their house. Once inside, Alexandria was nervous, but called her mother to let her know she was okay. She put Timmy Jr. to bed, she walked into the living room, and heard a little noise. She grew nervous, but then she heard Sam call out.

  “Alexandria, I’m home,” he announced as he looked over the damages to the front door when the police kicked it in.

  Alexandria ran over to the door and jumped in Sam’s arms. “Oh, God. I’m glad you’re home.”

  “I’m never leaving you again.” Sam hugged her tightly and could barely let her out of his sight.

  That night, Alexandria finally slept well. She had not one worry. She fucked Sam back to back and once she fell asleep, Sam watched her. He couldn’t believe somebody so sexy lived a life so twisted. He never thought he would be with a woman that people hated so much that they wanted her dead. But, he loved her so much and would do anything to protect her.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  After spending a night in jail, Cassidy was released. Alexandria felt horrible about what she did to him, so she didn’t press charges. The police were okay with letting him go since he helped capture Stew. After being arrested the day before, he had to wear a wire when he went to Stew to tell him about how he handled Lexxxie.

  Cassidy met Stew in front of Tasty Ladies and smiled from ear to ear when he saw Cassidy. “I hope you got some good news for me, son.”

  “I do.” Cassidy smiled back.

  “Spill that shit then.”

  “We found the bitch you were looking for, Lexxxie. She ain’t have shit to say when we showed her the video. I still can’t believe she lied to me like that.”

  “Look, son. You will learn, you can’t trust everybody.”

  “I see that already.”

  “So, she alive?”

  “Yup, she still tied up at her house. Her dude out of town on business and shit.”

  “Good looking out! I’m gon’ handle that bitch. She is as good as dead for that shit she pulled by taking Terrell’s money. I’ll handle that bitch for your wife too.” Stew gave Cassidy a fist pound.

  Not even a minute down the road, the police pulled him over and informed him that he had been caught on a recording conspiring to kill Alexandria. He was locked up immediately and had no bail set. He was held at the Baltimore City Detention Center until he faced trial.

  Stew gave the police info about Terrell to lessen his sentence before he faced trial. So, they locked up everybody at his warehouse and took all of the drugs for evidence.

  That night, Terrell learned about Stew’s arrest and had no idea he would snitch like he did. To piss him off, the warden told him all about his confession and how they emptied out the warehouse. Terrell still had connections to niggas on the outside, so he knew he had to send a message to Stew some kind a way. His anger turned away from Alexandria, and he felt that Stew had done the ultimate no, no.

  $$$$$$

  Alexandria was happy again and everywhere she went, she didn’t have to look over her shoulder. She took the remainder of the week off to get her thoughts together at Sam’s request. He didn’t want her worried about work when she went through so much.

  Liz and Sofia arrived at Alexandria’s house at the same time. They both were worried about their friend and wanted to be sure she was cool. Sofia was glowing and Liz knew right away that she was pregnant.

  “Bitch! How far along are you?” Liz asked while rubbing her stomach as they stood in front of Alexandria’s front door.

  “I’m only three months. I got pregnant during the honeymoon.”

  “Damn, congrats, honey.” Liz smiled.

  “Thank you, but keep it down because we are here for Alexandria and I will tell her later.”

  Alexandria stood in front of them and heard the whole conversation about the pregnancy from the other side of the door. “Bitch, don’t hide shit from me!” Alexandria opened the door with a smile on her face.

  “I’m sorry. I was gonna tell you later.”

  Alexandria stepped aside and let her friends in. She hugged Sofia and rubbed her stomach. “I hope it’s a boy so Timmy Jr. can have a playmate.”

  “It’s a girl so Lacy can have a playmate,” Liz chimed in.

  “Whatever it is, Kenny and I both will be happy.”

  After talking about Sofia’s pregnancy, Liz saw a spark in Alexandria’s eyes. “I’m so happy that you are happy and don’t have to worry about this shit anymore.”

  “Me too. And, I’m so in love with Sam.”

  “Wow, do I hear wedding bells?” Sofia asked.

  “Not yet, but I’m not running from them anymore.”

  Liz had a tear in her eye. She went into her purse, and said, “Well, since we’re allowed to talk about the good shit in our lives.” She pulled out a ring, slid it on her finger, and flashed it to her friends. “Lloyd and I are getting married.”

  “For real, bitch?” Alexandria jumped up to see the ring.

  “No bullshit.” Liz was so happy with her life. Lloyd was a good father and he wanted more kids. When he asked Liz to be his wife, at first, she grew nervous because she didn’t want things to change. But, she knew she loved him and gladly accepted.

  “Wow, I’m so happy for you. I will help you plan your wedding, okay?” Sofia told Liz.

  “Awe, thank you.”

  All of the ladies were happy and wore smiles as big as can be. Alexandria knew that it was how life should be, even if you did fucked up shit in your past.

  Epilogue

  It was a month after Terrell faced the judge. He was given twelve more years on top of the ten he already was serving. Since Stew snitched, he only had to do three years and was pleased with that.

  It was late night and Suga, Stew’s wife, heard a commotion downstairs in her living room. She rushed over to her safe and retrieved a nine millimeter. She made sure there were bullets in the chamber. When she stepped outside of her room, her son ran out because the noise woke him. It sounded as if somebody had broken a window. She told him to lock himself in his room until she knocked on the door.

  When she got downstairs, a man punched her in her face and told her that was a message for her husband.

  “Tell that bitch ass nigga of yours, snitches get stitches.” He laughed, not realizing she had a gun by her side.

  Suga aimed he gun between his eyes and spit the blood out of her mouth that he caused when he punched her. The intruder reached for his gun, but before he could reach it Suga bust off a round straight through his eye. She cried and dropped down to her knees. She feared fo
r her life and that she would have to watch her back and look over her shoulder, so she decided to move back to New York and leave Stew as well. She loved him, but she was tired of fighting bitches over him and being involved in shady shit because of him. After drying her tears, she called the police and reported the break in. Not long after the police left, her and her son were on I-95 headed straight for New York with all of the money in the safe and whatever they could fit into the SUV to start over.

  Terrell was questioned about his connections in the break in at Stew’s house. He was warned that if he kept causing trouble for folks, he would get more time and maybe sentenced to death. Once he heard that, he put his focus on getting out of jail and not trying to get back at people for doing him dirty. Even though he gave up, he still carried a lot of resentment.

  $$$$$$

  Alexandria tried to forgive Janelle, but she couldn’t help but think of how she wanted her dead. Robert had forgiven her and even offered to help her get on her feet after she did three months in jail for her part in helping Cassidy payback Alexandria. She soon realized that she didn’t hate Alexandria, she hated that she wasn’t given the opportunity to have a good life like her. But, she was grown and could no longer blame others for her mistakes. Alexandria wanted to be the bigger person and be there for her sister, but she wasn’t all the way there yet. She knew with time, she could forgive her.

  As for her relationship with Robert, she was a daddy’s girl all over again. She adored her father and they made up for the time they were mad at each other. Robert even shared with Alexandria how he used to rob folks back in the day and how he shot at a man just because he wouldn’t give him his money. He told her that once he saw the fear on the man’s face, he knew he could have easily killed him and they both would be tomorrow’s new. Knowing Robert’s troubled past made Alexandria closer to him because they both did things that were ungodly and the people in their lives were able to look past it.