by KR Bankston
“10th,” Freight murmured aloud.
Heading back to the bank of mailboxes he began looking at all the names. He’d gotten her last name from Spider the last time they talked.
“1030,” he smiled and turned around.
They wordlessly boarded the elevator and headed up to the same floor Kim ascended too moments earlier. The doors dinged softly as they exited and walked down the hallway to Kim’s unit.
“How are we gonna get in,” Myles threw out. “I’m pretty sure she won’t open the door and say come on in,” he added as Freight chuckled slightly.
“Gonna hafta bum it,” he replied shrugging.
Myles pulled his .9mm out in response, knowing Kim carried a gun as well and not wanting to get shot.
Arriving they were pleased to see the unit was at the end of the hallway without a corresponding unit directly across from it. Taking a deep breath Freight lifted his leg and kicked the door hard. The lock buckled and the door opened almost instantly. Rushing inside gun drawn, Myles looked around for any sign of Kim. Freight stepped in right behind him, hearing water running.
“Shower,” he whispered as Myles nodded and closed the door, propping a chair behind it to keep it closed.
Freight quietly made his way toward the sound of the shower, carefully peaking inside and seeing no sign of Kim in the bedroom. Myles was rummaging around in her refrigerator from the sounds he heard. Freight quietly headed into the bathroom, standing right outside the door as the shower ran and steamed the room. The heavy hunter green shower curtain impeded his vision. He couldn’t tell if she were under the spray or not. Taking another deep breath Freight stepped to the curtain, gingerly reaching out and touching it. Just as he grabbed hold and snatched it back he heard the crash.
Seeing the tub empty, Freight ran back toward the front door where he’d heard the sound. Myles was laying on her kitchen floor his head bleeding, but still breathing. The front door was wide open alerting Freight that Kim had somehow managed to escape.
“Fuck,” he swore aloud darting into the hallway hearing the elevator doors closing.
Defeated, he returned to the kitchen and an unconscious Myles, knowing he wouldn’t catch up with her now. Freight managed to rouse his friend enough that he could walk, with assistance, out of the condo.
“What happened,” Freight asked after they finally made it to the car.
“She came outta no damned where,” Myles told him, his head pounding.
“I heard a noise, turned to see what it was, and wham,” he told Freight of Kim hitting him in the head with the baseball bat she held.
“Shit you’re lucky she didn’t shoot you,” Freight threw back.
Myles squinted and closed his eyes trying to stop the throbbing. I’m gonna have show this girl the dark side, Freight thought ominously of Kim and what he was going to do to her when he found her again. He pushed the thoughts away long enough to become functional when they arrived at Grady and he helped Myles inside to the emergency room.
*****
Kim was furious as she drove. This crazy muthafucka broke into my shit, she thought as she drove. She headed to the hotel they used on a regular basis. She would stay the night there and have her locked repaired in the morning. Of course now that Freight knew where she lived Kim was a bit uneasy. I need to kill him as soon as possible, she continued to calculate pulling into the parking lot and heading to the lobby. Paying for her room and getting her key, Kim headed up the suite, throwing herself on the bed and taking several deep breaths. To her dismay she was trembling. I am not gonna walk around scared of this asshole, she chided herself. She couldn’t help it. She was having nightmares about Freight raping her over and over again. Then there was the loss of her baby, Kim continued to think. Mook tried to be hard when she told him about the baby, but she could hear the disappointment in his voice. Didn’t hafta be like that, she thought as the tear fell and she angrily wiped it away. The knock at the door scared her and she jumped, .10mm in hand.
“Who is it,” Kim demanded.
“Room service ma’am,” the man replied amiably.
Letting go of the breath she held, Kim opened the door. She’d almost forgotten she made an order at check in for something to eat. Thanking the young man and giving him a $20 tip, she closed the door and went to the bathroom to wash her hands. Her cell rang as she came back into the room.
“Are you serious,” Kim mumbled aloud seeing Freight’s number on her ID.
