Thin Ice 2 - Hide & Seek

by KR Bankston

  “Damn, you’re raw,” he told her. “I like that,” he continued to chuckle as his drink and fries arrived.

  “So, can I just be a friend,” he asked not wanting to give up.

  Kim was captivating and her sharp tongue turned him on more than he would readily admit. Freight liked a woman who could hold her own.

  “Look,” Kim began again. “Somehow I don’t think friendship is what you have on your agenda where I’m concerned,” she threw out as Freight ate, still smiling slightly. “So why don’t we just cut our losses when we leave here and keep it moving,” Kim finished, picking up her coke and emptying it, preparing to leave his presence.

  “OK,” Freight threw back growing serious. “Why don’t we talk about Top, and why my lifelong friend is dead because of him,” he threw out point blank.

  Kim didn’t flinch. She wiped her hands, folded them across her chest and eyed the man sitting across from her.

  “Speak it,” she told him simply as Freight again smiled slightly.

  “This isn’t the place,” he told her calmly.

  “Hmph,” Kim replied. “Where and when?”

  “Now,” Freight replied rising from the booth as did Kim following his lead and going outside.

  “There’s a Dairy Queen I passed down the street,” he told her as she again nodded her understanding. “I’ll follow you,” Freight told her.

  “Fine,” Kim replied turning around without another word and getting into her vehicle.

  Freight knew she would call Top on her way and that’s exactly what he needed her to do. It was time to stop pussyfooting around and meet. Either Top was going to be hospitable to the idea of joining forces and helping each other, or he was gonna say no and a new war would begin, Freight thought as he too started his engine following the sexy woman driving the BMW in front of him.

  *****

  LaRon was regarding Halle as DeNoah introduced them. Taking the woman in, he admitted she was very attractive. Standing he guessed around 5’ 6” or 5’ 7” she had a nice figure, pert breasts with a tiny waist and ample hips. Facially she had almond shaped eyes that were dark and stormying, with a nice smile and eyebrows too sharply arched for his taste. Her complexion however was flawless and her mannerisms smooth and refined. And what exactly does she want with someone like DeNoah, LaRon thought listening to the woman speak and knowing she was far out of his cohorts league.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, Halle,” LaRon returned smoothly. “DeNoah seems to think you’re pretty good people,” he joked as the woman smiled again, without involving her eyes LaRon noticed.

  “Yeah, DeNoah is cool,” Halle returned smiling as DeNoah smiled back.

  LaRon could see the man was totally taken with the woman, but there was something about her that rubbed him the wrong way. She’s scheming, but on what, is the question, he continued to think as they sat down and enjoyed a beer together. LaRon fleetingly thought about allowing Jaleesa to relax with them, but changed his mind knowing the meeting was a fact finding mission for him. His cell buzzed and interrupted his thought. He read the text enclosed with great interest.

  “Excuse me for a moment,” LaRon told them both rising and leaving the room.

  Closing the bathroom door he dialed and waited for the call to connect.

  “What’s going’ on, Top,” he addressed Tariq once the man answered.

  “Seems we have a visitor,” he told him calmly going on to elaborate about the current situation.

  “So Spider was playin’ both sides of the fence huh,” LaRon replied the angry edge to his voice.

  “I’m not sure in what capacity though,” Tariq returned as LaRon sighed. “I’m heading out now,” he added as LaRon told him he was too.

  “Mook coming,” he asked as Tariq replied he was. “You want me to bring DeNoah,” LaRon asked.

  “No, not yet,” Tariq replied. “I think it’s better if experience meets him first,” he replied and LaRon whole heartedly agreed.

  Getting a couple of last minute directives, LaRon finally disconnected and headed back into the den where the couple was softly kissing each other.

  “Sorry ‘bout that,” LaRon announced walking back into the room pretending he hadn’t seen them.

  “No problem,” Halle returned smoothly.

  LaRon saw her slyly look him over and sighed lightly. His suspicions were immediately confirmed that the woman wasn’t really interested in DeNoah. LaRon suspected she was more interested in money and how to get her hands on plenty of it. This fool needs to wake up for real, he thought but said nothing.

