A Hustler's Weakness: Dangerously In Love

By Zee Smalls

Money, power, and respect seemed to make I.E. and Truth pretty much untouchable to most for years. Growing up in the streets of Newark, NJ, they made a pact at an early age to become two of the biggest and richest drug dealers around. By the age of 24, they had successfully accomplished their goal. Young, black, and paid, life was good in their eyes and they had no complaints. The ladies loved them, and the streets respected them. 

With his height and the chiseled body to go along with brown eyes that fit perfectly against his golden caramel skin, I.E. was gorgeous, and he knew it. Let his aunt tell it, “that baby boy was born perfect.” Every female in the hood was pretty much willing to do anything to be his girl, or at least one of them, but he prided himself on being unattached. He’d never been in love or had a woman he called his own. And he loved it.

Truth loved his lifestyle just as much as IE loved his. Dark-skinned with dreadlocks,  he was built solid and strong. The women flocked to Truth everywhere he went but they also knew that he was only concerned with getting money and his long-time girlfriend, Shafequah. She was his world, and everyone knew it. And there was no way he was going to replace her, ever.

One night at the club changes everything when Truth and I.E. meet the breathtakingly beautiful Tina, and her equally as beautiful God-sister, Ka’mirah. It’s in that meeting that everything in their world begins to change in the blink of an eye.

When I.E. and Tina decide to give in to their feelings for each other, it sends both I.E. and Truth into a street war with their rival and Tina’s ex, Raheem. Determined not to back down from his empire or the woman he wants in his life, I.E. is ready to defend his territory by any means necessary. Stuck in a street battle with I.E., Truth is also waging war at home when he finds himself caught up with two women he can’t choose between. Whatever he eventually decides, he knows for sure that life as he knew it will never be the same.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Royalty Publishing House
• Release date: Jan 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637181683

Book preview

Prologue

June 28, 2013

I.E. walked right up with the same forty caliber pistol that he had previously shot Rakeem with before. He had it aimed right at his head. He knew that Rakeem wasn’t going to walk out of there alive for sure if he did anything to Tina and I.E. planned on putting every last bullet that he had in his gun into him.

The dim lighting of the club’s hallway made it hard for I.E. to see Rakeem’s face clearly even though he wasn’t focusing on it right now. He was focused on the gun that Rakeem had pointed on Tina’s side.

Put that shit down and I’ll let your bitch go, Rakeem said to I.E.

You know that ain’t happening.

I.E., you know I’ll shoot her.

If your plan is to make it out of here without being in a body bag, you won’t.

You and I both know that nine times out of ten that’s the only way one of us is going. See, y’all niggas failed to realize that I don’t give a fuck about making it out of here though! As long as I know that you saw me blow this bitch brains out, I’ll be satisfied. The bitch already told me she ready to die for you so I know what you willing to do for her. And I’m gonna make you watch me shoot her too…

I.E was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He knew that Rakeem meant every word that he said. He couldn’t threaten Rakeem with death because he wasn’t afraid of death. He had known that both Tina and I.E. weren’t walking out of there alive. He also knew that, more than likely, he wasn’t walking out of there at all. Rakeem knew that if he shot Tina, I.E. was going to start busting shots as well. He felt as if he had nothing worth living for at this point anyway. Everyone that he had ever loved was dead at the hands of I.E. and Truth.

…So what the fuck you gonna do?!

I ain’t putting my shit down unless you let her go, Rah, I.E. said, trying to negotiate. He was really ready to give into anything that Rakeem wanted just to save Tina. But he knew that if he put his gun down it would put Rakeem in the position to shoot them both. He didn’t care about himself. He just didn’t want Rakeem to hurt Tina.

Who you think running this right now?! Me, nigga! Not you! Me!

Man, put that shit down with your bitch ass, Truth said, finally revealing his presence. He was tired of playing Rakeem’s game. He had been behind. I.E. the whole time but they had wanted Rakeem to think that I.E. was alone. Now, there were two guns pointed at Rakeem instead of just one.

Oh, your bitch ass decided to join us. I was just telling your boyfriend that I’m definitely gonna shoot his bitch. And I don’t care what happens to me.

Leave it between us, I.E. tried once again to persuade him.

Not too many of the club goers knew what was going on in the back of the club. Truth and I.E.’s guys were trying to figure out whether or not they had left. They hadn’t alerted their team of their next move before walking off. All their men knew was that Rakeem was in the club, and their orders were to kill him on sight.

Meanwhile, all of Rakeem’s guys—the two he had left—were aware of where they were and what was going on. They knew just how they planned on ending the night: killing two birds, Truth and I.E., with one stone. They knew that if one came, the other would always follow.

Y’all niggas don’t know shit! I got both of you niggas right where you supposed to be. Y’all might think y’all got me hung up but you wrong. I got guns all in here right now, all pointed on you. Y’all niggas been in the way and now it’s time to handle that.

I.E.! Tina cried, becoming even more frightened. She felt Rakeem press his gun harder into her side.

