Thin Ice

by KR Bankston

  “So we’re leaving tonight,” she asked, desperately needing an answer to the question.

  “Yeah, in a few hours actually,” Ryan told her as he kissed her again, before rising from the bed.

  “Go ahead and take a nap,” he told Jaleesa as he dressed.

  “By the time you wake up, we should be ready to pull out,” he added as she nodded slightly.

  Jaleesa was almost positive Ryan wanted time to finish Big Mike, clear out the house and get rid of evidence while she slept. She supposed he was also trying to be concerned and not traumatize her any further.

  “Sweet dreams,” he told her smiling at her as he blew a kiss and walked out of the bedroom.

  Jaleesa closed her eyes sighing deeply, again praying and hoping that she and KiKi’s plan came together and they both escaped with their lives and psyches in tact.

  *****

  Tariq was happy as hell for the lunch rush. All the hustle and bustle kept his mind off KiKi and how damned worried he was about her. Please let her be able to get away from this stupid sonofabitch, he groused in his mind, setting the next order in the pickup window. She’d called him earlier this morning, telling him about their plans to return to Atlanta tonight. “I miss you baby,” Tariq said softly. “I miss you too,” Kaitlyn replied, the longing in her voice. “It’s almost over though,” she added as Tariq told her he definitely hoped so.

  “I need a side of wheat toast,” the waitress called out shaking Tariq from his thoughts and bringing him back to the present.

  He was way past over having to deal with Ice and all his interference in their lives. Not to mention the debt I owe that bastard for Hasaan, Tariq again thought angrily. He’d volunteered to work a double today. He was off in the next hour and then he’d go home, take a quick nap and be back right at 6:00 for the dinner crowd. Tariq was hoping by the time he finished his second shift around midnight or 1:00AM; KiKi would be calling him to pick her up. He’d advised her it was too dangerous for her to drive. If anyone saw her they would immediately call Ice and there was no telling what he might do to her.

  “Tariq, I need an order of fries,” another waitress called out as he grabbed her request and gave them to her.

  “Thanks,” she yelled out picking up the plate and departing the kitchen.

  His cell buzzed and he checked the display. It was a message from KiKi saying Hi again and how anxious she was to be back in Atlanta. Tariq smiled slightly and sent her a quick message back telling her he was waiting, he loved her, and to relax, everything was going to be fine. Sighing deeply he definitely hoped that was true. Tariq couldn’t shake the bad feeling he had in his gut that things weren’t going to go according to plan. I’m not losing her again, he made up in his mind, punching out and heading for the parking lot and his car. Getting in and starting it up, Tariq began making his way toward his apartment and rest, his only stop, at the local dope house to grab a bag.

  *****

  Kaitlyn was more than ready to hit the road and head back to Atlanta. She needed to get the show on the road and prayed everything worked out like it was supposed to. She’d heard from Tweety earlier that she and Ryan were already on the road headed back to Louisiana. Now she just needed herself and Ice to follow suit. Instead they were sitting inside one of the local steakhouses having dinner and enjoying a little relaxation as Ice told her when they arrived.

  “I wanna talk to you,” Ian told Kaitlyn, looking at her evenly.

  Fuck, now what, she thought behind the calm expression.

  “Sure, what’s up,” Kaitlyn replied evenly.

  Ian took his time answering her as he sipped his drink and remained quiet a while longer. Finally, he put his cup down and addressed her.

  “I think we’re going to relocate when we get back to Atlanta,” Ian replied calmly as Kaitlyn continued to eat and say nothing.

  “I could use a change of scenery,” he added as she finally finished her portion and looked up at him.

  There’s a whole lot more to that statement, she thought to herself, taking a sip of her iced tea.

  “OK,” Kaitlyn replied, giving him her full attention. “Where exactly are you talking about relocating to?”

  Ian smiled slightly, taking the time to reach over and stroke her face. “I’d like to move to the house, permanently,” he replied as Kaitlyn again nodded, careful not to let the panic show in her face.

  She still had no idea where this house was. Even when they left, after he released her, Ice had underhandedly drugged her again. When she woke up they were once again at her own condo on the east side. Deciding she needed more information, Kaitlyn tried questioning Ice.

