by KR Bankston
“Why haven’t they asked for shit though, you know what I mean,” he asked as they both began to fear the worst.
“Who knows what the fuck these jokers are thinking man,” Ian tried, not wanting to believe just yet that Jaleesa was dead, his mind immediately going to Kaitlyn and her own mortality.
“You’re right about that shit,” Ryan returned as Dixon walked in.
Greeting both men, Dixon sat down as Reggie and Andre’ joined them moments later and they began to plan once again.
32
LaRon was completely enjoying the time he and Jaleesa were spending as she lay in his arms watching the Discovery Health show on labor and delivery.
“Damn,” LaRon murmured as they showed the scene of an actual birth.
“You are not squeamish are you,” Jaleesa asked giving him a surprised look. “Are you serious,” she teased as LaRon averted his eyes.
“It’s just so, graphic, shit,” he murmured as she burst into laughter.
“Deuce, you kill dudes, and a woman having a baby grosses you out,” Jaleesa continued to chuckle as LaRon pouted.
“Aww, baby its okay,” she told him still laughing.
“You can stop all that damned laughing too,” LaRon threw back smiling now. “I missed you, you know that,” he told her as they gathered themselves.
“I missed you too,” Jaleesa replied, looking into his eyes.
LaRon was still on cloud nine with the 180-degree turnaround she’d done. The old Jaleesa was back and she once again looked at him with love in her eyes.
“Is he dead,” she finally asked.
LaRon hadn’t said a word when he got back earlier in the morning, undressing and collapsing into bed.
He looked at her hard for a few minutes, sighing deeply before speaking.
“Not yet,” he said simply.
Jaleesa frowned slightly asking what happened.
“You’re not upset having this discussion,” LaRon threw out.
Now it was her turn to sigh.
“Deuce, look, like I told you, I can’t get in your business like that,” she told him. “I mean, me and Ryan were close, well hell I guess I thought we were close,” she went on. “But he ain’t who I thought he was and obviously I wasn’t who he really wanted to be with,” Jaleesa told him matter-of-fact.
“The question was more curiosity than regret or remorse,” she clarified for him.
LaRon reached up and stroked her face, kissing her in the process.
“I’m sorry Tweety,” he told her sincerely. “I guess I’m just still a little nervous you might change your mind about us.”
She smiled slightly and told him she completely understood.
“He wasn’t in place when we got there,” LaRon began again. “We got word he was headed back here, so we came home to finish it.” Jaleesa nodded her own understanding this time.
“So are we moving when this is done,” Jaleesa began anew, changing the subject.
LaRon chuckled aloud. “Where do you wanna move,” he asked, hugging her a little tighter.
“Covington is nice,” she replied.
“Damn, it’s far too,” LaRon remarked.
“Mmhm, but a great place to raise the baby,” Jaleesa threw out.
Shrugging slightly he agreed with her. He could also keep her far away from the illicit activity he and Tariq would still be engaging in after the takeover, LaRon thought. He wanted to make sure that Jaleesa and his child were safe. That nobody knew how or where to find them and that no harm ever came to them.
“I guess we can see what they got out that way,” he acquiesced.
“See how easy that was,” she teased once more, poking him in the ribs.
LaRon reciprocated, beginning to tickle her now as she laughed aloud.
“Stop,” Jaleesa squealed, still laughing.
LaRon kissed her, softly at first, but more insistent as their passion began to once again grow.
“Thank you baby,” LaRon told her, kissing her ear as he spoke.
“For what,” Jaleesa murmured, on fire from his touch.
“For us,” he said simply kissing her deeply, pushing himself inside her as they began to make love and consummate their new beginning.
*****
Kaitlyn was thinking about her situation, about Ice and about the new Tariq. She thought back to their fight the other day and how he’d quickly checked her when she got angry. That was something she would have never expected out of him back in the day. This is some movie Mafioso shit, she thought sighing lightly. Tariq was a man on a mission and nothing she said seemed to slow him down on his quest to kill Ice.
