by KR Bankston
Though he wasn’t happy about the cause of her tears, LaRon was glad she was letting it out and allowing him to console her. Jaleesa hugged LaRon tightly, she needed to feel wanted and cared for right now. Ryan’s betrayal made her feel lost and empty. She couldn’t describe the pain she felt knowing while she was missing, possibly hurt, or dead; he was screwing around on her. Like I didn’t mean shit to him, she thought as she continued to sob. Letting her go for a brief moment, LaRon retrieved the Kleenex and helped her gather herself.
“Where did you get these pictures,” Jaleesa asked finally as he continued to hold her.
“A friend took them,” he answered simply as she asked nothing else for the moment.
“I’m sorry about the hurt, Tweety,” LaRon told her.
She said nothing as she stroked his chest her hand resting on the tattoo. She’d always found it creepy, but thinking about his explanation of it, she finally understood the depth of his love for her. It was an Ace of spades, which represented the gang he ran with at the time, surrounded by blood filled veins, and in the midst was a Tweety bird, encased in all the veins, 2 blood filled teardrops coming from the corner of the bird’s eye. She remembered asking about it and what he’d said. “I’m in the game forever Tweety,” he told her. “But as long as blood flows, you’ll always be my heart, and these tears are for the last two beats of my heart if you ever left me.” LaRon cleared his throat breaking her thought as she looked up into his eyes.
“Thanks for telling me,” Jaleesa told him simply.
LaRon smiled at her, kissing her lips gently. For the first time since being brought here, she kissed him back. LaRon wanted her, his desire evident as she touched his stomach and slid her hand downward resting on his erection. Without a word they began to kiss again as Jaleesa undid his pants and he followed suit quickly undressing her. LaRon kissed her neck gently as he caressed her breasts and Jaleesa moaned softly. My precious baby, LaRon thought as he touched her intimately and she allowed him entrance. Jaleesa came hard and fast from his effort, knowing it was just the warm up. Don’t do this, her mind screamed. Jaleesa pushed the thoughts away. She was hurting. She wanted to get even with Ryan for cheating on her, the small fact that LaRon was really in love with her disregarded for now.
“Baby, mmm,” LaRon moaned as he finally entered her and Jaleesa sighed deeply her pleasure evident.
LaRon made love to her slowly and passionately wanting her to feel the depth of his love for her. Jaleesa came hard her body trembling from the force. LaRon came moments later. They continued to lie together as he kissed her softly, looking into her eyes. Jaleesa smiled at him, closing her eyes and feigning sleep. Truthfully she wanted to escape the guilt she felt, and deny the door she’d just opened.
15
Caramel was unnerved by Ryan’s behavior. He still hadn’t screamed at her, or hit her. He does understand I’m pregnant right, she thought once more as Ryan entered the office where she stood going over the day’s appointments.
“Hey,” he greeted her amiably, kissing her softly.
“Hey Ryan,” Caramel returned trying not to let her nerves get the best of her.
She assumed he was being cordial as he thought of a dark and sinister way to punish her for getting pregnant and having the nerve to want to keep it.
“You feeling’ okay,” Ryan asked giving her a look.
Caramel smiled slightly, telling him she felt fine.
“That’s good,” he replied looking over the bills and readying himself to pay them.
you better make some plans, Caramel thought to herself. She couldn’t keep working here at the house. Not with a child to raise and provide for. She wanted out of the game, the problem was, would Ryan let her out. He is the baby’s father, she reasoned thinking he wouldn’t want his child raised around prostitutes and johns. The reality of what she really did saddened Caramel, her mind screaming how cliché her pregnancy was. A whore, pregnant from her pimp, she thought as the tears stung her eyes. If that wasn’t classic textbook irony she didn’t know what was.
“What’s wrong,” Ryan asked taking note of her demeanor and seeing the tears awaiting release.
“Nothing, I’m okay,” Caramel lied turning away from him, trying desperately to gather herself.