She’d taken it because Top instructed her too. Sending the call to voicemail she sat down to enjoy her dinner. Hearing the phone vibrate repeatedly while she ate, Kim ignored it. After satisfying her hunger she headed to the shower. Thankfully she kept a packed overnight bag in her car all the time. She’d read an article somewhere that said you should always have on for emergencies. Right now she was glad she did. Relaxing on the bed she picked up the cell intending to call Mook when she saw the three messages. Clicking on the first one she read it frowning deeply. ‘Baby, I’m sorry, don’t be mad,’ it went on. ‘I know things got out of hand the other day, but you gotta know I’m really feelin’ you Kim.’ It ended there as the second one picked up. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt you, and I never meant to cause you to lose your baby,’ that line brought the tears and hurt again as well as questions. How did he know she’d lost the baby or was even pregnant for that matter? Taking a deep breath and pushing the thoughts aside for now, she continued to read, moving on to the third message. ‘I don’t want to fight with you Kim,’ Freight typed. ‘But I do plan to have you, and I am going to kill Mook.’ Swallowing hard Kim closed the messages, not erasing them just yet, and dialed her man. Mook answered on the third ring and they began to talk. Ten minutes of talking to him and the earlier drama with Freight was already becoming a fleeting memory.
*****
Mook smiled after disconnecting, still oblivious to all the drama going on at home. He wanted them to hurry and find Tate and Ryan, kill them and head back to Atlanta. He knew that after they took care of these two, Ice was next up on deck. Once that fool is done, I can take my baby and go back to Florida, he thought smiling slightly as he made himself another drink.
“You want pizza,” LaRon called out from the den where he and Jaron were watching basketball.
“Yeah, supreme,” he yelled backed heading to the bathroom.
Talking to Kim also had him at full attention and needing some release. Mook looked at his reflection as he entered the facility, his own eyes looking back him. I wish she hadn’t lost the baby, he admitted as the hurt came. He was disappointed but he could hear the pain in Kim’s voice as well when she told him about it.
What the hell caused her to miscarry, he thought frowning deeply. Mook couldn’t shake the feeling in his gut that there was something Kim wasn’t saying and it was bugging the hell out of him.
“Pizza’s here, Mook,” LaRon yelled once again.
Mook used the restroom, washed his hands and returned to the den, digging into the steaming hot pie resting on the table in front of him. Jaron’s cell rang and he smiled as he answered giving LaRon and Mook a look.
“Yeah,” he threw out and became silent, listening.
“Good,” he said simply. “Nah, stay put, we on the way,” Jaron directed hanging up. “Found the house and the fool is at home,” he told them concerning Tate as both LaRon and Mook smiled, grabbing their slice, their guns and the keys, heading out the front door.
28
LaRon, Mook and Jaron all arrived at Tarver Hills twenty minutes after getting the phone call.
“He still in place,” Jaron asked Mace, his homie.
“Yeah, he ain’t moved,” he replied as the other two men confirmed their understanding.
“You check out the house,” Jaron addressed Mace again.
The man told them he did a cursory walk around the basic area not wanting to draw attention to himself.
“House got a backdoor,” he said simply as LaRon nodded thoughtfully.
/> “What you wanna do,” Mook asked, more than ready to get the show on the road.
“Let’s take it to him,” LaRon said casually as Mook smiled and agreed.
The four men headed toward the single level ranch home, fanning out as they arrived. Mook and Jaron would enter through the back door, LaRon and Mace through the front.
“Everybody locked,” LaRon asked as Jaron produced a .380 and Mace pulled out a .45cal.
“Roll out then,” he returned as the men all moved in for the entry.
LaRon took a deep breath before he kicked in the door. They needed to get in, kill Tate and get out before any nosy or helpful neighbors decided to call the police.
“Hold up,” Mace told him before LaRon could kick the door.
Taking a chance he reached out and gently turned the knob. To LaRon’s astonishment, it opened.
