Falling for a Hustler: A Benton Harbor Love Story

FALLING FOR A HUSTLER :

A BENTON HARBOR LOVE STORY

A Novel by Jerniqua K.

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© 2015

Published by Leo Sullivan Presents

www.leolsullivan.com

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Unauthorized reproduction, in any manner, is prohibited.

Acknowledgements

It’s hard to believe that I published one book and now here I am getting ready to present my fifth one to you all! This ish is crazy! I’ll admit that there has been plenty of times where I got intense writer's block and even debated on giving up but then I would get one little text or comment on Facebook from my readers saying how much they loved my work, and it pushed me to cross that finish line.

So many of you have supported me from day one and I love and appreciate each and everyone of you; no lie! I promise not to keep you (cause I know yall are anxious to see what I’ve cooked up this time lol) but I’m a woman of my word therefore I MUST do these shout outs!

Michelle!!! Yes I called you out first! We’ve been through a lot these past few years but I can HONESTLY say you have shown me so much love and support! It doesn’t matter what time I text you, you still find the time to allow me to bounce ideas off of you and be my test reader and I thank you for it. I can’t wait to see what you think of this one!

Hannah aka Tha Black Montana...I didn’t forget about you! Since the release of my first book you have shown mad love! I thank you for helping me promote my books. Trust and believe we’re still gonna get this movie going!

Cam, Jess, and Ming thank yall for all the laughs yall provided me when I actually wanted to break down and cry. We went through some bull (insider)but in a way I’m kind of glad we did; God saw fit to bring us together and I’m glad that he did!

To Leo, I want to thank you for taking me under your wing! When I first talked to you on the phone, you assured me nothing but greatness and that’s all I’ve been seeing from you and the team. Thank you for allowing me to be apart of Leo Sullivan Presents!

I hope you all enjoy!

SYNOPSIS

After witnessing the murder of her parents at only twelve years old, Lyric and her younger sister, Destiny were left with the decision of going to foster care or moving with their aunt Yandy.

When the money her parents left behind begins to dwindle, Lyric starts stripping at a club called Sparkle City where ballers were known to frequent. Though the money is fast and easy, it’s not enough for Lyric and she decides to enter Yandy’s world. Yandy teaches Lyric and Destiny the art of sex appeal and together, the three women take the small city of Benton Harbor by storm.

Bryce “Brick” Donovan is released from prison with only one thing on his mind; revenge. After losing everything from getting set up and locked away for a year, he struggles to get his feet back on the ground. It seems he can trust no one until he meets Lyric. She shows him that not everyone is bad and he slowly falls in love with her; which infuriates Yandy.

Secrets are soon revealed and family quickly becomes nothing but a six letter word when the biggest scheme of all falls into Yandy’s lap. What do you get when you mix love, lies, scheming, and revenge? A Grand Hustle, Benton Harbor style.

The Players

Lyric

Music blared throughout the club as I winded my hips to the beat. All eyes were on me and I ain’t even gon’ lie to you, the attention I was getting felt good as fuck! I swear, that shit gave a bitch the big head, making me go extra hard. Jamie Foxx’s throwback, “Get This Money” played, and I swear I did just that.

I've got my money on you

Big faces spankin' brand new

While I'm here this is what you

Need to do

Come and get this money

If you don't want everyone to see

Just how naughty you can really be

We can ease off to the v.i.p.

Come and get this money

I crawled seductively towards my victim for the night, and when he was close enough, I pulled him on the stage. I knew I would hear Khalil’s mouth later, but I ain’t give a fuck. This dancing shit wasn’t nothing but a muthafuckin business transaction to me. If I ain’t shake things up a lil bit, I’d be making chump change like the rest of the bitches in this club, and Lyric ain’t have time for that shit! I made him lay on his back in the center of the stage. Trying to be cool, he put his hands behind his head and slowly licked his lips.
Was that a challenge,
I asked myself. If it wasn’t oh well, because I sure as fuck took it as one! Now I definitely had to turn this nigga out.

I slowly danced above his head, never missing a beat as I scanned the club looking for my baby sister. I hoped like hell that she stuck to the plan tonight.

Not too many, wear it quite as well

You can take care of yourself

It ain’t hard to tell

And not too many

Can go into a split

From standing to a sit

I ain’t mad at you, not one bit

I went into the splits, twerking just above dude’s lips. His hands tried to touch me, and I smacked them away. Nigga was just acting like shit was sweet, and now his ass was drooling all over the place. I smirked as I stood and pulled him up. I then began clapping my ass toward my audience as I removed my top, revealing my pasty-covered breast. I swear, I hated having to do this shit, but the money was too fucking fast and easy. A bitch like me needed that shit like
yesterday.

“Mama? Ma? Stop playing! Wake up!”