Ryan sighed deeply, rising and going to her. “Talk to me,” he told her gently, turning her to face him.
Looking into his eyes Caramel had yet another revelation. She was in love with him.
“I’m okay, Ryan, really,” she tried again as his gaze never left her own.
“You having’ second thoughts,” he asked trying to gauge the reason for her sadness.
Sighing softly she told him she wasn’t.
“Then what,” Ryan asked again.
“Just thinking about how things will change once the baby gets here,” she hedged, trying to feel him out and see where Ryan’s mind truly was.
Reaching out, he stroked her face gently. “We need to talk about that,” he replied giving away nothing.
Caramel’s heart began to race. She had no idea what he was thinking and that scared the hell out of her. What if he takes your baby, she thought, terrified by the idea. True he was letting her carry and give birth to the child, but there was no guarantee he would let her keep it. Caramel summoned every ounce of strength she possessed to stay the tears that wanted to come and spoke.
“OK, that’s fine,” she replied simply as Ryan smiled slightly and kissed her again, leaving her alone in the office finally, as her damn broke and she began to cry in earnest.
*****
Tyreece was having another drink. He knew it was before noon but his nerves were shot. He’d just gotten the call from LaRon. It was on, and war was bout to begin. “You ready to do this,” LaRon asked calmly as they talked. “Yeah man, I told you me and my boys are down,” Tyreece threw back as he quaked. Truthfully Tyreece was more bark than bite. He knew the three other men who helped him with the caper were killers without conscience helping boost his own fear filled psyche. He was counting on that when it came time to kill Ryan and Tate. I gotta get my shit together and quick, Tyreece thought finally finishing the drink and pulling out his clothing. He needed to dress and head over to Sutter’s. They would talk over lunch. No place better, Tyreece chuckled once more of the soul food restaurant. It was a landmark in Mississippi and the food was par excellence.
“Can’t wait to have my club back,” he said aloud getting into his car and heading toward his destination.
*****
“How’s it going Xae,” LaRon greeted the man as they conversed.
Xavier Allen was one of the men Tyreece recruited when the operation first began. LaRon, upon meeting all the men, knew Xavier was the one who would be pivotal in the success of them accomplishing their goal. LaRon was no fool. Tyreece, while he talked a good game, was weak and scared. He was like a child you had to tell and show everything again and again. He couldn’t think on his feet or improvise if the need arose. Xavier however was a different breed. Young and seemingly fearless, the man didn’t shy away from the task, no matter how dirty.
“Can’t complain Deuce,” Xavier returned waiting to hear what the man wanted.
“It’s about to go down,” LaRon returned as Xavier sighed lightly.
“Cool,” he replied simply.
LaRon chuckled lightly at his response before speaking once more. “After Ryan’s heart stops beating, you’re on,” he told him plainly.
“What about Tyreece,” Xavier began. “Breathing or not?”
“That’s up to you,” he returned calmly. “You’ll be runnin’ shit, so if he don’t like the arrangements, you decide what you wanna do with him,” LaRon finished as Xavier expressed his understanding.
“We’re about to meet,” Xavier told him as LaRon replied he knew.
“So this ain’t a drill this time,” Xavier asked as LaRon heard him chamber a bullet in his gun.
“No, shit is real,” LaRon replied as Xavier aga
in grunted shortly.
“Shit, let’s do it then,” he replied as LaRon chuckled and told him he liked how he thought.
The two men talked further about details of the plan after the new regime was in place. Reaching tentative agreements they disconnected, each to their respective day and tasks.
*****
Tate arrived finally as Ryan waited impatiently.
“You find that fucker,” Ryan barked as soon as the other man approached him standing beside his car.
“Not yet, but we got word and people all over the street for that ass,” Tate replied seeing the anger etched into his boss’s face.
“I need to find this jackass and find him now,” Ryan growled. “I got other business to handle and shit,” he added his mind going to Ice and Tweety.