Let’s just end this shit now, Rakeem said with finality. At that moment, he squeezed his trigger.

I.E.’s heart stopped instantly. He froze as he saw Tina’s seemingly lifeless body falling to the floor. And then everything around him started to move in slow motion…

Chapter One

The Meet

E xcuse me! Excuse me! Excuse me, beautiful, Rakeem shouted approaching Tina from across the street where her car was parked. The day was gloomy, so Tina was racing to get home before it started raining. She heard Rakeem. She just didn’t feel like being bothered today. She had a date with Bilal tonight that she really did not want to attend. On top of that, she and Ka’mirah had just finished up a four-hour shopping trip. All she wanted to do was go home and relax for a couple of hours.

Tina tilted her head a little just to grab a quick glance at the guy who shouted out from all the way across the street. She noticed he was walking over from a brand-new GMC Yukon Denali 2001, that year’s model. Now that caught her attention. She hadn’t noticed the 6 foot 3-inch-tall, 185-pound, good looking specimen of a man standing next to the Yukon until that moment.

Rakeem had coco brown skin with a low haircut that sported deep waves all across his head. He was skinny but had a nice physique. And when he smiled, she noticed he had really nice white teeth and dimples. He was definitely handsome.

Rakeem hurried across the street through oncoming traffic to get over to Tina. He thought she was beautiful. And her body made her a sight for sore eyes. He definitely wasn’t going to miss out on a chance to meet her.

Damn, miss lady, you really weren’t going to stop for a brother, Rakeem said shinning that gorgeous smile and dimples.

I’m sorry, Tina said after a few moments and flashing a smile as well. I’m just having a really bad day. I was completely zoned out for a second. Please, forgive me.

Well I know one thing… you’re way too pretty to let ugly things upset you. I mean especially when you’ll make almost anyone’s day better just by seeing your face.

Tina smiled at Rakeem’s compliments they were pretty flattering.

Thank you. I’m Tina by the way.

And I’m Rakeem. Nice to meet you Tina.

A few seconds pass and neither one said another word. Tina figured she’d give Rakeem a few seconds to shoot his shot. He had her attention with his big flashy car and good looks, why not see what he was offering?

Well since it seems that all you wanted to know is my name, I guess I’ll see you around sometimes, Mr. Rakeem. Nice meeting you, Tina said as she clicked the key to unlock her BMW’s doors.

"No. Ugh, no that’s not all I wanted. I came over here to see if I can have your phone number. Maybe I can give you a call sometime and we can get together and go out or something you know?"

Tina nodded and smiled while giving Rakeem each digit of her phone number to put into his Nextel phone.

And is it ok for me to call you later tonight, he asked a little anxious.

You can’t wait to speak to me?

I’m just trying to make sure I’m in the running. I know you probably have a million guys chasing you as we speak.

Not one million, -maybe a couple hundred thousand, Tina said jokingly causing Rakeem to laugh a little.

In that brief encounter, Rakeem felt something different inside of himself when he thought about Tina. Her energy, her beauty, her poise all attracted him to her like not many other women have done before. He could tell she was not your average, around the way girl from the streets of Newark, New Jersey. She was a prize to him. He felt that he had just hit the jackpot.

Tina walked through the living room heading towards the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and returned to her bedroom. She was preparing for her nightly routine of calling each of the men she was playing with. First up on her list was Bilal.

---

Bilal was 40 years old and well on his way to being a two-time divorcé. He had 4 children between his two ex-wives. Even if Tina was considering a real relationship at some point in her life, it was definitely not going to be with Bilal. She had no real interest in him other than his money. She didn’t even like him as a person. He was arrogant and controlling, and she hated him for it.

---

Bilal was the guy who did the most for Tina. That was the reason she kept him around. He bought her the BMW and paid for her condo, both in her name. She used the other guys for anything else she may have needed or wanted such as clothes and pocketbooks. The things she considered to be the small stuff. Bilal would take her to different work benefits and functions with him. He was a surgeon and loved showing off his young eye candy.

---

Bilal had smooth chocolate skin and a medium build. He was a fine chocolate brother. He really didn’t need to be bothered with Tina and all of her games. He could have just about any woman he wanted. He just figured with Tina being so much younger she would be easy to manipulate into being his third wife. In his mind at least if it didn’t work out, after putting so much money into her, he would have gotten to sleep with her.

---

Tina laid across her king size bed in her silk pajamas. She turned her bedroom lights down to set the mood. She wanted to be as relaxed as possible for her phone call with Bilal. Tina had to do a lot of pretending and biting her tongue when it came to handling Bilal. Once she was ready she dialed Bilal’s number and waited on him to answer. Hey Bilal. I’ve been thinking about you all day, Tina lied. How was your day? She didn’t really care to hear about anything Bilal did. This was all just a game to her.

Chapter Two

H ello, Tina. Where have you been all evening, or should I say all day and half the night? She could tell from the tone of his voice that he was displeased with her behavior.

I was busy all day doing the thing I love most, shopping. Afterwards Ka’mirah and I went out to eat, she lied again. She had been on a date.

