Thin Ice 2 - Hide & Seek

by KR Bankston

  Swallowing hard, “I do trust you,” Kaitlyn replied simply as Tariq smiled and admonished her to close her eyes.

  He sat with her until she drifted off, stroking her face gently as he rose and went back to his task. It was almost time.

  *****

  DeNoah was still watching the two men who so far hadn’t noticed his presence. Who are these fools, he wondered his hand going inside his pocket looking for change to make a purchase from the vending machine. He felt the slick paper and pulled it out, finding the photo he’d removed from Halle’s apartment. Unfolding it DeNoah looked at it again, realization dawning. Looking up he took in the two men once again comparing the bigger one to the picture he still held. The same muthafucka, he thought growing angry. DeNoah still didn’t know his name, or why was he here at the hospital. Why were they following her out of Mardi Gras and talking about her? DeNoah had question after question, but so far very little in the way of answers. Seeing the picture made him think of the phone call earlier. I hope her sister calls me soon, DeNoah thought still watching the two men. He rose quietly, not drawing attention to himself and headed to the vending machine. His back to them DeNoah pretended to be engrossed in his purchase as he casually tried to listen to their conversation.

  Did you find out anything,” Freight was asking Myles worriedly.

  They followed Kim thinking she would lead them to Top. The hospital arrival took them both by surprise and Freight was worried she would report what he’d done to her to the police.

  “Something about a D&C,” Myles replied as Freight frowned deeply.

  She was pregnant from that fool, he thought angrily. He knew Kim was in pain, but deep inside Freight was glad he’d caused her to miscarry. He wanted her empty when she came to him and they became a couple.

  “You see Five-O anywhere,” he asked again as Myles shook his head no. “She ain’t talkin’,” he assured Freight as the man nodded thoughtfully again.

  “Cool, lets jet,” he replied going on to tell Myles they would check on Kim later.

  The two men walked right by DeNoah as he pressed a button and watched the chips fall to the bottom of the giant metallic monster that held them. Walking away without claiming his prize, DeNoah wandered around the ER until he stumbled upon Kim’s room.

  “What’s up Kim,” DeNoah spoke as he walked into the room and she spotted him.

  “What are you doing here, DeNoah,” Kim queried anxious about his presence.

  She was going to tell Mook about the miscarriage, but she could never tell him that Freight had raped her. Besides, she had her own plans to end that life. Just as soon as they released her, Kim was headed out to find that fool.

  “Came to check on you,” DeNoah replied giving her a look.

  “How did you even know I was here,” Kim questioned.

  He gave her a quick rundown of seeing her at Mardi Gras, leaving out the portion that included the two men who’d followed her all the way to the hospital.

  “Thanks for getting’ my phone DeNoah,” Kim told him earnestly.

  “It’s straight,” he returned, not enlightening her once again that Mook knew she was here as well.

  “They say what’s wrong,” he asked glancing at the various forms lying on the bedside table.

  “Girl stuff,” Kim replied simply as DeNoah grunted and left the questions alone.

  “I’m fine though,” she told him, hoping it would prompt him to leave.

  “Cool,” DeNoah told her turning to leave the room. “I’ll be in the waiting room when they release you,” he added letting her know he had no intention of leaving.

  Kim smiled slightly and thanked him as he left her alone and the smile immediately left. This throws a serious curve in my plans, Kim thought as the nurse entered with the sedative so they could remove what was left of her and Mook’s child from her womb.

  *****

  Enid looked around the room as she waited for Tate to exit the shower. He’d brought her here after they finished Tyreece. Thinking about it brought the tears again as she took yet another deep breath to stay them. Enid didn’t want to recall the screams of horror she’d heard emanating from the embalming table as she lay tied to it. It seemed like the carnage lasted for hours. She heard Tyreece begging for his life again and again as she tried to block her imagination. Then just as suddenly as it began, the silence returned and Enid heard nothing. Tate had walked in moments later; clothes splattered with Tyreece’s blood and untied her. Enid thought it odd that while his clothing and even his face carried some hint of the carnage they’d unleashed, his hands were clean. Guess they wore gloves, Enid thought sighing deeply again.

