The Hustler's Daughter {DC Bookdiva Publications}

by Pinky Dior

  “How’s he doing?” Mercedes asked as she walked over and touched his hand. Tears began to drip from her eyes as she watched his eyes flutter. At this point, that was the only motion he could make.

  “The doctors said he’s still in critical condition, but he’ll make it. He can barely talk and the doctor said he can’t really remember much either. Your uncle was shot several times. If he didn’t call the ambulance, he would have been right there with your father.” Maria began to cry again, even though she tried to hold back the tears. “Aww Mama please, please don’t cry.” Mercedes rubbed her back. “Everything’s going to be just fine.”

  “Yeah, I hope so. I just hope your uncle makes it.” Maria said. “The bastards who killed your father and shot your uncle need to pay.” Maria had an idea that Vicente Santiago was behind the death of Don Carter and the near death of Roy. She just didn’t want to say anything to Mercedes.

  “He will, I know he will.” Mercedes hoped and prayed as she smiled at her Uncle and rubbed his hand. “Hey Uncle Roy, I know you can hear me. You can’t talk back to me, but just know that I love you and everything’s going to be alright.”

  He simply looked at her and blinked. That was the only way he could let her know he heard her. The nurse came in to tell them they needed to leave.

  “So he doesn’t remember anything that happened?” Mercedes asked.

  “Not yet. The police asked him questions, but their efforts were in vain. He can’t speak to answer their questions. All he can do is open his eyes. He’s lucky to be alive.” The nurse smiled and adjusted his pillow.

  “Yes he is; he’s a Carter.” Mercedes smiled thinking about her father.

  Maria watched how Mercedes stared at her uncle Roy. She hated that he was an example of the life they led. She wanted her daughter to lead a healthy, normal life. Sadly, she was in way too deep and there was no turning back. The Carter blood ran through her.

  xxxxxxxxxx

  Flash Back

  The night was silent and Mercedes was sound asleep in her bed.

  POP! POP! POP!

  Gunshots rang out jerking Mercedes out of her sleep. She jumped out of her bed with her heart almost beating out of her chest.

  She tip-toed from her bedroom and slowly walked over to the spiral stairs. She peeked through the wooden bars and noticed four men rummaging through their things downstairs. Suddenly, someone grabbed Mercedes from behind and she wanted to scream. It was her mother and she placed her hand over her mouth. In her other hand she held a gun, ready to protect her home and family. She placed one finger over her lips and told her to be quiet.

  “Shh, don’t say a word.” Maria said as she picked up her daughter. She took her up the hall to be protected from harm. From her peripheral, Maria saw a shadow. It was soon revealed to be one of the intruders. He began shooting and she quickly hit the floor. She opened one of the bedroom doors and locked it. She panicked, with her hands trembling with fear.

  “Mercedes go and hide under the table.” Maria told her. Mercedes stood there with her teddy bear in her hand and watched her mother in fright.

  “I said GO!” Maria yelled. Mercedes ran and hid under the table as she was told. Maria pushed a chair against the door as a barrier. The intruder began banging on the door, but the chair prevented his entry. He then decided to shoot at it to get in. Maria ducked as the bullets pierced the door.

  She ran to the table where Mercedes was and held her close. Her eyes were locked on the door as the shooter made his way in.

  “Where are you? Come out and play.” He laughed. Maria noticed him walking over to the table. She saw his feet get closer and they both remained quiet. He knew they were there, however, and flipped over the table. Maria quickly got up and kicked him in his nuts before he could even cock back his gun. He had his nuts in one hand and the gun in the other. They both began shooting at each other and Maria was caught in the arm with a bullet. “Argh!” Maria screamed. She still held onto her daughter tight, with all of her strength. They ran down the long corridor and dashed down the steps. They reached the garage, where their truck was parked. She quickly ran around to the driver’s side of the truck. She fumbled with the keys as she tried to unlock the door. Tears came to her eyes out of fear for her daughter’s life. She was not so much concerned with her life. As she unlocked the door, she quickly placed Mercedes on the seat. Shots echoed within the garage as the shooter entered behind them, still threatening their lives.

