Queen Hustlaz Part 2 Read online

  “Shit, start at the beginning,” she replied.

  She invited him in, and he closed the door behind him. He looked at her and then began filling her ears with a story that left Dana more confused than ever.

  “Dana, I hope this won’t change how you interact with me. I need you in my life, and I will do anything for you, sweetheart,” he cried.

  Dana sat emotionless. “Why did you wait ’til now to tell me your dirty little secret? I don’t know how to take this. I knew you cared for me, but, Detective Rone, I’m speechless.”

  Detective Rone sat still for a moment then he stood up. “Come on, let’s go, Dana.”

  As he wheeled Dana out of the house, he felt that he might have made a grave mistake by confiding in Dana. He wasn’t going to lose her, though, no matter what he had to do.

  Once he dropped her off, he called Brittany and asked her if she had dealt with their little problem yet.

  “I’m dealing with it as we speak. Thank you for the heads-up. These guys you got over here helping me are on point.”

  “Just handle it. No thanks needed,” he replied and hung up.

  Brittany was with Rebecca and Officers Jay and Lewis in an old storage unit on the lot of the police yard where they kept all the older confiscated vehicles and property. Rone had informed her that he had found out that Rebecca was related to Brenda Gate, the woman Dana had shot during the robbery that took place in Thad’s trap house. Rone had followed her all day until after she dropped Brenda off at her home

  “Okay, let me ask you again: who are you, and why did you lie to me about who you were?” Brittany asked Rebecca, who was standing in front of her. Officers Jay and Lewis, out of uniform, were holding her by the arms while Brittany questioned her.

  “I’m sure you already know the answers to those questions,” Rebecca answered.

  “Yes, I do, but I want to hear you say it, bitch!” Brittany yelled.

  “Just get it over with! Rone don’t want no mistakes,” Jay said.

  Brittany wanted to torture Rebecca, but they had to kill her and get out of the storage unit before the next officer made his rounds. She needed to know for herself why she was trying to hurt Dana but Detective Rone had found out himself when he roughed her up. She was Brenda’s sister and Brenda, in fact, remembered what had happened to her and who did it.

  Brenda saw and recognized Dana at the rehabilitation center her first time there. She overheard Brittany asking the therapist if he could refer any nurses who could take care of Dana, because she was having a hard time finding one. Brenda and Rebecca hatched a scheme where Rebecca would apply for the job and get in good with the girls, and then seek revenge on Dana for everything she did to Brenda.

  “You know what, Rebecca? I can’t say I blame you for wanting revenge for your sister. I mean, hell, I would’ve done the same thing. But you see, the way your luck’s set up, sweetie, you shit out of it! You and your sister!”

  As Rebecca began to speak, Brittany shook her head no and shot her with the .45 she had. After shooting her in the head three times, they wrapped her body up and stuck it in a trunk located in the building.

  The three of them left the building as if nothing had transpired.

  Once they were out of the police yard, Brittany thanked the two officers and walked to her car. She was ready to go and relax if she could. She couldn’t believe that she had almost gotten her best friend killed. She had been so ready for a break that she accepted the first person who showed interest in the nursing position. From that point on she would do everything for Dana. No more outside people. She wouldn’t trust anyone.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Tennessee

  Zack was at the airport, making reservations to go meet Orlando for their next run for Sergio. He was also making Valerie’s reservations. He saw a cute teddy bear in the gift shop window that he knew Valerie would love, so he went in to purchase it for her. When he walked out of the gift shop, he bumped into one of the most beautiful women he had ever met. He smiled at her and politely muttered, “Excuse me.”

  She didn’t say a word at first, but looked at him curiously. Then, as reality set in, she blinked several times and smiled. “Sorry, but you have some attractive eyes. I almost lost myself,” she said, grinning.

  “I’m Zack, and you are?” he asked, as he extended his hand.

  “I’m Rhonda,” she replied, shaking his hand.

  He held on to her hand and rubbed it with his thumb. “You have some very soft hands,” he said and laughed.

