Legacy: It's Never Black and White in Love and Business by E.W. Brooks

A male voice answered. 
    “Who the hell is this and why do I need to know you?” Tesha snapped as her phone beeped. 
    “Take a look at the text I just sent you,” responded the voice on the other end. 
    “Hold on,” Tesha ordered, as she pulled the phone away from her ear to see the message. Her hands trembled as a million thoughts ran through her mind. Finally she pressed the button. There she found a picture of security guards searching her car with her in handcuffs. 
    “Where the fuck did you get this?” Tesha screamed. 
    “Calm down Lil’ Lady, I’m just trying to help,” the voice returned, “I’ll text you with directions in the morning.” 
    “Why do I need directions? So what if have some bullshit picture of me getting caught with some herb?” 
    “My dear Tesha, there is so much I want to teach you.” 
    “Teach me? Nigga, what you talking bout?” 
    “I’m gonna help you get your daughter back and who knows with that sexy body you keep hiding under all those tunic tops, I just might let you meet Zeus.” 
    “Nigga, I don’t know you and I don’t want to meet Zeus!” 
    “You wouldn’t want your daughter to be hurt would you?” The voice asked menacingly. 
    “Look here mother fucker, you don’t play with my baby. That’s the wrong chord to strike with me.” 
    “Calm down Momma Bear. I’m just looking out.” 
    “I am a grown woman and have been for a long time. I don’t need nobody looking out for me.” 
    “Shut up, Tesha. Everybody needs somebody. I know who you are, and believe it or not, you know me too. Meet me at Sports One tomorrow for lunch, and if you don’t want to talk to me, I won’t ever bother you again.” 
    “If that means you’ll stop calling me with this bullshit, then you gotta deal,” Tesha returned with a smile in her voice. 
    “I had you at hello,” the voice returned. 
    “Whateva, Mr. No Name. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Tesha laughed as she ran to her closet. The gun was still there where Mandell left it so long ago, and so was that red freakum dress. Love or war, she was gonna be prepared either way. 
     
     

The Hustle  
     
    James Brewer was a small man, but somehow he still commanded the attention of the room. It could have been his large manicured hands or maybe that huge gold medallion that hung from his neck.  Either way, he turned heads. As a matter of fact, Tesha had a trained eye for thugs and OGs, so her radar picked him up first. He’d stayed true to his word and was wearing a black t-shirt with a gold chain. 
    He stood up as soon as he noticed Tesha step into the restaurant. Time had worn her down, but she still looked great. Her red suit hugged her in all the right ways. This lady was classy. Her shoes even had red bottoms. James smiled as Tesha extended her hand to him. 
    “Hello, Tesha, my name is James. It’s great to meet you,” James said with a smile accenting the gold in his mouth. 
    “I’m not sure if I can say the same. How can I help you, James?” Tesha asked with a bit of an attitude. 
    “I hear your daughter is marrying Matthew Marlowe.” 
    “Why are you talking to me about my daughter? Are you some kinda pervert or something? Then, you had that damned pic of those guards going through my car. Why are you stalking us, mother fucker?” 
    “Tesha, Tesha calm down. That’s not it at all. Have a seat. Let’s have a drink. You need to chill the fuck out.” 
    Suddenly, Tesha felt relaxed. As crazy as it sounds, she loved to have a man use a little force and tell her what to do. She sat down on the bar seat next to the stranger. 
    “Ok, asshole. I want to know what your game is.” 
    “You cut straight to the chase, don’t you?” James smiled and Tesha’s heart melted.   
    She felt something she hadn’t felt in years. She felt heavy, but soft manicured hands touch hers. 
    “Look Lady, I can tell you’ve had a hard life, and I certainly don’t want to make it any more