Love Locked Down

by Candace Mumford

  “ Terrence please don't make it seem like that. You know that's not true. You're the one acting like you don't want to be married. Telling me shit is none of my business. And who the hell was that bitch all over you last night at the club?” I said my voice rising. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to say to him but damn if this conversation wasn't going the wrong way.

  * * * *

  25. Finding Our Way

  Terrence

  I tossed my cell on my desk, kicked my feet up and smiled. I don't know what made Dana call me so fast but I was glad she did. One thing I'd come to know about Dana was that she was stubborn. I also know she loves me. I didn't have a doubt in my mind that her heart was with me. Even though we'd never spoken the words to each other. I mean she slipped up and said it once but I know she does. I can feel it every time we speak, the way she looks at me when she doesn't know I'm aware. I feel like you gotta be in love to make love. So every time I've laid between my wife's legs I've been making love to her. Even if it felt like straight fuckin'. I just got something holding me back from saying the words and I don't quite know why. I heard a buzz and looked up at the security screen to see my right hand man Latrell at my office door. I buzzed him in.

  “ What's up nigga?”

  “ Not a damn thing. Just been making sure shit is straight for these three V.I.P parties going on tonight.”

  “ Everything cool ?” Terrence asked.

  “ You already know it is nigga.”

  “ Cool. All right nigga I need to get these papers signed before Aprils little short ass tries to kill me, I was up early trying to get into something but that shit didn't work out so I'm spending the rest of the afternoon working. Anything come up handle it unless you really need me.” Terrence said as Latrell rose and walked to the door.

  * * * *

  26. Backstabbers

  Tamera

  Camyrn and I had just settled down at our table at Amy Ruths. I was starving. It seemed like I hadn't eaten a nice meal in ages. Hell “ seemed” was an understatement. I hadn't. I'd been too busy the last two months working my fuckin' ass off. Two months ago Terrence had brought his ass over to the house and informed me that after graduation I would have to get a job to maintain myself. After graduation my monthly stipend was cut off. He offered me a job in his club...the hottest club in Brooklyn, that I wasn't even aware he owned. Did this negro know just how many times I'd tried to get into Club Taboo and had been turned away? I should have been walking up in that bitch like royalty!

  Now I get to go in there every goddamn night. To serve drinks to other muthafuckas. I was beyond livid. Terrence is my brother! If I had to work I was at least expecting him to make me a damn manger! Head bartender or something. But a server? I had to rely on tips just to pay my lights and water. It was unfair. Terrence felt like he was helping me out since I didn't have to pay any rent.

  I tried to talk up on some change with Cordell but I guess he was holding a grudge because of how I had put him out but what was I supposed to do? If Terrence had come over and found Cordell there it would have been major trouble for me. Then to add insult to injury there was Dana.

  A few months ago she'd come to my house not knowing what her next move was going to be. Not a dime to her name to even finish up her degree and who had went to bat for her with my brother? ME. Now this hoe laid up in my brothers house without a care in the world? Was she at the club seven nights a week serving drunk muthafuckas? No. What she was doing was walking her ass right up to the goddamn VIP with my brother.

  I didn't like that shit. I didn't like that shit at all.

  Which was exactly why I'd called Camyrn to come have lunch with me today. I knew her hungry ass would be willing to come eat. And discuss getting back together with my brother. With a little help from me of course.

  “ So I was surprised to hear from you Tamera.” Camyrn said looking at me coyly.

  If I didn't know the bitch loved cocking her legs up to my brother I would swear the bitch was flirting with me. This hoe better save that sweet tone for somebody else.

  “ Girl you know I’ve always liked you. But you know how my brother is. His business is his alone. Terrence doesn't really like me talking too much to his women. Besides I liked you so I knew the only way to keep you around a little longer would be to play it cool. You always been my girl though. Which leads me to why I asked you here.”

  The waitress interrupted us to take our orders. I was glad to see her ass too.

  “ I'll have a side of collard greens, candied yams and give me the Gabrielle Union fried ( pork chops ) and a sweet tea. Thanks.” I said closing my menu and handing it back to her as she took Camyrn's order.