  “Thank you,” she replied.

  “I know this may sound a little forward, but do you have time for me to buy you a bite to eat? There are a lot of restaurants in the airport. I feel like I need to get to know you a bit more,” he explained.

  “Yes. I just need to make one phone call and let them know I’m here, but they can pick me up in an hour,” she replied.

  “Sounds good. I’ll just wait over here while you make your call,” Zack said.

  * * *

  Zack and Rhonda ate lunch while she explained that she was on a business trip and would only be in town for a few days. Zack told her that he had to leave town on a business trip himself, and wouldn’t be back for a week or so.

  She smiled at him. “I work for myself, so I can extend my trip if you really want to see me again,” she teased.

  “Hell yeah, I do. Your conversation is on point, and you’re definitely fine as hell, so I would love to see you when I get back from this business trip,” he replied.

  They agreed that they would stay in touch by phone and meet the following weekend of his return.

  After they parted ways, Zack turned his cell phone back on and read the three messages that Valerie had left for him because he’d kept her waiting so long. He smiled at her choice of words to describe him: asshole and wimp, among other foul words. Wouldn’t she feel stupid when he walked in bearing gifts just because? And he was going to hold on to the receipt to prove to her that he was making the purchases way before she sent him the vile text messages.

  As he walked to the car, he saw the lovely Rhonda getting into a car with a female and a guy, and he saw her pointing over at him and waving. The lady who was driving smiled, which told Zack that Rhonda had told them about their conversation.

  As he drove off, he wondered what would happen between the two of them.

  When Zack returned from the airport, the feeling that Rhonda left him with was too much to handle, so he turned to Valerie to calm the fire that burned within him.

  “So, what is with these nasty text messages?” he asked, smiling and holding up his phone in one hand with his other hand behind his back.

  “You know what was up! How dare you leave me here?”

  Zack interrupted her rant by holding up the gift bag. “You were saying?” he asked jokingly.

  Just like he expected she started going in on him, saying he couldn’t play her like that by buying a gift after she texted him. He smiled and showed her the receipt that showed the time of purchase.

  She started smiling. “Well, still, you left me here for a long time papi! Where you been?”

  “I had to make a few calls and handle some business, but you were on my mind the entire time, sweetcakes!” he said as he walked up to her and took her in his arms. “Now where is the love?”

  A few minutes later he had Valerie screaming to high heaven in pleasure. “Shit, Zack, fuck me, baby! Yes, just like that. You know how to please this pussy!” Valerie moaned as Zack was fucking her intensely.

  He had her turned on her side with one of her legs thrown over his shoulder, and the other one stretched out to the far left. He liked Valerie, but she wasn’t really what he wanted. She was a certified freak, and her pussy was grade A, but he just didn’t feel real chemistry with her. Hell, she could snap his neck if she wanted to and he wasn’t comfortable making a woman his main chick when she could strong-arm him.

  Zack lay back after he came and he smoked a blunt. Va
lerie lay on his chest with her eyes closed. She said, “I’ve really enjoyed my time with you this week, but it seems like you have been preoccupied, baby.”

  “Yeah, I have been. I got to go down to Jamaica with Orlando to make this play, but I’m not feeling this trip,” Zack explained.

  “Well, hopefully, you will soon have enough cash where you don’t have to do this anymore.”

  “It’s not the runs I make that bother me. It’s this particular run. Something isn’t right,” Zack explained.

  “Don’t go then, bae. You know you can tell them no,” Valerie said.

  “I can’t leave my man hanging like that. I’m going to go, but just know I told you I wasn’t feeling it.”

  * * *

  Miami, Florida

  “Hey, bae, why are you just sitting in here like this?” Jeryca asked.

  “No reason. I just got off the phone with Ramon and Sergio, and they want me to make a quick play for them. I won’t be getting paid for it, but I got to do it,” Orlando answered.

  “Hold up! What the fuck you mean you won’t be getting paid for it? This is the second time you have had to do this! If you do the job, you get freaking paid!” Jeryca stormed.

