The Hustler's Daughter {DC Bookdiva Publications}

by Pinky Dior

  As they walked up the suspended glass staircase, they entered the mid-level area. It overlooked the first level and provided a wonderful view of everything below. The master bedroom was the biggest room. It had its’ own pristine bathroom with a walk in shower and a jacuzzi. It had wall to wall mirrors and two huge French doors. They walked through the doors and they lead to a different spiral staircase. It led to a flawless terrace, which had a beautiful view into the city. Mercedes couldn’t ask for more.

  “You can’t move in here until you turn eighteen.” Don informed her. Mercedes was furious at that statement and she didn’t understand why he showed it to her so soon.

  “Why not Daddy?” Mercedes whined. “I thought that was the purpose of you showing it to me.”

  “You’re only sixteen, your mother and I decided that when you turn eighteen you’ll be off on your own and have your own place.” Don informed her as they left the condo. He locked the door and headed to the car. Mercedes was a little upset, but she quickly realized that there was no reason to be. ‘What sixteen-year-old in the hood gets their own crib?’ Mercedes thought to herself as she sat in the car while they drove. She looked over and noticed her father looking in the rear view mirror; he kept looking in it every few seconds.

  Mercedes glanced out of her window and noticed Candy and the girls. “Daddy pull over please, I want to holla at the girls for a minute!” Mercedes said as she looked at her father awaiting his approval.

  “Aight, well make it quick I’m going to run to the barber shop. When I come back, be ready to go home.”

  “Ok Daddy,” she happily said as she exited the car and ran towards her friends.

  “Hey girls!” Mercedes yelled out.

  “Hey.” They all said in unison as they exchanged hugs and kisses on the cheek.

  “Where are ya’ll coming from, and without me I might add?”

  “Oh please Cedes, we called you and you didn’t answer your phone. We called your crib and your mother said you went out with your dad for Daddy-Daughter Day.” Candy smiled as she playfully teased her. Mercedes looked down at her cell phone and noticed that she did have several missed calls from Candy.

  “You’re a Daddy’s Girl.” Shateeya laughed. “Aww, how cute is that.” The girls laughed and Mercedes playfully hit Shateeya in the arm.

  “Yeah, well we’ve been out since this morning. He took me out to Bella’s…” Hazel cut her off, “Bella’s, you talking about that Italian restaurant?”

  “Yeah”

  “Damn, I would love to go there one day. I heard their food is delicious.” Hazel licked her lips at the thought of their food.

  “Hell yeah, the shit is bomb-but listen he took me out shopping on Fifth Avenue and then guess what he brought me?” The girls looked at her wanting her to hurry up and spill the beans. “He bought me a condo.” Mercedes chanted.

  “No.” Shateeya shook her head as the girls jaws dropped in amazement.

  “Are you serious?” Candy asked, she couldn’t believe her best friend.

  “Yeah, I don’t put on facades and Candy you should be the one to know that.” Mercedes was highly upset that Candy didn’t believe her. “But I can’t move into the crib until I’m eighteen.” She informed them.

  “You’re one lucky ass bitch.” Chamari nodded her head. “You know how many bitches would kill to be in your shoes?” Mercedes had a devilish smirk on her face and simply replied, “I know.”

  Mercedes just happened to turn around and saw her father emerging from the barber shop holding a brown paper bag. He yelled out her name from across the street.

  “Alright girlies, I got to go. I’ll check ya’ll later.”

  “Aight,” they said in unison as they begin to walk off.

  When Mercedes reached the car, she heard tires loudly screeching.

  “MERCEDES, GET DOWN!”

  Don yelled. He had a gun pointed towards him and no time to draw his own. Mercedes’ body froze for a moment and she began shaking hysterically. A dude in a cake delivery truck wearing a black ski mask had an AK-47 aimed out of the window. He began wildly shooting.