“Then what happens to our lives,” she said quietly aloud still looking out of the window.
“We live them,” Tariq replied simply, causing her to jump.
“Damn, make some noise or something,” Kaitlyn replied embarrassed she’d been caught talking to herself.
“KiKi, baby, you gotta relax and stop worrying over what’s got to happen,” Tariq tried, coming to her, taking her into his arms.
“This is hard Tariq,” Kaitlyn replied honestly. “I know that, and I don’t take it for granted baby,” he replied just as quickly. “You hafta think about our new life, KiKi, our baby, us,” he reminded her as she sighed lightly.
“I just feel like,” she began, then stopped.
“You feel what,” Tariq prodded, looking into her eyes and holding her gaze.
“I feel like all of this is my fault, that somehow I’m responsible for all the carnage that’s about to take place,” she told him sadly, tears filling her eyes as she bowed her head.
Tariq gently lifted her chin again looking into her eyes. “KiKi, this is not your fault, Ice started this war, I’m simply finishing it,” he tried to explain going on to finally tell her about Ian’s visit to his home, the threats made, him ordering the hit on Hasaan.
“He wanted to destroy me KiKi,” Tariq told her, the pain evident in both his tone and look. “Killing Hasaan and taking you away from me almost did.”
Kaitlyn reached up and stroked his face gently wanting to ease the hurt she saw.
“I love you, Tariq, you hafta know that,” she told him as he smiled slightly.
“I know,” he replied. “If I didn’t before, I damned sure do now,” he teased rubbing her stomach gently. “I can’t imagine you letting nobody put a seed in you that you didn’t want growing there,” he told her kissing her deeply after the sentence.
Kaitlyn smiled slightly as they parted. “You tricked me,” she teased as Tariq laughed aloud.
“Man’s gotta do, what a man’s gotta do,” he replied as she sucked her teeth and laughed as well.
“KiKi,” Tariq began anew, becoming serious. “I’m going to move you,” he threw out as she frowned deeply. “I’m pretty sure Ice knows where this house is, and I’m not taking any chances with you or with our baby’s life,” he told her resolutely.
“How do you know he knows about the house,” Kaitlyn questioned.
Tariq shrugged slightly, telling her about Role and all that’d transpired with him.
“So you think Ice made him talk,” she asked as Tariq gave her a look.
“Yeah, I guess you do have a point,” she told him answering her own question.
“Where am I moving too this time?”
Tariq told her about the apartment he’d procured in Buckhead.
“I somehow don’t think Ice will know to look for you there,” he added as Kaitlyn again nodded silently.
“When?”
Tariq told her he would take her in a couple days.
“Are you going to stay with me,” she asked beginning to get a bad feeling.
“No baby, it’s safer if I don’t,” Tariq replied seeing the anxiety on her face. “After everything is said and done, I’ll come then.”
“No,” Kaitlyn replied stubbornly. “If you’re not coming, then I’m not going, simple as that.”
Tariq sighed deeply.
“KiKi, please, don’t fight me on this, its too damned important,” he told her. “You’re too damned important.”
Kaitlyn continued to hold his gaze never looking away, neither did he.
“Don’t you leave me hanging,” she admonished, her voice wavering.
He hugged her tightly, kissing her cheek gently.
“I promise I won’t baby, I promise I won’t.”
*****
Kim jumped slightly at the knock. Fuck, she thought already knowing Freight was on the other side of the door.
“You expecting’ company,” Mook asked, giving her a look.
Swallowing hard, Kim quickly told him the who and why of the visitor at the door. He smiled at the end of her explanation, scaring the hell out of her.
“Let him in,” Mook told her, going back to the couch and picking up the .10mm and his drink.
Her heart was racing, but she did what he asked. Rising from the recliner, Kim made her way to the door and asked who it was.
“It’s Freight, baby,” he replied amiably.
She rolled her eyes at his calling her baby. Mook smiled again and Kim’s stomach clenched. Opening the door she looked into his face, giving him the once over and an evil look.