  “Yeah, but we owe them money, Jeryca. If I make this play for them, it will erase some of that debt from our plate,” Orlando explained.

  “I don’t like that shit. That’s why we need to be working for ourselves. We have been working our asses off for them, and they don’t show any appreciation!” Jeryca fussed.

  “We knew what we were getting into when we made this move, so don’t start bitching about it now. We got to do what we got to do with your hot, spending ass!” Orlando snapped.

  “So you’re saying this is my fault?” Jeryca asked.

  “I’m saying it’s both our faults. We owe these men. I’m going to make this play for them, and that’s the end of the conversation. I will be leaving in two days, and I will be back next week,” Orlando stated in a way that told Jeryca the conversation was over.

  Jeryca looked at him for a split second and then said, “Can I go with you?”

  “No. This is something I’m going to be doing with Zack, and he will be here the day after tomorrow. I need you to help me pack a few bags and then ride with me to make a drop at the spot over on Fourth Avenue,” he answered.

  Jeryca didn’t say a word. She went to the bedroom and pulled Orlando’s suitcase out. She did as he asked, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Ramon and Sergio were playing them. They never moved anything for free, and they weren’t going to use her like that. She was going to show Orlando that they could make all the same plays for themselves that they were making for Ramon and Sergio. She just had to devise a plan and make it work.

  * * *

  Two Days Later

  After Jeryca dropped Orlando at the pier, she returned home and sat in the dining area, devising a plan to get Sergio and Ramon out of the way. She wanted power, and she aimed to have it. After attempting to call Valerie’s number three times, she finally got up the nerve to let the call go through. She didn’t get an answer, and she breathed a sigh of relief because she wasn’t sure if she was doing the right thing, but a few seconds later, Valerie was calling her back.

  “Here goes,” she whispered to herself. “Hey, sis, how are you doing today?”

  “I’m good, just sitting here looking at the newspaper. Shit, ain’t too much I can do today. What you up to?”

  “Nothing at all. Orlando had to go on a run for Ramon and Sergio, so I’m here by myself. Girl, get this: Orlando got to make the drop for free. We can’t eat like that,” Jeryca grumbled.

  “Well, what else can you do?” Valerie asked.

  “Shit, I’m hoping you can help me out or advise me on what I can do,” Jeryca replied.

  “How? Talk to me, sis.”

  “Well, I was thinking that maybe we could take over Ramon and Sergio’s operation,” Jeryca told her.

  Valerie laughed. “Girl, have you lost your mind completely? You got to be crazy. I’ma act like I didn’t hear that coming from you, ’cause I’d have to kill you if I thought you were serious. Girl, I think you need a plan B quick!”

  Jeryca didn’t say anything for a minute, but she realized that she might have just messed up. She played it off and started laughing also. “You know I was just joking. Shit, I said the same thing to Orlando, and he told me I was crazy. Y’all take things too serious.”

  “Yeah, well, I got to go. I got a call coming in on my other line. And, girl, please stop playing like that,” Valerie said, laughing as she hung up.

  Jeryca frowned as she hung up the phone and sat for a few minutes, contemplating her next move. If Valerie and Orlando wouldn’t help her, then she would just have to find someone who would. She wasn’t afraid of what Ramon and Sergio could do. Hell, she had dealt with Thad and his crew, and been involved in robberies, and she wasn’t about to start allowing fear to get in her way of being rich.

  When Valerie hung up from talking to Jeryca, she immediately called Desiree. She knew that Jeryca was probably just talking, but she wasn’t going to trust her assumption just because she had formed somewhat of a friendship with her. Her loyalty remained with Ramon and Sergio.

  “Hey, girl. What you got going on today?” Valerie asked when Desiree answered the phone.

  “Shit, nothing right now, just been relaxing a bit,” Desiree replied.

  “Oh, okay. How you and yo’ man getting along?” Valerie asked.

  “We good, girl. That man is something else in bed. Say what you will about Ramon, but that man knows how to please me. His wife can’t please him like I can,” Desiree boasted.