“We’ll have him found quick, watch and see,” Tate told him.
Ryan stated his acknowledgment of the statement and moved on.
“Let’s head over to Jazzy and take care of business,” Ryan told Tate as the other man nodded and got into his own vehicle.
Ryan’s mind was still racing as they drove, his anger growing. He needed to find Tyreece, put a bullet between his eyes and make an example out of him. From what Ice was telling him, things were going crazy in all their enterprises. Someone is tryna replace our ass, Ryan continued to formulate as they finally pulled up at the strip club and got out, going inside.
“Bring me the ledgers and shit,” Ryan told Tate who hurriedly complied.
Ryan barked a drink order at the bartender and sat down at one of the booths closest to the door, sipping the vodka and cranberry. He normally didn’t drink white liquor, but today he wanted something different. His life was going through change after change, so why not his drink, he reasoned as Tate arrived with what he requested, dropping it on the table in front of him and leaving him to his own devices. Ryan opened the books and began pouring over them. He needed to focus on something, anything, else besides the decisions and dilemma’s he found himself facing. Caramel was carrying his child, but she was one of his whores. He didn’t like thinking of her that way, but reality was reality and he couldn’t change it. Ryan knew he had to take her away from the life now. He couldn’t allow his child to be raised in that kind of environment. Then there was the task of Tweety. He had to find her and make sure she was all right. And then what, Ryan’s mind pressed. Would he stay with her now, knowing another woman was having his baby. Would he tell Tweety about the child? What about Caramel? She deserved his time and attention just for being his child’s mother. Ryan had a monumental headache and the only thing that would bring him relief was killing someone.
“Found him,” Tate told Ryan interrupting his thought.
Smiling finally, Ryan closed the books and rose.
“Best shit I’ve heard today, let’s go,” he replied still smiling as they walked out the door, both climbing into Tate’s truck, weapons loaded.
*****
Tyreece was feeling pretty good about things again. He’d met with his crew and everything was set. He really wouldn’t have to do much of anything, keeping his own hands relatively clean as well as himself out of harms way. Chuckling thinking of his pending good fortune, he turned into the Sudz hand car wash and got out of the Benz. “Wassup ‘Reece,” Myron, the owner greeted him.
“How you doing Myron,” Tyreece threw back smiling as he walked inside the waiting room and took a seat.
Grabbing an outdated gossip magazine that was sitting beside him, Tyreece began to read, becoming engrossed and totally oblivious to his surroundings.
“He’s here now,” Montez one of the employees, was whispering into his cell.
“Good looking’ out,” Tate threw back asking a few more questions about Tyreece and his whereabouts.
“Meet me at the lunch truck, get your money,” Tate instructed and Montez told him okay and hurriedly disconnected.
The two men arrived moments later, Tate parking discreetly out of plain sight. Getting out he made his way to the white lunch truck parked at the curb, open with all its wares on display for the workers to peruse and purchase. Standing right at the trucks corner, Tate could see the carwash and its patrons. He saw Tyreece’s Benz being dried and knew the man would be leaving soon.
“Wassup,” Montez greeted him as he stood near the edge of the truck pretending to choose something from the juice section.
“What’s good,” Tate threw back, reaching up for a bottle of juice, slyly passing the five $100 bills in his hand to Montez.
“Heard that Splash was pretty good,” Montez threw back smiling as he made his way to the sandwiches, hurriedly picking out one and walking away as Tate smiled to himself and headed back to the truck where Ryan waited.
Moments later, as Tate predicted, Tyreece got into the newly washed vehicle and pulled out of the parking lot. Tate and Ryan pulled away from the curb, following him as he drove.
“Fool don’t even notice we’re back here,” Tate mumbled as Ryan smiled slightly.
“Good, it’ll make killing’ his ass that much easier,” Ryan replied as Tate now smiled and agreed.
