by KR Bankston
“Tweety, can I talk to KiKi alone for a minute please,” Ian asked calmly.
Jaleesa gave Kaitlyn a look, as Kaitlyn nodded slightly.
“I’ll be right outside,” Jaleesa made a point of saying before she left.
Ian smiled slightly at the statement but said nothing. After the door closed, he walked closer to the bed and placed the roses he’d purchased on her bed table.
“I’m glad to see you’re doing better,” Ian told her softly.
Kaitlyn swallowed hard, trying to find the words.
“I never meant to shoot you, KiKi,” he continued. “You took me by surprise, and it was impulse,” Ian finished as she nodded slightly.
Kaitlyn’s mind was racing as Ian continued to watch her and say nothing. Finally she gathered her courage and put it out there.
“So, now what,” she asked, her voice still raspy.
Ian walked over and sat on the bed beside Kaitlyn. She held her hands clasped tightly together trying to stop the tremors that were overtaking her body.
“You tell me,” Ian said softly. “Is this the life you want, Landon the man you wanna be with,” Ian asked, having heard from Ryan about Tariq being killed.
“You would leave us alone,” Kaitlyn asked skeptically.
Ian sighed deeply again. “KiKi, be honest with yourself,” he began, deliberately not answering her question. “Can you be content being the happy homemaker,” Ian asked looking into her eyes. “What happens when Prince Charming finds out about your old life,” he asked again as Kaitlyn sighed slightly.
“What do you want from me Ice, really,” she asked finally giving him a chance to put everything on the table.
“I want you to come back where you belong, where you really belong,” Ian told her. “I want you to admit you loved the life you lived with me, the thrill of the chase,” he challenged.
“So you wanna take me somewhere else to kill me,” Kaitlyn threw out.
Ian smiled slightly.
“KiKi,” he began earnestly. “Killing you would be like killing a part of myself,” he told her, leaning in and kissing her lips softly.
“You are imbedded in me, and I think I’m imbedded in you too, and that’s what scares the hell outta you,” he finished as Kaitlyn wiped the tear that’d escaped and ran down her cheek.
She thought about the things Ian was saying to her, admitting to herself that as nice a guy as Landon was, he wasn’t a hustler. He didn’t know the streets. He didn’t know her. There was no way he could love her still knowing she sold drugs, ran guns, killed people, and the fact that she enjoyed it would definitely be far beyond his realm of reality to accept. You’ve already cost one man his life trying to lie to yourself and run from who you are, Kaitlyn thought as she remained quiet. Leave with Ice and give Landon his life back, her mind completed for her as Ian spoke once more.
“Come home, KiKi,” he said simply as they embraced and kissed passionately.
Taking the time to write Landon a short note thanking him for his love, his support, and his care, Kaitlyn apologized for hurting him, but explained she wasn’t who or what he thought she was. She asked him to forgive her and find someone worthwhile to love. Folding it and putting it on her night table, Kaitlyn dressed, looked up at Ian and spoke once more.
“Let’s go,” she said simply as he smiled and helped her to the elevator where Jaleesa joined them, getting in and pushing the down button.
Thank you for reading this novel. We hope you’ve enjoyed and will continue to follow the ongoing saga of Ice, KiKi, Ryan, Tweety and the rest of the Thin Ice crew as they allow us to tag along inside their world.
A sneak preview of Thin Ice 2: Hide & Seek, follows this page, (debuts September 2011). Also, check out these other offerings from the Author KR Bankston available at all fine online retailers: Amazon.com, BN.com, Smashwords.com and more.
“HAVE YOU” – Leave a review for this book and get a free wristband courtesy of KR Bankston. Send proof of review, name and mailing address via email to [email protected]
The Gianni Legacy:
A Deadly Encounter (eBook/paperback)
Sins of the Father (eBook/paperback)
Smoke & Mirrors (eBook/paperback)
Other Books:
King of the Game (eBook)
Unraveled: A Short Story Collective (eBook)
About the Author:
KR has been writing for years creating several poems, short stories and inspirational plays, before finally venturing into a full-length novel. Some of her greatest literary influences came early in the form of V.C. Andrews, and Stephen King. Later she discovered E. Lynn Harris, Robin Cook, Alex Haley, and Victoria Holt to name a few more of the influential authors who have help shape her writing style.
