Heartbreak of a Hustler's Wife: A Novel Read Online Free Page A

you.”
    “For sure,” Des agreed. “Not that any of them would have anything on me. Turn that shit off, I’ve seen enough.”
    Slim was about to turn the television off when Detective Columbo popped up on the screen, preparing to make a statement. This, they both wanted to hear.
    “We are looking for the assailants and we will catch them,” Columbo stated. “But unofficially, it is still unclear if this is a retaliation based on Mr. Taylor’s past as a drug dealer. Whatever the case, I assure you that the Richmond Police Department, in conjunction with the state police, will get to the bottom of it,”Columbo finalized his tough-stance words with a nod and a false smile for the television camera.
    Slim hit the off button on the remote and took a hard swallow of his cognac. “This shit is already getting out of control.”
    “Tell me something I don’t know.” Des, still in disbelief, sat down next to Yarni on the couch. “On Friday a sniper took a shot at me and two days later everybody in my church is robbed at gunpoint and my bank account is ten mil lighter. To top all that shit off, Tony is dead.” Des shook his head. “Damn.” He couldn’t believe his boy was gone.
    “It was no less than nine to ten people down with the robbery,” Slim surmised. “At least that’s what I counted. But I believe there had to be others behind the scenes. It’s almost impossible for that many people to keep something this big a secret. The streets are going to bust that one wide open for us. It’s just a matter of time.” Slim swallowed. He took a deep breath. Exhaled. “I’m more concerned about who tried to put the slug from a high-powered rifle through your heart. That shit seemed a lot more professional, if you ask me.”
    “You might have a point there, man,” Des had to agree. “I still can’t believe how lucky I was a Bible saved my life.” All of their eyes rested on the book that sat on the table. Des kept it in plain view as a reminder of how his life had been spared.
    “Luck had nothing to do with it,” Yarni said. She’d given him the small customized Bible as a present, and for no explainable reason Des had placed it into the inside pocket of his coat moments before the shot was fired. If the Bible hadn’t absorbed the impact, he would’ve been dead. The bullet itself was still embedded in the pages. “It was more like divine intervention.”

Like Father, Like Daughter
     
    A few days later, Yarni’s mother, Gloria, dropped an atomic bomb on her. “What did you say?” Yarni said into the phone. She was sitting on the bench at the foot of her bed.
    “My biopsy came back,” Gloria repeated, “and they’re saying that they found some cancer cells.”
    This can’t be happening
, Yarni thought. “Did you get a second opinion?”
    “Yes, and a third.” Gloria’s voice sounded strong, but worried.
    Yarni’s mother had always been her rock. Gloria had been there for Yarni through thick and thin, when she was at her best and even more so when she was at her worst. It was Gloria’s strength that had always kept Yarni strong.
    “Mommy, I’m here for you and you know that we will getthrough this together.” Though tears rolled down her cheeks, Yarni tried to hold back her sobs as she comforted her mother. She had relied on her mother for so much over the years, and she was ready to step up and be Gloria’s source of support.
    “I know we will, baby. There’s no doubt in my mind. I’ve already consulted some of the best doctors Florida has to offer.”
    “Mommy, you know money is no problem. I’ll go in debt if need be, so don’t hesitate for a minute to ask if you need anything.”
    “I know.” Gloria sounded like she was handling her diagnosis better than her daughter. “I’m confident in the doctors I’m working with. They’re gonna take good care of your momma, girl.”
    “I think you should come stay with us. At a time like this, you should be with family.” It had