  “ Look Cam, the long and short of it is this. My brothers wife is no good for him...,”

  Camyrn's eyes bucked.

  “ Hold up did you say wife? You mean he really is married? I just knew that shit was a nasty rumor! I can't believe this shit. As long as we were together? I stood by his ass when he got locked up and then he just tossed me away like trash? Oh I am too through.” Camyrn spat.

  “ That's because Dana was sniffing around your man. If I had known what she was up to sooner I sure would have tried to warn you girl. This girl is just doing the most and it's time to get her away from my brother. All she's doing is spending his money and word on the street she's creeping too? What kind of sister would I be to let some shit like this go on under my brothers nose?” I asked sucking my teeth.

  Camyrn looked at me skeptically.

  “ If she's this bad I highly doubt your brother is putting up with that bullshit Tamera.”

  “ Girl the nigga is sprung! His ass been locked up just shy of two years. He was lonely as fuck and she preyed on my brother. Look I probably shouldn't even say this but since we're here and I'm confiding in you and all let me just lay it all on the line. Terrence had just started talking about you again too.”

  “ What do you mean?” Camyrn asked leaning in close.

  “ Girl he said he regretted running you off. He said he never wanted to let you go but he didn't think it was fair to have you waiting two years for him. Terrence loves you. He just didn't want to hold you back.” I said looking at her with my eyes full of sympathy at her lost love. At least I hope that's what the fuck I looked like!

  “ I knew it !” Camyrn yelped loudly “ I knew that nigga loved me!”

  “ Ooohh speak of the Devil and she shall appear. There goes my sister-in-law right there.” I said as I watched Dana walk into Amy Ruths. It was obvious she hadn't seen me or I know she would have come over. Dana had been leaving messages with me for weeks for us to get together but I just refused. Something about how this whole situation with my brother had played out just didn't sit right with me and I knew Dana had something to do with it. But I had something for her ass. My brother too.

  I honestly felt like everything Terrence was doing to me, his negativity and wanting me to work all of a sudden was her doing. Before he married her he wasn't talking all this craziness. So the only logical conclusion I could draw was that this was Dana's doing. The bitch had me struggling while she was on easy street.

  I was green with envy as I watched her breeze to the counter without a care in the world. Dana had on a bad ass maxi dress I'd never seen anywhere before so I knew she had to have designed it herself. Dana rarely wore anything off the rack and with my brothers money behind her she could shop anywhere. Dana preferred wearing her own designs as much as possible. I could see the cashier walking from around the counter and placing a large to-go bag in her hand. I turned my head. I didn't even want to look at her ass.

  “ Tamera? You didn't see me over there? You weren't going to speak? I've been trying to reach you for days. Why haven't you returned any of my calls?” Dana asked.

  Uggh. Here this bitch go.

  “ Dana I've been busy. Some of us have to work to survive. If I don't work ,I don't eat.” I said rolling my eyes. Dana looked taken aback at my statement.

>   “ Dana this is Camyrn, Camyrn, this is my sister-in-law Dana Majors.”

  I intentionally called her by her maiden name just to fuck with her ass.

  * * * *

  27. Sister-in-law or Sister-in-War ?

  Dana

  I didn't know what the hell was going on with Tamera but I'd put up with two months of her bullshit and I've officially had enough. Tamera was the one who introduced me to Terrence. I never asked to meet him. Tamera was the main one egging me on to go ahead and marry him. The fucked up part is that she seemed well and content for us to be together when she thought I was just getting money from him for tuition but when our relationship became more Tamera completely turned on me.

  I couldn't understand why. I already knew Tamera was selfish but she was always fun to hang around and seemed to have the same fashion goals as me. At least that's the way she came off. I knew Tamera was mad about having to get a job but what could I do about that? Tamera's ass should have been grateful to me that she still was living in her place rent free. Thanks to me, because Terrence damn sure wanted to put that place on the market and get rid of it. I'd literally begged him not to do it and he'd finally given in to me.