  “I gotta make a run,” LaRon said this time, addressing DeNoah.

  Immediately picking up on the tone, DeNoah told him it was cool and asked if he needed help.

  “Nah, I’m straight,” LaRon returned as they all rose. “You two enjoy your time,” he added smiling slightly. “It was nice to meet you Halle,” he told her once again giving her his attention.

  “It was nice meeting you too,” she told him looking directly in his eyes, making no attempt to hide her lustful intentions.

  LaRon again sighed slightly, dismissing the woman’s sly advances and walked out the door with them, getting into his own vehicle as they entered theirs, leaving and heading to meet Tariq.

  *****

  Role was sweating bullets and praying DeNoah answered his phone. He was in a world of trouble and his distant friend was his only hope of survival. The ringing seemed to go on for hours before he finally heard DeNoah’s voice and breathed a small sigh of relief.

  “Wassup man,” DeNoah threw out.

  “Nothin’ much man,” Role returned trying to sound normal.

  That task was further complicated by the .380 pointed at him and the hate fill scowl Ice was giving him as he waited for the information he sought.

  “What you up to,” Role threw out once more.

  “Everything’s straight, just dropped Halle off.”

  “Who’s Halle,” Role asked continuing to make small talk as Ice’s patience meter continued to decrease.

  DeNoah chuckled slightly.

  “That’s my girl, hooked up a few weeks ago,” he returned as Role smiled slightly and teased him about it being time.

  “Now maybe your ass will calm down some and stop trippin’,” he teased as DeNoah laughed and told him whatever.

  “What’s going on with Top and them,” Role asked casually.

  “Everything’s straight,” DeNoah returned giving away nothing more.

  “I see ya’ll moved location and shit,” Role threw out fishing once more as Dixon brought Ice another drink.

  “Yeah, you know how that chick is,” DeNoah told him, taking a drag on the blunt he smoked as he drove. “She got my ass this time and got out, almost got away too,” he added, the weed loosening his tongue.

  “Damn man,” Role threw back sympathetically hoping this would be his ticket in.

  “I told you she was tricky,” he went on as Ice continued to silently regard him.

  “What’d Top do to you,” he asked wanting to know if his former boss meted out punishment equally.

  “Shit man, I thought he was gonna kill my ass,” DeNoah told him, hitting the blunt once more. “He scared the shit outta me, I’ll tell you that, but then he gave me another chance,” he told him as Role whined somewhat resentful that DeNoah had gotten what amounted to a warning.

  “So where ya’ll at now,” he asked again relaxed and casual praying DeNoah would give away the info.

  He heard DeNoah hitting the weed he was smoking once more, taking a moment to swear at another drive who’d obviously cut him off in traffic.

  “But anyway,” DeNoah returned, high and feeling no pain. “We over in College Park, you remember that house way out, almost to the state line,” he threw out as Role racked his memory, finally recalling the house.

  “Yeah man, damn, way out there,” he asked as Ice gave him a look to wrap up the conversation.

  “So its still
just you watchin’ her,” Role tried again, wanting to give Ice as much information as possible and spare his own life.

  “Yeah most times, and then Deuce, when he ain’t with his girl or up in Mississippi doing shit,” DeNoah told him as he turned into the McDonalds.

  “Why is he in Mississippi,” Role asked as Ian’s interest was once again peaked.

  “Top got some shit going on up there,” DeNoah replied without missing a beat.

  Arriving at the speaker, DeNoah ordered his food and drove around to the pickup window. Role, hearing all the commotion, waited until he gathered his food and left before speaking again.

  “What kinda shit,” Role asked as DeNoah munched on his fries.

  “Putting shit in place to kill Ryan’s ass, you know the plan, ain’t shit changed man,” DeNoah threw back as Role grunted his understanding.

  “I’m bout to go up in here and give Halle what she need,” DeNoah told him arriving at the woman’s house once again.

  Chuckling Role told him to handle his business, but to give him a call again soon.