They slowed and allowed Tyreece to outdistance them as they entered the residential area. They observed him turning into the driveway of a home on the street and continued to drive, parking only a few feet away from the entrance of the house and watching the door close. Checking their weapons once more, Ryan and Tate calmly got out of the truck and made their way to the front door. Ryan wasn’t playing games today, wasting no time he kicked the front door open as the wood splintered beneath his boot. Tate heard the short scream and knew Tyreece’s family was here as well. They better hope Ryan is feeling generous today, he thought knowing the entire family was fair game at this point. Tyreece came running around the corner gun drawn to confront the intruders. Stopping in his tracks as he saw Ryan and Take each holding a Tech 9, Tyreece’s heart fell into his stomach.
“Drop that shit,” Ryan barked taking in the .9mm Tyreece held.
Doing as he was told, scared shitless, Tyreece’s gun hit the carpeted floor with a dull thud.
“Smartest shit you’ve done in a while,” Ryan growled angry as hell and growing angrier.
The man in front of him had caused nothing but undue chaos in their otherwise harmonious business flow.
“Who else is here,” Tate asked as Tyreece swallowed hard.
“My family is here man,” he returned pleading with his eyes. “Take me where you want, or kill me here, but please don’t hurt my family,” he asked painfully as Ryan continued to regard him hatefully.
“That depends on you,” Ryan said flatly.
“OK, whatever you want man,” Tyreece threw back fearfully.
Ryan was going to kill him anyway, but he figured he may as well garner all the information he could before doing so.
“Let’s go,” Tate ordered following Ryan’s lead.
Tyreece moved without hesitation toward the splintered front door.
“Try anything stupid and I will come back to this bitch and kill every muthafucka up in here,” Ryan told him ominously as he passed him.
Tyreece worked hard to control the shiver that worked its way up his spine hearing the man’s words.
“It’s your show man,” Tyreece returned trying to keep his voice even.
Grunting his approval, Ryan let Tyreece walk out in front of them as they all crossed the street and got into the truck. Tate in front, Ryan and Tyreece in the back, as they began their journey and Ryan kept the .380 he now held trained on their captive. God I sure ain’t got no right to ask, Tyreece prayed silently as they rode. But please let me have something worth trading to save my life when we get where we going’, he finished just as their destination became clear and Tyreece finally believed hell existed.
16
Freight was absolutely furious as he sat inside Mardi Gras and sipped his drink. His friend was dead and the man responsible was still going on his daily routine like he’d stepped on a w
orrisome bug. Spider was good people, Freight thought continuing to keep his temper in check. He noticed movement at the front entrance looking up to see Kim enter the establishment. Well now, Freight thought taking the woman in as his mind continued to wander. Top is up to something, he continued to think observing the woman’s demeanor and knowing she was working. Freight watched as Kim made her way to a table and sat down. The server came moments later taking her order as she sat back and continued to take in every nuance of the club. Scanning the room, their eyes finally met as Freight held her stare until Kim broke the connection turning away and continuing her task. Need to see what’s up with Miss Lady, he thought rising and walking over to her table as the server put her hot wings and coke before her.
“Anyone sitting here,” Freight asked calmly looking Kim in the eye.
Sitting back and eyeing the huge man standing in front of her, she answered there wasn’t as Freight smiled slightly and sat down.
“I’m Colton,” he introduced himself using his legal name. “And you are,” he asked as Kim raised an eyebrow and finished her wing before answering.
“I’m Kim,” she replied simply her tone uninviting.
Freight smiled slightly before forging ahead. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Kim,” he told her ordering yet another drink and a basket of fries.
“This is my first time here,” he continued as Kim continued to eat wordlessly, half listening as she continued to case the club. “If I’d known women as beautiful as you ate here, I may have stopped in before now,” Freight threw out as Kim finally regarded him again.
Sighing deeply she spoke. “I have a man,” Kim told him point blank. “I don’t cheat, and I’m not looking’ for a cut buddy,” she told him flatly as Freight burst into laughter.
