Project Queen II

by Teresa D. Patterson

  “I can’t help it, Toby. It’s the only way I know how to show love.” She felt ashamed remembering how she’d tried to perform oral sex on her own brother. What was wrong with her?

  He was silent for a moment then said, “Well, maybe you need to get some help for that. I mean, you can’t just go around sleeping with everybody. It’s dangerous. You see what ended up happening.”

  A look of sadness flickered across his face. It really bothered him that men he knew could violate his sister like that. He hadn’t known her for that long, but blood was still thicker than water.

  “Sometimes, I feel like killing myself,” she said softly.

  Her words stabbed him in the heart. “Don’t talk like that, D. Ain’t nothing so bad that you have to end your life over it.” He reflected back on those dismal days of living in the projects, being mentally and physically beat down daily by his mother. He’d felt so hopeless, but he’d never thought about taking his own life.

  He glanced at his sister. She was rocking back and forth again. He just shook his head. He didn’t have the heart to tell her to stop after hearing her story. There was more to Della than she cared to share. What kind of life had she led? From the little that he knew, she hadn’t always lived with Jimmy.

  “That video is all over St. Pete. Everybody’s going to see it. I can’t let that happen.” Desperation crept into her voice. “We have to find Lester.”

  “That motherfucker Lester will be dealt with. Believe that,” Toby promised. “Go inside. I have some business to take care of.”

  “What are you gonna do, Toby?”

  “Don’t worry about it. Just go in the house,” he insisted.

  “Don’t get into trouble because of me. I’ll take care of Lester and the rest of those motherfuckers, too. I won’t breathe easily until I’ve paid each and every one of them back,” she said evenly. “Mark my words, Toby. Payback is going to be a bitch.”

  * * *

  Toby drove around, mind heavy with thoughts. He knew that he had to be careful in how he handled Lester once their paths crossed. And their paths would cross. Lester would have to be held accountable for his actions. He couldn’t just get away doing foul shit and not have to suffer any consequences.

  His thoughts switched to Della. He could easily blame what happened to her on her whorish ways, but he couldn’t. He sensed her problems ran deeper than that. She put herself out there, but those niggas crossed the line when they drugged her and ran through her like Amtrak. They were stupid enough to keep evidence, too- and bold enough to sell the damn video.

  Niggas just weren’t too bright. They had that “Burg mentality.” They had to dumbly showcase the shit they did, and brag about it. Didn’t they know that what’s done in the dark always makes it to the light?

  He was so glad he didn’t think like a typical nigga. He’d never take what wasn’t his. Hell, even if it was offered, he turned it down. How could they just drug a woman and force her to do all kinds of things she wouldn’t normally do? Then tape it all? What did they think: that it wouldn’t get back to her?

  Della wasn’t a bad person. She was just misguided. She wanted to be loved and accepted and was going about it the wrong way. He was shocked at the amount of men she messed around with. She really didn’t seem to care about herself or value her body.

  He remembered the time she’d tried him. She’d been living with them for about three months. Shae and Larry went to bed at a decent our, so they had no clue what Della was up to. Toby knew that she snuck men in the house frequently. He’d witnessed it quite a few times and wasn’t cool with it at all.

  First, he had a three-year-old niece that he was concerned about. If any nigga fucked with her or tried some sick shit, he would be doing life behind bars. He didn’t know the men and thought Della needed to keep her activities out of their home environment.

  Next, he worried about them trying to rob him. They might be out to get him and used Della for easy access. It could happen.

  His mind was constantly coming up with different scenarios, keeping him on edge. He didn’t feel comfortable with strange people invading his personal space.

  One night he decided to tell Della exactly what was on his mind. Of course, she didn’t see any problem with her actions.

  “Toby, I’m grown. I know you don’t expect me to be a nun.”

  “I expect you to have some self-respect and decency about yourself,” he said.