  “Mami!” Mercedes cried out loud.

  “It’s okay Baby, lie down.” Maria shot back but soon ran out of bullets. Reaching over to the glove compartment, she found another gun and cocked it back. After exchanging several shots, she hit the shooter and his lifeless body fell to the ground. Blood and brains covered the concrete floor. “Mami watch out!” Mercedes screamed as a man approached her mother from behind. He grabbed her neck and they struggled. He was too strong for her. There was another struggle and guns erupted. Maria’s heart pounded rapidly and she gasped. She looked over to see the attacker with a fatal bullet wound in his head. She looked over and saw her husband Don with his gun in a shooting position.

  “You alright Babe?” He asked.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” Maria took a deep breath, “I’m just hit in the arm.”

  “Alright, let’s hurry up and get the fuck up outta here.” Don hopped in the driver seat and Maria scampered to the back seat with Mercedes. Don pulled out of the garage and fled the scene.

  “Yo, I swear them nigga’s in Harlem got something coming for them!” Don barked.

  “How do you know it was them for sure?” Maria said, she was referring to the Spanish dudes in Harlem who Don had beef with.

  “I just know! It’s a war going on between me and them right now.” Maria sighed in relief, she thought her father had found her and sent people to kill them.

  “Mami, what’s going on?” Mercedes cried.

  “Nothing, Baby.” Maria held her arm as she groaned in pain from the bullet wound. Mercedes turned around to look out of the window and spotted a man shooting at them from the middle of the street. Glass shattered and Maria hovered over Mercedes to protect her from harm. Mercedes was too young to know what was going on, but her young mind wanted to find out.

  An Awakening

  Mercedes sat and watched her Uncle Roy sleep for four hours. Chills crept down her spine when she looked around the room. She cried when she looked around and saw the IV attached to his arm and the machines that were keeping him alive. She now had a glimpse into what her life would be like as a hustler’s wife.

  She smiled slightly when she saw her uncle’s face. His features closely resembled his brother, Don Carter. Uncle Roy was a very handsome man, just like her father. Roy wore cornrows that reached a little past his neck. His complexion was lighter than her father’s. He had full lips, a little mustache and big brown eyes.

  Mercedes’ eyes lit up with joy when she noticed her Uncle’s eyes slowly fluttering up and down. His lips parted slowly as he tried to speak. Mercedes moved closer to her Uncle.

  “Shh, Uncle Roy. I know it’s painful to talk, take it easy.”

  Mercedes smiled as she held onto his hand and felt him squeeze her hand tighter. She knew he was making progress; just a couple of weeks ago he couldn’t move any parts of his body except his eyes.

  “I see you’re doing a little better. You’re a very strong man, a very strong man. There aren’t too many guys who could make it through something like this.”

  Mercedes wiped away her tears and said, “Uncle Roy, you’re like my second father. You were always there for me when my father wasn’t. I mean, my father was always there, but when he was out of town you were there. I remember that day when I was having trouble at school with one of the boys and you came up to the school to check him for me. You snatched him up by his collar and let him know that the Carter family doesn’t mess around.” Mercedes giggled. She knew he remembered that story too. She wished she could hear him laugh.<
br />
  She continued to reminisce and began to cry. She wanted her old life back, when she didn’t have to live in fear and her family was intact.

  “The Carter family never dies Uncle Roy, no matter what. Our souls will always live on and our hearts will always remain strong.” Mercedes placed her hand over his chest. Roy slowly placed his hand on top of hers and forced a smile on his face.

  “It’s really been different without my father being around. It’s been very hard on me and Ma.” Mercedes couldn’t hold back her tears. “I’ve just been trying to move on and live with it, but deep down inside I’m truly hurting Uncle and I just wish I could bring him back.”

  Mercedes inhaled deeply. “I never use to like Emilio for some reason, but now he’s all that I have besides Mama. Emilio…” The mere sound of Emilio’s name sent Roy into a fury. His blood pressure rose and he struggled to speak. He wanted to tell Mercedes to stay away from him, but the words wouldn’t escape his lips.