  People scattered in different directions trying to dodge bullets. The bullets had no names, but they were meant for Don Carter. Don immediately hugged Mercedes tightly and dove to the ground. It was too late, Mercedes already had been hit. The blood soaked her white tracksuit as Don held her in his arms. He never imagined that he would one day hold his daughter in this situation. She was covered in blood and shaking uncontrollably.

  xxxxxxxxxx

  The lobby was filled with silence as Don sat with his family and a few of his workers. They all were patiently waiting for the doctor to come out and provide them with information on Mercedes. Candy and the girls rushed down the hall and Maria got up as they hugged her.

  “Is she going to be okay?” Candy asked with tears in her eyes.

  “I’m praying to God.” Maria sniffled as she wiped away her tears, “We’re waiting on the doctor now.”

  They all sat on the benches hugging each other as they hoped and prayed that their girl Mercedes would be alright. They couldn’t believe that she had been shot moments after she walked away from them. They were all in a state of shock.

  The events happened so fast, and thankfully no one else got hurt. In a matter of seconds, they turned their backs and heard gun shots. They immediately knew that their friend was hit when they saw Mercedes sprawled out on the concrete. Her white track suit was drenched in blood.

  The doctor emerged from the room with his pen and clipboard in his hand. His stethoscope comfortably rest around his neck. His blue scrubs were stained from the blood of Mercedes and others that he had cared for. Don, his wife, and the girls immediately jumped up. They all met face to face with the doctor.

  “How are you doing Mr. and Mrs. Carter?” The doctor adjusted his glasses and wiped sweat off of his brow.

  “I would be so much better if I find out that my daughter is fine?” Don anxiously anticipated the news. His heart was filled with anger and revenge for anyone that was associated with hurting his daughter. Maria couldn’t even comfort him.

  “Mercedes is doing well. She only has a flesh wound. The bullet grazed her arm and didn’t puncture any main arteries. She lost some blood, but it’s not a life threatening situation.”

  The doctor saw the fear in their eyes and made sure to comfort them. He was afraid if they heard the wrong thing they would take out their anger on him. He knew exactly who he was dealing with.

  “So when can we go in to see her?” Maria asked.

  “Well you can see her now, but only two or three at a time. That’s the hospital regulations. Mr. and Mrs. Carter, come with me. I will show you where she is.” The doctor advised.

  The girls patiently sat outside while Don, Roy, and Maria entered the room.

  Mercedes lie in her hospital bed and stared out of the window. She heard footsteps and turned to the door. She was so happy when she saw her family approaching her bedside.

  “Hey Mami, hey Daddy,” she smiled as her mother walked over to her and hugged her gingerly. “Hey, Uncle Roy.” Mercedes greeted her uncle as he walked in behind her father.

  “Oh Honey, thank God you’re alright.” Maria tried to hold back the tears, but they streamed down her cheeks.

  “Just a little graze wound, I’ll live.” Mercedes assured them, “I’m a warrior just like Daddy.” That comment brought a smile to Don’s face. He knew his daughter was just as strong, if not stronger than he was.

  “Baby, I’m so sorry-” Mercedes cut her father off.

  “Daddy it’s not your fault, you don’t have to explain to me. Just tell me you love me and you will never leave me.” Mercedes watched as her father swallowed hard. He absolutely adored and loved his daughter, but he couldn’t promise her that he would never leave her. The only way he would leave his wife and Mercedes is if he got locked up or killed. Both of those were strong possibilities with the lifestyle he lived. Everyone eventu
ally dies one day, some sooner than others.

  “I love you.” He kissed her on the cheek.

  “When can I go home?” Mercedes asked.

  “As soon as we get the discharge papers, we can head home.” Don said.

  “Your friends are outside waiting for you.” Maria assured her.

  “Bring them in.” Mercedes happily said. She peered through the glass window and saw them all sitting on the bench. They were waiting to see when they would be able to visit with her.

  “Alright Cedes, your mother and I will be back in a few while your friends come and visit. We need to talk to the doctor about your discharge papers.” Don informed his daughter, as he kissed her on the forehead.

  “Okay Daddy.” Mercedes sat up in the bed and waited for her friends to come in. They entered through the doors and rushed over to her asking her a million questions about what happened.