When she’s not writing, K.R. Bankston is an avid Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons football fan, and Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, basketball fan. She is currently in the process of writing a new novel.
Contact the Author:
www.krbankstononline.com, [email protected]
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Cover Design info: [email protected]
Thin Ice 2: Hide & Seek
Back to the Beginning
No matter how much things change, they remain the same. Ian was back in business; he and Ryan doing bigger and better things than before. Tweety and KiKi were still by their side, their right hands, running the clubs, handling the books, keeping the empire flowing. That was the nice thing about Atlanta. It was a very forgiving city. After a couple years hiatus in Gary Indiana, Ian and Ryan came back and began quietly buying up the shut down, foreclosed clubs in the city. They now owned a total of eight; each doing banner business on any given night. Once the clubs began returning profits, Ian and Ryan again set up their illegal and invisible business dealings in the other three states they’d taken residence in once more. They were far more careful this time. From the general observer’s point of view and even the police that dropped by from time to time, each business was legitimate. The proper paperwork was filed, licenses up-to-date and kept in plain sight. No one was employed, or in the limelight, who had a criminal record or failed a drug test. Ian and Ryan were reformed as far as the powers that be were concerned. They operated successful businesses, staying within the confines of the law. The two brothers chuckled inwardly at how well they kept up the charade and continued to amass a multi-million dollar fortune.
*****
Jaleesa was closing the Peppermint Club located in the NW part of the city. It was an upscale strip club catering exclusively to women. The city hosted multiple male oriented strip clubs but nothing for the ladies. The club was packed again tonight as the ladies enjoyed all the toned, oiled, nude bodies on display for them. Azibo disturbed her thoughts as he brought her the bar receipts for the evening. Jaleesa took in the tall, dark complexioned man smiling at her as he handed her the monies.
“How are you tonight, Miss Jaleesa,” Azibo asked all the while taking in the beautiful woman.
He was well aware she dated Ryan, one of the owners, but he still thought she was sexy as hell and if she would give him a chance, he would show her how much he thought of her.
“I’m good Azi,” Jaleesa returned using the man’s nickname.
He told her he was of Nigerian descent, which she could tell from his pronounced accent.
“Have a good night,” she asked taking the cash and laying it on the desk in front of her.
Azibo told her it had been a banner night at the bar. Tweety laughed before answering him.
“Yeah, it generally is when Exotic and Kaos dance,” she told him as Azibo smiled again and left her presence still thinking about the, what if.
*****
“He
y chick, Wassup,” Kaitlyn heard Jaleesa chirp in her ear.
She was at another of the clubs on the SW side called Mardi Gras. This was the 25 and older club, where old school was the music of choice and the hunting grounds a bit more mature. This club also turned huge profits with the weekly male and female reviews. There were plenty of private parties booked each week which made Mardi Gras the spot to be.
“Not a lot girl,” Kaitlyn returned as she finished up the deposit for the evening. “About to be up outta here and head for the house,” she added as Jaleesa grunted her acknowledgement.
“How are you, KiKi, really,” Jaleesa asked softly.
Kaitlyn sighed deeply before answering, swallowing the huge lump in her throat. “I’m okay, Tweety,” she replied quietly.
“Are you sure,” Jaleesa asked once more.
“Yeah,” Kaitlyn returned quietly before her friend let the conversation go.
“You going with Ice to Baton Rouge tomorrow,” Jaleesa asked changing the subject. “Not that I know of, but you know that is subject to change,” she replied as they both laughed.
Kaitlyn chatted with her best friend a few moments more before finally disconnecting and rising to leave the club.
Walking outside she bid Dixon goodnight. He was the doorman at the club. Huge at 6’8”, 370lbs, he kept order both inside and outside the club.