  “Yeah dawg, no problem,” he returned disconnecting.

  Looking up, Role opened his mouth and began to talk. The smile on Ice’s face as Role talked scared the hell out of him and right now he wouldn’t trade places with Top or Deuce for all the money in world.

  *****

  Freight was regarding Kim still as they waited for Top to arrive.

  “How long have you been with Top,” he asked casually already knowing the answer.

  “Long enough,” Kim replied flatly.

  Freight smiled slightly. She definitely was no joke he thought. He knew she would be a valuable part of his enterprise if he could just gain her affection. You’re gonna hafta deal with Halle’s stupid ass, his mind threw at him as Freight immediately pushed the thoughts aside.

  “Are you always this mean, or do you just dislike me,” Freight asked looking directly into her eyes.

  Sighing slightly, Kim softened her tone a bit.

  “I’m about handling my business, and I’m sorry if you think that’s being mean.”

  “I understand, and I’m sure that’s why Top has you on his team,” he told her amiably as Kim smiled slightly.

  She is so damned sexy, Freight continued to think behind the neutral mask. He wanted to kiss her right now, taste the inside of her beautiful lips, feel her own tongue as it slid inside his mouth. Finding his body begin to react, Freight immediately changed his thought process.

  “You said you and Spider went way back,” Kim fished.

  “Yeah, since kids,” Freight volunteered.

  “Hmph.”

  “He wasn’t sellin’ Top out,” he told her effectively reading her mind. “I asked him to find out some stuff for me ‘cause I wanted to connect, that’s all,” Freight added as Kim again nodded without comment.

  “Can I ask you a personal question,” Freight tried as Kim shrugged slightly.

  Smiling slightly once more he opened his mouth to speak as her cell went off.

  “Yeah,” Kim spoke into the instrument as Freight continued to regard her silently.

  “We’re here,” she went on. “Yeah,” Kim spoke once more and disconnected, giving him her attention yet again.

  “Tell me what it would take to steal your heart away from your man,” Freight asked point blank.

  Kim didn’t reply immediately, leading him to believe she wouldn’t.

  “Look,” she began. “I dunno what kinda women you’re used to being with,” Kim went on her tone serious. “But I don’t play musical dicks,” she said bluntly. “Takes a lot for me to commit and when I do, that’s that,” she finished as Freight smiled again.

  “Then I guess it’ll be worth the fight to take you away from him and prove to you I’m the right man for you,” he told her boldly.

  Kim frowned deeply opening her mouth to give him the riot act when she saw them all arrive simultaneously. Deciding she would handle that small bit of business later, Kim instead introduced the three men present to Freight as the meeting began.

  *****

  Ian was on the phone with Ryan as they compared notes. Tyreece sang like a canary once they took him to the abandoned mortuary.

  “So that’s where all the bullshit has come from,” Ryan threw out angrily.

  “Yeah, seems this muthafucka is planning’ a takeover,” Ian returned.

  “So what’s the next move,” Ryan asked his brother.

  “I’m taking’ this asshole out to show me where the house is,” Ian told him. “Then I gotta make sure KiKi’s there, do a little scouting to set shit up right,” he added as Ryan told him he understood.

  “You killed Tyreece’s bitch ass yet,” Ian asked irritably.

  “Nah, got him on lock for a minute,” Ryan returned as Ian told him that was good.

  “We’re gonna beat these amateurs at their own game,” Ian told him.

  “Set the trap and wait on them to walk into it,” Ryan asked as Ian chuckled and told him yes.

  “From what this fool got out of the other fool, Tweety is with one of em that has a thing for her,” Ian told him as Ryan frowned deeply.

  “That buys his ass a bullet or two,” he returned plainly as Ian agreed.

  “What’s going on with Caramel,” he asked changing the subject for a moment.

  “She’s straight, pregnant,” Ryan returned.

  Ian frowned slightly asking his brother to repeat himself.

  “Yours,” he asked as Ryan confirmed it was.

  “Accident,” Ian asked again.

  Ryan once more answered in the affirmative.