  A part of her felt guilty for being alive, but she was glad to be. Tyreece had gotten her involved once again in madness and this time he paid with his life. Enid had endured Tyreece’s illusion of crime grandeur for the five years she’d been with him. She knew he loved her though and that made the hurt come once again. Still Enid couldn’t deny what she felt for Tate. After he’d hurt her that first time, he’d taken her in another room to be with her again, away from Tyreece’s prying eyes and he’d talked to her. Tate told her he didn’t want to hurt her but he was going to be with her again. He told Enid he would make it good for her if she at least tried. Closing her eyes, she sighed lightly recalling her agreement to his proposition. When he kissed her, she’d kissed him back and they’d made love for most of the night. Tate kept his promise and never hurt her again after that first time. I’m sorry Tyreece, Enid thought to herself of her husband’s demise. Enid was a survivor though. She’d survived marrying a man almost 20 years older than her in Tyreece. Survived his abusive nature when he drank, beating her almost nightly for the first two years; survived being kidnapped and raped by Ryan and Tate. Now Enid was determined to survive as Tate’s plaything. She never wanted to end up in the brothel Ryan warned her about and she would do anything to ensure that she thought as Tate walked into the room wrapped in a towel, giving her a familiar look.

  *****

  “This is cute,” Ryan chuckled picking up the wall decoration kit and examining it.

  Caramel smiled sheepishly as he laughed aloud.

  “It’s cool baby,” he told her sweetly coming and taking her in his arms.

  “I know its kinda early,” Caramel mumbled as Ryan kissed her.

  “You’re excited,” he told her tracing her face lightly.

  “So am I,” he added lovingly.

  She smiled fully then as they opened the package and began making plans of its placement in the nursery. Caramel couldn’t believe how happy she was right now. Her becoming pregnant had turned out far better than she could have ever imagined. Ryan had been phenomenal to her and she was quickly getting spoiled by the love and attention he lavished on her. Why wouldn’t Tweety want to give this wonderful man a child, she wondered fleetingly.

  “What did the doctor say,” Ryan asked interrupting her thought.

  “Everything is fine,” Caramel told him. “The baby should be here by November.”

  Ryan smiled and murmured something about a thanksgiving baby.

  “I sure hope not,” Caramel replied. “I wanna be able to eat,” she giggled as Ryan smiled back at her.

  “Ryan,” she began tentatively.

  “Yeah baby,” he replied not looking up from the decoration.

  “If the baby is a boy, do you want him to have your name,” she asked quietly as he finally regarded her.

  “I’d like that,” he replied honestly and she could see the light in his eye as he spoke.

  If she ever doubted before, Caramel didn’t now. This baby was worth more to him than any amount of money or power could ever be.

  “OK, well what’s your middle name,” Caramel asked, realizing she’d never known.

  “Alexander,” he replied calmly as she smiled again.

  “That’s nice, I like it,” she replied kissing his cheek softly.

  Ryan smiled back at her rising and walking over to a
wall with the decoration in his hand. Caramel continued to watch as he began mapping out placement of the decorations on the wall before him. I’m going to make him the happiest man in the world, she thought as her love grew more for him.

  Her eyes began to roam his body as her libido kicked in. Ryan turned without warning catching her hand as it caressed her own breast, the look of animal lust in her eye.

  “Oh, it’s like that huh,” Ryan said walking over to her, leaning down and kissing her deeply as his hand replaced her own.

  “Mmm,” Caramel moaned as he ventured lower finding her saturated.

  “You want something,” he mumbled in her ear biting her neck gently.

  “Yes,” she moaned almost at her peak.

  Her hands worked furiously undoing his pants and freeing his erection as he lifted her dress and removed her panties. Without undressing any further they joined. Caramel moaned loudly loving the feel of him as Ryan made love to her. She came quickly with him right behind her.

  “I could get used to this,” he murmured still holding her tightly as they came down from the explosive collision.