“Most folks don’t lock their doors around here,” Mace whispered as LaRon nodded his understanding as they both quietly and carefully entered the house.
Mace immediately made his way to the kitchen, LaRon watching his back, and unlocked the back door allowing Mook and Jaron entry. The four men stood in the den of Tate’s home taking in the décor.
“Gaudy shit,” LaRon remarked of the regal red high boy chairs trimmed in gold with huge marble backing.
All the lamps had chandelier type ornamentation hanging from the red velvet lampshades. The carpet was a brash shade of gold with red spirals patterning it throughout. There were several erotic statues positioned on the tables beside the lamps. The corner curio held gold dishware with red wine glasses and gold plated flatware. Mook, Jaron and Mace all agreed with LaRon’s assertion as they began making their way to the rear of the house where they assumed Tate was.
As they got closer they heard snoring. Mook gave LaRon a look as they stood directly outside the door.
“Make sure we’re not disturbed,” LaRon told Mace who nodded his understand and went back into the den, gun in hand, keeping an eye on both doors and looking out of the picture window the room contained.
“Here we go,” LaRon whispered as he kicked the door open and Tate sat up in shock and surprise.
“What’s up bitch,” Mook growled, the .9mm pointed right at him.
Enid was terrified as she looked at the three men standing in the bedroom. Oh god, please, not this again, she thought of the intrusion, having a good idea how the encounter was going to end.
“Who the fuck are you,” LaRon growled giving the woman a look.
“Enid,” she said softly.
“You his girl,” Jaron asked recognizing the woman.
“Umm, yeah,” she answered hesitantly.
Mook picked up on it. “What’s that mean,” he threw out. “You married or something,” he badgered waiting for an answer.
“Not any more,” Enid answered softly, the sadness evident in his answer.
“You was with Tyreece,” Jaron threw out finally recalling where he knew her from.
Enid simply nodded as everything clicked for LaRon.
“So he made you come share his bed, huh,” he asked Enid who again nodded in lieu of speaking.
“Ain’t that bout a bitch,” Mook replied, disgusted with the arrangement. “You kill the woman’s husband then make her come fuck you,” he spat angrily at Tate who wisely had remained mute and still during the exchange.
“Where’s your money,” LaRon threw out.
Tate sighed lightly thinking he was the victim of a home invasion.
“Closet, shoe box.”
“Get up and get it,” LaRon directed Enid.
She rose timidly, embarrassed to have all the men see her naked.
“Put on something,” Mook told her as they all turned away, directing their eyes on Tate.
Enid quickly pulled on a wife beater and shorts she found as she walked into the closet. Looking where Tate directed she pulled the box out and brought it to the men as they requested.
“Dump it on the bed,” LaRon continued to direct.
Again, Enid obediently did as she was told.
“How much,” he asked Tate, his tone all business.
“150K.”
“Hmph,” Mook replied.
“How good are you at keeping secrets,” LaRon asked Enid looking directly into her eyes.
“Very good,” she told him honestly.
“Put the money back in the box,” he directed.
Once she completed the task, he addressed her once more.
“Get the hell out of here and don’t look back,” LaRon told her, his gaze never leaving her own.
“You never saw us, and you have no clue who the fuck Tate is,” he added as Enid swallowed hard and nodded, already walking toward the door.
“Enid,” Mook called out as she stopped, looking at him. “If your lips get loose and spill this secret, there is no place far enough, deep enough, or dark enough, that we won’t find you,” he told her the meaning evident.
“Who are you, do I know you,” Enid replied simply as LaRon and Jaron smiled slightly. Mook nodded and allowed her to leave as they returned their attention to the man they’d come to kill.
*****
Ian was looking at the photos Manuel and Jose supplied from their earlier excursion to the house they were planning to hit.
“These are good,” he replied sipping the cognac. Dixon and Reggie were also in the room, Andre walked in moments later greeting them all.