  “That’s like the pot calling the kettle black. What about you, Toby? You’re a big-time dope boy. You got a lot of selfrespect and decency?” she asked sarcastically. “You have some nerve to look down on me.”

  “I’m not looking down on you. I’m just worried. We don’t know the people you bring in here. What if they are pedophiles or something? Think about Imani.”

  “Stop trying to be my daddy,” she snapped. “Nothing is going to happen to Imani. I won’t let it.”

  “I won’t either. That’s why you gonna stop sneaking niggas in this bitch,” he informed.

  “You can’t tell me what to do.”

  “If you don’t stop, I’ll tell Shae and Larry. They won’t be too happy knowing what you’ve been up to. You’ll be packed and back at Jimmy’s in a heartbeat.”

  “Whatever.” She flounced off in anger.

  Later that night he felt someone crawl into his bed. He thought he was dreaming. When he felt the sheet slide from his body, his eyes popped opened. He felt a hand reaching down into his boxers. He snapped wide awake and jumped out of the bed.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” he yelled. It was Della. Apparently, she was trying to get with him in the wrong way.

  “Can’t we keep what’s been going on between us?” Della asked, trying to sound sexy. “If you don’t tell Shae and Larry, I’ll make it worth it.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You know. I can show you better than I can tell you.” She dropped to her knees in front of him and grabbed his crotch.

  That’s when he slapped her. “I’m your fucking brother, bitch. You nasty, slutty ho. What the fuck is wrong with you? Don’t ever try that shit again.”

  He shivered in disgust remembering that incident. He hadn’t meant to lose it and slap the shit out of her. It had been a reflex action. He wanted her to know that he meant business. He wasn’t the type of low-life that fucked his own sister. That was sick.

  Della got it together after that. He didn’t see anymore strangers coming in and out, and he could breathe more easily. She still liked to hang out late and party, but that was her prerogative. He couldn’t tell her what to do. As long as she wasn’t disrespecting him or putting the rest of them in danger, it was her life.

  Now, some niggas had taken things too far. They’d disrespected his sister in the worse way and he would have to handle it. He wasn’t a ruthless nigga like Dana used to be, but he did have a dark side. Unfortunately, Lester was going to experience it.

  Della might not be wrapped too tight. She might even be considered a slut, but she was still his sister. And you don’t fuck with his family. Period.

  Chapter Four

  Shae listened as Larry tried to sing in the shower. They’d made love, but it hadn’t been the same. Months had passed since their last sexual encounter, so sparks should have flown in the bedroom. They both should have spontaneously combusted. Instead, things had been mere mediocre. It had been rather boring, like Larry had only gone through the motions.

  “He really knocked my back out,” Shae said

  sarcastically. She thought about joining Larry in the shower, but decided not to. She didn’t want any further

  disappointments. She looked up at the ceiling, inhaled deeply, and let it out.

  Something was up. She knew that Larry wasn’t screwing around with her sister, but he had to be getting busy with somebody. If he wasn’t, he would have more energy to satisfy her.

  She heard a buzzing sound next to her. She pulled back the sheet to r
eveal Larry’s cell phone. She didn’t normally check his text messages, but something propelled her to pick up the phone. She viewed the new text message.

  Are we still on for lunch? The text read.

  What the fuck was going on? Shae sat up in bed and read the message again. She didn’t hesitate to reply to it.

  Sure. Time and place? She typed and pushed send.

  It didn’t take long to get a response.

  Same place. Same time, silly. *Smooches*

  “Smooches?” Shae frowned at the words. “Who is this bitch?” she muttered. Larry had only saved the number and not the name. Everything within Shae told her it was a woman texting her husband.

  When Larry came back into the bedroom, she’d erased the messages. Let him think he had a secret lunch date.

  She felt the hurt creep into her heart. How could Larry be having an affair? They hadn’t even been married long enough for him to get bored. Was she so despicable that he had to turn to another woman? What wasn’t she giving him that he got from someone else?