  Now here her ass sat calling me some Dana Majors? Yes that's my birth name but bitch my name is Dana Hill now. Just like hers whether Tamera liked it or not.

  “ Actually I go by my husbands last name. So it's Dana Hill.” I said smiling widely at Tamera as I extended my hand to her friend who left me hanging.

  I ain't got time for this shit.

  “ Anyways ladies, it's been real but I need to get to my husband. Enjoy your lunch.” I said turning on my heel and walking out of the restaurant. Tamera could sit there bitter as fuck if she wanted to that was her business. One thing was perfectly clear to me though. Our friendship was over. I wasn't going to waste a minute more of my time dwelling on exactly what went wrong in our friendship. I know the problem was that I had the sister-in-law from hell. And this hoe sitting with her ?With her double d titties stuffed into that too little top, fake eyelashes that looked like tarantulas sitting on top of her goddamn eyes and an entire tube of lip gloss on her lips. She can jump off the Brooklyn bridge right along with Tamera.

  I had more important things on my agenda. Like moving back into the house with my husband and telling him I loved him. I'd picked up all his favorite soul foods from his favorite spot in Harlem and I was going to meet him up at the club to try and fix what was broken in our marriage.

  I stepped into the cab and gave him the address to Terrence's club.

  “ Wow! What ever you have in the bag smells great!” the cab driver called back to me.

  “ It sure does. I just picked up dinner for my husband.” I said smiling at the thought of Terrence. I hadn't been able to stop thinking about him since he'd left Janay's place angry with me earlier.

  “ That's real nice of you lady! You must be newlyweds huh? After 16 years my wife doesn't give a shit if I have a hot meal or not. So you keep that up. You'll have one happy man on your hands.” he said adamantly.

  “ Thanks for the advice.” I said smiling inside. My marriage wasn't going to fail and if I had to take the first step to make it happen that's what I would do. My cellphone rang and I dug around in my purse to find it. My heart practically thudded out of my chest at the sight of Terrence's name.

  “ Hello?” I answered eagerly.

  “ Where you at?”

  “ Hello to you too Terrence. I'm just leaving Harlem. I'm on my way to see you. I'm bringing dinner to you.”

  “ Oh yeah? What has you being so nice all of a sudden? This morning you couldn't stand the sight of me.”

  “ That's not true Terrence. There's a lot I need to say to you but let's just wait until I get there. I miss you and I plan on coming home tonight. If you want me there.” I said.

  “ No doubt. I've been worried about you being away from me.” Terrence said. I broke into a smile because I could hear the relief in his voice.

  “ I've been fine Terrence. Janay's neighborhood isn't bad. I lived there without any incidents long before I even met you. Besides, I have my “Little Girl” with me. So if anything jumps off I'm covered.”

  Terrence laughed.

  “ Good looking out. I'll see you when you get here. Have someone page me when you get here. Let me get off this phone and go handle a few things before you get here and Dana...,”

  “ Yes?”

  “ I'm glad you're coming home.”

  Terrence and I ended our call and I opened my purse to slip my phone back in. I smiled as I caught a glance of my pink handled nine millimeter hand gun Terrence had nicknamed “ Little Girl”. As soon as Terrence got home he insisted I learn how to shoot. Going to the range for me to practice had become one of our favorite past times and I had to admit, I was a pretty good shot.

  * * * *

  28. My Heart Is In Your Hands

  Terrence

  I flipped through my phone looking at a few pictures I had of Dana. Baby girl was finally bringing her ass back home. I was happy as hell. I hadn't wanted to admit how bad I felt about her being gone but I missed her like crazy. I couldn't even sleep good at night without her by my side.

  “ Aye Latrell.” I said waving Latrell over.

  “ What's going on man?”

  “ Look I forgot to tell you, met this fine ass female last night and she's coming tonight too, I want to get a picture of her. I'll stand her under camera 16 so you can get a clear shot. Simone Lloyd is her name. I know a few small basics about her but when I hit you up tomorrow matter... of fact find it out sooner if you can like tonight. I wanna know everything about her ass you feel me? I think it's funny she's been posting up in here lately and I wanna know why.” I said.