  Lying together now, Ryan held her as she stroked his chest gently. He grabbed her hand stopping the movement as Caramel frowned slightly and looked up at him. Still remaining mute he took her hand and placed it on his heart as she felt the rhythmic beating beneath her palm and their eye connection never broke.

  “This belongs to you now,” Ryan told her softly as she smiled and kissed his chest.

  Caramel had just heard the most beautiful words in the world from the man she loved and there was nothing else he needed to say. He and Tweety were a thing of the past and she was his future.

  *****

  Jaleesa’s mind was on overload. She’d awakened almost three hours after LaRon left finding herself free to roam her room, but not leave it. What the hell am I going to do about all this shit, she thought of the situation. She wanted to see Kaitlyn to talk to her and know she was all right. Jaleesa thought about asking Deuce again if she could at least talk to her friend. He hadn’t said no last time, but he hadn’t mentioned it again either. At least she’s still alive, Jaleesa thought with a sense of relief. Please don’t let anyone have hurt her, she continued to pray of her best friend. Thinking about Kaitlyn inevitably took her thoughts to Ice, and by proxy Ryan. That sonofabitch, Jaleesa thought angrily of her boyfriend. She wondered if he were even concerned if she were living or dead. Didn’t take that ass long to move on though did it, she continued to fume.

  “Wasn’t even gone a damned mouth and he fuckin’ Caramel,” Jaleesa mumbled angrily aloud. Not like Deuce waited for you huh, her mind chimed in. Sighing deeply she tried to shut her mind down.

  ”What am I supposed to do, supposed to feel,” Jaleesa spoke aloud again. Deuce had been so different since she’d been here. She knew she’d pissed him off on more than one occasion but he hadn’t raised a hand to her. He’d barely raised his voice. You still care for him, her pesky mind began again. Sighing deeply she let the tear roll down her cheek. Jaleesa’s thoughts and feelings toward Deuce were a never ending labyrinth of mazes. Some connected while others simply led to dead ends. She knew one thing though. She needed to figure some things out while he was gone and have some answers when he came back. There was no doubt in Jaleesa’s mind that Deuce would keep her in this same room until the day she went into labor and gave birth to his child. You want this baby though, so why are you fighting so hard against it, her mind railed as Jaleesa burst into tears.

  “I can’t take the chance, I can’t,” she lamented as the tears continued to come.

  Give him a real chance, her mind piped up again as Jaleesa continued to hold herself tightly and pour out her hurt and pain.

  “I don’t know,” she whispered aloud as new revelation came to her.

  Deuce didn’t trust her either. That’s why he’d locked her in the room. He’s just as scared as you are, but at least he’s willing to try, her mind was speaking again. Jaleesa had never taken the time to try and see it from Deuce’s point of view. It had to be hard for him knowing how badly he’d treated her to stand in front of her and apologize, take responsibility and then open himself up to her scorn, ridicule and rejection. He persisted though, Jaleesa continued to think. Why do you think that is, her mind questioned.

  “He loves me,” she answered softly. “More than that asshole, Ryan,” she added angrily.

  Her cell rang and she rose to answer it knowing it was Deuce. He’d bought her a new cell and he was the only one with the number.

  “Hello,” she answered voice raspy, strained from crying.

  “Hey Tweety,” LaRon returned amiably.

  “Hey Deuce,” she returned saying nothing more for the moment.

  “I’m sorry,” he threw out when the silence continued. “I know you’re angry,” LaRon told her, misconstruing her mood.

  Sighing deeply Jaleesa spoke.

  “It’s okay, I actually understand,” she replied, stunning him on the other end. “When are you coming home,” she asked as he gave her a reply. “Where are you,” she tried again.

  As before he only gave her a vague answer and she didn’t push.

  “OK, well be careful,” she threw out, preparing to disconnect.

  “I will baby,” LaRon replied. “I love you,” he told her softly.

  “Yes, I believe you really do,” Jaleesa returned softly as she disconnected.

  “And I’m going to learn how to love you again too,” she spoke aloud to no one, standing alone in the room finally deciding her own fate and destiny.

