Page 2 of Rhyot & Nyelle (D-Ville Projects #6)

Chapter

Two

Nyelle had barely been able to eat or sleep for two days.

That was how long she’d been locked up, and honestly, she didn’t feel like she could tolerate it for another minute.

But at this point what other choice did she really have?

It was obvious that Chop nor any of her associates would be coming through to get her out.

She hadn’t heard from Rhyot either and grew worried while wondering if he was okay.

Last she had seen him, he was being roughed up by the police.

To make matters worse, she was informed by her court appointed attorney that she was facing some serious time due to potential charges.

The fact that this was her first adult offense did not matter.

To say she was scared was an understatement, she was terrified.

In all of her years of hitting licks, she had never been arrested.

To some degree she thought she was invisible, until shit got real.

Nyelle was sure she and Rhyot’s names had made their rounds through the city.

That was just how fast the news traveled in the Falls.

Nyelle grew up having to fend for herself until she turned thirteen and crossed paths with Rhyot after he protected her from the neighborhood bully on the bus after school.

Nyelle thought back to how she had been propositioned by Chop to join him in robbing.

Rhy almost hit the fucking ceiling behind that but Ny reassured him that she could handle it. Now here she was, sitting behind bars.

Nyelle knew her mother didn’t give one fuck, just as long as the money kept rolling in.

Her big sister Neeya, on the other hand, had warned her a long time ago to get out of the streets before something like this happened.

However, Nyelle was running up a bag with her man and didn’t too much care for anyone’s opinion.

Robbing hadn’t been her plan but once she met and got with Chop, all of her common sense went out the window.

She did everything within her power to appease him and that unfortunately included robbing and stealing.

At first it was just a lick or two every once in a while, but that quickly turned into a way of life just to keep up with her hood rich lifestyle.

Nyelle had a nigga she loved and money at her fingertips.

She just hoped that he pulled through and got her out of this.

“Collins!” a female correctional officer called out, causing Nyelle’s head to perk up at the mention of her last name.

“Yeah?” she responded, shooting to her feet and trekking toward the steel metal door.

“You got court this morning. Come on and stick your hands through the slot,” the officer ordered with a stank attitude as she pulled her cuffs out. Nyelle took the lady’s features in. She wasn’t too much to look at and her attitude topped it off.

“For what? Where am I going?” Nyelle returned the energy of the officer and stood with her arms folded across her chest in defiance.

“Court. Now hurry up and do what I just said or I can leave your ass in here.” The officer shrugged like she didn’t give a fuck either way.

The two ladies stared each other down for a few seconds before Nyelle rolled her eyes and gave in, sticking her hands through the slot. Nyelle was handcuffed before the officer opened her cell and shackled her ankles as well.

On the ride over to the courthouse, Nyelle’s stomach twisted in knots.

She didn’t know whether she had to shit or throw up but there was a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach and it didn’t feel good.

This caused her to say a silent prayer, asking God to get her out of this.

If he did, she’d turn her back on street life.

The van came to a stop at what she assumed was the courthouse.

She wasn’t able to see due to there being no windows on the van.

The rest was pretty much a blur as she was escorted from the van to the side entrance of the courthouse and went up the stairs into the courtroom.

She briefly looked around until she spotted a familiar face, Neeya.

Her sister’s eyes lit up a little as they made eye contact. Neeya mouthed the words “Are you okay?”

Nyelle shook her head solemnly and mouthed back “No” as the tears she had been holding in threatened to spill. Not only had she fucked up but in a way she felt like she’d dragged her family into the bullshit as well.

The bailiff took over and walked Nyelle to the defendant’s table, telling her to sit tight as an older Black gentleman approached.

He was well dressed in a tailored black and gray three-piece suit carrying a black leather briefcase with gold trim.

He looked like money, and more importantly, smelled like it too.

She looked over her shoulder at Neeya whose expression was unreadable. She turned back around and refocused her attention on the man as he finally spoke.

“Hi, Ms. Collins, how are you?” he greeted with a warm smile as he opened his briefcase and pulled out a folder bearing her name.

“Hey,” she responded, unsure of who he was and how he knew her name.

“I’m your attorney, Ivan Powell.”

“Wait a minute, where is the lady at? I don’t have money for a lawyer… where did you come from?” Nyelle rattled off questions. She was confused as she knew her family didn’t have any funds, especially for a paid attorney.

“Let’s just say a friend of yours paid the retainer and told me to ensure I’d get you out of this, Boogs.” As soon as the words escaped his lips, it all became clear.

That damn Rhyot.

Nyelle couldn’t have been more grateful for him at that moment. She could also count on him to come through when her back was against the wall. Before she could ask about Rhyot, they were interrupted.

“All rise, the Honorable Judge Whitaker presiding.” Everyone in the courtroom stood until they were prompted to be seated.

The judge read out official charges: grand larceny and armed robbery, which made Nyelle’s knees buckle.

Niggas in the hood often spoke about these charges, and in most cases, the sentences were heavy. Nyelle wasn’t built for no damn jail.

The prosecutor wasted no time asking for no bail due to the level of the charges, which Nyelle thought was absurd.

They claimed Nyelle and Rhyot were a danger to society.

Her defense was quickly able to argue on her behalf and she was impressed.

He was damn sure worth the money. The judge ruled and let her out on personal recognizance and assigned her to pre-trial probation.