“We got the pictures, we got the blue prints, it’s time to make a move on this bitch,” Ian growled as they all murmured their agreement.
“Bring that fool Role,” Ian ordered. “I got one more job for his trifling’ ass, then you can put him to sleep Andre’,” he told the man as he smiled and thanked Ian for the pleasure.
As they waited for Reggie to retrieve and bring Role to his office Ian went over the plan one more time.
“They think they’re safe and we have no clue, so that works in our favor,” he told them as Manuel spoke.
“Loud or soft entry,’ he asked calmly as Ian thought to himself for a few moments.
“Soft,” he replied. “Even though the neighbors aren’t extremely close, they’re still there,” he went on, adding that they didn’t want anything impeding them getting satisfaction. “I want to kill these fools in the bloodiest, deadliest, way possible,” he told Manuel calmly.
“I understand,” he returned. “They crossed the line,” he added as Ian immediately agreed with him.
Attacking his business was expected; even an attempt of his life he could deal with, but touching Kaitlyn was the ultimate transgression in his book.
“What’s taking’ Reggie so long,” Ian threw out irritably.
He took a deep breath and calmed himself. He couldn’t allow his anxiety to overtake him. That would make him careless and anything could go wrong. Kaitlyn getting hurt in any fashion was absolutely unacceptable in his mind as Role stumbled into the room, Reggie right behind him. “I got one more job for you,” Ian barked as Role jumped slightly.
The light was hurting his eyes as he squinted trying to block some of it out. They’d been keeping him a dark cell like room for the last month, barely feeding him and using him as a punching bag when the mood took them.
“What is it, Ice,” he croaked, his throat raw from the damp cold of the cell.
He’d had a cold for the last two weeks without so much as an aspirin to offer relief. “You’re gonna call your boy and arrange a meeting,” he told him as Role’s heart began to race.
“It’s Friday, so tell him you wanna club,” Ian went on as Role continued to listen and his sense of dread deepened.
His cell phone was shoved in his hands as the men in the room waited expectantly. Role cleared his throat several times trying to sound as normal as possible, knowing his life depended on his being able to pull this off. Hitting the speed dial number assigned, he waited for the call to connect.
“Wassup ghost,” DeNoah answered amiably.
<
br /> Role let go the breath he’d been holding, glad his friend wasn’t going to make a scene about the absence of contact.
“You know how it be man,” Role threw back as DeNoah grunted. “I wanted to see if you wanna hit some clubs tonight, get our drink on,” Role tried praying he would say yes.
“Where you have in mind,” DeNoah asked saying nothing more.
“Pink Panty,” Role replied.
Ian didn’t own it, but he held major stock in it.
“You must stay horny fool,” DeNoah returned, laughing now. “Always wanna see some titties and shit,” he added sipping his drink.
Role forced the laugh and told him he just liked females.
“Yeah fool whatever,” DeNoah returned. “I’ll meet your needy ass there,” he went on still chuckling. “What time,” he asked as a final thought.
Role told him they could connect around 11 or 11:30PM.
“Yeah, that’s straight,” DeNoah again replied without malice.
“Bring some money this time too, broke ass,” Role joked as DeNoah burst into laughter and told him he had it covered.
Disconnecting, Role regarded Ian and waited on direction.
“Here’s how this shit is gonna go,” he began his tone ice cold.
Role paid rapt attention, not even blinking as the man standing in front of him spoke. He knew without doubt that tonight he’d better pull off the performance of his life and any opportunity that was afforded for escape he’d better not waste time wondering about before taking it.
*****
“You Tate, badass muthafucka, is that so,” LaRon addressed him as the men once again turned their attention to him.
“You ain’t got shit to say,” Mook asked irritably.
Tate again, remained quiet.
“Where is that bitch you run with, Ryan,” LaRon asked as the fury showed in his face.
Mook thought to himself he couldn’t wait to see what would happen when the two men finally met in person.
“Get your big ass up,” LaRon barked.
Tate rose and stood before the men, naked as well.