  “What Uncle? What are you trying to say?” Mercedes’ eyebrows arched as she stared at her uncle wondering what he was trying to tell her.

  “Who did this to you? Who killed my father? Please tell me…please I need to know…?” Mercedes begin to break down. Roy looked at her and shook his head; he really wished he could talk. Mercedes knew he had the answers she sought.

  “Whoever did this to you will pay!” Mercedes promised to herself and to Roy. She wiped the tears from her eyes and stood up.

  “I’m gonna head home now Uncle Roy, I’ll call and check up on you here and there to see how you are doing. For now, try to get some rest okay Unc, love you.”

  Mercedes reached over and kissed him on the forehead. On the ride home, Mercedes was thinking about what her uncle was trying to say. She knew he wanted to tell her something, but he just couldn’t. She hoped he would get better really soon; there were questions that still needed to be answered. She was unaware that her answer was closer than she imagined.

  xxxxxxxxxx

  Mercedes sat at the kitchen table reading the newspaper. She was sipping on her fifth cup of coffee. Emilio walked up behind her and wrapped his hands around her. He kissed her gently on the neck.

  “Hey, Babe,” he smiled.

  “Hey,” Mercedes smiled as she rubbed the back of her neck.

  “What’s wrong Babe?” Emilio sensed something was wrong with her because she never drank much coffee.

  “Oh nothing, I’m just thinking about my Uncle Roy.” Mercedes sighed.

  “Baby don’t stress it, he’ll be fine.” Emilio took a deep breath.

  “I know Babe. I was talking to him and he was trying to tell me something, but I don’t know what he was saying.” Mercedes looked at him.

  Emilio got up from the table and paced back and forth in the kitchen. He turned his back to her so she couldn’t see his guilt.

  “I know you already told me no, but I mean you can tell me the truth. Did you have anything to do with my father’s death Emilio?” Mercedes looked at him and wondered what he was thinking.

  “Are you alright?” Mercedes asked. “Is there something on your mind?” Mercedes asked in a concerned tone. Emilio looked at Mercedes and sat back down in the chair.

  “No, I didn’t have anything to do with your father’s death.” Emilio lied again, “I told you before Ma. I would never have wanted your father to die; I know how much he meant to you and to your mother. I’m just thinking about your father and how good of a man he was to me. He took me under his wing, showed me the ropes and everything. He introduced me to his beautiful loving family, I felt as if I was a part of the Carter family. I mean, I wish I was there that day to be there for him. Instead I was out of state taking care of business.” Emilio inhaled deeply and placed his hands in front of his face.

  “It’s not your fault.” Mercedes began to cry. “I miss him so much. I mean, I wish I had the chance to tell him how much I love him and to say goodbye. I mean life is so short and it can be gone in the blink of an eye.”

  “I know how you feel Baby, trust me, I know.” Emilio embraced her and rubbed her back. “Just take it easy Ma. I’m here for you Baby Girl and I’m not going anywhere.” He lifted her chin and smiled, “You’re so beautiful.”

  “I want you to be my girl, my world, my everything. I’ve never met a woman as beautiful or as smart as you. Mercedes Carter, I think I’m falling in love with you.” Those words shocked Mercedes and made her heart flutter.

  “Really,” she asked.

  “Yes, I want to make love to you.” Emilio said placing his hand around her waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck and they begin kissing passionately. Emilio picked her up and carried her up the stairs. He placed her gently on the bed. Emilio made sensual love to Mercedes. They both explored each other’s bodies and took their sweet passionate time.

  As they made love, Mercedes cried and he kissed each and every single tear drop away. She was torn; lost in the love of two men. She liked that her love was growing for Emilio, but her heart would always belong to Chino. Even though he was dead, she still felt like she was cheating on him.

  Silent Death

  Emilio hopped into his Benz and rushed to the hospital that housed Roy Carter. He had the chance to do what he had to do while Mercedes was out running errands. The hospital told Mercedes that he was progressing well and could now speak. That meant he would be able to tell her who tried to kill him and who succeeded in killing Don Carter. Emilio couldn’t risk being exposed. He was falling deeply in love with Mercedes and wasn’t ready to lose her. Emilio wanted to be with her since Don first introduced them.