  “So why not abort,” he asked trying to figure out what was going on with his brother and their worker.

  “She wants it, Tweety don’t want kids,” Ryan told him. “I do,” he finished simply as Ian finally understood.

  “You got a place for her,” Ian asked making himself a glass of tea and sipping it.

  “Yeah, house in the country,” Ryan returned going on to give his brother details.

  “You gonna tell Tweety,” Ian asked as his steak arrived and the server set up his lunch for him.

  Ryan sighed deeply and told him he wasn’t sure just yet.

  “I understand,” his brother returned as he began enjoying his meal.

  “You feel something for her or this just about the seed,” Ian asked of Ryan’s emotions toward Caramel.

  “I care about her,” he answered as Ian exhaled silently, hearing what wasn’t being said.

  “Well, that’s straight, handle your business man, I understand,” Ian told him as Ryan thanked him.

  Talking a bit more about bringing down their enemies the two disconnected and went about their daily tasks.

  17

  Ryan returned to the small room where they were holding Tyreece, finding the man still scared and sweating bullets.

  “You need to start talkin’,” Ryan told him flatly laying the .9mm on the table in front of him.

  “W-w-what about?”

  Ryan sighed lightly reaching into his pocket and retrieving a cigar. Biting the tip off he put the body in his mouth and lit it. Inhaling deeply he continued to regard his captive with a sense of amusement and irritation. Amused that Tyreece would allow himself to believe that he could possibly beat him and Ice at the game; irritated that they now had all this drama too endure. He thought about Tweety and the things Ice enlightened him about. These fools are definitely bold, I’ll give their ass that, Ryan thought finally speaking again.

  “You need to start at the beginning and tell me everything about these fools you’ve aligned yourself with,” Ryan told him as Tyreece gave him a blank look.

  “Don’t try to play me,” he added as Tyreece began to shift uncomfortably in the chair he was bound too.

  “Who set up the robberies,” Ryan barked as Tyreece jumped.

  As scared as he was of the man in front of him, Tyreece was still hoping that Deuce and his crew could pull of
f their plan and kill both Ryan and Ice. He also knew the only way he would get what was promised was to keep his mouth closed. He’d already told way too much when they first brought him here and worked him over. Tyreece wasn’t ashamed to admit he was scared senseless when they took him into the embalming room and put him on the table. He actually thought they were going to kill him when Tate grabbed one of the long suction syringes and attached it to the embalming machine, turning the contraption on. The machine made a horrendous grinding sound as it labored to start. Finally catching a rhythm the machine began to hum gently giving its victim a false sense of calm. Tyreece shuddered slightly recalling the memory as Ryan got right up in his face and he saw Tate enter the room from his peripheral vision.

  “Don’t be stupid Tyreece,” Ryan told him. “You’re gonna die either fuckin’ way, make the shit easier on yourself,” he told him as Tyreece again refused to capitulate.

  “Hmph,” Ryan told him moving from his face and sitting down.

  “You get the package,” he asked Tate.

  “Yeah, its in the room,” he told him as Ryan smiled again and Tyreece got a sick feeling.

  “Get him,” Ryan told Tate as he rose and left the room.

  The big burly ex-bodyguard came and snatched Tyreece from the chair and marched him out of the room, headed once again toward the embalming chamber. What kinda twisted shit they got planned this time, he thought as they walked. Tyreece once again took in the abandoned dilapidated building, thinking how nice it had been once upon a time. He’d been here on a few occasions visiting families whose loved ones had passed away. A couple had been his own distant relatives.

  “Hold up,” Tate barked, breaking Tyreece’s thought and bringing him back to the present.

  He wondered what they were waiting for as they stood silently in the hallway outside of the room. Finally Tyreece heard Ryan call out as Tate pushed him forward into the darkened room.

  “Have a seat,” Ryan told him amiably.

  Tyreece had to strain to see him in the virtual darkness of the room. There was someone else with him, but he couldn’t make them out.

  “Seems you need a little incentive to tell me what the fuck I wanna know,” Ryan told him as the single light flooded the room and Tyreece caught his breath.