  “So what brought this on,” she asked, cutting another bite of her steak and putting it in her mouth. Ian shrugged lightly before answering her.

  “I just need more privacy, and more peace and quiet,” he told her, once again looking directly into her eyes. “It’s also more conducive to raising our child,” he added as Kaitlyn again said nothing, as she continued to chew and watch him. “You hafta admit the house is bigger, with a lot more room, and I think we both could use the space.” Ian told her as Kaitlyn addressed him once more.

  “OK, but are you gonna tell me where it is,” she threw out. “Or you planning to keep me prisoner again, with no knowledge of where I am,” Kaitlyn finished still looking Ice in the eye.

  He smiled slightly again, cutting his own piece of steak and putting it into his mouth, without answering her question. Kaitlyn sighed deeply. He is enjoying this damned game way too much, she thought as she to continued to eat. It really didn’t matter about him wanting to move, but she needed him to take her home tonight, not to that house. If he took her there all the plans she’d lain would be ruined.

  “I’m going to tell you where the house is KiKi,” Ian finally answered. “I’ll show you later on after we’ve gotten some rest from our trip tonight,” he finished as Kaitlyn finally felt like the fates were giving her a break for a change.

  “OK,” Kaitlyn replied, smiling slightly herself.

  Finishing their dinner, Ian asked if she wanted to be dropped off at the hotel or accompany him to Platinum.

  “Go ahead and drop me off so I can pack, and we can just pull out when you’re done there,” she told him as Ian grunted his understanding.

  Ian kissed her softly as she got out of the car and headed to the hotel room. Kaitlyn breathed a deep sigh of relief once she was inside. This fool is just full of damned surprises, she thought grabbing various items and putting them in the suitcases. Kaitlyn checked the small compartment in the lining of her suitcase and pulled out the prepaid phone. This was where she kept it when she was out with Ice, knowing he wasn’t above searching her purse or even her person if he felt the need. Checking it she saw two text messages. One from Tweety telling her they were three hours out, and one from Tariq telling her to stay strong and call him as soon as she got out. Sighing deeply once more, she put the phone back on vibrate and placed it once again in the hiding place. Kaitlyn again began packing both her and Ice’s clothing, readying herself to leave and head back to Atlanta. Come on girl, hold it together a few more hours, Kaitlyn admonished. She was to close now to get sloppy and antsy.

  The sound of the keycard in the door broke her thought as Ice came inside.

  “You all done,” he asked pulling her close and kissing her lips.

  “Yeah,” Kaitlyn replied, hoping they could leave now. “Everything straight at the club,” she asked as Ian began kissing her neck softly.

  “Yeah, running like clockwork,” he replied beginning to unbutton her blouse.

  Damn, tell me this fool does not want to screw right now, Kaitlyn thought crossly as Ian finally finished with the buttons and removed her top.

  “Ice, shouldn’t we be going,” Kaitlyn tried quietly as Ian chuckled.

  “We have plenty of time KiKi,” he replied calmly as he removed her bra and pushed her gently back onto the bed removing her skirt and thong in one movement
.

  Ian immediately took Kaitlyn’s nipple into his mouth and began sucking it gently. Don’t trip, just do it and get it over with, her mind’s eye told her as Kaitlyn sighed softly and shut down, allowing her animal instinct to take over. Ian took his time arousing her, and tasting her, before finally entering her and beginning his ascent to release.

  “Nice,” Kaitlyn murmured softly, genuinely enjoying the sex.

  Ice returned to her lips, kissing her deeply at her declaration as he pulled her even closer.

  “Aaah,” Kaitlyn cried out once more as she arrived hard and Ian felt her.

  “That’s my baby,” Ian murmured in her ear as he thrust into her a few times more and collapsed on top of her, fully satisfied.

  He held Kaitlyn for a few moments more, kissing and caressing her gently.

  “You driving or am I,” he asked as she chuckled and told him he was.

  Kaitlyn knew that if Ian drove all the way back he would be exhausted and ready to sleep. That was exactly what she needed. Grabbing their bags, Ian and Kaitlyn left the room, stopping at the front desk to check out and then heading for the parking lot, finally on their way back to Atlanta.