  “ What do you think is going on?” Latrell asked confused.

  “ Man you know shit was cool when I walked away from Jamel but they wanted to use my spot to sell. I ain't with that shit. My spot is strictly legit but I think they may be sending females in here to do that shit anyway. This Simone chick was just a little to friendly for my tastes so I wanna have her checked out. She also caused a little drama between my wife and I but we're going to settle that.

  It wasn't too often I took an interest in a female off the bat like this I never had too. Besides the only woman holding my attention was my wife. Women made it a point to try and be in my presence but this female with the soft brown eyes had caught his attention when I passed her in the line yesterday. I already knew she's a liar. She know damn well she wasn't on no damn V.I.P list. That was something people lied about all the time though. Let me check her ass out though just so I know who the fuck I'm dealing with. I know one thing, no one better be selling drugs out of my fuckin' club.

  Latrell had already gone to the security room to get camera 16 ready. My entire club had an airtight security system you couldn't even shit without being watched in my club. You could walk your ass in Club Taboo and get your drink and your two-step on if you wanted too but the inner workings of my club ran deep. You couldn't step foot in my club and make a deal without me knowing. If a bitch walked in here with an 10 inch cocaine dildo stuffed up her pussy and took that bad boy out in my bathroom...you better believe I'm sending someone in there to get my cut just for violating.

  If a nigga was handling business in the V.I.P room or my goddamn parking lot I had better be part of the conversation. That's just the way it was. I had microphones placed strategically around the entire club and my sound technicians could take the music right out of the recording. Don't shit get past Terrence Hill, I thought smiling.

  I walked over to the bar where my manager April was sitting going over some paperwork.

  “ What's going on lady? How's everything looking? Everyone pulling their weight around here?” I asked signaling the bartender Joy for my usual drink. Sprite on the rocks.

  April sucked her teeth.

  “ Well since you brought it up. The only employee I seem to be
having a problem with is your sister. Tamera was supposed to be here over an hour ago to help prep for tonight but she hasn't called or responded to my text messages and I know her ass got them. As you well know we have three private parties going on tonight.” April said throwing her pen down. “ All this does is add more work for everyone else and that shit ain't fair.”

  “ Damn why you ain't said shit to me before now?” I asked taking a sip of my drink.

  “ Because every time I say something to her, she makes it a point to let me know that she's your sister , you ain't gonna fire her and that if I keep saying something to her I may end up being the one without a job. Is that true?” April asked.

  “ Hell no it ain't true. Matter of fact let me handle this shit right now. I'm sorry you've been going through this but it's partly your own fault. You should have come to me.” I said pulling out my cell phone.

  “ I know Terrence but I'm a single mother with two little boys to take care of. I didn't want to risk my job.”

  “ You've done a hell of a job here. Your job was never at risk.” I said. I called Tamera's phone and she picked up on the first ring.

  “ Hey big brother!”

  “ Hey. Weren't you supposed to be at work an hour ago?”

  “ I'm on my way in a few minutes. I'm finishing up my lunch date.”

  “ How you on a lunch date and you're scheduled to be at work? How about this. Take all the time you need on your lunch date Tamera. Don't press yourself about getting here at all.”

  “ Really! I can take the day off? I sure appreciate it. You just don't know how I needed some time off to myself.”

  “ Oh you gon' have plenty of time to yourself. You're fired. Oh and you have 60 days to find somewhere to stay. Mama ain't staying there anymore, you don't want to do the basics, so I'm putting it on the market.”

  “ WHAT! Just because I'm late today?”

  “ No because you're late a lot from my understanding. Also using the fact that I'm your brother to try and intimidate your manager? That ain't the way we roll around here baby sis.. You obviously don' want the job, I get it. It ain't no big oooo-wee. I just hope you put that fashion design degree I paid for to good use because you're sure gonna need to provide for yourself.”