“Do you want me to walk you to the car, KiKi,” he asked as she passed where he stood directly inside the door.
“No, I’m fine,” Kaitlyn returned as he glanced the .9mm in her pocket.
Smiling slightly he told her okay and let her out, watching as she walked across the parking lot. Just as she reached her car, Dixon was called away by the bartender needing help reaching a box. Kaitlyn removed her keys from her pocket and used the fob to unlock her doors. She threw the bank bag on her passenger seat and climbed in, placing the gun between the two seats. Her mind was still whirling thinking about the earlier question Jaleesa asked. I still can’t believe he’s gone, Kaitlyn thought of Tariq. It still hurt everyday to think about him dying. Today was the anniversary of his death. She’d gone out to the cemetery earlier and replaced the flowers in his urn, sat and talked to him for a while, cried herself to exhaustion, then finally left.
Sighing deeply, she thought of all the drama after he died even finding out about his body. The Medical Examiner’s office wouldn’t give her any info because she wasn’t next of kin. Kaitlyn had given up finally after hitting dead end after dead end; simply buying a plot at a private cemetery and having a beautiful marker placed. I love you so much, Tariq, Kaitlyn thought, never uttering the thoughts aloud, knowing Ice would blow a gasket if he knew she still carried a torch for her fallen love. Kaitlyn was so deep in thought she never saw the man approach her car until he broke the window, scaring the hell out of her. What the fuck, Kaitlyn thought as he reached through the window trying to grab her. Kaitlyn swung and the man cursed aloud, his hand bleeding from the cut she’d inflicted with the straight razor she still held. Taking the split second, Kaitlyn reached for the gun when the second man jumped into her passenger seat and put the chloroform to her nose. Don’t pass out, her mind told her as Kaitlyn tried to fight. Unfortunately her adrenaline had kicked in and her breathing was erratic. The darkness was closing in quickly.
“The bitch cut me,” the man cursed as the voices started fading.
“Top told you to be careful fool,” the other man told him as the silence became deafening and Kaitlyn passed out.
1
Ian was frowning deeply as he looked the Benz, glass shattered, empty. “Why didn’t you walk her out,” he asked Dixon, the irritation evident in his voice.
“I tried too, but KiKi said she was fine,” he implored Ice to understand.
He knew firsthand how deadly his boss could be. He also knew how deeply the man loved Kaitlyn.
“What did the camera’s show,” Ian asked.
He’d had the security cameras installed just last week to encompass the parking lot. Dixon told him the cameras were off.
“KiKi always shuts them down before she leaves,” he replied as Ian’s anger grew along side his fear.
What the hell is going on, he thought. They obviously weren’t trying to rob her. The bank bag was still lying untouched on the passenger seat. His cell rang and disturbed his thoughts as he answered seeing Ryan’s name.
“Anything,” his brother asked as Ian sighed deeply and told him no.
“Anybody you can think of right off hand with a vendetta,” Ryan asked again.
Ian sighed deeply and told him he could write several pages of names with that in mind. He had made plenty of enemies over the years. Ian just didn’t think any of them were dangerous enough to snatch Kaitlyn over their issues.
“So what do you wanna do,” Ryan asked.
Ian immediately told him they would handle it. They wouldn’t involve the police at all. “Way too many questions there,” Ian told him as Ryan agreed.
“I’m hoping they will call, give some sort of demand or something,” Ian added as Ryan told him right now that was about all they could do.
As soon as he disconnected his phone vibrated. Ian checked the message seeing he had picture mail. Clicking on the image he frowned deeply. Kaitlyn was sitting in a chair, bound, blindfolded, and gagged. What the fuck is going on, Ian thought as another text came through. ‘Act right and ur girl might live thru this,’ the message read as Ian cursed aloud. The third correspondence gave the message when to expect further instructions and how much it was going to cost him. Ryan pulled up just as he finished the message.
“It’s a money snatch,” Ian told his brother as Ryan grunted his acknowledgement and two headed inside the club to work out a strategy as well as begin gathering the 1.5 million dollars that was requested.