“I deserve that,” Freight told her contritely. “Aren’t you going to let me in,” he asked as they continued to stand at the door.
“Yeah,” she said simply, moving aside and allowing him entrance.
Freight walked in, his back to the now closed door, where Mook was leaning casually against the wall.
Taking a seat on her couch, Freight finally looked up regarding Kim and seeing Mook.
“Wassup,” Mook asked simply the gun trained directly on Freight as he finished his drink and set the glass on the table.
Fuck, she set me up, he thought of Kim glancing her way. Her face held an unreadable expression and she wouldn’t look at him. Another knock came to the door and Kim jumped once more. Mook didn’t flinch. Freight was curious about the visitor as Kim again went to her front door, this time looking through the peephole. She frowned slightly as she opened the door.
“Yes,” she asked seeing the strange man standing on her doorstep.
“Where Freight at,” Myles asked agitated.
He didn’t like Kim one bit, and he had a bad feeling about his friend coming here to meet with her.
“Who the fuck are you,” Kim replied angrily, finally recalling him from Mardi Gras.
“Bitch move and show me Freight, before I cap your ass,” Myles barked.
The click took him by surprise as he felt the cold steel at the base of his neck.
“You don’t disrespect her like that,” DeNoah said calmly as Kim opened the door fully and he pushed Myles inside.
“Wassup Mook,” DeNoah greeted his friend as he returned the greeting.
Mook texted DeNoah when he first arrived having him watch the condo. He had the feeling that Freight would show up sooner or later.
“Any more of you fuckin’ crabs in the bucket,” Mook asked looking directly at Freight, murder in his eyes.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Freight replied arrogantly.
“Are you now,” Mook replied giving him another look.
“Yeah, shit, might as well put the cards on the table right now,” he went on, actually leaning back on the couch and making himself comfortable.
“What cards would that be,” Mook asked, his trigger finger itching for a score.
“Kim and I were together,” Freight told him point blank. “She’s done with you and wants to come with me,” Freight told Mook who smiled slightly.
“Is that so,” he asked Freight.
“Yeah, so let the shit go and move on, she don’t want you,” Freight threw out not missing a beat.
Kim was looking at him like he had three heads. This muthafucka is certifiable, she thought of the man sitting on her couch.
“That ain’t the story I got,” Mook told Freight icily. “What I heard was you did that foul shit of taking what wasn’t offered,” he went on his anger growing. “Hurt my girl so bad she lost my seed,” Mook finished, managing to calm himself for the moment.
“Get yo’ bitch ass up,” Mook ordered as Freight slowly made his way to his feet.
“Get your shit baby,” he told Kim as she immediately complied, grabbing her .9mm and her purse.
“After you muthafucka,” Mook told Freight, putting the gun in the middle of his back. “Make a stupid ass decision and it’s a wheelchair for your ass,” Mook growled. “That’s if you’re lucky,” he added as they all began heading toward the service elevator.
Kim was glad her floor was relatively empty, given the newness of the building and the fact that only two other units on the floor were occupied. She knew her floor mates both worked during the day and wouldn’t be home to cause any undue interference. The steel container arrived and they all boarded. Kim was both curious and excited at what Mook had planned for the two men. Arriving at the parking deck level, they disembarked and headed for Freight’s rental.
“Follow us,” Mook told Kim, handing her keys to his truck.
Nodding her understanding, she got inside and started the vehicle as DeNoah forced Myles into the trunk of the small compact, closing it and getting into the backseat, gun to Freight’s head as Mook started the car and they began the drive. I dunno where we’re going, but I sure as hell know who ain’t coming back, Kim thought as she trailed the car and the city lights of Atlanta grew dimmer and dimmer.