  She wanted to burst into tears. Instead, she got angry. She would not be played for a fool by Larry or anyone else. If he wanted to be with another woman, fine. He would have to divorce her first. She would not allow him to have his cake and eat it, too.

  “Baby, are you hungry?” Larry asked. He was dressed in his boxers and socks.

  “No.” He didn’t notice the angry look on her face and didn’t pick up on the edge to her voice.

  “Well, I’m starving. I’m going to make a run to Gyro’s. You sure you don’t want anything?” He pulled on some jogging shorts and a wife beater tee-shirt.

  “Why don’t you just call in the order then go pick it up? It’ll be quicker.”

  “I don’t know what I want. Besides, I might just change my mind and end up at Wendy’s or some other place. You know how it is,” he said.

  She just narrowed her eyes at him. She knew how it was, alright. He was probably going to meet that bitch who’d texted him.

  “There’s plenty of food in the refrigerator, Larry,” she said sourly.

  “I don’t want what’s in the fridge. I want Gyro’s,” he insisted.

  “I’ll ride with you.”

  “Why? Shae, you’ll have to wake up Imani, get her bottle ready, and pack her diaper bag. I’ll have to strap her in the car seat. That’s just too much trouble. I can go by myself.”

  “Imani isn’t here, Larry. Did you forget that we dropped her off at Vivian’s so we could have a night to ourselves?” Suddenly, anger rushed over her. “You must think I’m stupid,” she snapped. “Who the fuck is that bitch you’re going to meet? If you don’t tell me, I’ll find out.”

  Larry gave her a confused look. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Shae. You’re tripping.”

  “No, I’m not tripping. You haven’t fucked me in over two months and tonight you give me fifteen quick minutes, if that. You claim that you’re not fucking Della. You have to be getting pussy from somewhere, or you wouldn’t be so tired and wack.”

  Larry sighed loudly and looked at her with his lips twisted. “Has it ever occurred to you that I’m tired and wack because I’ve been working long hours? I’m drained.”

  “You’re drained alright. Drained from fucking some bitch,” she accused. She jumped up and got in his face. “I swear to God, Larry, if I find out that you’re cheating on

  me-”

  “Shae, stop tripping,” he interrupted. “I’m not cheating. I’m just going to get something to eat.” They stared each other down. “What’s wrong with you? I can’t believe this shit. I’m tired of arguing with you all the time about this. I’m not fucking up.”

  Shae finally exhaled and sat on the edge of the bed. She still didn’t believe he was telling her the truth. Otherwise, some bitch wouldn’t be contacting him via text.

  “If you don’t get back here in twenty minutes, Larry, I’ll come looking for you,” she said tightly. “When I find you and that bitch, be prepared to watch her catch a beat-down,” she warned.

  “I swear you are tripping,” Larry threw over his shoulder as he walked out the room. “You and your suspicions…I just can’t take it, Shae.”

  Larry made it back from the fast-food joint in less than twenty minutes. He was still upset with Shae for trying to control his life. He hated that shit. She always treated him like he was a fucking child. He was a man and he was tired of being treated like less than that. It was the main reason he’d turned to Danielle.

  He smiled. Danielle knew how to take care of a man. She knew how to make a brother feel appreciated, too. She wasn’t complaining and nagging at him all the time.

  Despite what Shae believed, he hadn’t slept with Danielle, but he might. If Shae kept pushing him away with her foul attitude and cruel accusations, he just might stray. He was sure Danielle would offer no objections if he wanted to give up the goods.

  “Larry, are you coming to bed soon?” Shae called down the stairs.

  “I’ll be there in a minute,” he called back. He didn’t get up from the couch. He ate his food then switched on the television and increased the volume. Grabbing his cell phone, he called Danielle.

  “Hello, handsome. How are you?” For some reason, just hearing her voice made him feel better.

  “I’m much better now. What are you up to?”

  “I just finished working out to my Buns of Steel DVD,” she told him.

