“The deal is off,” Rock told Myles. “I have something else in mind for Maggie.”
“Well, I can appreciate that, but you do know you’ve put me in a bad situation. My client is going to be very unhappy. I had to work some difficult angles with this low-life to put this deal together,” Myles responded.
“I know, I know. I appreciate all you’ve done. But the girl is worth too much to me. Tell your client I’ll make it up to him another way, another time. But Maggie ain’t for sale. I got new information that gave me a solution to my problem. I didn’t have this info when I called you. I’ll be more than happy to pay ya for your time. We’ve known each other a long time, and I’ve never backed out of a deal. I hope we can continue to do business in the future,” Rock said.
“All right, well, I hope you’re making the right decision. Maggie is a smart girl, and you have your hands full. As for my time, let’s just keep it at you owe me. I’ll call some other business owners and see if I can find a girl for this snuff film. Whatever you just found out about Maggie saved her life. Like I said, she’s a smart girl. I’d keep my eye on that one, if I were you,” Myles warned him.
“Yeah, man. I hear ya. Hey, thanks for your help. Let’s stay in touch.”
Rock sat back in his chair, and relief washed over him. He knew it was bad business to cut a deal and then back out of it at the last minute. He also knew he’d only get away with doing it once before no one would do business with him. Maggie better come through, he thought, or I’ll kill her myself.
The next person Rock called was Armando. “Did you tell Maggie we were taking a little trip?” Rock asked.
“Yeah, I told her. The bitch was full of questions. I had to slap the shit out of her to make her stop talkin’ and told her to be ready to go when ya get here,” Armando said, sounding like a tough ass.
Rock smiled as he held the phone to his ear. “Yeah, she ain’t like the others. That one has a mind of her own. Well, were gonna keep her with us. I have another plan for her. I’m gonna move her out of the house to make sure none of the other bitches pick up her habit of scammin’ us.”
“What’s your plan?” Armando asked, shocked. He did not want to lose the income he made off Maggie.
“I’ll explain it to ya later. I’m going to Juju’s to talk to Maggie now, so she ain’t gonna give ya no shit. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure ya see some green from what she earns. I’m gonna give ya 5 percent,” Rock explained, sensing what Armando was thinking. Rock needed to keep his crew of men happy; after all, they dealt with the day-to-day bullshit of the business.
“Yeah, yeah, OK, Rock. That sounds good. Just let me know what you need me to do,” Armando said, relieved.
“When she comes back today, all ya gotta do is make sure she puts on the sexiest outfit ya got. Have her put it on, and give her something big to wear over it. Something that’s easy to take off,” he said.
Rock left the house and went to Juju’s, where he knew he’d find Maggie. When Juju opened the door and Rock stepped inside the tiny studio apartment, Seth jumped to his feet and ran to Maggie. He placed his whole body behind hers and poked his head around her side to keep an eye on Rock.
Noticing the boy’s fear, Rock chuckled loudly. “Relax, boy. I ain’t here for you.”
“So, what are you here for?” Juju asked with apprehension.
“I’m here to talk to Maggie,” Rock said. The serious tone in his voice sent chills up Maggie’s spine.
“Su…sure, Rock. What’s up?” Maggie asked nervously.
“Come on. We need to take a little ride,” he responded mysteriously.
Maggie and Juju exchanged worried looks, both wondering if Rock had found out that Maggie was turning extra tricks. After giving Seth a hug, Maggie followed Rock outside and slid into the front seat of his car. Rock turned and swung a forceful backhand at her face. He wanted to scare her and put her on notice that what he was about to say wasn’t an option.
“I know what you’ve been doing,” Rock said and went silent.
“I…I…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stuttered, blood dripping down her chin from her split lip.
“Oh no? Ya don’t know you’ve been scammin’ me? Turning out extra tricks and keeping the dough?”
“I can explain, Rock. Juju and I didn’t have enough money to buy food for Seth and pay all the bills. I gave Armando my nightly quota. I never came up short on that,” she pointed out.
“Your nightly quota is a minimum of what I expect ya to earn. Do ya think I pay for your skank ass to live for nothin’? For you to go behind my back and steal money from me?” Rock yelled.
“No. I’m sorry,” Maggie replied timidly. But she was starting to burn up inside. Maggie knew how much money they made off her. She resented Rock, Armando, and all of the others for exploiting her and the other girls.
“So what now?” Maggie asked, not wanting to prolong whatever punishment was coming to her.
Her mind was racing, and she had a gripping fear that Rock would sell her back to the sex traffickers.
“I saw you dancing on the street pole the other day,” he stated evenly.
“And?” she asked, rattled.
“And I’ve decided to put that skill of yours to good use. I’m taking ya out to a strip club. The manager there is gonna give ya an audition. We’re going up there this afternoon. I expect ya to perform. You understand me?” Rock said in a coldblooded voice.
“But I’m not a stripper, Rock. I only know a couple of moves I learned before I came here—”
“Shut the fuck up!” Rock yelled. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her face close to his. “Listen real good. We’re gonna go to that bar, and you’re gonna dance like your life depends on it. Because it does,” he threatened.
Maggie’s fear of being on a stage started choking her—not so much her fear of stripping but that Rock said her life depended on it. What did he mean? Would he kill her if she didn’t get hired? The pressure mounted, and her stomach felt like she was riding on a roller coaster. Maggie willed herself not to throw up.
“I’ll pick ya up at the house at two o’clock this afternoon. Be ready. That means be standing on the sidewalk waitin’ for me,” he instructed. “Another thing…get your ass back to the house now.”
Rock nodded toward the car door, silently telling Maggie to get out. She couldn’t resist the urge to ask the question burning inside of her. “What did you mean when you said my life depends on it? What’s gonna happen if this guy doesn’t like me?”
“Let’s just say I have an offer on the table. Someone who’s lookin’ to buy ya from me, and I’ll leave it at that,” he said, hoping his lie would pay off.
Maggie rushed out of the car and ran back to Juju’s apartment. She threw open the door and burst into tears.
Alarmed and instantly frightened, Juju went to her. “What happened? What did he want?”
“He wants me to audition at a strip club. He said my life depends on getting hired. He found out I’ve been skimming money,” she said, bawling.
Juju quickly reflected on all the warnings she’d given to Maggie. But she decided it wasn’t the right time to preach. Instead, she wanted to be strong for Maggie.
“Yeah, well that motherfucker doesn’t know who he’s messin’ with. You can dance like there’s no tomorrow. You ain’t got nothin’ to be worried about,” Juju said angrily.
Maggie took her hands away from her face. “Do you really think I’m good enough?”
“Do bears shit in the woods?” Juju asked.
Maggie smiled through her tears; she was half laughing and half crying. Then she was suddenly struck by the memory of Cali. She’d taught her how to dance well. Cali would want her to be strong. Slowly, she began to fill with confidence, and her tears subsided.
At two o’clock that afternoon, Maggie got into Rock’s car. His tires screeched as he pulled away from the curb, and he drove to Double Visions.