"And you couldn’t have called to let me know that you weren’t going to make it back in time to keep our dinner reservations for the third time this week? I started to come by your place, but I’m still trying to respect your little rule. However, what I can’t seem to understand is why I have to call before coming by a place where I am paying all the bills?"

Tina took a deep breath before responding to Bilal. If anyone got up under her skin it was definitely someone who constantly brought up what he does for her every time she turned around. Bilal honey is it really necessary for us to go through this again tonight? she asked.

I think that it is necessary, especially since I can’t catch up with you these days.

I mean how would you feel if I were to just show up at your house unexpectedly sweety? I don’t know if your children are there, if one of your friends is over, anything could be going on that may not be any of my business. Would you say that’s fair to do all because I feel like it? Tina asked still speaking in her delicate tone. She shifted her body around a little to keep calm. She was so agitated with Bilal nearly every time she spoke with him.

Please, Tina, spare me with your excuses. My reasons are legit, and you know it! I have my kids! I’m still going through the divorce proceedings with my second wife. And I truly cannot run the risk of her having any leeway to push for more alimony. You know this! She left me because she swore that I was sleeping with you. And even though we aren’t, that’s the reason you can’t just drop by my house unexpectedly. I want to continue to maintain that our relationship is strictly a business relationship. You showing up at my house would indicate that we just may be having sex. And I can’t imagine letting her take it all when in reality we’re really not sleeping together. -But tell me Tina, what’s your legit reason for me not being able to come over or, shit…stay a night?! If your reasons are as legit as you always claim them to be let me hear them.

Bilal paused for a few seconds to see if Tina would give him some type of response or answer that made sense. He was really getting tired of her games. When she didn’t even bother to respond he said, That’s exactly my point. You don’t have any. Look, I’ll call you tomorrow. Please be home when I call. I’m taking you to a cancer benefit tomorrow night at 8, is that ok?

Yes, Bilal that will be fine. Do me a favor and loosen up a bit. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, honestly. And I don’t want us having a fight tonight to be in the way of us not having our best time tomorrow. Ok?

I hear you Tina. And I will loosen up. I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.

You as well sweety, Tina said hanging up quickly before he could get another word in tonight. She took a deep breath to calm down. Bilal was her biggest headache. He pissed her off every single time she had to deal with him. If it weren’t for the fact that he spent so much money on her so freely she would have left him alone years ago.

Next on Tina’s list to call was Ivan. He was a 24-year-old Newark police officer. He was half Puerto Rican and half black like Tina. He had the perfect copper colored skin complexion and stood 6 feet tall. Ivan had no kids and had never been married.

Tina drank some of her water then climbed under her covers. She wanted to be snuggled comfortably when she spoke to Ivan. She liked Ivan. She could see herself being in a relationship with him. The fact that she wasn’t ready to settle down right now played a big part in the way she dealt with him.

Once Ivan answered the phone Tina’s whole attitude had changed. She felt like a giddy little girl with him. She couldn’t stop blushing and wiggling her toes from the moment he started talking. The dim lighting and her being under the covers made her feel like he was there.

Hi my love. I’ve been expecting your call all day, Ivan said answering Tina’s call after seeing her name on the caller ID.

Hey. How was your day, Tina responded with a bright smile on her face. She really cared about how Ivan’s day had gone. With him being a police officer in Newark she worried about him daily.

It was hell, ma, but now that you called it’s getting much better. I just wish you would have called earlier. I wanted to take you out. See your face for a while.

See my face, huh?

"Well of course...and show you off a bit. Make a brother feel like a star having everyone staring at my gorgeous girl. Well at least they’ll assume

you’re my girl, Ivan said seeming to be joking. However, Ivan wanted Tina to be his woman. You wanna do something now?"

God knows how bad I want to sweetie. But I’d be lying if I said that I’m not exhausted. I’m currently already tucked under the covers with my eyes closed as we speak. I kept my eyes open waiting for you to get off work, Tina said being truthful. She wanted to hang out with Ivan, but she knew that she wouldn’t be good company tonight.

Can I come over for a few to see your face then? Ivan was not trying to miss another day of not seeing her. He hadn’t seen her in about a week and he didn’t like that at all.

You’re so crazy, Tina laughed trying to let him down gently. Ivan made Tina smile. That was one of the things she really liked about him. She knew he meant everything he said to her. She also knew that he liked her for her and not just her looks. We can set something up for tomorrow if you can call me early to make some plans. And if not, we still have Sunday to set something up as well. I just wanted to hear your voice before I went to bed.

Ok, ok. I guess this man will have to suffer through another night of heartache, he joked. And even though you have now broken my heart yet again, I will gladly make us some plans for the upcoming days. I’m off work Sunday and Monday of next week. I’m going to set us up a little two day get away. Sounds like a plan?

Sounds like a plan to me. We can have some fun. I’ll check to see if I can clear my schedule first and then let you know if we’re on for sure.

"Nope, ma. You’ll clear your schedule because I am not taking no for an answer.