Tears streamed down my face as I shook my mother, trying to wake her. My sister Destiny stood behind me, too scared to move. Her eyes were wide, and not one tear fell as she waited for me to confirm what we already knew. Looking over to my left, my heart broke even more when I stared at my father’s dead body. His eyes were open, and pain was all throughout his face as blood continuously poured from the bullet hole right between his eyeballs.

Here I was only 12 years old, and had witnessed both of my parents murdered in cold blood. Sirens blared out, and I knew that me and Destiny had to figure something out quick. Once the police arrived and saw that we were there, it wouldn’t be long before CPS showed up. There was no way I was letting us go into the system.

With all the strength that I could muster up, I kissed my parents deceased bodies, grabbed Des, and ran up the stairs. Luckily for us, Mom and Pops always had a stash just in case of emergencies, and had showed us a few times how to get to it. We ran into our daddy’s office and closed the door behind us. We looked for the loose floorboard and once we found it, we lifted the pieces. Instantly, I was greeted with a keypad. I quickly typed in the code and in seconds, multiple stacks of money, a few jewelry pieces, and two nine millimeters were revealed. We hurriedly threw that shit in the duffel bag that was stacked inside. Once we cleared it out, I saw a piece of paper. I grabbed it and began to read:

Dear Lyric and Destiny,

If you’re reading this, then I’m guessing we didn't make it. I’m sorry that we left you out there all alone! Please know that we did everything we did so that you would never want for anything in this world. We both loved you more than anything and we hope that you two always remember that and never forget us. Use this number and ask for aunt Yandy. She’ll know what to do. Love Mommy and Daddy...

I handed the paper to Destiny.

“Take this and call aunt Yandy, I’ll keep watch.”

She did as told, and within twenty minutes Yandy pulled up in a black tinted out Avalanche. We snuck past the detectives and got into the truck, not once looking back. Yandy kept us posted on the investigation, and it broke my heart that once the detectives saw that the slain couple was Lance “Casino” and Robyn Taylor, they labeled the double murder as drug related and moved on. It was clear that they didn’t give a damn about my parents. Shit, they were the new aged Bonnie and Clyde if you asked me, so I guess in the pig's eyes whoever killed them had done them a huge favor.

The music ended, and it was then that I noticed I had allowed my mind to drift to my past. The guy I had just finished teasing exited the stage as I bent over and began picking up my money. After grabbing the silk robe I had come out in, I made my way to the steps and headed to the dressing room. Niggas called my name begging for a dance, but I smiled and politely told them ‘no.’ I was on a mission; I had to find my sister. Taking one last glance of the club before going to the back, I saw Destiny at the bar looking around as well.
Good.

“Yo Lyric!” I turned around when I heard my name being called. My set was over, and all I wanted to do was go home, roll up, shower, and sleep.

“Damn Khalil, what?” It seemed like my attitude only turned him on, because he smiled a little harder.

“When you gon’ let me take you out this club, ma? You don’t belong here. This shit ain’t for you. Let me take care of you.”

I rolled my eyes and put my hand on my hip. It was the same shit every night. Khalil was almost 6’3 and was dark-skinned, with the prettiest white teeth I had ever seen on a man. His light brown eyes always stayed low from the numerous amounts of Kush blunts he smoked on the regular. His hair was kept in a Boosie fade, and though not many niggas could pull that look off, he rocked it with perfection. I had fucked around with Khalil a few times when I first started two years ago, but the nigga got so clingy that I had to cut his ass off. Though we fucked around we were never in a relationship, and he couldn’t seem to understand that. I had nigga’s checking for me and offering to pay a bill or two, so I let them and whenever Khalil found out, he would call himself jealous trying to start shit. I gave him a smirk and simply said, “No thank you.”

“At least let me take you out.”

“Goodnight Khalil.” Again, I excused myself and headed for the dressing room.

I was the headliner for the average-sized club named Sparkle City. Men paid top dollar to see me dance, and I made sure to give them an amazing show every time. From what they tell me, I was beyond beautiful, and I wouldn’t disagree with them at all! With skin the color of brown sugar, I stood about five foot five with ebony-colored hair that reached the middle of my back when it wasn’t tucked under my 30-inch weave. My slanted brown eyes always seemed to hypnotize men, resulting in me getting whatever I wanted out of them. I was what Loso defined as slim thick. My C-cup breasts went perfectly with my toned stomach and thick thighs, and I took pride in keeping my shit tight. My size eleven ass kept men drooling whenever I walked past. I was every man’s dream, yet only select few niggas could say that they had a go between my sugar walls.

Once I made it to the back, I plopped down in front of my vanity and stared at myself. This shit was never supposed to have been my life. If my parents could see my ass now, they would probably be turning in their damn graves. After pulling myself together, I quickly started to count my money.