  “Damn, I only got one mouth.” Mercedes chuckled. She told them what happened even though they were there. They wanted a first-hand account of what everything felt like. No one had ever been shot before and while it wasn’t anything to be proud of; they felt honored to know someone whom it actually happened to.

  “I’m just glad you’re alright.” Candy bent down and hugged her as tears welled up in her eyes.

  “Why you crying girl?” Mercedes asked, as she got teary eyed too.

  “You’ve been my best friend since kindergarten, we lost contact and we just got reunited. I can’t see myself losing you already. I don’t know what I would do.” Candy cried as Mercedes pulled her in closer and hugged her again. Mercedes’ arm was in a sling with bandages that would be off within a week. She would milk this for all its worth when she got back to school.

  “I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost you.” Mercedes released a few tears of her own.

  “Aww suck it up bitches.” Shateeya joked. “Ya’ll are about to make me cry up in this bitch.” Shateeya said as she fanned her eyes, so she wouldn’t cry.

  Candy chuckled as she wiped her tears away.

  “I love ya’ll, my bad bitches.” Mercedes giggled.

  “I love you too Mercedes.” Hazel added in. Her face showed the feelings of all the others. They couldn’t believe this had happened to someone close to them.

  “Well we were just stopping by to see how you are doing and shit, but we got to go. We don’t want to hold you up on your next visit.” Candy kissed Mercedes on the cheek and she wondered who she was talking about. Mercedes face lit up and replaced the confusion when she saw Chino standing in the door way.

  “Bye girls,” Mercedes smirked as they left the room.

  Chino walked in with his arms behind his back and he removed a bouquet of pink tulips. He handed them to Mercedes.

  “How did you know I was here?” Mercedes and Chino kissed softly. She was so happy to see him, but didn’t want to show too much emotion.

  “Your mother called me and told me you had been shot. I was heading into New Jersey, but came right back as soon as I got the news.”

  “Are you serious?” Mercedes asked. She didn’t know Chino cared for her that much.

  “Yes, anything for you.” Chino smiled. “How are you doing?”

  “Fine, its’ just a flesh wound to the arm. I’m still around.”

  “Damn, shit’s crazy.” Chino shook his head. “Don’t let me find out who did it. They will be buried six fucking feet under.” Mercedes never heard him speak so protectively like that. She could tell he was into the streets; his swag told everything.

  “Don’t worry about it Baby.” Mercedes tried to change the subject. “So why were you going to New Jersey?”

  “Damn girl… nah I was heading over there to handle some business-me and my man Reem. He lives out there, but he be out here in New York kicking it. I just had to come and see how my Baby was doing.”

  “Oh I see, so when are you going back?”

  “In a few minutes, he’s outside waiting for me. I had to come and see you though to make sure you were okay. I was tripping the whole ride out here. I’m good now that I see you’re okay. When I come back we’ll chill.” He kissed her on the lips and hugged her. He promised to call her later. At that moment, her mother and father appeared in the doorway. Mercedes’ face froze knowing that her father would meet her boyfriend for the first time.

  “Hi Chino, I see you made it.” Maria smiled as she walked in. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and tightly held onto Don’s hand. He eyed the young man suspiciously.

  “Yes I did, I was just leaving. I have to head back to Jersey.” Chino responded replacing his fitted on his head.

  “Oh forgive me. Don, this is one of Mercedes’ friends from school Chino. I let him know that she was here and he wanted to make sure she was well. Chino, this is my husband and Mercedes’ father Don Carter.” Both men extended handshakes and masculine hugs.

  “Alright, have a safe drive and thank you Chino.” Maria thanked him.

  “No problem.” Chino walked past her and Mercedes knew her father wanted to say something further, but he chose not to do so. The room was filled with silence but you could see the steam rising from her father’s head.

  Don showed him respect, for now. He was still not too happy that his daughter was already interested in boys. He was an overprotective father and didn’t want anyone taking advantage of her. He decided to keep quiet about it, even though he wanted to be mad with Maria for keeping a secret.