  36

  Day Seven – Dawning of the New Day

  They finally had all the warrants secured, Salvador Akila of the FBI had arrived, the cooperation of the local jurisdictions was in place and were ready to roll on all Ian’s properties. Ben called Landon a few moments earlier and told him of the plans, with a promise to call him again once everything was said and done. To his surprise the man was wide awake. Guess he’s anxious about Kaitlyn, Ben thought.

  “OK, everyone know their assignments?” Special Agent Akila asked the room full of agents.

  He’d taken over the operation immediately, once his plane touched down. His plan was to hit all of Ian’s properties in the early dawn hours when everyone was asleep or otherwise unaware. Akila told Ben that darkness was going to be their greatest ally if they hoped to take down both Bailey brothers.

  A third of the group was hitting the apartment Ian kept in College Park; others were hitting the club, Ben was going with the group being sent to Kaitlyn’s apartment after Landon told him Ian liked to spend a lot of time there as well, and the rest were going to Elberton and the house there. They’d timed them to happen simultaneously, so everyone had a couple of hours to wait. It would take all the various officers time to get in place, taking in zones and locations. The states of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, were about to be rocked to the core. Ben could only hope the other raids went well and the FBI found everything and everyone they were looking for. Personally, his only interest right now was finding and handcuffing Ice and taking him into custody without incident. That fool is crazy and I definitely don’t need a damned firefight on my hands, Ben thought as they all continued dressing in riot gear and SWAT continued their briefing.

  “We want every bit of evidence we can get, but do it all by the book,” Special Agent Akila admonished. “We aren’t leaving any little loopholes for Bailey to slip through,” he finished as they all nodded their understanding.

  “Anyone found at the sites is to be detained and brought in for questioning,” Ben added and everyone again nodded their acknowledgment.

  “All right everybody; let’s take a few bad guys off the street this morning,” Special Agent Akila finished as they voiced agreement and headed out to their respective vehicles.

  Ben said a silent prayer that things went according to plan. Prayerfully Kaitlyn will walk away from this in once piece, he thought but said nothing as they inventoried the weapons cache and went over street maps and blueprints once again, while awaiting the call from the other State and Federal jurisdictions that they had the green light. Once that happened, operation Street Sweep was underway.

  *****

  They were only about 40 minutes away from the house and Jaleesa was nervous as hell. Damn, we’re so late, she thought, worrying about the rising sun and everyone being awake in the house. The plan was for her to slip away in the night when both Al and Chino would be asleep. They had an alarm, but of course she knew the code to disarm it. Now, it was 5:15AM. The sun would be rising in the next 30 or 45 minutes. Jaleesa had to move fast. Ryan had driven the whole trip so she knew he was exhausted. If she could just get him to go ahead and lie down once they arrived, it would definitely improve her situation, quickly. What if you can’t get him in bed, she thought as her heart once again raced. Jaleesa sighed slightly knowing she was going to have to use force, deadly force if necessary, to get out of that house and away from Ryan.

  “We’re almost there baby,” Ryan told her sweetly, hearing the sigh and thinking she was tired from the travel.

  Jaleesa smiled at him and told him she knew she was just tired.

  “Well, we can lay down once we get there,” Ryan replied amiably.

  Jaleesa smiled again as her mind and heart berated her for the charade. She was in love with Ryan and hurting him filled her with a deep sense of anxiety, and upset. Maybe I can just get away, Jaleesa thought once more. She had to leave. The existence Ryan and Ice wanted her to live was no life. She couldn’t be free, couldn’t have her own friends, come and go as she desired. Simple stuff like going to concert, a play, even a movie, were carefully planned and chaperoned. He would let you go out alone if you asked and you know it, her mind’s eye threw out again. Jaleesa pushed the thoughts away. She had to leave and that was that. KiKi was counting on her. What if she can’t get away from Ice, Jaleesa’s mind began again. The thought terrified her. Even more terrifying, was the thought that Ice would hurt KiKi or even kill her if he caught her trying to leave him. Turning onto the winding private road that took them to the house, Jaleesa gathered her resolve again and began to once more plot her emancipation.