  26

  LaRon looked at his cell and frowned deeply before answering.

  “Yeah,” he answered as Xae returning his greeting. “Where the fuck you at,” LaRon spat irritably.

  He’d been trying to find the young man since they arrived 2 days ago.

  “I’m in Atlanta,” Xae returned calmly.

  “What the fuck you doing there,” LaRon asked perplexed.

  Xae gave him a quick rundown of the events that’d transpired since Ryan and Tate killed his two accomplices.

  “Man, are you serious,” LaRon questioned when Xae told him about Ryan killing his two younger brothers and Tate raping his 17 year old sister.

  “Them muthafucka’s crazy,” Xae told him angrily. “I needed to get my head together for a minute,” he continued. “My girl wouldn’t let me stay there, partners were afraid to deal with me, so I came here,” he explained as LaRon grimaced slightly, his mind already working ahead.

  “It’s cool,” he began. “I actually have a job for you,” he told Xae as they young man inquired what it was.

  Giving him DeNoah’s cell number he told him to make contact and he’d be given instructions from there.

  “Yeah man that’s straight,” Xae returned, grateful for the opportunity and that LaRon didn’t order him back to Mississippi.

  “You know where either of them fuckers living’,” LaRon asked.

  Xae told him he had an idea about Tate, but as far as he knew Ryan was still living in Louisiana.

  “He just comes over to do his dirt with his boy Tate,” Xae added bitterly as LaRon again grunted his understanding.

  “Yeah, well that’s straight,” he told Xae. “Give me the info on the other one and I’ll take it from there,” he added as the young man again was forthcoming with all the knowledge he possessed.

  Disconnecting LaRon called Jaron into the room where he and Mook were relaxing and smoking.

  “Yeah Deuce, what’s up,” Jaron threw out entering the room. “Send somebody out to Tarver Hill and find out where Tate lives,” he barked as the young man nodded his understanding and hurried out to complete the task.

  “What’s up,” Mook asked after Jaron was gone and they were alone again.

  Sighing deeply he replayed the conversation with Xae and the task he was assigning him now.

  “Good lookin’ out,” Mook replied liking the idea very much.
r />   “You need to hip DeNoah,” he added. “You know that boy a little slow.”

  LaRon chuckled at Mook’s statement agreeing with his sentiment.

  “You talk to Kim,” LaRon asked changing the subject.

  Mook grunted slightly and told him they’d talked briefly.

  “She tell you why she was at the hospital,” he asked curiously.

  Mook took another hit of the blunt and enjoyed his smoke a few moments before exhaling and answering LaRon’s question.

  “Miscarriage,” he said simply as LaRon frowned again.

  “Damn man,” he replied sympathetically. “I didn’t know you and Kim had a seed,” he added still shaking his head sadly.

  “Had just found out before we left,” Mook enlightened him.

  What he wasn’t saying was that he had questions for Kim when he got home. Something wasn’t adding up to Mook and he wanted to be standing right in front of her when she told him the how of the miscarriage.

  “Definitely sorry about that man,” LaRon told him as Mook acknowledged the sentiment with thanks and again changed the subject, trying hard to keep the growing anger he felt locked in its vault.

  *****

  “May I speak to DeNoah,” Angie inquired softly when the phone call connected.

  She was calling him as Freight had ordered when he contacted her yesterday. Angie Henderson was in debt and the person holding that debt was unfortunately Freight. “Yeah, this is him,” DeNoah replied waiting for the woman to identify herself.

  “Hi, DeNoah,” she began again. “My name is Angie, Halle’s sister,” she lied smoothly.

  DeNoah sighed lightly before returning her greeting.

  “You called Fr,” she almost slipped before catching herself and using his real name.

  “You called Colton and said Halle was hurt,” she inquired as DeNoah told her yes, going on to elaborate about Halle’s accident, gently breaking the news of her death at the end of the explanation.

  “Oh my god, are you serious,” Angie asked as the shock registered.

  Freight didn’t tell her Halle was dead. He just told her to call this guy and get all the information she could out of him about some other fool called Top.