“$1,500. Not bad for five hours.” I quickly stuffed my earnings in my Betsey Johnson weekend bag, and threw on my Juicy Couture tracksuit. I pulled my long, red, curly weave into a messy bun and reapplied my lip gloss. Once I was sure that my appearance was okay, I proceeded to exit. Taking one last look around, I locked eyes with Destiny, who was laughing with some guy at the bar. Des gave me a nod, and I took that as her signaling me over. Once I made it to my baby sister, the conversation and laughter ceased.

“Come on
Armani
. It’s late and you’ve been drinking. My set is over now. Let’s go home,” I said, with my hand on my hip once again.

“Don’t you see me talking? It would be rude of me to leave after Mr. Calvin here done bought me all these drinks,” she said, goofily smiling.

“Are you serious right now?”

Before Destiny could say another word, Calvin spoke up. “How about I take Armani home? I mean, we weren’t done talking and I want to get to know her a little better,” he said as he winked at Destiny. I looked over at her as well, and she was still cheesing her ass off.
Easy money,
I thought.

“You know what? You’re a grown woman, Mani. I’ll see you when you get home.” I turned around and left. As soon as I made it to my car, I pulled out my phone and texted Destiny.

ME:
Make this shit quick.

While exiting the parking lot, I saw the familiar black Avalanche flashing its lights. I slowly pulled next to it and saw Yandy sitting inside.

“They getting ready to leave. Make sure you follow them closely, Yandy.” I always hated that we used Destiny when we pulled our little capers, but the truth was I couldn’t really do the shit, because niggas knew me from the club, and even though Yandy was only 27, she had been in the majority of the local ballers’ pockets at some point in time. She still had a select few that broke bread and fucked with her, but most of the niggas already knew what to expect when they saw her coming.

I watched as Yandy flashed me a quick smile. “Bitch who the fuck you think taught you the game? You tryna smoke this with me until they come out?” She sealed the Swisher closed with her lips before pulling out her lighter.

“Nah, I don’t want to chance him coming out and suspecting anything. I’m just gon’ roll up at home while I wait for y’all asses to get back.”

Yandy only nodded her head as she inhaled the gas and let the drug take its course. I smiled at her and pulled off. The twenty-minute drive to our four-bedroom home would be just what I needed to clear my head.

I swear, growing up without my parents was hard, but every day I thanked God for Yandy. Being only 17 at the time, she didn't have to take us in, but she did anyway. She didn't know the first damn thing about raising a 12 and 10 year old; hell, she was still a kid herself, but she raised us the best way she knew how. Being our daddy’s only sister, she said that she felt obligated. When she brought us to her house, we were amazed! Her four-bedroom, two-bathroom house was decked the fuck out and sat in an upscale neighborhood. Instantly, I wanted to know how someone so young could be living so well. Day in and day out, I would beg Yandy to tell me what I needed to do to get like her.

Yandy, being the hustler she was, saw the potential in us both, but she knew that we were too young for the life she lived. She would always tell me,
“I promise to show you when you’re older. Right now, all I need y’all to focus on is school and getting out that muthafucka.”

The day I turned 17, I refused to take no for an answer. The money my parents had left was gone, and I needed to do something to keep my money flowing. My father had us accustomed to a certain life, and I refused to be comfortable with anything less.

“Look Yandy. I know you keep saying I’m young and shit, but you were my age when you took us in. That mean, you was getting yours before 17, and now it’s time for me to get my shit together.”

Yandy, obviously amused by my tough girl act, exhaled the smoke from her lungs and put out the blunt she was smoking on. “Lyric, you don’t even know what the hell I do.”

“I know it can’t be that hard if you’re doing it,” I countered, rolling my eyes with my hand on my hip.

Nodding her head, she only smiled. “Ok. Tonight I’ll show you then,” and with that, she walked away.

It seemed like it took forever for nightfall to roll around, and when it finally did, I had already went back and forth with myself on whether I should go or not. I won’t even lie, I was nervous as hell as I climbed in that truck, but I never let that shit show. It was too late to turn back now; plus, I was still curious to see what Yandy had been doing all these years to have us living so good. Her home girl Amia climbed in too. When she looked at me, she turned her nose up.

“Really Yandy? You gon’ let yo niece tag along? Her ass gon’ get us popped off!”

“If you got a problem with it, you can get the fuck out,” Yandy said, not once looking over at her friend. Her tone was ice cold, and I prayed Amia fell back.

Amia smacked her lips, but said nothing. Shit she knew not to fuck with my auntie. For her to be so little, that bitch had hands! After she sensed that she wouldn’t be hearing Amia’s mouth, she started the truck and we rode off into the night, with my stomach doing back flips. Shit, I didn’t know what to expect. After twenty minutes, we were pulling up to Da Jump Off, where most of the hottest parties popped off at in Benton Harbor. I watched as Yandy fixed her curls and applied lip gloss before taking a shot of the 1800 she had tucked away between her seats. She drove in her flip flops, so she quickly kicked those off and slid into her stilettos, with Amia following suit.