Samaya sighed loud to piss Sunshine off, so Queen ignored her only because Samaya did. Queen handled her business with Sunshine and left with Teresa.
Queen saw him all in Jai’s ear, but Teresa grabbed her arm and pulled her outside. “Don’t worry about that,” Teresa whispered.
When Samaya was leaving, she saw Isaiah and his friends standing by the main entrance with Merch, and Rocky off to the side. When she saw Sunshine approaching the crowd of men, they all shook their heads no, so she laughed to herself, watching Sunshine turn and walk away fast with a frown.
Samaya always waited for DJ to walk with her to the car so that he could get his tip, and a little conversation that she knew wasn’t going anywhere.
DJ said, “You did your thang tonight!”
Samaya said, “My thang? Thanks. What they want with Rocky, DJ?”
She always kept her pistol on her side until she got in the car. Then she put it on her lap in case someone tried robbing her for their money back, or the other strippers’ stickup friends.
DJ waited for her to get in the car, as usual, so he could shut her door, and try to get some pussy.
DJ said, “I don’t know, baby girl. You know all the shit he is into. He probably owes them money. Rocky in debt with everybody. I see you’re going to get home safe.”
Samaya said, “Always! Here’s your tip. Thank you.”
DJ said, “Thanks, baby. What’s up with you? When can I take you out? Let me get your number? You got a man, huh?
Samaya said, “Damn, DJ! Stop with all the questions. I’m going home. I don’t go out with coworkers, and I most definitely don’t give out my number. We talked about this before, DJ.”
DJ said, “It’s Donald, Saria. You’re too smart and pretty to be in here dancing. When are you gonna stop doing this?”
Samaya said, “How do you know I’m smart? My dancing is just a hustle. I’m gone! Thanks again, Donald.”
The building Samaya lived in had an underground parking lot and cameras everywhere. She felt safe once the gate closed because she knew Donald wasn’t the only man that wanted her.
*****
Queen let her auntie take her car, but they waited for Merch to finish chopping it up with Rocky before Teresa left.
Queen said, “Look, TT! There his cousins Tee and Ax.”
Teresa said, “I’m not getting introduced in a damn parking lot to some young thugs.”
Queen said, “What does that mean? You and Samaya something else.”
Teresa said, “Presentation, baby! Where you meet them matters how they treat you. Here your man come. Love you. Call me tomorrow.”
Queen said, “Why didn’t Toonie show up tonight?”
Teresa said, “I don’t know! Samaya will find out. Bye!”
*****
Queen didn’t even let him shut the car door before she started drilling him with questions.
Queen said, “What did you do today? Where did you go? Thought you were linking with me before I came to work?”
Merch said, “Hello, Queen! How are you doing?”
Queen said, “Hello, Merch! What did you do today?”
Merch said, “I handled my business. What did you do today?”
Queen said, “Fucked you, then came to work.”
Merch said, “Funny you weren’t here when I first came. I left and came back.”
Queen said, “I know, my cousin told me. And I got that. Thank you.”
Merch said, “Oh! Now you don’t know what to say? Don’t get quiet!”
Queen said, “I ran to the store to get some Backwoods and gum. What about—”
Before Queen could finish asking another question, Merch cut that shit short real quick.
Merch said, “Don’t start asking me all these damn questions. You ready to do this or what?”
Queen said, “I guess! This what you want, right? That’s what you were in her ear about?”
Merch said, “Look! We don’t have to do this shit!”
Queen said, “Why her, though?”
Merch said, “You’re the one that told me to pick or find somebody. Got damn!”
Queen said, “Whatever! I’ve been ready!”
Merch said, “Well, stop all that pouting shit, G!”
Queen said, “Not pouting! Just asking questions and making conversation.”
Merch said, “At least say hi or how are you doing before questioning me, Detective.”
Queen hit his arm then went back to game mode. When she leaned over and pulled his dick out, Merch already knew she was ready. No questions asked and sucked it all the way there without hesitation.
Queen said, “He’s ready now. Come on!”
*****
After everybody left, Rocky locked up and called a few people to meet him at the club. They all sat there listening to him, but needed more information before going through with it because Rocky’s MO was getting over on people.
Rocky said, “I know what I saw. If y’all do what I say, everything will go as planned. Now, if y’all want to be some pussies, and let this opportunity pass gone head.”
Man 1 said, “Hold the fuck up! I’m not a pussy!”
Man 2 said, “I’m not a pussy either. What the fuck!”
Rocky said, “Either! Either! Either! Well, let’s not let this pass. I’m selling the place to them first.”
Man 3 said, “If everything split evenly, I’m game.”
Rocky said, “Don’t do shit until I say. Let me find out where the briefcase is.”
Man 2 said, “What’s in the briefcase?”
Rocky said, “Money and flame!”
*****
Lia wasn’t about to tell everything she knew about Mr. Simms. She knew they weren’t telling her everything about the case with him, so she played their game with them.
She saw Mr. Simms go in, and leave with a group of people after the club closed, but Thomas wasn’t