  “Come on,” Ryan said calmly as they arrived finally and parked.

  He got out and stretched with Jaleesa exiting the passenger side. Entering the house, Ryan went immediately upstairs as Jaleesa went into the kitchen to retrieve the beer he asked for. Ryan entered the bedroom and undressed, collapsing onto the king-sized bed and closing his eyes. Jaleesa quietly came into the room moments later and sat his beer on the nightstand finding him asleep. Thank you, she as she headed into the bathroom. As she used the facility, Jaleesa carefully thought out how she would leave the house. She had to get out of the bedroom first though. Normally Ryan was a light sleeper, but Jaleesa knew he was exhausted tonight, so that would hopefully put him in a deep sleep. Your duffle bag is in the car still, Jaleesa thought of the cellphone to call KiKi once she got out. It was in her makeup kit, and they hadn’t brought any of the bags in with them. Crap, she thought. Sighing deeply Jaleesa decided she would worry about that later. She knew KiKi’s number, so she would simply call her from the first payphone she found.

  Returning to the bedroom, Jaleesa was mortified to find Ryan awake, enjoying his beer and watching TV.

  “Come on and lay down baby,” he told her sweetly as Jaleesa swallowed hard and complied, removing her clothes at Ryan’s request.

  He pulled her close and held her as she lay on his chest and watched TV with him, trying desperately to stay the tears that wanted to come. How the hell am I gonna get outta here, Jaleesa thought as Ryan finally finished his beer and kissed her forehead lightly, returning his attention to the set in front of them. Jaleesa’s heart sank. She was trapped and KiKi would get out without her, then do something stupid like come here and try to help her. Jaleesa couldn’t let that happen. If KiKi came here and Ryan caught any wind of it, which knowing Ice would call immediately, he would; they would both be dead women. What if she doesn’t get out and Ice gets the truth out of her, Jaleesa thought barely able to suppress the tremor of fear that passed through her with the thought. She knew KiKi was a tough chick, but Ice was crazy and the things he might do to her to make her talk, would be endless. Finally, Jaleesa heard the sound that made her heart lift. Ryan was breathing deeply, snoring lightly, a
nd alerting her that finally, he’d fallen asleep.

  *****

  Landon was restless sitting at home waiting on Kaitlyn to call. I gotta get outta here, he thought grabbing his keys and heading to his car. He decided he would go to Waffle House and wait. Have a few cups of coffee and enjoy the buzz around him, taking his mind off his fear. He picked one that was strategically located near the interstate. Landon didn’t know if Ice was going to his apartment in College Park or Kaitlyn’s place in Conyers. Either way, his position from that particular restaurant would get him there in 15 or 20 minutes. I can’t let her be out there too long, Landon thought again driving toward his destination. He thought back to the call from Ben telling him they were almost ready to move. “Ben, please make sure Kaitlyn doesn’t get hurt in this,” Landon pleaded, on the off chance she couldn’t get away to call him. “I’ll do my damndest, Landon,” Ben replied. Coming back to the here and now, Landon pulled into the parking lot of the Waffle House and went inside.

  Grabbing a seat at the bar, Landon ordered coffee for now. His stomach was in to many knots to eat. Come on baby, Landon thought. You gotta get away from that madman, he continued to think as a patron began playing selections from the jukebox. Sighing deeply Landon thanked the waitress for his coffee and tried to relax, picking up and reading a section of the newspaper left by an earlier patron. Landon made sure his phone was set on the loudest ringer setting, and that his reception was at full capacity. After assuring himself he had every base covered, Landon returned to his coffee and forced his mind and his eyes on the Local section in his hand. There was nothing else he could do right now, except wait. His phone vibrated and he anxiously snatched it from his pocket. He sighed lightly at the text from Ben giving him an update on their position and asking if he’d heard from Kaitlyn yet. Landon texted thanks back and told him he was still waiting for her call. Ben replied that this was probably the last opportunity to text him he would have. Things were about to get very sticky, quickly. Landon again thanked him for his help up to this point and he would still let him know one way or the other about Kaitlyn.