*****
Caramel was still exploring her new surroundings trying to figure out what would happen next. Though rough talking, the two men that’d brought her here had been nothing but hospitable. Oh god, I need to warn Ryan, but how, she thought sitting down on the bed once again. The room was very nice. Decorated in rich warm earth tones, it was cozy. The huge brass plated mirror that hung from the wall was especially eye catching. Her breakfast had been supplied earlier and fruit, water and cookies were still sitting on the desk where she’d placed the tray. Her appetite however was still not up to par. She was worried sick that the man she loved was somewhere dead or dying. Why now, Caramel thought as the tears came. For once in her life she was truly happy and loved. Though it hadn’t started off as a relationship, it’d blossomed and she knew Ryan genuinely loved her and their child. What about my baby, she thought again. If these men succeeded in killing Ryan, her child would have no father. How will you survive, Caramel thought once again.
She heard a slight noise and turned toward the sound as the door opened and LaRon walked in.
“You sleep okay,” he asked taking in the haggard look on her face.
“I was a little restless,” Caramel answered honestly.
“Hmph,” LaRon replied but said nothing more.
He reached into his pocket pulling her cell from it.
“Do you ever call him,” he asked, eyeing her evenly.
“Sometime,” she replied praying he would let her call now.
Caramel had a plan. She would tip him off by saying something she never did before. Ryan was smart; he would get it and know that something was wrong.
“Call him now,” LaRon told her, handing her the cell and taking his gun from his pocket.
“Tell him you’re fine, you were just calling to make sure he made it safely to Atlanta,” he instructed.
“Put the phone on speaker, don’t get cute,” he warned. “I will kill you and the last thing he’ll hear is a bullet going into your head.”
Caramel swallowed hard and rethought her intention. She needed to warn Ryan but she was going to either have to think of another way, or wait until another time. The look on LaRon’s face quickly let her know he wasn’t joking.
The phone rang four times before he finally picked up.
“Hey baby,” Ryan greeted her.
“Hey,” Caramel returned. “I was just calling to see if you made it in.”
“Yeah, I got in about 4:00AM,” he
returned. “Sorry I didn’t call you, I got caught up.”
She smiled slightly as LaRon continued to observe her, seeing that she was deeply in love with the man.
“Is everything all right,” she asked, reading the question on the piece of paper LaRon slid in front of her as she talked.
“Yeah baby, I’m fine,” Ryan told her. “How are you and the baby?”
Caramel told him she and the baby were fine too.
“Do you know when you’re coming back again,” she asked again from the list, her voice filled with longing.
“Not for at least six days baby,” Ryan told her gently giving LaRon a timeframe to share with Tariq.
He signaled her to wrap up the call and disconnect.
“OK, well we’ll be here waiting,” Caramel told him.
“That’s cool,” Ryan replied. “I’ll call you later tonight, okay,” he added as LaRon frowned slightly.
Caramel replied that would be fine as he declared his love for her once more and she returned the sentiment, disconnecting.
“You really love him, or is that just bullshit to keep him taking care of his seed,” LaRon questioned.
Taking a deep breath to keep the tear from falling and failing miserably she answered.
“I love Ryan, and that’s for real,” she replied simply as LaRon hmphed slightly and turned away, walking out the room and leaving her alone with her thoughts.
33
Kim wasn’t sure where the hell they were. She’d never been to this part of the city she was sure as they pulled off the main highway, heading down a bumpy dirt road. It was dark as midnight in the huge field they were driving through. The only illumination was from the full moon hanging high in the sky. They’d kept Freight and Myles at the warehouse all day, waiting for night to fall. Kim still didn’t know what Mook planned. He and DeNoah had been whispering back and forth most of the evening exchanging looks and nods. It was beginning to unnerve her. Kim certainly hoped Mook didn’t have any doubts or reservations that Freight had forced her to have sex. There was absolutely no part of her that found the man the least bit attractive, certainly not attractive enough to cheat on her Mook, she thought as they came to a stop. Turning the truck off, she followed Mook’s lead as he got out of the car and stood beside it. DeNoah got out simultaneously with Freight, the gun solidly at his back. Myles was again riding in the trunk.