*****
Jaleesa arrived at Mardi Gras twenty minutes after Ryan, rushing inside to find the two men in the establishment’s office.
“Has anybody called,” she asked looking directly at Ice.
“They want money,” Ian replied calmly as Jaleesa sighed deeply.
“Do you have any idea who took her,” she asked again, pouring herself a drink as her hands shook.
This was serious. Her best friend was being held hostage and even if Ice paid them there was no guarantee KiKi would live through it.
“No,” Ian returned.
“But we’re gonna shake enough trees to find the fuck out,” Ryan added irritably as Jaleesa nodded her understanding.
And it would have to happen today of all days, she thought silently, recalling her earlier conversation with Kaitlyn.
“Did they let you talk to her, make sure she was okay,” Jaleesa asked again.
Ian sighed deeply and told her so far all he’d gotten were a succession of text messages.
“This bites,” Jaleesa mumbled aloud as she left them alone again. She needed to clear her head, to think and rack her brain of anything unusual that might give them a clue where KiKi was.
She returned to them for a moment asking if she could see the photo that was sent. Ian forwarded the photo to her phone and Jaleesa thanked him. Sitting now with her drink, Jaleesa poured over every detail in the photo. It was obviously someone’s house from the couple of portraits she saw hanging on the wall.
“Fuck,” Jaleesa mumbled aloud angrily as the tears came and rolled down her cheek.
There was nothing in the picture that would vaguely help them find Kaitlyn. Seeing her friend tied up and helpless like she was brought searing pain to Jaleesa’s heart. Please don’t let these people be sadistic killers that hurt KiKi, she prayed silently as she continued to cry. Moments later she felt arms encompass her, as Ryan held her and spoke softly in her ear.
“It’s gonna be OK, Tweety,” he told her sweetly. “We’re gonna get KiKi back, and soon,” he added as she cried harder and clung to him needing his support.
Ian observed them, Ryan holding and comforting Jaleesa, as his
heart ached. He loved Kaitlyn with his entire being and he was helpless to save her right now. Ian hated that feeling. Picking up his phone from the bar where he’d laid it, Ian finished his drink and headed to his car, praying he would find some answers as he drove the streets of Atlanta, beating the odds and getting information of Kaitlyn’s whereabouts.
*****
Kaitlyn was trying to orient herself. She’d been ushered into the small room after what she assumed were photos being taken. She heard the soft click of shutters going off while she sat blindfolded and bound to the chair. Her hands had been untied once she reached the room and was pushed inside. Kaitlyn immediately removed both the gag and the blindfold. The room was small but comfortable. It held a twin sized bed, adorned with a colorful patchwork comforter and two pillows. Glancing to her left she found a small desk with paper and pen. In the right corner she saw the television set, VCR, and DVD player. Kaitlyn also saw a small assortment of tapes and DVD’s. She heard movement at the door and turned her attention to it. The tray came through the large opening at the bottom as Kaitlyn stood looking at it. It held a beautiful oriental tea pot, with cup, a bowl of soup, and half a roast beef sandwich on sourdough bread. Her favorite, but how would they know that, she thought praying the food wasn’t drugged. She was famished.
After her meal, Kaitlyn continued her exploration, finding the bathroom and all the accessories left for her. She found a small closet with several outfits her size as well as shoes. Kaitlyn found underwear and sleepwear also enclosed in the closet and a note telling her to make herself comfortable. What in the hell is going on, she thought still completely on guard. Picking up the remote, Kaitlyn turned on the TV hoping to find a channel that would give her an indication where exactly she was. As she flipped she found she could only access cable channels, no local. So much for that idea, she thought once more leaving it on A&E and heading into the bathroom. Deciding a shower might just clear her head a bit more and relieve her headache; Kaitlyn turned the water on and let it run as she went to retrieve the sleepwear left for her. Returning moments later, she stepped under the steaming hot spray and let it run down her body as she tried to figure out why she’d been taken and if she would live to find out the answer.