  He desperately wanted to reach the hospital before Mercedes did. He accelerated well beyond the speed limit and finally reached the hospital. He exited the car and put his hoodie over his head in an attempt to conceal his identity. He approached the receptionist who sat casually filing her nails.

  “Hello, how are you doing?” Emilio smiled while making eye contact with the lady.

  “I’m fine and you, how may I help you?” The receptionist seductively said.

  “Well, I’m looking for Roy Carter.”

  “What’s your name?” She asked him. Emilio stumbled for a second, but remembered his alias that he always used.

  “Francisco Sanchez.” He used Francisco Sanchez as an alias and had that name on his fake ID. She typed his name into the computer and shook her head, denying his request for admittance.

  “I’m sorry, but your name isn’t on the visitation list. Only his family members are allowed to see him.” She sternly spoke, obeying the strict orders that were given.

  “He’s like my father, I just moved up here and he was taking care of me. I just found out he was in the hospital, I was just trying to check up on him. Thanks anyway.” Emilio sighed as he turned around and begin to walk away.

  “Sir?” The lady called out. Emilio deviously smiled as he turned around.

  “He’s in room 313.” She gave him the information and smiled at him. His plan actually worked. He smiled back and thanked her as he made his way to the elevator. Upon reaching the third floor, he searched for the room number. Once he spotted it, he glanced around to check his surroundings and walked inside. He couldn’t afford to have any witnesses.

  Roy was watching TV as Emilio entered the room. He watched him shut the door behind him. He had no idea who was here to see him. Once Emilio came in and removed his hood, Roy’s eyes widened in fear. He tried to reach the button for assistance, but Emilio snatched the plug from of the wall.

  “I see that you’re still alive.” Emilio coyly said.

  “Yeah, I’m still alive motherfucker!” Roy spat. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “You know why I’m here Roy, don’t play with me.” Emilio let out a sinister laugh. “Don is dead, Frank is dead, and all the others are dead. You have no reason to be alive.”

  “I have a family to live for!” Roy defiantly stated. “What the hell do you want?”

  “You
know what I want Roy. Since Don is dead, I know he left you with all of the goods. Where’s the safe?” Emilio demanded.

  “What safe?” Roy knew exactly what he was talking about. All of the Carter money, drugs and weapons were stashed there. No outsiders had ever been to the safe house, but they knew it existed.

  “Don’t fucking play dumb with me!” Emilio snatched one of the tubes out of his nose and Roy grunted in pain. “The safe with all of the money…the drugs where is it Roy?” Emilio asked as he continued to torture him.

  “I don’t know what you talking about.”

  “If you won’t tell me where the safe is, I’ll find it through Maria.”

  “You stay away from her and stay away from Mercedes. Don will kill you!” Roy threatened Emilio, not remembering that Don was dead.

  “The Carter family is already dead.” Emilio informed him. “Mercedes is all mine, and she is so beautiful when she’s lying beside me.” Emilio hysterically laughed.

  “If Don ever found out you were fucking with his daughter, he would kill you.” Roy gritted his teeth. “And when Mercedes finds out you were the one that helped kill her father, she will kill you.”

  “Yeah right, she doesn’t have the heart to kill.” Emilio couldn’t imagine his sweetheart killing someone. “We’re in love and I’m going to propose to her one day. I won’t have you or Maria standing in the way of the love of my life.” Emilio stated. “With Don being dead and Maria and you gone, no one will be able to stop me.” He smirked, “Don’t you agree.”

  “You’re a sick motherfucker!” Roy yelled.

  “Say your prayers real quick before you meet your maker.” He walked towards Roy fully prepared to end his life, this time he would be sure of it.

  “Fuck you Emilio!” Roy spat at him. “You won’t be able to live to see that Carter money motherfucker.” Emilio pulled all of Roy’s tubes from his body and snatched the IV bag and unplugged it. Roy struggled to breathe, so he grabbed the pillow from behind him and placed it over his face. He suffocated him. Roy struggled because his legs were still not fully functioning; his mobility was limited. Emilio watched as he stopped moving.