  Twenty minutes later Mercedes was ready to be discharged. On the drive home, Don and Roy wondered who would try to take him out-and why.

  xxxxxxxxxx

  Back in Santiago de Cuba, Vicente sat at his desk with his hands folded and face filled with frustration. He was vexed. Sixteen years had gone by and Vicente had no idea where his daughter had run off too. He even put a gun up to Alana’s head and asked her about Maria’s whereabouts.

  She cried and pleaded with him. She told him that she didn’t know. He eventually let her go. Recently, Vicente received some valuable information from his former sister in law Maleese. He began to put the pieces together and he started to come up with a plan.

  His thinking was if he couldn’t kill him immediately, he would slowly plan it. His workers surrounded the table as he held the picture of his beautiful daughter. The man responsible for killing his daughter stood in front of him with his head held high, but inside he was shaking in his boots. The message was clear: anyone that crossed Vicente’s path or hurt someone he loved had to pay.

  “You killed my daughter.” Vicente yelled. “I told you bastards to find him, kill him and bring my daughter back to me. And I said alive, it’s that simple.” He raised his voice, “I know that motherfucker is with my daughter!”

  “We saw him with a young looking woman who resembled Maria, but I know for sure it wasn’t her.” The worker tried to explain himself, but Vicente held his hand up in the air for silence. He grabbed his gun jammed it against his forehead. The only sound in the room was the heavy breathing of the man looking down the barrel of Vicente’s Glock 45. Sweat poured down his face in fear and his bowels released right there.

  “You killed my daughter!” Vicente spat, “Now it is time for you to meet your fucking maker.”

  “Nooo… please, no I’m sorry Mr. Vicente.” The worker begged him.

  “Get on your knees you fucking coward.” The man continued to beg and plead, yet Vicente didn’t listen to or care about his cries of mercy.

  “Please don’t do this Vicente, I didn’t kill-”

  Vicente stood back and shot him in both thighs leaving him helpless and crying out for help.

  “Ahhh.” he cried out as he held his leg in agony. Blood poured from his injuries and onto the cream carpet, staining it permanently.

  “Now that you’re on your fucking knees like I kindly asked you, I have a question for you.” He smiled, “You killed my daughter, my beautiful daughter. And you think that I should let you live?” Vicente’s heavy Cuban accen
t came out mostly when he was very angry and vexed.

  “Yes,” he cried out. “I have a family, and I told you that I didn’t kill your daughter.”

  “I don’t give a fuck about your stupid bitch and kid. I will fuck her and then kill her like you did to Maria!” He barked. He shot him in the chest causing his shoulder blade to jump back.

  “Ahhhh,” he screamed again as his clothes were drenched in blood. To add insult to injury, Vicente used the butt of the gun and smacked the man directly in the jaw causing blood to ooze out from his mouth.

  “See you in hell motherfucker.”

  “Fuck you!” The dude spat as he spit blood at Vicente and started laughing hysterically.

  “You’re jealous of Mr. Carter, you fucking spick!” Everyone in the room was shocked that he was speaking like this to Vicente. No one ever disrespected him, no matter what.

  Vicente laughed as he raised his gun and shot him in the head. The room was filled with carnage from the torture that he inflicted.

  “Clean this mess up.” He demanded to one of his workers. Looking down at the mess he made, he spit on the carcass while saying “Fucking puta!”

  As he was about to walk out, the phone rang. The voice on the other end began telling him that the body found wasn’t his daughter. He was relieved. A wide smile appeared on his face as he hung up the phone. His plan continued. He knew he could rest easier since his offspring was alive and well. In his view, the murder wasn’t in vain. He was always ready to get rid of those not useful to him. He had no regrets.

  “So Plan B, Emilio you will go into work with Carter under an assumed purpose. You will be starting over. You will be working with him and I need you to gain his trust and be his right hand man eventually.”

  “You don’t think he will suspect something?” Emilio asked.

  “Listen, Mr. Carter is good for business. With what I’ve done for him, he will be fine returning any favors.” He smiled and continued to give orders. “You’re going to be an informant, letting me know his every move. Who he speaks to, where he goes, and when he breathes. Pack your bags, you’re on your way to New York.”