Free A King is Born by Treasure Hernandez Page B

whisper in his ear in her attempt to be heard over the music. “And this is my girl, Keesha.” Tasha motioned her head to Keesha, who smiled and winked her eye in what she thought was a sexy gesture. Lame-ass bitch deserves this lame-ass nigga, Tasha thought . Leave the winks to the movie stars .
    â€œYou and your girl trying to grab a room or something after this?” he asked.
    â€œI don’t even know your name, and you already asking to slide out after the club lets out?” Tasha answered with an infectious smile as Keesha played the back. “Can I at least get a name? And don’t give me no nicknames. I want what’s printed on your driver’s license.”
    The handsome, thuggish guy in front of her replied, “Lamont.”
    â€œNice to meet you, hon,” Tasha said as she extended her hand.
    Lamont had to laugh to himself as he accepted Tasha’s hand inside of his and shook it. He usually didn’t have no kick-it for strippers. They were there to do a job and help him to relax, but he found himself enjoying this back-and-forth banter with Tasha, who could see it in his eyes, too, that she already had him lured.
    â€œNice to meet you too, Ms. Tasha,” Lamont replied. “You and your girl want a drink or something? Have a seat and chop it up with me and my niggas.” He nodded toward his boys he was up in there with.
    Tasha and Keesha shot them some smiles and head nods.
    Lamont then went into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash. He peeled off four hundred-dollar bills from his large money knot and handed two to each lady then motioned for them to sit down. Tasha sat down after stuffing the cash into her neon top, and Keesha followed suit, dollar signs flashing in her eyes.
    For the next few minutes, although Tasha smiled at the gentlemen, danced seductively, and entertained effortlessly, her mind was still set on getting to Halleigh.
    Tasha was still sipping on her same Sex on the Beach she’d had Lamont order for her, while Keesha was throwing back Long Islands like it was water. Tasha knew Keesha’s intoxication would lead to loose lips, and would make it easier to get Halleigh’s location out of her.
    Keesha was overly sexual, if there was ever such a thing in a strip club, and was throwing it all in the ring to earn her keep, bouncing back and forth from one lap to another. Lamont and his friends seemed to be enjoying her show, too, because they were showering Keesha with different denominations of bills.

    As the night came to a close, Lamont and his friends prepared to leave. “What’s up, shorty? You and your friend rolling with us?” he asked.
    â€œI’m down,” Keesha answered quickly. “I just need to make a run real quick, though. I can meet y’all at the hotel in like an hour.”
    â€œCool.” Lamont looked Tasha’s way. “What about you, Ms. Tasha? You with it or what?”
    Tasha shook her head. “Nah, I’ma take a rain check. My head is bangin’ right now.”
    Lamont sucked his teeth. “What? Off of that one little drink you babysat all night? I know your tolerance is higher than that, working in this place where your real money is in the drinks.”
    â€œBaby, I’d had my share of drinks earlier,” Tasha lied, rubbing her forehead for effect. “I usually can hang better than this, but I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me tonight. I’m going to have to pass, though. Come check for me next weekend. You know where I’m at.” Tasha looked to Keesha. “And, Keesha, you can go ahead and roll with them now if you want. I’ll handle your business here at the club for you, make your run, or whatever it was you needed to do.” Tasha was extra friendly, as if she and Keesha were BFF’s (best friends forever), when, in actuality, if the bitch was on fire, Tasha wouldn’t waste her spit to put her out.
    Keesha was all