  Valerie began to laugh. “Girl, you are wild. Speaking of Ramon,” she said, “um, I just got off the phone with Jeryca, and she was asking me if I wanted to help her take control of their empire.”

  “Take over whose empire?” Desiree asked, laughing.

  “Ramon and Sergio’s, girl. I haven’t told Ramon yet. I called you first, ’cause I don’t think she is serious at all, but you know I could just feel like that ’cause me and her are cool. What do you think?” Valerie asked.

  “I think we should inform Ramon as soon as possible. We don’t know what she is capable of, Valerie. I know you like her, but we’ve only known her for a li’l over a year. Ramon and Sergio we’ve known almost forever. Don’t get caught up in the friendship zone with her.”

  “You right. But I know they are going to call a hit on her.” Valerie sighed, and asked, “Who’s making the call?”

  “You can, ’cause she called you. They will wonder why you didn’t call and it may be reason enough for them to question your loyalty,” Desiree said.

  “All right, I will call you later after I speak with them,” Valerie replied.

  Valerie hung up from talking with Desiree and immediately called Ramon. She explained to him what Jeryca had spoken to her about. She could hear the agitation in his voice as he asked her questions about their conversation. Valerie knew from the sound of his voice that Jeryca had made a grave mistake.

  After she finished her call, she lay across her bed with her arm thrown across her face, wondering if she did the right thing. She really liked Jeryca and didn’t want to see anything happen to her. She called Zack, hoping that he was available to talk. She needed to talk to someone so she could ease her mind. She dialed his number, and after the third ring, he picked up.

  “Hey, babe. What’s up?”

  “Nothing much, boo, just wanted to hear your voice. Are you busy?” she asked him.

  “Never too busy for you. How’s your day going?”

  “My day has been hectic, baby. I wish you were here so I could relieve the stress.”

  “Shit, me too. I miss you. When I get back from here, I want you and me to take a little vacation of our own. We can go to the beach, Hawaii, Paris, or anywhere else you want to go. Sound good to you?” he asked.

  “Yes, it does. I think that’s s
omething we both will enjoy immensely. What you got on?” she asked.

  “Girl, I can’t do that right now. Give me about two hours and I got you.” He laughed.

  Valerie could hear Orlando in the background, laughing and teasing Zack about him blushing. Valerie started laughing. “Damn, bae, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were around anyone. Call me later when you are by yourself.”

  “All right, I got you.”

  Valerie felt a little better hearing Zack’s voice. He always made her day better.

  * * *

  South America

  Back in South America, Ramon and Sergio were devising a plan to rid themselves of what they now considered a huge problem. Over the past year, Jeryca and Orlando had been late on their payments for the third time, and now Jeryca was calling up one of their number-one top hitters to take them out. Valerie and Desiree were very loyal to them, and when they hesitantly revealed that Jeryca had gotten at them about a takeover, they knew it was time to make their presence felt. Jeryca thought that Valerie and Desiree would be loyal to her, but they were only loyal to the money. They had trusted Orlando with a lot of their product and hadn’t yet seen over $300,000 at one time. They called up their most trusted cleaners and arranged a meeting.

  “We have two problems to get rid of. Are you guys available to clean up?” Sergio asked the person on the other end.

  As Sergio continued to talk, Ramon called up a few people himself. They were going to make an example out of Jeryca and Orlando, even though Orlando didn’t have anything to do with her plan. Orlando was going to die simply because he had brought a traitor in their midst. He should’ve been aware from the start of the type of person Jeryca was.

  To kill them, they were going to send the very ones Jeryca trusted. Valerie and Desiree were more than willing to do the job, being that Ramon had set a $2 million price tag on both Jeryca’s and Orlando’s heads. However, Sergio was going to send some extra heat as a precaution, because the girls had become close to Jeryca and he wasn’t going to give anyone a chance to shit on them.

  They knew that Orlando and Zack were still in Jamaica handling some business for them. Ramon called down to his connects and told them to prolong the deal for two more days.