  “Oh really? So that’s your secret?” he teased and they laughed. Fifteen minutes into the conversation, Larry felt his dick rise. Danielle’s voice had the capability of doing that to him.

  “Talk dirty to me,” he said.

  “What?” Danielle asked, momentarily surprised.

  “Your voice sounds so sexy. Can you talk dirty to me?”

  “You mean, like phone sex?” she asked.

  “Yes. You ever have phone sex before?”

  “No, but I’m willing to try anything once,” she answered seductively.

  “Now you’re talking,” he said excitedly. “That’s what I like to hear.”

  Danielle lowered her voice and began saying things that made Larry get as hard as a rock. He unconsciously touched himself through his shorts.

  “Damn. What are you doing right now?” he asked.

  “I’m touching myself,” she said, breathing heavily into the phone. He heard her moan. Her sounds of pleasure turned him on.

  “You sound so damn sexy,” he said. “Keep telling me what you’re doing,” he encouraged.

  “I’m stroking my clit.”

  “Stroke it, baby. How does it feel?”

  “It feels good,” she said, moaning again.

  “Touch it. Think about me,” he said lowly. “Slide two fingers inside your pussy. Think about my dick plunging in and out. Are you getting wet? Can you feel me?”

  “Oh, yessssss,” she hissed. “You feel soooo good, Larry.”

  “In and out. Touch it baby. Play with it. Stroke your clit. Imagine my tongue, my lips, my mouth. How does it feel?” He felt his own body heating up. He released his dick from the shorts and stroked it.

  All he could hear was the sounds of her pleasuring herself. He was totally engrossed, ear pressed to the phone. He heard her gasp.

  “Oh God. Larry, I’m going to cum. Oh shit. Oh shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. I’m cumming. Oh my God,” she screamed into the phone.

  A while later Larry asked, “Are you okay?” “Yes,” she purred. “I’ve never felt better.” She giggled. “I can’t believe we had phone sex. Oh my goodness.”

  “Was it good for you?”

  “Yes, baby.”

  “Then we’ll have to do it again.” He noticed the time on the cable box and sighed regretfully. “I have to get off this phone.”

  “Aw, okay,” she said reluctantly. “Thank you for that. I wish you could have been here in person. I want to feel you inside me. I want the real thing. When are you going to tell her, Larry?”

  “Soon
, baby. Soon.”

  “I’m tired of waiting and sneaking around. I want you for myself.”

  “We’ve already discussed this, Danielle. It’s going to take time. You know I have a daughter. Please, just be patient for a while longer,” he pleaded.

  “Okay, Larry. I’m sorry for being so demanding. You’re right.”

  “I promise you won’t have to wait for much longer. Now, I have to go. You have a good night,” he said. “I will. I’ll be dreaming of you. Good night.”

  “Bye.” They disconnected.

  Larry looked down. He was still holding his dick which was rock hard and standing at attention. Shae had complained earlier about his lack of sex drive. The stimulating phone conversation made him ready for round two. He was sure she’d have nothing to complain about when he laid down the dick this time. He finally went upstairs.

  Shae was asleep when he pulled the sheets back and slid into bed next to her. She wore a sexy lace teddy with a matching black thong. He could see her nipples through the thin fabric.

  “Shae,” he breathed against her neck. “Wake up.”

  “Oh, I must have fallen asleep waiting for you. What took you so long?” she mumbled.

  “I was watching the game,” he lied. “Sorry about that.” He cupped her breasts in his hands and tongue kissed the globes then sucked the tips, causing them to harden. He swiftly removed her thong with one hand.

  “Oh Larry,” she moaned, positioning herself more comfortably in the bed. She nibbled on his earlobe and neck. Opening her thighs, she pulled him firmly against her. He slid into her moistness and she sucked in her breath.

  “Oh shit,” she moaned, digging her fingernails into his buttocks as he grinded into her.